The Past Week

My dear friend reminded me that I have not been good at keeping up my blog... (thanks Amanda).  And so to get it done I am not worrying about pictures, sorry.  We have been enjoying, and trying to enjoy every moment.  They have been going by fast.  This last week we had some new adventures,

On Monday we tried out a Tike Hike at the Arboretum down town.  It was so much fun.  We went for a little "show and tell" and story time to start it off where we learned about rolly-polly bugs.  We then went on a hike where we were able to turn over logs and collect the rolly-polly bugs we found.  They gave us little tennis ball containers that we were able to fill with twigs and leaves for their home.  Clair and Caleb loved watching all the bugs scurry away when we moved the logs around.  After the hike we went to a small area called the "play ground."  I lOVE it!!!  It has logs and a mini tree fort and a rope to walk across... sticks, leaves... everything that I want my kids to love.  Clair immediately claimed the tree fort for her pirate ship and she got the other boys around to join in.  I helped hide sticks and pine cones for their treasure.  I also met a sweet mom who had two little boys Clair and Caleb's age and then a brand new baby that they are fostering.  I learned from her that they are using a program sponsored by their church that finds foster homes.  If the parents are not able to take their children back after a year then adoption homes are looked into.  If no one wants the baby right then then the foster family has the opportunity to adopt the baby.  My heart ached as I watched that little baby and just thinking of all the other children in the world needing someone to take care of them.  I want to do this so bad.  Adoption, since seventh grade, when I did a presentation on Ethiopia, has been something I have wanted to do.

On Wednesday Caleb hadn't been feeling well and had a really rough night.  Normally we go to playgroup at a park with friends but Caleb, I knew was going to need a nap at that time.  So I called my visiting teacher who has a little girl that is one of Clair's friends and I asked if Clair could go with them. It turned out that they were going to the Children's Museum.  So Clair went with her friends to the museum without me... "sniff, sniff," *sigh she is growing up so fast.  She had so much fun and I was able to clean the house and relax a little bit by myself.  I think I need to do this more often.

Saturday I cut Caleb's hair... and I mean, I really cut it!  It was getting kind of crazy and he was complaining about it bugging his ears when it was windy.  The last couple times I trimmed it with a #4 like dad, but his hair is so fine that it is so hard to get all the little pieces.  I decided I would get it a little shorter but I couldn't find a smaller size.  So I took off the attachment... yep, you know where this is going :)  It is buzzed.  It was awful!  I just cried inside as I did it and watched all his handsome hair disappear.  Then I cried on the outside and felt sick with myself.  I am getting use to it and Caleb still looks good... just not my favorite, and now I know!

Later on Saturday Clair and I went to a baby shower as a mommy-daughter date to her old nursery leader.  It was so much fun.  They did yogurt parfaits in mason jars and then had a bow station so while everyone visited they made little bows for Ashley's baby.  Such a good idea!  Clair has gotten a little shy around strangers and makes funny noises and hides when they ask her questions or draw attention to her.  It is very interesting to me.

Jason has been busy studying for his first rounds of test this semester.  He just got called as the ward mission leader too.  That has been fun, lot of work, but super fun to watch him take action.  I think the greatest thing about the gospel of Jesus Christ is the change and the happiness it brings to people.  He has been in charge of putting together a new member temple trip to go do baptisms for the dead.  We are so grateful for the service we are able to do.