Sweet Dreams

"Thank you for Caiden (Jack-Jack). Please help her not to die.  Please help her to be nice and not to cry.  Keep her safe.  Help her to have good dreams.  Jesus name... Amen."  "Why do people just say, 'Amen', and not 'Jesus name, amen?'

Elliott gets really annoyed every time he finishes praying and David and I say a plain ol' 'amen' instead of 'Jesus name, amen' to echo what he just said.  He also takes it upon himself to be the one to pray.  We could have fifty-five people over at our house and as soon as somebody says the word 'pray' Elliott will commence into his dialogue with the Lord.  It is the sweetest thing.  Elliott can be a little shy at times and hide behind my legs.  But when it comes to talking to Jesus, that boy won't back down. 

After I prayed for Elliott tonight and tucked him into bed, he told me that he wanted to pray for Caiden and that's just what he did.  I wish I could remember every little bit of it, but those few phrases up top were all I could retain.  As soon as he started I had the urge to tell him to hold on, run into the other room, and grab a piece of paper and a pen to write it all down so I can remember it forever.  I've been doing that lately--writing down the things he says.  Things like, "...but, Dad, I'm cold.  I need my bajama downs..." when he wants some pajama bottoms.  You know, those types of things.  We think we'll remember, but we won't.  We'll forget.

Elliott took these last two photos of Caiden

P.S.  I've been really addicted to this love story, lately.  Couldn't put it down!  I highly recommend it...

Aargh!

We played pirates today...

Surprise!

Photos by David

{Make sure to read all the way through, there's a surprise in this for you, too!}

Gosh!  I got mail...  Can you believe it?  Usually its just the cutie-pie kids who get all of the fun packages...  But not today.  I was not even expecting this--in fact, I was expecting a package for the kids from David's mom--but after a quick chat with our mailman (Tim), I looked down and was surprised to see my name on the box.  I admit it, my heart leapt within me.  The package was from my dear friend, Liz, who was sending me a bunch of junk I left at her house on my last visit to Connecticut.  Inside of the happy package was my beanie, some baby tupperware, toys, the roses David sent to me for our 5th anniversary which transpired while I was visiting Liz (which roses she so thoughtfully dried for me!), and an odd assortment of other treasures that Liz hoped "would give [me] inspiration for writing [more blog posts]."  And you know what?  It has!

So here is my inspiration:  In the spirit of packages, I have decided that I will send out a mystery package to one of you.  Just leave a comment below and I will randomly pick a winner and send you a special treat from the Escalante home!  Isn't that exciting?  I think so.  So get on with it and write me a little love note!  I'll wait until Friday at which time I will somehow randomly select one of you, shoot you an email, get your address, and get on with this serious business.

Cryn Tip : Cleaning the Tub...the Easy Way

I have one of those plastic bathtub/shower shells and it is so hard to scrub that dark circle of grime off of the inside of the tub.  I dread bathroom cleaning day because I am somewhat of a perfectionist and I can never seem to get the tub all the way clean and that bothers me.  Not to mention the fact that you have to bend down and scrub from a really awkward angle which makes it difficult to get good leverage and force to scrub off the scum.

I just kept thinking that there must be an easier way.  And there is!  Use your mop.  Its that simple.  We have one of those braided rope mops and I decided to sanitize it one day with some comet while cleaning the tub and let me tell you, it made all of the difference in the world!  It gives you incredible leverage and force making the job of cleaning the tub a breeze.  Instead of bending down and trying to scrub at an awkward angle, just get your mop in there and while standing outside of the tub, you simply push the mop up and down and all over with ease. Try it.  You'll be hooked, I guarantee.

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

I was just this close to posting these photos from our day at the park yesterday followed by some witty remarks directed towards Punxsutawney Phil (ridiculing his forecast of six more weeks of winter), based on the fact that we have been having balmy, sunny weather for some time now.  And then, bam!, today hits cold and overcast.  So, I guess you may be justified in your forecast after all, Phil.

The lesson here, folks:  before you rush off to secretly or openly have a good guffaw at someone or something, wait a day or two to make sure it is still worth guffawing about...

So this was us yesterday--when it was warm.

You will also be pleased to know that Elliott conquered his fear and totally mastered the swirly-twirly vortex of terror--and found it quite enjoyable, too.  It was good for my heart to see him climbing around barefoot like little boys should.  Soon, soon, summer will be upon us, have no fear.

P.S.  Come back tomorrow for the video catching Elliott in action on the vortex... (video uploading is not my friend today)