Learning to Dance in the Rain

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

I did not cry, I didn’t even yell (well not until I thought Emily was really going to burn herself), I think I handled myself in a pretty orderly way really.  There were messes, two of them, and they were big.

The first one happened right as I was going to have achieved an almighty feat – making dinner with two kids clamoring for food at my knees “me some, me some.”  With no husband in sight yet, I was desperately trying to get a quiche in the oven so that we could eat at 6.  Well, as I opened the oven I reached over to shield Emily from the door “don’t touch, it’s hot” I kept saying.  Suddenly, the contents of my quiche dish emptied almost entirely into my oven, spreading it’s chunky, milky, cheesy contents over most of the door, down the crack onto the floor and partly into the oven itself.  Let’s not forget the oven drawer which aligns perfectly so that the mess also enters it, spreading the love all over several cooling racks and pans.  NICE!  Where do I start?  Oh, and I still have two curious kids who are standing in amazement that mommy hasn’t lost it yet.

Well, the egg mess is cooking on the door and I’m trying to think about all the places I need to get with the paper towel, when Emily reaches out and places her palm right down on the door!  Aaaaah!  Well, Luke lost it.  He just doesn’t deal well with screaming, poor kid, I don’t either (by the way, I screamed, Emily sympathy cried for Luke).  Andrew walks in the door a few minutes later to greet a sorry pile of distraught people consoling each other on the kitchen floor.  We ate dinner at 6:15pm and mommy didn’t even hit the chocolate…well until later.  Thank you PF Chang’s for some good desert on a very well timed Girl’s Night Out with my wonderful friend Brandee.  Good timing would continue with the purchase of a baby gate to keep the kid’s out

The very next morning I’m scoffing a bowl of cereal before it hits the soggy stage and I hear an almighty crash.  I knew the kids were by the TV but there was no sound of commotion so I still don’t know how it happened.  When I ran in, there lay the entertainment center door in about a million pieces on the floor in between two very surprised looking children.  I reached over and picked Emily up instructing Luke to stay put.  When he was reunited with her in his bedroom I told them both to read books or play until I’d cleaned up.  “Right…” what was I thinking, there was no way they were going to do that after what just happened?!?  I turned around to see the answer, my baby gate still in the box (I thought the kids had knocked that over when I heard the noise,) “thank you!”  A few minutes later it was installed and 30 minutes of kid free time later (apart from the pleas for freedom) we had a safe living room.  And you know, I kinda like the TV stand better this way…it’s just as well the floor needed a sweep, the door needed cleaning, and I needed another experience to practice keeping my cool.

I am grateful for husbands who offer to go get dinner when it spills all over, paper towels – costco style – baby gates, and the fact that in all of it my children escaped unscathed even though there was at least one shard of glass that had impaled the wood of the TV stand itself.  Tragic stories, lots of tender mercies….

Sometimes we spend time guilt tripping or complaining when we could be spending that time and energy doing…hmm..interesting thought.  Maybe I’ll apply it to blogging! 

Recently I sent some pictures to my parents of our kids and they were amazed how much they had changed since they last saw them and it made me really want to commit to posting more pictures and posting more stories because I don’t want them to miss it.  I left my kids for a week once with Grandma and was amazed how different they were when I came back.  They looked older to me, and I felt like I had missed it.  So, this goal is dedicated to the Grandparents, who love so much and yet as much as they want to be here, can’t.  I don’t want them to miss my kids growing up.  Here goes…we’ve got a little catching up to do!

Luke started Joy School a couple weeks ago and loves it.  I catch him singing “I got Joy…I do…do you?” and today I caught him checking himself out in the mirror with his backpack on after which he rode his tricycle around with it on.  He is speaking much more and we’re getting little glimpses into his wonderful mind now and again.   He is a very sweet little boy, ready to kiss it better when mommy has a boo boo.  And will share and hug Emily even though she still gets chased down and belted over the head now and again.  He loves our new home and is often found making mud out front with the hose and gawking at the lawnmower in the garage.

