Coolest Kid in Class

Loumy loves preschool. He asks at least 30 times each morning, "Do I have preschool today?" If he's just been to preschool or if he is having dinner or getting ready for bed or needs an excuse for getting out of bed he'll say, "I need to ask you something. Do I have pwe-skoo to-MOY-oh (tomorrow)?" I always ask him to repeat himself when he says "tomorrow" because I love how he says it. Usually an "r" is just skipped or sounds like "w" but in this specific word it is different. Tomoyo.

A few days ago, while I was on the computer, Loumy came in and we had this conversation:
Loumy: Do I have preschool today?
Me: Yes, but not yet.
Loumy: I'm the coolest kid in the class.
Me: Naturally. But what is it that makes you the coolest kid in the class?
Loumy: I know how to fight pirates.
Me: Of course.
A brief pause.
Loumy: Mom, did you used to be a cool kid?
Me: Yes.
Loumy: Like a boy?
Me: Not exactly. Let me take your picture.

Then he posed. Cool? Yes. I think so.

A Couple of Gospel Questions

I had one of those moments again where I thought, "Hey, I think I'll record that on my blog!" Then thinking, "No, I probably shouldn't." Then again I thought, "Why in the world not? Its my blog." I will just assume that if somebody isn't interested in my thoughts on the gospel they will just quit reading.

I am a firm believer in the basic principles and ordinances of the gospel. I believe that any time you get worried about something or are confused in life, you can go back to those and you can feel the Spirit testify to you and you can know its all good. I enjoy a great gospel conversation. Some of the women in my relief society call me a scriptorian. I don't know what it takes to be qualified as one of those, but I don't think I'm even close to one of those. I just think that the gospel is really exciting and I really love to learn about it. Church usually focuses on the fundamentals, because, obviously, they are the most important. But I really like it when a good question comes up. I love it because usually, there is a great answer to be found! There are very few things (although there are some) where we have to say, "You know, we will probably never know in this life, so that is where faith comes in." And I'm totally fine with those questions.

Anywho...again, I get really excited when there is a new question that I don't remember pondering before. Anybody that wants to give some input here, please do. Unless you are against my religion and have just come upon my blog, then please don't bash or anything bizarre like that.

Here are my two questions that I plan to study this week:

1. When John the Baptist restored the Aaronic priesthood to the earth, he said this (as recorded in JSH and D&C 13) "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of the Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism, by immersion for the remissin of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness." So, what does that mean? Offer again an offering? Who are these sons? What offering? When? I am going to try to find out unless one of you already know. Then just tell me.

2. John the Baptist baptized Christ in the River Jordan. Then, it is recorded several places that, "After he was baptized with water the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove." Is that literal? Did it actually look like a dove came down and rested on him? Furthermore, what does it mean that the "dove is the sign of the Holy Ghost?" I think it is more of a literal "sign" than just meaning a "symbol". Hm...

If any of those questions also make you go "hm" or if you can shed some light for me, please do. Otherwise, I'll be heading over to talk to my dad and search through some of their books.

Easter

I realize this is not a photo album, but mostly I only want to share photos of my beloveds from the past two days. Please excuse the attempt at doing something artistic with a photo. Ugh. Chancho has downloaded something called Gimp for me. It is, I guess, like Photoshop. But I can't figure it out. Chancho does not believe in stealing software, so I can't just use the same version of Photoshop that some of the others in my family have been passing around. And it costs like $1000 to buy it. So, I have to use some supposedly super cool open-source thing. Does anybody use Gimp? Can you help me get started? I think I could figure stuff out if I could at least get the basics down. Anyway, I guess I will try to find some on-line tutorials or something. Ugh. Anyway, enjoy the photos. From top to bottom: my handsome men all ready for church; Deedle striking a pose; silly kids before church; String Cheese and Deedle at Grandma Deb's Easter tea; me and my girls at the Tea.

