Forget me nots

There seem to be so many things that we so easily forget in the daily lives of our children.  I am trying to get these thoughts on paper before they escape my aging mind.  A few months back, Grant made up some crazy song that went, "if you call my son a poop, I will come and fire you".   It's pretty darn funny when he sings it and we had forgotten about it, until we found it recorded on the MP3 toy player.  Speaking of songs, Ellie from about the age of 2 to 5 would recite the same exact request when we tucked her in at night, it went something like this....."I love you with all my heart, say goodnight to all my friend, wish them a happy birthday, I love you, Conga, good night"  I must have heard this saying 300 times and it just became a tradition after sometime.  Then at some point you think, Oh when did she stop saying that?  I remember that little phrase.  Lucy is so nastalgic about her goose.  She actually got the goose from Ellie who was given goose by her birthmother.  Lucy and her goosie have been best friends since birth.  She carried that goose around, rubbed it til it was brown, loved goose so much his feathers came off, oh and goose is a "he" according to Lucy.  She just told me today at age 9 that when she's upset she will run up to her room and find goose on her bed, and snuggle him and it makes her feel better.  She has a new friend too, Mr. Penguins, he is a small cuddle pillow pet, and it was love at first sight when she unwrapped him for her birthday!  And Amelia Jane, well she has a soft, pink blanket she calls "nigh night".  She carried this blankey around all the time.  Every morning when she crawls into my bed for our morning cuddle, she has her nigh night, and it aways in her polk a dot bathrobe!  I tell her she is our little old lady as she walks around in her robe, it's so cute.  She has to have her blankey to sleep and it has to be folded just right on her pillow.  When she was about 3, I tried to replace it for an identical new one, and she would have nothing to do with it.  She liked the oldness, the smell, and the pilled up fabric of the one and only nigh night she so dearly loves!

Back to School

Tonight we did our back to school kick-off!  The kids had been anticipation it all day long........the day did not go how we had planned it.  It seems when you want a day to go just so, and be uplifting, and it's really important that it goes right---IT FOR SURE DOESN'T.  Anyhow, we managed to recover and get the evil ways out of our home and onto our festivities.  I had written each of the girls a "map" or letter of love and direction if you will, to start their school year out.  We had Amelia start as the youngest and come up and sit on a bar stool in the family room.  We first talked about maps and how they show you which direction to go, get you to your destination, keep you safe, bring happiness, and keep you from harm.  Then we read Amelia her letter, then Lucy, and then Ellie!  After that we let the girls open their token to help them "remember who you are" throughout the year.  They loved them, and it will be a great reminder of the nights events, and message of love from Mom and Dad.  Then we finished up with a Father's Blessing from Dad, for each one of them, which just brought the spirit into our home, and it felt like, "now we are ready for a great year".  Tomorrow we are planning to do jamberry nails, and put the final touches on the first day of school "outfits".  Ps: it's suppose to be 100 degrees all week:) So I"m trying to talk them out of the new knee high boots.  Here are the letters we wrote this year: 

Millie

What will I do with you at school all day long?  I have never had to share you that long, and we will really miss you!  But we know you will have a lot of fun with your friends at school.  We know you can’t wait to be able to have 3 recesses, and to be able to eat lunch with your new lunch bag in the cafeteria with your friendsJ  Millie, we want you to know how much we love you.  You are a real sassy cat, and you have a lot of personality!  You can use that strong sense of who you are for good.  You can be an example to your friends, by being nice, sharing, and always including everyone who wants to play.  We know you love your Heavenly Father, and He love you too Millie, very very much.  We know you love to say your prayers, and you love singing your little heart out.  You have a great laugh, and a cute wrinkle in your nose when you smileJ  You love animals, and you love Turkey Sandwiches!  A lot! You love to ride your bike, and you are a great helper around the house—especially with the laundry.  Millie, we hope as you wear this token you will remember who you are.  That you will try to be like Jesus, being honest, kind, loving, and a good friend.  You are a child of God Millie, and we love you so much!  Have a great year sweetheartJ

Lucy

It is hard to believe you are starting the 4^th grade.  It seems like yesterday that I was walking you into kindergarten!  Lucy, we want you to know how much we love you, and how special you are to our family.  We know that your Heavenly Father sent you here to earth to be with our little family forever.  He has great plans for you and wants you to be happy.  You have been blessed with gifts, or special things that are unique just for you.  Like, you love to read your scriptures!  You love to read the friend and plan lessons.  You are a great teacher, and have a special sweetness around little babies and children.  You are sensitive, and very observant of other people’s feelings and emotions.  Sometimes we watch you and you are looking at the faces around you to see what others are feeling.  You like to give hugs, and get hugs.  You are a lover of gifts, and you also love to make and create gifts for your friends and family.  I love to get your love notes that you surprise me with.  You love music, and learning.  We are proud of you for being a nice friend even when some others at school are not being nice.  Lucy, it’s really important to try and be like your Savior, Jesus Christ.  As you try to be like Him, by loving others, and being a good example, you will have great happiness in your heart.  It will just make you feel good.  You can always (even at school) or anywhere you are; say a prayer, and receive peace, comfort and help from your Heavenly Father…so talk to Him a lot, because He like to hear from youJ  We pray this year as you wear this token, you will remember who Lucy Mae Morse is, what she wants to be, what she wants others to think of when they think of her.  You can stand for goodness, kindness, honesty, and love.  You can be an example to others by just being yourself!  We love you bunches, and wish you a great year!!

Ellie

As you start Middle School, we want you to know how much we love you!  We want you to know that you are a daughter of God.  You have come to this earth for a purpose and a plan.  Your Heavenly Father has given you special talents and gifts that you can use to brighten and cheer others.  One of those gifts is your sense of humor.  You are funny, and have the biggest smileJ  Your laugh is contagious, and being around you makes people happy!  You are so good at getting Grant to laugh, as you tickle him and play silly games together.  You have been blessed with the gift of music.  We have watched you in choir for 3 years, and listened to that beautiful voice you have….don’t be afraid to share it with others—it is beautiful Ellie!  You catch on quickly to your piano music, and Ms. Elaine is always quick to tell us how polite and thoughtful you are, and that she loves having you as her student.  You are a hard worker.  You give 110% to those things you put your mind to.  You are sensitive.  Being able to be sensitive and being able to well up with tears, as you feel emotion is a gift, which also makes you sensitive to others feelings, and being able to see when they need help!  Your memory is amazing!  I could ask you anything about a movie or character name, and you would remember the name and what I was wondering.  You remind me of things that happened when you were little all the time—and I think, “oh yeah, that did happen”.  You are my extra “memory card” Ellie Grace! It is important Ellie, that you “Remember who you are”.  The world can be tough, and sometimes it’s easy to loose focus of our purpose that we were created by our Heavenly Father, and that we are loved by Him, and our family so much.  As you wear this token, we pray that it will remind you who you are, and who you are not, where you came from, where you are going, and who loves you the most!  As you follow The Savior, Jesus Christ we promise it will bring peace and happiness into your life………have a