Books

I love to read. I often read the same books over, and over, and over and over again. I definitely have my favorites. But I like to try new books. I try to be open minded about what I read, going for a variety of topics, styles, authors, etc. To be honest some times I just pick a book based on its cover. It will grab my attention, I'll read the back and borrow it from the library.

Well last week I found one at the library entitled The Sister Wife. It is about a LDS woman in Nauvoo whose husband is asked to take a young widow as a second wife. I guessed the author wasn't LDS but decided to give it a try. After reading the prologue I had to put it down. The author insinuated that the husband had been told he would soon be one of the 12 apostles, they also explicitly said that if a woman wanted to leave her husband because she didn't believe in polygamy she would be followed, brought back and punished.
I've read books that placed LDS in unfavorable light before, but I just can't read this book when the author obviously has no respect for either History or my religion which I hold dear. I hate having to not finish a book, but I am too disappointed to continue with it. Arg.

My Corner

Morgan and I were talking in bed last night, mostly about how I have been happier these past couple of days and how to keep that up. He mentioned that my blog isn't really mine, I don't really talk a lot about me...it is all about the boys. He's right. But my title is MY Little Corner, not the family blog or whatever, but this is where I get to talk about me. Narcisstic aren't I?

Anyway, here are some of the things that have helped me be happier (in no particular order).
#1. I changed the background of my blog to something happy and Spring-y. I usually try to follow the seasons and I was looking for a Valentine background, but when I saw this it just made me smile. So thanks to Shabby Blogs for bringing me some joy.

#2. I've started practicing the piano more. I love to play the piano. I'm not very good (because I don't practice). In fact it has probably been over a year since I played regularly, but I am working on being able to play all of the Children's Songbook songs. I thought about doing the hymns, but they are a little bit harder and I thought I would do something easier and then feel positive about getting it done. That way I won't give up.

#3. Exercise. I am feeling well enough in my pregnancy (and gaining too much weight) so I have started exercising again. Its hard, and I wish I found a program I liked a little better, but I feel good afterwards.

#4. Good Sunday. Morgan and Eli stayed home from church so Josh and I sat with a friend and Josh was very quiet. They shared their toys and snacks and I could listen to the talks, which were excellent. The talks focused on overcoming adversity. I liked how they mentioned overcoming the everyday stuff that brings us down. It was a good reminder that being joyful will help me overcome the everyday adversities in my life.

#5. Creativity. Elder Uchtdorf mentioned how women need to create and make things to stay happy. I've realized he is right and while I haven't started anything yet I have been planning on sewing more and working on scrapbooking stuff more. Right now most of my creativity goes into baked goods, which while delicious, are not helping my waist-line and general feeling of well-being because I feel guilty for eating so much.

And now I need to stop posting because my kids need direction so they will stop hanging on me. :0)

Dollar Days

Last week Phelps Youth Pavilion held their "Dollar Days" so the boys and I headed out to play. It was much nicer than the last time we went (which was during Spring Break and too crowded to really enjoy). The boys had a lot of fun and several other families from our ward were there too to hang out with.

The Amazing Joshua

So Joshua has had his balance bike since Christmas and this evening they were riding around the basement and Morgan saw that he was riding with his feet up a lot. Morgan decided to let him try Eli's bike. The above video shows Joshua's amazing feat.

By the way, Josh is not yet 2 1/2.

We Love the Missionaries!

The missionaries stopped by our house last night for a quick visit. Eli immediately asked them if they were going to give us a lesson and they agreed to give us a thought before they left. So once we were ready for the thought both of the boys had to sit right next to the missionaries.

Wedding Reception

Shannon and Kyle's reception was a lot of fun. We had MANY more people there than I anticipated. I was helping with the cake and punch a lot and was very happy to go home and rest after it was over!

It's a Girl!

I am now 20 weeks along in my pregnancy (Half way done!) and we had the ultrasound this week. After a lot of poking and prodding we found out that we are going to be parents of a little girl!

Morgan and I were hoping for a girl, it was always a part of our 'plan' to have two boys then two girls, but I just wasn't sure it was in the cards. All of Morgans siblings have only boys and of my siblings they all have either all boys or all girls. So we are the first on both sides to buck the trend.

We think we have a name chosen, but we'll wait until she is born to decide for sure and right now I am just looking forward to start decorating her room and getting ready for baby!



(Sorry the photo is sideways.)

Winter Swimming

The boys got this floor puzzle for Christmas and had a really good time putting it together and then pretending to go swimming with the fishes.

Shannon and Kyle Griffith

Shannon and Kyle were married December 30th in the Nauvoo, IL Temple. Shannon had been living with us since February 2010 and it is strange to have her gone. The boys want to see her all the time and already love Uncle Kyle (though sometimes they call him Dan). Here are some pictures from the special day.



Shannon and Kyle



Eli took this picture, he was following the photography around trying to duplicate her shots.



The Lasleys on one windy day!



Our little family, plus my bump.




Windy?



The Lasley women

Christmas Movies

Christmas

Eli's big present for Christmas this year was a scooter. He loves riding around the basement with it.



Joshua got a balance bike. It is a very short bike, with no pedals. The point is for kids to learn how to balance on the bike, by lifting their feet, before they even have pedals. Then when they are bigger they can move to a regular bike and forgo the training wheels.



Eli reading the Christmas story with Oma (Grandma).



Eli gave Josh a microphone for Christmas.



Eli opening Connect 4



Playing Elefun, one of the new games we got this year.



Our little musician.

December Part 2

I spent my allowance to buy some sushi-making tools. We had to celebrate by having California rolls and miso soup for dinner.



Eli loves miso soup.



Cheese!



On our way down to Chillicothe we saw this house lit up from the highway. We had to drive by and see it. The picture doesn't do it justice. The front, both sides, and the back were all covered in Christmas decorations.



Joshua with Opa's (Grandpa)new dog, Honey.



Morgans siblings got together and purchased new shelves for Jim and Shari for Christmas for their food storage.



The White Elephant party started with a trick to make sure Shannon started.



When she opened her present she was surprised to find her engagement ring inside. Then she got to open another present, since that one was not available for stealing.



One of the treasures.



Jim and his 4 month old puppy.

December Part 1

We had a busy month, but here are some of the highlights.


Eli got to wear his Pajamas to school one day. They were studying nocturnal animals.



Joshua's funny face.



Happy Brothers



Getting ready to go outside.



Eli and Josh



Cold Joshua coming back in.



For about a week Josh only wanted to sleep in the chair in the boys bedroom. He would sleep there for nap-time and bed-time.



Ward Christmas Party - Eli in an elf hat.



Melissa in the elf hat.



Josh in the elf hat.



Morgan in the elf hat.



Morgan and Joshua



Primary kids



Eli, one of the angels.