A Year of Laughter

Can't believe another year is coming to a close. It has been a good year. A really good year.

We have been blessed with love and laughter and lots of other good things all year long. I feel grateful. Grateful for the love and the good things. And the laughter is a bonus.

In honor of the year that presented us with lots of laughter, I want to list a few of the funny (to me) things the children have said this year. I think I only want to include 12 things, but we'll see how it goes as I look through my blog that I call "laughing with my little loves". It's one of those private, invisible blogs. It's a place where I document those silly kids and their funny talk. Well, funny to me and the husband.

And just for your reference, and to put these funny things into perspective, oldest daughter is 9, middle daughter is 7, and little son is 5.

Funny talk of 2011

January
little son and i were watching his one year old cousin who was crying in an unstoppable manner. little son quips: "she scares me when she cries. it hurts my head and my ears. it's kind of like a weapon. a little baby weapon."


February

feb 14-- watching a movie with the children, oldest daughter leans over to me and says: "mom, i feel like satan is tempting me to say 'how the hell?'
mom: "why?"
oldest daughter: "i don't know"
mom: "sing a song to get those icky things out of your head."
oldest daughter hums families can be together forever, pauses and then whispers to mom: "he's like 'do it, say it, it won't hurt.' "

feb 27-- at the blessing of my tiny, new niece, little son leans over to the husband and whispers in his ear: "dad, three things: i. love. you."

March

mar 31-- shortly after tucking the children into bed for the night, little son yells out: "dad, if my leg falls off can we have a funeral for it?"
dad: "yes, son, if your leg falls off we can have a funeral for it"
little son: "yay!"
dad: "but i don't think it's gonna fall off"
little son: "yay!"

April

apr 13-- i was putting pink foam rollers in middle daughters hair one evening as little son came crawling, army-style, into the room.
little son: "i'm dying! i'm dying!"
mom and middle daughter: "what?"
little son, whispering: "mom, take care of yourself when i'm gone..."

May

may 19-- oldest daughter was explaining how nervous she was while having to have a small cavity filled.
oldest daughter: "mom, when i was getting my shot, i just kept thinking to myself, 'jesus had more pain when he died on the cross. jesus had more pain when he died on the cross.' "

June

june 28-- in utah after playing at a bounce house that had an indoor miniature golf course little son proclaims: "someday i really need to play some manager golf. i think i'd be really good at it."

june 29-- also while in utah, the children were getting ready for bed. little son was brushing his teeth while he and a cousin were watching a little star wars. he walks into the bathroom to put away his toothbrush and declares: "i love yoda! he's the awesomest one! he, like, never dies. HE NEVER DIES!"

July

jul 17-- after watching movies about jesus, middle daughter becomes contemplative and asks: "how many lives do we get?"
mom: "just one here on this earth, but after we are done here, we will live forever."
middle daughter: "so we will get born again?"
mom: "no, we will continue living as adults."
middle daughter: "and then we will grow back down to babies?"
mom: "no, we will stay adults."
middle daughter with eyes as huge as saucers: "really?! we will always be adults?"
mom: "yep"

August

aug 22-- shopping with little son
little son: "mom, one time i was shopping with dad and your dad. your dad was looking for some shorts and he said, 'these shorts are too short. i guess that's why they call them shorts.' he is soooooo funny!!!"

aug 19--
mom: "little son, did you just toot?"
little son: "no, i fluffed."
mom: "that's the same thing as tooting."
little son: "no, it's not. a toot sounds like, 'plbbttt' and a fluff sounds like 'fffaaahhhh.' plus, toots don't stink, but fluffs do.

September

sept 10-- middle daughter has really gotten into riddles and trying to stump us by coming up with original riddles.

middle daughter: "two people are in a cabin and they are dead. how do you know they are dead?"
dad: "cause you are not one of them?"
middle daughter: "no"
dad: "cause you read it in a newspaper?"
middle daughter: "no"
mom: "cause they are not breathing?"
middle daughter: "no"
dad and mom: "k, why?"
middle daughter: "it was the pilot and the co-pilot. and then the plane goes down. nobody was in the plane.
my cousin taught me that one."

