Pictures of the New Teeth

I was finally able to get a picture of two of James's new teeth. You can also see the bottom teeth, which he has had for a long time. There are two more on the top that are the same size as these two.

Serious Jabbering

James jabbers all day long. It is really fun to hear his antics. In this video, what ever he is talking about seems pretty serious. He was also tired and needed a nap. Enjoy!

Nine Months

James is now 9 months! Where has the time gone!? He had his nine month doctor's visit yesterday. He is 21 pounds 1 ounce and 31 inches long. His head is still in the 97th + percentile, but the doctor is pretty sure it is not a problem. Here are just a few of James favorite things.

Food especially Bananas, graham crackers, peas, yogurt, and anything Mom or Dad is eating

Bath time

Bed time

Books

Buttons of all kinds

Daddy

Lightning McQueen

Mirrors

The VCR

He also has six teeth. He says "mum mum mum mum mum" and "dadadad dad dadada" all day long. He can get where ever he wants by rolling and scooting.

So Long! Farewell!

We said good-bye to a good friend last night. Kaitlyn Dewey is moving to Washington (Jon is very jealous) today (they go to Detroit tonight). We had Kaitlyn and her mom, Denise, over for dinner. We had told Kaitlyn that we would make her Sweet and Sour Chicken from scratch, and last night was our last chance. James loves Kaitlyn. They are friends. He will certainly miss her. We all will. Stake Youth activities will never be the same.

A little story. James went to bed at 8:00 when the Deweys were still here. He woke up at about 9:00 which was after they left. He did have a bubble and burped, but he would not go back to sleep. He kept looking around and fussing. He already misses Kaitlyn. He did finally go back to sleep, but it took about an hour.

We will really miss Kaitlyn! Good luck with school.

**Picture from all of the fun times we had with Kaitlyn.

Who Are the Mormons?

The church I belong to has started a blog of news going on through out the world. A recent post referenced an article, Who Are the Mormons? This article was written to "to acquaint those unfamiliar with the Church -- and particularly those who write about it -- with its beliefs, practices and people." I really like the article and wanted to post it here.

Who Are the Mormons?

SALT LAKE CITY

5 September 2008

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as Mormons) can be found at every level of society — in business and agriculture, education and the sciences, political parties and government, the entertainment industry and news media.

Describing the character of Latter-day Saints, Newsweek magazine wrote: “No matter where Mormons live, they find themselves part of a network of mutual concern; in Mormon theology everyone is a minister of a kind, everyone is empowered in some way to do good to others, and to have good done unto them: it is a 21st century covenant of caring.”

This caring is not limited to Church members alone but extends far beyond. According to Church President Thomas S. Monson, “As a church we reach out not only to our own people but also to those people of goodwill throughout the world in that spirit of brotherhood which comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.”

1. Membership
2. Values
3. Beliefs
4. Education
5. Worship
6. Missionary Work
7. Family
8. Organization
9. Lay Leadership
10. Community
11. Respect and Tolerance
12. Humanitarian Service

Membership
More than 13 million people now constitute the Church’s membership, a majority of whom live outside the United States. And within the United States, it has the fourth-largest membership of any church. Since its humble founding in 1830 with a mere six people in a log cabin in upstate New York, the Church has continued to grow in membership and influence.

Values
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a restoration of New Testament Christianity as taught by Jesus and His apostles. It is not Protestant, evangelical, Catholic or Orthodox. Nevertheless, the basic values of morality, civility and family espoused by the Church are similar to those of most other Christian faiths. Church members find refuge from the uncertainties of the world in the gospel message of hope and happiness. The reality that life has divine purpose, that God cares for each individual and that everyone has the capacity for improvement through correct choices is a central theme of Mormon thought.

Beliefs
Latter-day Saints believe in a loving, personal God as our Heavenly Father. Since He is the Father of our spirits, all people are His children and thus all people are brothers and sisters. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to redeem mankind from their sins. Church members try to model their lives on the Savior’s teachings. All individuals are entitled to personal revelation. God has called new apostles and prophets in our day through whom He reveals his word, as He did anciently. Thus, God still speaks to humankind. Mormons believe in the Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. In addition, they use other scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, which serves as another witness to the ministry of Christ and His divinity. Used together, these scriptures offer insight into such vital questions as the nature of God, salvation and the Atonement.

