The house is ALMOST empty. BACK TO SCHOOL!

Well, the kids are back in school and already the adventures have begun!

L.J. felt so grown up that he waved goodbye and walked to his class like I wasn't even standing there. I know the hugs are only for me, not for him anymore, but does he really think that I can let him go to school for a whole day without one??

Neil did pretty well also, but did give me my hug without me following him. I peaked in on him after I dropped Analise off and he was sitting at his desk looking around all WIDE-EYED, not sure which to take in first.

Analise, was VERY antsy after we dropped off both of the boys and made it to her classroom before me. But she was thrilled that I stayed for a few minutes. She gave me lots of hugs and kisses...and then told me it was time for me to go. That was okay, I knew that it wouldn't be long until kindergarten was done for the day. And I really did have some cleaning to catch up on!

Courtney wasn't sure what to make of everyone but her having a classroom, so we stopped at the school playground for half a minute and let her play. Then it turned out that the library was open enough we could sit and read a book, so we did that, then headed home. Goodness it was so much fun cleaning our kitchen floor with her turning me into a pumpkin and back into a Mom every few seconds. We truly rolled on the floor with laughter...I was glad I had cleaned it. Then after playing while we worked, it was already time to get Analise.

So, off we went. Analise was happy to see us so she could give her teacher "5" and say goodbye. We made sure to get a picture of her with her teacher, Mrs. Montes. On the way walking home to the house, we spotted a little kitten by the brick wall that lines the street. The scared little kitten gave us a bit of a run, but we caught it and went to see if the house by where we found it knew the owner, or was the owner. They had no idea where it could have come from, as both of their neighbors only owned dogs, and they didn't own any animals.

So, we figured with coyotes running the streets at nights from time to time, the only chance this little guy had was for us to take it home and call a rescue place, or some friends that own cats and might know what to do.

Well, the contractor was back to texture and paint the patch left from removing the beehive. So, I told him the story and asked him and the 2 guys that he brought with him to do the work, if any of them wanted a little kitten, or knew someone who did.

It turns out that the contractor had been thinking of getting one, since their cat was getting old. Also, his mother runs a cat rescue shelter, so he knew just what to do to take care of the little guy. And he had a dream last night about a little kitten, and could he see the kitten?

So, I pulled the kitten out of our stroller and showed him...turns out it looks just like the kitten from his dream. He said that it must have been meant to be...I agreed and when he left he took the kitten with him. All I can say is I love that things worked out so well, and I find this more proof to me in my life that Heavenly Father watches out for even the littlest of his creations.

The girls hated to see it go, but since they already knew I was allergic then it wasn't too hard to get them to understand that it really was better for the kitten to go with "the guy that fixed our house". And they are now having fun playing "kitty-cat". Well, off to see what adventures my boys had at school today. Then I will come back and add in some of the pictures we took.

Funny things kids say...sometimes make sense.

Just yesterday, my little Courtney...who is the one who is in this fun stage of life...got so frustrated with being told that something would take just one minute. Well, she starts throwing herself on the ground, pouting and yelling, "I get up! I get up!". I knew what she meant but just couldn't help myself and said, "Well, go right ahead." Little Courtney looked at me with a furrowed brow, and sheer determination and said very slowly...so that I could get it right this time, "I GIVE up, Mommy!"

But this got me to thinking, how often to we think we are saying that we are giving up...when it seems to everyone else that we are "getting" up. And when we feel like giving up, what we really need to be able to do is just get up and keep moving.

This moment reminded me of a few months back when I was at the park with the kids for a picnic. We had just finished eating and they were headed to play when Courtney walks right up to a man by the playground and says boldly, "My Mom says your dangerous!" And waited wide-eyed for his response. I turned red-faced and about killed over, not knowing whether to laugh, be proud of her, or hide myself in embarrassment.

He looked over at me and I quickly said, "I really didn't, but I have told her not to talk to strangers because they can be dangerous." He being a father himself was soon joking with me and his wife about this, calling himself "Mr. Dangerous". And Courtney went off to play. But it truly clued me in to how well our Stranger Danger lessons were going. Apparently she knows they are "dangerous" but isn't worried about going right up and telling them they are!

And then there was a few weeks ago, when I was generous and let each of the kids pick on of the candies next to the check out. She quickly picked a pack of Skittles, then promptly asked me if she could have another one for potty treats. I told her no...she knows how to do that without them, but I might let her have them for treats if she gets her poop in the potty. Well, she got the funniest look on her face and said, "No Mom, they don't match!" and started looking at the candy again. I thought, "WHAT???!" But then she stood up and flashed me her enormous smile, and says, "Mommy, these ones match!!" And is holding up a package of the new chocolate Skittles. I had a hard time not cracking up right there in the store, but to my little girl this made sense.

I sure do love that smile of hers! And she gives it so freely! The other day we were making our monthly grocery trip to Costco. We always stop and eat dinner there when we do. Well, we hadn't been sitting down long when I turned to look at Courtney just in time to see her go head first onto the concrete floor. Oh, she was NOT happy, and we were swarmed with Costco people trying to make sure she was okay, and find out if we needed an ambulance. (It is too bad that people are so sue happy now days!)

Well, she wasn't sure what to make out of so much attention, so she being the naturally happy person she is started smiling and hiding her face from them when they would catch her. I was simply amazed. But the second they left, she looks up at me with that same big smile and says, "Mommy, my head hurts, I want to cry!" I told her to go right ahead and let all the tears out and I would just keep hugging her. This got the biggest smile yet, followed by the flood that was truly needed. Bless her brave little heart.

Wow...the options have grown!!

Hi all, in the process of blog hopping I found a link to a website that gives us "laymen" the know-how so that we can create our own background for a blog! (THANKS AIMEE!!)

So, my new blog, now has a new background!! YAY!! This one is all of my own creating. The only things I used that weren't mine was the textures for both the white and the blue, and the bow is also a CU bow. Those three I got from the So You Think You Can Design Contest at ScrapOrchard as a consolation prize for not making itto the final round.

It was fine to not have made it...I have some growing to do before I am ready for that kind of exposure to digi-scrapping customers. However, for any that beg to differ...you can check out my growth in this field at my scrapping blog, or in my store at DigiScrapStation. Links are in the sidebar along with the site for the backgrounds. I also have been guest designing at Benevolent Boutique for their charity collaboration kits.

A New Start...A New Name...But Still Me!

Well, my private personal blog hasn't worked out to well. And after some pondering and thinking about what I should do about it. I came up with that it was time to close it, and open up this one that is a public accessible one. So, those of you that know our last name and where we live...please be careful not to use them in any comments.

This blog is in celebration of life's events, and the place that hopefully they will bring us all back to. It is dedicated to finding the true lessons in each moment that we are here to learn and grow from! And above all else it comes from my heart, and my desire to truly seek to live the life that our Heavenly Father, and our Savior, Jesus Christ have taught me how to live. And continue to do so, as I turn to them in prayer, with faith.