Kansas City

I'm kind of overwhelmed with how many things I want to blog about and not making the time to sit down and do it! I'll just have to start somewhere. The last few weeks have been jam-packed. The Autism conference was wonderful. I really need to make myself sit down and write about it. Sitting down and looking through my notes and summarizing some of my favorite points will help me remember the things I felt inspired to do while sitting in those sessions and might even help some other parent. So I'll do it... tomorrow? Yes. I'll get something written about the conference tomorrow.

Tonight I asked Franny not to burp at the dinner table, because it's not polite. She asked in reply, "How do I not burp?" It's a valid question.

We spent General Conference weekend in Kansas City at Wes and Jen's house. (Wes is Bobby's brother.) We had a great time as usual. The kids played Conference Bingo. I did some knitting (which is my obsession du jour) while I listened to the speakers. Jen made me maybe the best salad ever and some fabulous strawberry desserts. (We collaborated and invented a new dessert: Strawberry and Banana Shortcakes with Homemade Vanilla Pudding.)

We were able to see my Nicole's first soccer game, where she scored a goal in the first five minutes! I was so impressed with the way they handle the games. They don't keep score and only three kids play on each team at a time. The kids get lots of attention, feedback, and encouragement and they learn so much about playing on a team. I think I want to get Franny into T-ball now. I hope they run the 4/5 year old teams in a similar way here. It was so windy and cold. Luckily we had wind-resistant coats and lots of blankets and hats made by my grandma.

Then on Saturday after the first session we were able to go to Deanna Rose Farmstead or something and see some animals and play at the park. Sophie really loved feeding the goats. There was a baby lamb I fell in love with, and I petted the fluffy rabbits even though the signs strictly prohibit it.


Sunday the kids did so well watching the first session of conference. They loved Jen's Bingo game. We ended up staying another night and left early Monday morning. We stopped at the Liberty jail. I hadn't been there since Bobby's mission homecoming and so obviously the girls had never been either. We were told while we were there that 170 years earlier, on April 6, 1839, the prophet Joseph Smith was released from the Liberty jail. We thought that was pretty cool. When our tour guide finished up she sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." She had a beautiful voice and I love to hear that song because it was my Mom's favorite hymn. She offered to take this picture for us and after we left Bobby asked if he could go touch "the rock." She said yes, though we're both pretty sure she didn't know what she was saying yes to. I stood there with my mouth hanging open because 1.) I couldn't believe he asked her that and 2.) I couldn't believe she said yes. He was off like a kid in a candy store and he jumped down inside the display so he could feel the original floor of the cold basement where the prophet Joseph Smith and his men were kept without cause for about four months. The sister missionary told us later it was against the rules and even she had never been down there. Well, Bobby's a bad boy but I still think it's pretty cool he got to stand on the same floor that Joseph Smith stood on.

We all live in a yellow submarine

Today was Miss Sophie's first day in nursery. She LOVED it! And so did I. I came home from church in the BEST mood and I know it's because for once I wasn't wrestling, chasing, and entertaining a tired 18-month old, while simultaneously trying to get Relief Society attendance rolls in three different places, ask two sisters to give the prayer, photocopy newsletters, and still be spiritually edified. It made such a difference!

When church is over, our whole building turns into a freaking zoo. For some reason, one side of the church is practically vacant, and the other side is jam-packed with a bottle-neck every five paces. It's all that a hungry and cranky Mom can do not to flop on the floor and throw a Franny-style tantrum, circa 2006. Okay, it's not that bad, but some of you who read my blog attend church in my building. Have you noticed this phenomenon? Well, like I said, I was in such a good mood today that I didn't even notice the mass hysteria that usually ensues after the third hour of church. Yahoo for nursery! Here are some cute shots I took of her after church today in her new dress from her Grandpa.




I think Sophie should have been born with naturally curly hair. It suits her. My mom loved our hair in curls. We slept in pink sponge curlers every Saturday night when we were kids. So when I decided to curl the girls' hair for Julia's wedding, I did it for her. Now every time I see their hair in curls, it makes me smile because I know how much my Mom would love it. When Franny was a brand-new baby, my mom tried so hard to "scrunch" her hair with a little product. It was pretty funny watching her try and style a newborn baby's hair.

This afternoon we played Duck, duck goose for like half an hour. Then we played London Bridges for a while, and then Ring Around the Rosy. I'm starting to see why having a lot of kids could be a lot of fun. I love watching my girls interact with each other. It is so much fun to watch them learn and grow and become friends. I feel like this week I've had so many of those "moments" that Elder Ballard described in his talk. Lately, when Sophie (who by the way is uber-clutzy) hurts herself, Franny runs to her side to give her comfort and ask if she is okay. Tonight I feel really happy. I often feel happy, but ever since my Mom died that happy feeling is kind of laced with a sadness that just doesn't go away. I think that's probably normal. It hasn't even been a year yet. But sometimes that layer of sadness is lifted for a little while, and for once it just doesn't hurt as much as it did the night before. I am grateful for nights like tonight.

Is Sophie flipping me off in this picture? What's up with that?