Weekend long date with Jake...

A couple weekends ago, Rick took Carter, Bella, and Malia to So. Cal to visit the grandparents. I couldn't go because I worked on Saturday and Monday. Jake couldn't go because he had a scout campout on Friday and Saturday. Saturday night, I got off early and Jake was done by 5:00, so the date began. We talked about our options and decided on a movie. Jake was excited to go to the movie, even though it was with me! I know these days are short lived, but it was nice to have him be excited to hang out with me. Sunday we went to church followed by a nice long nap in the quiet house. By the afternoon, I decided to introduce him to a classic...Ferris Bueler's Day off. I think I may regret that at some point, but we had a great time watching it. We made gluten free peanut butter chocolate chip cookie bars. I ate one and Jake chipped away at the rest of the pan. By the next morning, the whole thing was gone! I ended up having Monday off, but he had a commitment so we met up at lunchtime and went to Doghouse Grill, one of his favorites. By the time we got home, the troops were on their way back. I so enjoyed having the whole weekend with Jake. He is such a good kid. He's funny. He gets my sense of humor. He's game for anything. He would've been an awesome only child. I know as he gets older, my one on one time with him will be less and less as he will have other places he'd rather be. But I will cherish the time we spent that weekend just enjoying each other's company. He was genuinely happy to have me all to himself, and I felt the same. This past weekend, Jake (and Bella) competed in Destination Imagination, as they have done for the past couple years. Jake's team took first place in regionals and Bella's took second. It had been agreed upon beforehand that no team would go to state because it was being held in San Diego which presented its share of hardships both timewise and financially. However, I was asked a few days after the competition if we would allow Jake and his team to go if they raised the money to do so and figured out a way to get down there and back. Though I was sad that Bella wouldn't have the opportunity, we decided to allow him to do so. Not all the parents felt the same way. In the end, one set of parents would not allow their child to go. That child has been a good friend of Jake's since we moved here. When Jake learned of this situation, he and his friends had a talk at school. Jake and the other boy decided they dind't feel good about leaving their friend behind, so they opted not to go. When Jake shared this with me, I could not have been more proud. Though I allowed him to make his own decision, the fact that he valued his friendship with this one child more than a competition (which her very much wanted to attend) made me a proud parent. I've learned that there are times when as parents we have to step back and allow our children to make their own choices, and accept the consequences. The rest of the team is not particularly happy with Jake or the other two. However, all three boys who will not be attending the competition are still going to help with fundraising and teaching the new team members their parts in the skit. Hopefully, this will lessen the blow to the disapointed remaining team members and allow for their friendships to continue. They are a great bunch of kids. Jake's growing up...

This one's for me...

It's been awhile. But this week, I had an unusual experience (for me, anyway) and I wanted to write about it. Since no one reads this blog anymore, I figure it's a safe place. Thursday was a special day for us. Bella turned 10. My beautiful daughter has officially entered the tween years. I had worked three 12's the previous three days. And maybe that's the reason I was feeling so grateful to have the whole day to prepare for her birthday. I made her requested breakfast (also unusual for me), shopped for her and picked up her cake and ordered the pizza for her friend party at the local trampoline place. Throughout the day, I reflected on the months prior to her birth. Rick was in lawschool, I had a toddler and a baby at home...and another baby was coming. I had resigned myself to the fact we would have all boys. In my 7th month of pregnancy, we learned she was a girl. But I didn't believe it. I couldn't allow myself to believe it, because I wanted it sooo bad. I remember frantically asking the moment whe was gone, what is it? What is it? My mom, also my L&D nurse looked at me and said in a very duh! tone...It's a girl, just like they told you. And then, the tears flowed. Interestingly, it was the only time I ever cried at a delivery. Not that I was any less excited or happy with my other children, but I had not allowed myself to hope until she was in my arms. I looked at her and melted. My dreams had come true. Those next two days in the hospital, when I was alone, she was always in my arms. I didn't want to set her down. I was in heaven. And I continued to cherish and adore her. She was always dressed so adorable with something in her hair so people would know whe was a girl. I remember my excitement when I could finally put pigtails in her hair. She was so beautiful. Fast forward 10 years. She is still the most beautiful girl. She is smart, so smart. She is kind and generous. Just today we were shopping, spending her birthday giftcards and she spent about half her money on a gift for Aunt Courtney's wedding and one treat for each of the kids. This is routine for her...she always buys something for her siblings, even when they aren't being very nice. At Christmas time, we donated money as a family to a children's cancer Christmas. She freely gave every penny she had to the cause and recruited a friend of hers to donate as well. She isn't afraid to share the gospel and invite her friends to church. She is wise beyond her years, almost like an old soul. She looks out for others. She has a friend who she met shortly after moving to Fresno. They went to preschool together. In elementary school, this child has struggled with friends. Bella always makes sure he has someone to hang out with and that he's included. She does this all on her own because she genuinely is concerned for others. I have been very blessed with such a wonderful daughter. Make no mistake about it, she is a sassy one. She is confident and sure of herself. She knows what she wants and she'll let you know. She is strong. So as she enters her teenage years, I hope I will always remember her 10-year-old self. She is such a blessing in our family and I will be forever grateful we have been blessed to be her earthly parents.