No Cheating

I usually help w/ parties in D's classroom, but last week, he decided it was Daddy's turn to come to school. So, Daddy read a book to the kids & did a memory matching game. An especially bright little girl remembered where everything was & kept pointing to the matches when it was others' turns. One little boy finally spoke up, "We call that CHEATING". D's Daddy (always the diplomat) said, "or it could be called helping, but would you like to make a rule about that?" "Ok" the tike responded, "No...uh, helping."

Amusingly, on that child's next turn, he couldn't remember where the match was and said, "I want help." We've all made decisions we regret, kid. Better to learn that lesson in kindergarten than before running for public office. It made my husband smile. He had such a great time. When it was finished, he decided to make a rule too: we trade off school parties. I might say I'm "helping" at my son's school, but he would call that "cheating & hogging all the fun."

Fancy Nancy Valentine Party

Miss H had a party today with 9 other friends It was crazy, but fun. The theme was "Fancy Nancy", the adorable character from the children's book series who loves to be fancy. This was quite the stretch for me b/c I am such a minimalist usually.

My mom helped me make fancy cupcakes when she was visiting. We love it when they come!



Here's a bonus shot of the baby. He is 4 months old now, growing fast, & is endless fun! We call his little dragonfly his "hug bug".

Happy Valentine's Day!

PS- Our big news for the month is that we are going to visit my brother who lives in England. He's lived in Europe since we were in law school, but we haven't had the money to visit there until now (and not a moment too soon- he's moving back to the states at the end of next month). So, cheerio!

BEST OF THE BLOGS

Funniest embarrasing story. "Be a good sister" from my cousin's wife. She tells a great story!

Nominee for funniest story from my pregnant sister (but its the cashier who should have been embarrased. Photos included.)

Best knock-off a classic: "A tale of two Lambies" Something every parent can relate too. (She's no Charles Dickens, but a talented writter nonetheless).

Most inspirational: Our friends started a site called "The family soup" It has a lot of contributors. Read the story of the wedding dress! This is a wonderfully uplifting story about sacrifice and friendship.

As time goes by...

Here is our year in a nutshell. (Well, not a nutshell so much as a 2 min. moviemaker production, to continue with my recent obsession with that program.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Precious Nativity

We are making Christmas videos for G'mas & G'pas. We put this part of it together tonight. I especially love the angel & the sheperds... too cute!

To hear the video's music better, pause the playlist at the right.

Thankful

I'd like to share an email from my brother that made my Thanksgiving more meaningful. He's a Dr. in the AF and currently serves in Iraq. I've typically focused my thoughts and prayers on his family (he has 3 children & missed the birth of his 4th during deployment), but I honestly haven't focused much on the work he is doing and what a hero he is to me. I'm thankful this year for a brother who sacrifices to serve others and save lives. I love him & am SO PROUD of him. I hope he doesn't mind me posting this- I was just very touched by it & thought it may help others be more grateful as well...

First he said he was thankful this year for the Iraqi Parliament passing the US-Iraq security agreement, for MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles that greatly reduce casualties for our forces). Then he said, "It is very sobering in the EMEDs when we are unsuccessful in our efforts to resuscitate a soldier and we have to 'call it.' That is the most humbling Doctor's signature. On the other side, it is also very rewarding to hear from the soldier who is doing well in Landstuhl Germany and he expresses his appreciation to us."

"I believe I have finally identified why it is easier to be spiritual over here. It is true that we are closer to the Holy Land, Abraham built Alters not too far from here, and Daniel is buried less than two miles from where I currently am, but I don't think this is the main reason. The aforementioned humbling experience is part of it, but we endure a general fasting of worldly endeavors and of essential needs per Maslow's hierarchy. You don't recognize how great or important some items are in your life until you go without them, very much like a fast. Simply hugging your spouse or kids, or picking up your daughter or son have greater meaning now... The showers are very rusty and sand flies line the walls. Many of the simple freedoms we enjoy like driving down the street and not worrying about being shot or driving over a bomb are lacking... This general fasting foments you to confide in the Lord with more focus and resolve. Listening to the radio has been replaced by playing the piano in the chapel during sacrament, and it is great to go there on my day off and flip through the hymn book playing a variety of songs. Adam Nielson, my fellow BYU-USUHS grad and ER doc, father of 5, and 1-6 Cavalary doc stated that he grew more here spiritually during his 15 month tour than during his mission. It was great to hear him speak of all of the lessons he learned this past Sunday and play/sing 'God Be with You til We Meet Again'. This thanksgiving, I am grateful to experience a general fast and for spiritual growth. I am grateful for my family and recognize more clearly how important they are in my life. I am grateful for our freedoms and can't wait to return to enjoy them. I am grateful for all those American heroes that have preserved these freedoms and have done it by laying down their lives for us in that defense. May we all remember the great goodness of the Lord, and His sacrifice, the One that Made the Greatest Sacrifice and draw closer to Him this Thanksgiving."

Joy

These are not the 1st baby smiles, but the 1st ones we've been able to capture on camera. I love that smiling is one of the 1st things we learn to do in life. I think it's so telling. It's such an essential thing for us to learn. Before we learn to walk, talk, or even feed ourselves, we learn to smile. I think that fact illustrates the scriptural principle "Men are that they might have JOY."

D and Miss H's definition of joy? Candy...

...cousins...

...and more CANDY! Sheer Joy!