The joys and pain my heart can feel

I hate when my child is hurting.  It makes me see a small glimpse of how Heavenly Father feels when we experience trials.  Nothing is more heartbreaking to me than seeing my child in emotional pain.  If I had one wish in the world it would be to have my kids become mature and responsible without ever experiencing the cruel world.  My oldest son opened up to me tonight, and I'm positive it will be one of those nights as a mother when I don't seem to sleep at all because my heart is so heavy. 

Our next-door neighbor's house was burglarized yesterday.  In the middle of the day, in plain sight out my back windows, while I was home and teaching preschool.  Apparently there have been many break-ins around here lately.  I was incredibly terrified yesterday when I got home from picking up the kids and saw a policeman waiting for me in the driveway.  Time went in slow motion and I was certain I was being told that my husband had been in an accident.  Although very relieved when I got the actual news, I've been on high alert since then.  My doors are all locked, the lights are on all day and night, and I notice every vehicle that drives past my house.  But the houses that are being vandalized are all dead-bolted, secured, and even have dogs!  I made a call to a security system company today, and an alarm is being installed ASAP.  In the meantime, all four kids have been sleeping in our room.  I can claim it's because they might get scared, but in all honesty, I want them close to me!

Today was my darling Brynlie's birthday.  She's a decade old!  I love that sweet girl so much and we had a great day together.  I checked her out of school about 11, and took her (with Logan in tow) to a restaurant for lunch, to another restaurant for dessert, to Justice, Claire's, Crazy8 and TJMaxx for some super cute outfits, and a quick stop at the gas station on the way home for more junk food.  Then tonight we had pizza and soda while watching "Judy Moody's Not Bummer Summer."  Madelyn and Chloe Napier came over to see the movie, too, and my heart melted when I saw all 4 girls (Bryn, Lindsey, Madelyn and Chloe) cuddling under one blanket on the couch.  We've been blessed to know some amazing families here in Missouri.

Preparing to teach preschool is a lot of work, but teaching those cuties is the highlight of my month.  I get to do the preschool Halloween party for all the preschoolers tomorrow, and I have some fun things planned.  I can't wait to see them all in their costumes!

Bryn's volleyball team, coached by Ryan, ended the season with a 3rd place win!

Lindsey's soccer season is almost over, and the tournament is this Saturday.  She is excited to try basketball once soccer ends.

Brevan joined Science Olympiad again this year, and is looking forward to the competitions.

Logan is the cutest, funniest little guy ever, and I just love that he can't say his "R"s.  The sentences he comes up with make me grin from ear to ear.  I have been treasuring every moment I get to spend with him these last couple years before he heads off to elementary.  Today he told me that when "Bwynlie was sad dee othew night, I laid in bed by hew and cuddewed hew and sang hew thwee yuyabies {lullabies}.  She stopped cwying and felt bettew, so I kissed hew and went to sleep by hew."  I could cover him in gravy and sop him up with a biscuit.

All the kids (and me) had dentist appointments recently.  No cavities for me or the boys!  Don't ask me how Brevan never has cavities because that boy seriously struggles to care about oral hygiene.  Both girls had a cavity in the same place, and both got laughing gas and their teeth fixed last week.  Lindsey imagined a boy waving at her from a merry-go-round the whole time.  Bryn didn't get enough gas and was very aware of the procedure and pain.  Poor thing, but a good lesson to floss her teeth every day!

Ryan and I drove to Omaha for his actual birthday last Friday.  It was a wonderful, perfect day to spend with my Honey, since we had so many hours of talk time (it's a 3-hour drive each way).  While in the temple grounds, we toured the Winter Quarters cemetery.  The lists and lists of children and adults who died and were buried that winter was heart-wrenching.  I can only hope I would be strong enough to carry on when faced with the same trial.  I'm hoping Heavenly Father fully understands the agreement I have with him - he doesn't let my husband or children die and I will try to not complain about any trials that come my way.  It's OK to bargain with God, right???

I ate alligator last week. It was at a Cajun restaurant when we were driving home from the temple. I felt pretty cool, but worried about the poor alligator who had to suffer. Funny I never think that when eating a pig, chicken or cow every day of my life.

The three oldest kids had parent-teacher conferences last week, and this is how they went:

Brevan got a note home that week that said his teachers are all so impressed with his work this year that they didn't even need to meet with me.  I thought that was awesome and yet annoying.  I still wanted to meet with them and hear all the goods things they've seen from him this year.  I don't think conferences should just be about the issues of each student.  But I thoroughly praised him for his STRAIGHT A's!  What a great 7th grader!

Brynlie's teacher said many things that went like this: "Brynlie is an incredible student.  She is such a talented writer!  She actually challenges me because I realize I need to improve the way I write sentences for the class.  Keep her writing, because she could honestly be an author someday!  It's so exciting to see all her creativity and positive attitude in the classroom."  Brynlie's Beyond Basics teacher said, "Brynlie seems so much happier this year!  She's still shy, but always smiling and trying to include the students who are lonely or feeling left out.  Her recent project was the favorite of many students in the class!"  On an assignment to describe how her year is going, she wrote these things:  "I've learned I'm shy but confident.  I'm always prepared and trust myself in situations, although I'm not completely open and sometimes regret how conversations go.  I would really like to work on that."  Seriously, what 4th grader describes herself that way???

Lindsey's teacher said this, "Lindsey is so animated, enjoyable, obedient and funny!  She's also super smart and creative so she will definitely be another Beyond Basics kid for you.  She is reading years ahead of a typical 1st grader.  She is an example to all the other kids who just adore and emulate her every move.  She is a born leader!"

I guess all I can say is . . .don't hate me because my children are brilliant!  :)

While writing this post, I've been making 6 dozen Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Some for preschool tomorrow, and some for a birthday lunch I'm having at my house for my friend, Shelly.  My house smells DELICIOUS.

I went on a field trip to Watkins Mill with Brynlie's class last week.  I will also upload those pictures soon.

Young Women's is keeping me busy, but going well!  I have really been enjoying getting to know and love those girls.  I honestly have the best group of Miamaids of all time.  I had no idea 14 and 15 year old girls could be so enjoyable!

The van has been in the shop for the past few days.  I got the call today to come pick it up.  The total?  $1400.  New tires, breaks, break pads, belts that were shot, alignment something-or-other, oil issues, and blah blah blah.  Merry Christmas to me.  I get my old, used van back with my Christmas budget.

The first week of November is Stake Conference in our brand new Stake Center that's in the parking lot of the brand new Kansas City temple!  It's so exciting!  The dedication of the Stake Center will occur that same weekend, and the temple is set to be finished in the spring.  I'm trying my hardest to be one of the people who volunteers at the open house.  What an amazing experience that would be!

Well, cookies are done and I'm so tired I can barely see the screen.  The next few days are full of numerous Halloween festivities, so there will be many more pictures to upload once I finally have a chance to sit down again. 

Ciao for now!