License to Kill and Authority to Call You as Nursery Leader (updated)

I love our ward. Everyone is very friendly, outgoing and the leadership is really on the ball. Our bishop is great and an inspired leader and it doesn't hurt that he looks like Daniel Craig (James Bond) either. I say that people look like other people quite frequently but even Tim agrees. He says he looks like a less worldly version of him. He sits up front with the brooding bishop look that looks an awful lot like Daniel Craig's famous pucker. Having a bishop that looks like James Bond makes for a lot of fun. We joke about being in the 007th ward and that the Relief Society president is "Sister Moneypenny".

Tim loves to humor me and teases me incessently about it. A few weeks ago the Bishop spoke in Primary when we were substitute teaching. First Tim points out that the Bishop has a scratch under his eye.

"Look Kristin, he's been in a fight!" Then the bishop proceeds to tell a story about when he was recently in Korea (he was in Sweden last week) . He was driving along the freeway and noticed a mother duck and her ducklings following her, walking along the highway. He spoke of how important it is to stay away from danger and not cross any lines. Tim exclaimed,

"Impresive that he could notice something like that while he was fighting the driver for control of the wheel."

Today bishop, tomorrow who knows what. We may someday have a general authority who can kick your butt or take it to church.

(The general authority picture is obviously photo shop with a picture of Daniel Craig, but so is the other one in case you were wondering. I would love to get a real picture but it would be kind of awkward to ask for one. I should volunteer to make a ward photo directory, start with the bishopric and then just give up. )

Blast from the Past

In the last two weeks I have been contacted by 4 friends from my past (10 years or more since I have seen them.) Crazy No? It has been awesome and it feels like I am stuck in an episode of "This is Your Life"

First an old friend from BYU commented on a blog out of the blue last week. We got in touch and she passed our e-mail on to two more friends that we all spent time with. We exchanged e-mails and now we keep in touch with two of them with our blogs. Blogs are awesome! I dont' think we would stay in touch as well if we didn't have them. They are part of my social circle even though they are miles away. Happy to have you back in our lives girls! Sarah, GET A BLOG!

Then yesterday I get a call from an old friend of my brother and I. Actually he was more my big brothers friend, and being my brother's friend, I chased the poor boy incessently in much of highschool. He was a good sport through it all though and was always a friend so I have forgiven him for not returning my hormone ridden affections long ago.

Anyway, I found him through Classmates.com about a year and a half ago. We got caught up and then kind of went on with our lives. He called yesterday to tell me he is marrying the girl he was dating in highschool. They had both gone their seperate ways long ago but have managed to get together again after all these years. They are having the wedding in Salt Lake City and wanted to know if we could come. How awesome is that?

To add to that, my family knew both his family(my mom met his parents on a trip to Israel and were good friends before they moved into our ward), and the brides family and they will all be there too of course. They are also inviting some other people we knew. We were all in the same ward in Germany. This will be a great reunion. I am so excited to see all of them again.

There is something grand and deeply meaninguful to me about seeing old friends again after many years. I think it has something to do with the "Circle of Life" (Disney, Lion King. . . I don't want to be sued for copyright infringement) It is a reminder of how small this world is and how short our lives really are. I am still the same person I was 10, 20 years ago and I am able to be grateful for everything that has happened in my life, then, now and everything in between.

I am feeling very blessed to have all these old friends to add to the great new ones I have made in the last few years. How does the song go "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold" I don't think any of you are silver however.

Signs of Spring

I know spring is here when it is warm, when blossoms peak out and so do my toes. Time to take off the cozy socks and boots and throw on the sandals. This seldom comes without a realization that my feet have been sadly neglected. As much as I want to throw on my sandals, there is no way I am going to until I give my feet a little TLC first. Mostly I am referring to my toe nails needing a fresh coat of paint or too. It is frustrating though when you want to wear your sandals today but your toddler is already halfway out the door and you don't have time to paint your nails so you just put on your sneakers again and promise yourself PEDICURE TONIGHT!

Reverence can be hard

This is Sam's new "ready to pray" pose. I guess sometimes you have to listen VERY carefully to hear that still small voice.

Aiming to Please

Tim was showing me yesterday how I can learn all kinds of cool things about the people who are looking at my blogs. Like how they came across it, what they were looking for and where they live.

Apparently someone Googled "Jameson Parker" and "shirtless" and found my blog. This is because I mentioned Jameson Parker as one of my endless list of crushes through my lifetime (hey, I was 10 ok!), and then the next blog talked about my toddler being shirtless. I am guessing the person who checked my blog was quite disappointed. But NO LONGER! I aim to please with my blog so here you go! If you want to find a picture of Jameson Parker shirtless, "Uff Dah!" is where to be! Happy Easter IP Address12.4.225.25 in West Virginia!!!!!!!

