Notes from mom

• After a workday Saturday, I heard Christina holler in her sleep, "Clean your room!" Great. I give my daughter nightmares:) She made me smile on Sunday when she walked in the door from the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and immediately showed me her renewed temple recommend. I love that she was so excited about that.

• Yesterday in Senior Primary sharing time, I went head to head with another teacher in a game of Name that Tune. I played for the boys' team and she played for the girls. One of the older girls, said (speaking about the other teacher who happens to teach the older kids in primary and is truly amazing!), "I like her better!" While we laughed, and I acted aghast, Thomas went up to the girl, stood in front of her and said, "I want you to know I take that very personally!" He had a big grin on his face, but I thought the show of loving defense for his mom was truly endearing. I love my Thomas.

• In sacrament meeting I showed Grace where to find the Christmas songs in the Hymn book. I asked her which was her favorite. Can you guess? Almost right away she pointed to "Joy to the World."  No surprise there!  Grace has become an author/illustrator.  Her works include, "When I Cleaned my Room," "The Growing Flower," "What we are Thankful For," and "What are Smiley Faces?"  Her teacher told Wayne and I that Grace has a natural talent for reading with expression.  No surprise there!

• The other day I decided to bake pumpkin pie for dinner.  The kids were elated!  Caroline looked on with admiration as I took the gorgeous pie out of the oven.  "Mom," she said as sweet as can be, "You're a good maker."  I count that as one of the more meaningful mommy moments of my life, and "good maker" is now one of my all-time favorite compliments.  Thank you, sweet Cutie.

• Tantrums for Wesley entail plopping on his belly on the floor and scooting backwards.  It's so hard to take these tantrums seriously when they not only look silly, but they are coming from an adorable chunk of love.  Wes rarely throws said tantrums, but today his world turned upside-down when he couldn't get Buzz Lightyear to make noise.  I changed the batteries, but to no avail.  Buzz has died.  Good thing I alone took the pledge to have a homemade Christmas.  The kids will get one thing not homemade from Jolly 'Ol Saint Nick, whom I happen to be very close with, and I'm begging Santa to bring Wes a new Buzz.  Until then, Wes will have to make do with miniature, noiseless Buzz.  It's a rough life {insert sarcasm}, but according to this mother, life doesn't get much better!

HuGs & KiSsEs,