Would You Rather...?

In college, we used to play a game called "Would You Rather...?". Basically, we would pose questions to each other, like this: would you rather have a nose that constantly bled, or pee nonstop all the time? Pretty easy game to play. This blog is dedicated to Maggie and Steve, with whom we always played this game, always striving for the morally vague "would you rather kill your mom or your best friend?". What a great way to spend your friday nights. Well, the last few days, I've been thinking about this game. Because it's not so much theory anymore, as it is a horrible reality. For example:
Would you rather
-take a 13 month old to Church for 3 hours, or have a stranger punch you in the face every morning for a week?
-give a 13 month old a bath and get her ready for bed, or hold a hand grenade in one hand while being tickled constantly?
-cook dinner every night for the Rest of Your Life, or have your toe nails removed one at a time?

See, when I was in college, these were easy ones, I mean, really, how hard could it be to take a kid to church, right? Oh, my friends. Every Sunday morning, as Zane and I get in the car (always 15 minutes after church has started, mind you-and we've got a good 25 minute drive to get there), we are still optimistic. And then I get to church. And wish someone would punch me in the face. Because, seriously, could that be any worse?!

So if you see me any time during the week, and I look just a little less than my best-don't judge me. Just, please, punch my daylights out. At least that way, I'll get a little bit of sleep.

and time marches on

It's hard to imagine that an entire year has passed since Layla was born. I don't remember much from those first few days-I was pretty doped up on some weird drugs. JJ likes to tell the story of how while in recovery, I called him and told him I felt like a mermaid. My sister in law saved the voice mail I left her-for a year so far. But I will always remember the moment a nurse came in to give us, finally, and update on Layla's condition. At the time, they thought she had a hole in her heart. I felt like I was underwater, trying to swim to the surface to get to Zane, to breath, to fix whatever was wrong. Stupid nurse. Thankfully, there was no hole-or at least, after my family fasted, her name was put on temple's prayer roll, and we all started praying extra hard, by the time it was all examined in whole, Layla only has a mild heart murmer. I think sometimes I forget about what a miracle that is. When I'm chasing her around all day saying "what did you just put in your mouth?!" for the one millionth time, I forget how lucky I am to be chasing her around. Layla had a week of celebration for her 1st birthday-we started out at Rene and Larry's, where Layla was dressed like a princess, complete with crown. This picture doesn't do it justice, believe me! She had on an adorable little tutu, as well. Just too cute!
So the next day, we headed off to Utah to visit my family. After a nice Memorial Day picnic and reunion with Doug and Jo and Jason and Jackie (congrats again!!), the family headed to Heber City to spend a week up in the mountains. And Layla rang in her first real year hearty mountaineer style. Or Barger style, at least. Shiney and I made her a puppy dog cake, Layla opened lots of cute presents, got frosting on her fingers, didn't eat the cake, and was trampled by her cousin Andy. It was great. So Happy Birthday to the cutest darn kid in the entire stinkin world-love her to death!!!


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