Pretty

This morning, M gave me a big hug and said, "Mom, you must've been a really pretty teenager." Laughing, I responded, "Oh, and I'm not pretty now?" (And in that moment, in my pj's and glasses, not so much).

"Well, yeah, you are, for an old lady, that is."

That stinker. :)

See, Mom, It Worked!

E was devastated tonight when she went looking in her wallet for the Sacajawea dollar that the Tooth Fairy left her a few weeks ago, and only found quarters, nickles, dimes, and pennies. Great big sobs about how she lost it, would never find it, etc etc. All the while, I'm saying, "Sweetheart, I know you're upset, but do you really think that crying is going to help here? Is it really going to suddenly appear just b/c you're crying?"

She continues boohooing as she looks through her most-frequently-used purses (as opposed to those in a bin under her bed), so I've got to give her props for continuing to at least look through those teary eyes. I finally tell her to go get ready for bed, and that I am SURE it will turn up. We will just keep our eyes open for it, and suddenly, it will just be there & we'll be so excited. And, I reitterated, crying will not help it show up any sooner!

She flops on her bed, wailing as I toss her pj's to her, and help her out of her sweatshirt. I then leave her to her own drama. Suddenly, I hear a "MOM!" and I met her in the hall, triumphantly hoisting her precious gold Sacajawea dollar in the air. "I found it! I found it!"

"Where was it?" I asked. She pointed to a place on her dresser, tucked back a little ways, where she probably had a better view of it once she flung herself on the bed.

She got a big ol' grin and slyly said, "See, Mom? I TOLD you crying would help!"

At which point I tackled her on her bed, ticklin' & kissin' her & telling her in my most growly mock-annoyed voice, "Noooooo. Crying never helps!"

But, apparently, it does...

Parenting by ESP

Our Miss M did not have the best Monday ever at school yesterday. I think that's just what happens sometimes, following a break, you know? Anyway, we were sitting at the YMCA, watching E's dance class & waiting for M's to start while she was giving me the (dramatic) blow by blow of her day. I listened, tried to empathize, and tried to gently suggest that perhaps she might have been overreacting just a smidge?

She glowered at me and said, "UGH! Why do I even tell you this stuff! You sound exactly like Dad!" (Which, I took as a good sign that P & I are pretty much on the same page with this parenting stuff).

We decided to go burn off some of her anger energy by walking/running on the track upstairs. P was up there in one of the weight rooms, and as we cruised by, he popped out to say howdy. I said, "M just told me about her day (he had picked them up from school, not me, and we all met up at the gym) and she said I sounded just like you did when she told you."

He said, "What?! She never told me anything about her bad day! She just said she wanted to wait and talk to you!" We looked at M, who sheepishly said, "Well, you sounded just like what I knew he would have said if I had talked to him about it!"

P said, "Wow, I'm a pretty good parent! I don't even have to talk! Great having that discussion with you, M!" And then we laughed. And laughed. And that was probably the best cure for a bad day, anyway!

Finally - a Bona Fide 1st Grader!

Poor E had the auspicious distinction of being the only kid in her kindergarten class last year who didn't lose a single tooth. There are one or two others in her first grade class that also share that honor, and today, she was thrilled to leave that exclusive club behind!

Her bottom teeth have been wiggly for a long time now, but she hasn't been brave enough to really encourage them much. Yesterday, Grandma took the girls to the candy store on our way out of town for a treat to get them home (yes, that phrase about "a kid in a candy store" is giddily true). Both girls chose the same treat: a big sucker on a stick (not a circle shape, kind of a spiral). As my dentist brothers cringe, let me assure them that they brushed and flossed really, really extra well last night.

Anyway, those suckers took them about an hour to eat, and biting on it did just the trick to really loosen things up. She was a little traumatized going to bed last night b/c her big sis told her she'd probably swallow it in her sleep (gee, thanks, M). She made it through the night, only waking up once, and was highly distracted by it all morning. About halfway through Sunday School, I saw her little head peek thru the door, and I stepped out to see my very triumphant six year old, holding her tooth in her hand & jumping up & down. We went into the bathroom so she could see in the mirror for her very own self just how great she looked...like a real first grader! What's even better is that she twisted it out all on her own - P & I do NOT pull teeth - ick!

I know the Tooth Fairy has a lot on her mind. I hope she remembers to come by tonight!!!

