America The Beautiful

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to Maddi's class with Kandrea and Lily to watch her class perform a patriotic skit. I was not at all prepared for the effect that it had on me. The children recited the Preamble and after each line they explained what it meant. They went over all of the rules for dealing with our country's flag. They then recited quotes from many different former Presidents. The quote that hit me was by FDR, "There is nothing to fear, but fear itself." With the election of a new President on the forefront and this scary Prop 8 business, I have felt a lot of fear. I know that that is the opposite of faith, but it has been a major struggle for me. I can take the things that affect me as an adult, but my children. I feel like a mother bear wanting to protect my cubs from danger. When the well being of my children is threatened, I want to tear someone's throat out. I have been actively helping with Yes on Prop 8, but I have made it a point not to go out on the streets or to meetings where the opposition will be. I know that the church needs those people that are even keel to be at those places and that is not me right now. I am afraid I would end up being one of those people on the nightly news punching some dumb youth (from the opposition) in the face.
Back to Maddi's program, until this year, I have never truly appreciated the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. I have always loved my country, but now that passion is deeply embedded in me. Just saying the Pledge of Allegiance yesterday got me all choked up. Do we really realize the freedoms that we enjoy? Do we think about the abundance that we have in this country? Do we think twice about the opportunity that we have to fight for what we know is right? I hope that we can all find joy in fighting for this awesome cause. We must not stay complacent anymore. It is time to stand up for what we believe in, in all things and in all places. Stand up and be counted. Let's show the Lord and all mankind whom it is that we serve.

FHE FUN

Trevor was in charge of the activity for FHE last night. I think he chose this one because he thought he could beat everyone. Well, he did beat everybody's time, but he is paying for it now. He has a rug burn and a hurt hip.

And The Award for Best Mom of the Year Goes to........................ME!

Lately, Kandrea has become a very strong willed little girl. If anyone in the house even looks at her a way that she doesn't like, she screams her head off. One moment there is quiet, the next you moment you would think someone had ripped a chunk of her hair out. We have been trying for some time now to curtail this behavior. At first, we used baking soda and when she began to like that (Yuck!) we resorted to using soap. Soap worked for about a week, then we moved to the squirt bottle (Trevor's personal favorite). I am not sure that ever worked. Needless to say, we have tried everything we can think of. She just jumps off of her timeouts over and over again. Lately, I have even spanked her and it doesn't seem to phase her much at all, within minutes she is being naughty again. Apparently she is only this angelic for us. I asked my friend Lucinda, who keeps Kandrea two half days a week, how Kandrea behaves at her house. She told me that she is always so even keel and that she plays wonderfully with all of the little girls. She is always willing to share her toys and her puzzles with everyone. She said that Kandrea never raises her voice or does anything mean. I guess I should be grateful for this blessing, but I am left wishing she acted that way at home too.
I do have a story to share, I just have to give you some background to the situation so that you will still love me after you hear what I did. The other day, Kandrea was especially rotten. Let's see, after I told her no to one of her questions, she screamed at me and then I proceeded to put her on a timeout for the next 20 minutes. She got off every 20 seconds or so. I forgot to mention that while this was going on, I kept having to put Lily down on the ground in order to place Kandrea back on her timeout and Lily was screaming her head off. Finally, I gave up and I put Kandrea in her bed. In my head, I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with her the next time we had an issue. The first thought that I had was to put her in a cold shower, but I quickly realized that that was a little harsh. The next thought, the swimming pool....Within 4 minutes, Kandrea threw the straw the broke this camel's back. I whisked her up and we quickly walked out to the pool. I dunked her right in up to her belly button, jeans, long shirt and all and then I placed her on a chair outside and I told her to stay there. I walked in the house and I informed Trevor of what I had just done and I walked out the garage door to pick Heidi up from the bus. I texted Trevor to ask how Kandrea was doing and he said that she was still sitting very still in the chair outside. When I got home (10 minutes later) I went outside and I explained to Kandrea that she cannot keep behaving this way. She agreed and said that she was sorry. So, I said let's go get you some new clothes, she said "Yeah, I am a little wet." Inside her room, I told her that she needed to behave. I said "I do not want to spank you anymore." Her reply, "Why Mommy, does your hand hurt?"
If you all want to start a vote, I am sure that my actions will earn me the Mom of the Year Award for that one. Don't tell too many people about this experience though, the last thing I need is Oprah knocking down my door!

Doesn't She Look Like Abby

I decided to see if I could put a bow in Lily's hair tonight and it stayed. While she was crawling around, I could totally picture Abby as a little baby with her hair in cute bows. I am sure that you will all think that I am crazy and not see the same thing.