Emily recently discovered language and dress up.  Her favorite word is “yes” but she can even say “can you help me?” and “can you hold this?” much to our delight.  She is often strutting around in various kinds of boots and loves to put on her fairy wings and skirt, with the boots of course.  Although she loves to be “pretty” she loves dirt just as much and would live out in the garden if I let her.  She’s quite the little woman, going from the baby in the stroller to the lawn mower in a matter of minutes.  This busy little garden fairy still takes 3 hour naps some days and is such a good eater, the last to leave the dinner table.   

Let’s back track a little to April (yes, I know full well it is June but I’ve been vacationing, procastinating etc etc etc.) SO, back to April.  Our family took a little trip over to “the Ohio” to visit Andrew, KaraLynne and the Mackrory cousins.  Over the course of changing plans several times as to who would go and who would stay (since flying across the country is so not cheap) we were able to find a sponsor to help get our whole family over there albeit on separate flights.  I flew with Emily, and Andrew flew a day later with Luke.

We had such a super time with Andy and his family.  We met little Ruby for the first time – and everyone in turn then met sweet Emily.  The Grandparents were there too which made things extra good.  We went to Lyman’s first soccer game where we all froze our toes off in between the occasional Mexican wave.  I think we all were intent on making sure Lyman knew we were having a great time so he would be convinced it was a good idea to be playing soccer in those conditions :)  What a sport!

The Arnott kids loved being in a real house with a basement full of toys and a backyard full of grass!  And we enjoyed the sunshine, the catching up, and the hospitality of the Ohio Mackrorys.  Oh to live closer….  My favorite picture is of Luke and Emily eating ring pops – Emily the “binkie queen” was in her element as she finally found the binkie to top all the rest – and Luke enjoyed sharing his with her, so precious.  Luke will forever remember the little blue motorbike that he got to ride up and down the driveway.

Life comes at you fast – this seems to be our theme song lately…and although there is much that can be found to complain about in the economy and shifting values in the world, there is also so much to be grateful for and happy about. The weather has grown cold, but the cheery, bright colors of the leaves bring a sense of warmth. They lie on the ground in great big piles – begging Luke to jump in them!

This Summer began with a trip down to California to visit the Arnott Grandparents and have a little reunion of sorts. After a grueling trip on the airplane and an eternity in Los Angeles rush hour traffic, Andrew’s parents’ farm seemed almost like an oasis in the desert! It was fun to swim in the pool and run around in the open space. Grandpa Arnott gave us a tour by tractor of the farm including the illusive San Andreas Fault Line. There is definitely something mysterious out there that makes the grapefruit taste AMAZING! We had a talent show where Luke recited a book he has learned about “opposites” – very sweet for a little boy who although knows a lot of words, really doesn’t talk very much. We spent a day at the beach with the cousins, digging big holes in the sand and playing in the waves. Emily and the grandparents enjoyed a nice nap in the sunshine.

In September, the kids and I flew to Colorado to spend time with the Mackrory Grandparents. It was tough to be a single parent on the plane and then on holiday, but so fun to be with them and enjoy being outside in the sunshine again. Luke was especially excited about their big clock, which chimes on the hour, their big TV, and the “chitty, chitty, bang, bang” car in the garage. He spent most of his time while we visited, playing with the collection of toy cars that has accumulated over the years. Come to think of it, that’s the same thing he did in California with the Arnott car collection…

Emily has grown so much in the last few months, weighing almost 18 pounds and crawling all over – mostly following her big brother around, much to his dislike. She adores him and wants to be a part of everything he’s doing – he would much rather she just leave him and his toys alone and can’t resist rolling on top of her wrestling style while mommy anxiously yelps and runs to Emily’s rescue. Much to her mommy’s delight, she is already showing signs that she loves to dance. She will wiggle and bob up and down, kicking her legs excitedly when she hears a rhythm or tune! She has also turned out to be a great eater, preferring veggies over fruit even! She has just sprouted two of her front bottom teeth and shows them off proudly all the time with her big smile. She is the happiest baby I have ever known, laughing and giggling at the slightest thing. She really is such a blessing in our home.

Luke recently gave up taking naps during the day and because he’s an early riser, mommy now puts in 13 hour days. That is unless I go for a drive around noon and the little man drops off in the back seat! He has also mastered counting to 10 and his alphabet. He loves books and will request the same book over and over until he can recite it back to us using words we had no idea he knew.

