Playing Games-Time Well Spent

GAMES!!   I love playing board games.  I grew up playing them with both immediate family and extended family for all manner of gatherings and celebrations.   Every holiday and important event was sure to include a game night.   If you were old enough to understand the rules, you were in.  Not quite there, you could partner/shadow someone, and the littles just ran crazy.   It was heaven on Earth.   
It is a tradition I am proud to say we have carried into our own home.  We are blessed to have my entire family local so game nights with cousins running around and food flowing are frequent.   Also in my own home, we squeeze in a game or two any time we can.  We will play anything from Who Shook Hook and Hi-Ho-Cherry-O with our 3 year old to Settlers of Catan and Phase 10 with our older children.  Some my favorite times are when we are playing games.    We laugh.  We cry.   We get crazy competitive.  There is always something to be learned whether it is strategy, colors, numbers, or the deeper stuff---life lessons   No namby pamby, everyone wins stuff here.  Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.   If you win, you earned that win because no one is taking it easy on you because you're a kid (or an old person).  If you lose, you lost (but wasn't it fun?)  Sometimes you just get lucky.  If you cry or lose your temper or cheat, people probably won't be willing to play with you next time.  Win or lose, your family will always love you.  I love watching my husband play games with our children.  I love watching my children play with each other.  I love playing with them.  The bottom line is that none of us is consciously thinking about all the lessons we are learning while we play, but I am grateful I can reflect on this time as time well spent. 

Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam......but What About What I Want?

Congratulations!  Today is your day.  You're off to great heights.  You're up and away! 

Jessica turned 3 years old on December 1st, and here we are the first Sunday of the New Year.   What does that mean?   

Ladies and gentlemen, that means we have ourselves a SUNBEAM!   In our church, the children move up a class each new year and, unlike the public schools, children are grouped together by age as of Jan 1.   So all of the kids who are 7 on Jan 1 are in the same Sunday school class, 8 on Jan 1 are in the 8 year old class, etc.    The very first actual class when they "graduate" nursery is when they are 3 years old on Jan 1 and that class is called the Sunbeams.  

Sunbeams is a rite of passage.   It is a big deal because they aren't babies anymore.  They are "big kids" and they go to the primary with the bigger kids and do all the things the bigger kids do.  While it is a very momentous thing, I don't think I would say it is a fun thing or even an enjoyable thing for most Sunbeams.   

Jessica was very unimpressed.   She was quite distressed that she was not going in with the toys and the food but instead was supposed to sit in a chair with a class and be a part of all the action.  She hung onto the door and cried as I was dragging her into the primary room.   She refused to participate in any of the activities and seemed basically oblivious to anything outside of her own little world.  She hates it when other people sing so a room full of other children singing was not a big hit.   She climbed all over the chairs, rolled on the floor, and spent a good amount of time turned backward in her her seat and making silly faces in a little mirror they gave her today.  She refused to answer any questions (and she still won't tell me what her name is.....though  I have heard her say it when pointing herself in a picture) and would not color anything they gave her.   She refused to go into her classroom after sharing time and I spent some time pacing the hall (and having a mommy freakout) with her until I bribed her inside with the promise of snacks. 

All in all, I would call today a screaming SUCCESS!  You did it baby girl.   I am proud of you (and me)   Let's face it being moved out of toys and snacks and into a "big kid" class is tough.   No kid (or adult...be honest)  really wants to give up free play and toys for any kind of actual class.  We haven't been terribly active with our church attendance so she really didn't know these folks well and has not mastered church class etiquette.  Add to that, church this year is 12-3 and if that isn't enough....she is one of the youngest in the class with her December birthday.   There is a BIG.....HUGE.....difference between a 3 year old and a 4 year old.   

