The Jumbo Jack & The Rat Pack 3/20/09 (posted by Tim)

Not that deep

Tim and I had a chance to take a marriage class our stake was offering. I highly recommend the class if you ever have the opportunity. The church has done a great job providing a wonderful manual to go along with the course and it really opened a lot of dialog between the two of us. The last class talked a lot about emotions and our emotional relationship. Being a girl, I tend to place a lot of emphasis on emotions and wanting Tim to understand where I am coming from and wanting him to understand my views and basically be able to read my mind. He ought to be able to, right! Well, I had an epiphany. I am just not that deep. The teacher has us write down answers to questions dealing with emotions and my mind was blank. I realized that with all the responsibilities placed upon me each day with preschool, curriculum development, caring for my wonderful children, taking care of the home, etc, I just don't have time to be wrapped up in my emotions. I think I use the excuse of "not being understood" when really I should just say, "I am going crazy and need ice cream!". That is something Tim could easily understand and would be happy to provide. Maybe that's all I have been meaning all along and when he has been asking me to be more specific when I have said that "I need to be understood", I should have realized what it was that I wanted. I guess we are walking away from the class with the insight that ice cream can solve most problems and if it can't, a good nights sleep probably will do the trick. I have got a great hubby!

The eyes of a child

Two things happened today that really made me stop and think about how I see the world. First was during preschool. One of the little girls went up to another and handed her a twig. The little girl looked at it and said, "What is it?". The girl replied, "A stick.". The girl then responded with, "It's a magical stick!", and all the sudden she was able to create a new game and adventure for the two of them. The second thing happened with Chloe. We have a border around the grass in the front. It is kind of like crushed rocks on brick (I don't have the best descriptions!). Anyway, she spent about an hour today looking at the rocks and the way they were placed in the bricks. She say skeletons, fairies, witches, and much more! The activity kept her entertained and she was disappointed when it was finally time to go in for a shower. I am just so grateful to have children in my life. They remind me to imagine and believe in things I can't always see with my simple human eyes. They have an innocence and a faith that I long to have. I am grateful that I have my children to help me develop greater faith.

Oh To be Two

Jonah just has it all...and if he doesn't, he will take it from he so that he does! Poor Chloe, Poor Mommy, Poor Jack, Poor Daddy! Today Mimi's Valentine's arrived. She put so much thought into the cards she picked out for the kids. Knowing Jonah loves Nemo, she found an adorable card with pop-outs of all the different fishy characters. For Chloe, she sent a princess singing card. At first each child was content and happy with the card. I was so happy! There was peace in my home. Then Jonah decided he wanted princesses. Why you ask? Because he is two! I finally bribed Chloe with money so we could end WW III. He just wants to be like Chloe, have what Chloe has, do what Chloe does, and some days, look like Chloe!
The other day we were coming in from playing out front. I said, "Jonah, put your Croks in the basket." Jonah replied, "No, Croks outside.". I said, "No, please put them in the basket.", for which he replied, "No, Croks outside, Mom.". I never win! Never! I wish I was two someday!! Especially if I got a nap and an early bed time! Thank you Chloe for being such a good sport!!

Quick Family Updates

Wow...How did so much time pass without catching up on my blog. I love reading all of my friends blogs. It is great to see pictures, updates, and to feel close even when time and distance makes it difficult to talk often. I decided to just to a list of 20 things that have happened that I never blogged about.

1. Chloe got a scooter and Jonah got a tricycle for Christmas and now the kids live outside playing on them constantly.

2. Chloe got straight A's and is quite the reader.

3. Jack weighs 16 lbs at 3 months! OH MY GOODNESS!!! He is chunky (that is a nice way of saying fat!)

4. We had a wonderful Christmas with family! I love the holidays and feel so blessed to have children who remind me of the simple things that make the Christmas season special.

5. Tim's parents visited us for New Years and we were able to bless Jack.

6. I am now teaching preschool alone. My neighbor is going to watch Jack and I am going to go back to teaching by myself. I am so grateful for her help, especially when I was pregnant and after Jack's birth.

7. The Tooth Fairy forgot to visit our house when Chloe lost her 2nd tooth. We had to do some quick thinking to explain that one! Woops!!

8. I am still in Cub Scouts and still don't like it.

9. Jonah now says, "I love you, Mom." Yeah, I love the boy!

10. My sister Emily and her family moved to Toronto. They are freezing to death and we miss them terribly.

11. Chloe has started dance classes again and is loving it. She misses Emmalee, but is happy to be able to dance.

12. My mom and I took the kids to Encanto Park. If you haven't been there, it is a great place for kids here in Phoenix. Jonah was scared to death of the rides until the last 30 minutes and then we couldn't get him off. He is so silly. Chloe, on the other hand, loved all the rides, especially the rollercoaster! She's her mommy's girl!

13. Some random man asked me to try his Mountain Dew at the QT to see if it tasted weird. Hello!! Freak!

14. Jack is sleeping for 12 hours at night! Mommy could not be happier.

15. Jonah has learned that if he sneaks into the pantry and gets a snack for both he and Chloe, Mommy is so touched by the gesture that he doesn't get into trouble.

16. I still haven't read an entire book since Jack was born and am starting to think I have ADHD.

17. Tim is halfway done with his prep class for the CFP. I don't know where he finds the time and energy. He is such a trooper.

18. I am finally working out again at the gym with my neighbor. I love being back there and hopefully will be able to look normal some day in the future.

19. I had a girl's only party with fondue. It was great to have a group of my close friends over and I realized I need to do that more often.

20. Last of all, I am just so grateful to have healthy, happy, sweet children. And (TIM!), I am so grateful to be married to an amazing man who is willing to be patient with a crazy wife! He makes the journey much sweeter.

New Favorite Show

While I was in the hospital with Jack, Pancho lent me the first 4 seasons of the Office and also a new show called Burn Notice. I believe it is on USA network. I didn't watch it at first because I was too busy, didn't know the story line, and basically didn't want to. So, yesterday I was having a lazy day and turn it on. I LOVE IT!!! I had to call him after 5 shows and talk to him about it because it is so awesome. I am totally hooked. Unfortunately, I can't have another lazy day today, but I can't wait to see season 2, which he said he will get on DVD and I can steal it from him (I am known in my family as having sticky fingers, especially when it comes to my mom's shoes. The woman has amazing taste in footwear!). Anyway, if you haven't seen the show, I highly recommend it.

My medicine

I was finishing my breakfast this morning as my preschoolers were arriving. One sweet little girl looked at me and said, "My mommy takes the same medicine as you.". At first I was confused; I was thinking, how does she know what medicine I take. She said the same thing again, this time looking at the can in my hand. It finally dawned on me: Her mom is another addict. What is it about Diet Coke? Especially with us girls? For me, a Diet Coke is as vital to my morning routine as taking a shower and brushing my teeth. There is nothing more refreshing than an ice cold, fountain Diet Coke with small cubed ice. Ahh....so satisfying!