Remind Me in 5 Years

M was sitting next to me in Sacrament meeting today and kept staring up at me. I finally turned to her and said,

"Why are you looking at me?"

"Because I am adoring you. You are a saint."

How Practical!

The other night, I was reading aloud "Pony-Crazed Princess: Princess Ellie's Summer Vacation" to E. We got to the very exciting climax of the story where the princesses are able to rescue Wilson-the-Wonder-Dog from the cave by attaching a vine to the horse and the rock, and then giving a heave-ho to pull on the big rock away that were blocking him in. It was a breathtaking rescue.

E was snuggled up next to me, turned her cute little face upward and said,

"Mom, did you ever think that maybe we should get a pony?"

Yes, it would be so very helpful and practical in our 3 bedroom condo. I just don't know why I haven't thought about that before!

His Eye is On the Sparrow

Luke 12
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is aforgotten before God?
7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.



This scripture has been on my mind all afternoon, and I was blessed with a powerful reminder today of how God is SO AWARE of us, and what can happen when people move as He prompts them.

You see, every M/W, M has swimming lessons after school in a nearby town. I have to pick the girls up from school those days, because their bus takes almost an hour getting home, so we'd barely make it to swimming. But, when I pick them up, we have about 45 minutes to "kill" before heading to the YMCA. Usually, I have an errand to run or a park we want to play at, but I didn't really have an agenda today. The only thing I could think of to do was to go get some gas at Costco.

As I was pulling out of the gas station, I said, "So, do you guys want to go grab some samples, or go do something else?" They were enthusiastic about samples, so I drove up the aisle of the parking lot and was happy to find a sweet spot really close to the store.

I was feeling lame about not even having a real reason to go into the store, so I called my friend to see if she wanted me to pick up some Pirate's Booty for her, as I just introduced her to that addictive snack. We chatted until I got in the store and lost the reception.

I grabbed a pallet (E likes to ride) and we went down a few aisles, spied a sample, and looped back around to grab it. As we headed down the aisle, a woman and her teenage daughter approached us, and she said, "Excuse me. You're going to think I am crazy, but I was wondering if I could ask you some questions? I was in the parking spot next to you when you pulled in."

At this point, I'm thinking, "She hit my car! Or wait, maybe I hit her! But why wouldn't I have noticed that?!"

She continued, "As I was pulling out, I noticed your cute license plate frame (It says, "Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?") and then I saw your blue puzzle piece for Autism Speaks. Do you have someone in your family with autism?"

Before I could even answer, M jumped up, "It's me! It's me!" This woman then spent several minutes telling me of her daughter, who is 15 and just recently diagnosed with Asperger's. She kept saying, "We just feel so alone. Do you know any resources specifically for families dealing with Asperger's?"

I was able to tell her of a new online group I am part of (we will meet up eventually, but just getting to know each other online for now) and a few other places I know of. I gave her my name and email address, and she was so flustered that she couldn't remember her email address, so I am waiting for her to contact me first.

She kept saying, "When I saw your car, it was just the strongest feeling that I had to talk to you! I rolled down my window, but you were on the phone. (oops) So then I pulled back into the spot and the guy waiting for it was mad, but I had to follow you." We then talked about how moms will move mountains if they think it will help their kid, which made me remember that Jenny McCarthy was going to be on Oprah today. I just caught part of it on the rerun tonight, and apparently, her new book is called, "Mother Warriors." How appropriate for my little encounter today!

I was so impressed that this mom would repark her car and hunt us down! I don't know that I gave her a ton of info, but I think she felt better after our chat, and I hope she contacts me so I can get her in touch with our Asperger's support group.

What REALLY, REALLY struck me was how the Lord orchestrated the whole thing. We could have just as easily been many other places - the park, the library, the dollar store ;) - but we "just happened" to be in the Costco parking lot, pulling into that one spot in such a huge parking lot... He even "made" it that I didn't have a list and wasn't in a huge hurry to do a lot of shopping. My girls were even relatively patient with the whole thing. The girls and I had a good chat afterward about how much Heavenly Father KNOWS us and wants to bless us. That mom could have easily dismissed the whole thing. I wonder how many times in my life I do that? How many blessings have I forfeited just because I wouldn't "pull back into my parking spot?"

I am grateful for this experience and for the reassurance it gives me that God knows us personally and intimately...even when we're in the Costco parking lot.

Aw, Shucks

I bought some more farm produce today (corn, peaches, apples)for canning/freezing. We decided to get going on the 50 ears of corn first, and the girls eagerly set up shop out on the deck and did about 30 ears before dinner. They make me laugh, listening to them, because they always make up some story about how they are servants who are really princesses who are forced to work in the kitchen. It keeps them happy, so I am content to supply "real life play experiences" for them!

