I went out with a friend last night and had a very enjoyable time and a much needed break!
Anyhoo, when I got home V. was already asleep so I gave her a kiss then talked with Steve about what they did while I was gone. He said they went fishing then came home and had Mac & Cheese{V. would live off that if she could!}. He said that later in the evening she came into our room and had a downcast face and was humphing. He asked her what was wrong. She said{in a very serious tone}," I just don't understand. Almost all my toys are made in China. Why? Why is everything from China?"
At this point Steve is thinking that she's being all political or something and he was very surprised!
She then continued," All my toys from Santa say 'made in China' on them. I don't understand. Aren't they made in Santa's workshop? Does he HAVE a workshop? Why are they from China?"
Steve said he probably had the deer-in-headlights look at this point. He was like, "Where is this coming from? When did she get old enough to start asking questions like this?"
So he turned to joking and told her that maybe Santa made a stop in China on the way to our house for her toys or something.
 Then the next morning she approached me with the same questions. So I told her something like maybe Santa gets parts from China, or has workshops all over the world and has one in China, or something like that.
Anyway, he said she was very serious and seemed genuinely upset by all this.
It has us wondering if this is the year she stops believing in Santa. It's sad to think about her growing up. I have a friend who says in their house they say ,"If you don't believe you don't receive." She says none of her kids have ever asked about Santa{not even the teens}. If they start, they are just told,"If you don't believe you don't receive."
But I've always told V. that she can ask us anything and we'd always be truthful with her. I was thinking more along the lines of talking about life and such. I didn't think about Santa. So do I break her heart when she asks about Santa by telling her the truth or do I just say that I believe in the magic myself, because if you don't believe you don't receive. Or is that too cryptic for a child?
I guess we need to do some serious thinking about how to answer her when she asks....
p.s.
I have found a few ideas on Pinterest of ways to talk to our child about Santa. I think I might take a couple of those and change them to fit us and they way we talk with V.

