Land of the Free

These last few months at school London has been learning about the beginning of our country. It is amazing to see the spark in her eyes as she tells me about the founding fathers. I thought I would help her out a bit so we have been watching a series called Liberty Kids at home. I had no idea how much of an impression this would have on my children. I went outside to call Pyper in for lunch the other day and she was sliding down the slide yelling "Give me liberty or give me death!". Asher was right behind her chanting "Death, death death!". Whether this was in answer to her demand or him trying to copy her I have no idea.

Later that afternoon there was a Boston tea party reenactment on the swing set and aldo of Paul Revere's ride. Pyper could be heard yelling "By sea, by sea!" while London jumped on her "fast horse" to tell the colonists that the British were coming.

I have been having doubts about the state of our country lately. It seems that our nation is forgetting it's roots. We are forgetting that our country was founded on a belief in God and that hard work and determination is what got us where we are. It seems now days that everyone expects a hand out and we have to tip toe around so as not to force our beliefs on anyone.

It has given me hope to see how my children cling to the stories of the beginning of our country. It is like they can feel the truth and rightness of it. It has restored my faith in what the future holds for them and for our country. This year London memorized the preamble to the constitution. I had no idea she was doing this and it brought me to tears when she came home from school and recited it for me. I cannot thank her teacher enough for instilling in her a love for this great document. Here is a little video clip of her reciting it.

Changes

So there have recently been some changes in our little family. Kevin's work schedule changed and they were unable to accomadate or crazy schedule so we faced the decision of finding someone to care for the kids or me staying home during the days. I am sure you can guess which one we chose. I gave my notice and one week ago I started staying home full time.

I have mixed feelings. I will miss my friends and co-workers of 11 years. I have been at JVMC for my almost my entire adult life. They were there for my wedding, the birth of my kids, they were my family and I will miss them greatly. (I am still taking call, but there aren't that many people around at 2 in the morning, and it is the social aspect of work that I will miss the most.)

I do love being home all the time with my little munchkins though. And I have seen my husband more in the last week than I have since we were newly weds. We have dinner together every night now as a family and it is really nice. I seem to have a lot more patience now that I am not working. Hopefully I can make it through this little identity crisis, and if any of you are up for a play date, we are now available 6 days a week!! Here are some cute pics from the kids Easter shoot. How could I not love being with them more?

Happy Easter!

Easter is fast approaching. We were lucky enough to have Jen Tate take some Easter pics of the kids. If you would like to see a preview click here. I am quickly becoming addicted to her pictures. (And she is so affordable I can indulge a little more often.) We are on spring break but check back next week to see more!

Post Op

Little Pyper became my first kidlet to have surgery today. It was very minor. She just got tubes in her ears, but surgery is always a little stressful. She was very brave. You can definitely tell she is my middle child and uses any opportunity to get her parents undivided attention to the fullest.

Primary Children's Medical Center was AMAZING! I don't know why you would go anywhere else when you have this awesome place so close. Pyper went to a class the night before where they talked the kids through everything.They gave them a tour and let them play with equipment. Today when she got there she knew exactly what to expect and was not in the least bit scared. In fact she was looking forward to her ride in the wagon to the O.R. They had a life specialist that spent at least a half-hour with Pyper before her surgery. She gave her a doll in special "pajamas" just like Pyper's and they started a (real) I.V. on her doll and Pyper got to inject medicine into the I.V. Then her doll (whose name was Belle Pyper), got to go with her in her wagon to the O.R. and then to the "wake up" room. She wasn't awake more than two minutes when she reminded Warren, her nurse, that there is supposed to be a root beer slushee waiting for her. She was quite the little ham, coming out of anesthesia, thinking she could stand up and then getting all wobbly. She left with so many souvenirs, she could open a little shop.

All day I have to keep reminding myself that I no longer have to talk super loud so she can hear me. I know it is for the best, but I am really going to miss her telling me she is "sive", instead of "five", and how she loves her "samily". Today she has already started calling her little friend "Izabel" instead of "Wizabel". She is now resting in her room listening to music as she falls asleep and it isn't so loud that I can hear it way in the next room. She is going to start kindergarten in the fall and I am going to miss her! She is my little helper and always wants to hang out with me and play games while Asher takes his nap. Hopefully she will have morning class and I will get one more year of her all to myself in the afternoon. I love you Pyper!!

(picture by Jen Tate)

London is 7!

So it has been over 6 weeks since my sweet eldest child's birthday and I have yet to post anything. Pathetic. I guess it is fitting since she didn't come home from the hospital till she was six weeks old so really this is the 7th anniversary of when she came to live with us.
She is such a sweet thing. She is my biggest helper (which I know is hard for her sometimes). She often gives up things she is playing with or wants for her little brother. They are inseperable. When London is home from school you will often find Asher curled up next her while she reads to him, or chasing her around the yard. He sure loves his big sissy.
London and Pyper are either the best of friends or the worst of enemies depending on the minute, but they love having "slumber parties" on Friday nights where they watch a movie together and then sleep in each others rooms. I love what a smart, caring beautiful girl London has grown into. And she has never complained that she has to share a birthday with her dear old mom. I love you Londy Loo! Happy birthday!



Thanks to Jen Tate for the super cute pictures!

I love the Olympics!!

I am an Olympic junkie. More specifically, a winter Olympic junkie. I am glued to the t.v every night and I often shed a tear or two at the opening ceremonies. I love hearing the stories of the athletes and what sacrifices they have made to get where they are. I love meeting their families. I love the patriotism and the unity of the games. I didn't really have a great love for the games until we attended the Salt Lake 2002 games. We were only able to get tickets to a few events but we were there when the U.S women's bobsled team won the gold and it was amazing. We spent every moment we could downtown and attended a medals ceremony. Somehow my brother-in-law scored us seats to the paraolympic opening ceremonies and it was life changing. Anyway, I hope you are all enjoying the games. I bawled like a baby at this commercial last night.



I also want to wish my friends sister good luck! She is a skeleton racer and I am sure the whole family is nervous after the accident on Friday! Good luck Noelle Pikus Pace!! She has an amazing story! She missed the last Olympics when she was hit by a bobsled and her leg was broken. We are rooting for you!!

Meet Mushu!

So I have so much blogging to catch up on. There is Christmas and birthday's and our sweet dog Yoshi having to be put down, but here is the newest member of our family. Isn't he the cutest. I promise to blog more soon!