Andrew’s remote control airplane has provided us with several fun outings as a family recently. Luke gets so excited to say “GO!” and watch it take off, running to greet it when it lands. One of his side projects, involving protecting identity on the internet has taken him to San Jose for a conference. There have been a couple of big names adopt his method including the US Government! Although it’s hard to understand, never mind explain fully, what it’s all about, it is great to see him getting recognition and opportunities offered him, given all his hard work.

I participated in the Stake Musical Production in October. It was called, “A Tribute to Broadway,” showcasing dancing and singing from shows like Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Annie, and several Disney shows. I was privileged to be the only solo dancer in the show, with two numbers which I was able to choreograph myself. The one piece was from Little Women, and the other from Beauty and the Beast (so I got to dress up like Belle). It was challenging and took some intense practicing to pull off, given that I really haven’t been dancing in over 5 years! In the end it was a huge success and the realization of a lifelong dream for me.

Unfortunately, a few hours before opening night, I began showing signs of the flu but popped some pills, and went ahead anyway with my performance. – 3 shows that weekend. I got home Saturday night and my fever began – later to learn that I had the dreaded, media hyped, SWINE flu! Emily got it a few days later but with quick medical help she got over it very quickly and thankfully her symptoms were mild. Andrew got sick for a couple days and Luke, amazingly enough, was spared! I still have a residual cough which is making it difficult to sing to Luke which we both find frustrating.

This Halloween I made Emily a blue puppy costume so that she could be “Blue” – a dog from a well loved television show. Luke went as the dog’s owner, Steve – together they solve mysteries! The costume took me a long time and a lot of chopping and changing as I was modifying a sheep pattern.

At the end of the month we will make the journey (which at that time of the year, really IS a journey) to Utah for a Mackrory reunion. Since Andrew’s sister lives there we will also be able to visit with the Arnott side for a little while. Jared has organized a few days at a huge multifamily size cabin in the mountains. It has an indoor playground for the kids, and includes snow shoeing and lots of other amenities. We will also welcome a new cousin into our extended family in December, as Andrew and KaraLynne Mackrory have another baby – we wait to see if it’s a girl cousin or a boy cousin…

We look forward to next year and the wonderful things it will bring. Luke and Emily will turn 3 and 1 respectively. We are currently planning a trip to Hawaii in May, when Andrew’s mom and sister will be watching the kids – hello second honeymoon! Hopefully when we get back we’ll have a shot at selling our home, but for now, we plan to stay here at least until then, perhaps longer, with the sad state of the real estate market.

As the year draws to a close, and the Christmas Season approaches we are reminded of the things in life that really matter. We are grateful for our children, who help us stay physically fit and mentally young. We draw strength from our testimony of the Gospel, and know that the Lord will provide for our needs if we remember Him in everything we do. We love you all and appreciate the joy you bring to our lives. Have a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year!

With each child you have, you commit to way more than the day to day feeding, clothing, changing etc.  Oh yes…now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being a mom, wouldn’t trade it for the world, but when I find myself staying up super late and spending an entire Saturday (when I’m still not over the swine flu), sewing a puppy costume, I start to wonder….did I really sign up for ALL of this?

Okay, so maybe I’m a glutton for punishment because there are plenty of good costumes out there for purchase, I really didn’t have to make one, but I did.  Now let’s just be clear on this though, it’s not just a run of the mill puppy costume, this is a very special, super duper, BLUE’S CLUES puppy costume.

I adapted a sheep costume and had to trim a ton off, modify here, tweek there (ever tried pinning a seam on a baby that really has no interest in staying put – FUN!) and there you have it.  Luke only required a green striped polo shirt to accompany some khaki pants and he played the role of Steve (handy-dandy notebook included!). 

By the end of the night, Emily was still not sure what this was all about, and Luke finally figured out that it’s actually fun to knock on doors and say “Trick or Treat” rather than bury yourself between dad’s knees.  And Mom, well, I was glad that I signed up for this too – I mean hey, no responsible parent is going to let their kid eat that whole bucket of Halloween candy…

Happy Halloween Folks!

Today my Dad turns 60 and so I was thinking of the things that he has taught me in the 27 years of those 60 that I have been around.  Some of them are funny, some of them are serious, but all of them are important.  I love my dad, and I don’t know exactly all the reasons, but I love him, and I will keep on loving him over and over….

