DAY 14

I canned 90 pints of salsa today with 2 friends.

Need I say more?

DAY 13

Today was a random day of craziness.  Picking Camden up from school at noon puts a damper on trying to get things done.  But it's good.

After running all over town trying to find cute knobs and hooks for "operation shutters"(more info to come), I got a call from Andrea.  She had hit the jackpot.  She randomly came across a huge assortment of goodies and saved the day.

Both yesterday and today Camden got a little emotional at bedtime.  He started crying and said, "I'm just having a bad day and don't know why".  I'm pretty sure school is wearing him out and he has never felt this exhausted at night.  And if he is anything like his mama, the more tired he gets the more emotional he becomes.

Speaking of being tired.  I'm exhausted and need to get to bed.

DAY 12

I cannot for the life of me, remember that Wednesday is late start day at school.  It's probably gonna be the death of me every week.  I pulled up to drop Camden off and the green flag wasn't out.  The green flag is hung ten minutes before school starts which means there is a teacher on duty at the playground.  The kids are welcome to play until the bell rings as long as the flag is up.  Camden insisted on me letting him out this morning even though the flag wasn't up.  Once I pulled around the circle it dawned on me, late start!  Shoot, better luck next week.

After school we all got to hang at the park with the kids in Camden's class.  It was Ethan's birthday and his mom planned a picnic for all the moms and kids.  It was a fun way to get to know other parents and for our kids to get to know each other better.

As we were leaving one of the boys said goodbye to Camden and he replied with, "see ya later dude".  The little boy turned to me and said, "He calls everyone dude, and it's funny!"  I was laughing so hard.  Camden is just like his dad and can't ever remember names, so he just calls people dude.  Oh man.

On a random side note, Jace has been getting extra cranky around lunch time.  So I recently started giving him more "quiet time".  He willingly goes into his room and chooses to take a nap.  It doesn't happen everyday, but he and I can both tell when he needs it.  Today was one of those days.

Tonight after soccer practice we walked to the car and Camden had his head looking at the ground.  I asked him if he was ok and he told me he wasn't.  He said he felt "pretty sad" because I hadn't told him "good job at practice".  My observant man had noticed when I told all the kids goodbye I said, "thanks for coming and good job today".  But because I didn't tell Camden goodbye and didn't say the exact same thing to him, he felt bad.  Geez I'm rude.  I know he is sensitive and I need to try harder to see things from his perspective.

DAY 11

Jace and I had a very eventful day.  We built cities, delivered "important stuff" around the world in our train, fought "evil bad guys", saved the day, learned new tricks on the trampoline, ate the last of the butter pecan ice cream, had much anticipated play dates, and ran around in our underwear.  It was awesome.

If you know me at all you know that I am sort of a nudist, well at least I am when I live in my own house.  This is something that came pretty natural to Camden, but Jace never cared for it much.  You bet I loved it when he got so busy playing that he totally forgot he didn't put his pants back on after he went potty.  I knew it wouldn't last for ever so I captured it on camera.  Too cute.

Right before dinner the boys asked if they could have two M&M's and I said of course.  My reply was a little perplexing for Jace.  I tried not taking offense when he looked up at me and asked, "Mommy are you  nice today?".

When I reminded Camden that tomorrow is his day for show and tell, he came out looking like this.  He wanted to take his dad who has to work at that time, so he decided a cross between Iron Man and Wolverine is the next best thing.  I tend to agree.

If you look closely you can see a stamp on Camden's hand.  He proudly displayed it which lets everyone know he ran a lap around the track today.  He also informed us that everyone wanted to touch his fohawk because it was pokey.

I sure didn't get any toilets cleaned today, better luck tomorrow.

DAY 10

Ironing has never been a favorite of mine.  In fact, I can't even tell you the last time I ironed something for my husband.  He knows better than to expect or want that from me.  It ain't happening!  But wrinkled church clothes is right up there on my list of things I don't like.  So I recently started something new with how I tackle my ironing dilemma.  I like to iron my boys church clothes as they come out of the wash.  That way there is no scrambling the morning of trying to get things pressed.  If it's hanging in the closet it is ready to be worn.  Can I tell you how much I love seeing 8 pair of neatly pressed pants and several button up shirts all ready for church?  Mmm...does my heart good.  And if you would have told me to do this a year ago, I would have laughed in your face.  But it works for me now and I'm gonna embrace it.

