Just going for a walk

Today I was on my way to the elementary to help out in the kids classes and on my way there I saw something that made me stop right there in the middle of the road.  I looked around to make sure what I was seeing was what I thought it was.  It was.

Happily walking down the middle of the road was a little boy I would say about 2 1/2 years old, sporting only his diaper, pushing a stroller.  By himself.  I looked around again to see if he had a parent somewhere nearby possibly distracted or frantically searching for him.  Nope.
So I pulled over and got out.  I walked up to him and we had a little conversation.

"Hi there"
"hi"
"What are you doing?"
"Just going for a walk"
"Where is your mom?"
          shrug....
"Do you know where your house is?"
         he looks around and points to a house nearby

At this point I'm thinking, oh this poor parent probably has no idea he is here, they will be beside themselves when they find out where he has been.  We walk up to the front door, which is closed tight (not the chosen escape route).  We park the stroller, and I ring the bell.  A man comes to the door on his cell phone.  I asked him if this was his child?  He looks down and rolls his eyes and confirms its his child.  I inform him that I found him down the road in the middle of the street.  He gives an annoyed look and sighs and then takes the kid inside. I think he mumbled thanks.

Now, I know that there are some very talented toddler escape artists in the world.  But they are often delivered back into the arms of frantic, embarrassed, shocked, scared, parents who cannot believe that their child has gone missing and up the road in less than two minutes.  I get this.  I didn't get this guy and it just made me sad.  I could have been a kidnapper who just scooped him up and drove away, or I could have not seen him and run him over, or he could have kept walking and gotten lost.  Too many possibilities to this scenario.

Love Everyone

Why is this such a hard topic for mankind?  I believe in God as do millions of people on this planet.  I believe that we were put here for a purpose and given something called agency.  We are given the choice to make our own decisions.  Yes, I do believe that this pastor in FL has the right to burn the Koran (Quran). Yes, I do believe the Muslim community has the right to build a mosque near ground zero.  But I also believe that both of these actions would be insensitive and self indulgent and would only serve the purpose of promoting more conflict and hatred.

I remember a song I learned as a child and it went something like this...

Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too.

When your heart is filled with love, others will love you.  

I guess its easier said than done.

Things I love about my kids

I'm supposed to be doing my homework.  Thinking about your kids and what you love about them is definitely a good distraction.

Matthew -  I love that Matthew is for the most part an easy going kid.  He is obedient and kind.  I love that he is a natural musician.  Music will be a big part of his life in one form or another.  I love that he is curious. He researches out things he wants to know, like magic tricks, dance moves, and amusement ride facts.  I love his moves.  He has mastered the worm and the moonwalk.

Adam - I love that Adam is funny and handsome.  He seems comfortable with the fact that the girls in his class think he is cute.  I love his big heart.  While it often hides, it is kind and sensitive.  I love that he protects his siblings.  Adam will always come to the defense of his brothers and sisters when they might be getting in trouble.  I love that he loves music and is a great dancer.  A mix of James Brown and Michael Jackson is flowing in this kid.

Erin - I love her independence.  While sometimes its frustrating, I know she will be just fine doing whatever she sets her mind to.  I love that she wears her socks up and not folded over.  I love that she is challenged by her big brothers and it motivates her to learn or be better at something.  She will not be left in the dust.  I love her beautiful blue eyes.

Brenna - I love her unique green eyes.  I love her loving heart and big personality.  I love that she sings and dances around much of the day.  I think she will be a talented dancer someday.  I love how much she loves her daddy.  The few moments before he leaves for work and when he comes home are her favorite parts of the day.  Joy in its purest form.

Ready for School

Brenna started preschool today.  Last night when I told her that school was starting she danced around the living room forever singing and dancing.  This kid loves preschool!  Here are all the kids ready for school on their first day.

One year older and wiser too...

It's been an interesting few days in our household.  Gearing up for school has been a little intense this year.  There have been some big changes and some small ones too.  This year Matthew started Jr. High.  He is excited, nervous, and ready for whatever comes his way.  He has to catch his bus (first time bus rider) around 7 am.  What is with that!  Man I really have to get my sleep schedule adjusted.  Anyway, he was ready to go in his red shoes that caught his eye the moment we walked in the store.  I stood on the porch in my robe to see if the bus would show up since there was NO information for bus students available at the school.  We asked around and figured an approximate time.  When I saw it drive by at the end of the street I figured he was on it.

