Simple Errand?

So I needed to get the oil changed in the car today. A simple errand, right? Nope! Not with a 3 year old in tow. Especially my 3 year old. Just getting out to the car is a major event! Just getting dressed is filled with drama. Today it was over socks, finding the right ones, and the fact that I dribbled one drop of water on her sweater, causing her to change her sweater despite my assertions that it'll dry in just a minute! Then we have to get in the car. I have learned that she has to be the one to close the door to the house so we made it over that hurdle but I didn't know that she would be mad about me opening the car door. Once inside I had to convince her to buckle in and then we could finally leave. We made it there safely although she did unbuckle the seat belt once. At first, the guy at the shop said it would take 2-2 1/2 hours to work on my car but after reviewing my records said that it would only be an hour. Whew!!! I knew I wouldn't have survived that long! So with a little bit of embarrassment due to the condition of my car (smashed crackers, several coats, shoes, tights, toys, and lots of trash) we handed over the keys and headed to the waiting room. She actually did quite well in the waiting room thanks to the tv, toys, and oh, yes, the vending machine. What is it about vending machines that gets kids all excited? I guess putting the coins in and getting a treat out is pretty neat. Come to think of it, vending machines get me a little excited too. Anyhow, the doritoes and poptarts were a life saver for me today. Not sure how Honda will feel with all the crumbs we left behind. But hey! at least she wasn't screaming! Now I can only hope that all those carbs make her sleepy...

Tae Kwon Do

Garrett has been taking tae kwon do (hereafter known as tkd) for almost 2 years now. It is a sport that really fits his personality. We went the usual route with him at first: soccer, t-ball, basketball, but none of those really worked for him. He liked the basketball somewhat but hated the soccer and was bored with t-ball, mostly because he was always stuck out in the outfield because he could throw pretty far. He has asked to play football lately, apparently they played alot at recess, but was too late to play fall ball. He says that he wants to play for BYU and then turn pro:) For now, however, tkd is it. I think he does much better with intense, mentally-challenging, individual sports than with team sports. And tkd has been great for him. It is a sport that emphasizes self-control, focus, and respect for others. Who doesn't want that for their child? They recite the student creed and pledge sometimes:

The Student Creed:
To build true confidence
through knowledge in the mind, honesty in the heart, and strength in the body.
To keep friendship with one another, and to build a strong and happy community.
Never fight to achieve selfish ends, but to develop
MIGHT FOR RIGHT

The Student Pledge:
I Will
Develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that can reduce my mental growth and physical health.
I Will
Develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.
I Will
Use what I have learned in class constructively and defensively to help myself and my fellow people, and to never be abusive or offensive.
We Are
A Black Di School, we are dedicated, we are motivated, we are on a quest to be the best.
KIA!!!

Today he had a test for a new di (belt). He currently has a yellow/orange belt and tested for an orange belt. It was a rigorous 3 hour test that included lots of jumping jacks, pushups, situps, kicks, and some sparring. He did really well and should get his orange di. Sensei has always been very complimentary and supportive of Garrett. He has been a wonderful, positive role model for him. Garrett has even talked of having his own martial arts club some day. That remains to be seen but I know that Garrett will take with him many very positive things from his experiences with tkd!

Alyssa's palate expander

Emma is all ready to go to Alyssa's appointment in her new dress.

Alyssa's school picture

Alyssa is a beautiful girl who just happened to inherit her mother's narrow mouth. She has been moving her lower jaw over to the left in order to be able to chew (very visible in her school picture) so we decided that, even though she is only 7, we needed to go ahead and get started with the orthodontia. She has been very excited about this and has asked constantly when she would be getting the palate expander. It has taken a full month with 4 separate appointments but yesterday was the big day. She got the expander and a few braces to help guide the teeth into place. She did very well! The office staff were amazed at how well she handled the long 1 1/2 hour appointment. She is anxious to take good care of her teeth and wants to make sure she eats all the right things and none of the wrong ones. She has not been very sore so far. The scrape she got on her knee on Wednesday while running to the bus stop has bothered her more. Emma did amazingly well too. She liked being able to go out in her new dress. (The hot pink tights were her idea!)

