Just jabbering

We were reading scriptures the other night and it's where Alma is saying the desire of his heart is to be a missionary.... So Brandon asked the kids what would be the desire of their heart. Laura said 10,000 toys, Cole said to rule the world so he could have whatever he wanted.

Cole said mom did you know that holding up your middle finger to a person is bad and laura says yea like this and commences to demonstrate. Cole says yes that's called killing the bird or killing the man. And we got in to curse words and how we don't say those things. blah, blah, blah. It was one of those moments ya know. Not your most proud as a parent, but a milestone none the less.

As we were getting ready for school one morning last week, Laura was looking at me seriously and said, Mom, parenting is hard isn't and I just said yes, sometimes it is. She got all whiney and said that's why I don't want to grow up and have babies.....then she said but it is nice to have birthdays!

The kids had their primary program on Sunday. Our performance shy Lauraloo was promised two tickets to spend at "store" for each song she sang and she did a great job. She loved singing Called to Serve. Cole loved performing and is so sweet. You can hear him above all the other kids. He said he wanted to sing more. They were both adorable, Cole said five people told him he did a good job and it was well deserved.

So I have my little Target job and had a little money and saw a little YMCA membership for sale on Craigslist and was about to get it for less than half it's worth. Then the night before I was ready to give the go ahead I went to Stake leadership and was reminded of being thrifty, saving, food storage, blah, blah blah :). And I was reminded that the Bishop challenged the ward council members to have a three month supply by Nov. 1st. Sooooo, we went to Sam's the next day to finish that off (well almost) and let the Y pass us by. I was hoping I would feel better about it. I did feel better about it as we organized, arranged and I know I will feel better about it if/when the time comes to use. Although w/o the Y I'll have so much fat stored it won't matter for me specifically but the kids and Brandon do need to eat. I know it's all worth, just having a moment .I am thankful to know I am thankful to be blessed to have had the money, I am thankful to have kicked my rear and choose the right:).

My kids

Two funny stories, not the ones I couldn't remember the previous post, fresh new ones.

Today we spontaneously institued the popcorn/family story time. We eat popcorn, the kids color and we tell family stories from Brandon's life, my life and the kid's lives. Brandon was telling some story about his uncle that involved explaining the flammability of gasoline. Brandon ask "what do we know about gas"...Cole "it's expensive" !!!! Spoken like a true son of Brandon Porter.

Yesterday Laura and I went on a date to Wal-mart for necessities and for her to spend her gift card that she got as a bday present. We get to the checkout and she wants a bag of gummy worms and gummy bears and I explain she only has enough money for one. She quietly puts one in the buggy. She's kind of bouncing around and says excitedly and all surprised, "Mom, I'm not panicking, I'm wanting to panic, but I'm not panicking!" So proud of herself as was I because if it has to do with sugar and Laura not getting it, it can turn into a serious pitch a panic hissy fit. My baby's growing up.

Speaking of babies growing up.... my Hannah slept into a big girl's bed last night. Laura and Hannah share a room, but last night Laura moved her sleeping quarters in with Cole, so Hannah felt this was her chance. So I let her get in there and thought it would last for a few minutes. She stayed in Laura's bed the whole night and rode to church with her Daddy this morning by herself while I took Cole and Laura and today this mommy's girl had very little interest in me. My heart was breaking. I get that it has to happen but does it have to happen so fast? She did go back into her crib today after I gave her a chance to go to sleep in Wawa's (Laura's) bed, so maybe not so fast. sometimes you wish you could stop the clock and other times it can't go gast enough. Parenthood I suppose. I love it.

Random

So I don't know who this 36 year old is Brandon's talking about in the previous post. In my head I'm a good 18/19 (which is why Janet thought she was older than me). My body is doing it's own thing and is probably past 40, so somewhere I think I end up at around 20 something, sounds good to me.

My life is good...aged or not. I am thankful everyday for my husband and children, family, friends, and the gospel that keeps me safe from my self. Keeping all that I'll take another 36.

So due to Brandon's genius, once again, we bought the old jiffy stove top popcorn to put in our store inspired by Janet's old post, Laura bought it and we cooked it up the kids were amazed. I started to tell Cole that when I was growing up we always cooked popcorn on the stove. We didn't have microwaves. "YOU didn't have microwaves"!!!??? was his exclamation. "Did you eat all of your food burned"? So glad to know he has such confidence in my cooking skills. I guess we did have a microwave in my teens, but up until it was all black:).

There were other cute things from the kids, but I can't recall them right now, must be the old age.
Hopefully, more later!

JP BD

It's my sweetie's birthday, and I can't afford to give her any material gift that is representative of what she deserves. But that's okay, she says, just write her something; however, I now have essentially the same problem! I need the skills of ol' Bill Shakespeare--or at least Nick Sparks.

Unfortunately, all of us are stuck with me.

In writing something for a loved one, I'm often tempted to use phrases that might be considered cliché. For instance:

She's the best thing that ever happened to me.

Doesn't matter how true it is--it's still overused. And it comes across as too dramatic. It's like the Jerry Springer Show, or the current presidential campaign. I mean, really? Really??