• When possible, buy in BULK – and while we’re on the subject of money, don’t miss an opportunity to earn points, cashback, or a discount (it is probably those genes that give me a thrill whenever I use a coupon).
• Take care of other people’s stuff.  Return stuff you borrow in the same or better condition than when you borrowed it.  My dad told me recently that if you can’t afford to part with something, you shouldn’t lend it out, that way if you don’t get it back it won’t hurt the relationship.  Having said that though, my dad is incredibly generous with the stuff he lends people.
• READ – my dad LOVES books, he’s always reading something, either history related or Gospel related.  He loves to learn.
• Be honest – I’m a horrible liar and maybe it’s because I didn’t get a whole lot of practice growing up.  I just couldn’t lie to my dad, mostly because I knew it was one of the rare times when my dad would use the word “hate.”  He “hates” dishonesty.
• Help little old ladies – it is quite common for my dad to see older ladies and run over to lend them a hand.  I only hope that he will keep doing that even when he feels old himself – don’t worry dad, you’ve got lots of good years left 😉
• Zurbits always help you feel better – they just do, ‘nough said.
• If you feel the urge, BURST into song – and use signposts you pass as inspiration! – I remember many a family trip when we would sing along to some song like “all the people on the left?  A wam bam boogie!  All the people on the right?  A boogaloo!” For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about I pity you :)  (I think it might be a song from the 50’s…or 60’s…or one of those eras when music was actually talent!)
• Say please and thank you – Do you want something?  YES please, or NO thankyou.  None of this “sure” nonsense :) 
• Get a good parking spot.
• Food is important – I was SO sad for my dad when he was diagnosed with diabetes because he LOVES good sweet stuff more than anyone else I know.  He never misses an opportunity to tell me what he had for breakfast, what he’s eating right now, and what mom made last night for dinner.  He just loves his food. 
• If you can’t solve a problem, quit worrying about it – I think one of the reasons why my dad has always been a valued employee is that he is VERY good at solving problems.  And those that he can’t solve, he doesn’t worry about, well, at least he doesn’t let on that he’s worrying about them.
• Avoid throwing up for as long as you can 🙂 Then again, give dad as much notice as possible if you need him to pull over….
• Do your family history – my dad teaches this one by example, he is a great historian and has really worked hard to make sure that his ancestors are found, accounted for, and that they have their temple work done.  What’s nice is I know he loves it and that it’s important to him, but he doesn’t get on a “family history soapbox” 🙂
• See the world!  I loved hearing all about the places my dad would go on business because while he was there he would go off and see what there was to see.  He always brought home a nic-nak or two.  And then of course I would ask him to tell me about all the different meals he had.

He makes great biltong, does an awesome barbecue, and gives wonderful hugs.  Our son, Luke has the second name Mitchell after my dad.  I love that name and I love who it comes from.  In a week I get to take the two kids back to visit the Mackrory grandparents and we are all SO excited.  It’s going to be really fun.

My wish for my dad is that he can find a way to retire soon.  He would really like to retire and pretty much the main reason he can’t is because he and my mom have started over 3 times in their life together to give their kids a better future in a new country.  Thanks to both of you, and to my dad for working so very hard so Mom could stay home with us.  I owe so much of who I am and what I have to you!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

It was my father, holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, who holding me as just a small babe, gave me a name and a blessing. He would give me many more blessings in my life. When I was sick, before my first day of school, and the night before I got married…

I grew up in South Africa, my dad had several names at that time in my life, he was daddy to 5 children, 4 boys and one little princess. He was Master, to the gardener who would come every Thursday, who he would (unlike a lot of others in the country) treat like he would a family friend. He played several major roles when we were children, some of which he still fills now…

He was a Friend –

The priesthood manual a few years ago quoted a story written in 1955 by Bryant S. Hinckley. It is as follows:

‘Three hundred twenty-six school children of a district near Indianapolis were asked to write anonymously just what each thought of his father.

‘The teacher hoped that the reading of the essays might attract the fathers to attend at least one meeting of the Parent-Teacher’s Association.

‘It did.