Meeting a Prophet

As told by M:

"Today for a special stake meeting, Elder Richard G. Scott, came to speak. During his talk, I prayed several times that I would be able to meet him. Soon, I was very confident that I would. I began turning over in my head how this might happen. I often do this before I actually do something, but my plans are often very different than what actually happens. This time, most of my plans involved me racing down and then explaining to my family later. As it so happened, I told my mom that I had prayed to meet this prophet, and could we at least try? She said "You can't rush down there. We have to stay together as a family, but yes, we can try to help you meet him." I guess she knows me pretty well! :)

So, after the prayer, we made our way to the exit we figured he would probably use. We weren't alone, other people seemed to have the same idea. Over the microphone, they said "Elder Scott has a plane to catch. He would love to shake everyone's hand, but if he does, he'll be walking to Salt Lake City." For a moment, my spirits sunk, but only for a moment because my mom told me we would stay there in the hall and still try. The people who still wanted to try formed a little path for him to walk through. The ushers became something like his body guards, but as Dad said later, "They were low-key body guards, but I'm sure they're well trained." I was very excited as Elder Scott came into view. He was moving down the line pretty fast and soon he would be to me. When he came, I told him that I liked what he had said about putting a coat hanger in your mouth (so that you wake up smiling every morning). He smiled and thanked me and I said, "You're welcome." He then asked me my name (he hadn't asked anyone else that!) and I said, "M., M.L.R." and he said, "You have a great spirit." I thanked him, a little unsure exactly what that meant, then he moved on down the line to the door.

I am positive that this wasn't just a mistake. I know it was an answer to my prayer. I am privileged to have met this apostle and prophet of Jesus Christ. I think the reality turned out better than the best of my plans."

Notes from M's Mom:

What a spiritual experience to see my little girl so determined and moved to try to personally meet this apostle today. There were 1200 people in attendance. We got there 45 min early & the place was almost full. We sat on the very back row of the stage (there were other overflow rooms where they close circuited the meeting on tv), and actually had a better view than if we would have been sitting on the floor, I think. Anyway, the Spirit was very strong as he spoke and I wrote as fast & furiously as I could to record his words. I was touched with M's sincere desire to try to meet him afterward, as the thought had crossed my mind, but I had dismissed it, thinking, "There's too many people here, we're too far away from the stand, he's busy, etc. etc." Reminds me of the scripture, "And a little child shall lead them!"

I could feel her anticipation as we stood in the foyer, waiting for him to exit. It struck me how awesome it was that she was so excited to meet him, with an enthusiasm usually displayed by 10 yr old girls meeting rock stars (Jonas, or Hannah Montana came to mind, LOL). He was so sweet with our girls, and I was incredibly touched that with just an exchange of a few words, he could tell just how great her spirit really, truly is. It strengthened my testimony that the Holy Ghost really can and does bear witness of eternal truths like that. I really feel that he caught a glimpse of her spirit, and how valiant and strong she is. He saw far beyond her 10 yr old body, and into the heart of testimony that she has. I hope that she will always, always remember what it felt like to have a prophet say to her, "You have a great spirit." I know I always will!

36 And Counting

When I was little, all my friends were going to kindergarten, and since it was privately run at the time, my parents sent me along, too. It wasn't until the end of year that anyone pointed out to them that my birthday was one day after the cut-off date for 1st grade, and that therefore, I would have to repeat kindergarten again. After much effort, my teacher & parents convinced the school board to make an exception for this brilliant, darling, mature little girl, even though she was only 5. ;)

So, I had the illustrious honor of always being the very youngest person in my classes at school. It never seemed to affect me academically or socially (I think?) but emotionally, I felt like the days between my birthdays numbered 547 - 6 months longer than anyone else's. I always felt completely triumphant when my birthday arrived each year and I could FINALLY be 8, or 12, or 16. Nothing burst my bubble more on Nov 16 than to have someone ask how old I was, to hear my response, and then to get a "What?! You're ONLY ____?!" COME ON, people, this was a HUGE accomplishment for me!

Somewhere in my late 20's, I got a little less enthusiastic about my birthdays, for 2 reasons. 1. I was so sleep deprived by my nocturnal children that I wasn't enthusiastic about much of anything and 2. I had that realization that I hadn't really planned much for myself beyond "graduate from high school, graduate from BYU, be a teacher, get married, have kids." The End. Well, it turns out there were a whole lot more years beyond those goals but I didn't really have a vision for what I wanted to be when I grew up from there, and that was unsettling.

