Best Buddy

Jessica has grown into a young woman. She is in 7th grade and 12 ½ years old. It seems as though we don’t see her as much. She is either hibernating in her room or hanging with friends. During this transition, Jonathan has become my best buddy and sidekick.

We find ourselves doing most things together. On Saturday mornings, we go to martial arts and then run errands. He helps me walk the dogs and take them to the vet. He even attended dog training class with me. Although, I haven’t decided yet – he might be fired from training classes. He fell in love with a bird at PetSmart and decided that he really NEEDED it. When I told him that we couldn’t have a bird, he decided that a rat would be great.

He still professes his love for me and gives me big kisses. I know that my time is short, so I’m trying to enjoy it while I can.

A Special Day

Both kids got up this morning and each prepared for a special day.

Relax after TAKS

Jonathan's 3rd grade class had "Relax after TAKS" day. They got to wear their pj's, play games and read books. He was very excited to wear his Mario Kart pj's to school.


Youth Temple Trip
The Youth had a temple trip after school today. Due to our tight schedule, Jess went to school dressed for the temple. She loves visiting the temple with the youth.

The Power of Goodness

I love President Hinckley. Since I joined the church in 1999, I think of him as MY prophet. There is so much to learn from every one of his quotes. This is one that I particularly needed today.

"Great is the power for good. Marvelous are your talents and devotion. Tremendous is your faith and your love for the Lord, for His work, and for His sons and daughters. Continue to live the gospel. Magnify it before all of your associates. Your good works will carry more weight than any words you might speak."

Popcorn Popping

As spring approaches each year, the kids and I get excited to see the blooms on our Bradford Pear. Our tree is in the backyard, so we usually notice those first blooms as we are driving down our alley. The first person to notice the blooms begins singing the primary song, Popcorn Popping. Then, everyone else joins in to sing this favorite song.

This year, I was the first one to see the blooms. Jonathan and I began to sing:

I looked out the window and what did I see?
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree.
Spring has brought me such a nice surprise,
Blossoms popping right before my eyes.

As we continued on with the song, Jessie rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, Mama!" I guess she has outgrown our little tradition. At least Jonathan still sings with me. Unfortunately, he and I can't carry a tune. We really need Jess' vocal talent to cover up our blunders.

The Humor of a 9-Year Old Boy

Last night, I noticed that Jonathan had several pages marked in his new Wimpy Kid book. I asked him if these were his favorite parts. He just grinned and nodded. It wasn’t until this morning that I took a look at the marked pages.

His very favorite part had a little comic strip in the middle of the page. It was a drawing of two boys and it read:

What cha doing?
Eating chocolate.
Where'd ya get it?
The doggie dropped it.

Only a 9-year old boy could think that is funny!

More than You Wanted To Know About Saturday

Fred was at a fishing tournament this weekend, so the kids and I were left to our own devices. We spent Saturday morning running errands, a trip to the vet and Jonathan’s martial arts class. After martial arts, Jonathan and I ran to Best Buy. I had some birthday money + a gift card left from Christmas. We asked the 20-something sales associate for the shiny pink iPod Nano. He asked me if it was for my daughter!!!! I’m not sure what threw him… the fact that I wanted the pink one (pink makes me happy) or that every other adult my age is buying the iTouch or the iPhone. I’m not even sure why he wanted to know who it was for, but he was taken aback when I answered “umm, NO!”

I headed home with Jonathan and my shiny pink Nano. We picked up Jessie and went to Gattitown for Katy’s 12th birthday party. We had a great time visiting with the Miller’s and Garstka’s, plus we are so glad that Abie and Stacie are here now. Poor Jonathan was the only boy. He tried hanging with Uncle Dave and Uncle Abie. However, if you know Dave, you know that he can be a little spastic when it comes to sports. (Sorry, Dave.) They were playing a football game and Dave managed to hit Jonathan in the forehead/nose area with the football. I had this feeling that something was wrong, so I turned to check on Jonathan. He was holding his nose and looking like he wanted to cry. I see Dave holding back a smile and telling Jonathan to shake it off. Just a few moments later, he hit Stacie in the face, too. Thankfully, no one else got hurt.

Dave looking quite proud of himself after nailing both Jonathan and Stacie in the face with the football!
Jonathan is just like his Daddy - he loves those games with the crane. When Fred and I were dating, I had tons of cheap stuffed animals from those little crane games!

Look at those pretty girls - Jessie and Katy!

A trip to Gattitown is not complete without going next door to Half Price Bookstore. A bookstore is like Disney World to me. I love it! Afterwards, I was able to complete some chores, load up my shiny pink Nano with songs and finish a book that I was reading. The only two blemishes on the day were: 1) spending more money at the vet’s office – Stonebrook Veterinary Clinic has seen an huge increase in revenues during the months of January and February 2) the fact that I couldn’t get tickets to see George Strait and Reba. Otherwise, it was a very satisfying day… nearing perfection.

Gettin' Ready for TAKS

I personally am not a fan of the TAKS test. Jessie does not perform well when put under extreme pressure. This is Jonathan's first year to take the TAKS test. I'm not sure what to expect with him. He has gotten very high marks on all of the TAKS related material that they've gone over in class. However, who knows what will happen on the actual test.

We tried to make last night as relaxing as possible. The kids decided on Spaghetti for their pre-TAKS dinner. Of course, that meant that we had to make a meatless sauce for Jess. But, I was happy to oblige. Then, we put everyone through the rounds of showering and getting ready for bed. Before bed, each child received three #2 pencils that were sharpened to the perfect point. (I did this because Jonathan has pencils that are teeny-tiny and sharpened on both ends. I was petrified that he would try to take the test with one of those ratty pencils.) Jess got a new package of highlighters.

Both kids got new books to read after the test is completed. Jonathan has been wanting Diary of a Wimpy Kid - The Last Straw. I had been holding out, because I wanted to give it to him for today. I'm just praying that he doesn't laugh out loud while he's reading it. I got Jess a new book that I'm hoping she will like. It was on a shelf that said... If you like Stephenie Meyer then you will like these books. Then both kids have letters of encouragement from Mom. Jonathan's teacher had us write letters last week and will hand them out at school this morning. I packed Jess' in her bag.

Unfortunately, Jonathan woke up at 1:30 a.m. I told him he could sleep on our floor. (I just really wanted him to get back to sleep quickly.) My alarm clock went off at 5:30 a.m. I should have gotten up and showered. Instead, I quickly turned it off and stayed very still hoping that Jonathan could get another 30 minutes of sleep. Jonathan and I got up and started breakfast at 6:00 a.m. Pre-TAKS breakfast consisted of eggs, biscuits and bacon (no bacon for Jess, of course). Jonathan was wired and Jess was grumpy. We had a little trouble getting her started. Once she got going, she was fine. About 7:00 a.m. this morning everyone seemed to get a handle on their nerves - thank goodness!

I asked Jess to say the morning prayer. I knew she had concerns and I thought that it would be best for her to offer the prayer. She said a great prayer for both her and Jonathan. She asked that they would be blessed with strength in taking the test, that they would both take their time and do well. Even Jonathan was moved and that doesn't happen too often.

Post-TAKS dinner will bring hamburgers for the beef-eaters and Jess will have a chicken sandwich. Brownies will be served for dessert.

Meanwhile, I am praying that everyone does well today. TAKS days are my least favorite days of the year.