‘They came in $400 cars and $4,000 cars. Bank president, laborer, professional man, clerk, Salesman, meter reader, farmer, utility magnate, merchant, baker, tailor, manufacturer, and contractor, every man with a definite estimate of himself in terms of money, skill, and righteousness. …

‘The president picked at random from another stack of papers. “I like my daddy,” she read from each. The reasons were many: He built my doll house, took me coasting, taught me to shoot, helps me with my schoolwork, takes me to the park, gave me a pig to fatten and sell. Scores of essays could be reduced to “I like my daddy. He plays with me.” ’

“Not one child mentioned his family house, car, neighborhood, food or clothing.

“The fathers went into the meeting from many walks of life. They came out in two classes: companions to their children or strangers to their children.

“No man is too rich or too poor to play with his children.” (The Savior the Priesthood and You, Melchizedek Priesthood Manual, 1973–74, p. 226.)

As children, we went from playing “this is the way the cowboy rides’ on his knee to being hoisted off his shoulders in the pool. At one point I thought he had complete control over the windshield wipers just by raising and lowering his hands – my dad was magic – He would keep the atmosphere cheery by making up silly songs in the car using the street signs we past as inspiration. He was fun.

My dad knew when to have fun, but he also took his role as father seriously. Walking through the busy and dangerous streets of Johannesburg he would always hold my hand and keep me close to him. He was at many times in that country, the Physical Protector.

Well, one night my dad’s role became much more serious…it was a night I will never forget. Someone broke into our house with a loud crash of breaking glass, my dad ran down the hall way to scare off the intruder and protect his family. He had not been asleep, knowing something was wrong. He could have very easily been shot that night. After that he would walk around the house with a huge flashlight before bedtime, making sure everything was okay.

As a major step to further protect us physically, my dad gave up his lifetime of savings and almost everything he had to move my family to New Zealand. At this time in his life he carried several different names, he was at one time, Bishop, at another time Stake President, but he had other roles that he played as the head of our family…

He was Leader of the home –

The Family Proclamation says:

“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.

Through all his busyness in his Church Callings in which he served well, he made a point of turning on the answering machine when he got home from work on Monday night and gathering us in for Family Home Evening. He presided in our home but was never over bearing or abusive of that responsibility. He was our Priesthood leader, giving blessings before the school year and making sure we were doing the important things such as seminary, and going to Church, but also taking an interest in the other things we chose to do. Because of the increasing immorality in New Zealand, he became very much …

Our Spiritual Protector –

President A. Theodore Tuttle
Of the First Council of the Seventy said

“The father is the protector of the home. He guards it against the intrusion of evil from without. Formerly he protected his home with weapons and shuttered windows. Today the task is more complex. Barred doors and windows protect only against the intrusion of a corporeal creature. It is not an easy thing to protect one’s family against intrusions of evil into the minds and spirits of family members. These influences can and do flow freely into the home. Satan can subtly beguile the children of men in ways we have already mentioned in this conference. He need not break down the door.”

He dropped me off at a party that I shouldn’t have gone to, and let me know that if I needed to be picked up, he would be there as soon as he could. He came right when I called him and as we drove home he resisted the temptation to lecture me or remind me why I shouldn’t have gone in the first place, I just knew he was pleased that I had left, and we had a good talk, just like a dad and a daughter would, like we always did.

New Zealand is a beautiful place, but its society is very permissive, and for the most part, the youth are not strong in the Gospel. We struggled to find friends who shared our values, and so to give us more choice for temple marriage and a spiritually safer society, my dad moved our family to the United States. He again gave up so much to offer us more.

Since moving here, my father’s dreams for his family have come true. Father-in-law and grandpa are among his names now. It has been during these last few years that I have truly seen some of these other roles shine in him. I have been able to talk and relate to him on an adult level, and see my dad not as an impervious hero, but as a human being just like me with faults and weaknesses, but nonetheless a character that I still look up to in so many ways.

He is a Teacher –

“Inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not to understand the doctrine of repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of the hands, when eight years old, the sin be upon the heads of the parents. …

“And they shall also teach their children to pray, and to walk uprightly before the Lord” (D&C 68:25, 28).

He always took opportunities to teach us things that were spiritual, but also just about how things worked, whether at Family Home Evening, during a trip in the car, he taught me how to change a tire, change the oil, we loved working on things together, he taught me a lot about computers especially as he helped me edit my school papers on MS Word.