October

oct 13-- we were watching my cute little 2 year old niece, junie (name changed to protect the 2 year old), for my sister who is going through a very rough pregnancy. after putting junie down for bed, little son told us: "mom, don't be fooled by junie's cuteness, she hurt me and she hurt oldest daughter."

oct 18-- newly returned from school, little son was walking around the house aimlessly picking up items and putting them down, commenting on everything.
little son: "i'm guessing you're gonna say 'how was your p.e.?' "
mom: "how was your p.e.?"
little son: "i knew it!! it was good."

November

nov 9-- upon picking up little son at the bus stop
little son: "mom, i have gummy bears in my back pack and i'm not afraid to use them!"

nov 13-- little son: "mom, me and middle daughter are the funniest ones in this family!!"

December

dec 10-- a woman in our congregation has been very ill and the ward held a special fast for her. upon hearing about the special fast, little son says: "i can fast my candy."
so he did, he had no candy all day.

the next sunday...
mom: "little son, hurry up and eat so that we won't be late for church."
little son: "mom, i'm fasting for sister j."
and he did. he fasted breakfast and lunch.

the next sunday...
mom: "little son, eat breakfast!"
little son: "i'm fasting for sister j again."

at the end of the day, little son says: "how about next time i fast school?"

dec 25-- dad: "little son, will you say the family prayer and be sure to thank heavenly father for all our presents?"
little son: "what abooooouuuuut can i count him in and thank him for him as a present?"
dad: "yes!"

good night hugs and kisses followed after the prayer. the children ran off to bed. little son promptly ran out of his room to say: "dad, one more thing: thank you for all the presents!!"

dec 29-- friends were visiting from utah and little son and his friend wanted to play a board game. little son ran off to the game cupboard and proclaimed: "let me show you where the magic happens!"




Ok, so pretty much, little son says the most funny stuff around here. Apparently. He is at a good age.

Anyway, here's to a new year with new laughs and new good things. Happy New Year to you and yours. May you be blessed abundantly and find joy in all around you.

enchanting

i totally believe in wishes.

and i think today is a truly magical day.

i did, in fact, make a wish at 11:11.

and i believe i will wish again at 11:11 tonight.

under a full moon.

a brand new, fresh wish.

perhaps i will invite the husband

and we will make a lovers' wish.

that sounds enchanting.

i also believe in wish blossoms.

do you?

i love to wish on an expiring dandelion.

oldest daughter was the first in our family

to refer to them as wish blossoms.

and the name has stuck.

don't you think wish blossoms sounds enchanting?

i also believe in creativity.

i have been indulging in a little of the stuff lately.

so, put wishes, this day, and wish blossoms together

and what do you have?

something enchanting.

happy wishing.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

My daughters (along with a few other elementary school children) will be singing the national anthem at the beginning of the Diamondbacks game tonight. Pretty sure I can't wait.

Look for them.

It's a big deal.

A Sweet Gig

The daughters (oldest and middle) are taking piano lessons. Since July.

Oldest daughter was introduced to the piano 3 years ago. She took one year of lessons. And then we moved. It took me a while to find a new teacher. But, I finally found one and we started in July. And, boy, is she good. I love her! So do the daughters.

I made a motivational deal with the daughters that if they would practice 5 days a week, they could earn a pack of gum. The small pack. Five pieces. One for each day they practiced.

The second part of the deal was that if they practiced 6 days a week, they could earn a Thrifty ice cream cone from our local water store. (Lots of Arizonans actually purchase drinking water in bulk due to the high ickiness of our tap water.) And the local water store has an ice cream freezer full of tasty Thrifty ice cream choices. For some reason, the Thrifty ice cream counter at our local water store is magical for the children.

The third part of the deal is that if they practice 6 days a week for 4 consecutive weeks, they can have a double scoop in a waffle cone. I know!

Combine these rewards with the candy they earn from their teacher for practicing and I have a couple of budding concert pianists on my hands.

