It's a BOX!

Valentine's Day finally crept closer and closer- so late Saturday I set my mind to doing the thing that i had put off for at least a month- decorate Jayce's Valentine Box.
It's not that its a terrible project- its really just that I didn't want to drag the junk out and do it.
As we talked about it on Friday (I was working myself up for the FUN!) Jayce said "Don't worry mom, I already know that I need a shoe basket to make the valentine basket."
Its a BOX Jayce-a shoe BOX. It will be a valentine BOX. Only, of course you know that wasn't the end of that conversation- the difference between baskets and boxes can go on and on and on.
And into the next day-- jeez, kid. Its a BOX already!
We finally decided on a rocket for the the valentine basket (I gave up) and it turned out to be a very nice looking rocket!
So Sunday as we are talking about getting the Valentine Basket to school with limited damage- he says to Ross- "Dad. You should probably just leave early in the morning because me and mom already know how to handle the Valentine Case. We don't want you to break it."
Oh, so now its a Valentine Case? What happened to the basket? Really?
At the end of the day I guess I just cant get worked up over the small stuff. I can, however, get a very big head ache. Do you have any idea how long I listened to the chatter about boxes and baskets? GRRRR!

Hi Mrs Fowlks,

This is Principle Dean over at the elementary. I am just calling to let you know that i had Jayce here in my office today for a little chat. It seem that he took his potato chips from lunch with him to his library time and proceeded to crush them onto the carpet. I had him go to the library and apologize to Mrs. Campbell. He then had another moment, when he was asked to put something away during class, he yelled out at Mrs Van, telling her that he was going to put it away, but not with a very kind voice. He spent his first recess today on the bench outside. Like I said, we had a great chat and I think he will do better next week."
Funny thing is that when I asked Jayce about this his story was completely identical to Mr. Deans- little stink!

The CHAOS that clutters my mind....

I began a temporary "Seasonal" job in late November, just to help out with Christmas. Its not so bad- just busy. I miss my gym time every day. I miss having the luxury of eating when I am hungry or having a nice cold Diet Coke when I am thirsty. I miss having a clean house- although I must say that Ross is helping out a lot (could have something to do with the melt down I had the other day)- whatever the reason, I am grateful for his help.
To be completely honest- my mind is constantly cluttered with thoughts of "what I missed today because I was working" Like taking Jayce to piano lessons- the first week we left that job to dad he totally forgot about it- the boys went to the office instead. And then there is picking him up from school- sweet Baylies Futsal games- making dinner every night, kissing them goodnight when they are still awake, long talks with someone that I love, bath time, movie night, homework.
I am missing out on all of it.
Will they someday hate me and live miserable lives because I left piano up to dad, or because dad picks them up from school (I get to drop them off, but still, shouldn't I get to pick them up too?) And I live for futsal, soccer, all of that! Will she forgive me for missing a game? Will she feel like I was never there for her? And dinner wise- sure, Ross may be a better cook than I am but still, shouldn't I be here to supervise? I love homework time! I love our little talks. I love being with my family! Will they forgive me for missing 3 PTA meetings in a row? Not to mention Community Council Meetings- and Power Hour- Oh the list goes on and on and on!
Well, I am glad I got all of that off my chest! I feel a little better. Now- if I can just get through tomorrow! Sweet Kelcey is having a baby soon and the Fowlks/ward baby shower is all planned to happen at my place- problem is- I wont be here! Have to work of course! Thankfully Whitney and Amy and Kelcey's mother-in-law are stepping in to pull it off. Still, it stinks! I should be here! BOOOO HOOOOOO!

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!