This Week...

-The boys helped me shuck corn for the first time. Daniel ate and James did all the work. He even loaded the husks into his dump truck and then dumped them into the trash can.
- We had friends over for s'mores in our back yard. We kind of just lit some coals back there and made it work. The boys loved stepping outside and into the mountains!
- I was able to go to a couple of Education Week classes at BYU. It was sooo good and I'm so glad that Mikey let me get away for two evenings. Lizzie told me to go to Chef Brad, the "Grain Guy" and I'm glad I did. He uses lots of grains that we usually don't think about or know anything about using.
- I finished my 2nd half marathon on Saturday. Now I'm walking like my Mom before her two hip surgeries. Glad I did it but probably don't need to do that one again.
- Ama left for El Centro, California for a 3 month job assignment. We miss her. Luckily we are loving owning her kitty while she's away.
- Spent some time at TP in the gardens, at the main garden, and Mike and I were able to get away and eat at the Restaurant there.
- Daniel was invited and went to his first birthday party.
- James got a hold of the scissors and took a chunk of hair of in the very front. I guess every kid has to do that at least once during their childhood. Next time it will probably be Daniel's hair that he goes after.

Quotes from James:
"I hungry. For Snacks."
"I want to tickle Daniel. Daniel LIKES it."
After putting on his red sunglasses: "I'm Awesome." Then later, "I cool."

- Quotes from a friend's blog:

"If I had my child to raise all over again,

I’d finger paint more, and point fingers less.

I’d do less correcting and more connecting.

I’d take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.

I would care to know less, and know to care more.

I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.

I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I’d run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I’d do more hugging, and less tugging.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I’d teach less about the love of power, and more about the power of love."

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

The Cleaning and Scrubbing will wait till tomorrow. 
For Children grow up, as I've learned to my Sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs. Dust, go to Sleep.
I'm rocking by Baby and Babies don't keep.
Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

The biggest realization I had at Ed Week while sitting in a classroom listening to a couple in their 70's and being surrounded by grandparents is that life goes fast. This busy child-rearing stage in life flies by but will be the bulk of my memories.

I hope they are more of my husband and children and less of trying to do it all and be it all.