Vacation

A few weeks back Dustin made the mistake of saying, "Every day is a vacation for you."  I quickly stopped and asked, "Are you sure you want to say that?"  He was sure. 

So a few nights ago when Molly threw up on his parent carpet and needed cleaned and then I stayed up all night doing my best to catch the next batch of barf I reminded him about his comment.  I can see how he'd be confused can't you??

I mean, really... I'm not sure how many people would catagorize catching puke and disinfecting the house on no sleep a vacation.  Or wiping poo off the toilet bowl or vacuuming crumbs over and over or many of the things moms do on a regular basis.

So I got smart.  A few nights ago I got invited to a "girls night out". 

 I opted to go run errands instead and and allow my husband some vacation time. :)  he he..

Dinner, bath, bed, laundry.. I left it all to him.  As I giggled explaining the instructions he gave me a glare.  I asked, "What's wrong?  Are you upset that I'm going?"  He said, "No, just about how happy you are about leaving."  I said, "I just want to make it as real as possible for you."  I know, I'm mean.

I just want to let you know my husband apologized multiple times about his thoughtless comment that every day was a vacation for me.  I hope he always remembers this lesson learned.  He's a very smart man and a good man for that matter, but every now and again needs some teaching from his good ol' wife.

Molly's First Ouchie

She was trying to follow Alissa and I out to get the mail and tripped on the steps.   Poor little nose!

What is Compassion?

I feel strongly I should journal this and do it today.  I hope it is for a good reason. :)

What is compassion?

This question has weighed heavily on my mind as of late.  It's almost been burdensome to me.  A few months back Dustin and I were having a conversation about somebody in need and as always I spoke my opinion which was something to the idea of, "He is old enough to know better.  He asked for this consequence.  He will never learn."  Dustin immediately responded with, "You have no compassion."  I was so taken back and argued with him that I did have compassion.

I believe in giving to the needy & serving those less fortunate...  When I can see they have worked hard and just have less fortunate circumstances.  I donate a fast offering to my church every month for those in need.  I love to make things for a service auction when proceeds go to a family or person with needing help or give free haircuts to the missionaries. I give all my heart and energy to my family each and every day!!  I felt like I was pretty compassionate and just using good judgement on who I helped and didn't.  

Then he said something more true than the first statement,

 "You have compassion, when it's easy to have compassion."

So just a few weeks ago Ella came home from school and had eaten her entire lunch which was a first for her.  I was surprised and as I talked to her about it she explained that another first grader helped her eat it.  The days following her lunch was always eaten and then she told me "Sue" won't keep her fingers out of my food.  I was upset and said, "You tell her to keep her fingers out of your food or I will have to call her mom."

The next week I went to her classroom as I normally do to help her teacher and decided to scope out the lunch situation.  As I'm sitting there I see this sweet, innocent 1st grader - the one that was stealing my child's food - pull out a fruit snack & eat it.  Then a yogurt, and ate it.  Finally another fruit snack, ate it and zipped up her bag. I watched her as she watched all the other kids eating their sandwich, throw away the cheese they don't like and the milk they can't open.  My heart felt so heavy.  I realized... he was right.

When it's easy to have compassion, I'm a pro.  When it's not so obvious and easy, I struggle.  You better bet the next few days we sent an extra baggie of apples or a whole sandwich cut in half so she could share the other half.  Oh, I felt so bad.

Image: africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have a lot to learn.  I have a lot of things to work on.  I am thankful for the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ to help me with these sort of imperfections.  He is my greatest example and teaches so much about compassion.  When I think of all the many people he healed and the love he rendered to all men, I know he didn't question whether they were deserving he just blessed them.

1 Peter 3:8-12 

 8 Finally, be ye all of ^aone mind, having ^bcompassion one of another, love as ^cbrethren, be ^dpitiful, be ^ecourteous: 9 Not ^arendering ^bevil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a ^cblessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him ^arefrain his ^btongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no ^cguile: 11 Let him ^aeschew evil, and do good; let him seek ^bpeace, and ^censue it. 12 For the ^aeyes of the Lord are over the ^brighteous, and his ears are open unto their ^cprayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do ^devil.