So....Jesus wants Jessica for a Sunbeam......but that is definitely NOT what she wants.  That really got me thinking.   Today was super hard for me too.   I was not totally sure I wanted this for her.  "Should I just let her roam the halls?   Isn't she too young for this?  She isn't going to do this anyways.  This is too much for her.  Maybe she should stay with me.  Maybe we should go home."    Right as I was about to throw in the towel and list all the reasons why this is not going to work and is a bad idea, I stopped.   Wait.    Breathe.   She will be ok.  I will be ok.   I picture how Heavenly Father must feel when he tries to work with me.  Same stubborn streak.  Same resistance to change.   Same fierce spirit.  I imagine there are many times when I am turned backwards in my chair making faces in my little mirror or rolling on the ground or just refusing to do it and He patiently tries and tries again until I finally make the change-unwavering, full of compassion.   How great is His love.

It is hard letting her grow up and yes, the transition may be a little harder/longer for her than for the other children for various reasons, but she can do it and I need to let her do it.  I need to support her in this transition because this is what she needs right now.  I need to be part of the solution and the reason this is a success.   It is time for her to grow, and it is time for me to grow too.  

12:01 - Happy New Year

12:01 AM - 2015

Happy New Year!!    Goodbye 2014 - you were a real roller coaster ride.   Super high highs and super low lows.   It was real and it was fun, but maybe not real fun.   Valerie was promoted.  Christopher was promoted TWICE and is now a salaried member of management.  We went on a fabulous family vacation to DisneyWorld.  Kids were involved in swim, scouts, dance, soccer, and piano, and we made a life altering decision to homeschool our children.    We also lost our Grandma Faye unexpectedly and our dear friend, Phil, to tragedy. Our lives were touched by moments that tried to knock us down and take us out, but we are still standing and wow...what a trip!     Hello 2015 - here you are all shiny and new.    This time of year is one of reflection, hope, and promise.   There are many things I hope to accomplish this year (I will not list them here....you're welcome), but more than that....there are many things I hope to become this year.   This year I want to actively be the author of my own story.   At the end of this year, I want to look back and say  "man....that was a great story!"   and be proud that it is mine.  Problems that will arise this year will not BE the story, just plot twists to refine the characters and keep the story interesting.  My entire focus this year I have summed up in one word  -- LOVE.  When my dear friend, Phil, passed away so tragically only a few weeks ago it gave me cause to reflect on myself and those around me.   Sometimes things don't make sense and you have to hold on to something so hard just so things can keep going.   I am choosing to hold onto love.  I want to be the kind of person who breathes it in and breathes it out.  I want to curl up in it like a blanket and use it to shelter the ones who I hold dear.  I realized this year that every goal I have, every resolution I make, they all go back to this one word.   I pray that this year, regardless of how many resolutions I accomplish and how much progress I may or may not make on paper, that I may keep my focus and love more completely-to send it out in the universe and to receive it back unto myself.   
Happy New Years to my friends and family!  Love and peace to you all!      

All of the cousins 12:01 AM 2015

Today I'm 35

Valerie and Dad (scary white man in scary tight swim shorts.....thanks 1979!)

 Today I turned 35.    I have been reflective on this birthday, probably because I've been dreading it for a week....a year......longer.   The closer it got, the more I felt a lingering sadness or disappointment.   I don't know if I can put it into words, but this year marked some kind of finality for me.   I finally have to admit.....I am no longer young.  20s are quickly vanishing in my rear view.   Yes...yes...yes....I know "35 is still young".......but let's be really really honest....it is a far cry from the 20s and moving rapidly towards 40.   I felt like I was coming face to face with the fact that I'm not where/what I thought I would be by this point in my life.   I spent a couple days leading up to my birthday feeling sorry for myself, convincing myself that I had failed somehow AND then........................a thought.............    

Valerie 7 yrs old.   (Kate's age)

 SO WHAT?!

No, I'm not where I thought I'd be and yes, I've made lots of wrong turns and detours and taken quite a few scenic routes....................

SO WHAT!? 

YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!

In many ways, I have grown so much and I started thinking about all the things I like about me.  I haven't failed at my journey.  It's not finished, and what is written isn't so terrible.   I'm a pretty good me.      This led into pretty much the best birthday ever.   In years past, I have kept my birthday a secret and somehow expected others to divine this information, but this year (partly due to my distress) I (and facebook) told people.......

