Healthcare - by Maxine

Let me get this straight......we're trying to pass a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn't understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn't read it but exempts themselves from it. To be signed by a president that also hasn't read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn't pay his taxes, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that's broke.

What the hell could possibly go wrong?

2010 FHE Lessons

Here's a link from Sugardoodle for a file with FHE lessons for the whole year.  I love these lessons - they are short and sweet, perfect for my kids, and go along with the primary theme each month!  Thank you to whoever put this together - it's a huge timesave for me!

My Home as a Temple

I was reading in a book today and found this article called "My Home as a Temple".  It was a good reminder, especially for all of us stay-at-home moms, about all the mundane tasks we do.  We have all heard that our home can be a temple - but I sometimes just don't see it.  I really liked this article and how we can view all our chores and responsibilities as a good thing instead of something to suffer through.  Give it a read and tell me what you think. . . .

We are having a boy!

We are so excited!  He is due August 26th!

I Love to See the Temple

I love this video - I have seen it a couple places and finally took the time to watch it and was surprised to see a quote from my grandpa.  My favorite is the picture with the cotton fields in bloom.  That's what I think of when I think of Thatcher.  This is such a beautiful temple - I'm excited to take the kids to the open house and see the inside.

"She's perfect the way she is!"

I forgot to add this to the last post - but just wanted to jot it down so I don't forget it.

Last saturday night after the kids were in bed, I heard Kaden crying.  I went in to see what was wrong and he was just sobbing!

Me: What's wrong Kaden?
K: I just don't want Lexie to turn two tomorrow!  I have so much fun playing with her - I don't want her to change.
.....more sobbing.....
Me: She's going to be the same tomorrow even if she's two.  Do you think she's going to turn into a giant or something?
K:  No, but she's going to learn so many new words!  I just don't want her to get bigger!  She's perfect the way she is right now!

That of course, brings tears to my eyes.  Kaden can be such a sweet, sensitive, and affectionate little guy - he just doesn't show that side of himself very often.  Anyway - this was such a tender moment with him that I wanted to remember.

Lexie turns two!

I can't believe Lexie has turned 2!  It is so fun watching her grow up and see her personality come out more and more all the time.  Here's a little bit of journaling for my memory:

- Loves the movie Annie - it is her absolute favorite!  She walks around all day asking for "Anniiiieeee"

- Is obsessed with all things Dora
- loves shoes, purses, necklaces, and babies just like her big sister
- Is a little cuddle bug
- Wants to be rocked and sung to before going to sleep - asks for "tomorrow" from Annie, "up high" which is Twinkle, twinkle little star, or asks for the Dora song
- Is a very good eater, there are very few things she won't eat.  She seems to be a veggie and fruit lover.  Those are usually the first things gone from her plate.  She is also in love with any sauce - ketchup, bbq, dip ranch, etc.  She will dip her food in and lick all the sauce off - til all she's eaten is the sauce.
- Her very favorite food would probably be tomatoes - especially the little grape tomatoes.

- She is very animated and usually pleasant and fun to be around.  However - she is hitting her terrible two and starting to throw fits with the best of 'em!

- She is always concerned about how others are feeling and get upset when there is tension.  When someone is upset (or just coughing) - she goes and rubs their back and asks "Bubba, Ok? Momma, Ok?"  Until she is reassured they are fine.

- Is becoming quite the daddy's girl.  Her first question every morning is "Where's Dadda?"  Then asks "Sheet ah wuk" (sleep or work). 

- She always add your name onto the end of what she says: "ok, momma" "hi dadda" "done, momma"  The other day I asked her to do something and she smiled at me and sweetly replied "no, momma."  How can you be mad at that?

- Her hair is growing like crazy, something we definitely didn't experience with our bald little bailey!  I love Lexie's red - or more auburn hair.

- She loves to color and will sit at the table forever with bailey and color.  And she has always held a pencil or crayon the right way - not in her fist like I think is typical for toddlers.
- Her newest trick is to push a kitchen chair over to the counter, climb up on the counter, and get into my cupboards.  It is so annoying and she does it about 15 times a day!
- When she gets frustrated with me or if I don't understand what she is saying - she sighs really loud and puts her hands on her hips.  Sometimes she has way too much attitude for such a little girl.
- She is such a sweetheart and we are so glad she is part of our family!

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Just some quick pics from the little party we had for Lex - we celebrated on the 28th for our little Leap Day baby.  And Kaden reminded us all day that it was not REALLY her birthday and she wouldn't actually be one til the next Feb 29th . . . in 2012.  What a dork.

One of my favorite childhood memories was looking through my mom's cake book for hours and agonizing over what cake to choose that yearfor my birthday.  Last year my mom gave me her book (which was originally my grandma's) - it has definitely been very used and is held together with tape. I LOVE it!

So anyway - back to the point - Lexie and I looked through the cake books and she chose a gumball cake.  When we turned to that one she started yelling "Gum! Gum!" so we knew that was the one!

She got very excited when we lit the candles, but once we all started singing she looked at everyone like they were crazy!  It was hilarious.

She got lots of great gifts from grandparents and good friends.  Thanks to all those that sent gifts and thanks to HL, Kim, Jen, and Emery for coming to celebrate with us!

Happy Birthday Lex!  We sure love you!