Kid Quirks

Luke came home from preschool and the class had made conical asian hats. Luke's hat has a picture of a pig on it and I asked him about it. He said it's because he was born in a pig.
Wow - thanks Luke. (Luke was actually born in the year of the pig.)

Out of the blue, Luke tells Dustin that we aren't supposed to eat in the living room. Dustin asked, "Who told you that? Luke replies, "Jesus."

Dustin walked into the room and said, "Man! This room is a disaster. We need to clean it up." Luke then replied, "You're a disaster."
(I think Luke listens to everything we say and I have said things like that a little too much.)

Luke came up to Dustin and patted him on the stomach and told him he's starting to look like a grandpa. Dustin asked him if he sucked in his tummy, would that help? "No", says Luke. (Then Dustin cried.)

Luke asked Dustin if he was years or is he "mumps"? Luke was trying to figure out why some people are years, like he's 4 years old, and some people are "mumps" because Grant is 8 months old.

I asked Luke to pick up some toys and I commented on how fast he was picking them up. He said, "Yeah! I'm as fast as a hippopotamus!" (okay!?!)

During Sacrament meeting, one of our ward members performed a musical number with with cello. We pointed it out to Luke, who quickly lost interest. A couple minutes later he says, "When's this "jello" going to be finished?"

I will ask Luke to get me diapers and wet wipes to change Grant and he is usually eager to please. He will start to run to Grant's room but then he'll stop and ask, "How many wep wipes do you need?" (wet wipes)

The night before Valentine's Day and Luke and I were working on valentines for Grandma B. and Grammy. Luke turns to me and asks, "Did you get that really big Hershey kiss?" I didn't know what he was talking about but Dustin quickly yelled for Luke to join him in the bedroom, with the door closed. A few minutes later he comes running out and says, "Mom, did you know that Valentine's Day is like Christmas and I'm not supposed to tell you about your surprise that's in dad's closet right now?"

In Primary Luke's class had a handout of a scroll the teacher made. I asked Luke what it was and he said it was a squirrel. (squirrel, scroll. What's the difference?!)

Luke was a bit constipated and so as he sat on the toilet, we talked. I asked if his poop was coming out and he said, "He doesn't want to come out." A few minutes later he was able to get some out. I asked if he had any more and he said yes but, "he doesn't want to come out yet." Then, a minute later Luke told me, "Now he wants to come out and see his poop friends."

A show Luke enjoys watching on the Nick Jr. channel is "Spongebob Upsidedown Pants. (Spongebob Squarepants)

"I need a bandaige." (Bandaid)

The 3rd day in April it was really nice and sunny outside and Luke told us he wanted to run in the sprinklers. "No way!" I said, "It's way too cold. You'll get sick if you run in the sprinklers." (I was home sick with a nasty cold at the time) Later Luke told Dustin that the reason I was sick was because I had run through the sprinklers when it was cold outside.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Holladay Library had a Sleepover Party for Stuffed Animals. The teen library volunteers had a story hour and read bedtime stories to the kids and their stuffed animals. After story hour, the kids would leave but leave their stuffed animals behind and the next morning they could come back and pick them up and see what their stuffed animals did during the night. I thought this sounded so cute. Luke and Grant loved the stories and I thought it was great that they were already dressed for bed. Unfortunately, no one else had their p.j.'s on - just us.

I talked it up so much to Luke that he was pumped up and ready to go but he thought that he got to stay at the library and party, not his stuffed animal. So when I explained to him that we were leaving Henry and the snake for the night, Luke was a little upset and refused to leave Henry. I guess he thought that if he couldn't have a sleepover party at the library, then no one else could either. Oh well, it was a cute idea. Maybe next time I can get the story right so Luke will really understand.

I Have Agency

Here is a picture of Luke is his 'missionary' suit and holding his new scripture bag that he received from Grandma Bear-Bear and Grandpa Pop-Pop.

Luke volunteered to give a talk in Sharing Time this week. Awesome news - we were so on time that Luke actually had time to sit on the chairs at the front of the room and be an example of Reverence for everyone else.
He did such a good job. Here is his talk:

In 2nd Nephi 2:27 it says, "Wherefore, men...are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death."
Heavenly Father Has given me agency, the ability to choose right from wrong and to act for myself...the right to direct my life is one of God's greatest gifts to me. While here on earth, I am being proven to see if I will use my agency to show my love for God by keeping His commandments. The Holy Ghost can guide me. I show my love to Heavenly Father by sharing with my brother and playing nicely with him.
I am responsible for the choices I make. God is mindful of me and will help me make good choices, even if my family and friends use their agency in ways that are not right. I can be obedient and set an example for others to follow.

He's Listening

I had a "come to Jesus" moment.

I've been struggling for awhile. It seems that life is really hard, sometimes I feel like I can barely take care of myself let alone 2 little kids. It just doesn't seem fair. I feel like I struggle to do everything I do sometimes. I felt like I was coming to a breaking point and I was looking for ways to relieve that pressure and so I decided that I was going to quit church. Other people don't go to church and they seem happy, so why not me. I even tried it one week but I felt so incredibly guilty, I had a Primary class to teach every week, I couldn't just quit. But then I was released. My plan was working out perfectly.

Then Brother Merrill called and said the Bishop wanted to meet with me and could I bring Dustin too? I really tried to get out of it, we're too busy, we just don't have the time. But the Bishop was too accommodating and we ended up setting up a time to go in. As I thought about my appontment in those hours before we went in, a thought came to me that the Primay Presidency is being reorganized and there was a spot for me. And then I realized that is where I needed to be. I'm not in charge, I can't see the bigger picture. Just maybe I need to have a little faith and turn it all over to the Lord. Heavenly Father loves me and has a plan for me that doesn't include quitting church. I just need to do my part.

So Dustin and I went in and the Bishop asked me to be the second counselor in the Primary Presidency. I said, "Okay."
Bishop Downs said, "Are you sure because you can take a few days to consider things and talk them over with Dustin."
"No, it's fine," I said and we talked about Dustin helping with the boys and how things are going with our family.

Later as we walked out and got into the truck, Dustin said, "You know, it's okay to say no. You don't have to accept if you don't want to."
But how do you say no when you've already received confirmation that is where you are supposed to be even before you go in? Apparently I had such a pained look on my face that it looked as if someone was poking me in the back with a sharp stick, forcing me to say yes.

I realized from this experience and the Lord is listening and he does answer you, in ways that you aren't expecting it. I feel much calmer about the future now and not quite so alone. I can do this and I don't feel quite so alone. Nothing has changed - except for my attitude.

I also realized that Luke and Grant have much to learn and it's up to me to teach them. I need to step up to the plate and help them as much as I can. And I can do it, I have help.