Boys and Girls.....

Lets not say mean things to our friends at school, it can really hurt their feelings."

That is how this conversation began- with the cutest little 4 year old's in preschool last week.

One boy instantly said "I know it hurts people just like the mean people that hurt Jesus"
Another boy says "I know, because they didn't even know he was good."
and from there- the sweetest conversation about Jesus between 8 little boys and one girl went something like this:
"They put thorns on his head and it really, really hurt him, and they didn't even say sorry!"
"And they made him drink yucky stuff that probably gave him a tummy ache."

"Well, I never knew Jesus"

"I do because I saw the pictures and they even hurt his hands with big nails."
"And even his feet got the nails, because they didn't even know to be nice to him."
"So probably we should be nice."
"Cuz we don't want thorns on our heads"
"And I don't want nails on my hands."
"And not even my feet! That would hurt!"

They all nodded their little heads in agreement and went right back to work!
What sweet little testimonies!

Now, just so I don't get in trouble- in preschool we always try to stop the discussion of religion with sweet reminders that this is school and lets talk about that with our friends later- but this little conversation started so suddenly and these kids could not be deterred from completing it- and I was happy to have been a fly on the wall at that moment!

Being grateful.....

Today- I am grateful for my husband.
Because....
1) He makes me laugh! We took Jayce to see Megamind (Very cute show) and right in the middle of the movie I hear this loud snorting snore- and I thought "No WAY! That can not be my husband!"
It was!

2) He has described to me in very vivid detail the may ways that a woman could be murdered or even seriously injured by a wire hanger. He refuses to believe the "family Heirloom" story- he refuses to listen to my reasoning. So I guess I will have to listen to his- so I promise that next time this man wants a ride, I will have him place the family heirloom in the very back of the car so it is out of his hands.

Dear Homeless people,

For some reason you are drawn to me- or maybe I am drawn to you.
I offered to buy you lunch at Golden Coral, where a few friends and I were dining, and you turned me down but gladly took $5 to take yourself to Burger King (or took the nearest liquor store). Either way, I am glad to have lifted your spirits. No pun intended.
Just today you were brave enough to approach me while I was sitting in my car at the gas station. You asked if I could take you to your "seester's house in Meeedvale, Utah.) Since I was already in Midvale and the address you had written down was just down the street, I agreed, knowing full well that my phone was somewhere in my car, the battery dead, and I had no way to fight off a full grown man of Mexican descent, who smelled really bad and was holding a metal hanger in his hand. By way of conversation I asked about the hanger. You explained with teary eyes and I have no idea what you said. So for my own peace of mind I decided that the hanger came all the way from Mexico with you- a treasured family heirloom, and you are anxious to give it to your seester, whom you will be greeting in just a few moments. That's my story.
The look on your face when we pulled up to your sisters home and she opened the door was priceless! I will never forget that smile! I am glad to have helped you today!

Pay backs and Temptations

The lesson of the week- Pay backs are AWESOME!
Last year in Kindergarten there was a little person that could be rude and a little mean. Fast forward to first grade- as I was picking Jayce up on Tuesday I was approached by several of his class mates. Apparently someone had thrown up in class, and they were anxious to tell every one they could tell. Jayce didn't say anything about it so when I asked him he grinned form ear-to-ear and said "Yep- pay backs are AWESOME!" Someone threw up on that mean little persons desk and chair. The conversation continued as I tried to explain to Jayce that he too can be rude and a little mean sometimes, and he wouldn't have appreciated this type of pay back...... somehow it went from that to how AWESOME it would be to have someone throw a pie in his face as a pay back.............. I think I am giving up on this one for today!

And temptations. Baylie is 16- she should be facing all sorts of temptations, but I fear that it is her mother that is being tempted! There was that day a few weeks ago that i was tempted to punch her right in the face! I put myself in time-out, I read from the good book, I prayed, and I hummed my favorite tune. I was still tempted to punch her right in the face! It took a few days- but I have overcome this temptation for now- only to be faced with another. Baylie has suddenly become superstitious. She has not washed her game jersey or her game socks- they must remain smelly and sweaty throughout the season. This obviously brings good luck to her and the poor girls that have to smell her. She really stinks! Her soccer bag is unbearably smelly! Her socks stand up on their own! I have been tempted daily to throw that smelly mess into the wash! I have never wanted to do laundry so badly! There is only one more game and then the stink can go away!