Education
One of the highest values of the Church is education. It is considered a spiritual imperative as much as a secular one. Thus, according to the late President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Lord has laid a mandate upon the people of this Church that they should learn by study and by faith, that they should seek not only after spiritual knowledge, which is most important, but that they should seek after secular knowledge.” The Church offers its youth ample educational opportunities: seminary is a four-year program that prepares high school students for the spiritual challenges of life; institutes of religion provide general religious instruction and a social atmosphere for college-age adults. Over 700,000 students are enrolled in these programs, which are established in 132 countries.

In addition, the Church has created the Perpetual Education Fund to provide young men and women of the Church in developing nations with the means to gain education and training. This fund, which comes largely from the contributions of Church members, offers loans to students, enabling them to attend school and find employment opportunities in their own countries and communities.

Worship
On any given Sunday, Latter-day Saints gather for worship services in more than 28,000 congregations in 177 countries, nations and territories around the world. Adapted to the local needs of the various congregations around the world, these worship services are held in more than 180 languages and welcome visitor participation.

Missionary Work
The worldwide growth of the Church is partly due to the service of more than 50,000 full-time, volunteer missionaries, who teach the gospel wherever they can — in the streets and in the home. But this tells only half the story. The openness and caring of the members toward their friends and acquaintances is the real catalyst for growth, as the restored gospel provides answers to life’s deepest questions.

Family
President Monson recently described the ideal home: “Our homes are to be more than sanctuaries; they should also be places where God’s Spirit can dwell, where the storm stops at the door, where love reigns and peace dwells. The world can at times be a frightening place in which to live. The moral fabric of society seems to be unraveling at an alarming speed.” But, he continued, this is a struggle that families and individuals “can and will win.” Thus, in an increasingly fractional society, the importance of strengthening the family is paramount. The values essential to the prosperity of any civilization are first instilled in the family — the fundamental unit of society — where a husband and wife work together for the betterment of the whole. The Church’s teachings and programs are designed to fortify the family. The time-honored virtues of charity, sacrifice, patience and forgiveness enable society to prosper. They are most effectively learned at home.

Organization
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized much the same way that Christ organized His church in New Testament times. It is led by a prophet who serves as president of the Church. He has two counselors, and these three leaders constitute the First Presidency. The First Presidency is assisted by twelve apostles, who are special witnesses of Jesus Christ to all the world. Leaders called seventies assist the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and serve in various areas throughout the world. Local congregations are led by bishops. The main organization for women in the Church is the Relief Society, which was founded in 1842. Today this organization includes more than 5.5 million women ages 18 and older in over 170 countries.

Lay Leadership
The local leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is composed of qualified lay members, not a paid clergy. Chosen through prayer and inspiration, these leaders do not aspire to Church positions but respond to “callings” in a spirit of service. Individual members in turn are called by their leaders to serve in various positions in their congregation. This cooperative enterprise means that lay members alternately preach sermons and listen to sermons, lead music and sing music, give advice and receive advice. Their service blesses others and leads to personal growth. In addition to strengthening the family, this organizational structure fosters a profound sense of community within the congregation and satisfies the human desire for connection through mutual responsibility to each other.

Community
The Church is actively involved in the civic affairs of the communities where its members live. It has an obligation to take stands on moral issues facing society. In the arena of partisan politics, however, the Church has adopted a strict policy of neutrality. The Church’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. It does not endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms, recognizing that its values can reside in each of them. Nevertheless, the Church does encourage its members to be responsible citizens in their communities, including becoming informed about issues and voting in elections. Further, it expects its members to engage in the political process in an informed and civil manner, respecting the fact that members of the Church come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Respect and Tolerance
In that same spirit of civility and respect, President Monson recently made a plea to the members of the Church for more religious understanding and tolerance: “I would encourage members of the Church wherever they may be to show kindness and respect for all people everywhere. The world in which we live is filled with diversity. We can and should demonstrate respect toward those whose beliefs differ from ours.”

Humanitarian Service
In his inaugural press conference held on 4 February 2008, President Monson emphasized the importance of cooperation in civic endeavors: “We have a responsibility to be active in the communities where we live, all Latter-day Saints, and to work cooperatively with other churches and organizations. My objective there is ... that we eliminate the weakness of one standing alone and substitute for it the strength of people working together.” The worldwide charitable efforts of the Church are often carried out in partnership with other faiths and organizations of goodwill.

In the year 2007 alone, the Church responded to major earthquakes in five countries, massive fires in six countries, hunger and famine in 18 countries, and flooding and severe storms in 34 countries. In total the Church and its members responded to 170 major events — nearly one every two days for the entire year. The motivation behind this vast global work centers on the simple charge given by Jesus so many years ago to “love thy neighbor as thyself.”

*This page has been updated since it was originally posted on 19 June 2008.