He is an Example –

Elder Robert D. Hales said in a talk entitled, “How will our Children Remember us” how important it is that we set a good example to our children. We all know that a good example will speak louder than a good lecture. He talked about the example his father set for him of a loving husband to his mother, a worthy and active Priesthood holder, and a man of good character and morals.

As I was preparing for this talk, I remembered a journal entry I made a few years previous that recorded the great example my dad is to me,

Almost 2 months ago, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. When the nurse first told him, he said “okay, well, that’s not a big deal, we can deal with that.” She was so taken back, she though he wasn’t taking the news seriously.

But my dad is like that, he’s so practical, realistic, and firm and consistent with what his beliefs are. Last week he had surgery to remove the cancer and so far it looks good, but there’s still some tests they need to run to make sure he’s in the clear.

Tonight my dad said he thought about dying, and he’d come to terms with the fact that if it was his time to go that was fine and he wasn’t worried about it because he had a clear conscious, and if it wasn’t his time to go then, he didn’t have to worry anyway.

He talked to me about faith and that his experience of having this cancer really proved to himself that he did have faith. He felt it, and knew it. It sounded like he was glad, because he had truly learnt something. What a strength and example he is of faith to me. He bore his testimony through the pain of recovery and I found a new love for my dad. He sounded humbled but strong, firmly grounded in his testimony of faith, the Atonement and the plan of happiness. I love my dad, I’m so glad everything’s going to be okay, either way.

I feel like knowing my father, has taught me and helped me to know my Heavenly Father more.

Elder Robert D. Hales said:

“The calling of father or mother is sacred and carries with it great significance. One of the greatest privileges and responsibilities given to us is that of being a parent—helping to bring to earth a child of God and having the sacred responsibility to love, care, and guide children back to our Heavenly Father. In many ways earthly parents represent their Heavenly Father in the process of nurturing, loving, caring, and teaching children. Children naturally look to their parents to learn of the characteristics of their Heavenly Father. After they come to love, respect, and have confidence in their earthly parents, they often unknowingly develop the same feelings towards their Heavenly Father.”

Although my name has changed recently to now bear the name of my husband, I still have first two names my father gave me when he blessed me so long ago.

At times in my life, my dad has had many different names, in the Church, in the work place, and in the community. But he has always just had one name to me, and that name carries with it memories of singing silly songs in the car, of holding my hand so I didn’t get lost, of hugging me as I entered the Celestial room for the first time and telling me that I’d made it. It is a name that to me means honesty, hard work and persistence, and a loving husband and father. He has been my priesthood leader, my physical and spiritual protector, and still is my teacher, my friend and a good example to me in so many ways.

I know a name a glorious name,

Dearer than any other…

Listen I’ll wisper that name to you,

It is the name of Father…

Father so noble and brave and true

I love you, I love you,

Father so noble and brave and true,

I love you.

There’s no doubt in my mind that as one of my father’s children, no matter what, we always knew we were important to him.

He’s compassionate – Maybe it was to make up for throwing a kitchen towel at me when I woke up that morning, or maybe he was just being nice, the other day, he got up from his nap and brought me a muffin to greet me from mine.  The next day he offered Andrew one, so I think he’s starting to think about the sharing thing. 

He’s observant – he notices the smallest things, from a little bug on the sidewalk to a helicopter far away…to a piece of junk on the carpet – Okay time to vacuum!  (I’m just glad that he’s graduated from tasting those small objects to handing them off to me.)

He’s brave – NO FEAR – and sometimes it would be nice if he had just a little.  He goes on the highest slide at the playground, and when he gets to the bottom he’ll turn around and just walk on up.  He’ll balance on top of a high wall, I mean, it’s amazing we haven’t had any injuries yet.  Oh, and the next one goes with this….

He’s tough – the nurse at the pediatrician said she’d never had anyone smile after getting a shot – well, that’s Luke for you.  That kid has a high pain threshold – he didn’t get that from his mother!

He loves animals – especially the ones with tails.  Everything from the meowing, barking, chirping kind, to the ones you cuddle up with at night – some of those have tails but they are the “taggie” kind.  He just loves being followed by a cat, or dancing around with the little puppy next door – they really aren’t that different – two year olds and pets….