So today after I sorted, washed, folded, hung up, and put away 9 loads of laundry, I couldn't help but feel proud seeing my bundle in the laundry room.  I am normally the one who leaves it sitting in the dryer for an entire day because I loathe anything after sorting and putting it in the washing machine.  Today I conquered something big.  Here's to hoping I can accomplish just as much in the cleaning toilets department tomorrow.

Oh and one other thing today...

We were driving to school and I reminded Camden about being respectful and kind and watching out for those kids who might feel lonely.  His response, "I always do that because Heavenly Father made me."  When I asked him what he meant by that he said, "That's what Heavenly Father would do and He made me to be like him, so I am".  I wanted to bottle up that knowledge and save it just in case he loses sight of that simple truth in his future.

DAY 9

I was grateful Jace woke up okay with going to church today.  A typical Sunday consist of me waking him up at 8:30, fighting him to wear church clothes, changing his tie 10 times because he refuses to wear it, and trying to negotiate whether or not he has to attend his own class.  Rushing to get him in the car, begging him to at least eat a granola bar, and then convincing him nursery is fun.  So today was a welcomed blessing.  I am grateful he woke up on his own, willingly ate breakfast, didn't make a fuss about his clothes, and went to nursery happily.

Right before our meeting started Camden's friend Tessa came up to him and regretfully said she was moving.  Her dad accepted a job offer in Utah and she wanted to be the first one to tell him.  She said, "I have to move a long ways away and won't see you.  I am moving out of this world".  It was the cutest thing I've ever seen.  Camden just sorta nodded his head and looked at her before inviting her over for a water fight.

I am grateful for the innocence of my children at this age.  I've been thinking a lot about how quickly they will grow up and the huge responsibility that lies on me to teach them good things.  It pains my mother heart to know they will make choices in their lives that will be hard.  And it eats at me to the core that I need to instill in them the ability to make the correct choices which can bring them true joy.  I wish their innocence would stay forever.

This afternoon I was making a treat and Camden asked if he would like what I was making.  I jokingly told him, "no way, it is pure sugar and you will hate it".  He listened carefully and didn't ask again.  It hit me that he trusted me(even though I was totally kidding), he didn't need to further question my answer.  He knew I knew and he was ok with that.  The clock is ticking and it's not in my favor.  I recognize that he won't always trust everything I say enough to not even question.  But I hope he and Jace will always try and remember that I love them, and want nothing but the best for them.  I hope they can trust me.  

Tonight I attended a parent/youth fireside and was grateful for the instruction.  We were taught three steps on how to bring our children "home":

1. Always teach them with love

2. Always teach the right thing.

3. Always teach at the right time.

I am slowly catching on to when my children learn best.  I love that I have been able to recognize that it is very different for both of them.  I hope I can be patient enough to teach them both in the way they need to be taught.  I hope I can continue to recognize and learn what they both need and how they need it.

I love these three boys of mine.

DAY 8

Today we got to watch and participate in the the first ever Red Soccer Snakes game.  Camden's team was so excited to play their first game and Jace was just as excited to be the official snack bag holder.

We arrived about 30 minutes before the game started and Camden kept asking when it was his turn to play. It felt like the worlds longest 30 minutes for both of us.

Camden is thrilled beyond words to be part of a team and asked me if I would take of picture of him with his "buddy" Graham.

When Camden took his turn to sit out he started a chant with his other team mates.  "Go Snakes go!  Go Snakes go!"  It was pretty funny to see them getting into it.  So when it was his turn to play in the game, he was so worried about wanting Jace to start the cheer, he forgot to play soccer. 

After baths tonight Camden's job was to work on his homework.  Seeing how it isn't due until Wednesday, I told him he only had to do half of it tonight.  He took it very seriously and insisted on completing both sides tonight.  He was very proud and wanted to explain everything he was doing to Jace.  I'm glad he was more willing to do homework tonight because he cried buckets the first time I asked.

Jace's job tonight was to hand out licorice and entertain.  He did an incredible job at both.  Should I care that the boys ate a handful of licorice right before bedtime?  Cause I don't.  Oh and they had a peach milkshake with dinner too.  Whoops!