May I share a journal entry... from yesterday... 3/16/12...

We tended the kids tonight and when Matt and Jenny returned after 10 pm and all the kids were down, they introduced us to their friends who commended us for being available and willing to watch the kids while mom and dad went out for the evening. We were polite but less than gracious and this is how I wish I had responded:

"Thank you very kindly, but imagine if you can being old and alone, and having children who welcome you daily into their home as part of their family, and trust you implicitly with their kids, whom you love and adore, and who return an abundance of love and affection and seem always excited to see and be with you. Would they be an imposition or chore to spend an evening with?

Or imagine being old and alone and having kids and grandkids who rarely visit and where you don't feel welcome in their homes, nor are you invited to share in their lives in any way.

We are blessed with the former, but have friends who endure the latter. No, we are receivers in this relationship and are all too aware that kids grow up and need you less, so we are committed to cherish every moment we are permitted to be with them or welcome them in our home. You should envy us, because it doesn't get much better. But you needn't praise us for selfishly cherishing every moment we can enjoy with our grandkids, and their trusting and accepting parents."

Well, that's how I wish I had responded, but I just stumbled meaningless jibberish and we dismissed ourselves and came home. But we do have it good and love our kids and grandkids, and are well aware that to be accepted and even appreciated living next door is rare and to be nurtured and cherished.

Life is short, those twins were only two for a year and leave only memories. But we make new memories with each of them every day now and are painfully aware that we are getting older and have continually less to give, and are sustained chiefly by their acceptance, their trust, and our reciprocal affections. May we love without possessing, serve without demanding, give without accounting, and accept graciously the unbounded love we feel in return, because time doesn't return.

Love you all

I chose Brigham Young for my book report because I thought he must be pretty cool if he got such an awesome school named after him. So in my book report I've got three main topics, which I would like to share with you. Those topics are: facts about his family, why he is famous, I think he's awesome because... So sit back, relax, and enjoy my boring book report.
As stated above, my first reason is facts about his family. So here is a couple weird and wacky reasons about his family. First of all he was the ninth child. It probably wasn't unnatural back then but now it sure is. But if want to hear an even crazier thing about his family, stick around. Second of all, he was pretty much raised by his older 14 year old sister. If his parents weren't so busy he'd probably have been raised by them. Last but not least, he had 27 wives throughout his life. But in the meantime he had 57 kids! No, the last two sentences weren't typos. Can't say I didn't warn you!
My second topic isn't so wacked. All I'm going to write in this paragraph is why he's famous. He is famous because he is the second LDS prophet. Oh, by the way, I'm mormon. So he's kind of a big deal to me. But probably the biggest reason is because he led the Mormons west. Soooo... onto paragraph number four.
For my last topic I'm supposed to write if I like him, so I'm going to tell you why I like Brigham Young. My first reason is probably really obvious (if you know me well :)). It's because of BYU. My all-time favorite school, ever. My last reason is because Brigham Young sets a great example for the rest of us. He kept on trying to get the Mormons to a safe place while being chased by mobs, he got really sick, and just still kept trying.
Sweet, I'm nearly done. So far this ultra boring book report about Brigham Young turned out to be pretty boring, right? So, for you late-comers I'm going to skim over what I wrote. OK? Good. So I wrote some facts about his family, why he's famous and why I think he's awesome. So, peace out, scouts. Baker. Over and out.

Being a mom is a daunting job. I am responsible for the physical, emotional and spiritual raising of my kids. No pressure.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with the physical caretaking part of my job, but the spiritual part; oh man, that's quite the task. I want all my kids to have a firm testimony of the gospel, to know Jesus loves them, and to learn to do what's right. Daunting to say the least.

Sometimes they surprise me. Sometimes my kids teach me.

About a week ago my kids arrived at the bus stop to find a boy crying. Isaac went over and put his arm around the boy and asked what was wrong. He told him he was freezing and only had a thin jacket. Without a second thought, Isaac shed his coat and put it on his friend. "I have a hoodie on" he told him. "This will keep you warm".

Yesterday, same Isaac, new story.
Background: Isaac has a kid in his class who is different. And by different I mean weird. Says and does things that are strange and not age appropriate. Emotional outbursts, dramatic accusations of things that didn't happen, just weird behavior. Let's call him Mike.

"Mom, I'm starting to like playing soccer and basketball. I play them at recess with Mike"
"Isaac, isn't he a little... different?"
"So, I like him"

Who's the teacher here anyway?

Yep. Epic Blog Fail.

So here is a little something that has been on my mind for some time.

Football.

Alex wrapped up his season with a banquet the other day and it was quite a finish. Alex's team shut out at every single team in his conference at one time or another. They soundly beat every team and when the smoke cleared, Alex's team was awarded the state championship, going 12-0.

Team sports. I am a big fan.

What did Alex learn that he would absolutely not learn in any other way, or at least not as effectively?

He learned that people depend on him and he needs to do his best so he won't let others down.
He learned to do his best so he wouldn't let himself down.
He learned how to get along with others.
He learned that performance is determined by practice.
He learned it isn't just about being strong but it is also about being a student of the game. Often, playing smarter, not stronger, equated to playing better.
He learned how to do things he didn't want to do.
He learned how to be humble, victory after victory.
He learned how to do his best and forget the rest.
He learned how to focus.
He learned how to perform well under pressure.
He learned to be grateful to Heavenly Father for the ability and opportunity to play (they prayed before and sometimes after every game).
He learned what it meant to be a part of a brotherhood.
He learned to pay attention or there would be hell to pay.
He learned what it means to fight through blood, sweat, and tears to become a champion.
Along with much, much more...

Go Diggers!
State Champs, 2010

Playground story told by Isaac:

"Mom, a while ago I was playing at Bear Park and there was this bully and his goons over by the spider. So I went over to swing because they looked mean. I was just swinging and the bully and his goons came over behind me but I didn't see them. Then the bully pushed me off the swing. So I said "do you want to swing" to him and let him have my swing. Then I thought about the Golden Rule and so I snuck up behind him and pushed him off the swing.


There you go. New Golden Rule: Do unto others as they have done to you. Maybe not quite as effective..

Thanks RLTPHOTOGRAPHY!