The Cookie

I had an epiphany today. Today, bright and early, Kate and I walked into my kitchen. On the counter was a paper plate with one remaining chocolate cookie, brought by home teachers, from the night before. As I was carrying her to the table for breakfast, she yelled with delight, "Cookie!" I said, "Yes, that's a cookie." Well, of course she began saying, "I want cookie! Cookie!" I said, "After breakfast Kate. We have to have eggs first and then we'll have the cookie." Kate began to cry. Well, when I say cry, I am understating it a bit. She had a little fit...a 22-month-old fit. I knew this was the first of many teaching moments--you know, those moments where if you make a wrong decision, it can affect her personality for life.

I firmly said over and over, "Kate, stop crying. We're having breakfast first. Then a cookie later." Scream scream, arch back, pound fists on my collar bone. So, I told her if she didn't stop crying, we would have to go in her crib for time out. It was the first time I had used that word, but I think she got it. I gave her one more chance to stop crying, but when it was a no go, I calmly put her in her crib and said, "Mommy will sit right here and when you stop crying, you can come out."

As she was crying, Heavenly Father spoke to me. That's really how personal revelation comes to me. I know that what I am thinking at the moment is not from me. It's internal, it is my voice saying the words, but some inner knowledge knows it is not mine. It is a teaching moment for me.

The thought came -- Look how calm you are watching her cry. She knows you're here and you are completely confident that you are doing the right thing. You know that you are doing the best thing for her even though she doesn't see it. She shouldn't have the cookie. She should have breakfast.  Remember this lesson.

I won't forget it, because the lesson is really for me. He knows what's best for me even if I don't at the moment.

I have also been thinking about these.

 I took my first spinning class this week. The class was an hour class. I lasted 1/2 hr. In the class, my fellow bikers were going up simulated stinking MOUNTAINS, standing on their bikes pedaling slowly through the grueling course for very long stretches at a time and I just sat and pedaled. Dying. Literally my legs were dying. Finally, I stood up after a half an hour, bid the class adieu, and tried to w  a   l   k to my car. My legs were having none of it. I was complete jello. It was funny, actually, how they had no power to get me down those stairs to my car. Not to mention the general area that sits on the bike seat. Um, ow.

So, I decided that this is a problem. I get to go on this trip with Brett in July to France where we are bicycling for about 30 miles a day through Provence. It will be sooo cool, but let's do some math. 30 miles, for about 6 days. That's....let's see....(6 x 0, move that over, that's 18 and then put the 0 there, and just a sec)....that's 180 miles. Needless to say that will obviously have to be my first of many many spinning classes if I want to not just survive the ride but ENJOY it! I also have to brush up on my French. So I bought this...

I took French for two years in college. Then I took Spanish for 3. To this day, my mind still says Je instead of Yo. I think belle instead of bonita. So, I'm excited to begin these CDs and exercise my brain a tad. If I could listen to Kings of Convenience during the spinning class, that would put me in the zone too.

I am loving having Spencer home. We had a great weekend at a rented beach house and invited the girls' friends down for one night. We are running errands every day to get him ready. Yesterday it was buying P-Day clothes and shoes. Today will be toiletries, towels, sheets and a blanket. We have to get a missionary photo of him, family picture on Saturday, buying food for his open house, also on Saturday. These errands I am stressing over, I'll admit, but they are made more fun because we're having a good time together.

Maddie's AP tests are this week, both on the same day. Yuck. Ali is juggling the school musical, dance and end of term homework, which is killing her, but somehow she is making it! I'm proud of her. Sydney is playing more. yeah! I am being more conscientious about encouraging her to invite friends over. So hopefully it will continue to get better for her. She has struggled the most. Kate is talking soooo much! She came up to me with her arms outstretched and pumping up and down to emphasize these words...."Mom. I NEED more grapes. I NEED more grapes." Every time we run errands, she grabs Spencer's neck. She now gets that he's going on a mission. When I ask where he's going, she whispers "RUSHHHAAAA!" as if she totally gets that it probably should be said like that.

Well, I need to run. I'm going to go sneak a cookie in the kitchen and then make breakfast. KIDDING!

Windows of Time

Spence is home.

He got a personal tour of the Mars Rover thanks to the actual rocket scientist who actually built the actual thing actually. He is in our ward and is s m a r t.

Dug out seats at the Dodgers game thanks to Uncle Mark.

Thanks Mark. Yes, Julianne really looks like that all of the time and is that photogenic. These were taken yesterday after only one day recovered from his wisdom teeth out. Pretty light recovery thankfully.

He's took Kate swimming. yes.

He has come in very handy for me also. I can actually go actual places while Kate is awake or even actually asleep, because Spencer is actually in my home and can actually watch her.

He went here tonight..

Wish I could have gone with him!