Adam is in third grade.  He has had a rough week and I can tell that he has been anxious.  For some lame reason the school didn't have a back to school night until tomorrow.  Seriously lame.  Adam needs that time to familiarize himself with change.  Instead he has been worried and stressed.  I took him to his classroom and mentioned to his teacher that he was anxious but he did great.  He found his desk and friends and gave me a wave to let me know it was going to be okay.  He looked so handsome!

Erin, well this kid has a little of me in her.  She walked in found her desk, and started chatting away with the boy next to her.  She is going to first grade and is in full day school.  No nerves.  No concerns about lunch.  Annoyed that I was there hovering around and telling her to pay attention.  I just have to shake my head.  The super shy, stoic baby has transformed into a confident, expressive little girl.

Brenna, well she doesn't start until next week.  She does not want to wait for preschool

Pictures to come soon.

Summer Vacation 2010

Initially we were headed to Yellowstone for vacation this year but due to late planning we were unable to find lodging.  With the recent bear attack and my bad back we decided that camping probably wouldn't be a good idea.  Someone at Peter's work has a condo in Steamboat Springs Colorado and offered us a great deal.  So last minute we changed plans and off we went.  We had a great time in the mountains.  Here are some pictures of what we did while we were there.  One memorable event happened when the boys went tubing down the Yampa river.  The pictures were taken just as they were starting.  About 20 minutes later a huge thunder cloud rolled in over the mountains and just let loose.  Lightning, thunder, and pouring rain for about 15 minutes.  I figured Peter would pull the boys out of the river onto the bank.  I drove up and down to try and find them but had no luck.  Peter later told me that the lightning was very close, so they got onto a grassy bank, and put their tubes up over them in a triangle.  He said that Adam had big tears in his eyes and Matthew was really scared.  He asked them if they wanted to say a prayer and ask Heavenly Father for protection and comfort.  With a big Yes, they said a little prayer.  Both boys calmed down and the storm passed quickly.  They got back in the river and finished the ride.  It warmed my heart to think of my boys huddled under the tubes in the driving rain, saying a prayer.  I have good boys.

Off they go...

Showing off for the girls

The kids loved the walk to the waterfall

This horse let all the kids pet it.  He could sense they were nervous.

Alpine slide

Slot canyons at Dinosaur National Monument

Soothing The Soul

Today, I really miss playing my violin.  At one time I was a pretty good violinist.  If I had practiced more, I probably could have been much better.  But I was content just enjoying where I was with my playing.  I also sang alto in choir after choir.  For so many years in high school and college, my life was full of music.  I have music in my life today but it's so focused on the kids that I forget to put something on that soothes MY soul.  One of my clearest memories performing was when I was entering high school.  I was on tour with the Granite Youth Symphony.

 I was a "pre-soph" which was the bottom of the totem pole.  But I was happy to be there sitting in the back of the 2nd violin section right in front of the percussion and more specifically the tympani.  We were performing at an international educators conference in Oregon and the piece was "Mars. The Bringer of War" from The Planets by Gustav Holst (listen to Mars here). Listen to it, close your eyes.  It's intense, and even more so when you are sitting in the middle of it.  It was one of the first times I experienced going into a zone of sorts.  You really have to focus because parts of the music are in 5/4 timing.  So you focus so hard and only see your music and the conductor, listening, getting swept away in it. Like tunnel vision I suppose. When the piece ended,  I remember standing up toward the roaring crowd, with chills, and teary eyes, allowing the emotion to sweep over me, the sensation to engulf me.  I think everyone needs to experience something in their life that makes them feel the way I did that night.

In college, I played with the USU symphony orchestra.  I had another amazing experience like the one above.  It was the orchestra combined with the choral and several soloists performing "Ode To Joy"  Beethoven's 9th symphony.  There is a part at the end that builds to almost a frenzy and I remember seeing broken bow hairs flying from several players.  I still weep every time I hear it.  This is a picture of me before a performance in my concert black.  Yes, yes, that is very big hair.  Teased to perfection!

Today, I miss playing my violin.