Nervous Energy

Well tomorrow is the BIG day. Last year at this time I was a nervous wreck. I didn't expect the same this year - after all, I've done the training and I did it last year. I actually thought I was doing much better this go around.

That is...until...this evening when I was folding laundry and Nelson came in, sat down and was chomping on his gum so loud that I finally blurted, "You're chomping worse than the kids!"

Looking at me just a little surprised he noted, "You've been a little agitated today."

To which I promptly responded, "The race is tomorrow. Back off!"

My response even caught me off guard. Seems I may be a tad nervous after all. Hopefully all this nervous energy will pay off when 7 AM rolls around tomorrow. Pray for me!

Paper Prayers

The race is Sunday and I am already out of breath.

I am currently drowning in a sea of research paper rough drafts and I can't keep my head above water. Not only that but I also have a shower for some friends here next weekend. We happily offered to do this for them since the groom-to-be has lived in our apartment the past year. Little did we know that our little invitation would be answered with a guest list including 75 couples!

Funny, when we (actually my husband) offered to give the shower, I didn’t know I would be teaching. When I signed up for the race, I didn't know that either. Consequently, I had no foggy idea that these events would be in the same week....which also just happens to include the grading of a huge stack of 10 page papers.

I shouldn't even be typing this, but I HAD to get away from the papers for a moment. I need a break. I need a maid. I need to hydrate and prepare for the race. I need rest. I need prayers. I need God to multiply my time, my patience, my speed, my sleep.

Ok. Maybe getting this all out will help me feel better and get motivated to grade one more paper before I collapse into bed. Wish me luck...but really, REALLY pray for me!

Happy Birthday Dawson!

Dawson, I can't believe you are FIVE! You are such a joy. You're brilliant smile and deep dimples have already made you quite the ladies man. I can only imagine what the future holds.

I know that being home with me and Max this extra year is not exactly what you had in mind (as evidenced in your comments yesterday) but I'm considering it a real gift. I love having this time with you. It's an opportunity to hold on to you for just a little longer.

You have a tender heart and are always concerned about others. You accept difficult situations, like not going to school yet and being too little to ride the big rides at the fair, with a maturity beyond your years.

You are super smart and so willing to learn and eager to participate in all things school related (you memorize those monthly scriptures right along with your brother and sister). I'm sure that if you went to Kindergarten tomorrow, you'd do just fine.

However, God knew what he was doing when you were born right when you were. His timing is perfect and I know that in the end, you will be glad you ended up right where you are. I know I am.

I consider myself lucky to know you and privileged to raise you. I love you very, very much.

Mama

Uh-Oh

It's birthday time again around here. Dawson is turning five tomorrow and there's been some big birthday talk lately.

Today, as he was on his back spinning around in the middle of the kitchen floor, he said to me, "Tomorrow I will be turning five and that means that Wednesday will be my last day at school before I start Kindergarten."

"What?" I asked him. Having two older kids with summer birthdays, I was hoping I was not about to dash his dreams.

"Well," he reasoned, "tomorrow I turn five and you go to Kindergarten when you turn five."

A Boy After His Daddy's Heart

Nelson has been stuck in front of the TV today with his back out. Consequently, the rest of us have been subjected to his viewing choices while we try to go on with life.

As Dawson and I were eating lunch, he said to me, "Daddy sure likes to watch a lot of poker doesn't he."

Wondering how many days of the World Series of Poker he had actually recorded, I responded, "He sure does."

"So mama, who has the pocket aces and who has the pocket queens?"

Don't Worry That It's Not Goo Enough...

Dawson came into my room singing this afternoon. "Sing. Sing a song. Sing out LOUD. Sing out STRONG. La, la, la..." he sang drifting off. "Mama, how do you 'la' again?"

I Love You, But...

As in most homes with young children, there are certain words we don't allow to be used. Some are, of course, for those obvious reasons most people don't allow those words to be used. Others, however, are more a matter of personal taste. Around here "butt" is one such word.

This week one of his one of his spelling words is 'but'.

Day 1
Me: Spell but.
Aiden: Laughing so hysterically that he can't get the letters out.

Day 2
Me: Spell but.
Aiden: B-U-T...T then more hysterical laughter.

Day 3
Mackenzie: Aiden spell but.
Aiden: Drops his mouth wide open, points at Mackenzie and accuses her of saying 'butt'. Of course this is followed by that silly grin and more hysterical laughter.

Some things never get old. And, it's only Wednesday.

A Good Decision

We decided late last week to go to a friend's wedding celebration this weekend. Having just come back from the beach, everything was unpacked, washed and put away. The idea of doing it all over again did not appeal to me.

However, going to the wedding meant spending the weekend with some dear friends of ours who have a 9 month old that we had yet to meet. We really love these friends and they love us...enough to let all of us stay with them over the weekend.

Leaving town was horrendous. Max woke up with a bloody ear and had to go to the doctor. That was followed by a wait at the pharmacy. We also decided to get the boys' hair cut before they saw our friends for the first time in years.

When we finally got out of town, I knew we made the right decision. The weekend was really fun. The kids had a great time. We had a great time. None of us wanted to leave.

When Nelson asked me if I wanted to try to go, I knew this is how it would play out. I love these people and I love spending time with them. I just didn't want to make the sacrifice to make it happen. In fact, I came close to telling him to just go without me. But I didn't and I'm so glad.

So many times in life it’s the tough decisions that reap the greatest benefits.

A Few More Beach Photos

This is my favorite shot of the week. I love the hat. I love the sand-spattered back. I love the saggy, hand-me-down suit. But the thing I love most is that he is WALKING. He is walking on an uneven surface, totally unassisted. It was a beautiful sight indeed.
Max's favorite beach activity was hurling sand.
Can't you see the pure joy in his face?
Mackenzie got in some good stunting time.
The favorite pool-side activity of the week was playing ping pong.
I bought one ball for a quarter and the kids played for hours. It was money well spent.

It was a great week. The weather was perfect. The kids had a blast. I relaxed. I was having so much fun that I did not want to come home.

I’m already looking forward to next year!

Peek at the Beach Week

Max found a new way to entertain himself while we were at the beach. He walked around in circles at the house and opened and shut the doors. Over, and over, and over again we heard the pounding of little feet, the squeak of an opening door, and the hearty laugh of this sweet, sweet boy.

That's a New One

My cousin came over for dinner tonight and asked Dawson, "What would you like for your birthday?"

Dawson responded with a list that slowly grew. "Oh, and also some Hot Wheels, Transformers, and Bionicles," he continued.

"Don't you also like games?" she inquired further.

"Yes!" was his emphatic reply.

"Okay maybe I can get you a game or two."

"Oooh...I've never played ortwo. Can you get me that one?"

Parental Logic Translated by a 4 Year Old

Walking back from the beach today Dawson pointed out the place where my mom and he had seen a lizard earlier. "Bama says lizards can change colors to match wherever they are."

"Hmm," I wondered, "I don't think all lizards do that."

"Yes they do. Bama said so," he said with resolve.

"Maybe she was talking about chameleons," I offered.

"No," he insisted. "Bama is right because she's YOUR mama and she knows more than you because she's older than you."

Beach Bound

Well, I am happy to report that after numerous late nights and long days, I got my grades in, gave my sub plans for the week, worked out plans for the entire week I come back, coerced the kids into completing the majority of their school work, washed the clothes, packed the suitcases and attended a meeting every night this week.

I can smell the salt in the air. And, I feel pretty certain that next week, when I'm cruising the waves with the kids on their new boogie boards, I will be thinking that it was all worth it!