American Idol

Tonight the girls and I watched American Idol. Ally was ecstatic to see Ellen on the show. Ally and watched her show everyday from her birth until she was 3. I couldn't believe she even remembered who she was. We haven't watched her since we lived in our house. Kids have such amazing memories. Ears too. Ansley thought the girls looked HOT tonight in their dresses. Hot, really. Where do they get this stuff?

Family Home Evening

Tonight for family home evening I read the story Maria's new Dress to the girls. The story was about a little girl who receives a new dress and is excited to wear it to church to show it off to all of her friends. At church she enjoyed hearing her friends compliment her on her dress and she spent most of the sacrament meeting tying and untying the pretty pink bows. At the end of the testimony meeting she noticed that many people had tears in their eyes and she questioned her mother about it. He mother explained to her that they had felt the Spirit and that sometimes it brings tears to their eyes. Maria was sad that she hadn't felt the Spirit and questioned her mother as to why. Her mother explained to her that the Spirit speaks in a still small voice and that we have to pay attention to notice it. Maria knew that she hadn't been thinking of Heavenly Father or Jesus but only of her new dress.

Ansley concluded our evening with a prayer. Heavenly Father, Thank you for this day. Thank you for having so much fun. I hope that I won't color in church anymore and that I won't look at my friends. I hope I will think about Jesus and Heavenly Father. In Jesus' name, Amen.

I guess the story evoked a little guilt about not paying attention during church. :)

Sunday February 14, 2010

So the past week has been less than stellar and has definitely left me feeling less than adequate at many things. It happens from time to time. I get into a rut feeling like I am falling short everywhere and no matter what I do or how hard I work I just can't get ahead and this week has been of those weeks. So as I sat in Primary for sharing time I couldn't help but become quite emotional over the lesson. It was exactly what I needed to hear. Sister Elwood shared a story for the kids about a boy who really wanted a new scooter. So he worked and saved until he thought he had enough. But when he got to the store, even though he had worked really hard he hadn't saved enough. Fortunately for him, his father loved him and was willing to make up the difference and he was able get his scooter. Much like what our Father in Heaven has done for us. He knew that no matter how hard we tried and how good we were we would always fall short, so he sent Jesus his son to atone for our sins and shortcomings. To make up the difference, so we can return to our Father in Heaven. I couldn't help it. I was an emotional mess over it but I needed to hear it. I am not perfect and never will be. My Father in Heaven knew this long before I was born and I need to find peace in that fact. So thank you Sister Elwood. I needed that kick in the behind today. You are an amazing teacher and I soooo needed that today. :)

On a funnier note to drive the lesson home for the kiddos she had made Valentine's Day cookies. During the lesson, if the kids were reverent and listening they could earn tickets to purchase the cookies at the end of the lesson. In the end some of them had two tickets, some had three but none had the 10 tickets it cost to purchase one cookie. So like the father of the boy with the scooter and like our Father in Heaven Nikkie made up the difference and allowed each child to take home a Valentine's Day cookie with the understanding that they had to be eaten at home and only after they changed their clothes and told their parents about the lesson. So as soon as we got home both girls ran right up the stairs, changed their clothes and came running back down. It was by far the fastest change ever. No fighting, no stalling, DONE. It was great. When Ansley was done she went running straight for Jerry who quickly scooped her up and said, "Come here you look like you need some Daddy time" and squeezed her. "No daddy, I need some cookie time" was her response. It was priceless. She just wanted to tell him about the lesson so she could get her cookie. I love kids. When I explained what was happening to Jerry we laughed so hard, we cried.

Happy Birthday to ME!!

So this morning as I always do I before work, I went into the girls room to kiss them goodbye. Usually they don't even realize I am there and I enjoy a few moments just watching them sleep, snuggled up in their warm beds. This morning though when I kissed Ansley she shot right up out of bed and whispered, "Happy Birthday Mommy. I hope you have a good day." It was precious. It was one of the last things we told her last night and even in her half conscious state it was the first thing she thought of today. I got a great big birthday squeeze and I rubbed her back for a minute. Something she enjoyed, "Oooh mommy, that feels good" and I told her to go back to sleep. Ally too woke up just long enough to kiss and hug me. I tucked them back in and went to work. It totally made my BIRTHDAY!

While I was at work Jerry called me to inform me that Ally has now decided its time she starts wearing a bra. She came down dressed for school with the top piece to her two piece bathing suit under her shirt. When Jerry asked her what she was doing she told him she needed to wear a bra like mommy. :)

After work Jerry took me to the church dance while Brenna watched the kids. We had a nice dinner with great friends and learned some new dance moves. Even Jerry got up. Thank you to the ward for throwing a great party on my birthday! I couldn't have spent it with a better group of people.

 

Febuary 4, 2010

So tonight at dinner Jerry told the girls that tomorrow is my birthday. I am working the entire weekend so he promised them that we would do something next weekend. I could tell something was bothering Ansley so I asked her what was wrong. She said that it couldn't be my birthday because it was Daddy's birthday. I tried to explain to her that we already had Daddy's birthday but she said no it was still Daddy's birthday. I again told her that Daddy's birthday was in January and now it was Mommy's birthday. To which she blurted out, "It can't be your birthday because we didn't have cake for Daddy yet. So it is still Daddy's birthday!" I guess the pizza and brownie party wasn't enough for Ansley. It has to be birthday cake.

Mrs. Pat

 

Today Mrs. Pat came to Ansley's Preschool class. I was the helping parent so I was able to get some great shots of Ansley. She had a great time!

Ansley

 

Here is one of Ansley's less fashionable outfits. She finished it off with the hot pink winter boots too!

The dancing fairy