On My Sister Turning 38

I have to admit that turning 30 was no big deal for me.  Turning 29 on the other hand was incredibly DEPRESSING.  Mostly because I knew that it was my last year, my last 365 days of being in my 20's, and it was awful to be part of a group, that had previously seemed so old.  Now, I think 30 is really pretty young, but that's because I'm closer to 40 than 30.  *Sigh*  I can't believe it either.  I know I'm a strange one, anticipating the awfulness a full year before it happens, but that's me. I like to prepare and be ahead of the game.  Good news is, my 30th was no big deal.  No tears, no fuss, no drama.  Yay me???

Now I'm starting way early on dreading my 40's.  Yesterday my older sister (who is barely older than me) turned 38.  In my mind this rounds on up to 40, and since I don't think she's that much older than me, I feel like I'm about to be 40.  EEEEEKKKKKKK!!!!!!  I'm not ready!  I haven't started enjoying my 30's yet!  I'm still just surviving life and making it through the day, I can't believe it's almost here!  Give me more time!  Stop right there Father Time, just stop right there!

Of course I'm only about to be 36 this year, so I've still have lots of years ahead of me before 40.  BUT it feels like I'm about to fall off a cliff here and since we know how I like to prepare, I'm starting the game.  And yes, even I realize, I'm crazy psycho about this event 4 years from now.  It's hard on a woman you know?  Especially since her husband is only 31, and is still hasn't a clue what the 30's are still about...  **sigh, just sigh**

And on to 4th Grade

Whew!  We dodged another one, and got through an entire school year.  I just can't believe it's over!  I feel like I've gone through battle and I don't even know who/what I was fighting.  It's crazy to believe we made it because it's been such a tough year.  I'm starting to wonder if Laney is less ADD than I thought and more lazy?  As a parent, I just don't know.  Our final report card was straight C's.  And if you asked me three years ago, this would be totally unacceptable.  Punishment, lose of privileges, you name it.  My feelings on it now?  WHEW! There is a loving God and He helps us.

We started this year much like last year with not so good grades (read D's, C's and F's).  She did have one B and that was in reading.  Over the year we've done counseling, constant seat changing, tutoring before, during and after school, extra practice at home, testing on mental issues, etc., etc., etc.  And while our testing results are not in, all teacher feedback on her ability to focus is: she CAN'T.  I'm really starting to wonder just exactly where it is that Laney wants to be in life.  I think school is going to always be hard for her.  Math especially, word problems definitely.  And since we teach to pass a test here in TX, she is really not doing so hot there.  She gets notes sent home for talking and being silly, she either sends home an A or an F, she understands it today and totally forgets about it tomorrow.  Geez.  If she stumps me, two teachers, and a host of extra helpers, perhaps kids not excelling at school is not so cut and dried as I once thought?!

BUT here we are again, at the close of a year, and I'm super grateful for those C's.  I'm grateful Laney  maintained one C from the beginning of the year, and brought 3 D's up to C's, and lowered one B to a C.  And while I've spoken with her teacher and made a plan to practice math problems and multiplication tables all summer long, I'm excited for her future.  A little worried that one year she might be held back, but excited because I believe she is finally starting to see that her effort is what makes a grade.  And she is starting (starting I say, not perfect) to understand that if she studies and truly tries she does better than without the effort.  And I'm trying to teach her that if you really want to do well, you find a way to make it happen.  You study all the material until you know it inside and out.  And you do everything in your power to be successful.  I'm helping her compare this to repentance.  If you are truly sorry, you'll ask forgiveness and not do the sin/mistake/hurtful thing again.  If you say you're sorry, but repeat the event then you are not really sorry.  So she is learning just because she says she wants to do well, it doesn't mean anything until her actions equal her efforts.  And only then will she see the results she is looking for.  Like I said, I think she is starting to understand.  And I'll give her that.  I know adults and seniors who don't get that principle.

Easter - Yes in May!