Follow up on Relief Society night

Now that I have a few moments to myself I wanted to follow up on last Thursday's post. About Relief Society night.
We have had some crazy, crazy wind lately. But when you live in Idaho, it happens! Anyway, Thursday started out calm but a wind was starting to come up by evening. And we got a weather alert that we were in a strong wind warning until Saturday night. Steve made the comment, " What if it blows so hard that the power goes out tonight? We'll have this fireside by candlelight!" I think he was trying to lighten my stress but all I could think was, " Crap! What if the power goes out?! I'm in charge! Which means everyone will look to ME to solve things!" So I packed some candles and matches. Just to be safe. ;)
We all went to the church house where Steve set up 2 tables for the refreshments. Since I can't set up the tables because of my back. Then he and V. left to take her to my folks for the evening. I put out table clothes, cups and plates and napkins. Lemon water. And flowers. I LOVE fresh flowers! Then I waited.
I went into the Primary room and practiced my song by myself.
Then waited.
Then Sue, who was playing for me came and we ran through the song. I thought I'll be fine if I can just get the nerves out of my voice!.
Then waited.
Steve called to say he might be a little late. I was like," NO!!!" I need you here to calm my nerves!
Then Glen Rawson showed up. We chatted for a bit. I told him how when I first got this calling not quite a year ago I had a ton of ideas for R.S. Night flow out of my mind. I wrote them all down. His name was among the ideas. But I knew he was a busy man and I hated to take him away from his family so I put it off. But then towards the end of last year, his name just kept coming to my mind. Over and over. So I finally gave in to the prompting and talked to the Bishop about having him come. And now here we were doing a fireside with him! So I told him this was definitely the Lord's plan and I was so glad that he took the time to come do this for us. He said that doing firesides was actually therapeutic for him. So he was grateful, for the opportunity.
Anyway, then Steve showed up. Just in time! And he and his mom sat near the front where I could see them!
I got up and welcomed everyone. I think I said something kinda stupid. I hate conducting. We had our opening hymn and prayer and then I got up to introduce Bro. Rawson. I had asked him before hand if he wanted to be introduced a certain way or anything. He said it didn't matter, just short and sweet. Well, short it was! I just basically said what I had said in my post last Thursday. That he was my old Seminary teacher and that I felt like his teachings and enthusiasm for the Gospel really had an impact on me. Or I said something like that! Anyway, then I turned  the time to him and went to sit by Steve.
Glen Rawson's talk was amazing! He talked about Faith. He told some stories from the early saints. He stressed that we need to have more faith to do what the Lord wants us to do. Faith to fulfill our callings. Faith in all we do. He also said something to the effect that our faith is no less then the saints faith. Sometimes we hear their stories and think, " I could never have done that! They had such faith!" He said our Faith is just as strong today. Our trials are every bit as hard as the saints. We need to not put ourselves down. But just have the faith to do what's right. With faith all things are possible.
Then he had me sing, "When Faith Endures". This song has such a great message! Unfortunately there isn't a public recording of this song for me to share with you. And I'm not smart enough to figure out how to share the recording Courtney sent me in an email with you. Sorry! But I sang it well. I messed up one small part, but felt the Spirit with me and this song. And that's all that matters.
Anyway, I'm paraphrasing what all was said. And this is probably more of what I HEARD then what was SAID. But it was good. SO good. The Spirit was strong. I came away feeling uplifted and encouraged to do more. Steve really isn't a fan of listening to stories on the radio. And that's the only way he knew Glen Rawson. So he said hearing him in person was awesome. He loved his sense of humor, he loved his stories, and he loved the way Bro. Rawson told the stories.{Some people are just great story tellers.} Steve loved the stories about Ephraim and the Indians.  Steve said he felt the Spirit more than once during the evening.
Afterwards we all mingled and ate cupcakes and brownies. More than one person came up to me to thank me for this evening and to tell me this was exactly what they needed to hear.  Following the promptings of the Spirit to put this night together was good. People needed it. And to have someone tell me this was what they were needing in their lives right now is what made this evening a success.
I wish you all could have been there!
As Bro. Rawson would always say at the end of class, " The Church is True!"
P.S.
And the power never went out! It didn't get windy enough for that!

37 Reasons I Love Steve

Today is Steve's birthday. He turned 37! So I thought I'd share 37 reasons why I love him!{Even though there are many, many more!}

1} He makes me laugh!
2} He snores. Sometimes it keeps me awake, but usually the sound of his snoring is comforting.
3} He works hard to provide for us.
4} He encourages and supports my desire to be a stay at home mom.
5} I love when he grabs me and starts humming a tango tune and twirls me around and dips me.
6} I love the way his tongue sticks out a little when he is focusing/working on something.
7} He always lets me have the last piece of pie or cake.
8} He spoils our daughter {and me}.
9} I love when he starts tickling matches with V., or I or the both of us!
10} He takes me for rides in the mountains in the Fall because he knows I love Fall so much.
11} He loves me even when I say or do stupid things.
12} He is always the first to be humble and say sorry when we have a disagreement.
13} He sometimes brings a no-bake cookie home from the cafeteria at work for me because he knows I like them.
14} His facial wrinkles. I love knowing that those wrinkles are a sign of living life. Laugh lines,worry lines, lines from hard work, etc. I love that we are going through these life experiences together.
15} I love that he lets me warm my cold feet on his warm ones in bed.
16} He laughs at my jokes.
17} He makes me feel beautiful because he tells me I am.
18} He is a worthy Priesthood holder. And he uses his Priesthood power to heal and bless and lead us.
19} I love when he spends time with V. She adores him and he adores her. 2 peas in a pod they are!
20} He is forgiving. Many times I have said or done things that aren't right and are hurtful to others. He always forgives me.
21} He holds my hand.
22} He takes care of me when I'm sick. Or like now, with the restrictions I have because of my back he does my housework for me.
23} He brings me breakfast in bed every Mother's Day. { Usually donuts and hot cocoa.}
24} He holds his tongue and comments back when I'm being crazy. Like some of my O.C.D. things I do that really are rather silly but I HAVE to do anyway!
25} I love the way he snuggles up to me at night.
26} I love how he plays with V. and encourages her to follow her dreams.
27} He supports me in my hobbies and craft selling business.
28} He has been to almost all of my races and always has flowers or something for me when I finish.
29} I love when he puts his arms around me while I'm in the kitchen. And sometimes a kiss follows! ;)
30} I love that even though it seems like we always have a doctors bill needing to be paid off and it's usually because of me, he never complains about it or makes me feel bad about it.
31} I love how he sometimes will stay up late at night when I have a migrain and rub my head and neck until I fall asleep.
32} He is so patient with me.
33} He knows my favorite flower, color, candy, food, musicians, and most of my favorite movies.
34} I love how sometimes all we have to do is look at each other and immediately know what the other is thinking!
35} He is so easy going.
36} He is my calming agent. Back when I was in the Primary Presidency and it would be my turn to do Sharing Time, he would always stand outside in the hall where I could see him through the open door. I always got so nervous{ even had a panic attack a couple of times }. Being able to see him always comforted and calmed me.
37} He loves me. Just the way I am!

