You are Just Like...

Daddy...or is it Mommy?

The other night, because she had been awakened by the rain, Laney come into our bed. It's okay, I think we're past the milestone that they hit at age 4 of being afraid in the night.

I had gotten up to go to bathroom and when I was back in the bed settling myself, and the covers over Laney and me, Laney leans over and says, "You know I like to be cold." Meaning she doesn't like covers on her when she sleeps.

Yes Laney, I know. Because that's just like me. (I usually only use a sheet.)

When I couldn't fall back to sleep, I started worrying about my brother-in-law (another post for another day). To keep from worrying (as if that is possible--I am a born worrier!), I started thinking bout my kiddos and how they were like their mom or their dad.

Tyler,

like Dad, is a list guy.

like Mom, is an avid reader.

like Dad is stubborn...oh, and like Mom too.

like Mom, is happy being at home.

like Dad, is extremely independent.

like Dad, likes to be "hot" when sleeping.

like Dad, is interested in cooking.

Ethan,

like Dad, is left-handed.

like Mom, is emotional. (I seriously think he's seen one too many goodbyes with my family.)

like Dad, loves to "do something", "go somewhere" or "get out of the house".

like Dad, will watch or play football anytime.

like Mom, likes to be "cold" when sleeping.

like Mom, loves sweets.

like Mom, has hazel eyes that can look green, brown, or gold. (We are the only two people in the family to have the exact same colored eyes.)

like Mom, is very social. (Ethan knows so many of the children AND adults at church.)

Alayna,

like Mom, loves to talk.

like Dad, has curly hair.

like Mom, likes to be "cold" when sleeping.

like Mom, loves sweets.

like Mom, she looks very similar to some of my baby pictures.

like Dad, loves music and to dance. (In fact, she's already decided that she likes songs sung by females the best. I swear she's too young to discern this.)

like Mom, loves girly things.

At the end of the day, I know my children are just like themselves. It's just fun to see the similarities and differences that DNA has given us.

The Experiment

A few months ago, Steve saw a report on the Marshmallow Experiment and after he told me about it, I knew I wanted to try it with Laney. Here is the video of the original experiment.

The premise is simple.

I gave her one marshmallow. I told her if she waited until the timer went off on the stove--a total of 10 minutes--she could have two more marshmallows. Or, she could eat the one in front of her and that would be all she got.

She waited.

It got harder:

I noticed that she started playing with it. And when the proved to be too much...

...she left the table and started playing "doggie." (I love that she removed herself from the temptation.)

All in all, she was able to wait. Phew.

Why phew?

Because this test demonstrates the ability of children to control impulses and to delay gratification.

The scientist who started this experiment also found a strong correlation between the children who could wait and a higher point score on the SATs....over 200 points higher. But truly, if this experiment means that she is/will be smart, that is awesome and great.

However, to me, that isn't the important thing.

Just ask Solomon who is reknowned for his wisdom.

The better part of this experiment shows that she can delay gratification.

Personally, if you ask me, I think NOT being able to delay gratification is one of the main problems in our society today. I think the national average of $15788 per household in credit card debt proves this. (That is another post for another day.)

She was so happy when she was able to finally eat her marshmallow.

And even happier when she received the extra marshmallows.

Delayed gratification was worth it.

I Love My Calling

Sometimes I feel so guilty that I love my calling so much.

Do you remember how I felt when I first received my calling?

I think I love being the Sunday School teacher so much because of my own personal growth that has happened week after week of studying the scriptures. Boy, has my testimony increased so much on how important scripture study (not just reading, but true honest study) is for personal growth.

I want to shout from the roof tops that I Love the Old Testament.

I feel like there are so many hidden treasures in there and that that book truly testifies of the Savior. I feel like all the way through, if you are connecting the dots, the Old Testament reverberates the divinity and life of the Savior.

I think it shows that I love my calling.

I received a card in the mail the other day. It said:

"I just wanted to take a moment and express my great gratitude to you. You are a very (underlined twice) wonderful Sunday School teacher and I sure appreciate your very thoughtful and well-prepared lessons. Though I do not know you very well yet, since I am still fairly new in the ward - I recognize your sweet goodness. Thanks so much for being such a good example of a humble, dedicated servant of the Lord! You are wonderful!"

Wow, I was truly amazed at the thoughtfulness of this sister to take the time to let me know how she was feeling. It came on a week when I needed it. I was preparing another lesson and for some reason I was struggling with it, I just couldn't get it to come together. In the end, it all came together. I felt good about it.

And...

I received a phone call from another sister in the ward, one whom I call friend, and she told me that I had done a great job on giving the lesson. That I seemed so relaxed and natural and that the lesson had been prepared well.

I truly appreciate this feedback.

I know preparing and learning these scriptures has greatly enriched my life and sometimes I wonder if other people are getting the same thing. I know that as the teacher I have a certain set of responsibilities, but I also know that the students have their own set of responsibilities to come ready to learn. And, if all those things are in motion, then the Spirit can connect the dots for us.

I still get nervous every week. I remember the first lesson I taught; I think I cried all the way through it because of my nerves.

It has truly been neat to look back and see the Lord's hand in preparing me for this calling. I didn't know it at the time, but I see His hand now. What a loving Heavenly Father that He wouldn't send me this responsibility without first preparing me.