No, Easter is not in May.  Yes, my Easter blog is in May.  I've been thinking about putting something up here for weeks, but work, the salon, and regular life is just getting in my way.  Oh to have time to myself!  Or just to work out!  :)

So this was Lindsay's first Easter that she really had any kind of clue what was going on at all.  We kinda begin the celebrations on Saturday morning with our church family with a potluck and Easter egg hunt.  You will notice the eggs are in a large empty field.  This works perfectly for the younger and older kids, but for completely separate and opposing reasons.  It's perfect for younger children because they can see the eggs, run to the eggs, and find the eggs with little to no effort.  It works just as perfectly for the older children, because they can put mass amounts of eggs in the baskets while thinking they are getting more eggs than anyone else!  Success on all parts!  [Pictures to be posted when I get home-la!]

Here's Laney in front of the large field of eggs

Laney knows all about how to get this done.  Lindsay is only moral support at this point

Lindsay was really funny about the entire egg hunt thing.  She of course did not egg hunt last year and didn't quite know what to do.  It literally only took one single egg for her to catch on though.  After we showed her the first egg on the ground had candy inside, she dropped the basket and ran around collecting armfuls of eggs and CANDY (as she says).  She would dump the armful of eggs in her basket held by mom, and run out to pick up another armful.  She would carry about 4-5 eggs in a swipe, so she clearly meant business in gaining eggs away from the competition.  Daddy was nice enough to take pictures while mom encouraged and just held the basket.  We really were not needed in the candy expedition, and mostly just got in the way.

Here's Lindsay scooping up handfuls of eggs at a time

Now she's showing off the CANDY inside the eggs

Candy break of course

We shove the entire piece of candy in - less chance for crumbs this way

I think she's enjoying it, don't you?

Pleased with herself I must say. This Easter business is not too shabby!

Laney liked the egg hunt, even though it was simplistic for her.  She collected her assigned number of eggs and reunited with us to return to our breakfast area.  Both girls began munching down their sweet treasures almost right away.  After about six pieces of candy, I stopped both girls and told them more would come after lunch.  As you can see from Lindsay's picture, the first is when Daddy tells her Mama said no more candy, and the second is when she comes to me to appeal for mercy.  She was heartbroken!

Here's Lindsay asking dad for more...

And here she is appealing to me, after daddy told her mama said NO

We spent the rest of Saturday at Arlin's aunt's house.  It's rather a family compound, as his cousins (3 of them, plus their parents) and their families live on the same street.  Laney and Lindsay loved spending time with all the little girl cousins (and one boy cousin).  We had a small egg hunt there too and petted the rabbits, fed the fish, played with the cousins.  We came home exhausted and went straight to bed in our clothes.  (As you can see from our first thing in the morning picture with our baskets).  The girls loved their baskets and I'm happy to say the Easter Bunny did not buy but a few pieces of candy for the baskets.  The girls loved their special cups, their jump ropes, kites, and toys.

Easter afternoon we ate ham and the standard holiday meal (sigh - so boring, something more exciting next year!).  And we (and by we, I mean Angela) put together a scavenger hunt for the 3 older children.  They loved reading the clues and finding little surprises for them in each location.  I have to say it was a huge success, so way to go Angela!  It was a happy day all around. I am positive Lindsay absolutely loves the idea of Easter because she knows there is candy in those little eggs.  We hid eggs around the house for about 2 weeks after the holiday.  Each and every time she would find an egg she would make a little "Aha!" noise and tell you how she found it.  So cute.  Every once in a while she will still scream out Happy Easter!, so I know she's a fan and will be ready for Easter next year just as soon as it comes.

Now if only mom can be ready in time, since this year we never seemed to find time to dye the eggs or put together our foam egg craft kit, tie the holiday back into the teachings of the Savior (we did a little with Laney), and making something really fabulous other than ham to eat...  Oh well, good intentions right?  :)

Here's a picture of me and Arlin just because we don't have the many pictures together

Quotable Quotes

I apologize to people who are also my friend on Facebook because these quotes are duplicates, but I want want to able to record them on my blog as well.  I'm dying to find some time to post about Easter and our latest life challenges, but time is my constant companion and my constant opposition.  Here are some great things the girls have been telling me lately:

1. Laney and I were discussing her visiting my parents for the summer on the way to church. She usually spends several weeks with them (most of the summer) as this is the only time she sees them during the year. I asked her when she wanted to come home if she went out in June. She told me December or January. I pointed out she would miss the beginning of school, and Lindsay's and Arlin's birthdays, and that we would miss her at Christmas. She looked at me and said, "Aww. That's sad. [pause] But I could write them a letter!"  -- She sure loves her summer time with Grandma and Grandpa!