We had a lovely Easter weekend. It was nice and sunny both days and beautiful. Because it was so early this year there is not a whole lot blooming yet, but it was pretty and today was actually kind of warm. Yesterday we had Grandma Debbie's annual Easter Tea. As the mother of 5 boys, she was naturally thrilled when she found out that String Cheese was on the way. Her first grand-daughter ignited her creativity and she soon came up with the girls-only Easter Tea. It has been a little different each year, but a few things remain the same--we all dress up, we eat good stuff, play fun games and the girls get a lot of candy and toys! They look forward to it for ages and begin talking about it the day after Valentine's Day. This year was no less lovely than ever. Now there are five little granddaughters for Deb to celebrate with (and she always invites others as well). The boys have their own little tradition (they go out to lunch) and Grandma Deb doesn't forget to give Loumy and cousin Colby baskets as well. This year she also gave Loumy a "motorcycle guy" instead of a stuffed rabbit, and he has been thrilled (slept with the little plastic guy by his pillow for two nights now)!

I always love Easter. Of course Spring is a happy time of renewal, growth, awakening, and change. It is also a special opportunity to focus on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. One thing that I have really loved about Debbie having a big party on Saturday is that we don't do any of the "easter bunny" stuff on Sunday. The kids don't appreciate it so much now (in fact Deedle says she, "hates the real Easter" even though we are not allowed to say, "hate" in our home). But I'm sure as time goes by they will come to appreciate it more. I hope that their testimonies of the Savior will grow, as mine has, and that the special spirit that prevails this day will fill their hearts.

I am so grateful for a loving elder brother who gave his life for us. I am grateful, in a very real way, for the resurrection. I think of the words of the ancient prophet, Amulek, "Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free;... and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame." And I am filled with awe and love for Jesus Christ and the atonement.

I think of Mary Magdalene at the tomb. I try to imagine what she must have felt when Christ was crucified and the days she spent afterwards, at the tomb. I imagine her crying when she found the tomb empty--had somebody taken his body to desecrate it? Who would do that? Could he not even be left in peace after death? Maybe those were some of the thoughts that hurt her. But then, behind her, she hears him speak her name, "Mary." I don't know if that was the first word spoken by the resurrected Savior to somebody on Earth, but it is the first that we have recorded. I try to imagine how she must have felt. I try to imagine how suddenly the thoughts of the empty tomb turned from sadness to joy and hope. I pray that I will be worthy to one day hear that voice and see my resurrected Lord and Savior. These are the things I like to think about on Easter.

Just for you, KELLY!

Kelly has no secret name here. Kelly has been my friend since I was 6 years old. She was in my first grade class and I never noticed her until Bill Snotty (yes, that was truly his last name) told me that he liked her. In fact I can remember exactly where I was standing in the courtyard at Carl H. Taylor Elementary. She sat on the edge of the lawn, at the bottom of the hill, right next to the steep steps that are perfect for "red light/green light". She swooshed her long, dark ponytails like she was in a Pantene commercial. Of course Bill Snotty was in love with her! How had I not noticed such a beautiful girl? Hadn't I ever seen that lovely mane when head's went down and thumb's went up for the Head's Up Seven Up game? Well, I was a girl myself so I guess I wasn't really looking...and I was 6. I felt a bit jealous of her at first. Then one day something happened to let me know that maybe Kelly was human. Bill told me that he didn't like her any more because of a certain brown corduroy jumper/dress that her mom made her wear for picture day. He said it was not cute AT ALL. That hardly seemed fair. After all, Bill licked his lips constantly and had scabs all around his mouth and I usually didn't even remember to brush my hair. Somehow I felt a connection to Kelly because Bill didn't like the way she looked in her brown jumpsuit.

I remember the first time Kelly invited me to her house. There were a bunch of tiny kids there. Her mom used to provide childcare. Kelly was excited to show me how soft an actual baby's skin could be. She demonstrated by putting the baby's entire little fist into her mouth (which was also quite small and had some extremely small little teeth). She offered me a chance at the baby's fist. But by that ripe old age, I'd been babysitting for years so it was nothing new to me. But still way cool.

Patti joined my life around the same time and the three of us were pretty inseparable until I left for my mission. Jodi joined us when we were Sophomores. None of us are sure how that happened. Anyway...

Kelly and I were and are both very tall. We were often referred to as the twin towers. Of course you can't call us that now. Not because we care but because of them being blown up and all of that.

I have so many memories that could be shared from spending most of my life with this friend by my side. But these will suffice for now.

Kelly says she can't create her own blog because she's too busy reading mine. And, indeed, she has visited the parlor 6 times while on her vacation in Hawaii this week. She actually even, FINALLY, commented once. So, here's a big shout out to my groovy friend of 27 years. Love you, Kelly!!!