Darcy, don't read this

It is 1:40a.m. I am making french toast with Maddie and niece Katie in preparation for the Royal Wedding in 20 minutes. I just went to a late movie with Misty preceded by Lauren's wedding day!!! So, that is pretty much a big day I've decided. We got in SLC at 1:45 a.m. last night. Today was the wedding, luncheon, reception, movie, and now the Royal Wedding. But let's face it, it's not more royal than the one I saw today. I will never forget the look on Lauren's face as she stared at Braden with tears in her eyes and became his wife. So much love. So sweet. There is no way Kate Middleton can top that! But, I guess I'm willing to stay up for 15 more minutes, eat some french toast and see how she does. Or at least what she wears.

Darcy, have fun in Spain. We are taking very very good care of your children. OBVIOUSLY. e

Heroes

Chris Hondros died today in Libya. He was an award-winning photographer who risked his life in war-torn countries to show the world the price of war. He was shot today along with 3 other journalists (He and another award winning filmmaker died) by Gaddafi forces in Misrata. I found this news piece below, which profiled him done in 2007. I'm sure it was interesting and sad to watch then, but to watch it today, to listen to him describing his job and the dangers involved, knowing that he just died giving the world these photographs, is so haunting.


Here it is.

Advice, because let's face it, it's probably soooo common

KEEPIN IT REAL

So, you know how when you have such a bad sinus infection that you get a huge ear infection on your trip and it doesn't pop after your flight home like it's supposed to and when you're landing, you think that your ear is going to explode even though you medicated yourself? You know how when it still hasn't popped 3 days later and you are talking into a bubble or tunnel and no sound is escaping due to the blockage in your ears? You know how it hurts when you slightly move your head because the antibiotics don't touch whatever those nasty bacteria are up to in your FACE and your forehead is literally pounding out of your physical head? You know how you wonder what the next step is after you are taking the strongest antibiotic and it isn't touching it? You know how you can't hear out of that really infected ear and then how your baby needs medicine for her own issues and your other daughter needs you to print that English paper and have the one packet she forgot to the high school by 2:30 or she'll get half credit? You know how the other daughter still doesn't have her prom dress for the dance on Friday and has a really hard time shopping for dresses in the first place and you've gone with her a bunch but she still doesn't have it and it's Wednesday? Oh and you know how when you live in L.A. there are no modest dresses and then how you also have to find a flattering modest dress after school in traffic how difficult that is? Then, you know how you told everyone in your family that you are going to Paul Simon at the Pantages Theatre tomorrow, and even though you're going alone, because your husband is traveling again, it's ok, because after all, it's Paul Simon, and he's worth an alone visit anyway, but then you realize that you CAN'T HEAR and your head is pounding out of your head? You know how when you know it's Easter Week and you've decided to make it really great for your 10-year-old so you buy the egg decorating stuff and the sugar cookie stuff and basket stuff and then when you're checking out, you can't keep that ear-infected head straight up anymore so you have to lean against the magazine thing and close your eyes as she says, "Ma'am, ma'am".... trying to get your credit card swiped? You know how you don't live in a place where your mom will feel sorry for you and bring you soup and your sister will come take the baby so you can sleep? You know how when your husband pulls in at 8, you have been collapsing in your bed and sleeping but then you wake up and it still hasn't gone away? And then you wonder why the heck a strong antibiotic isn't helping after 5 doses? OK, so when that happens, WHAT DO YOU DO??
Please let me know. thx. e

Spencer's Sunday

So good to be in Bountiful for Spencer's Utah farewell. It was a perfect day. We had just the right amount of food (don't ask me how we did that..). We got to see so many people. We got to see Spencer speak and imagine him as a missionary. Thank you to all of those who made it happen. You so know who you are.

 The only sad thing about the above picture is that there is an empty chair on the right and my friend Becky in the background, not on the chair.

 The girls found this spot behind the couches where no one but friends were allowed and they didn't have to talk to any adults. I'm sure that wasn't their intent, but I didn't see them the whole day. They loved it.

This last one is funny to me, because the 14-year-old on the left is about 4 inches taller than Spence. I wish had some of our family that day, but someone left our camera in the suburban (along with my cell phone) as we frantically tried to make our flight. These photos courtesy of Si Foster.

Best sound in the world: Spencer's happy voice over the phone from college calling me maaaaaaam or Er Bear

Best feeling in the world: Hugging Spencer.

Best knowledge in the world: Spencer is going on a mission.

Best thing to look forward to in the world: Taking Spencer to the temple next week and having him home.

Best sight in the world: Spencer wrestling poor Maddie, inappropriately dancing, or holding Kate.

Best song in the world: Anything Spencer does NOT listen to :)

Best thing Maddie's looking forward to: Spencer's car Simba being HERS

Best friend for hosting Spencer's open house: Laura

Best nickname for Spence: "Bubba" said by Kate.

Hmmmm I wonder what/who I've been thinking about lately.