Yee-haw!

I got new running shoes today. I am so excited. They have been much needed for some time now but you know how it is. Tonight though I ran away for a bit from our cranky children and ended up at Big 5 and bought some sweet shoes on sale. No more shin splints for me. Yee-haw!!!

Wow!

This morning on my way home from the gym I noticed flags in the roundabout going to our house and wondered what holiday I was missing. This afternoon when I drove down our street to pick up a little girl to take to the bus stop I saw more and more and more American flags lining the street in front of this little girls home and I knew... Her Daddy was home. This sweet family has had their Father and husband gone away for a year to Afghanistan. During that time my friend had a baby and had endured many trials and yet every single time I have asked her how she is doing she puts a smile on her face and says she is doing fine. There were times after her baby was born that she would say she was tired but that was the extent of her "complaining". She has been an amazing example of someone who pushes forward and remains positive and faithful despite the many challenges she faces. As I drove down the street and saw all the flags and the Welcome sign on their front door I was surprised that I was completely overcome with emotion. The extent of the service that not only the husband had provided but his sweet wife as she patiently and painstakingly cared for her 3 small children while he was away is amazing. When the little girl got in my car and we drove to the stop the only think I could squeak out was "is your Dad home?" She excitedly said "Yes!" It made me so grateful for the families who sacrifice so much on our behalf. It certainly puts the 18 days that Randall will be out of the country into perspective. It could certainly be much, much worse.

Nursery - a no go

Today was the big day. The day we parents in the "Mormon" world wait for many, many months. When the babes in arms turn the lovely 18 months they get to enter Nursery. This means that Mom's and Dad's no longer have to stand in the hall for sometimes hours at time due to an either fussy or overly active baby. My only qualm though is why is it that the peak of separation anxiety is also at 18 months? Can't we change the qualifying age to legally and lawfully attend nursery at say 16 months when your child is still most likely to happily oblige and attend without weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth? Well of course you know what I'm getting at. Kate turned 18 months yesterday, so of course today is the day. Randall was nervous about it all morning. He is the nice parent in this family and hates to see the kids upset. I guess I am home enough with them that I am more of the attitude of "git er done", so I wasn't too worried about the crying that was most certain to occur.

I dropped her off cause Rand didn't have the heart and she immediatly started screaming. She would have nothing to do with the coloring page that was in front of her. Well we didn't wait long. Just 3 minutes after she arrives she was returned to me and I was told "she's not having this today". I wasn't too pleased. I understand that these sweet nursery workers are there on a voluntary basis and don't want to deal too long with some strange screaming child. I just figured they would give it just a tad longer let's say 15 or 20 minutes? I of course took her back and she held on to me for dear life. After a time Randall decided that he would attend with her to help her "transition". With Randall there she ate snack and participated in music time but wouldn't let him leave. I don't know how long Randall is going to attend nursery to aid in the transition but let's just say when he leaves in March for a few weeks and I have to conduct meetings elsewhere there will be a lot more crying going on. Here's to 18 months and transition.

conversation

Tonight we took a little drive. As we were driving Ethan asked

Ethan: When I turn 12 can I get braces?
Rand: If you need them yes.
Anna: You don't need braces! (with much disdain and emotion)
Ethan: Yes I do, see this "scrap" between my teeth? (pointing to his gap)
Anna: Look, I have "crap" between my teeth!

LOL (something I have until this point refused to ever use!)

sun shiny weekend

I came in Kate's room to check on her and she was so sweet and asleep that I ran to get the camera but when I came back she was awake. I love it when they wake up with pink cheeks.
The kids got sleeping bags for Christmas so we cozied up and had a movie night. The bags are good to down to 20 degrees which would have come in handy when the city tried to turn off our electricity last week. They had been putting our payments towards and old acct. I was not too happy about it. Thankfully I was home to get it figured out or it would have been one chilly night.
Just because she is so cute she makes me want to kiss her face over and over.

Yesterday was awesome! It was sunny outside and we actually got out and enjoyed it. we spent some time in the yard pulling out dead plants and sweeping up a bit. Then we went out and spent some time on the basketball court with the kids. Rand and Ethan shot some baskets and Ethan even swished a few with the full size ball. He had to granny it but made some just the same. Kate just walked around eating random patches of snow, yikes. Anna rode around on her bike and it was so nice. I even put Kate on a scooter and she held on all by herself and I would push her around. She LOVED it. If I took her off she would say ON, On! It was so enjoyable even if it's not going to last. I can't believe it's supposed to snow tomorrow!

On another totally random note, I have been craving something strange lately. A rabbit. No not to eat, but to own as a pet. This is very strange because I really am not a pet person and don't even like that we have 1 fire belly toad that we have to care for. Occasionally though I just get a strange hankering for an animal. A few months back I was just dying for a love bird for a few months, I got over it thankfully. Now I'm on to a bunny. Yesterday when I walked into the pet store to buy some crickets to feed the toad the smell of the store just about wiped that craving away. Did i mention how much I hate buying live crickets. I always walk out of the store holding them at arms length like they are poison or something. When I got in the car buckled them into the passenger seat to ensure they would stay upright and be certain not to spill out into the car, yuck!

Spring yet?

I loved that this morning going out to the car was not a painful, cold experience. It was already registering 32 degrees before 9am. A miracle. I love that the snow is melting and I'm hoping that soon enough we just may be able to take a walk outside. Can you imagine? I almost bought Easter dresses at Costco the other day but was good and refrained. They were so cute though... It made me think that Spring is just a tad closer. It also makes me think of the chocolates that someone brought to dinner last night that I ate adding to my waistline. I need to remember it's not too long now and I won't be able to hide my figure under long sleeves and pants. What's a girl to do though when someone so kindly brings See's chocolates? You eat them of course. I certainly don't want to come across as rude. For lunch I'll eat a salad and that will certainly cancel out those chocolates from last night...and this morning :)