I remember lamenting my 30th bday w/my "old" roommate, Denise. She said something to the effect of, "Well, honestly, it's not like your 20's were so great. 30 has got to be better," and I had a huge ah-ha moment. She was right! My 20's were full of uncertainty: "Will I have a date this weekend?" "Will I ever survive student teaching?" "Oh jeez, do I actually love this great friend of mine, P?" Then there was the craziness of getting married & getting used to all of that (though that was all good 'getting used to!'). I taught elementary school for 4 yrs in my 20's, which was a great experience, but soooo much work. Then there were the surgeries and the fertility treatments and the miscarriages and the rough pregnancies, deliveries, and recoveries... Yeah, "20" was quite a ride!

The beauty of my 30's is that a lot of that has been resolved. I don't worry about dates anymore, and I know who I'm married to & I still love being with him (that's a good thing!). I don't have all the baby stress anymore and I honestly enjoy my children very very much. They are such great people who are really portable and rarely wake me up in the night. I am blessed by good friends who live all over the place - did I mention we've moved 10 times in 13 yrs? - and we love living in our little town, where we were finally able to buy a place & put down some roots (we hope - never want to speak too soon).

I am also figuring out more of who I really want to be when I grow up, and accepting that it can't be summarized by a job title. I am letting go of a lot of the preconceived notions of who I "should" be and embracing who I am right now as a work in progress. I acknowledge that I still have a lot to learn, but I've lost a lot of the anxiety I used to feel about who I am. I guess you could say that I suck my stomach in less and open my arms for hugs more these days? :)

A huge part of this process has, unfortunately, been the passing of dear women who left this earth far too early. Their deaths (cancer, I hate you) have reminded me time & again that life is absolutely precious and that celebrating a birthday is way better than not having any more to celebrate. If I'm lucky, I will cling to this belief until my body is so old and worn out that I will be ready to leave it behind and move on to my next life...what's that whole sentiment about sliding into heaven yelling "WOW! What a ride!"?

So with older and wiser enthusiasm than I had 20 years ago, I am joyfully celebrating my arrival at 36. It is not the 7th anniversary of my 29th, and I hope I never count my years like that. But, for the record, I do know that I will miss the health of my younger body (I already do!) but other than that, I hope that I will always just be grateful for another year of "experiences," the joyful as well as the painful, for I am finding out that both kinds can work to teach me and mold me into the kind of woman I want to be when I grow up.

"Captain Hook"

I use this blog as our family's journal, so even though I posted this on facebook already, I wanted to make sure that I officially recorded this conversation, b/c it is destined to be a classic.

E came home from school the other day saying that her friend was singing a song that she just couldn't get out of her head now. I asked what it was, and she sang, "She wears high heels, I wear sneakers, She's Captain Hook and I am a leecher."

I honestly try not to outright laugh at my children very often, but I laughed and laughed and laughed. Of course, she didn't understand why. So, I explained that the lyrics actually say, "She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers."

Sorry, Taylor Swift, I will never hear your song again without laughing out loud.

I LOVE SIX YEAR OLDS!

Big Thanks to Our Veterans

For the past few years, M has written a poem for my granddad (who served in WWII) for Veteran's Day. He often commented how her "thanks" made it all worth it, and that touched me so deeply. I mean, seriously, an eight year old girl says "Thank you" and all those years in the jungle of the Phillipines are all worth it?! Wow!

Granddad passed away this summer, so I sat at the school's (excellent) Veteran's Day concert last week, feeling sad that we couldn't do that tradition this year. Suddenly, I realized that we know 3 families from church whose husbands/daddies are currently serving in the Army! Hmmm.

So, after talking to their wives, the girls & I decided to make these great big cookies as a small token of our appreciation. One just returned home this summer from a year long deployment in the Middle East, another leaves for his 4th tour over there in Feb for an expected year. The third has served multiple tours & and is currently a recruiter. The girls each wrote a letter (complete with illustrations) and I wrote a letter, too. We are so grateful to all our service men and women who have given and continue to give so much to our country.

The best part of the whole day - even better than eating the dough - was watching these men's expressions as we delivered the unexpected treat. We could tell that they aren't used to being personally thanked very often. We've created our new favorite Veteran's Day tradition! Next year, I hope to be able to include local men & women we know who've served in the past as well (but I've got to figure out who they are - it's not really something that most really talk much about). It was just a terrificly humbling experience...how do you really put this kind of admiration and gratitude into words (or cookies)? It was a WAY better day than spending it at the mall, "honoring" the Veteran's Day Sales (although I'm sure there were some pretty good deals out there). THANK YOU, Veterans!

