Return of the Mac

So I don't have any pictures this time around (sorry), but I needed to update a few things (mostly so I can look back on this once I start record keeping and remember dates! Blogging really can come in handy sometimes...).
First of all, haven't been on for a while for a couple of reasons. I am not one to readily admit when I am doing things wrong, so it has taken me a bit to get to this point, but I have come to notice that I've been spending an inordinate amount of time on the computer that I really need to be spending in the real world. Part of that has to do with my photography, but part of that I think has to do with a full on addiction to blogging and internet surfing. There, I said it. I have (hopefully turning into "had") an addiction. I've been suddenly reading a lot of talks and addresses given by general authorities that have to do with balance in life, and I was certainly aware that I was off balance, but not really sure, or not really ready to admit why. In any case, I am gaining a sure testimony that doing the little things in life, no matter how menial they seem, makes a big difference. Blogging, internet surfing, photography, all those things are not bad in and of themselves, but if you give them more weight in your "balance" then they require, then they can consume you. So, now that I wasted too much of my summer on it, I am ready to hand it over to the Lord and move on.
So, moving on...
A couple of new things recently:

• Chloe is almost (cross my fingers) potty trained. Every day is different, but for the most part she tells me when she has to go (at least pee) and then she goes! She has woken up just a couple of mornings dry, which is a BIG accomplishment since she has NEVER done that until now- we just have to be careful about how much drink we give her after dinner. I've even been able to take her out in public in underwear and not had to worry about taking extra clothes. It's been great. Let's hope it sticks when I go back to work...
• Linus is walking! He took his first substantial steps on the 14th and has been working on it ever since. He doesn't walk very far, and crawling is mostly still his main mode of getting from A to B, but he will walk from furniture to furniture and can walk across most rooms if he gets a good balance going. Two nights ago he also figured out how to stand up on his own. It's funny because he will only do it when you ask him to stand up, but if he needs to stand up on his own, he'll still crawl to the nearest piece of furniture to get up. But he's quite proud of himself over it and claps his hands every time he accomplishes it on his own. :-)
• I got a haircut. I went to Costcutters for a cheap haircut and for the most part that is what I got. Although I will say you always get duped into thinking you're going to look as hot as the models they put in their catalogue when you show the lady cutting your hair what you want. Bonnie, I have to admit to you, I got the RELIEF SOCIETY BOB!!!! AAAACK! I didn't even realize that was what I was getting until I went back to get them to fix it and I kept saying "No, higher layers in the back please. Higher, a little higher, you can cut them even shorter than that...but keep these in front where they are, please...." I came home all pleased with myself when Craig said "Chelsea, that's the relief society bob, m'dear" and I frantically grasped at those short little layers in back and long ones in front and horror crossed my face as I realized he was RIGHT. Oh well. It's not that bad, it's just different. Plus I weigh more right now that I EVER have so I think I thought that if I just got a cute hair cut then the pounds would just shed themselves. Reality is such a kick in the pants...
• I weigh more than I ever have. I'd rather not discuss it.
  
• Linus has learned how to say "Dada", "Mama", "All done", "Dada", "Numenumenumenum" (which is the universal word for "hey, give me some of whatever you're eating there!"),"Thank you", "Dada", you get the picture. We're working on "Please", "Airplane", and "Bird" in sign language as they are three things that he would make much less noise over if he could either say them or sign them. :-)
• Chloe has learned how to say "Stupid". I'd rather not discuss it.
• I finally finished Mom's birthday scrapbook, or rather the update from her Mother's Day scrapbook a couple of years ago. It was a fantastic project and I enjoyed every page I made. At Craig's suggestion, I even scanned some pictures of Mom and Dad when they were young and in love (which they absolutely still are) and made a couple of pages for them as well. We presented it tonight and it went off with a hit- I think it'll be a few more years yet before we get around to doing that again as it is more time consuming than I think it is. Thanks everyone for sending me pictures or letting me take pictures or printing pictures or just being good sports all around. Mom LOVED it.
  
• Craig starts school at the end of the month and I start work in a week. With heavy, dragging feet every step of the way...well, more on my part. Someday I'll be a real stay at home mom instead of just a part time one. Or rather, a full time one and a part time teacher on top of that. Slash photographer.
  
• Speaking of, the photography thing is picking up slightly more momentum. About just as much as I have time for, and it's a blast. I have a new lens, graciously bestowed to me from my supportive extended family, and have made real progress with it. And I'm even getting that in balance in my life as well. It feels good. :-)
• Oh yeah, we're in the Windsor ward now and Craig and I have recently aquired new callings. Craig is the Cub Master in our ward, and we had the first pack meeting last night, HUGE success. The boys LOVED him, this calling couldn't have been bestowed upon a more deserving person. The theme was sports, and so Craig made everything into a sport, even saying a prayer (in a respectful way, of course). Even the parents got engaged in it. I think he was a little discouraged about it at first, but I think now he's realizing that this calling will be perfect for him, and perfect for our schedule this year too. I got called to be the secretary in Young Womens. TOTALLY stoked, although it's going to be a lot more challenging than I thought it would be. Well, not challenging, just time consuming. The girls in our ward are fantastic and I am so excited to work with them. I already know some of them from teaching, so that helps, and I'm just thrilled to be working with them every week. It will be definitely more time consuming than I thought at first, but I know that if I make the commitment I will reap the rewards. I know I have a lot to learn from them, and certainly about myself as well (basically I have to be the organization of this organization, which has not always been my forte, but that's probably why I got the calling...).
• We are very sad to be saying goodbye to so many friends this summer who are all moving away. Friends that we've had since way back when. Friends that I've had since I moved to Greeley, who we've stuck with through thick and thin. We'll miss you all.
  
• Glad to be welcoming friends and family who are moving back to Colorado! Hooray!

And yeah, now I'm just scraping. I have some funny conversations I've had with Chloe to document now that she's learning new and interesting things to say (besides stupid). Here is a sneak peak at one such conversation:

Chloe: Mooooommmmmmmmyyyyyy? (about the tenth time in a row she says this just to get my attention, but really doesn't have anything to say).
Me: Yes, Chloe?
Chloe: Um.....Mooooooommmmmmyyyyyyyyy?
Me: Chllllllllllllooooooooooooeeeeeeeee?
Chloe: Um.......Moooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?
Me: (sigh) Yes, dear....
Chloe: (gasp!) No, Mommy, not "dear"! Whatchu talkin' 'bout? (have no idea where she got that)
Me: (laughing) Sorry, that's just like saying "sweetie" or "honey". You know, "dear".
Chloe: No, Mommy, CHLLLLOOOOOEEEEE, not "DEEEEAAAARRRRRR". See? Say "CHLLLLOOOOEEEEE".
Me: (still laughing) CHLLLLOOOOEEEEE
Chloe: (gasp!) Good job, Mommy!!
Me: Thank you, DEAR!

...and so on and so forth. She's a funny girl and comes up with the craziest things to say. More to come in the future. And hopefully more from Linus to!
Anyway, it's 10:30 on a Friday night and I am pooped. G'night, all, I promise I'll post pictures next time. :-)