Some people have a way of making even ME look smart....

A few weeks ago I went into Baylie's school to give them more money- I feel like that school needs regular access to my bank account- there is always something else to pay for. This particular purchase was a soccer team jacket that will not arrive until after the soccer season is over. The financial office was closed so they couldn't run my debit card so i had to write a check and leave it in the office with the receptionist.
The check looked something like this:

Ross Fowlks
Shelli Fowlks
our address
My cell # (Hand written- quite large- couldn't miss it!)

To: MHS
the amount

For: Soccer Jacket- Baylie Fowlks Student #-----

All signed and set and ready to go.

So, here is how my conversation went with the lady- who we will call "L"

"L" What is the payment for?
me- to purchase a soccer jacket
"L" Who is the jacket for?
me- Baylie Fowlks- I put her student ID # on the check
"L" Okay. let me get some information from you. Its for soccer and her name is Jacket Baylie- maybe that should be Jackie Baylie- let me just change that so I can read it-
me- No her name is Baylie and its for a soccer jacket-
"L" (very puzzled, takes a long look at the check "so you meant for it to say soccer jacket- Baylie Fowlks?'
me - yes
"L" okay, i will need her last name
me its on the check and my husband and my name are the same
"L" so what is it?
me-Fowlks
"L" How do you spell that?
me- F O W L K S
"L" I wont remember that so we better write it down. can you spell it again?
me- Its written on the check and printed there-
"L" Spell it again, please.
me "F O W L K S
L prints this right next to my name on the check and the says "Oh its right here isnt it? " amd takes a red pen and circle the printed Fowlks.
"L" and your phone #?
me I wrote it on there for you
"L" Just give it to me again in case there is a problem-
me- I give it too her gain and she writes it next to where I wrote it.
"L" okay Thank You I think that is all we need- but I will call you if there are any questions.

Seriously, I felt for her- she was having a moment and I had to witness it. I think i have had a few of them myself!

HOMECOMING! 2010

The invitation to Homecoming came a little after 10 PM one night- Baylie had already gone to bed so we had to wake her up. She stepped onto the front porch and music began playing. Suddenly a good sized group of male dancers (visualize Spartonians)- come running into the circle and then they performed a really great dance for her. It was too dark so the pictures didn't turn out, but it was really very impressive! At the end of the dance the boys ripped of their shirts and then ran back to wherever they came from, leaving Bay with a note inviting her to the dance, from Tyson.
She thought she was dreaming- so she shrugged her shoulders and went back to bed. Later that night she convinced herself that it had to have been a dream and, with all those shirtless boys, not a bad dream at all. Silly Girl!

So the prep for the dance is shear torture- she hates to shop- she prefers to wear soccer shorts and slippers and T-shirts- in fact, I meant to check before she left, but I am pretty positive that she has her soccer shorts on under her dress and I am guessing the heels came off as soon as she was out of my eye sight. Kelcey dolled up her hair and insisted on make-up! So, she was looking pretty cute- and Tyson is a very nice young man-and a soccer player as well- a little something in common!

A new job-- plus

Jayce has a new job. Turns out he has a talent for begging for money. The neighbors cute kids set up a little toy sale after school each day- and he is their door to door guy. He literally goes to every door in our circle and invites them to come to the toy sale EVERY DAY! Because its his job- one day he came home with a pocket full of money and when I asked what he sold this was his reply. "Well, Aunt Suzie gave me money for absolutely nothing, and her friend bought the magnet that I had in my pocket."
It pays to live by family I guess. Thanks Aunt Suzie and her friend! He wonders if Uncle Mike has more money than a dollar on him- I guess we will have to see. (Mike- if I were you, I wouldn't answer the door!)

And there is more funny news- He also believes he is a Leprechaun! The reason- he has funny shaped ears AND he loves gold- so it must be so! While driving to our recent family vacation- he spotted "A HERD OF GOLD!" To me it appeared to be a hillside of very dry brush- but that's because I am not a Leprechaun!

I have HOMECOMING news also- but I think I will wait for pictures!