The husband, little son and I are the lucky beneficiaries of the daughters who regularly partake of our new daily tradition of piano practice. I am proud to report that they have not missed out on any of their practice rewards. Since July. They are pretty motivated.

I am so impressed with how quickly middle daughter has caught on to the piano. The first few weeks of practice were a little rough. A few tears. Some tantrums. But now she practices without even being reminded. And she is starting to sound really good.

Oldest daughter is flying through her books. She is just finishing her third set since starting and is about to begin her fourth. Her songs are beginning to be enjoyable to listen to. Over and over.

So, our new weekly tradition is ice cream on Monday nights. Right after Family Home Evening. These past two weeks, middle daughter and little son have opted to get something from the bubble gum machine in lieu of their single scoop, which is usually either cotton candy (which turns their whole mouth a bluish-purple) or cake batter. And, that's way cool for the pocket book, since the bubble gum machine prize is like $1.54 cheaper per person than ice cream.The husband typically orders strawberry cheesecake, while I always go with chocolate malted crunch. Oldest daughter is the bravest of the family because she gets something different every time.

I am wondering how long it will take these lovely and intelligent daughters of mine to figure out that there are three of us riding their wave of reward, since pretty much there are three of us in the family who are rewarded, besides listening to their lovely tunes, for doing nothing. Absolutely nothin.

It's a sweet gig.

darn google

this past summer, we sat on the porch at grandma and grandpa's house in the evenings to drink in the lovely dusk and the mountain breezes pouring out of the canyon.

and we told knock knock jokes and climbed the poles and ran races and timed them to see how fast we were getting. some of us got pretty fast. and the husband taught the children how to handle corners when racing.

often, i would find two children on my lap, wanting tickles. or just time.

one evening, middle daughter was on my lap and little son was behind me, playing with my hair- which i always love and welcome. pretty soon i noticed he was muttering something as his little fingers danced through my hair. so i listened closer and understood him to be saying,

"searching, searching, searching."

finally i asked him what he was doing. to which he matter-of-factly replied,

"i'm searching for the eyes in the back of your head."

all mothers have them, you know. my mom did.

*********

yesterday morning as i was helping oldest daughter with her hair before sending her off to school and her exciting field trip, she decidedly announced that she knows i do not have eyes in the back of my head.

aghast, i demanded to know where this preposterous notion had originated. she then declared that she had googled it.

what? googled if moms have eyes in the backs of their heads? she did. at school, during computer time.

who gave permission for that? don't school computers have filters? and where's the teacher who should be monitoring what the children are doing?

i have been thinking long and hard for a rebuttal to this revelation. and i got nothing. nothing.

years and years to build up a good story and darn that google goes and destroys it all in one search.

still, amazing what you can google. donchathink?

Catching Flies

The weather has turned here. Finally.

Last evening I opened all the doors and let in the glorious breeze. And the flies.

This morning as we were reading scriptures, oldest daughter wielded the fly swatter and went on a hunt. She has fly swatting skills that you wouldn't believe. Reminiscent of the Karate Kid and his chopsticks. Often she uses just her hands to catch flies.

And then she feeds them to the canine.

Kinda grosses me out.

It's Today! It's Today! It's Today!

Today Oldest Daughter gets baptized!

We are so excited.

And so proud.

photos by Heather

birthdays

today is oldest daughter's birthday. she turned 8. i was worried she might not make it to this exciting day- she was holding her breath for it all week. but we made it. and it was a glorious day.

she had her baptism pictures taken by her talented cousin, heather. pictures in her new white dress. and then there were pictures taken of her and the husband together. and it made me a little emotional to look at that handsome man in his dark suit and tie, spinning his daughter in her white dress.

and she was surrounded by family who love her. plus, she got circus peanuts. candy of the gods, according to the husband. i don't care for circus peanuts, but i sure do care for that little 8 year old.

happy birthday, i love you!

conversations on a monday afternoon

the children like to play games on my laptop. and sometimes while they are playing, the husband (while at work) notices that, according to instant messenger, i am online- so he will i.m. me. only he doesn't know that it is not me and it is one of the children.

yesterday oldest daughter was engrossed in some sort of entertainment courtesy of nick jr and nick's games. and while playing she received an i.m. from the husband.

