Puppy Love and More...

So, Oliver is in love with one of our neighbor's dogs. The dog's name is Zeus and he's not cute at all- black and kind of scraggly looking. But, everytime Oliver sees him (or even hears him or any other dog barking), he starts to do this little bark himself, which is more like a high-pitched, short squeal. We'll have to get a picture of the duo and you'll see what I mean.
Also, Christian taught Oliver his first "word" this weekend- "uh, oh." He does it with the right pitch and everything and whenever we say it, he repeats it right after us. I don't think he's grasped the meaning of it as of yet, but it's still pretty darn adorable. He's actually quite the talker. Sometimes he'll carry on an entire conversation, complete with voice inflection, excitement, and what seems like very real words, we just can't understand them.
I'm about three months into my very first calling in Primary- the nursery to be exact, and well, frankly, it's a real struggle. It's a mix between feeling like I am just not good with kids at all and REALLY not being good with kids at all. So, I've been in charge of the craft or activity this month and you want to talk about a calling "stretching" you- well this is it. Crafts probably take #2 on my list of least desirable activities. So, one week I brought in poster-board made crowns, the next I cut up some old rags to make bandanas, the next I traced their feet on a piece of paper and this last week topped them all with noise makers made out of two paper bowls stapled together with macaroni inside. I think the other leaders in there kind of pity me and they're always quick to jump in when they see how bad I am struggling. Ok, so is nursery this difficult for everyone? Probably not...
Christian, on the other hand, is an advisor in Young Men's- a pretty cake calling in comparison. Yes, he has to prepare lessons a couple times a month and go to mutual once a week, but since when did the young women's activities ever consist of swimming, rock climbing, scuba diving trips, playing sports, and other fun, adventorous things??? And, usually on Sundays they just end up story-telling for the entire lesson. I guess that's why guys have to go on missions- "to catch up to us women."
On a lighter note, my Mom's coming into town this weekend and I'm pretty excited. We're going to cruise around Albuquerque for a few days before heading up to Breckenridge, CO where we have rented a cabin with my sister's family and some friends. We'll keep you posted!