Happy Birthday Jessie!

We LOVE you!

Meet Gizmo...

Our newest little family member. We brought him home on Saturday morning. He was well received by all. We decided to name him Gizmo because of the striking resemblance to a Gremlin. Actually he looks more like Mogwai but that translates as "Evil Spirit" in Cantonese. So Gizmo it is. I call him G. Myles calls him Elmo. He is a really smart dog and seems to enjoy the kids. Lexi even likes him. We sure like him.

I haven't posted any delights lately. Things have been crazy around here. I have been delighting. Here goes my next delight.

DELIGHT #5

My sweet baby Myles. I just love this boy. He makes my heart happy. I love his sweet little, first thing in the morning smile. I love his little voice. I think it's funny that he called me MoM, not mommy for the first 22 months of his life but since moving to the south he calls me Mamma with his newly developed southern accent. I love watching him conquer his fears. I love how much he loves his siblings. I love to watch him with his little friends. I think it's funny that he has a tattling voice. We can't understand what he is saying but we know exactly what happened. He calls ALL food lunch. I appreciate his love of hats. I love how much joy and laughter he has brought to our family. I love that Heavenly Father had a special plan for him and we were wise enough to listen. I think it's funny that we still call him a baby. When are we going to stop referring to him as the baby? I hope not too soon. I can't believe he is almost 2. I think its funny that he cleans up. I love the intensity of his feelings. Happy, sad, mad, he is so intense. I just love his eyes. The window to his soul. I love that he loves music and sings along to almost any song. I love the cute little things he says... like when at the store if he wants something he says "I buy this". I love when he sings "You love me" or the ABC's. I love that in every dinner prayer that Liam says he thanks Heavenly Father for sending us this beautiful baby boy. I couldn't agree more. I just love him.

FEAR

I have always had a fear of leaving the house dressed inappropriately (in pajamas or just something I would be embarrassed to be seen in public in) and having car problems. I see it happening in my head: Rush out the door to take the kids to school and I'm still wearing my pajamas because it has just been that kind of morning, in the middle of an intersection my car dies or runs out of gas or blows a tire and I have to get out and walk or push the car. It is just one of my fears. But I guess it could be worse. Getting your car stuck in some tall, wet grass, you have to get out and push and your naked...

Girls Camp 2008

Jessie left for Girls Camp this morning. She isn't quite 12 years old yet but the last bishop gave her the special "go ahead" to go. He actually told us he didn't know what the rules were but we would get forgiveness (instead of permission?) She was super, super excited. She only slept about 4 hours last night. So excited. I hope she has a wonderful experience. The girls are really sweet in our ward and have just taken her into the group. Myles was quite upset about the whole thing. He cried for her as we were leaving and kept looking at me and saying "mom, jess, mom, jess." What is he going to do without his Jess? Love ya Jess.

The school year is over. We made it through another one. This year was a hard one. I know it was so hard for my kids to make this move in the middle of the year. I am so proud of them. They are trying really hard to be good friends and adjust to life here. I know it hasn't been easy. James is going to be a Freshman. That is craziness. It wasn't that long ago that I was a Freshman... Wow. He is entering a whole other universe. Learners permits, high school sports, high school girls AAHHHH! Jess is going into Junior High. I fear for her. Junior High is rough terrain for girls. I just hope for her that we all can survive the changes in our future. Liam is super stoked to be out of 3rd grade. He made the Honor Roll. So maybe change was good for him after all. 4th grade is the last year of elementary school here. He is still so young. I am not ready to think of that yet. SO now begins summer VACA. We went to the library and once again I was horribly disappointed by our city library. I went to the "librarian" (I question that she is actually a librarian, she may just be a really mean girl that they hired to work at the desk.) I asked her if they had any suggested reading lists for young adults. She gave me a look that I am pretty sure meant "go to hell lady" and said "NO". No suggested reading lists. This is a library right? So I asked her if she had any personal recommendations. Again with the HELL look. "No". Oh, thanks. "Do you have any new books?" I asked because I can play this game. She shot me another "Why are you bothering me look" and said in the meanest, most hateful tone "the new books are on the shelves." and turned and walked away. Oh those shelves out there? With the books on them? Stupid ME?? Sorry for bothering you. So there I stood trying to find a book for a 14-year-old to read. Who by the way is sentenced to reading for an hour everyday this summer and when questioned what genre of book he prefers he chose I SPY. Anyways, I found a book for him. Not too long, big words with no pictures but if anyone has some suggestions we are open to them. So my next destination is the children's section to sign the younger crew up for the summer reading. Get this... I know we came from a city with wonderful, wonderful summer programs but seriously? We filled out their names and the library employee gave us a reading log. This is the serious part... My kids always go for the biggest prize. In order to receive the biggest summer reading program prize (and really summer reading programs are all about the incentive) which is a bug catcher they have to have their reading logs filled out, finished and returned by June 28. Not a typo. 21 days. To read 100 books. Did I forget to mention that part. 100 books at their reading level. In 21 days. We are in works to develop our own incentive. Needless to say we miss our library. We miss City Park Pool. We have our own pool and slide. Not quite the same. It's summer time... Whoo Hooo.



Just a side note. We are getting Gizmo the dog next month. We thought that last post was funny. Watch for future posts introducing him. Only one person didn't watch the video and sent me a super funny, super excited email about me being prego. It was kinda sad to have to email her back and tell her that it was a dog but on the upside I don't have morning sickness :)