This is vigor!

We went to a demonstration of Highland games. It is like the Scottish version of track and field without the track. TJ got to try throwing all sorts of things like rocks and logs. This is his attempt at throwing the "heavy weight." It is a 56 pound weight with a chain and ring attached to it that you throw one handed. Despite being a little sore afterwards, and really sore the next day, TJ had a good time (and I thought it was really cool.) 

Car Seat

I dread going anywhere without TJ. Two days ago I embarked on a trip that would take me over an hour of driving time. TJ had class, so it was just me and Tighe. Despite being well fed and in a good mood, Tighe cried the whole 30 minutes to our destination. I got him out for a few minutes while we met with a woman to buy a walker. He was completely fine. Then we walked around a farmer's market for a few minutes and he fell asleep. However, as soon as he was back in his car seat he was awake and crying again, a desperate, ugly cry. I was driving on busy city streets that I had never been on before, and felt rather helpless. Unfortunately this is a typical scenario.

What is notable though is the atypical. Every once in a while I am surprised.

It took us two and a half long days of driving to get to St. Louis. We left early in the morning, which meant disturbing Tighe's sleep, and drove as non stop as you can with a month old baby. We were so blessed in that Tighe traveled wonderfully. He slept most of the time, and when he was not sleeping he was mostly content. So, why is he not that way all the time?

Sunday night sing-a-long

Our neighbor has a Master's degree in music performance. She plays the piano beautifully. Last night we all gathered around the Heideman's piano and sang hymns. There were more male voices and they knew their parts so it was awesome. I was holding Tighe, he was tired and a little fussy. The first song we sang was "Praise to the Man". By the end of the song the Spirit was present, I had goosebumps and Tighe squealed with delight. It was the first time he had ever done that. The evening was such a great one. Sadly, Heather is moving so we are losing our piano player. It makes me wish I could play, I would love for moments like those to be a regular occurrence in my life.

Brody, 8 weeks; Brooklyn, 6 months; Tighe 9 weeks; Alex, 3 months

There is a family here in St. Louis that without even meeting us, invited us to there house for dinner the first Sunday we were here. The Heideman's children have all left home, so they have adopted the Logan students as their own, and they especially love the babies. We have dinner at their house after church on Sundays with four other Logan student families. One family has three older boys, but the rest all have young babies. Alex (far right), is moving to Utah this month, but we get to watch these babies grow up together. I am so excited.

A Newborn Child

"Fathers and mothers, next time you cradle a newborn child in your arms, you can have an inner vision of the mysteries and purpose of life." Elder Boyd K. Packer


Tighe Jennings was born on March 30th, one day before General Conference. While still in the hospital with our precious, new family member we were able to watch part of the first session. Boyd K. Packer's was the first talk. In my heightened emotional state I cried at this quote, but didn't have much time to really take it in. In the New Testament it says that "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." There are so many things to ponder with the birth of a baby that I am pondering still.

If wisdom is my goal, becoming a mother is certainly a good step. My life has been turned up-side-down. Every aspect of my day is dictated by a child that has only been in the world for two months. It takes patience, observation, and critical thinking, not to mention instinct, to learn what he needs and respond accordingly. It takes a great deal of sacrifice and self control. It is the most difficult and the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life. I have gotten those small glimpses of the mysteries and purpose of life.