Dance

When I went to pick Audrey up from dance this week, I asked her teachers how she is doing. I wanted their opinion on whether or not I should let Audrey continue. They say she really doesn't dance, but she is going around the floor with the other girls. They think I should let her stay. I have been leaning that way. I think it will be a good experience for her. I also think if I let her quit, she'll start to learn she can quit something that is hard. So, I'll let her keep going. I hope that she'll start at least dancing at home. I think it would be great if she would dance in class. I would be shocked and amazed if she dances in a recital. We'll see. For now, I guess I'm hoping she'll start opening up and becoming more confident.

Missed a day

I had one of THOSE mornings this morning. Last night was not a good night. Audrey was having a hard time sleeping. I was up with her a couple of times. She ended up in our bed, because she just cried in hers. I was up with Peter. Then I was up with Marie.

I was so tired, that I slept in. Audrey was sleeping and so didn't wake me at 7:00 like she usually does. Scott had turned the monitor off, so I didn't hear Marie crying until it had been a while. I woke and realized I was running behind to get Richard to preschool. I went in the babies' and Richard's room. Remember, MARIE was the one crying.

I heard Richard say, "Mommy, Peter got black stuff on his doggy." Uh, oh. Here's what we found.

Peter was full of smiles! He didn't have a messy diaper yesterday, and I guess he decided to unload all at once. He usually has at least two messy diapers a day. You wouldn't know he had a mess from head to toe with how happy he was. I just carried him to the tub and put him in. It would happen on a morning that I'm already running behind! A day in the life of a mother, right?

Parents

So, I receive "Parents" the magazine. I get it for free. I don't pay for things if I don't have to. I can get the same information, just in a different form, on-line that they provide, and so I don't subscribe if I have to pay. I'm telling you this so you know why I read it.

I read an article about someone choosing the name for their unborn child. Seems harmless enough. Then I read that this couple PAID someone to help them! They paid $200! What?! Why in the world do they have so much money that they have no idea what to do with?! I can think of a lot of things I would spend that money on first. So, why is "Parents" putting this kind of information in their magazine?

Happy Birthday Richard!

Richard is now 5-years old! He's been counting down for quite a while now, so he was so excited when the day finally came. His preschool recognized his birthday and he came home with this crown. He loves blue, so this is perfect for him.Here he is with his favorite gift. He's been carrying it around as much as possible. He was sad I wouldn't let him bring it to bed. It's a "Mack" truck from Disney's Cars. He loves that movie and has been asking for Mack for about a year now.

He also got a basketball hoop that he's excited about. We bought it from my sister who doesn't need it anymore. So, we still need to get a new hoop and a smaller ball to fit, but he's had fun with it so far.

Here he is with the rest of his gifts.

I made a white chocolate cheesecake. He wanted a "white cake with strawberries," and so I took some liberty to guide him toward a cake recipe I wanted to try. He liked it!

I was at a Relief Society retreat the night before and morning of, so we didn't start until I got home. I made muffins before I left so he could have a nicer breakfast than our typical cold cereal and yogurt. We met family at McDonald's for lunch. That was Richard's restaurant of choice. After we let him play for a while, we went back to the house for cake and presents. We then went miniature golfing. He's wanted to do this for months and I promised him we could go on his birthday. He loved it.

We love Richard! He's very smart. He's got a tender side, though he can be quite spazzy and excitable. He's a big help and pretty obedient. He loves to go to primary and is learning the basics of the gospel. We're so glad to have him in our family!

Is this real?

Richard is learning the difference between movies and the news. I guess it's hard for a kid to distinguish when what he's watching on TV is pretend or real. On Friday night, while I was at work, Scott was watching something on the events of September 11. Richard was watching and was quite upset when he realized it was real. Scott did explain that it happened a long time ago. Richard said to Scott, "I didn't know this happened!" He can be so tenderhearted.

Well, today, while I was exercising, I was watching Transformers. I was pointing out a landmark to catch his attention, and I think it suddenly dawned on him that what we were watching might be real. I did my best to explain that this was pretend. I think it made him nervous to see something happening at a location he'd been to before and it made him wonder if it was real.

Date!

I've heard of people going on dates with their kids. Well, I've been intrigued by the idea and finally decided to do it. So, tomorrow, I go on my first date with Richard. He seems really excited about something with just me and him. We're going to McDonald's to get ice cream and then I guess he'll play. I don't know. We'll see. I told him we could do whatever he wanted. Audrey's already talking about how we go on our date in October. I figured I'll wait a couple of years before starting anything with the babies. For now, I'm thinking I'll go with one child a month and then just cycle through. I'm hoping this will help the kids get some of the one-on-one attention they need and help me build a strong relationship with them that will endure the teenage years when kids might want to veer from their parents.

Today

When I was growing up I loved the "Today" song. Is that what it's really called? No. My brother can vouch that I'm notorious for naming songs based on the word or phrase I hear a lot. It's a Neil Diamond song. I believe it's called "America." I love the lyrics. Here they are:

Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star

Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream

On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America

Home, don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm

Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we'll say our grace
Freedom's light burning warm
Freedom's light burning warm

Everywhere around the world
They're coming to America
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America

Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America

They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today

My country 'tis of thee
Today
Sweet land of liberty
Today
Of thee I sing
Today
Of thee I sing
Today

So, why do I share a song that I'm sure most of you have never heard? Because I love our country. I love that I live in America. I love what our Founding Father's did to provide us the freedoms we have and what millions of others have done to help preserve our freedom. I wish things were politically different right now, but I don't want to get into a political discussion. I love the beauty that surrounds us.

Eight years ago, I was sitting in an 8:00 nursing class. I did not watch or listen to the TV or radio before I went. A fellow student walked in quite upset. I heard that something was happening in New York. Not until that class ended (which was a three hour class) did I start to find out what was happening. I went to devotional (which is held every Tuesday at BYU) and President Bateman explained some of what was happening. I had quite a few classes that day, and so I caught glimpses on the TV as I could. It was a surreal day. My heart hurt for the victims and their families.

Since that day, I have developed a strong sense of patriotism. I love our nation. I hope we don't let ourselves get trapped into letting go of our freedoms. I love America!