M even went back to work after dinner, but then part of an ear sliced her fingers in 3 places, so we decided that was enough for today!

Can I just say how much I LOVE it that my girls are finally getting old enough to be genuinely helpful?!?

Box Mom

I have been trying to make healthier foods for the family lately (thanks, Colleen) and last night's menu was pretty cool: homemade bread, homemade applesauce, canned green beans (that I just canned - not from the grocery store), and ham. I was commenting that the only thing I didn't make was the ham and M said,

"This is so amazing. I thought I had a Mom-Chef From A Box!"

Doesn't This Make You Feel Safe?

As most of you know, my hubby works for the TSA at the airport (security...you know, 3 oz bottle, in a ziploc, and no you cannot take that knitting needle with you). Today Big Whigs from the Dept of Homeland Security in D.C. (the other Washington) came through and randomly picked 5 screeners & went through their lanes to see if they'd "catch" what was wrong with their bag, etc.

Of the 5 screeners, my husband was the only one who didn't make any mistakes and caught everything.

So, high fives to P, and could we get a promotion for this guy, please?!? (Don't get me started...this is just one in a long string of awards, highest scores, and accomplishments, and yet, it appears he's just the wrong race and gender to move up. But I'm not bitter.)

Not sure if I want to fly out of SeaTac anytime soon, though...Please don't tell the terrorists...

But way to go, P, or should we just start referring to you as "Eagle Eyes?!" I'm proud of you!

Food Critic

My friend is helping me come up with healthy snacks for my picky eaters. She sent me home with a baggie of dehydrated banana slices for them to sample. They aren't crispy like banana chips, but chewy, more like a fruit snack. They are ugly, though, so I wasn't sure they'd even try them.

Since I told them that it came from Sis. C, who is a fabulous cook, they were willing to try just one. M popped one in her mouth and said,

"MMMMM! You're right, Mom! The appearance surely leaves something to be desired, but the texture and taste are amazing!"

I started laughing and she asked what was so funny. When I replied, "You are!" she said,

"Mom, what do you expect?! I'm a food critic!"

Overheard in the Backseat

For as long as I can remember, E has confused what it means to roll the window up/down in the car. I try to kindly correct her, but it hasn't sunk in, yet. As we were heading to school yesterday, here's what I heard:

E: "Mommy, you need to put the window up 'cause I am getting too hot."

M: (exasperated tone) "E, you mean she needs to put the window down."

E: (pause, and then in a tiny voice) "M, I just don't think you understand how hard my life is for me. I just don't know everything like you do."

M: "E! You don't realize that I have had to work very hard for all my knowledge!"

OH MAN. I wanted to bust out laughing...they were so serious and sincere. Instead, I tried to reassure E that when she is 9, she will know the stuff that M knows, too. Wow, such trials my girls have! ;)

Four Years Ago...

Four years ago, this was my baby, and this was my kindergartener:




Today, this is my kindergartener and my fourth grader!



E is lucky to have a friend already in her class. A's family went to church with us here and then moved down to the town where the girls' new school is, so by lucky coincidence (or divine intervention?) these girlies get to be in the same class (and even sit by each other). It sure made dropping her off easier this morning!


(And "How did you do?" you might be wondering? Actually, I did just fine. Really! I was even a little in a hurry to drop her off 'cause I wanted to get to my Zumba class at the YMCA. Nice mommy, huh?! If she had been scared or anything, I would've put her first, but since she was like, "BYE, Mom!" I figured, "Why drag this out?" I got her to her seat, took this pic, and then I was outta there! Totally enjoyed my class, showered, went shopping at the mall and only looked at things that I wanted to look at, and even got an impromptu haircut! Came home, did a few chores, realized I had a headache, so I took meds and *gasp* laid down for 30 minutes! Heaven! If she were going to be gone all day every day, I might have been a touch sad, but really, she's only gone 2 or 2.5 days a week, so it's really the best of both worlds, I think!)

All About E

At kindergarten orientation this morning, the kids were given the "homework assignment" of bringing a photo page tomorrow about themselves. Since I haven't scrapbooked in years, I figured this is as close as I might get for awhile, so I scanned it for posterity... ;) And no, I didn't have any recent pictures printed and yes, I had to make a special trip to Costco to get them b/c I'm out of blue ink on my printer... But, she sure is cute, isn't she?!

E's Last Name

Out of the blue conversation with E today:

"Mommy, what will my last name be when I'm a grown up?"

"Well, that depends if you get married and change your last name or not."

"I think it's going to be Love."

"Why do you think that?"

"'Cause we are really gonna love each other and do so many fun things together. We will just be so much in love that Love will be our last name!"