He's my baby!

It's here...the day has finally arrived when all of my babies are in school!! When my oldest started, I had three more at home, (two in diapers) and the break was a bit of a relief. Then, when Joseph started, I had homework myself and it wasn't too bad to have a couple of hours. It was a bit more tender when Becca started because she was in the "younger kids" group. But the other day as I was walking down the school hallway, I watched as a young boy went into his classroom and came back out crying, "Mommy! Don't leave me!!" I turned to Kimball and asked, "When you start school will you cry for me?" "No Way!" "Please?? Just a little bit?" "NO Mom!" "Just one tiny tear?" "Mo-om!" OK, OK, so I was hoping he would be a little bit sad to leave me and miss me as much as I know I will miss him, but nothing prepared me for today.

I could feel the tears in the back of my eyes, like little gremlins hiding under your bed waiting to pop out when you least expect them. But when he turned to me, hugged me tight, gave me an enormous kiss and said, "Mom, I LOVE you!" I broke down and they started streaming. It wasn't because he will be gone for a few hours, (although one parent thought it was her duty to remind me of that little gem) it was more the fact that he's becoming independent and more grown up. It somehow seemed significant to me that it's going to be like this for the rest of our lives...sending my little babies off into the unknown, hoping they will be good, that they'll learn a little, be kind and make friends along the way. I could see in my minds eye, future events... starting High School, driving off in a car without me, his first date with someone besides me, mission, college, and marriage. Life seemed to flash by me all at once during that little hug, and I never wanted to let go. He's been my little best friend and buddy for two years at home all by ourselves. So I decided to compile a little list of things that represent him and all of our little moments that have meant so much to me.

TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT KIMBALL... 1. "Wait Mom! Don't open your door!" (He jumps out of the car and runs around to open my door and offers his hand to help me down whenever we go somewhere). 2. "I'm discovering!" (He lay on the ground turning the wheels of his scooter with his forehead or other random activities). 3. Handing his Happy Meal bag to a homeless man (after removing the toy of course). His friend asking, "What did you do that for?" and his nonchalant reply..."I'm trying to be a Mormon!" Then hearing later in the day.."Guess what Kimball, I'm trying to be a Mormon too!" 4. Singing about EVERYTHING! (I live in a musical) 5. Sharing with anyone and everyone whatever he has. 6. "I'll protect you Mom...I know Karate." 7. Running up to the librarians desk as soon as we enter the library. "Do you have any books about...?" (Spaceships, cheetahs, monkeys, white tigers, firetrucks, and spiderman to name a few) 8. "HI! Can I pet your dog?" 9. Telling all about his day to Teddy. The good, the bad, the ugly, he expresses it all(and even though I do the voice, even talks about when he's upset with me). 10. "Mom, I think we need to say prayer for those people", "Do you need help?" and "Heavenly Father thank you for this wonderful time we have together." This little boy really is a light to me and everyone around him, serving, helping and making me laugh through it all. I think that now I can understand just a little bit of what our Father in Heaven

must have felt when he sent us here. Hoping that we'll be good, learn a little, be kind and that we'll make a few friends along the way. I guess I am starting to understand what God meant when he said to become as a little child. I'm starting by being more like Kimball.

RIP

Dum dum dudum dum dudum dum dum dum dum (can you hear the music?) It finally happened...Barbie Q our little chick passed away early this morning! I was devastated last night when it couldn't move much, so I picked it up, and cradled it in my hand. All it could do was look up at me one last time and make a pathetic shaking chirp before closing it's eyes. I only knew it was still alive because occasionally it would take a deep breath. I guess I have always had a tender spot for birds in the innermost crevices of my soul, that only comes out when they die for some reason. I will never forget the time that Duke dropped a rock on a baby bird to put it out of it's misery at Brighton. I cried. A year later when just telling the story, I cried again. I woke Matt up last night at 11 something, crying about Barbie Q. He wasn't so sympathetic, especially when he had to wake up at 4:30. Oops. I would post a picture, but they are just too pathetic to post. Well that and I don't have my camera.

Ice Blocking!

Matt wanted to go Ice Blocking for Family Home Evening. So we bundled up and went in our snow hats and gloves. It did start snowing toward the end, but it just made the grass more slippery. We had a great time! We had the hill to ourselves, tried going down the hill all stacked up on daddy. (That didn't work so well) We played around with the camera and figured out we could take pictures with a timer, so took a few all together.

So here's a brief synopsis of the last month. I started teaching preschool, we were searching for houses-made an offer-but didn't get it, had the flu twice over, got our leaky roof fixed, I lost 16 pounds, got our leaky tub fixed, made 32 loaves of zucchini bread for my daughters class, brought out and went through the winter clothes and closets, locked myself out of our house for 1/2 a day, packed up the tramp for the winter, picked raspberries with Kimball at a Briar Patch, listened to the Prophet speak during conference, visited a pumpkin patch, made a bunch of jam, Matt decorated my car with love, he left "I love you because..." notes around the house for me (my favorite was the one above the huge stack of dishes in the kitchen sink saying "I love your faith to move mountains-of dishes"), and even wrote with cups on the fence above one of the main roads saying "I love you Heidi". I'd say I feel pretty good about this last month. Time keeps rushing by, and although sometimes I feel lazy and unproductive, I like to lie next to Kimball and make dark caves with our faces. It's those small little things like funny expressions, or a child opening your car door and holding out his hand for you as if you were a queen, that can't really be written down in words, but only there in the recess of my mind, that make life so joyful. I am so grateful for the time that I have here with them! Anyway, here are some random pictures of this last month.

Selena Gomez Concert

I took the girls to the Selena Gomez concert this last week for a girls night out. They like her a lot so I took a big breath and bought some tickets. She has such a young fan base, and there were so many young children there. When she walked out on stage, my girls and I were shocked. She looked awful. I think it was a great teaching moment for my girls about modesty and the media. Although Selena was a bit of a disappointment, it was fun to see my girls and their personalities. Rebecca was so excited and loved screaming, until she finally sat down and the next thing I knew she was asleep. People walking and sitting nearby were shocked that she could sleep through the screaming and loud music. I just laughed inside, because I always believed that my kids could sleep through anything, and I think she just proved it. Elena is like a mini adult. Matt had brought home some extra earplugs from work and as soon as we sat down in our seats, Elena put them in. She didn't say much, but just looked around soaking everything in...with an occasional "Do you think Selena goes to church?" She is always very concerned about everyone's welfare. I love to be with them, and had a great time with them both. Matt's first words when I bought the tickets were, "Don't embarrass them." Hahaha I thought about breaking out in the running man, but there wasn't much room, so luckily the girls remained unscathed by embarrassment.

Matt and I needed a get-away, but instead of going somewhere else I turned our house into a Bed and Breakfast. I had a lot of fun getting ready for it, and Matt was really surprised. I even bought some heart shaped plates for breakfast at Tai Pan, and served him breakfast in the bedroom.

So it's official. Joseph is growing up. He just got baptized during the summer. We took him to The Roof and talked to him, and walked him around Temple Square. Some man came up and was asking for money, and Joseph offered him some of his Birthday money. Matt and I just looked at each other, but now I understand when they say we need to become like a little child. He was so eager to help in any way, and although we talked to him about being careful, I was grateful that he was trying to keep with his baptismal promises. On Sunday, the Bishop invited him to come up to sit on the stand with him. He also talked about how Joseph was a good example of how the gospel is about having joy, and Joseph reminded him of that. He smiled the whole time. I am so proud of him and all that he learning and trying to become.