Mom's education

Its amazing how much you learn as a mother each day. For example, today I learned something new. A Barbie ballet slipper will successfully pass thru the digestive tract of a 10-month-old baby. Its a fun surprise when you are changing a diaper. We didn't save the slipper.

Entertainment Review

Friday night we went to dinner at the Outback. We really were going to try someplace new, but everywhere we went had really long lines, and there is nothing worse than waiting for food that isn't satisfying. So we went with an old standby. And it was worth the wait--this time we got a dinner and an appetizer to share, and that worked splendidly. We weren't charged for our drinks--YEA FOR FREE STUFF!! We went out because it was our anniversary on Monday. We've now been married 7 years. My sweet husband surprised me with flowers--7, one for each year we've been married. I was so excited!

After we got home we watched "Made of Honor." Patrick Dempsey has come so far since "Can't Buy Me Love". The movie was cute. Why must they put those certain scenes and those certain words in movies? Not necessary. They ruin movies. But it is a fun story.

I finally read Twilight. I really enjoyed it. Its addicting--I couldn't put it down. I was sort-of disappointed with some aspcts of the story. I'm trying to decide if I want to read the rest of them. I know how they end because I've talked to enough people that have told me. I am excited to see the movie, although I don't like the actor for Edward.

I also re-read one of my all-time favorite books, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Its about a girl growing up in, well, Brooklyn in the early part of the 20th century. Its one of those great coming-of-age, overcoming-your-difficult-circumstances type of books. I highly recommend it to anyone. It isn't exactly politically correct but its such a great story.

If you have any suggestions of good books or movies, I'd love to hear them. I'm addicted to movies and books, and I am always looking for something worth watching and reading.

Our craziness.

Things have been crazy here the last couple weeks. I have so many things I want to talk about, but I'll just give a quick update and a few highlights.

**We got 2 kittens. Fuzzy and Rascal. Black and white and very cute. But one week later we had a tragic accident, lots of tears, and a kitty funeral. We now only have one left, Rascal. He/She is cute and feisty and has to go to the vet tomorrow, where we will find out the gender, decide when to neuter/spay, decide whether to declaw, and potentially get shots. I've never had a pet before--not even a goldfish--so this is a first for me.

**Claire had her 9 month check-up and is still long and skinny. She's crawling on all fours now and a 5th tooth popped thru today. We have been calling her Hurricane Claire because she destroys everything in her path. But she is also very cute and happy and fun.

**Natalie had her 4th birthday.... It was the longest birthday ever because we had cupcakes at school on Thursday, her real birthday, but had cake and ice cream with Grandmas and Grandpas on Friday. She was really fun and she is very spoiled. I decorated her cake with Disney Fairies. Pictures will come as soon as I find the connection cord.

**Caleb is doing awesome in school. He's on the 99th percentile for reading, compared with the state (those tests are so lame) but considering he reads like a Third grader this wasn't a surprise. He reads anything he can get his hands on. He's currently working his way thru the boy scout manual. Any suggestions on other reading material is welcome. But he does get tired of it and anxiously looks forward to Saturdays--days off!

**Chad has been sick with a cold of some kind. Not fun. A couple weeks ago he spent 18 hours with the youth in our ward on a trip to the temple. They drove a bus up to Billings and they had bus problems and were gone ALL day. But it was actually a really great experience for a lot of people. The youth in our ward are so great!

**My parents, and 2 of my sisters came over for a visit this past weekend. It was so AWESOME to see them. I took for granted the time I had when they were so close and I wish SO SO SO SO much they were closer. Hopefully someday we'll get back that direction. Thanks again for coming over.

**General Conference was amazing. So many good things were said I can't begin to choose my favorite talk. I'm excited to read everything when the new Ensign comes out.

So there's an update on our craziness. Pictures to follow

Imgainary Friends Part 2

The other day on the way home from school, Caleb was talking on the "phone" and I heard him say, "Are you kidding me?... No way.... Okay bye!" He hangs up. "Mom, that was Jisa's mom. Jisa got sick and had to go the hospital and she DIED!" Natalie started to cry. "Not she didn't! She's my friend. She didn't die!" You can't kill other people's imaginary friends.

Primary Program

Yesterday was our Primary Program. It went well.... You know how there's that kid that is half a beat behind the rest of the kids? well that was Natalie. about 5 times. She could barely see over the chair in front of her and she only sang about half the time. but she was really cute. she had her little part memorized but when it came time to actually do it she had to have help... the stinker.

You know how there is that kid who can't stop playing with his tie... well that was Caleb. it was in his mouth. it was around his head. it was around neck. back in his mouth. then he started flipping it up so that it hit his face... it was driving me crazy. when it was his turn to do his part he stood there and read it. but he knew it well enough to make eye contact a few times. He actually had 2 parts... The kid right after him was out of town. He had the first part memorized but not the second part. I don't remember the whole thing, but part of it said, "When I was baptized I promised...." Oops; they forgot to change it to make it doctrinally sound when he took over that part. But he sang his little heart out. It was so sweet. The Sunday of the program is always one of my favorites.

Imaginary Friends

For quite some time now, Natalie has had a couple of imaginary friends. Their names are Jisa (rhymes with Lisa) and Alena. Depending on the day, these two girls' ages vary, but she plays with the often. Today they "came over to play." Natalie brought them into the bathroom where I was fixing my hair, and fully expected me to have a conversation with them. This was a first for me. Talking on the telephone with them isn't too difficult, but having a conversation with imaginary friends who are supposed to be in the room with me.... its tough. (Right now she is asking me what their favorite game is... I'm afraid I have no idea.)

Sometimes Caleb decides to steal these imaginary friends. He tells Natalie that they want to play with him. He calls them on the phone and talks to them. I think he's even talked about marrying one of them.

This is a new thing for me... I never had an imaginary friend, and neither did Chad. Neither did Caleb until he had to come up with a couple friends to equal Natalie's friends. His friends are named Jakes and Caco (rhymes with Paco). I think its funny. These friends keep them entertained sometimes for hours. I'm all in favor of cheap thrills.

My update

I'm keeping busy with the kids and YWs responsibilities and keeping house (probably in that order). Its been several months since Chad and I went out on a date together, but we're hoping to get something in sometime in the next couple weeks.

So I never realized how hard it would be to be a YWs leader.... You have to find a balance between being a leader and a friend. You have to decide how much information to give when they ask things like, "How many boys have you kissed?" You have to know what issues to push. You have to know what expectations to establish when you know those expectations aren't being made at home. Its tough.

There used to be something else written here but I decided to take it off. Thanks to those who commented, sorry to those who missed it and can't figure out what the comments are referring too. Lets just say that its hard to know when to try to correct inappropriate behavior and when to let people "govern themselves." And YW are so sensitive and dramatic... its tough.