November Hope

As Aaron and I stare out the window at the fresh November snow I am astonished that I feel myself welcoming the winter season. Usually I cringe as the clouds converge to deliver the year's first substantial snowfall, but as I watch my little boy press his open mouth against the cold glass and giggle as he bounces up and down on his knees I am not as apprehensive as I anticipated.  Here are a few things giving me hope as winter's dreary days descend:

1.  Aaron's adventurous outlook inspires me.  No moment is mundane with him around.  He is so curious and bent on exploring whatever catches his eye.  This morning as we got ready for church he stood on the outside edge of the tub and screeched with excitement as the water rose.  He leaned and pulled and squirmed so much that his feet left the floor.  Trying to climb before you can walk, Aaron?  Oh boy.  I adjusted his crib mattress to the lowest setting tonight before  putting him to bed.  I hope he will at least learn to let us change his diaper without restraint.  But until then, this is Jonny's method: 

2.  What a good dad and husband.  He continues to believe in me and make me believe in myself.

3. Every mother out there who is trying to teach their children to listen, click here for hope. The Listening Room is sponsored by Advanced Bionics, one company that makes cochlear implants, but it's creative language development activities can be used to help every child meet communication milestones. 
4.  I taught a lesson in Relief Society on this general conference talk a couple weeks ago.  Elder Uchtdorf's words and the comments of the women in RS have been lingering in my mind since. 

5.  As I watched CNN's map turn blue I felt, for the first time in my life, both excited about and invested in the future of our Nation. Obama isn't my ideal candidate, but I do think he is the right person for the job.  I hope I'm right.  

6.  Finally, I'm hopeful that someday all my creative costume ideas won't look as homemade. :)  Aaron and Jonny are good sports.  I was so excited for Aaron to be a spider this year for Halloween and had an incredible costume design in my mind, but the end product was less than spectacular.  I guess I get props for trying, right?  Look at cute little Aaron, he didn't seem to mind a bit.  He was just adorable.  Jonny and I are the web (don't worry if you can't tell).  

Best costume award goes to my littlest sister, Allison.