I had a buddy back in high school who had a girlfriend. One night my friend's dad had a dream. There was this tree, and it grew and grew and bent over a fence or something, and merged into another tree that was growing over there. And then they began to grow together as one, blah blah blah. His dad's interpretation of the dream was that the two families (my friend's and his girlfriend's) would meet and become one. My girlfriend at the time thought this was the most wonderful thing ever, and wouldn't it be perfect to have some sign like that? I said, Really??

Within six months the predestined couple broke up because my buddy wouldn't part with his ragged denim jacket. (Can you blame him?)

Okay, I actually don't remember why they broke up--but that's not the point. The point is, most of us don't get a sign--we have to make our own. That's what Jennifer has done for me. That's what Jennifer IS, in part, for me. She's a sign that we're meant to be together. She's a sign that life is good, and that's it's even better when we're together. Know what else?

She's the best thing that ever happened to me.

But that's just the beginning. Today we celebrate that she "happened" 36 years ago, and that's fortunate for all who know her. It's my privilege and pleasure to boast that she didn't just happen to me once--she happens to me again and again and again. Every day for ten years she's happened to me, whether she feels like it or not, whether I deserve it or not, whether it's fun or hard or early or convenient...or not. She happened to me last night while I was sleeping, this morning before I left for work, and just now as I thought of her. And that is anything but cliché.

Jennifer, I love you. Happy birthday!

bp


I've got an angel
She doesn't wear any wings
She wears a heart that could melt my own
She wears a smile that could make you want to sing

She gives me presents
With her presence alone
She gives me everything I could wish for
She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home

She can make angels
I've seen it with my own eyes
You've gotta be careful when you've got good love
'Cuz them angels will just keep on multiplying

But you're so busy changing the world
Just one smile and you could change all of mine
We share the same soul

--"Angel" by Jack Johnson

My Sweet Laura

turned 6 today... I still remember finding out she was a girl, Cole loving my tummy, the cravings, the labor pains, delivering, seeing her for the first time, being concerned about her, being overjoyed to have her home. I am amazed by her, tested by her, adored by her (which I absolutely love). She was a red head from the get go and has been true to it ever since. She is super strong physically. If she wants something done and it's remotely possible that she can accomplish it, she will. She is concerned for other people. She's incredibly shy, except at home. She loves to be in charge, whether it's her imaginary students at home or her daddy. She's carried Hannah around since we brought her home. Hannah's about too big now for her to get away with it. She loves the water, sugar, music, my make up, jewelry, to cook, clean, interpretive dance. She is in every sense of the word a lady. She can dress me and is incredibly particular about how she's dressed, which I admire even thought it can make for frustrating days. She's a hard worker and a good helper. I love that she's her own person, that she can hold her own and that's she's mine. I so looke forward to the person she's becoming, I know I will be amazed, much like I am now. I love you Lar! Happy Birthday!

Friends

Few things are more fulfilling to me than seeing my children enjoying each other. I dropped them off for school the other day--the first time since the first day of classes--and I was so pleased to observe them going to class together, side by side, walking and running and walking again. They were icons of childhood and innocence and friendship.



I told them so over dinner that night. "I'm so glad you two are friends," was the way I put it. They both looked at me, confused.



"Daddy, we're not friends," Laura explained patiently, "we're brother and sister."



What a great opportunity--a real live teaching moment! I launched into an explanation of how my brother Ryan and I were the same way, yadda yadda yadda, and then when it came time to leave for my mission I realized how much I'd miss him, yadda yadda yadda, and I knew that he and I were best friends.



I sat back, very pleased with myself--what a great father! How lucky these children to have me!



The kids waited to make sure I was done, looked at each other, and then back at me.



"We're just brother and sister," concluded Cole. Laura smiled at him and agreed heartily.



"Well, even if they're not friends," I tell myself, "at least they're allies."

Pleased as punch

the kind with gingerale in it. So a couple of months ago I emailed a group of gals asking them to join me in the women's distance 5k. I did this last year on a whim having never ran more than a mile and that was in high school with an Army Colonel on my heels to make sure I ran it. So if I hadn't sent the emai l I don't think I would have even participated. I hadn't trained nearly as much as last year even I am probably in better shape....no laughing...thanks to MJs aerobics classes and good ole byutv aerobics. And if MJ and MA hadn't been going I still probably wouldn't have done it. So I ended up going and I ran for over a mile and a half w/o stopping. For me this is HUGE! I couldn't believe it. I beat my time from last year by 5+ minutes. I was elated, even thought I finished behind the speed walker, she was walking pretty darn fast!

The interesting aspect of this is that twice this past week I was reminded of this...
"and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper", (Hel 4:13). Leading up to the race I was like okay I know I can finish it no big deal, but the night before I got nervous. Could I finish it? I wasn't sure I could w/o help. All that night and the next morning I kept praying and repeating to myself you can do all things through Christ, do not rely on my own strength. As I ran that first mile and half, it could of been adrenaline, which I contributed it to at first. I choose to believe it was something more divine. As I've had to give it some thought I recall feeling like I was barely putting forth effort. Any of my neighbors who have pitied me as I trained would attest there was some serious effort before I reached a 1/4 mile. I know that my prayers were answered over something seemingly insignificant to the world, but to a Father worthy of His effort to help His daughter. I am blessed and pleased at punch!

Congrats MJ and Mary Ann I'm certain you guys were helped as well :)