when i came back to my laptop last evening, i read this delightful exchange.

the husband:

hey

oldest daughter:

hi, it's (oldest daughter)

the husband:

hi (oldest daughter)

can you have mom call me?

oldest daughter:

sure thing dead man.

daaad?????????

the husband:

what?

dead man?

oldest daughter:

you said we could have choacolate.\

the husband:

you can.

when mom gives it to you

oldest daughter:

yes of course youare a dead man.

i just want to have fun.

the husband:

is this (oldest daughter) still?

oldest daughter:

yes

the husband:

lol

you are confusing me :)

oldest daughter:

lol

ypur fny

your funny that was mist spelled

k. bye dad i love you

the husband:

you are so cute

i love you

what amazing girls i have!!

oldest daughter:

i love you more

bye

the husband:

have mom call me

or chat with me

oldest daughter:

k i will

love you

the husband:

love you too

oldest daughter:

k

bye.

and that was it. apparently the children had been promised chocolate. so i dug into the husband's secret chocolate stash and handed out reese's treats to eager children.

and i re-read the sweet conversation between a dad and one of his girls. and i felt gratitude. gratitude for a man who expresses love so freely to his family. gratitude for a man whose children love to joke and tease with him. gratitude for a man who works so hard for his family and still finds time to check in throughout the day.

i love that man. and that daughter.

p.s. oldest daughter did give me the message to call the husband. but i got busy and forgot. i don't even know what he wanted still. i'll have to remember to ask him.

The Reveal

Won't you please welcome oldest daughter- guest blogger- here with the results of the baptism dress voting. If you missed that post, you can catch up here.

befour i reveal the dress i got i am going to explain about my baptizam . In a couple of weeks i am going to have an interveu with my bishop. when i turn eight it feels diffrent. after a couple of weeks i feel like i'm still seven. Who do i want to babtiz me? the person who i want to babtiz me is my dad.''sorry grandpa and uncles out there''

when me and my mom were going to go shopping for a babtizam dress when i tried on the dresses they were ICHY! but i looked gorgus in them. after we went and got my babtizam dress we went and got shaks and onuns rings with fry sauce. witch was a bad time to do it cause right after that we had to eat dinner and i did not eat a-lot. so i tried on my babtizam dress for them. i looked beautiful.

what was your favorite dress? here are the results of your votes:

dress a: 6 votes

dress b: 12 votes

dress c: 10 votes

NOW I CAN REVEAL THE DRESS I GOT! drum roll please rdrdrdrdrdrdrdrdr!!! the winner of the dresses iiiiiiiiis letter BBBBBBBB coungraduations people who voeted for B!

i chosse dress b cause the disines are beautiful.

i can 't wait till i get babtized.

I don't know how a guest blogger could be any cuter than that!

happy weekend to you!

Whatcha Doin?

Try not to lose your lunch on this one, k? But, if you will, travel back to the second grade with me. Come on, it'll be fun.

It amazes me that elementary school kids are telling the same jokes we told as kids. And they think they are all original. Well, my children hit on a little originality about the last week of school. In the form of a little dialogue that I had never heard before.

And it goes something like this. (who am I kidding? it goes exactly like this- i have it memorized)

person 1: Whatcha doin?

person 2: Eatin chocolate.

person 1: Where'd ya get it?

person 2: My doggie dropped it.

Try as I might, I have not been able to purge this joke from our household. I have told the children I think it is gross and inappropriate. And somehow it keeps resurfacing.

In fact, yesterday as the children and I were watching "Up", all I could think of when the little scout in the movie was feeding chocolate to the bird, was that oh-so-funny doggie/chocolate joke.

And then as a family last evening, we participated in Humanitarian Service at the church. Before we left the house, I popped a lemon drop in my mouth (yummy- lemon drops take me back to the second grade). On the walk to the church, I was talking to oldest daughter when she realized I had something in my mouth. She asked:

Whatcha eatin?

