The Two-Year-Old Conclusion

Now that I have a 3 year old, I feel I have full license to publish my thoughts on the "terrible two" stage.

First, they are NOT terrible. They are fun. So fun. They are just hilarious in their every venture. They walk and talk like they know everything and do so with full intent of action regardless of the firm mention of "No." It's incredibly entertaining and just a joy to have a two year old. Truly. It is.

It's just may be a little hard though on us parents because... Well... You can't go anywhere.

They get into everything, hit everyone, and run. Boy do they run. Fast.

Honestly, if I had no obligations to go to any functions or social gatherings, it would probably be the best stage EVER. I could let her roam freely and get into everything. It would be so fun, exciting, even crazy enjoyable as a parent. I mean I'd follow closely for safety purposes, but it would be easy peasy.

But alas, you have to still carry them out into the world. Groceries. Other peoples' houses. Appointments. Whatever else.  So, you have to teach them, the smaller version of yourself that wants to have more authority than you. And they will fight you daily for the illusive captain's chair you are desperately trying to keep your rear on.

But still. It's fun. So fun.

Three's chalking up to be a pretty fun year as well...

Heaven's slice is being blessed to have a two year old child in your charge.

Kick Off To The Itch

My husband and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary back in June/July and we did a ton of fun stuff to celebrate.


We did our first ever fun run!

Took the kids swimming and to a special western store that sported this awesome little trailer in the driveway!

Then of course we celebrated by going on our annual honeymoon with the baby in tow. Husband's year to plan. Food. Walking. Shopping. Exploring. The weekend did not disappoint.Thanks babe!!

Our annual photo on the drive. You can see ones from our other six years HERE and HERE

 The mansion tour was a huge highlight. It was amaze balls to say the least. We had to go separately because the boy decided he did not want to listen to the guide, but it was still awesome!!

Finished off by a tiny hike/jaunt up to amazing views with our annual hand/year photo. 

On our for reals anniversary day we picked up our favourite food at a couple restaurants and ate it at the rock we often visited while we were dating. It was super romantic and nostalgic. No photo, so you'll just have to trust how good looking we were in our fancy date night clothes.



We're pretty lucky we have each other... and Gold Bond Medicated Powder so the whole '7 year itch thing' is a non-issue.

Heaven's slice is a marriage that just keeps getting sweeter with time honey!!

The Rice Experiment And Your Body

I decided to give the rice experiment a go.














I made some rice, put the same amount in two identical jars, then put them in two similar side by side bedrooms in my basement.

To the positive one I gave it compliments. I mostly called it "PRETTY" and "BEAUTIFUL." Though  I also threw in a 'good', 'nice', and 'love you' every once in a while.

To the negative one I said mean things. Mostly I called it "FAT" and "UGLY." I also threw in an 'I hate you' every now and then.

After just one week a mouldy spot formed on the negative one. The positive one stayed nice, white and mould free. I continued doing it probably 5 times a week for a month and sporadically for another month. The same results continued; the negative one got mouldy and the positive one stayed nice and white. See for yourself:

 

So what does this have to do with our bodies?

EVERYTHING.

If saying mean or nice things to a jar of measly cooked rice proved negative and positive looking results, how much more true could it be to a living breathing being?

Lets say nice things to ourselves in that mirror and watch those physical flaws and emotional scars fade, shall we?



Heaven's slice is loving your body.

No More Denial

This event happened a while back, but I feel I'm finally ready to talk about it now...

My baby turned 1 year old !!!!!!!!

 How did I overcome this shock to my life you ask?

Well, I remembered and realized how fun the 1 year + stage is.

 I mean it's still hard to deal with the fact that he grew up this fast and is no longer that tiny baby I held in my arms, 

but I'm learning to cope. 

Of course seeing his adorable cuteness has definitely helped in the process.

Heaven's slice is this little dude.

10 Years

It was our backroads, pickups, and dust.

It was our teachers testing our trust.

It was our fishpond, blue goose, and main.

It was our moment, it was our "train."

We fought off blues and we won the gold.

We did bad things and scorned those who told.

We were the grads in those gowns and square caps.

We took those trophies and ran those long laps.

We graced that stage and took pride in that walk.

We said goodbye for a future unlocked.

A decade has past since we last took those halls.

Straight A's in subjects mixed with prank office calls.

Cliques turned into friendships as divisions would fade.

A common thread found; a legacy laid.

The world was ours in two-thousand-six.

We separated journeys and sifted our picks.

Unexpected dreams became greatly known.

Struggles and hardships humbled our throne.

Families were started and houses were built.

Missions and adventure had us working full tilt.

The years sped by fast, though we wanted them slow.

The wisdom has set, and we have lots to show.

Heaven's slice is class of '06 and some of the greatest friendships I've ever known.

The Father's Day Tie

It's a WAY underrated Father's Day gift.

My children have the best Daddy.

I sure love this man.

Heaven's slice is having a good father and a good husband.

Our Failing Hearts

It's been many months now that the phrase "Men's hearts shall fail them"  has been floating in my mind.

"And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people."      

- Doctrine and Convenants 88:91

This scripture is referring to events leading up to the second coming (Christ coming to the earth again to rule and reign). It is a sign of the times in which we are now in.

For me, although the context is referring to fear taking over, I also feel it means that love is being lost. Love shall fail them. Love will cease to be sought after. Love will no longer thrive in the hearts of people.

Mocking death threats to an oppressive government. A family's tragedy turned guilt inflicting nightmare. Turning speculation into a voiced weapon of intentional harm. Instead of praising that a child's life was saved the focus is placed on the "unjust" death of the animal that would have killed him. The right to kill babies is not only legal, but strongly defended. Men's hearts are indeed failing them. Love and non-judgement is pridefully being paraded overtop a deceptive beast that's full of hatred, vanity, and finger-pointing.

It's everywhere. I even see it in myself.


Why we feel the need to be up to date with every detail in someone else's circumstance is saddening. It's almost as if we feel that if we knew every detail we would be justified in critiquing them. As if we're somehow exempt from the sin of judging others if we have bits of information in our hands for proof. As if in some way we could actually walk in another's shoes.

We can't.

We'll never know another's circumstance. No matter how much we've read about it. Watched the news over it. Or even visited with them personally about it. We'll never have a full account. There is only 2 people who will ever know another's experience and that is the individual and Christ through his ever-reaching atonement. Not us. Never us.

So what can we do? What can I do about my failing heart?

I can fill it with love. Love is what it needs to thrive. To sustain life within it. To keep it going.

"LOVE: Deep devotion and affection. Love for God includes devotion, adoration, reverence, tenderness, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, grace, service, gratitude, kindness. The greatest example of God’s love for his children is found in the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ."  -'Love' Guide to the Scriptures

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another". John 13:34

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."1 John 4:18

I think actively loosing ourselves in serving others is the key to ensuring our hearts don't fail us.

I also think we need to be mindful of the circumstances that seem to cloud our heart with judgement. Whether it's when we're around certain people, certain places, or certain social media outlets.

Our hearts are depending on us. Will we fail them?

"May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong." 

- Pres. Thomas S. Monson 'Choices' talk

Heaven's slice is filling our hearts with love.