Another Birthday

Happy, Happy Birthday...

James wanted to say... Sorry the first one is wrinkled. I tried to have James hold the signs himself and this is what happened.

Jump Around

James likes to jump in the saucer. It moves a lot. Sometimes he can get the saucer to move across the floor backwards. In the video I wanted here, you could hear some of the sounds he makes, too, but I tried for about 24 hours to get it to load, and it would not. Lets see if this one works. Cross your fingers!

James growls in this one a little while he is jumping.

It worked!!

Toledo Mud Hens

Last night, we went to a Mud Hens Games. Thanks for the tickets, Enoch! On the walk from our parking to the field, James kept looking up at us and smiling with his closed mouth smile. Jon said it was as if he was asking, "Really? We get to go inside there?"

James did really well. He made it through all nine innings. It was a really close game, and sadly, the Med Hens lost to the Louisville Bats. Apparently one of the pitchers that night was called up tho play with the Detroit Tigers. He actually had gotten hurt and was demoted until he got better.

James enjoyed watching all the people. I was amazed that he did not get scared by the loud music (we were sitting right under a speaker) like he usually does. I hope James can have a love of the game (well mine is softball) like his mommy does.

Here are some pictures. When I got James to look at me, the guy in front of us stood up as I took the picture.

More, But Different Spinning

James loves to spin in the saucer. Sometimes he will lean back and spin around and around. He thinks it is so fun. Sorry this video is a little shaky. I was trying not to laugh.

Sometimes he will spin on command.

He is also watching "Yo Gabba Gabba" in this next one, but I did mute it.

Busy Weekend Plus

We have been really busy since I last posted, so I thought I would hit the highlights.

*Jon got a really bad ear infection and has not felt well. He is now starting to feel better, but it has been a long healing process.

* James and I went to play group and James went "swimming" for the first time. He really just stood in the kiddy pool, which was between knee and waist deep. I think he was enjoying it until one of the other kids wanted to include James in the fun and splashed James in the face. He freaked out then and was done.

* James had scrambled eggs for the first time. He enjoyed being able to feed himself. He seems to like them, and I can get ready for the day while he eats!

* Thursday night, Jon had a Peds. Residence Dinner, and Jon and I had long Stake Meetings. Jon came late to our meetings, but I do not know that he really missed anything.

James went and played with Cohen and Jace. Julie and Justin, thanks so much for watching James, so we did not have to take him to our meetings. He seemed to enjoy the night and they say he was good.

Our meetings went well, and I think we were able to accomplish a lot. We got things planned for Youth Standards Night in September and the Olympic Games we are doing in October. We also discussed plans for Youth Conference for next year.

*Jon and I have put together two flyers and emails for the Stake Youth Activities for the next few months. Then sent them out to the different units in the stake and everyone else who needs them.

* James has really been enjoying food lately. Here he is with food all over his face. I think it is squash and graham crackers.

* We went to the temple and did some Initiatories. We traded babysitting with our friends, the Wierschke's. It actually worked out really well. We found a room in the church next to the temple and hung out there with the kids while we were not in the temple. Kat and Jon (Jon Wierschke) did a session first. Then, we had lunch together. Then, Jon and I went to the temple. We left at 8:00 a.m. and got home at 6:00 p.m. Definitely an all day thing, but it was nice to be able to go to the temple.

We also saw a friend who used to be in our ward. She was there doing pictures for a wedding. It was fun to talk for a few minutes and introduce her to James.

Here are a few pictures from the day. James watching Brett play and wishing he could play with Brett. James holding his own bottle! He does that some times, but not often. Brett's new car. It kind of worked.

New Doctor, and Who Does James Love?

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. It was interesting. I found out my cholesterol is too low. I now have to exercise more and not eat any transfats. (as if I really eat so many of those). The low cholesterol could also be genetic. I will see if anything changes after a while.

I am also not hypoglycemic anymore. Maybe I can fast now and not get sick! I will have to see but be careful.

My doctor, who I just started going to, also told me she is starting her own practice, and will no longer be taking my insurance because the competing insurance gave her a better deal. So now I get a new doctor again. What a pain!

Now, who does James love? Here are some pictures to show. James loves his daddy!

Beat the Heat

It has been hotter lately here. Really, it has been a rather cool and pleasant summer for Ohio. Normally this weather comes in June or July. Here is a little video of James enjoying a Popsicle with me.

He now sucks on the Popsicle, and really loves to share them with daddy and sometimes mom (I currently do not eat very many).

Self Preservation

My mom sent me this comic. It made me laugh, so I thought I would pass it on.