Wednesday, 3 July, 2002

It is amazing to think that Alicia is almost 1 year old.  The past year zoomed by so fast and she has grown and progressed in so many ways.  Alicia has not really taken off with walking, though in the past couple of days she has become more and more brave.  She will take off toward something and usually she would only walk if Chris or I encouraged her to come to us.   In fact today, she is trying to run.

Last week, Grandma and Grandpa Rice and Mitch came to visit.  They were here from Tuesday evening until Saturday morning.  Because they were here, Chris and I were able to attend the Nauvoo temple dedication at our stake center.  They watched the girls while we attended the first session and then met us at the church so that they could be in the second session.  We haven’t done much on our own since we have lived here so it was nice to have that time together.  It worked great.  It would be nice to have family closer.  As we were sitting in the stake center chapel in Longmont, I had the very distinct impression that people-spirits-were in attendance because of work that I had done for them in the temple.  I felt a very warm “thank you” fill my heart and for a moment a glimpse of people dressed in white congregating in heaven, anticipating the dedication of this beloved temple.

On Friday night, Chris and I were able to go to the temple down in Littleton.  It was a wonderful, spiritually fulfilling week for me.  I wish I had them more often.  We were going to go to a movie after, but we weren’t out soon enough to catch any of the times and we still needed to eat.  Mom kept telling Amy that I would come back and Amy kept saying to me the next day “You came back.”  Alicia was a bit clingy the next morning, but it was so nice to be in the temple.  I sure do wish that it was closer.

From our house, Mom and Dad and Mitch headed to Utah.  Mitch had to be in Idaho on Monday morning for summer term at BYU-Idaho (formerly known as Ricks College), and I think they wanted to have a chance to rest up after all the traveling.  Unfortunately, on Tuesday morning (yesterday), Dallin called and said that he had taken Dad to the hospital because he had been having chest pains.  He was back at Susan’s by the end of the day and after a myriad of tests.  His heart seems to be fine, but perhaps he has some kind of hernia.  I know he was just relieved that everything turned out okay.  I am grateful that it happened in Utah and not here.  I don’t know any doctors here whereas Carson’s stake president is a doctor and Dallin’s brother-in-law is a physician’s assistant, so Dad was in good hands the entire day.  It was pretty hard on Mom, I guess she didn’t handle it too well.

They will be in Utah until this next weekend.  Mitch is driving back up to Utah for the 4th of July holiday and will drive back with Mom and Dad unless he can find a ride back.

Alicia seems to be saying the jumbled form of words, such as “What is it” but it comes out all in one.  She can say “go”, “don’t”, “mommy”, daddy”, and “up”.  We started her on whole milk today–no more formula to buy and she usually eats whatever we are eating.  That is, if she doesn’t put it on her head.  For some reason she likes to put food in her hair.  Makes quite a mess, but she is learning.

Alicia’s fourth tooth came through about two weeks ago.  It was a hard one for her and she was crabby for weeks.  Four down and about sixteen to go in the next year.

Amy is maturing so much.  She carries on quite a conversation.  Actually, she jabbers on and on and on, but it is nice to talk to someone during the day who can answer back.  She was sick last week while Grandma and Grandpa Rice were here, fortunately no one else got sick.

Amy still has no desire to be potty trained.  She gets pretty angry with the whole thing and it seems to do more harm than good to try and encourage her to use the potty.  I let her wear panties a couple of times, but both times she peed in them and all over the floor and the couch.  I was hoping that she would catch onto the sensation of feeling pee coming, but she is just not ready yet.  I hope that she will be someday.  I still have some Sunbeams who aren’t yet, so I guess I shouldn’t worry too much.

 We drove to Loveland with Mark and Malinda DeBry last night to watch fireworks.  As usual, our kids were all over the place.  Amy spilled root beer and Alicia was constipated.  So much fun.  A bunch of trees were blocking our view, but it was nice to get out.  We will know better for next year where to sit.