He likes to pretend – his favorite “friend” is a soft toy of Eeyore.  He’ll make Eeyore fold arms for prayers, he shares his potty treats with him – and he’ll wait a while before discretely eating them for him – and sometimes he even joins in ring-a-round-the rosie or helps Luke build a tower.

He’s polite – He’s figured out that mom has a harder time declining his requests if he asks nicely, and he is very good at saying thank you…next goal:teaching him that it’s best to not fill your mouth to maximum capacity 🙂

He’s a great eater – I know that if Luke is not too interested in what I made for dinner, I can always default to tomatoes, frozen peas or green beans, or fruit.  He even likes raw broccoli!

He such a boy! So although he’s not big on meat and potatoes (see previous trait) he loves anything with wheels and/or an engine.  He’ gets so sad if I go out in the car and we pass by the freeway onramp, because it means he won’t see any big rigs, or buses.  He absolutely LOVES dirt, oh, and girls.  We were at a concert a while back and in the silence of the audience he calls out “GIRL!” when he noticed the orchestra consisting of several young girls.  Everywhere we go, we hear, “bus!” “truck!” or “girl!”

He loves books – He just started saying “book” and “read.”  Several times a day I’ll sit down and read to him.  He gets really excited when he can fill in the words he knows to a story he’s heard many times before.  In fact, to get him to stay on the potty when we were training I would read him book after book after book – he’ll still reach for the Reader’s Digest sometimes when he thinks he’s going to be a while in the “little room.”

I wanted to write this post because lately Luke has been very good, but also very good at being two.  I have moments when I have so much more respect for anyone who has done battle with the will of a two year old.  They are such little people with such big wills, but also big hearts.  As I wrote this list it helped me recall all the reasons why I just love that kid, and you know, no matter how many tantrums he has or how many times I have to say no – I ALWAYS will.

It has been my observation that it is only those who are very patriotic that feel that their country has lost its appeal to outsiders before it really has.  Yes America (as we know and love it) is in decline and the things that we hold dear and sacred as its citizens are becoming threatened.  However, there is much of the outside world that is yet to achieve those freedoms and the amazing opportunities that are available here.  America is still worth "running" for, just ask all those guys down south who daily risk their lives to cross the border… 

When I stood and said the pledge of allegiance at my citizenship ceremony there was something inside of me that wept for joy.  I was so "proud to be an American".  It seemed strange to me to sense that not everyone in that room or in this country shared my feelings of patriotism.  Heck, I’m not even sure if our President feels privileged to put his hand over his heart in gratitude to our Founders.   I sat there and cried as Lee Greenwood sang the familiar tune that became a regular radio favorite after that infamous day in September.  It’s a shame that it takes an awful event to remind us that we’re proud to be American and of our duty to uphold it’s ideals.  And yet, in classrooms across the country that pledge is now absent from the schedule. 

One of the main reasons why I am determined to home school is because I want our children to be patriotic. (Even though at this time, with a two year old asserting his power at every opportune moment, I wonder at the sanity of that decision :))  I want them to say the pledge of allegiance, I want them to study the values upon which this country was founded and the lives and morals of the founding fathers.  To know that these men feared God and desired not only to be free themselves, but to make that gift available to all.  They fought for, lived, and died, for the freedom that is the backbone of this country. 

Sadly, I think that modern America has gradually come to misunderstand freedom as the "freedom" to do as you please without regard for others rights and without an acknowledgement of consequences.  We take on debts we can’t pay and want a bail out as soon as reality threatens our greed.  We take the lives of innocent children in the name of "freedom of choice" and we teach our children that as long as you are expressing yourself anything goes.  But freedom is not that superficial.  It is rooted in discipline, accountability, and the obedience to and fear of God. 

"America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great" (commonly attributed to Alexis de Tocqueville).  I want to assure you that from a former foreigner’s point of view there is still so much good about it.  But it is up to us, those who want to uphold the principles of it’s founding, to teach the next generation what makes it good.  I am confident that even if we see democracy crumble and this nation fall in our lifetimes, the spirit of America, that spirit of freedom, liberty, and justice will stay alive in the hearts of children whose parents were true patriots and taught their children well.  It is up to us as individuals, parents, and families to uphold those values and freedoms and keep America free.

Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing!