Maybe Famous

Rachel loves to sing and dance. She reminds me of myself so much. One day I caught her belting it out with her Island Princess Barbie. This past weekend we went and watched my nieces Sidney and Nikki dance. Rachel was quick to want to run out and find an open spot where she could try some new dance moves. I think she learned that dancers move around a lot and roll around on the floor. I can't wait until we can put her into some lessons. She will love it. For now I am just enjoying her experimentation.

High Heels, How Young is too Young?

I acquired these shoes about a month ago. Try as I might, I simply can not walk in them. Then, one afternoon, Emily stepped out of my room walking in them like a pro. My mother should have started me in heels at her age. Maybe I would be able to walk in them now.

Cousin Conner

The kids had a fun weekend with cousin Conner. It was great to see Ben play with some boy toys for once. He always gets stuck playing dolls and house with the girls. Boys are not plentiful in our neighborhood. We watched "Speed Racer", a very interesting show, and the kids pretended to be Speed and Rex Racer. I heard some interesting conversations. One of which went like this.

Cousin Conner to Rachel: If you want to live then give me all your fortune and glory.
Rachel: I don't have Fortune and Glory. They're at school.

Another went like this.

Conner: My brother died in a car accident.
Ben: Yea, so did mine.

Anyway, you will all have to see "Speed Racer" now.

Happy Valentines Day!!!!!!!!!

This morning I woke up not really remembering it was Valentines Day, but I was reminded pretty quickly when Rachel woke up and immediately asked "Can we give you our cards now?"

"Umm. I think we better wait until Daddy wakes up."

Then she says "And do you have the cards for me and Emily and Ben?"
Huh, cards . . . for the kids. Uh oh. Mind you, I did get them a little something for Valentines Day. Just not cards. Off I rushed to make a few homemade Valentines. I can't disappoint my little girl.

When Nate woke up we exchanged our Valentine gifts. Nate gave me a beautiful card that said

"Loving you has changed me forever. . .Loving you has given my heart a home."

So sweet. And beautiful flowers. I mentioned that I didn't buy cards this year. . .that includes for my husband. I also didn't have time to make him a Valentine before the kids discovered me hiding in the laundry room. So, Nathan received a used card, pulled from my stock pile of cards that we have given eachother over the years. Poor Nate. I love him. I expect so much. I would have never put up with a used Valentine from him. Yet, he just smiled and laughed a little. Such a patient man. Happy Valentines Day!

You Know Your Baby is Growing Up When. . .

For a long time I have been playing the ding dong belly button game with Emily. Hence, she has always called her belly button a "bing bong". Sadly, she has now figured out that the little cave in her tummy is just a belly button. Hmph. Bummer.

Beyond Their Years

Nate discovered that our litttle girls are beyond their years in spirituality. He came into our bedroom and found Rachel and Emily surrounded by books, playing on the bed.
"What are you two doing? he asked.
Rachel politely told him "We are at the temple."
"Oh, and what are you reading?"
"The scriptures," Rachel replied with a smile. Duh. What else would you read at the temple.

The Lord Giveth and He Taketh Away

Last weekend we had a death in our family. . . our van of 5 years finally gave up. It is a truly sad story. We were all packed on Saturday morning, ready to have a adventurous weekend visiting the grandparents. The kids were excited and Nate and I were all dressed to go to the Temple once we got the kids dropped off at Grandmas. Alas, when we got on the freeway, we found, to our dismay, that the van would not shift into fifth gear. Were we aware that the van was ill, you ask? Yes, but I had such great plans for it to keep going, no matter what kind of abuse we put it through. Unfortunately, the van had other plans. So, instead of going to Grandma's we went home. You can imagine what this did to the children. Once home we were stuck with on our tiny pick up truck for transportation. Five people don't fit so well in a pickup. We had to beg rides off of neighbors for several days.

Thankfully, we found a new van today. We are happy to welcome the 2000 Pontiac Montana into our home. We will try not to neglect you so you won't leave us too soon.



Special Thanks to Mom and Dad Stalker, who picked us up in Salt Lake City after we took the Frontrunner down from Ogden. Then they drove us to the dealership in Draper where we bought our new van. Love you guys.

ARE YOU LISTENING!!!!!!

Today, Ben gave a talk in primary. Of course, as is the daddy's privilege, I was there. Ben began great. "I am going to talk about prayer." Reads a scripture... "Yesterday, we decided to go to grandma's house. We were driving on the freeway and the car was broken. We went to a gas station and put in some gas, but it was still broken. Then, we said a prayer that the van wouldn't break and drove home."

Here's where it gets interesting...

Ben looked up and decided to interact with the other children. "raise your hand and tell me if you know what I was talking about." Several hands go up. Ben calls on a boy who says it was about the car that broke down. "That's not right." Ben then calls on another boy, (he would never call on a girl). Next boy, "Prayer!" "Right!" Then Ben is done and proceeds to go to his chair when Mom reminds him that he needs to end "in the name of Jesus Christ, amen" Then Ben ends, again, officially.

Apparently, Ben got his training from the great dictators in history. Demanding attention, respect, and someday, loyalty. Hale Ben!!!

Most parents want their kids to overcome their fear of giving talks, we wish ours was a little more timid.

What I did during the Superbowl

1. Ate and ate and ate. . . ugg, i'm bloated.
2. Played Barbie dolls with the little girls.
3. Talked to my sister in law who was gracious enough to entertain me.
4. Pretended to know what was going on during a few of the big plays.
5. Counted the seconds until it ended.

I am officially accepting the fact that I don't like to watch football on TV. . . I never will. I give up trying to fake it. Amen.