The Wilhelmsen Botanical Blog

Well, I guess that I had better warn everyone that this will likely be a long post (if I can remember all that I have had on my mind).  Last week (I can’t remember if it was Sunday or Monday) a friend that we met at the University Village brought by some hand me downs for Aiden.  As you can tell from the pictures his favorite two items were a floppy brimmed hat and some rain boots.  He wore the rain boots around most of the afternoon.

Wednesday was Brandon’s birthday.  We met up with an assortment of friends and family at Red Robin for some good eats and yummy caramel fudge brownies for dessert (Brandon’s “cake”).  It was really wonderful for everyone who was able, to come out and support Brandon as he turned 30.

On Thursday Aiden decided to play with his toy buckets and lids.  He even put a bucket on his head and then head butted me in the leg.  A little bit later I found him playing peek a boo with the lids.  Such a silly boy.  We have also taken every chance we can to go out when the weather is good so I have included a couple of pictures of Aiden outside.  I also had a visit to the Obgyn on Thursday.  I was only measuring 39 cm. still (only a half week ahead) and was dialated to a 2 and 75% effaced.  We have arranged to be induced on April 3rd.  But I have to admit I hope that he comes on his own before then.  I had Aiden at 39 weeks and so anything beyond that will be uncharted territory (not to mention increasingly uncomfortable).

On Friday I let Aiden take a hold of the camera and helped him to push down the button so that he could take a photo or two.  Here is one of his photos.  Friday was a busy day.  In the morning Brandon took the car to have the brakes adjusted and then to be re-tested for safety.  Thankfully it passed but it was also brought to our attention that the front two tires needed to be replaced because the tread on the inside of them was nearly to the second tread (or something like that) LOVELY…  After all of the car stuff Brandon came home and the two of us dropped Aiden off at my grandma’s to be tended.  We then enjoyed doing some initiatory.  I finished a good 20 mins. before Brandon and I was feeling so off and uncomfortable that I was trying not to cry.  In the evening we were going to go swimming but decided to get the groceries that we would need to get us through a week after Lucas is born instead.

Saturday morning the Easter Bunny dropped by.  We had to make special arrangements for him to come a week early since I will be in the hospital on Easter.  The Easter Bunny brought two neck ties, two pairs of flip flops, chalk, egg shaped M & M’s, Tootsie Rolls, and a tool apron for Aiden to wear when he plays with his tools.  Aiden seemed pleased with his loot, after all it isn’t hard to please a toddler and honestly, he got the most excited about the flip flops.  😉  In the evening Brandon had plans to night ski with my cousin so I made plans for Aiden and I to hang out with my dad.  Before Brandon could ski though, he had to take our car to get the tires replaced.  Oi, cars are expensive.

Aiden and I went out to pick up my dad about 4:45 and then we all went to Discovery Gateway.  Aiden wasn’t sure what to think at first because there were so many choices but he ended up having a lot of fun.  We ended up eating dinner at the food court because we were at the children’s museum for so long.  Luckily our food was yummy and Aiden ate his corn dog right up!  Thanks for keeping us company on Saturday dad!

Sunday we went to church.  It will be the last time that I get to go for awhile because I will want to try and keep Lucas away from any extra germs so it was nice to go this one last time.  (Especially since we have been sick the last two Sundays.)  My mom came to visit as usual and at one point Aiden said, “Aiden is going to sing.”  So I said, “Ok go ahead.”  but instead of singing he proceeds to walk over and start licking the arm of the futon.  Needless to say my mom, Brandon, and I were all a bit confused but burst out laughing.  Sometimes you can’t help but wonder what goes on in your child’s mind.

Ok, let’s see if I can remember the other things that I wanted to mention.  First, is employment.  I think that in the past Brandon and I haven’t explained ourselves very well and this has led to some confusion.  As you all know his current job is temporary and will end beginning of August.  We have been looking for something to replace it when it ends but as of yet have had no results.  Here is where the confusion has come in the past…we are not looking for simply a job to pass the time.  Ever since Brandon graduated we have been in search of a career for Brandon.  A career that pays well, that is in Brandon’s field of study or graphic design (we have actually been praying for one in graphic design), that has good benefits, and that will be something that Brandon can enjoy.  That is part of why it was taking so long to find a job in the first place.  We kept vascillating back and forth between finding a career and simply finding a mediocre job that would pay the bills.  We prayed continually to know what to do and that combined with the knowledge that we had at the time is how we ended up with subbing and the census job.  As for the future, if we get to August and have no career lined up then we will go back to subbing as our back up plan until the right career comes along.  Things will be tight but it will pay the bills.  During August, if Brandon is not working he plans to make big strides writing the chapters of his book and between now and then he is working on making himself known through blogging and finishing up his outline so that he can search for a publisher.  I may even try my hand at making money blogging myself (if I can think of something that others would find worth reading).

Lastly, is just a thought that I had the other day.  I have been concerned about the country and the world and its impending end.  I have worried about how bad it could get and have hoped that Brandon and I would have the means necessary to survive as things crumble around us (things such as savings, food storage, and means to kill our food (please no) if necessary).  In my mind it has always been that we would only have ourselves to rely on when the end was nigh.  Then I heard something the other day that made me realize that I was wrong.  Not only do we have each other (my little immediate family) but I also have my extended family to lean on and my religion.  The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints already has many programs in place to help deal with calamities and catastrophes.  As I am sure other religions do as well.  On top of all of that when it comes to a force for good and a force for evil I believe that I will not only have my religious family but that all religions will band together against the power of the destroyer (a.k.a. Satan).  There is strength in religion and there is safety in numbers.  So may I encourage all of you who are not currently active in a religion to search one out, the best one for you and your family, the one that you feel is the most right for you and embrace it whole heartedly by attending church and as many of the extracurricular functions as you can as well.  As a mother I just can not imagine trying to raise children in the increasingly ugly world without the church to help guide my way and providing extra support in my efforts.  If you have any questions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints you can ask me or you can go to http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/ for more information.  In your search for a religion may I ask for you to consider them all equally, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Good luck!