And although she wasn't quoting the joke verbatim, I couldn't resist. So I delivered the next line flawlessly. And a huge smile spread across her face. Because Mom had finally joined in on the inappropriate joke. I think kids like that kind of stuff on occasion.

Just see if you don't find yourself rehearsing the dialogue in your mind on the way to swimming lessons tomorrow. A little caution, though, when your kids ask why you're smiling, don't share the joke with them. You'll never hear the end of it.

Milestone Day

Today oldest daughter and I took a little time to embark on the search for the perfect white dress. She will be baptized in a few short weeks, you know.

In the car, on the way to the store, we discussed baptism. I told her she would have an interview with the bishop so he could help her understand her decision to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And then I said he would probably ask her why baptism is important. In all her humble cuteness she confessed she didn't know why baptism is important. And then she re-thought what she had just said and declared she might know why. And she told me baptism is so important that even Jesus was baptized. We discussed that baptism is essential for salvation and after she is baptized, she will receive a special gift- the gift of the Holy Ghost. Plus, she will be an official member of the Church.

As we sorted through organzas, silks, satins and chiffons, I couldn't help but think back on the eight short years we have been able to get acquainted. She is the one who introduced me to motherhood. It is she who first taught me that the husband is the best kind of father there is: patient, capable, wise enough to use even the small moments as teaching opportunities, and proud- so proud of his children. She is the one who first taught me the joy of volunteering in the classroom. Who else but she could have been a better example for her brother and sister? She has brought me fulfillment and fun and laughter- because she has a tummy she calls Frankie.

In the dressing room as she giggled in gladness at the puffs and the poofs while I zipped and buttoned and tied ginormous sashes, I delighted (delighted- truly the only word that fits) as I watched her embrace femininity as she twirled and admired her beauty in the full length mirror.

We talked of which dress she liked best. And how does one even choose? So we weeded out the least favorite and worked our way up. In the end, she made her decision. And she was excited. And giddy.

It was a good day.

A few days ago I told her she couldn't turn 8. But, darn that girl, I think she is going to go and do it anyway. A genuine rebel, that one.

Just for fun, that little blonde girl and I decided to show you the top three contenders. And allow you to choose your favorite. And in a few days, we will reveal her choice. So fun.

And seriously, the pictures don't do these dresses justice. I think they were sewn by angels for angels. They are that beautiful. Plus, don't you think all baptism dresses should be worn with bare feet? I'm convinced they should!

Dress A

Dress B

Dress C

So, cast your vote. Vote for your favorite and the one she chose. Fair warning though, she is like the best white dress try-er on-er ever! It's like the Summer Olympics- and you're the judge! Woot!

Poetry Lessons and Sea Weed Picking

Among oldest daughter's greatest concerns is that she might possibly have a mother whose Junie B. proficiency does not meet industry standards.

As we prepared for bed this evening she reminded me that I am three volumes behind. (She passes each book to me once she has completed them) In order to appease the second grade cutie, I sidled up near the husband and cracked the spine of Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants once the children were in bed.

Believing that the husband should be well-versed in all things Junie B., I read aloud as he gave me a nice back rub and massaged my feet. Good trade, no?

The two of us read as oldest daughter lay in her bed, listening to Pachelbel's Canon in D. Until she couldn't sleep and traipsed into our room to alert us to her non-slumber status. (no surprise, just part of our nightly routine) The husband reminded her to lie on her back, arm raised and let it sway as she "picked sea weed". (also part of the nightly routine) (proper lay / lie usage? I think so. Holly, can you verify?)

Just as we began to read about Mr. Scary explaining the rules of the cinquain to Room One, little son awoke crying. Legs aching. Inconsolable. Oldest daughter still sea weed picking. Middle daughter long into dreamland.

Once all the leg issues were addressed, little son cuddled, rocked (as in: rocking chair) and serenaded and we were ensured the sea weed picking was progressing swimmingly, we eagerly returned to Junie B. and the cheater pants cinquain lesson.

It occurred to me, in between giggles, I might want to try my hand at a little cinquain.

We finished the book. It was delightful. Gotta love that little Junie B.

And the sea weed picker. Who had finally fallen asleep.

