a glimpse at tomorrow...

Today I had a little peek into the future. I hadn’t seen Kate around for a while and realized I could hear her music in her room. She has a new CD player. It is still little girl-ish: pink Barbie-brand with two attached microphones on the sides. But, as I listened to her cute voice belting out the words to “Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed” along with the music, I couldn’t help but think that in the not-so-distant future I’d probably hear her singing other songs blasting from other music players. As she grows, will she prefer the solitude of her room like she has this afternoon? I’ll admit I enjoyed the free time. The baby was asleep; Dal was at school. Kate kept herself occupied with her music and her drawing pad for a whole hour. I got Primary things done, unloaded the dishwasher, checked my e-mail, changed the laundry: all without my little tag-along. But, I missed her. I wondered how many more years (or days) she’d want me to be around; ask me to play dress-ups or to color with her. And, as much fun as it is to see her independence and the enjoyment she gets from just creating all on her own, I want to still be needed and wanted. Because she is still needed. I need her. I need to be her ‘best mommy’ and friend for a long, long time.

Finally, I got too lonely to listen from the other room. I joined her for a little 'Fairy Barbie' (where the evil sea witch, Ursula, who was married to Captain Hook, chased the blue Fairy Barbie, being flown across the seas on the tail of Arial). Then, I asked if she wanted to help make cookies. And, my girl was mine again. For today. And, hopefully, for many more cookie-and-imagination-filled days to come.

to have and to hold

Spoiled. My baby is spoiled and so am I. I've had a mom or mom-in-law here nearly non-stop for the past 3 1/2 weeks. So, what do I get to do? I hold the baby. He loves to be held and I love to hold him. All day.

This morning when I woke up and looked at his sweet little face, he looked bigger. He grew overnight. And, it is all passing too quickly.

So, while I've read lots of inspiring New Years resolutions on the blogs of my friends (as I'm holding my baby), I can't seem to resolve to do much of anything besides enjoy him. 'Cause babies don't keep...

Merry Christmas

outdated Christmas card...

...but for a good reason!

Baby arrived early, making our just-sent-out Christmas cards now out of date! But, we're so glad he is here, safe and sound (and tiny tiny).

More info and photos to come...watch your e-mail box!

Gifts for the King

Chad: What were the gifts the wise men brought to the baby Jesus?
K: Ummm. Gold!
Chad: Yup! What else?
K: Jewels? and.... CANDY!


and on another occasion....

D: I know what the wise men gave to baby Jesus.
Me: What was that?
D: Gold, and Frankenstein
Me: you mean frankincense?
D: Oh, yeah, frankincense. And murmur.

It's embarassing...

...when your 5-year-old starts belting out

"Roooooxanne. You don't have to put on a red light"

at the TOP of his lungs.

thanks for teaching him that one, Daddy (and Sting)

Looking Up

As we sat in church, Dallin noticed one of the deacons passing the sacrament. He turned to me and said, “Hey, look! Ben is passing the sacrament today.” I told him that Ben recently turned 12, and had received the priesthood, so now he could pass the sacrament. Dallin asks me frequently how long it will be before he turns 12 and can be a Deacon. I know he looks up to these boys and their responsibilities. But, until now, he’s never known any of them personally. Frankly, I was surprised he knew Ben. I asked him how and Dal replied, “He told me his name when he came to help us move in.”

Four months ago a [heaven sent] troop of Elders and Young Men showed up to haul our stuff out of the moving truck. I’d managed to catch one or two names. But, somewhere in the shuffle, a thoughtful almost-turning-12 young man introduced himself to a small, shy 5-year-old. He made an impression. He was remembered. And now, each week as we sit in Sacrament Meeting, that influence continues to grow, as Ben worthily uses his priesthood and my someday-priesthood-holder looks up at him with awe.