Loving Jesus

I was tucking Katelyn in to bed tonight. We usually have some some of our best conversations during the tucking. Mostly about things we did that day or what we would dream about. Tonight I asked her, "What was your favorite part about today?" It was a preschool day, so I expected it would be something exciting, but that little sweetie told me that her favorite part of the day was: "Loving Jesus."

Then there's Zach...ooooooh my little Zach! Today I tried taking him to a mandatory music teachers meeting. About 15 minutes into the two-hour-long meeting, he becomes comfortable with his new surroundings...aka he begins to scream. Not the type of screaming that makes sense, either. More like baby Tourette's Syndrome. Totally random. The first scream threw everyone off guard. My funny memory of today will be watching 50 grandmas jump out of their seats in perfect unison. Hilarious! Not to mention, embarrassing.

He also said the word "avocado" very clearly today. This is a big deal, since he is a Littleman of little words. For the longest time, about the only words he would use were "mommy" (even when he was talking to daddy) and "joo!" meaning "give me juice...or milk!" A few other words he's added to his vocabulary this week are: "milk", "apple" and "fishy" meaning Goldfish Crackers of course...it's all about food with this kid. I'm so proud of my Littleman!

And then there's Adam. I'm always proud of him. He is smart, handsome, a great husband and father, he motivates me to be healthier, and advocates Chiropractic...just like me! He has so much positive energy. He makes healthy living easier!

And last, but not least, there's me. I used to think it was wrong to be proud of myself, but I think I was wrong to think that. As a mom, if I don't feel good about myself, the whole family's going to feel it. But then there's that scripture that says "pride is a sin", so if I call it "well-pleased" then it's okay, right?

Right.

So...Today I was well-pleased with myself. I was decisive; I was assertive (well...as assertive as I can be, which isn't much, honestly). I decided to take Katelyn out of preschool and I turned in her two weeks notice. Her last day will be on her birthday and we will bring Harry Potter muffins to class and celebrate. She is doing awesome in her class, it's not that, but I feel good about my decision. Something my mom said made me realize that this could be my last year with her before sending her off into "the system", and by golly, we're going to live it up together! I feel like I'm the only mom in the area not doing preschool, but my friend Beth posted a story a few weeks ago that helped me decide with confidence, and I encourage you to follow this link and read it if you haven't heard it already. I also worked up the courage to confront one of her teachers about something she had said to me earlier which I felt was out of line. Let me tell you, it was a BIG deal for me to call her aside and tell her how I felt and what I expected of her in the future. People who say things that make me feel diminished (like she did) are very hard for me to confront. It scares me to death. Last night I couldn't sleep and I felt sick at the thought of it. This morning I wore my heels because I knew that if I broke down and cried in front of her, all I would have left going for me would be the height advantage, and I needed all the advantage I could get. Luckily, I managed to hold it together...just barely. I may have shed a few tears on the walk back to the car, but hopefully nobody noticed. :) Man, I feel good now!!

And last of all, I am well-pleased because I pulled out my old Brahms Ballade from college days and played it for my kids...and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I think that if I can get over my fear of disturbing the neighbors (growing up I always practiced in perfect solitude...all that heard me were the cows)...if I can get over that fear, I think I can get it polished again. Maybe even totally memorized.

P.S. Katelyn and I wrote a book today called "Zach's Bedtime". This is one of my favorite pictures she drew. Other than being so abstract, it is very true to life. His eyes are closed and he is sucking his (incredibly long) thumb. If she had only drawn his other hand resting inside his pants it would be a perfect likeness!

I guess I had a lot on my mind tonight. Thanks for listening!

My Little Kate

Today I sent my little Katelyn (Apparantly there are a lot of Caitlin's. Mine is now "the one with the 'K-A-T-E'.") off to preschool. It is her first day. She has been so excited about this ever since I brought up the idea (she imagines it's like going to Hogwarts), so even though it is a bit out of our budget right now, I enrolled her for the year.

I was up late last night with my mind racing. I checked her temperature three times throughout the morning, secretly hoping for a fever--any excuse to keep her home. But after the thermometer's thrice clean bill of health, I had no excuses left. I took her to the school, walked her to the door and into her classroom...all the while hiding my emotions. She seemed fine...maybe a bit apprehensive. She cried a little before I left, but she said it was only because I scratched her face with the tissue while I was wiping her nose.

So here I sit. Me and Littleman, who just woke up from his nap. I spent the morning organizing Katelyn's closet (i.e. throwing things away that she would never let me touch if she were here) with a pit in my stomach, missing my little Kate. I remember feeling this way in the days before Zachary was born...knowing that things between us were about to change. Not necessarily in a bad way. But change is sometimes hard. It's hard to let my little girl go...even this little bit. And I know this is silly, but I've spent all morning worrying and wondering about how she'll get her straw into the juice box hole at lunch time. She always needs me to do it for her, but I won't be there. She didn't seem too worried about it, though. Obviously this is harder for me than it is for her.

For the Grandmas: More Ballet

Kate's the one wearing light pink with black shoes.

...and perhaps the only one paying attention to Ms Tina.

Teeny-Bopper for a Day

**Maggie showing off her newly-pierced ears

Remember Claire's?

I do.

I remember being about 11, and getting my ears pierced and thinking Claire's was really cool. Now that I'm older and have discovered stores like Anthropologie...Claire's equals not-so-cool.

Nevertheless, last month my sister and I returned to Claire's. Our piercings had closed up, so we were back for more. I had put it off for a LONG time because I felt a little awkward at the thought of returning...but somehow going with a friend, especially a sister, makes you a little braver. At least we would be embarrased together, right?

Well, it was still as wild as ever. There were cheap, brightly colored makeups and accessories EVERYWHERE I turned. Katelyn might as well have died and gone to heaven, though. She was frantic with excitement. I don't think she could have dreamed of a more wonderful place. HSM3 was playing in the background...and I'll never forget how funny it was to see Katelyn's mad dash to pretend to put on just a liiittle more makeup before we finally made her leave the store. (By the way, I thought it might be fun for Kate and I to pierce our ears together, and she was totally brave and gung-ho about it until I pinched her earlobes to give her an idea of what was about to happen. That freaked her out and she now has no desire to pierce her ears. I guess the moral of that story is: don't pinch your daughter's ears beforehand.)

Dear Claire's,

It was fun to venture back within your four walls and take a step back in time, but life goes on. That is why in ten short days I will be removing your studs and replacing them with a pair of much more fashionable and sophisticated studs from Anthro. But don't fret...although you may have lost me, my daughter's heart still belongs to you for another few years.

XOXO, Dana

Hermanas

Well, I didn't "Ooooh Say Can You Seeee..." at the Angel's game this summer. But I had a good reason for not being there. My little sister Maggie was going through the temple for the first time that day. I was able to be there with her. On a sunny day overlooking the Bay. I wouldn't have missed it for 100 Angel games!

And so today, at 12:45pm MST, as I type this post, she will walk through the gates of the LDS Missionary Training Center in Provo to learn Spanish and to train for her mission. I wish I could be with her as she walks in, but alas, I can't. So I am imagining myself there and what I would say. And hopefully she knows I am thinking of her.

While she is on her mission,we can't call one another. Only letters. I'm pretty bummed about that, but rules are rules. Katelyn spent the morning drawing pictures for Maggie.

Be of good cheer, Hermana Maggie.

Enjoy the mish.

We love you!!