2. Said by Lindsay while I was checking on her and found her in Laney's bed:
Lindsay: Drink!
Me: {ignore}
Lindsay: Drink Mommom!
Me: {ignore}
Lindsay: MOMMOM! DRINK!
Me: No, you can't have a drink. I don't want you to pee in the bed.
Lindsay: No pee in Lindsay's bed. Pee Laney's bed.

3. Laney: What flavor is the orange popsicle?
Angela: Orange
Laney: Well, then what flavor is the grape?
Angela: Uh....

4. While in bed with Lindsay, settling her down for her nap, she tries to distract me from making her take a nap by saying:

Lindsay: This is a picture mommom
Me: This is a tv
Lindsay: TV not work (it's not hooked up)
... Me: No, it doesn't work
Lindsay: Batteries dead

Lol I didn't realize she associated things not working to dead batteries, no matter the object. hahah Point to Lindsay though, I did get distracted.


I love my girls and I love they great ways they look at life.  This is by no means a full recount of all the funny things they say.  I just have a pitiful brain that cannot remember everything we laugh about.  I'm so happy to have them!

Laney's Baptism

Pre-baptism

On March 17th, 2012 Laney was baptized a member of our church by Arlin.  It was an eventful day for our family and it meant a lot to me, as a mom, to see my daughter baptized by her father.  We waited a little longer than just her 8 years (she turned 8 last summer) because the timing was not quite right for our family, and we wanted to make sure we were ready, all of us, to have Laney baptized into the church.  Laney had several people there to see her, but I am glad another little boy was baptized that day too so that we didn't have to try to fill all the program parts when 90% of our family is so very far away.  And it gave me the chance to not worry about the program details, but to think about the importance of the covenants, and promises, and to take the time to talk about them with Laney, and be relaxed the entire time.  We missed my family since they are the active members of our family, but we could feel them and their love across the miles.

Laney asked her Primary piano player, Sister Elisa Smith, to be there.  She sang a beautiful song for both of the kids and lead the music.  Brother Alba, was our resident bishopric member, which is interesting because he lived in Northern VA when I was a kid and I knew a couple of his sons from years ago.  He has a daughter married to a boy I grew up with, and a son married to a girl I went to girls' camp with as a teen.  Small world.  Really.  Sister Smith is actually married to a direct descendant of Hyrum Smith, brother to Joseph Smith, founder of our church.  I thought my dad my appreciate that bit of genealogy.  It was like my life was coming full circle.  From the beginning of the church to Laney, and from the beginning of my life as a member of the church to Laney.  Very inspiring.

Sister Cook, who works with me in the Young Women's organization came with her daughter, Madison, to support Laney too.  Madison and Laney are fairly good friends and enjoy spending time together at church.  I wish they lived a little closer to us so the girls could spend more time together, but perhaps we can do that as they grow.  The Cooks are a good family, and it was great to have them there, showing Laney ward love. The Stephens were also there, as were Arlin's parents and his brother Daniel.

Laney chose the song, "We Lived in Heaven"  as her choice of music, and I'm so glad she did.  It is a great primary song that talks about how we all knew the plan and came to earth to love, learn and return to our Father in Heaven again.  I was proud of her for recognizing the importance of the song in relation to baptism.  We were going to have good friends, the Halls, speak on the Holy Ghost.  But of course, we always have snafus in our plans, and Dusty and Stephanie didn't realize it was so late in the day (daylight savings time was going on) until it was too late and they missed it.  Brother Alba gave a great filler talk though, so all was well.  Brother Christensen, is our home teacher, and he and Chris Stephens were the witnesses of the baptism itself.  Which again was funny because Arlin tried to baptize her properly, and they made him switch sides, therefore he baptize her with the wrong hand in the air, and she had to come back in the water and get dunked again.  Like I said, we like to do it the long way in our house.

I made the famous Ballantyne champagne punch (yes, we could feel their love too!) and some super special mini rainbow colored cupcakes.  I was super proud of myself because mustering up the energy to do more than buy a box of cookies was crazy hard.  I was trying really hard to be in the moment, and not overwhelmed with the details and I think I pulled it off.  Angela Stephens helped me with some of the baking.  Originally I thought Laney was going to be baptized on March 31st, but on the 12 I found out it was going to be on the 17th (whoops!) so there was some scrambling going on around here.  It all worked out and I don't think Laney even realized we were scrambling.