What Kind of Food Are You?

While driving the girls to school this morning, we were listening to an oldies station and a Karen Carpenter song ("Rainy Days and Mondays") came on. I turned it up and said, "I love her voice and I totally wish I could sing like her." M said, "Mmmmm. Reminds me of apple cider. All warm and spicy."

E & I laughed, and she said, "What?! People often remind me of foods."

E: "What am I, then?"
M: "You're a pineapple. That's the fanciest fruit. It's sweet and everybody likes it but if I eat too much of it, it makes my mouth hurt."

E: "What is mommy?"
M: "A strong after dinner mint. It makes all the bad tastes go away."

E: "What is daddy?"
M: "A big juicy watermelon. Messy, but really fun to eat."

E: "What is Abby?" (M's bff)
M: "She's a carmel apple. Kind of hard to explain why."

E: "What is Zeus?" (A's dog)
M: "Animals aren't food to me. Just people are food to me."

I'm still laughing...

New Dresses

The girls' Primary program was this past Sunday and all the children were asked to wear "white on top." It really does look nice - and almost angelic - when they're all up there. Anyway, we happened upon a 60% off sale at Penney's the day before, and they were even the dresses that mom & I had considered buying for the girls when she was here over Halloween. So, it seemed a "sign" that both sizes were still on the rack - and on sale to boot - plus I found an "extra $15 off purchase" coupon in the dressing room...the universe really wanted the girls to have matching dresses, apparently.

The program was great and the girls both did a great job having both their parts memorized and each of them was asked to sing in small groups, too. There was just enough break in the rain to take a few quick pics when we got home from church...

Yes, M got some new glasses, which we love, but they also have transition lenses, which M likes, but Mom doesn't like them in pictures!

Cake Walk

The girls' school has a traditional cake decorating contest for the cake walk at the Fall Festival (not Halloween Party, mind you). Here are the girls' entries for this year:

We were surprised that neither won a prize, but that's ok. The fun is in the creating - and eating the leftovers! We didn't win a cake at the cake walk, either, but with all the flu going around, I was a-ok with that!

Museum of Flight

The girls didn't have school one Friday in early October (never did figure out why, exactly, but hey - we'll take it!) and P suddenly felt "sick" so we decided to head to the Museum of Flight to use our pass once more before it expires.


Feeling very presidential, MY First Family descends the steps of Air Force One (used by Ford, Kennedy, Nixon)

I didn't photograph it, but we heard a presentation from a scientist who worked on the water purification system for the Int'l Space Center, and M & I were brave enough to try a "sample" of water that had been through the system. It tasted like...water!

Point Defiance Park

We've been loyal members of the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium for 3 or 4 years now and just recently discovered there are acres and acres and acres more to the park! The zoo sponsored a geocaching contest that we participated in (even though we didn't have any electronic gadgets, we still found the caches!) and were motivated to keep exploring this gorgeous park!

E comes up with some pretty unique places to pose...

Our little mermaids...

While strolling along the waterfront, P's eagle eyes noticed this little seal washed up on shore. He had a hook & line stuck in his mouth but was still alive. We had the zoo's phone # on the brochure for the geocaching contest, so we called them, and they gave us another phone # to call, and about 4 agencies later, we finally found someone to come get him. They said it would take about an hour to get there, so we stayed for a bit, left for awhile, and when we came back, he was gone, so the girls are really hoping he got some help with that hook & is back on his way to his momma.

Pumpkin Patch

The weather surprised us with a string of gorgeous days at the beginning of October, so on one of P's days off, we surprised the girls by picking them up from school at the end of the day and heading to one of the many pumpkin patches in our area. We've tried several over the years, and this one - Scholz Farms - is by far our favorite, and not just b/c it's entirely free (except for buying the pumpkins)! I have pics of the girls in front of the "How Tall This Fall" sign from years past that I'll have to find...they've both grown at least a foot since we started going there!

Princess Power

Just before school started, E needed another colonscopy. Having learned a few things the last time, we were better prepared! This time, E wore her "Princess Power" shirt and dressed up for the occasion. During the prep at home, I encouraged her to cooperate w/the last steps of the prep by saying, "If we don't get this done now, we won't have time to paint your nails or put sparkles on." It worked! She was very very brave through the whole thing and we hope to not have to do another test like this for a very very long time!