*Last night when Steve got home from work he came into the kitchen where I was preparing dinner and put his arms around me and kissed me and told me I was beautiful. Awww! I love how even though I've gotten fat and older he still compliments me and finds me beautiful! He also said he thought my hair looked real pretty {I hadn't washed it since the day before and had been to the gym so it was sweaty. But I DID curl it!}
The other night he said he loved how my skin smells. I was like, " hmm.....What does my skin smell like?" He said it smelled like I'd just washed with good smelling soap. .....So I guess my skin smells clean. That's good to know.
Anyhoo, I just love how he makes me feel good about myself and lets me know he loves me!

*Last night Steve also told me that if I end up having back surgery he'll be p.o.ed big time. At ME! He said I'll have brought it on myself.
He said all this after finding out I had vacuumed the house that day. As well as carried in groceries the other day. Etc, etc...
I told him how frustrating it is to sit around all day doing nothing and waiting for him and V. to get home and do my job for me. I mean, I'm a stay at home housewife and mother. It's my role, my job to take care of the house and everything. Then to be told that I can't do those things for a few months because of my stupid back is just..... I feel useless. Lazy. Frustrated. Anxious. Everything! I know I need to follow these restrictions so my back can heal. Steve said I need to let him and V. do those things for me. He says not to feel guilty asking for help. They WANT to help me out. I guess I'm just being too prideful...
I've also gained some weight. And all I can do is walk. A little of the elliptical. And I've been trying to eat better. But the weight just keeps going up. I can't wait till I can start jogging again. More frustrations....

*Tonight is Relief Society night . I'm so stressed. I always stress the day of R.S. night. I hate being in charge of things.{Yet I really am loving this calling! } And tonight we've invited the husbands AND the 3rd Ward to come as well. AND I'm singing. Stress, stress, stress. I just hope it all goes well, that people come away feeling uplifted and encouraged, and that I don't mess up this song. I don't have the melody written out. All I have are lyrics and a recording. So I've been listening to the recording over and over trying to get the melody stuck in my head! It's a very simple but lovely song.With a great message. Written by a girl I went to school with. Very talented gal. So anyway, I hope I do it justice!
 Glen Rawson is speaking to us tonight. And everyone's excited! He's like a local celebrity. When people are like," You know him?!"  I'm like, "yeah, he was my seminary teacher. He cool."  ;) No, but really, they say everyone has 1 or 2 leaders/teachers/adults in their young life that helps shape who they become and has an impact on them {aside from family members, of course!}. Bro. Rawson was definitely one of those to me. Through his teachings and stories and example I gained a stronger testimony of the Gospel. When life got hard, I was prepared spiritually to handle it. And my faith and testimony keep growing as I continue living life. {Some other teachers I had that I think had an impact on me was my Achievement day leader~Sis. Starzcky {s/p}, Young Woman leaders Sis. Rammell, Sis. Bitton, and Sis. Sorenson and my choir teacher~ Mrs. Mann.Plus many more! }
Anyway, Steve thought it was pretty cool when I approached our Bishop about having Bro. Rawson come speak to us and he was like,"Can you really get Glen Rawson?!" And I was said," He's an old friend. All I can do is call and see if he can come or not. No promises, as I know he's a busy man. But I'll ask."  But what Steve heard, " oh sure! Glen and I go way back! He's an old friend! I'll call him up!" Anyway, he thought that was cool....
{Bro. Rawson asked me to sing tonight. I didn't put myself in the program. I hope people won't think I'm trying to toot my own horn or something....}
*Sunday is Steve's Birthday. Just thought I'd put that out there...