A word from OSHA

I wish I could say I posed her for this picture, but it's for real.  She was giving me a lecture on the fact that I was walking into the bike lane rather than the walking lane.  Check out that glare!

As we were driving down the road today we went through a small construction area where there were workers holding a stop and slow sign.  At the moment we were driving through after being signaled with a "slow" sign.  Ella quickly reminded me, "IT SAYS SLOW MOM!"  Yes, Ella I know what it says, I'm going about 10 miles an hour. 

We were in the McDonald's play place where you better believe she read all 4 rules before entering.  Alissa came out and got a chicken nugget and quickly returned with her nugget in hand to the play place.  Immediately Ella reprimands her with, "Rule #2 says..." and she read the rule exactly as it was written which said something to the fact that no food was allowed.   I guess this is why I'm much more lax on my parenting.. I have a handy helper by my side.

We have daily occurrences such as this.  Sometimes I love it and other times I wish I had a "chill pill" for her.  I honestly think it's a great trait for the first child to have.  She does a great job looking after the family.  At her recent parent teacher conference her teacher described her as "mother hen".  She says she is slow to get her work done because she is so concerned that everybody around her knows just what to do that she is so busy helping them before she even starts on her own.  I felt guilty.  I'm sure I ingrained that in her.  She is my right hand woman at home and helps me so much with a lot of things! 

Oh, good little OSHA!  We just love her.

I'm just glad she wasn't home for this episode..

Happy Halloween

I think every year gets funner and funner with these little kiddos.  Alissa remembered last year and couldn't wait to go Trick or Treating!  So Monday morning we got to go to Discovery and watch Ella walk through the costume parade at her school.  I ran and caught a picture of her in the hallway as they were parading around the hall for all the other students.  She was happy to see me.  I'm so glad.   She dressed up as a Fairy.

Here they come parading through the gym for all the parents to see.

And their aewsome principal Mr. Marlowe gave them all a piece of candy as they walked out.

Here is Ella's teacher:  Mrs. Crow.  We love her!

It cracks me up because we don't even discuss what she's going to be for Halloween.  On Sunday night I told her I wanted her to put together her outfit so I could see what she was planning on wearing.  I love how she just likes to be cute.  She's such a girly girl. 

I got to come back to the school to help with her class party.  The only picture I got was of her and her new best friend Brennady eating their doughnuts.

For dinner we made experimental Mummy pizzas.  I was a spaz and bought crushed olives rather than sliced for the eyes.  I didn't even know there was such thing as crushed olives.  Oh well, you get the idea. 

Now the real fun begins... 

We had a beautiful ballerina

A nice monster

and a hungry bunny

I always make them practice trick or treating at our door.  JUST FOR THIS PICTURE.  I love it!

These girls are the best!  I just love them to pieces!  They make life so fun and entertaining.

Seriously, they are the most precious beings... ever.

Here is Ella giving Alissa a coaching session on what to do and say at the door.

And another one as they get ready to knock.  He he.. she is such a little mommy.

 

A pose by Mickey Mouse for Aunt Heidi. 

Dustin and I took turns driving around the ATV mostly so Molly could still feel a part and we didn't have to walk at a turtle pace with her.

The kids enjoyed it. 

 

And after hitting all Ella's friends houses that she requested we headed to 3 grandma's house for popcorn balls and homemade spudnuts.  Doesn't get much better.  It was a bummer that it was a school night so we had to hurry home to bed.  Regardless, we had a super great night!!

Airplane Ride

Ella had no school on Friday and we happened to be in town running some errands with my mom when she mentioned Dad was flying in from Boise.  He told us if we met him at the hanger in 30 minutes the girls and I could go up and see our house.  We hurried right over.

With only a little anxiety the girls loaded up and we took off. 

We never went very high, just high enough to see a perfect view of the beautiful place we live.

What lucky girls.

They did great!  We were in the air for probably only 30 minutes.  Just enough time to see the temple, windmills, our house, Ella's school and some mountains and water.  We even spotted some cows and ducks.

I didn't have my camera, but did take my ipod with me so my pictures aren't top quality,

but at least I have some.

I feel really blessed to have such good family.  My parents are always so generous to share their time and resources with us.  I know it's not always convenient but they are always willing.