Fall is Here

...and I am happy about it.

I have been enjoying the mostly cooler weather. (The 90 degree days last week don't count.)

We are back into the thick of our school routines. And have even adjusted quite nicely to having the boys in two different schools...for now.

And, I love baking in the fall. The smells of cinnamon and pumpkin bring a happy, peaceful feeling in the air.

And, the leaves are starting to change.

I love fall!!

Today we made the drive to "The Red Barn" where is used to be free "hay" rides and inexpensive pumpkins. The place has grown in size since we were there last and I guess they had to pay for the remodel somehow. We made our contribution today.

My sweet daughter while waiting for the "hay ride." (It was really a tractor pull.)

I couldn't get a close up of the red barn without the parking lot. The only side that didn't have the parking lot was the side adjacent to the middle of the freeway. I am sure Steve would have problems with me trying to get just the right picture from the middle of the freeway. Some things just have to be sacrificed...

However, I was able to take this while on the "hay ride." I liked it because I couldn't see the parking lot plus you can see the mountain in the background.

Once we were delivered to the maze, but before searching for the perfect pumpkin, the kiddos played in this maze that had been set up this year. The boys ran through it in typical boy fashion, claiming it was much too easy as they exited out the other side only moments later. But, I noticed they went through a few times.

And, then it was on to the search for the prefect pumpkin.

We told them the only rule was that they had to be able to carry the pumpkin themselves.

I wonder what jack o'lantern faces the boys are imagining for those big pumpkins.

His Strengths

My Ethan.

I love him.

He deserves a shout-out because he is a great kid. ...a truly great kid.

Okay, if you really insist on proof, here you go...

Some of our really good friends just moved into the neighborhood. Yay! She has joined the carpool with me, and my other friend I have driven with for the past two years. Her daughter is the youngest in the group. From the time school has started the kiddos have been driven to school and walked home. They think it's fun.

Because it was the first day my friend had truly joined our carpool, I wanted to remind her though Facebook that our kids usually walk home.

She replied back that that was fine but that she might meet them at the church because she wasn't sure if her daughter would know the way home (the part where she would be by herself because she lives past the other houses).

I replied back, through Facebook, that I understood and would do the same thing. I also told her that I was sure both Ethan and one of the other girls were the type of children that would make sure her daughter got home safely.

That afternoon just to get out of the house and because I knew someone would be there, I decided to walk to the church with my friend. When her daughter saw her, she asked her mom why she was there. To which my friend replied, "I wasn't sure you would know the rest of the way home by yourself."

Before I could say anything, Ethan who was right behind and had heard the conversation said, "I would have made sure she got home."

Boy was my mommy heart smiling and beaming! And, if that wasn't enough, here you go...

A few days later I was talking with my same friend waiting for the kids again.

She saw the kids first and asked, "What is Ethan putting down?"

I had no clue.

Later I asked Ethan whose backpack he had been carrying. He looked at me funny. I told him that my friend had said he was carrying something. Ethan's response was to say, "I was giving Kayla a piggy back ride because her legs were hurting." Kayla had been dropped off by my other friend, the other mom in the carpool so she could walk home with her sisters because she wanted too.

I love him.

My Ethan.

Our Sweet Escape

Here is the Jamaica book. Remember, I was just waiting for it to arrive in the mail. I really love the look and feel of these books.

Click here to view this photo book larger

An Unseen Answer to Prayers

Yesterday, I found this scripture:

1 Kings 18:21

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

That was not me.

I answered the Lord.

You see, during school last year and even into this school year, I have not been happy with the math instruction that Tyler has received. His school is just not equipped to handle those students who are above grade level, I feel. Not that Tyler is a brainiac, he isn't. But, he is doing really well in math...he must take after his dad.

Anyway, I have been praying for some type of resolution to this problem. I have gone in and done my part; I have talked with his teacher, more than once. And, I just wasn't happy with the solution that his teacher proposed.

Yesterday, I went running at the gym, and when I returned home, I checked our caller ID. It said that one of the charter schools had called. I figured it was for one of my friend's children because I knew she had listed me as a contact, and I also know that she is on a dream vacation with her husband right now. Imagine my surprise when the message was for me and the lady was relaying that she had an open spot in the 4th grade.

Ty's grade.

I'd forgotten that I'd put his name in 6-8 months ago.

After talking with Steve I was so torn! What is the right decision? Steve told me his concerns, mainly that he doesn't want the boys in different schools and that Ethan would feel left out, or sad at being alone at their current school. He's a big boy and I know that he can handle it. Remember this bus ride?

Also, he too has the next spot available in his grade, and that might happen sooner rather than later.

But, the Lord is God, and I will follow him.

I feel like this is an answer to prayers.

And, I know that if I don't follow those promptings, the Lord won't bless me with more promptings if I ignore the ones I have been given. Steve told me too if I was sure, I was to follow those feelings.

And so tomorrow we start another "first" day of school. And my heart is in my throat again.

What if he can't find a friend? What if he doesn't know where to put his lunch tray? What if his teacher doesn't know how special to me he is? What if he gets lost in the hallway?

Ugh, I wonder if this anxiety over our children ever goes away?