Last day of Easter Break

Being a Monday, Steve had work. :( V. and I tried to talk him into calling in sick but he was already taking this next Friday off because family will be in town. So he got up early and went to work while V. and I slept in!
When V. woke up she asked if she could play the Wii. Sure, why not? So she did that while I got myself ready for the day and cleaned up a little.
Then we went to my chiropractor for my appointment. My back has been feeling much better. More like an achiness at times and not so much a pain. Good sign! Or so I thought.  Dr. Ellis has this table that I lay face down on, he straps my legs down, then stretches the table out a bit then lowers the table where my legs are. It's supposed to stretch my back. Or something. Anyway, we had gotten to the point that he could lower my legs a good amount without me feeling any pain in my back. But when he did it today he just barely started to lower my legs and I already felt pain! Which isn't good. He asked if I've been lifting heavy things or stuff like that. I told him no. I still have Steve help with the laundry and V. vacuums and all that. So he said maybe we started backing off too soon with treatments? Anyway, I see him again on Friday and we'll see how my back is doing then. I'm kinda bummed. I honestly felt like things were getting better...
After that V. and I went for a walk around Jensen's Grove. It's about a 1.75 mile walk. Then she played on the playground while I laid out in the sun and read. I love how easily kids make friends! We were there not 2 minutes and she already was running around with another girl and playing with her!
After that we got some groceries. I asked V. if we should pick up Subways while in town for lunch. She said," No. I like your cooking. I just want you to make me something. " Well, okay then! You compliment my cooking and I'll make anything for you! So we went home and had homemade mac & cheese.
 Then we did some reading and she did her piano practice. Then I got out my paints and she painted a little wooden bird house we had picked up last week at the store. Then she played outside with a neighbor girl until it was time to go to cheer. After cheer we ran to the library to sign her up for softball then home to dinner, bath and bed. It is a school night after all!
 This has been a very fun Easter break! Beautiful weather and lots of family time!
 

Easter Sunday!

Church doesn't start until 11:00. But I had choir practice at 10:00. Steve's early morning meeting was cancelled. So we had a quiet, relaxing morning.
V. has been singing with me at choir practice lately, but is too shy to actually get up and sing with the choir. Today she almost did, but then changed her mind. Sacrament meeting was beautiful! the Spirit of the Lord was there! The song the choir sang was lovely! A beautiful Easter Sunday service!
We went home after Sacrament meeting as V. said she wasn't feeling well. This has been happening a lot this year since we switched to this time block. Usually we get her home and she eats a little bit and is then fine. So I honestly think her tummy not feeling well is just hunger. She really hasn't ever experienced hunger. The last time we had this time block {11:00~2:00} was maybe 3-4 years ago. She was at an age where we still brought snacks for her. I've tried feeding her a bigger, later breakfast, but where we still have to be at the church for choir practice at 10:00 her breakfast is usually at 9:00~9:30ish. So she still gets hungry. But I guess we'll keep trying to help her adjust...
Since we were missing the last two meetings of church we decided to watch some movies about Christ and his Resurrection. Since that's what Easter is all about! We watched "He is Risen", a cartoon from the Living Scriptures series. Then we went old school and pulled out our VHS "the Lamb of God". One of my favorite shows! I also feel the Spirit so strong while watching that and usually end up crying! { Little side note here~ "the Lamb of God was filmed in Provo when I was young and my family lived down there. My Dad was an extra. Just a bystander. But one day one of the guys playing a guard didn't show up. So they grabbed my Dad. With his dark looks and full beard he looked the part! So you can see him in  a couple of scenes leading Christ to Pilate}.
I made brownies and we went to my folks for dinner and an egg hunt! Some of my brothers and sisters and their kids were there and it was sun! Steve and V. kicked the soccer ball around a little after the egg hunt.
Then we came home and relaxed and went to bed.
 

