Parable of the lunch box

It's hard being a parent. Recently, Gavin has had a hard time keeping his lunch box under control. He has a tendency to toss, kick, swing, and not always catch it. As a result, he has opened his lunch box at lunch time only to find his yogurt or applesauce has exploded inside and smeared everything. He says he just licks it off, but the clean up for me is totally un-fun! I don't enjoy it. At all. So, on separate occasions, Dallin and I have sat down with him and talked about what was going to happen if he wasn't more responsible with his lunch box (I would stop making his lunches and he would have to eat school lunch). Yes, it is a pretty horrific consequence! It was much to my chagrin when I picked him up from school the other day that he says, "Mom, catch!" To which I immediately replied, "Gavin, please don't throw your lunch box." I know he heard me (there was eye contact). He threw it anyway. And I didn't catch it. I wasn't even standing close enough to catch it. Sigh. I told him he was going to have to eat school lunch now. He shrugged and I ASSUMED he didn't care. However, my assumption was way off. I think he thought I wasn't serious. This morning when it was time to go, he told me I forgot to make his lunch. I told him he was going to be eating school lunch and that he had lost the privilege of eating things from home. I have to say that I didn't see the melt down coming. It was bad (did I mention this was as we were walking out the door for school?). He was sobbing. Crying so hard he could barely breathe. He begged and pleaded to please give him another chance. Seriously? His friends eat school lunch every day and they survive! I calmly told him no, but he could earn it back by good behavior. The whole time I wanted to put my arms around him and CAVE! I couldn't bear the horror on his face and the tears! So, after I dropped him off (and paid for lunches for the next week), I cried. I think I understand a little better how our Father feels when he watches us take a consequence for something we've done wrong. And as much as we cry and plead and he wants to comfort us, He doesn't. Not because He can't, but because He knows we have to learn. I cannot even imagine how much it must have hurt Him to turn away when Christ called out to Him on the cross. My little taste of the tossed lunch box has given me a greater appreciation for the capacity of love our Father has for each of us (and we're millions. Can you imagine?). Let it be known that I am the meanest mommy ever for making my child eat school lunch, but I love him enough to let him learn.

Family photos

Turning 2!

I can hardly believe that Kam is 2 already! I think the time goes by way too fast. He loved everything about his birthday, especially all the singing (I sang Happy Birthday to him all day long)! He was really into his presents this year instead of just the paper!



Kam was so funny in this picture! He got a little people barn (thanks, Charlene!) and he kept leaning over and saying, "Hi chicken! Hi pig! Hi cow!" Until he had greeted them all!





Kam, we are so lucky to have you in our family! Happy birthday! We love you!

Regency Ball

At the beginning of March, our stake held their annual Regency Ball (also known as the Mormon Prom). We had several dance practices so the youth could learn dances like the Virginia Reel, Posties, and a few others. The attire was formal and in the style of the Civil War era: girls in Scarlet O'Hara type dresses and the boys in tuxes or suits with a white shirt. It. Was. Awesome! Upon arrival, the girls were given dance cards and the boys were to sign them. There were so many smiles and laughing and everyone was dancing!

This is our Young Women's Presidency!

My girlfriend Carene

The sister in this pic did the planning and coordinating of the event!

Justine and Makenna (some of our girls)

Brianna and Rachel (more of our girls)

It was so fun watching all the dancing (and it began with a grand march too)! Our stake president and his wife were there (they were the grand marshall's). My face hurt at the end of the night from so much smiling!

Farewell

After much consideration (and stress) Dallin and I decided it would be better if we found another home for Bella and Asher (the cats). We have been looking for well over a month and today were able to place them. Even though we didn't have them for a super long time, it didn't make it any easier saying goodbye. And it was hard on the kids, Shelbi especially. It was almost like reliving everything with Tristan again. Sure there were times when they did things that made me mad, but I still loved them. And the house is strangely empty and I'm still crying....even though I know it was the right thing to do. A lot of me feels like a complete failure (on a happy note I mentioned this earlier and Gavin looks at me as he lays upside down on my bed and says, "You're not a failure, Mom! You're a winner!"). How did I get so lucky to have such a great kid?

The Haircut

This is the before....

This is after....

On Christmas Eve, we had just finished our family home evening lesson and the kids were playing for a few minutes before bed. Shelbi disappeared upstairs and returned a few minutes later with a noticeable hair cut. I gasped...and nearly cried! I said, "Oh, Shelbi! What did you do?" (the whole time thinking this was a scrapbooking moment). Her reply was, "Mom, my hair was hanging down and it was bothering me. So, I had to cut it." And now.....she looks older! I'm still adjusting to the bangs, but she loves them (I had them fixed, by the way). Hopefully, this is a one time event!

Turning 7

I know they share a birthday, but I felt that I needed to give them some individual attention! Gavin turned 7 and we celebrated his birthday by going swimming at the Rec Center. Gavin wanted a Spongebob cake for his birthday, which I made for him (with the help of my cake fairy). I thought the cakes turned out really cute! I also spelled his name out on cupcakes.

Dallin got home from Vegas on Friday night, so we got up Saturday morning and headed to Rapid City to finish the birthday celebration. The kids really wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese. We spent about 2 1/2 hours playing games (they even got to see Chuck E) and then headed out for dinner. The kids had a great time! We love you Gav! Happy Birthday!

The Big 5

She's five! I can hardly believe that much time has passed!
This year Shelbi wanted a Kai-Lan birthday cake. So, I was ambitious and made her one with the help of my cake fairy! I also made cupcakes and spelled her name out with them.

For her birthday, Shelbi went swimming at the Rec Center (huge thanks to my young women for taking her). She had a little party at her school and opened a few gifts. We decided we would save the big celebration for when Dallin got home (he was in Vegas at a conference). Happy birthday to the best 5 year old ever! Shelbi is a huge help with Kamron. She has started reading and tries her hardest to think up cooler games than Gavin. She is such a great girl! We love you, Shelbs!