Easton is going through a wonderful phase right now where he always wants to help. If I’m making muffins, he’s on the counter helping me count cups and teaspoons. At least once a day, he’ll get the broom and “sweep” (though this usually derails into riding the broom like a pony). If Bryce is putting something together, Easton’s right there ready and willing to help. His current catch phrase is “Me good helper!” He always says it with such pride. And I always say, “Yes, you are a good helper!” I hope he always feels this way, like he can help those around him and that what he does is meaningful and appreciated.

My big helper helping me make dinner. Classic Easton expression.

Here’s today’s prompt:

List 5 of your weaknesses and 5 of your strengths.

5 Weaknesses

I should preface this part by saying that I do believe we can overcome our weaknesses, and even make them strengths. So when I say, “I am,” I don’t necessarily view it as a permanent condition.

1. I am impulsive. I always feel like once I’ve had an idea, I need to take action right that very second. Sometimes, this is good and I come across as on the ball. Often, however, it means that I make decisions I regret and sometimes I have to go back and take steps to undo the choice, which makes things complicated.

2. I have a sweet tooth. Well, it’s really a sweet/carb tooth. I love to bake cookies and sweet breads and muffins. This really gets me into trouble when I’m pregnant and is probably a large reason why I always end up with at least 40 pounds to lose after I have a baby.

3. I can be short on patience. This is something I am constantly working on. I always thought I was a very patient person, but then I had children and my impatience reared its ugly head. Constantly working on speaking with respect and in a calm tone with my children and trying to remember that they are little.

4. I am not a good parker. I often have to try two or three times before I park the car straight. And don’t ever ask me to back into a space. I can only imagine how many tries that would take!

5. I can get too involved. This relates to one of my strengths, actually, but sometimes my compassion drives me to get too involved. I care so much that I step in where it’s not my place to step in.

5 Strengths

1. I love easily. My patriarchal blessing tells me that I have a great capacity to love and I think that is spot on. It’s really hard to make me not love you.

2. I am optimistic. I always try to see the bright side of things and to focus on the good parts of a situation. I have great hope for the future.

3. I am a good listener. I try to make it a point to stop whatever I am doing and look at a person when they are talking to me. I try to be a good listening ear. I do need to do better about this with my kids–to stop what I am doing and really really listen to them.

4. I am cheerful. This isn’t always the case, but I usually try to be happy and cheerful. Bryce has told me many times that this is something he appreciates about me, so I think it must be true.

5. I am committed to my children. Even on the days that I am not as patient as I should be, I am always committed to them–to their educations, to trying to do what is best for them, to trying to make a good home for them. I hope they will look back one day and see that.

A couple weeks ago, Bryce and I got to go to a fantastic concert. Pentatonix is an a capella group that won the T.V. show “The Sing-Off” a couple years ago. Since then, they’ve gotten pretty popular, especially on YouTube, where some of their videos have over 50 million views. I love their stuff, so when I saw that they were coming to Salt Lake, I snatched a couple tickets for me and Bryce. I’m so glad I did because the tickets sold out in just a couple days!

We got there early to wait in line outside the venue. By the time doors opened, the line wrapped all the way around the block behind us.

It was an awesome concert! The venue was definitely a little different for us. It was at a place called The Complex and there wasn’t any seating (unless you had a medical reason). So, there were 2500 people all standing up against the stage. Crowded, hot, and not the most comfortable place I’ve ever been, but it was totally worth it.

Brock and Cortney ended up getting tickets, too. It was so fun to experience this with them!

Pentatonix!

This was a crowd of adoring fans, let me tell ya. There was so much energy in the room and everyone was loving the music. The band kept saying what a great audience we were and that we were the best audience yet on their tour. Their performance was just top notch. Fantastic harmonies and arrangements. I was clapping and dancing the whole time. Sometimes you worry that a person or band won’t be as good in person as they are on their recordings. Well, Pentatonix was even better live. You could feel the bass reverberating off your bones and their sound as a group was brilliant.

The group.

Just a stellar concert. I’m so glad we got to go! It’s great to see real talent like this and I love that they’re helping to make a capella cool. Their beatboxer even showed off how he can play his cello (excellent) and beatbox at the same time. Pretty cool effect.

One of my favorite parts of the night was when they sang Run to You. This is a song they wrote and it’s just gorgeous. Everyone in that auditorium was quiet and listening. It was honestly one of the most reverent moments I’ve experienced lately.

So, yes, definitely worth the 5 hours of standing!

Here is a short little video we put together to remember Liam’s birth. I know, I know–he’s almost 10 months old! Better late then never, right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_f8YDoJGxI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Click here to watch the video if you can’t see it above.

Making this brought back lots of memories and feelings and emotions. So glad to have this little guy in our family.

The other day, we got a package in the mail from Than and Nicole. When I saw the return address, I knew what was in the package and I got so excited. I called Amelie over and we both made noises of delight as we unwrapped each package.

My Polly Pockets!

This collection of tiny Polly Pockets was one of my favorite toys when I was a little girl. When I outgrew them, we passed them on to my niece Claire. Now that Amelie is old enough, Claire and Nicole sent them our way. I think it’s amazing how well they’ve been taken care of all these years!

The collection.

There are tons of tiny figurines, cottages, houses, a toy store, a preschool, even a bridal shop! Each little house or structure opens up to reveal rooms and tiny furniture and vignettes. When you close them back up, they are sweet little houses. Unwrapping these brought back so many memories. Honestly, I teared up a little. I can still remember how I felt playing with these when I was little and now Amelie gets to enjoy them, too.

So much fun!

This collection is now Amelie’s favorite thing to play with. She arranges them into neighborhoods and sets up the little dolls. Thank you, Claire and Nicole, for taking such good care of these!