catch-up

We live suuuuper exciting lives, you guys. Hard to document it all, it's so fast-paced.

For example, the kids and I went for a bus ride yesterday. A 30-minute loop of sheer back-of-the-bus bliss. We even sneaked eating fruit snacks. That's right. Flirting with danger.

Paul and I forgot to plan FHE last night. For the bazillionth time. So we (along with both resident Minnie Mouses...can we count this for our missionary work for the year?) walked the sidewalk pathway to the temple and talked about temples. One of our better FHEs, actually, as the conversation was casual but with purpose. The kids even asked pertinent questions other than "What's for refreshments?" I almost didn't know how to respond.

 (p.s. Charlie's ice cream was for refreshments. In case you were wondering. Which you totally were.)

Gramma Joyce took Carson shopping for his birthday. He apparently walked straight to this display and 0.2 seconds later chose this super-uber-awesome Atlantis lego set. The best part of the birthday gift was how gramma stayed and built it with him. He's a lucky kid in the grandparents department, for sure. And getting so big! 7 years old tomorrow! Where in the world has the time gone? (Answer: Charlie's ice cream drive-through, that's where.)

Layla found a creative way to spend her mid-morning: decorating a plant with hair barrettes. She was very proud of how beautiful it looked. I think I used up a year's worth of ooooohs and aaaaaaahs, so forgive me if I remain silent during any forthcoming fireworks shows.

Then the girls (with BFF Emily) posed for the camera. My favorite is the bottom-right pic (above), where they're all trying to do the same pose. Close, Addie. Very close. (p.s. Had to do some minor photo editing to cover her undies. Modesty first, right? At least, that's what I try to tell her after she's stripped down to just her shoes and underwear in the middle of the main Lowe's walkway... hoo boy...)

Lately I've felt like I'm floundering a little (treading water? definitely not swimming briskly) in the parenting department. Lots of things come up that I don't know if/how I should respond. But I keep remembering that one talk in this past General Conference where the speaker (can't remember his name off-hand. I'm helpful, I know.) talked about how we as parents have as much to learn from each of our children as they have to learn from us. Wise words.

Despite (because of?) the parental challenges I'm stumbling across, I thoroughly enjoy these sweet kiddos and our life right here, right now. They make me laugh and cry and think and wonder. So. Even though I joke sometimes about selling them on ebay, I don't mean it. For rent, maybe, but not for sale.

See? I'm a better parent already.