R-E-L-E-A-S-E-D!!

Yep. I was released from my almost 3 year stretch as Primary President today. When I found out last Sunday...I literally felt a weight lifted off my shoulders.

But, like everything else in life...it's bitter sweet.

The Bishop totally made me cry in ward council this morning with all the nice things he said about me. I will definitely miss the people I've worked so closely with. And the kids...although they wore me down most Sundays...they taught me so much and I will miss them.

I warned Alexis and Carter last night...that this would be my last Sunday with them in Primary and immediately Alexis replied in a completely devastated voice:

"Is it because I keep getting out of my seat when I'm not supposed to?"

Poor thing. She thought my release was a punishment for her not following my rules to a T in primary. She's too funny.

I thought I might escape another calling since we are moving shortly. But not the case. I got a new calling that will keep me busy until we leave. I will tell you when I get sustained...but lets say I feel completely INADEQUATE to do it! When they called me I said, "I'm 30...don't older people usually do that!"

When I grow up..

Alexis no longer wants to be a rock star when she grows up as mentioned here.

She came home from church today stating:

"Mom, you know those stores we go to...like Costco?"

"Yeah."

"When I grow up I want to work there. You know...the people that take our money when we buy the food...I want to do that. Then everyone buying food will hand all their money to me and I can take all that money home. Then, I'd have lots of money."

After I explained they don't get to take that money home she reconsidered. And after a little talk she has now decided to be a Dental Hygienist like me.

Don't judge me...I was brainwashed too. Just kidding. I love my job.

(But for the record: My grandpa, 2 uncles, my dad, and 2 brothers are dentist. And my mom, 2 aunt's, 1 cousin, and 2 sister's are hygienist.)

The Diagnosis: MSPI

What is MSPI? Milk Soy Protein Intolerance.

Yep. My baby has it.

Needless to say this last month has not been easy.

Tears. An upset tummy. No sleeping. Tears. Frustration. Did I mention tears?

He had a ton of symptoms...and I was nervous from the beginning he might have MSPI. Only time could tell.

I eliminated practically everything from my diet. He returned to his happy normal self within 2 weeks.

First, I added wheat. He did good.
Five days later, I added soy. NOT SO GOOD. 2 days later he was spitting up mucous-y stringy spit up. Then his stools did the same. I called to see if I should stay on it...maybe he could adjust to it. Nope. The mucous meant his stomach was so irritated and most likely bleeding so it was producing a slim to coat his insides. So sad, huh?

So, it's taken another week off soy for him to return to being happy again.

Frustrating...but we made it. And I've learned a lot.

Milk products and soy are in EVERYTHING.

I would switch to formula but it's more than twice as expensive for the kind I need. And leaving to go to work to pay for formula doesn't sound like fun.

So, I'm sticking it out. Trying to nurse to the end. (A heafty goal considering the longest I've nursed is 8 months.) We won't be re-introducing milk or soy till one year. Most babies grow out of it by then.

So, here's to 8 more months and hopefully an added bonus of a skinny body. (For me, that is. A girl can dream of ONE good benefit from this, right?)

PS: I had to ask where the rice milk was at the store. When they pointed me away from the refrigerated section...my heart stopped beating.

But, wouldn't you know...rice milk actually tastes good after drinking it for 4 weeks. Weird, I know.

Parenting Secrets: How to catch your child in a lie!

Two nights before Christmas I came home from work. As I walked in the door Chad walked out to run some errands.

Carter: "Mommy, can I leave the table now."

Me: "What did Daddy tell you?"

Carter: "He said eat 4 more bites."

Me: "Well, did you?"

(delayed response)

Carter: "Uh huh."

Me: "Carter, are you sure?"

Carter: "Uh huh."

Me: "Alright, if you ate all 4 bites and you are telling me the truth then you can leave the table."

Carter: "Yep, I did." (As he hops off the chair.)

Me: "Ok, Carter but Jesus was watching you and he knows if you ate four bites."

Carter: "Uh huh. I did." (He starts walking away.)

Me: "And Santa Claus was watching you."

He freezes in his walk, quickly turns around, and walks back to his seat stating:

"Maybe, I should eat a few more bites."

Santa Clause vs. Jesus
Immediate gratification vs. delayed gratification.

I think it's safe to conclude a 3 year old DOES NOT understand the latter.

A better Mother than me.

The other day we were driving to Target. (Me and the 3 kids.) Out of the blue...

Carter asked: "Mom, how we all gonna get dead?"

Me: (shocked by his question) "How are we all going to die?"

Carter: "Yea."

Me: "Well, we don't know how we are going to die. But hopefully we all just die of really old age."

Alexis: (Quick to chime in as usual.) "Actually,
Carter...we die when we are ready to go live with Heavenly Father again."

Carter: "Oh." (Realizing that was a much better answer than his own Mom gave.)

Alexis: "And you see your skin?"

Carter: "Yea."

Alexis: "That is your physical body and it doesn't go with us."

I seriously just got out-done in the mothering department by my 6 year old daughter. My jaw might have dropped to the floor in shock. Shocked about the whole conversation. When did she learn all that. We haven't had a FHE about that recently. I didn't even know she understood the term "physical body" let alone when we will die.

Not sure why I'm their Mother...maybe it's for my sake to learn from them. Either way, I'm still grateful to have them a part of my life.

Owen

Isn't he the cutest boy? We think so.

On the dock at the river.
December 29th, 2009

We believe in Christ.

This morning Alexis volunteered herself to be in charge of Family Home Evening.

First, she passed out papers that she had made for us. All of them where personalized with our names and our theme she picked for the night.

Then she gave us pre-folded papers and told us we needed to fill in each square with something we believe about Christ. I was quite impressed with what she wrote she believed in her squares.
Then we all had to draw a picture of Christ. She even made us all color yellow around him because he is BRIGHT!

That's when Chad said: "Hey Alexis...mine looks just like yours."

And then Carter looked up and Chad said: "And yours looks like ours too Carter...in a sort of "Nightmare before Christmas" way."
I started busting up so hard. The kids kept asking why I was laughing and I couldn't stop.

Another successful FHE prepared solely by Alexis. Once again...we will do this more often.