Scriptures with Bradshaw

A few conversations with Bradshaw today (looks like he's listening during scripture study):


Bradshaw: "look Dada, the liahona!" "it tells us where to go! come on dada, let's build a ship with Nephi!"
[the liahona is now one of Bradshaw's favorite toys, which he put together from toys Aunt Katy sent him]


Bradshaw: "dada, I'll help, I have big muscles!"
Dada: "woah! where'd you get those big muscles?"
Bradshaw: "from Jesus!"
Dada: "that's cool Bradshaw"
Bradshaw: "yeah, like that man in the scriptures. Jesus gave him big muscles so he helps watch the sheep and chase bad guys!"
Dada: "you're right, like Ammon"
Bradshaw: "yeah, Jesus gave him big muscles, and Jesus gives me big muscles"


[the phone rings]
Bradshaw: "Dada, it's King Noah calling! He wants to take our money and food and beds!"

Daddy's Little Girl

Wanna hear a sweet thought?

Bradshaw is a pretty sensitive little guy (that's not to say he doesn't have kicking, screaming tantrums or quarrel with other kids.)  For example, he runs away frightened by most Disney movies (and begs to have them turned off because "it's too 'cary") as well as every time Swiper the Fox appears on Dora.  lol.

A few days (weeks?) I was singing the song Oh Lord My Redeemer while doing dishes.  Gist of the song: it's from the perspective of a man who happens upon the procession of Christ is carrying His cross to Galilee.  This man asks the people around him who Christ is and then goes on to witness Christ's crucifixion and resurrection.)  Bradshaw was coloring at the table and I hear him behind me and look over to discover his face is all red and scrunched up--he's crying.  Thinking he was frustrated with his artwork I dropped my dish brush, "what's wrong Bradshaw?"
Full of emotion, "da people hurt Jesus?  Why Mama?  Why dey so mean?"
I told him that Christ was killed but then explained about His resurrection.  While I'm pretty sure he's heard it many times before, it fascinated him.  He's talked about it all week.

This morning we were at playgroup at the church, Bradshaw's little friend was intrigued with a painting of Christ in the Americas in the lobby.  I overhear Bradshaw telling his friend (who is Hindu) "after three days he live again!"

It continues...
There is a children's song that Bradshaw likes that speculates about what it will be like when Jesus comes again (the song is called I Wonder When He Comes Again).  Bradshaw has his own speculations.  Bradshaw said all the birds in the whole wide world will gather in the sky behind Him (because "da birds know He's very 'portant") and sing together for Him.

Chinese Lunar New Year

Snowmageddon II?

Naaaah.

While I think it's been a disaster for the road service crew, from our perspective, it's just been a bunch of snow.  Our apartment is toasty.  We've never lost the internet, phone or tv.  Our fridge and pantry are stuffed.  (Not at all like last February in Virginia when we went days without heat or a means of communication. And the city was not equipped for snow removal whatsoever.)  Since we travel by foot regardless we were not cut-off from the grocery store or even play dates.  And school/mid-terms/interviews for Dustinn never slowed to catch a breath.  

The saddest part of the storm was that hundreds of commuters on Lake Shore Drive got caught in the blizzard and had to abandon their cars and get to safety (see video).
There were also whiteout conditions (lack of visibility; losing orientation in storm) and 18-foot waves.  (We did walk to the beach last night and saw something very cool--waves frozen mid-cusp.)

And, yes, we must carry a snow curse.  Virginia's storm was the worst in snowstorm in 90 years.  Then we move to Chicago and this storm ranked #3 of all time.  Our location just happened to coincide with the nucleus of both blizzards.
And neither blizzard compares to danger and panic caused by an earthquake when I was a little girl in San Francisco...and, well (totally switching gears) it has made us grateful that there is a prophet of God on earth, who speaks with God and gives divine guidance such as having our houses in order and food storage but also warnings to safeguard our families spiritually.

Thank you thoughtful friends (Brant, Julie, EC, Amber) that have warned us and checked in on us.

Today, Mrs. R shared an article called Nobody Gets Married Anymore, Mister.

Update: 16 Months

We love our little Liva-bug so much.

• She's still climbing and can climb into her highchair (a feat considering this is her highchair)and loves to stand on the windowsills. 
• She can open any door in our apartment, including the front door (suggestions? The frame of our door is metal so the typical chain lock/high locks failed even with a drill.  The adhesive locks didn't hold.)  
• Her favorite location in our home is splashing in the bathroom sink.
• She can say "book" and "ba-tu" (bathroom) and "tan-nu" (thank you) and "nigh-nigh Mama" and some others but her most versatile word is "more."  For example, we were sitting down to eat dinner, she jabs a finger toward Dustinn's fork and says "more" indicating that she would also like utensils.  (Sidenote: she is very good with a fork or spoon and can scape a bowl of yogurt/soup clean with minimal drips.)
• Her favorite book is My Little People Busy Town
• Bradshaw's a cuddler. When we are walking around in our building he wants to be holding Olivia's hand.  Sometimes she acquiesces other times she yanks her hand away and shakes an angry finger in his face. lol.  
• She loves to color.

(we used to ask her where her eyes were 

but too many injuries were incurred.)

Livy Update