Happy First Day of Spring

Deedle has been learning a lot about spring in her pre-school class which she and Loumy attend. String Cheese was learning about it, too, and even knew the date for the first day. She and Deedle kept bringing up how fun it would be when spring came to town. So, it should have come to no surprise that the first words I heard this morning were full of the wrath of Deedle. This child can be very feisty and she doesn't like anybody to cross her.

Before I tell you about this morning, I will make an admission for which I feel quite guilty. I don't get up with my kids most mornings. Ever since Loumy became potty-trained (at least the morning poopy diaper made me feel guilty enough to get up with them), I have stayed in my bed as long as possible. The kids each have clocks and know that they aren't even supposed to get out of their beds until 7:00. Then they can get up and watch cartoons or draw or pretty much whatever they want. Deedle needs a cup of "milky". Oh, which reminds me, the first words she said to me this morning were not immediately the first ones I remembered here for this post. Deedle loves milk. Especially when she is tired or sad. She always wants milk first thing in the morning. I fill a sippy cup for her and put it in the fridge. We have the same conversation each morning, with a slight variation. Usually she wakes up after 7:00 and it goes like this (verbatim):
"Can I have some milky?"
"Yes."
"Will it rot out my teeth?"
"No."
"Is everything going to be all right?"
"Yes."
She then pads off to the fridge for her milk, lies back down to drink it (or sometimes comes to snuggle in my bed to drink it), then gets up for the day.

If it is before 7:00, (like usually the middle of the night and I know she will get the milk and fall back asleep) the story plays out differently:
"Can I have some milky?"
"Not yet. Its too early."
"Please?"
"No."
"Will I rot out my teeth?"
"Yes."
Then begins the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. After much screaming she says:
"Can I please have some milk?"
"Yes, but your teeth might rot out." More screaming and flopping about on the floor.
"Deedle," I finally say, " You can have it in the morning. Just wait until after 7:00."
"Okay."
She then climbs in to snuggle with me or goes back to her own bed until milk time.

This morning was no different. She came in and had milk at her usual time. Then, apparently after drinking her milk she'd taken a look outside. Bad news. I hear my door open and slam against the wall.
"You lied!" she cries.
"Huh?" I croak. It is quite dark in my room and I've had a sore throat for 3 weeks, so I have pretty much no voice at all.
"You SAID today was Spring!?" she asks angrily and somewhat incredulously. When I do not respond she says, with hands on her hips, "It is NOT Spring today! It is raining and dark and cold! You lied to me."
"Deedle," I try to say, "Let me explain about Spring..." but she will have none of my croaky ("on-the-verge-of-death" as Chancho calls it) voice. She slams the door and all is quiet. I reposition myself and go back to sleep.

Later Chancho talks with her about Spring. When Patti comes to pick Deedle up for pre-school, she climbs into her booster seat and announces to her, "Don't worry. It's still Spring. It's just raining for the flowers to grow."

So, all is well. Spring is here. It was not warm enough to get out the pool, as the girls had hoped it would be, but the tulips that I planted in my flower beds last fall are beginning to poke up through the dark earth, the last of the snow that was hiding under the shade of an awning on the north of the house has melted, and the Easter Tea is only two days away. The girls are content that Spring is actually here.


Here are a few photos of Deedle's first Spring with big sister, String Cheese.

Chancho's Favorite Holiday

My Chancho plays the bagpipes. He is very interested in his Irish and Scottish heritage. He loves St. Patrick's Day and has created a fun tradition for us. Since we can't go out and get drunk, we have a traditional Irish meal at home. The fun thing about the tradition for me is that he cooks the entire meal. He spends a lot of time planning. He loves to watch Food Network and likes to try new recipes. Chancho and String Cheese purchased t-shirts for all of us in anticipation of the occasion.

Tonight Chancho made corned beef and cabbage, kolcannon, potatoe-leak soup, carrots and turnips, and Irish apple cake for dessert. It was absolutely delicious. He had a CD of Celtic music on and luckily String Cheese had learned a little jig in kindergarten today to share with us.

This St. Pat's was extra special because we had Ashley and Hiram over as well as Megan and her five littles. They are so cute and we have missed them so much, so it was a real treat to have them with us to celebrate. Thanks, Chancho, for getting so excited about this day and making it fun for all of us! And thanks for letting us take your photo, even if you hate it and only make crazy faces!