My birthday is TODAY!
and then.....I let myself ENJOY it instead of thinking all the ways I let another year slip away.   I focused on all the good things about my day and me and all the things I have to look forward to, and I have to say this has been the best birthday ever.     My sister in law made a beautiful dinner and cheesecake on Sunday (end of mopey period) and she took Jessica for me today.  I went and joined the YMCA to start working out and doing fun things as a family.   Then I poked around Walmart and enjoyed picking up a few things alone.  Christopher took the day off and we enjoyed a nice lunch with no kids and really talked.  I felt reconnected to him in a way we haven't in a long time.   We talked about things that needed talking about and things that were just fun.  We held hands.  We poked around Barnes and Noble and talked some more.  Then we got to pick up our kids from school TOGETHER!  (even with the dog)  

All day long facebook and email kept buzzing with birthday wishes from friends and family who I love and who love me back.    I talked to my parents, who are out of town, and enjoyed hearing from them.  My friend, Jamee, and I made a lunch date at my favorite place for Wednesday.   I can't wait!   The icing on the cake was when my dear friend, Sally, picked me up, gave me a super gift and stole me away for some pie.   I adore her and I love talking to her.   She is just awesome!  She makes a better me and has really helped me to grow.    It made me feel so super special that she made time for me!   (like sitting at the cool kids table)    It is the end of my day and you know what?    

35 LOOKS PRETTY GOOD ON ME. 

In honor of my day and of the reflection I have been able to have here are my 

 20 Things That are Pretty Great About Being Me and 15 Things I Am Looking Forward To

1.   I can really rock short hair.  

2.  I have a husband who I am still in love with.  

3.  3 great kids that I brought into this world....I mean, wow!   

4.  so many wonderful friends who are true blue and would be there for me   

5.  I am much cooler now than I was growing up.

6.  I tell it like it is.  

7.  I am real--no fakeys here.   

8.  I have super fun socks that I like to mix n match.  

9.  My van has AC AND a DVD player! --movin on up  

10.  My dog is the snuggliest sweetest mister.    

11.  I have grown so much as a person and feel much more in touch with me.....and I kind of like me too.  

12.   I've become a lot less concerned with what other people think.  

13.  I love people for who they are.   

14.  I live close to my parents and my brother

15.  I have a great job and bosses

16.  I've decided that changing my dreams doesn't mean I've failed at the other ones....it means I've grown into new ones.

17.   I make cool things.

18.   I can play with the kids and enjoy it more than they do.   

19.    I have learned how to play Plants vs Zombies

20.  I can say I love you.     

1.  Getting in better shape to keep up with my kiddos 

2.  Showing my children how important our faith is.  

3.   Loving my body.  

4.  More adventures.  

5.  Buying my first house.  

6.  Being a 2 car family.  

7.  Running a 5k.  

8.  Keeping a clean and organized house.  

9.  Keeping records of our memories.  

10.  Sending kids on missions.   

11.  Sending kids to college.  

12.   Retiring in the mountains or as a DisneyWorld character.....yep....I think that would be cool

13.  Learning more about myself and my place in the world.  

14.  Loving more.  Giving more.  Learning more.    

15.   Finishing my degree. 

Back By Popular Demand....and More Awesome Than Ever!

I can't even believe that it has been 3 years since I've updated this blog.   So many many changes since then (new jobs, new kiddo, new pets, new experiences) and yet many important things have remained the same (still married to the same stud, still live in the same home, still attending same school).   It would be completely impossible for me to try and "catch up" this blog.  So....I'm not going to catch it up.  I'm going to go from here.  I'll be making at least one entry a week to keep up on our happenings and I will try to do at least one flashback entry a week.
This summer has been idyllic for us in many ways.     We went on a dream vacation to Disney World.  We've played and loved and laughed together.  Christopher has a promotion which is really providing us a financial security that we haven't experienced before.
  This week, we went to the dentist!   The kids LOVE going to the dentist.   Seriously...they jump up and down.    Kate gets jealous of Dallin because he has an appliance and gets to go to the dentist more than she does.   We go to Dr Bain in Pflugerville.   This is all 3 children's 2nd dental appointment.....ever.....yes, I have issues.  I am super proud of myself for getting them all in a second time ON TIME!  Yay me!     They all did great and had no cavities.  They made it in the cavity free club.  Here are there facebook photos (or mugshots...whichever)   