Garrett's Testimony

Garrett is not the typical 10 year old boy. He has never been typical at whatever age he was. At 5 and 6 he was reading nutrition labels and discussing the vitamins in things. Now he is giving out marriage and parenting advice. His prayers have always been interesting. When he was little, his older sisters would all have to listen to his evening prayers because you just never knew what he was going to say, but I'll save all that for another post. What I want to talk about now is his testimony.
Garrett bears his testimony every single month in Testimony meeting. I mean every month. He never misses and hasn't for at least a year and a half. Now I know a lot of kids do the same but the difference is that he doesn't bear the typical little kid testimony with the same few sentences. Garrett gets up and gives a sermon. At first when he started doing this he said some things that really weren't appropriate for a testimony and we would find ourselves wanting to crawl under the bench. Even now we tense up a bit when he stands up. We have had many discussions on what constitutes a testimony. So now he has gotten pretty good at it. I have had branch members tell me that they love it when he stands up, although some say they get a little nervous just like we do. One went on and on one day about what a great missionary he'll make because he isn't nervous at all getting up and speaking in front of people. For a while he had the theme of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and having to wait 4 years to handle the plates. This last meeting he got up after an older woman who sang a song during her testimony. Her voice was a bit warbly (Emma leaned over and said, "That's creepy"). When Garrett got up we were really worried what he would say. He started saying something about it being different and unique but then commented that it was nice. Then he talked about how life is like a video game and how every new step, such as getting baptized, takes us to a new level that is more challenging and how winning the game is like making it to the Celestial kingdom. It was an amazingly well-thought out analogy! We just never know what he is going to come up with!

No More Purple Bathroom!

I am so happy that my bathroom walls are no longer grape popsicle purple! Even the kids hated the color. Now it's a nice soft sagey green that goes soooo much better with the tile and cabinetry. We are slowly getting the house put together the way we want it!

George Bush

I wonder if anyone has noticed just how magnanimous George Bush has been? You don't have to agree with his politics or anything. I'm just talking aboout his behavior. I mean really, this is a guy who has been vilified in the press for 8 years, his approval ratings are in the toilet, he is constantly made fun of over stupid little things, and his own party treated him as a pariah during the election. You would think he would be giving everyone the finger, and then going off to Texas to sulk. Yet he doesn't. He has been gracious to the Obama's and has instructed his staff to do everything they can to make the transition go smoothly. I wonder if how things were for him 8 years ago has affected his decision to turn the other cheek. I remember how awful the Clintonites were to the incoming Bush staffers. They were mean and vindictive. Bush could have sat back and let things go how they may. Instead he has shown class and kindness. He is the kind of person I would like to have over for dinner. For that matter, I would like to have the Obamas over as well. I think that Obama behaves in a dignified manner and I would be comfortable having him in our home. I couldn't say the same about Bill Clinton.

I have been inspired by George. How many times when someone hurts our feelings or things don't go our way do we feel the need to let others know it? What good does it do? Sure we could gripe and complain about the way we are treated but why? Instead we can take the high road and do our best to treat others in a Christlike manner. If we have been wronged it'll come out in the long run and if it doesn't, at least we have behaved in way that can be respected. Thanks, George Bush. I, for one, appreciate your example.

Revenge is sweet!

Okay, so we all know that we will be embarrassed by or upset with our kids at some point. It's to be expected. After all, we did it to our parents, didn't we? And kids are good at it! They know just how to get you. The fashion-conscious mother is bound to get a child who insists on wearing snow boots and a sleep mask to the grocery store in July (actually, I'm not fashion-conscious particularly but I did take Emma to the store like this) or gets vomited on by her 1 year-old at her kids soccer game. The shy parent will have a child who sings "If You're Happy and You Know It" at the top of her lungs while bouncing all through Walmart. The sensitive parent gets called an idiot by her 3-year-old (a couple of weeks ago) and gets kicked out of Denny's because her child is having a major tantrum. Yes, all of these have happened to me and I'm okay. I've even become inured to it somewhat. Because I know what happens when they become teenagers. Yes, I got back at them somewhat by eating their halloween candy but that
isn't the best part.
They become embarrassed by everything you do, even the fact that you exist. (Oh, Mom!) It's so easy. Even the mere threat that you might show up to chaperone a dance or (horrors!) get on facebook is enough to send them into a tizzy. So...if your children are young and driving you crazy just hang in there, eat a few fun-sized candy bars, and remember, your time will come!

Smile for the camera Emma!

So, if you ask Emma to smile for the camera she will make all kinds of faces rather than just smile prettily. Close her eyes, make a goofy face, stick out her gum, anything other than just smiling. Emma has her own mind, without a doubt but she has absolutely no problem telling everyone else what to do! She regularly comes out of her room at night and tells me it is time for me to go to sleep. She will not hold my hand when we walk through parking lots and refuses to wear a coat when it is cold outside. Now, I have had others who also were strong-willed and stubborn when they were her age and they have turned out just fine. We know that she will too, if we can just survive...