Happy Birthday to my Teenager!

My sweet, darling Emma turned 13 today! I still remember when I took her to a REAL photographer, not someone in the mall, for the 1st time. She had just turned 2. I borrowed all the clothes she wore from some better dressed kid and curled her hair. She charmed the photographer and we all had a great time. She was so adorable, with such a fun personality. I was so proud to be her mother.

When I look at these photos, my two favorites, I still can't believe that Heavenly Father sent Damian and I such a special girl. Emma, you have always been a true blessing to our family. You're a marvelous oldest sister and example. Even at 2 years old, you babied and cherished Josh, your new 6 month old brother. You have always been very obedient and righteous. You are kind, pretty and smart. What a combination! I love you very much, sweetheart!

The End of Childhood

My Emma turns 13 this week. She'll officially be an teenager and I'll officially be OLD. I've earned all these gray hairs! I wanted to publish these pics that my friend Kate Watkins took a few years ago. I think she and Jim came to visit us 3 years ago, so Emma must have been 10. She's grown so much, but she's still the sweet girl I love.

Emma may be a Daddy's Girl, but she'll be MY daughter forever. I wanted an oldest daughter so badly and the Lord blessed me with Emma. She's a good friend, although she doesn't really realize it yet. She makes me laugh and she gives me a hard time. She makes me look at myself realistically. She keeps me honest . . . there's no 'embellishing' a story when I'm teaching in Young Women, with her around! She's so fun and I love being her mom. She doesn't let me hug her much anymore, so I catch my moments when I can!

I think this is a super tender photo of us. I don't think I even knew Kate took it! I'd better give Emma a framed copy for her birthday or a magnetized one, for her locker. I don't want her to ever forget how much I love her!

Governmental Flow Chart

Sanity Advice

My dad gives me the same piece of advice all the time: "It Just Doesn't Matter" and he also talks about letting things roll off my back, like water on a duck. This is my SIL Tiffany's mantra, "Keep Calm and Carry On." What do you say to help yourself stay sane?

Man Vs. Mary

My Neighbor and Sister-in-Law posted this on her blog. It concerned my crazy husband, so I thought I'd steal it and share:

A couple of days ago Mary emailed a few family members while Nicole and Noah napped. It was so fun for her to get responses instantaneously, and since then has been asking me to check the computer for replies. I told her the letters to type and she had a great time telling jokes and sending her love to her missionary grandparents, Uncle Jared, and cousins Marcus and Annie.

One conversation was particularly funny. Mary is constantly teased by her wonderful next door neighbor and uncle, Damian, and she eats up every second of it. Since Christmas he comes to our house and pretends to look for her "special" toys to steal. Usually she laughs and runs around trying to stop him from swiping them. This was their exact conversation.

Mary: hi damian. this is mary. i hid all of my toys. you will never find them. you are silly.

Damian: I snuck into your house early this morning and found two of them. I took them with me to work. They are sitting on my desk.

As to the rest of your toys...I will find them because I am going to buy a dog that can smell all toys no matter where they are hidden. His name is Rex. I will bring him home to hunt for your toys.

I love you. But I love to steal toys more. Just call me the toys monster.

Mary: damian, there are no dogs in the grocery store...none of them. you are a funny toys monster stealing my toys.

Damian: I got the dog from the dog catcher. Rex is a special dog that was in jail for stealing other toys and burying them. He is also an expert at hiding bones and doggie treats. That is why the dog catcher took him off the street. I liked him when I saw him so I went and bought him. I did not know that you were going to hide your toys from me so now I have the perfect excuse to bring him home and have him try to find your toys. He has magic eyes that let him see through boxes and stuff. He does not bite. He does stink though so I do not think that your mom will like him too much. Maybe I can sneak in the house when she is asleep.

Mary: she will never sleep. damian, you are a silly man taking my toys. dogs are not allowed to come in our house. I am going to write a dog on our door and x it (see picture above).

Damian: He will come through the fireplace or through the hole above the oven. He is very sneaky. Your mom has to sleep sometime or she will get sick. I will find a way to get your toys. I love to play with toys. I need to have toys or I will die.

Mary: DAMIAN, GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!!! That's all. I'm making my signs.

Damian: I have to work. But I will make my own signs too for my house.