Laney's baptism was sweet and I could feel the spirit there to support her.  She was so happy and excited to have her chance to make a choice about joining the church.  She felt very grown up, and it made me realize how quickly the time is going by, and running away with her youth.  I managed to make it through the entire time without crying by keeping myself busy, but rest assured it was a tender moment in my daughter's life that I will not forget.  I'm grateful to Arlin to be worthy to baptize her, and to take seriously how clean he needed to be to be the vessel for the priesthood powers to work.  I know that Laney could feel that and knew how important it was to us, that it was so important to her.  It was a day of her very own to think about Heavenly Father and promises we make when we join the church and take Christ's name upon us.

I'm so proud to have such a kind, sweet, gracious daughter. Laney is a loving sister, and big hearted soul who does not like to see others hurt.  She wants to please you and to do things right so you will be happy with her and proud of her.  She does not like to feel dissension or anger towards her or others, and likes to include everyone.  She tried to choose the right and to do the things Jesus would have her do so she can return to heaven and see her sister Taylor.  She constantly speaks about Taylor and how she wishes she were here with us, and it awesome to know how much she loves her sister who is so far away, but never forgotten even after these four years.  I grateful to be Laney's mom and to learn all she can teach me about being a mother and a child of God.  She's absolutely the best daughter you could ask for.

Laney and Arlin pre-baptism

The entire family.Arlin, me. Laney, Lindsay

Bed Time Update

So putting Lindsay and Laney down in the same room is still difficult and stressful and hard on all involved.  Lindsay likes to roam for at least an hour at night before she falls asleep, in some form of nudity usually, and then fall asleep in various locations throughout the room.  Laney who is hyper-vigiliant of everything and anyone, cannot fall asleep with a roaming sister.  So for now, the girls go to sleep in different rooms so they will actually go to sleep, and then we moved them into the same room together.  Sometimes Laney gets to go to bed in their room and sometimes Lindsay.  I must admit, it's easier to carry Lindsay to bed from a different room, but it's also better if she roams in her room instead of mine.

Then since they both call out in their sleep, they wake each other up throughout the night.  This results in Laney carrying Lindsay downstairs in the dark to me.  Where I kiss Lindsay, hug her, and walk her back upstairs to her own bed.  Repeat 1-3 times per night.  It's like having a newborn all over again.  I'm hoping they grown used to each other by the summer.

The biggest developement in our house (other than Laney's baptism-more onthat later when I have pictures with me) is that we are successfully potty training for #1, with #2 being a distant possibility, but a refusal for now.  She's going to get there, she just doesn't want to.  Since we are only 2 1/2 I don't feel a huge rush.  Lindsay can also sleep through her naps successfully and through most nights without accident.  I was putting her in panties at night because she would take off her diapers at night and so why bother? BUT now that she has awoken in the middle of the night to a couple of cold wet accidents, she likes to sleep in a diaper.  Now, during her evening roams she might remove all her clothing, but the diaper stays on.  Can't say if I'm happy or sad about this, but I am not pushing #2 or night time just yet.  She knows what she wants to do because she doesn't like sitting in a wet diaper either.  She will get there and so will we.  Our biggest progress to date: we made it through church in dry panties and through Laney's baptism in panties too.

I promise, mom, I will blog and post pictures of the baptism soon. :)

Funny Ha Ha

On the way home from church Laney, rolls down her car window. Then this happened in the car:


Lindsay: Mommom! Laney [2 yr old gibberish] window!
Me: You mean Laney has rolled down her window and is playing in the wind?
Lindsay: Yes!
Me: That's okay, Laney can roll down her window.
Lindsay: Laney! Turn off window right now! [humff!]

She obviously was displeased with my permission to Laney. hahahah

_________

Heard frequently at my house:


Daddy to Lindsay: You're a clown!
Lindsay to Daddy: No, daddy a clown!
Daddy to Lindsay: No, Daddy's not a clown, Mama's a clown!
Lindsay to Daddy: Mommom a clown!
Mom to All: Mama's not a clown, mama's a princess!
Lindsay to Mom: Mommom a clown!

*sigh*  They are ganging up on on me...