Easter Break Day 3

Since Steve had fallen asleep at like 5:00 the night before, he woke up around 3:00 am and made himself a sandwich then got into bed with me to watch t.v. I vaguely woke up, then went back to sleep. But then around 4:00ish I woke again. Steve turned the t.v. off and snuggled down into the bedclothes with me. We lay facing each other snuggling. {And no, that is not code for anything!} We just talked and talked until about 6:00. Then Steve got up and dressed and went out to the desert to do some glassing {look for deer and elk}. I didn't fall back asleep so I got up and had a nice, long, bubble bath!
 After V. finally woke up I made her breakfast and we just hung out. Then Steve called and said it was such a nice day did I want to call my Dad and see if he wanted to go shooting? My parents both bought pistols a few months ago and we kept saying we'd take them shooting but either the weather was crappy or our schedules were busy. Dad was excited to go. So after Steve got home we ran to the grocery store then out to pick up Dad. Steve took us out to the desert where there is a shooting range and we spent maybe 2 hours shooting. Dad hasn't shot a gun for quite a few years and I think he enjoyed himself! This was V.'s first time shooting and she did great! There was a glass bottle a couple of us tried to shoot and kept missing. She got it on her second try! Even though Steve has said he would take me shooting we never have gotten around to it. He had shown me how to load and hold his gun. But I have never actually shot it. So this was my first time as well and I loved it! I shot his pistol, .22 and shotgun. {I also got a little sun burnt. But no one else did. I'm just the fairest one in the family!}
After that we took Dad home and came home to have a late lunch. Then Steve and V. went fishing. While they were gone I took a nap, did laundry and went to the gym. Yay me!
They had a lot of fun even though they didn't catch anything. They stopped to help someone who was stuck in the mud, rode the 4 wheeler and V. got stung by a bee. It had crawled up her pants leg and when she went to scratch it stung her. Steve said she cried a little but was pretty brave about it. They came home happy and overflowing with excitement to tell me all about everything they had done!
We had dinner then to bed. V. fell asleep quickly, she was so tuckered out!

Day 2 of Easter Break

Day 2:
Steve had an Union meeting in I.F. this morning. So V. and I went with him. She and I hung out at the Mall where she played on the indoor plaything while he had his meeting. Afterwards we got some errands ran followed by lunch at Applebee's. { Steve's sister had given us a gift card for there for Christmas }.
Then we came home and tinkered around getting stuff done.
Then we had a family bike ride through the neighborhood until a training wheel fell off of V.'s bike. { Yes. She still has training wheels. She's a little afraid of hurting herself and can't seem to let go of them... }
Then Steve fell asleep. V. and I ate sandwiches for dinner followed by a warm bath for V.  I think I might take a bath myself later on....
Steve promised V. he'd take her fishing today or tomorrow. He stayed up late last night preparing hooks and she has been talking about it all day! Unfortunately it was too windy today. So they both are hoping for good weather tomorrow so they can go then! Her motto today {and tomorrow} is 'Keep Calm and Go Fishing!'

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