Side Effects of Stay-at-home Mom Career

I took the kids over the the Dinosaur Park today. Inside the park is a really fun digging site where the kids dig up dinosaur bones. The kids were happily digging and pretending. Rachel said "I'm a scientist." To which Ben responded "Rachel you can't be a scientist. There are no girl scientists." At that point I walked over and tried to explain to Ben that Rachel could be whatever she wanted and that there are girl scientists, doctors, engineers and every thing else. Benjamin was insistent though because as he put it "I've never seen one." "Well, Rachel can be a scientist," I said putting my foot down. "Ok, but not in real life." UGGGG! Boys! They think they are so smart! This picture is for you BEN!!!!!!

Spring Is In the Air

We had a fabulous day today. We headed to Salt Lake this afternoon to enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful flowers on Temple Square. It was really relaxing. We met up with Adrienne, Jonathan, Allyson, and Janie (Al's roommate). We ate a picnic dinner together and wandered around enjoying the flowers and taking pictures. I thought I had died and gone to heaven the sun felt so good. If only tommorrow could be a repeat of today. . . if you minus the part where I had to get the kids all ready for church and I was late and my house was a disaster area and the little tiff Nate and I had. . . then I would surely repeat this day.

I Fear No Fridge!

Fear filled my heart. The refrigerator loomed in front of me like locker full of stinky gym socks. Too much time had passed since I had last given this fridge the attention it deserved and now that I could put it off no longer I wondered if I would survive. I was grateful that I had at least periodically removed the mildewing left overs. I wouldn't have to face that. But who knew what would lie hidden underneath those crisper drawers. Who could know what might be lurking in the back corners where leaking jars of pickles had sat for. . . well, for a long time. The horror made me shrink. I gathered up all my courage and I conquered. I cleaned out my refrigerator and I am very proud! I hope my story gives inspiration to those of you who also fear this monster.

Look Who's Talking

As a parent you can never get enough of a child's first words. They are the most precious sounds one will ever hear. Emily's language skills are developing rapidly now. She is working on animal sounds, has mom and dad down pat, and is experimenting with several other words. Today's experiment was "no". I was playing with her in her room when suddenly she just blurted it out. I laughed, so she did it again... and again... and again. We practiced with the word for the rest of the afternoon. Why I was so diligent in teaching her how to tell me "no" is beyond me. Now she will just irritate me with it for the rest of my life. But today, it was so cute. So, here is a very poorly made video. Sorry about the angles and bad quality. Still, it is fun to hear Emily talking.

Kudos to Medina

Medina and I met in the summer of 2004. We were both pregnant and due within days of each other. Medina is a doer and quickly worked on our friendship. So, four years later, we have a solid and great friendship. Medina is married and has lived in the U.S. for quite a while, but she has family and friends living in Zimbabwe. She has a deep love and devotion to her friends and family. Recently, with the help of a friend, she put on a fund raiser and raised $1500 to send to a charity organization that is helping the people of Zimbabwe. Since she has had more people ask what they can do to help. Every time I talk to Medina she is working on something. She inspires me. She has overcome difficulties in her life that most of us would never even dream of and she has done it with faith and courage. She is one of God's great women here on the earth. So, Medina, I am so proud of you. Thanks for sharing your life with me.

Recent News on Zimbabwe

Love of Country

This morning I dropped Ben off to school, late, of course. I ran around to open his door and say goodbye. "Hurry, hurry. You'll have to stop by the office for a late slip." Ben got out of the car. Someone was talking over the intercom, but I wasn't really paying attention. I got back into the van and waited for Ben to walk inside the school. Instead, he was stopped in the middle of the lawn. I was about to yell at him to get moving when I realized what he was doing. They were saying the Pledge of Allegiance over the intercom. Benjamin stopped there in the middle of the grass and put his hand over his heart and was repeating the pledge with them. It was a moving experience. Benjamin reminded me that I live in a wonderful country. A country that deserves respect and allegiance. He inspired me. I need to find ways to be a better citizen and a better example to him. I have the public school system to thank for planting a seed of love for America in Ben's little heart and Benjamin to thank for giving my seed some water. I am sure it has long been in need. I do love The United States of America!

Trust Jesus

Last night I checked the news right before bed. Which means I found out the outcome of the sweet little girl who went missing this week. I had a hard time getting to sleep. Especially realizing it could have been my child. I mean, look at my last blog. My first reaction is that I understand why some countries allow public executions. I want the family to have immediate action for the terrible death of their daughter. Thankfully, other people have a more sense than me and our country has a justice system that tries to be fair.

Well, I happen to be reading a book by Elder Jeffery R. Holland called Trusting Jesus. In that lies the only true peace this family will ever receive in this life. There is justice, and it is a justice that goes far beyond the short years of this life. It will extend into eternity and it will be perfect. And, this sweet family can seek comfort of God. I am praying for them. I am thankful that the majority of people in this world are still good. Like the people who found my little ones and protected them until I came. I believe all is not lost. I know that this family will see their little girl again and I hope that they will receive that comfort as well. Trust Jesus.

Here is a link to one talk that comes out of the book I am reading. "Look to God and Live" by Elder Jeffery R. Holland.