Oh, yeah, that cinquain. Here goes:

Moonies

Obsessed, Excited

Loving, Re-reading, Buzzing

I'm staying home tonight

Twilight

Did you see New Moon? What did you think?

A Little Weekend Miscellany

Remember that Halloween donuts are a tradition in my family? They are. And this year was no different. The husband and I loaded the children (and the canine) in the car and traveled on over to Grandma and Grandpa's casa (after two small stops- the first at Sonic for slushes and the second at the Crocs store) where we enjoyed soup that was too good (in the words of one adorable niece) and donuts that can't be beat.

As we all consumed unreasonable amounts of donuts and soup, ooh's and ahh's were in plentiful supply as each family arrived and we marveled at the ingenious costumes that each family assembled.

emo, emo, pumpkin, Wolverine, Arizona Cardinal

Oldest daughter proved her commitment to piano and was rewarded with the Cleopatra costume she had been working to earn all month. She was on cloud nine, swimming laps in the Nile, if you will.

The family gathered for a Halloween portrait. Complete with goofy faces and zero percent loveliness.

Can you guess what the husband and I were?

As we were trick-or-treating with all the cousins, my sister was recalling how three years ago this very holiday, she was receiving a precious little bundle into her home as they were adopting my adorable little nephew. She recounted how emotional the holiday was as she was waiting for that little boy and hoping and praying that the birth mother would decide to go through with the adoption and not cancel it. My very own little middle daughter was listening to the whole story and predicted that through the whole process that cute little baby was probably thinking,

"Yay! New parents!"

I think she is right.

That does it for the Halloween recap. How about a little Miscellany?

First of all, huge thanks to Megan who notified me of my erroneous BYU Football post. For some reason I thought the Cougars were matching up with the Cowboys this past Saturday. Even though I read the date of the game, it just didn't register. So I posted a football post. And sweet cousin Megan (or was it Eph?) alerted me that I had been a little trigger happy. Look for a correct post on Saturday. K?

Middle daughter is pretty motivated by the Internet. Anything we have a question about, she replies with a, "just go to ________dot com!" For instance, we were wondering a bit about Cleopatra's history- since she has been something of an anomaly in our household of late. So, that brilliant middle daughter told us to go to Cleopatra dot com. Got a leg ache? Check out leg ache dot com, won't you?

Plus, she is pretty astute about passwords. She knows that my password for everything is dot dot dot dot. (maybe you already saw that on the husband's twitter feed- he scoops me on everything with that silly tweeting of his)

You will be happy to know that my OB/GYN is pleased to report a normal mammogram. Also pleased? The husband.

Some of you may recall my escapades regarding one Barta Heiner. I have a new visiting teaching partner. Her maiden name is Heiner. I was chuckling when I found out. And of course I regaled her with the entire Barta saga- after inquiring if she knew Barta and if she were a relative. She is not. Not gonna lie- a little bummed.

Today during fast and testimony meeting, oldest daughter asked why I wasn't bearing my testimony. So I told her I would if she would. We waited for the person who was at the mic to finish and then I stood up to take my turn. Oldest daughter didn't follow. Middle daughter did. So, I was duped and had to bear my testimony without oldest daughter. It was ok, though, because little son was sitting on my lap and kept trying to lick me- bearing my testimony was a great way to escape the licking. Thank you oldest daughter.

Finally, our evening was spent swapping riddles. Two hours of made-up riddles with the children. It was enchanting. I highly recommend doing it with your own little offspring. They are pretty clever. And the husband has discovered that he is riddly-gifted. Who knew?

Woo Hoo!!! Bring on the holidays! This is such a brilliant time of year- so. many. traditions. I hope you can handle traditions. I've got a bundle to share. Look for them throughout the next couple of months. And also, Tune In Tuesday for I don't know what yet, but I'm sure I'll come up with something. Suggestions?

Agenda

Today:

went to a mid-morning birthday party for a cute little nephew

sewed a superman logo

attended oldest daughter's student of the month assembly

assembled halloween costumes for three of the cutest people on earth

concocted costumes for the husband and myself

This evening we will:

attend our church fall festival

over indulge on cupcakes and candy

fall into bed with smiles on our faces

Tomorrow we will:

make the journey to grandma's house for homemade donuts and trick-or-treating

HaPpY hAlLoWeEn to you and your little spooks!