First Day of School - 30 Days Late

Sorry, Babe

M: "Want to hear something funny about me? I am realizing that I like things to be either really organized, or really messy. But just cluttered drives me crazy."

Me: "Sorry that you live here, babe."

Conversations at Bedtime

As she's going to bed

M: Mom, I wish I had a big huge agenda that would tell me everything that was ever going to happen in my life. I would be really happy with that.

10 minutes later, up from bed...

M: Mom, do you know what I hate?
Me: Garbonzo beans?
M: I don't even know what those are, but I'm sure if I tried them, I would hate them. No, what I hate is when I lay awake at night worrying about things.
Me: What are you worrying about?
M: That bad things are going to happen to me.
Me: Well, I can promise you something. During your lifetime, bad things ARE going to happen to you. But, I promise you that good things will happen, too. So there. (I got her giggling and back to bed...)

How's that for a compassionate mom?! I wish I could promise that nothing bad would ever happen, but then I might be raising yet another self-entitled princess girl who would be stunned and incompaciated when she faced life's inevitable trials. I wonder how many trials I would have weathered better in my life if I hadn't held on to the myth that bad things only happen to bad (deserving) people? Somehow, expecting trials and knowing that the Lord will see me through them has deepened my faith and increased my day to day peace - ironic, huh? I think it's about letting go of the controls (cue the "Jesus, Take the Wheel" song).

OK, second conversation, this one with E:

Me: E, this looks like granola bar in your room. Is this from today? (We'd had a huge discussion about no-food-in-your-room when she had a friend over)
E: Oh, I forgot (and other stammering excuses)
Me: Yeah, I don't think so. Well, your consequence for breaking the rule is that you won't be able to sleep in your tent in your room afterall (which I knew she'd only last 3 minutes in anyway before she was in her comfy bed).
E: *dissolves into tears* "I need a hug!"
Me: (I hug her a little bit, but not much. She is, afterall, in trouble. She's still blubbering, and I say) Keeping food out of your room is an important rule and we discussed it a lot today. I am disappointed that you didn't choose to follow the rule. We will leave the tent up tomorrow and perhaps you can try again tomorrow night.
E: *inbetween sobs* I JUST WANT YOU TO SAY NICE WORDS! (At this point, I walk away b/c I'm laughing and I don't want her to see. And, I don't want to encourage the performance to continue, either)

She is such a tenderheart who just melts at the slightest disapproval or correction. Makes it interesting to parent her! I do think her "nice words" response is pretty funny...don't we all want nice words when we're busted?! :) I often thank God that He sent her sensitive little soul to our house, and not one where yelling, scolding, swearing, threatening, and physical punishment are part of our parenting plan. She would be one crushed little spirit in a home like that, not to mention how much worse her colitis could potentially be (stress aggrevates it). And then my heart aches for all the kids who DO live in a home like that...there are far, far too many of them, and I send up a prayer for them and hope that somehow their parents will repent and change, or that the other adults in their lives can see the problems and do all they can to rebuild and help those children (and I include myself in that group of adults)!

Perspective

Girls & I were reading from "Our Heritage" before bed tonight. I read about the 40 years that it took for the Saints to build the Salt Lake Temple. To put it in perspective, I said, "So, if they had started building it when I was born, they still wouldn't be finished. They'd still have another 4 years to go."

E said, "Oh my gosh! I hope they got to take a potty break!"

Easter 2009

The girls are quick to remind me of things I said I'll do and haven't done yet.

Like make dinner, for example. Or, post on my blog.

You know, important things like that.

So, here's my attempt to get caught up, just so they'll leave me alone.

For a minute.

Heeere we go...here's our rainy Easter egg hunt pictures:

We did the hunt at a park with friends. It's tough to be the oldest kid when they let the little ones have a head start, but you don't want any grown ups giving you hints. Hard knock life.

I had stockpiled blown-out egg shells, just like my mom used to, and the girls had a good ol' time getting messy and creative, just like I used to! And, like every year, I ask myself "WHY do I DO this?!" That permanent dye stresses me out. Just like it probably did my mom...

And, my favorite part of Easter (aside from celebrating the Resurrection and the Cadbury chocolate eggs - not the cream eggs, just the chocolate, candy coated ones)

The Dresses

and the poses and laughter they

(and Daddy) inspire

(OK, girls. Now we have our Easter preserved in cyberspace. Are you happy now?)