Longing...

I read a really good book to Robert and Kyle. I noticed that Lizzy started reading it too. It is called the Underneath. I really liked the story. It is about a dog that doesn't have a good master and a cat that befriends him and the kittens that the cat has. Anyway it is also about some mystical creatures that lived in the bayou about a thousand years before. It is an amazing story about redemption and choosing love. So what does this story have to do with my title of this post. In the story the snake muses about missing and longing for what should of, or could have been. I guess today when we got a little bit of bad news, it always makes you miss or long for the "what if", or "could have been", of life. No matter what you long for, you can't change the course of what has already taken place. Unfortunately, you just have to move forward with the situation as it is. We are still adjusting to being back in Utah, and missing the fun friends we have in California as the school year ends. It is going to be a fun summer with us hopefully tagging along with Dave on some trips.

Trying my hand at a slideshow? Not sure if I will get it to work.
I am not sure how I did it but it come through up above. Now it is time for Dinner and Family Home Evening!

Random Questions

So I got accepted to LDS business college, but one of the pre-required is being able to type 40 words a minute without a mistake. If you know me you know that I really can't type, thanks to the chicken pox that invaded my body in ninth grade. Anyway my first random thought is I need to learn to type 40 words a minute by September, any suggestions on how to do that?

My next random thought is about fighting. Sunday is generally a family day, but with 3 boys to contain, well you get the idea. So I told my Robert that he could have a friend come into our house, because I am nice like that. So he went to find his friend and got a little distracted by this field that is near our home. Long story short...Robert comes home with this little friend. Then proceeds to tell me that this teenager pulled his hair and pinched him (not a small pinch either, this left a significant bruise and cut marks) on his stomach. We know of this boy as he has lived in our neighborhood, anyway he is not working mentally on his age level. But still I was not going to let it go without saying something to the boy and his grandparents. So I went there and talked to them. Hopefully this boy will know not to bother my son anymore and Robert learned a valuable lesson about just staying home on Sunday. My random question based on this experience, was it okay that I told my son to fight back, if someone has already put there hands on you? Just asking, because I told him to fight back.

My next random thought has to do with talking to your kids about "being safe". At dinner, Kyle asked why his teacher at church had his son with him during class. I really don't like having to explain things to my kids that are uncomfortable. Like what is the reason that in Primary the male teacher can't teach alone. I guess I don't want my kids to be suspicious of people, but I don't want to just say because the prophet said so. I want to say the exact reason, which is to protect children from being harmed and the teacher from being wrongly accused. Then I go into the safety rules about your swimsuit parts and how NO ONE is to touch them. Very uncomfortable conversation, but necessary right? I just never know if I say to much. But I have to remember my kids are not babies anymore.

This is the first week since we moved to Utah that Dave will be gone traveling. He is going to Colorado. I wish I could go with him, but someone has to mind the children and the dog. Yay for me. No, really, I would have a hard time on that flight. But I hope Dave will see my dad, and some of our other friends. I still have a lot of unpacking to do, or mostly moving boxes that won't get unpacked to a place that they will be safe until they are unpacked. I need to save enough money for some great bookshelves, because that is all that is in the 20 or so boxes that still have not been unpacked. Any suggestions on how to get out from under all the boxes? Don't say get rid of them, because I can't.

Final Thoughts: I just have to say how surreal it is to be back in this house, we all are very happy and look forward to our continued adventures in life. I love Dave more now than I ever have and am thankful everyday for a crazy answer to a crazy prayer; and that the Lord can overcome all the impossible odds in the entire world. When I think about that last statement the Lord has answered many crazy prayers from me. And our family has been greatly blessed because of them. I will miss Dave this week but we will survive, and I am going to try and sleep really good all week, don't be alarmed if there are lights on in the house or if Steven decides that the couch is his new bed for a week it is all normal.

Mother's Day

I use to hate mother's day. Yes, it is true. When I was a very smallish child I am sure that I liked it, but it was probably because we went to Grandma's house. I love my Grandma Lydia, she had the most comfy lap and the green swivel chair that she always rocked us in. As a teenager, who grew up mostly with my mother at a distance, it was difficult to have loving feelings for what seemed at the time absent mothering, or mothering by phone. As a young married person, knowing that I would have a hard time having a baby, I sorta wished it was a day that would pass by quickly without much fanfare. But now I have a different perspective.

I actually have learned to forgive my childhood fantasy of the "perfect" mother and realize just what a challenge it can be. I thank my stars for fertility drugs and adoption, and great miracles. I have four absolutely fabulous kids. (Not bias) I have an appreciation for my own mother who started out young in her life with children, and when what seemed to me as abandonment was really her way of protecting. I can enjoy my mother's company. I can thank her for all she has given me as far as wisdom and the ability to love others. She taught me to respect my elders and to care for those you love. To except people with all of their foibles and just keep moving forward no matter what comes at you.

Motherhood is hard to do alone. So even today I feel that I always have thanked my dad for being a good father. But I also am thankful for my husband. Who everyday lets me know how much he loves me and our children. Even when he gets annoyed with all the ruckus about the house. David could not have been blessed with greater parents. The love that his parents had for each other, sometimes not seen by others, was so evident to us as we lived with his parents before his dear mother passed away. To see his dad lovingly putting himself, and his health on the back burner while his wife was ill. For his mothers good advise that at the time didn't seem like something I wanted to hear. Oh I hope she knows how much her love and wisdom really has influenced our life together as a married couple and as parents. I wish she was here to give me advise to help my children with school and just the everyday goings on in life.
I always think of other mothers that helped me to learn and grow, and the examples of nameless people who taught me things that I have done with my children and have and are still helping me to be a better mother. Truly people that the Lord set in my path of life to give me guidance and influence. Today has been a wonderful Mother's day.