Paranoia and Vinyl Stickers

Paranoia can be a positive thing. Right? I have to believe that it can.

I recently shuttled my darling girls to school, arriving with time to spare before the bell.

I am in the habit of stopping the car right in front of the kindergarten gate- so I can watch middle daughter enter her classroom.

This particular day, there was no spot for me by the kinder gate, so I pulled up to the curb- several car lengths back.

Middle daughter jumped out of the car after so graciously bestowing her sloppy kisses on my cheek. And her little kindergarten self was away so fast that I barely had time to blink. My instinct was to call her back so that oldest daughter could walk her up to her classroom, but there was no time- she was off.

So I watched her little princess backpacked back as she skipped merrily away. And then I was granted more wet kisses from a little 2nd grade cutie as she jumped out of the car and met a couple of her little girlfriends with hugs and off they skipped to the playground.

When my attention finally turned back to the little kinder girl, she was nowhere in sight. Immediately I started wondering if she had in fact made it to her classroom. And then I started taking mental note of every car in front of me. Believing that it was totally conceivable that anyone of them could have snatched her up and taken her while I was busy bidding adieu to my 2nd grader.

I noted the truck, with the annoying high-heeled devil/angel silhouette vinyl stickers on the rear window. Am I the only one who doesn't like those? I have to believe there are others out there who don't particularly fancy them. And do they have a name?

And I checked where the teachers on duty were standing. My rational side kept assuring me that for sure she had made it into her class. Don't worry.

So I drove home and tried to put it out of my mind- my rational self trying to convince the paranoid self to just let it go. But I couldn't. I kept running the scenarios in my mind.

All I could think of were the stories about people in terrible situations and in retrospect, proclaiming that they should have listened to their gut.

And so I surrendered. And I called the little kindergarten classroom. And asked the teacher if my little girl had indeed made it into class.

And she was there. In her desk. Safe.

And I was relieved. Paranoid, but relieved.

***my sincerest apologies to the husband who never knew that our middle daughter was presumably kidnapped until now. because i could not bear the embarrassment of telling him about my paranoia. also, i didn't want to reconfirm to him that i can be a little silly sometimes. really, i can- hard to believe, i know. and i guess i was a little paranoid that he might be a tad bit upset if i lost our daughter. i would have told him. eventually.

What I Learned On Labor Day:

Ahem. Bullets, Please.

• If you sleep in til 9:30, it is possible that all your downstairs will be cleaned by the time you make your way, well, downstairs. But, this requires one bonus husband.
• When the doorbell rings and you are still in your pajamas and you go to look out the peephole and you can distinctly see the fingerprint of the person on the other side, it is your dad and your mom. Stopping in on their very own anniversary. The family I grew up in is 42 years old today. Happy Birthday to my family!
• The canine seems to be gaining weight. Finally.
• Burger King does not put onions on its cheeseburgers. Middle daughter was pleased. But they do put on ketchup. Not pleased.
• Voltron is the Defender of the Universe. (read: Votwon is the defendow of the univowse. {with puckered up lips}) Did you know? I didn't. Little son enlightened me while we were taking a stroll around the lake.
• A picnic is almost pleasant in 100 degree weather at 40% humidity.
• Model homes are open on Labor Day. And they are a great place to go after a sweaty picnic. They keep the a/c really low.
• The Sports Authority employee who stuck with me for an 1 1/2 hours, ensuring that I find the best size 11 out there, was just about to get off work when we walked in. Muchas Gracias, Sports Authority Guy! I'm thinking my walk in the morning will go much mo' bettah.
• There's a geocache somewhere near Sports Authority. We had too many thirsties in the car to stop and look. We shall return another day.
• We may be coming down with Swine Flu in the next few days. My visiting teacher has it. She was here last week. The husband was just at their house- he is their home teacher- he took over a few movies for them to watch. Because, what else do you do when you have the Swine Flu? Watch a little movie, I think.
• Barbie Thumbelina is pretty ok, if you're into all that eco-stuff. But it's not as good as Princess and the Pauper. (Can I get an amen, Nathan?)

