Caitlin's 12th Birthday

Turning 12 and being a Mormon is a big deal.  For Caitlin it means the end of her time in Primary, and a new start in the Young Women's organisation.  Having served in Young Women's just recently, I am a quite sad that I will not get to serve in there while Caitlin is a "young woman" (or a "little woman" as Neil calls her), but I have moved on to pastures new and I am enjoying my time in Primary.  

Caitlin enjoyed a rather extended celebration of her birthday, beginning the week before with a girls only shopping trip to Ikea and the shopping outlet near Xscape.  We then banned her from her room for the following week, while we used her purchases to update her room so it was suitable for a young lady.  I am so jealous of the lights she has above her bed!! A lovely and rare family meal out at Pizza Express, ended the day nicely.

However, the very best part of all was the opportunity we had to take Caitlin to the Temple to do Baptisms for the dead (click for an explanation, it's not as weird as it sounds!) I really can't describe in words how amazing it was to have one of my children with me in the Temple.  It was a beautiful and emotional day.  I love this photo, which was taken outside of  Preston Temple . To see Caitlin standing alongside her cousins, all an example of young people who have chosen to live a clean and pure life is truly astounding.  I am honoured to know them.

Creativity

During a mother and son baking session, Phineas spilled some flour on the floor, he then proceeded to spend 15 minutes making floury footprints and drawing with it.  Well, I have never been one for half measures, so a couple of days later I tipped some flour on the floor and stood back and watched.  If I had a better camera, I would have photographed this moment beautifully and elegantly displayed on Pinterest with a label like "How to improve fine motor skills on a budget" or some such nonsense.  However, I live in the real world so I am just going to label this "Good old messy fun!"

(PS this is a good way of making sure you clean every part of your kitchen floor...it's like disclosing tablets for floors!)

I finally finished Phineas's quilt.  This quilt was made with love... and blood and tears and sweat and fair amount of anguish... but mostly LOVE!  It is my first attempt at a "proper" quilt, and I have no sewing skills other than those taught me by the power of YouTube, so I am pretty impressed with the outcome.

Newest Niece

We recently had the chance to go over to Chorley and meet our newest niece, Phoebe Maria Munday.  It is not often I enjoy baby snuggles, but I must be softening because I really enjoyed holding her.  Lewis of course was in his element, but then he always looks his happiest with a baby in his arms!   Those first months are tough with a new baby, and so it was lovely to be able to lift that burden from Laren and Jenelle for a short while when they came to stay with us a couple of weeks ago.  It is funny how one good night of sleep can make a person feel "normal" again! Lewis and I enjoyed the novelty of caring for a newborn, and Phoebe drew many admiring glances when she helped escort her cousins to school.

  It has left me with a real ache in my heart.  I would love to have more children, but I never, ever wish to experience pregnancy again... an unfortunate combination! Such has been my broodiness, that I even asked Lewis if I could get a puppy, weirdly enough he said yes.  Perhaps safe in the knowledge that I fully realise that it would be in no way practical. Alas, I am going to satisfy my aching heart with a new pair of knitting needles so I can knit booties for Phoebe.  Some nice bamboo ones I think that I can really cherish!!!