The Joyous Moments of Motherhood.

It is days like these that make it amazing our kids make it to another birthday.

Moms, tell me you have not had to deal with this yourselves. This morning Sam was carrying around Elisabeth's scarf wanting to wear it like a cape. I told him he could when I changed him out of his pjs. After changing the boys clothes Lincoln had gotten ahold of the scarf. I started putting it on him and of course Sam was upset and I told Lincoln I was sorry but I had promised it to Sam. He threw a tizzy of course. So I found Joe's cape and asked Lincoln if he wanted to wear that instead...he said "NO!" in no uncertain terms. I offered it to Sam who was more than happy to trade. So now Lincoln could have what he wanted and Sam was happy too. Unfortunately it wasn't that easy. Lincoln then chimes "I want Joe's cape!" and cried and wailed about it for an hour. AAAAAAAAAAAGH! I told him "You were offered it and you said no, you had your chance"...Then he tried another tactic. ."I said yes!" It is going to be one of those days. TGIF!!!

Happy Birthday Lincoln!

Today is Lincoln's birthday. He turns 5 and I am excited. I love age 4 and 5 because they are getting more logical and more interesting to talk too and they seem to mellow out quite a bit too. At the same time they hold on to the cuteness of a little child for just another year or two.

Last night we took him to see "The Body", an I-Max film at the Clark Planearium. He is really into learning about what is inside his body right now and how everything works. He thought it was pretty cool. I am not sure it was worth the cost unless you are doing it for a birthday present for your kid. We are going to take them to see the "Sesame Street: The Body" exhibit next month for Sam's birthday. We took Lincoln to the same museum for his 3rd Birthday.

Last night was a celebration for me too. I realized how free I felt. I wasn't carrying any kids or even pushing a stroller. Sam not only could do the stairs on his own, he demanded it. FREEDOM! For the past almost 10 years I have not been with out a kid 2 and a half or younger in tow and heavily pregnant at the same time. I am liking this stage of my life A LOT!

My first indication of Lincoln's personality was when he was a baby and when I wanted to change him he would run from me, but he would look back and laugh the whole time. He likes to be in charge but he is a pretty nice (but determined) boss. He gets what he wants and isn't afraid to ask for it. . . . again, and again. . . and again. He doesn't take no for an answer, but he can be very sweet and generous and is very affectionate.

When we went camping and hiking last summer, he appeared to be in his element and loved every minute of it. So he shares that with me and I am thrilled. He is a fun kid to watch grow up. Whatever he decides to be when he does grow up, I think he will do very well at it. Happy birthday my thumbsucking, hair twirling friend. You are truly an adventure.

Spouse vs Spouse Tag

How did you meet your spouse? We officially met at BYU after our missions. We were both at Deseret Towers in a special RM ward. The first time I met Tim was a year before that through an article I read in the Church news (one of those, send in your personal experience things) I read the article in one of my mission apartments because the page was attached to the fridge. I was impressed that one response sounded so much like something I would think or say. I was very comforted by the fact there was someone else out there who thought so much like me. I found the same article in Tim's mission scrapbook while we were dating a year later. . .with his name at the bottom.
Where did you go on your first date? The Provo temple. Tim was in charge of organizing a ward temple trip for the RMs. I was the only one who went besides him.
How long have you been together? We dated a year and have been married for 12 years in May. So almost 13. The best years of my life.
Who eats more? Pasta and Rice- Tim Sweets- me
Who said I love you first?I think it was me
Who sings better? We both took a singing class at BYU at different times. I got an A. He got an A-. Interprete that as you will.
Who is smarter? I think we are equal. If that isn't a fair answer. Tim is smarter. Certainly more talented.
Who does the laundry? Me. I am home more hours and it takes a lot of time.
Who does the dishes? Mostly me, but if it is his week to do dishes, he does them after dinner and weekends
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Tim
Who pays the bills? Me
Who mows the lawn? Mostly me, but he helps sometimes. I think I enjoy it more and I don't have allergies like he does so it is less pleasent for him.I grew up with big brothers so my dad didn't let me mow the lawn. I feel closer to my dad when I mow the lawn for some reason. My last rebellion. :^)
Who cooks dinner? I think we are equal on this one. I make more simple meals however and he makes the fancy stuff.
Who drives when you are together? Tim. He drives faster and seems to enjoy it more.
Who is more stubborn? Tim. Not by much though.
Who is the first to admit when they’re wrong? Probably me. Tim likes to argue..not on an emotional level but for fun. We often have the problem however when after an arguement we both think the other person won. We carry out the other persons plan and that causes problems all over again.
Whose parents do you see the most? Since my parents have both passed away we only see Tim's parents. That isn't saying much since we see them only once a year in most occasions. I hate that they are so far away.
Who kissed who first? It was mutual
Who proposed? Tim. . .although I heard from another source he was planning on it so I kind of rushed it along.
Who has more friends? His friends are married to my friends for the most part so it it pretty equal. I have more friends from earlier years but he has more friends from work so it balances out.
Who has more siblings? Tim does. He has 3 siblings and I have two.
Who wears the pants in the family? One time I asked him if he could watch the kids and their friends while I went to see Casino Royale (James Bond movie). He said ok, but first he had to go to Micheals (a craft store) Our gender roles might be a little askew. He prefers to cook, I prefer to mow the lawn. I do think Tim wears the pants in the family. . . .but only 'cause I let him. :^) It is really quite equal.
I tag anyone who is willing to answer it. I am most interested to hear from Lis, Heather, CarrieAnne, Wendy and Andrea.