(Tangent)

I just clicked over to Nathan's blog to find his famous post on Barbie movies and it is no where to be found.

I vote for a re-post!

(End Tangent)

• Family Home Evening on Labor Day. Have a lesson about babies, I believe.
• Holidays are never long enough!

Matters of the Heart

Yesterday my heart broke a little.

Oldest daughter, just seven years old, told me that she can tell I don't like her. And she wasn't using the manipulative, "You don't like me" tone of voice. She was using her, "You don't like me and I can't understand why because mommies should like their girls" tone of voice.

And, like I said, my heart broke a little. I didn't know how to respond. Especially when I know there is no way NOT to like her. In fact, I really like her. Love her even. It took us 6 long years to coax her from heaven, for goodness sake.

When I caught my breath again, I asked her why she felt like I didn't like her. And she told me that I don't treat her like I like her.

And my heart broke a little more. And I asked myself, "How do I treat her? I must not treat her as well as I think I do."

When I had regained a little heart, I invited her to come and sit with me. So we could talk it out.

As we made our way to the living room, my mind was a fishbowl of questions. And I didn't know which was the right one to ask. And which fish I should leave swimming.

Stalling for time, I pushed aside the pillows as I sat down on the couch and patted an invitation to her and her little bum to sit right beside me. She sat, and immediately turned away from me.

Finally, I convinced her to face me. As I looked into her little baby blues, obviously hurting, I couldn't hold back my tears. And I cried as I told her through a burning throat that I felt so sad that she feels like I don't like her. I assured her of my love for her. Of her importance in our family. Of the need we have for her in our family. And how I believe she is our most important example.

And it was the first time she has seen me cry a hurt cry. Because she has seen me cry happy cries many times. And don't get me started on spiritual cries. And it shocked her.

And it was too much for me. I had to retreat to the loft after a few minutes. I don't think that is how a mother should do it. Retreating.

Not 2 minutes later, I heard little footsteps up the stairs and in no time a little blond angel was standing in front of me. Offering apologies. Where she had no need. I should have been the one asking forgiveness.

We were able to talk and make amends. And I think she knows I like her. But, does she truly know- even more importantly- I love her?

Yesterday (not unlike many days before) I was lead by a child. And learned important things about the heart of a mother and never retreating.

Stars and Stripes

The 4th of July holds special meaning in our household. For this is the day we welcomed our first born into our home. Seven years ago. Where has the time gone?




A true miracle was she. It took us six years to get her to come to earth- a little stage fright, I think. Or perhaps she was working a great work and had to finish before she could be released to us.

And now here we are, with three lovelies to call our own. We are truly blessed!


Happy Birthday Oldest Daughter!


Because of you, I:

• know the true meaning of "with all my heart"
• am a mother
• laugh at least once a day
• read Junie B. Jones
• get to volunteer at school once a week
• learned the secret of cayenne pepper
• thrill at the sound of misplayed notes on the piano
• get to see my greatest love, your dad, personified in you
• watch Barbie movies
• sooth troubled minds
• feel fortunate to have such a tender-hearted daughter
• wrestle to cut your toe nails (can't we just get that done without a bunch of fuss? at least once? Please?)
• love to hear you re-tell Old Testament stories to your brother and sister
• have refrigerator art. ALL the time
• have a dog
• know how to cook and give a spelling test while doing hair and talking on the phone
• have learned tricky strategies to encourage a desirable outcome. In other words, I have learned how to get you to do what I want without any spanking.
• discovered the joy a parent feels when one of their children succeeds
• re-discovered magic- in all things
• love more deeply
• know about "under the pillow"

I am so grateful for you!

Happy Happy Day!!!

I love you!

Overnight

This morning at 3:00 a.m. we pulled out the stainless steel bowl for oldest daughter.

What were you doing at 3:00 a.m.? (should there be a period before that question mark, or not? both ways look weird.)