 

In case you were wondering.....yes....we now have 3 lovely children.  Our sweet Jessica (the lone blonde) was born December 1, 2011.  She is really something and keeps us hopping.  We adore her.  She was especially cute at her dental visit.  She climbed up and sat in the chair.  She wanted to know how everything worked, and she entertained the entire staff by singing "ABCs" and "Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog"  (from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse).   She definitely stole the show and was just so excited to be big and do this big kid thing.  

My big kids also wrapped up swimming lesson with Tadpoles.    Tadpoles are the swim lessons before you get to be on the swim team, the FAST Frogs.     It was 6 weeks of 4 day/week lessons, and they both improved so so much.  They can now both swim the length of the pool in freestyle.   They can also do backstroke and are learning breast stroke and butterfly.   They are not olympic level or anything and the strokes/form still need a lot of work, but 6 weeks ago they were both non-swimmers.   They had so much fun and can't wait to go next year.  The best news is that they will both be able to be FAST frogs!    Yay!   Looking forward to swim team next summer. 

Dallin's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Dallin started Kindergarten today at Gattis Elementary School. He has a wonderful teacher named Miss Thompson and already has some friends in his class.
A couple of years ago, we didn't think public school would be an option. Even 1 year ago, I was leaning towards homeschooling him this year. However, he has progressed so much and grown up so much that I knew he was ready. After we checked out the school, I realized that the best thing for him right now would be the hardest thing for me. He was ready. The school is great, and I am blessed beyond reason to have him at the point that he will not only survive, but excel in a social school setting. However, the selfish side of me still does not want to believe that it is time to let him go.
He is so darling and helpful and sweet around the house. He tries so hard. I love him beyond words. It was hard to finally get him "human" just in time to send him away. The house feels very lonely without him. He was sooo excited to go to school. The smile on his face and the twinkle in his eye was priceless. He was a little nervous about school, but he was all set to go this morning. He woke up early, got dressed and announced that he was going to be "the coolest kid in school". Of course he will! Nana made sure he was set up with new Star Wars gear for school-back pack, lunch box, shirt, even Darth Vader shoes with a blinking death star. He felt like a million dollars. We made sure his lunch was packed with his favorites, his gluten free classroom snacks were ready, and we had finished his "kissing hand" to take on the first day of school to remind him of home.
Christopher and I were able to get the day off and be there to walk Dallin into his classroom on the first day. He was so excited to show daddy his "desk". He seemed cool as a cucumber, and very happy. Before we left, he made sure I gave him a big hug at his desk. I am so thankful that he still wants a hug from his mom :) We were in and out. We didn't want to prolong the goodbye and make him anxious. I managed to not shed even one tear in the school. I felt so hollow and sad leaving him behind. It was like leaving my heart. Once we were halfway to breakfast (we promised to take Kate out to "Cracker Bear"), I cried. Then when we got home, I found his ratty blanket he had left on my bed and I held it and cried some more. I am counting down the minutes till he comes home and wondering what he is doing every second. Today feels especially long. Kate was sad to see Dallin go, but has decided that not having him around during the day is "great" and she can hardly wait to have more "Kate time". I am happy that she is taking it so well, and I think she will really mature this year being the "oldest" at home.
We are all excited to pick Dallin up from school today and hear all about it. We love you our big Kindergarten boy!

Splish Splash at the Sprinkler Park

In spite of the serious water shortage, the sprinkler park is still open and we decided to take advantage of it. We typically go at least once or twice a year and I hadn't been yet this year. The kids really enjoyed it. Kate played with one little spray of water most of the time. She would sit on it, put a bucket on it, uncover it, cover it back up....this amused her for some time. Dallin found a group of older boys to run with. They are really growing up fast. Kate looks so tall to me. Those long legs just kill me. What a cutie pie.