One of those days

I can tell already it is going to be (another) one of those days. It started when I ran over Joe's skateboard as I backed out of the drive way to go to Moms and Muffins. I heard a crunch and got out to see it had been chopped in half. GREAT! Then I hurt Tim's feelings and I wont go into detail how because I don't want everyone to know what a truly selfish jerk I can be.

The bad start of the day. . . (those two things before 8am even) plus a rainy gray day and starting to get deeply into a good book tell me that the baskets of clean laundry I was sure would finally get taken care of today will still be waiting for me tomorrow.

The high point of today is that I have found a real treasure of a book and this morning I got to the point where I am really in it and have a hard time putting it down. "Suite Francaise" is set in World War II. It was written by Irene Nemirovsky, an author who lived and died in that era. She actually wrote at least part of the book in a concentration camp and died there. It is SOOO good. I had been repeatedly considering that book at Borders but didn't have the courage to actually buy it until I read a review. I think it is going to be one of my favorites.

Vote: Donuts for Moms

Around this time of year my kids school has two early morning events. One is "Donuts with Dads", and then the next month "Muffins with Moms". I think these are great activities. You bring your parent and a book and you read together. Free food too! I have one complaint though. I like donuts better than muffins. I think it is unfair that just because donuts start with 'D' like 'Dads' he gets the donut and I am stuck with half of a muffin (yeah they cut them in half to add to the insult). I like muffins and the ones they have are the yummy Costco ones, but I can genrally justify a muffin in my regular diet. Donuts on the other hand are more decadent andI need an excuse to justify having them. "Donuts with Damn Good Moms" would be a great excuse to have a donut!

Political Gossip in the Elementary Schools.

The election has reached a new low. Joe reported to me yesterday that he heard something really disturbing about Hillary Clinton. A student told his class that if Hillary Clinton becomes president she will make the kids go to school on Saturday! I don't know if we have McCain or Obama to blame for such deviousness but they should be ashamed of themselves. Not that we need another reason not to vote for Hillary, but come on guys, Elementary schools ?

The Book Tag

My sister-in-law tagged me with this one. This time it is a little less time consuming however. Here are the rules
1. Pick up the nearest book (with at least 123 pages) or the book you are currently reading
2. Turn to page 123
3. Find the 5th sentence
4. Post the next three sentences
5. Tag 5 people

"As the healthcare system went into crisis, nearby hospitals had begun to refuse more and more of the bottom rung of patients because they couldn't afford to care for people without insurance. In earlier days, these other hospitals had covered a certain amount of the expense of that care and the federal reimbursement policy for the care of the poor had been more generous. Now the homeless who showed up in these other emergency rooms were shipped out to the community system immedietly, as the long term care facilities in the country had decreased, the demand for beds in this hospital had become intense. "
Of Two Minds: An Anthropologist looks at American Pyschiatry by T.M. Luhrmann. Chapter Three, The Culture and it's Contradictions

I tag:
Andrea
CarrieAnne
Lis
Heather
Wendy

Teacher Development

Yesterday was another teacher development day so the the kids had a day off. My kids were speculating over breakfast, what teachers do on teacher development day. Elisabeth said her teacher told her they train all day and asked,

"Does that mean they shoot at targets?"

Joe then added "Yeah, in the game Worms that's what they do in training".

I answered. "Yep. They need to keep the kids in line somehow!"

Battle of the Pants

I have "fat pants" and "skinny pants". Unfortunatly at the end of December all of my "fat pants" decided to grow holes in ackward places. So I threw all but two out. Now here I am trying to lose my holiday weight and in much need of "fat pants" and don't have enough. The debate I am having is do I buy more "fat pants" or have faith in myself that I can fit into my skinny pants soon enough that I wont keep getting stomach aches. I have two pairs of them so it isn't like I don't have any. I have been exercising the last two weeks so my hopes are high that my skinny pants will someday fit nicely again but it isn't happening nearly as fast as I would like.