Out of the mouths of babes

One of our dear friends lost her father this week.  As we pulled into the funeral home for the viewing Matthew asked "Why do we have to go to this?"  Corbin replied "To tell __________ that we are sorry that her dad died."  From the back seat came "Why do I have to say I'm sorry?  I didn't kill him." 

Summer is finally here!

Grand Old Duke of York recitation

Matthew wrapped up his last day of kindergarten yesterday. He asked if we wanted his autograph when we congratulated him. (Self confidence--check!) He was not as thrilled to be free as I recall being when I was a child! He is going to miss his friends and he will be going to a dual immersion school next year so it's a bitter sweet ending for him. He got up early this morning and ask why he couldn't go to school today--wow--I'll pray that lasts through the 12th grade!


So once again I am in my "I don't want to move on" phase. I have to emotionally regroup at every milestone. It's a common theme for me. I still think he's 6 months instead of 6 years. I love, love, love watching his progress. I wouldn't trade that but he just learned to eat baby food. . . for Pete's sake and now they want him in the first grade?

I just have to give a shout out to his teacher. She has a gift--truly. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away my best friend from high school and I thought we wanted to own a daycare center. It was going to be called Taurus Daycare because we were both born in May--four days apart. But as with so many things, sometimes life has a better plan for our individual personalities. I am quite sure at this point I don't have what it takes to deal with small children (at least not other people's and sometimes I question my ability to deal with my own). So I'm feeling good about my choice to opt out of Taurus and get mixed up with the law (in a good kind of way) and have babies and start a quiet book company. We'll leave the real educating to Mrs. Butler and those more skilled than me. Hats off to her and the gobs of time she obviously spent educating my child. We love you Mrs. Butler! And I love that she tells him that she loves him. I don't know if it's legal but I don't care. To him it means the world to have a teacher who cares.

So here's to all the moms who will be crafting, picnicing, and playing mediator until the fall comes! And hopefully I'll be ready for the 1st grade by then.

Personalities in a nut shell

Matthew:  When I grow up I'm going to be a paleontologist.

Spencer:  I'm going to be a fireman so I can shoot water in you face.

And that about sums up their personalities.

What is Caroline saying?  "Bye, Dad" along with some other two words constructions.

Philippine Photos

The most common method of transportation around the Philippines.  It's called a jepney and the more decked out the better.  Most have some sort of slogan across the back bumper along the likes of "Jesus Saves."  It's the local version of Yellow Cab but much more colorful.

See what I mean when I say "decked out"?

I have to admit that this one made me nervous.  Although my kids would think it's super duper cool to sit on a bumper, it's not as cool when they are your offspring.  However, the Filipino children are very street smart and know the ropes.

A very common street vendor seen on the way to Divisorio--a major shopping area of the locals.

Another street shot by Divisorio.

This shot about wraps it all up considering it's a land of virtually no traffic laws.

This is a large new LDS ward building in Manila.  It's my parents old ward.  It was fun to meet some of their friends and to see how warm and open the people are.  I can see why they loved the people so much.  Everyone hugs and welcomes.

A very beautiful and welcome site in the midst of traffic and city life. 

The American Cemetary honoring those who assisted the Philippine people during WWII.

An unripe version of my new favorite fruit--the mango.  They are the best!

Here we enjoy fresh mango and coconut juice with our friends who extended the most delightful hospitality.

This is my parents with Benny (left) and Tess (right).  Benny and Tess have worked for LDS church employees for almost 20 years.  Tess is over 70.  Can you believe it?  They are very close like mother/son.  My parents love these two SOOOO much and they love my parents.  My mom would have brought them home if she could have.  When we left, Tess said to me "until we meet again. . . maybe up there." pointing to the sky.  Their goodness is so evident.

This is the cutest pillow case that our supplier made for me.  She took our logo and within a few hours time had the employees making this.  I love it.  Their artistic abilities are incredible.  We saw a man painting a sign outside of our friend's compound (they all live behind gates) and you would have sworn it came off of a printer.

Creative Genius

Phyllis Diller Cloned

She wants everyone who thinks they have the right to touch her locks to give her a dollar.

My poor little lamb

Matthew was kind enough to shear Spencer yesterday.  He denied it and hid the clippings in the raisin container.  Finally he confessed.  The consequence is that he has to earn money to buy Spencer a Happy Meal.  That's a fate worse than death because Matthew would do just about anything for a Happy Meal.  I wish I could get a Happy Meal to make me feel happy about the areas of exposed scalp.  It could be worse. . .

In Need of 'Parenting' Skills

A few weeks ago a neighbor stopped by and being the mothers of babies (or semi-babies) we naturally started talking about our offspring. Because really, what else do you talk about? Her little boy just turned a year and she made the comment that when she really had to "parent" she wouldn't know what to do. Her comment struck me and has caused me to think about it since.


I am new to the "parenting" world as of last August. That's when my Matthew started kindergarten. Yes, it's true that I've been a parent for six years but I'm starting to see that in the big scheme of things I probably haven't done much "parenting." So far, I have spent lots of time snuggling and kissing baby feet which I love beyond measure. I occasionally intervene in a toddler meltdown or break up a brotherly fight but I haven't hit that part where it takes a lot of skill--at least in my opinion. Let me clarify that my last statement in no way implies that anything to this point has been easy or unimportant. Quite to the contrary but rather perhaps I should say that I've been able to "fix" most of the problems.

So last night when Matthew told me that no one plays with him on the playground it hit me like a truck. I couldn't jump in to fix it. I wasn't there to fix it. I could only listen and love from the outside of his problem. I HATE that. I like to be overly involved and I'm realizing that as a parent I can't be and it's killing me. I have to parent in a way to help these little people fix and deal with their problems. I may actually have to get some parenting skills! Admittedly his dilemna brought back the times in elementary school where I felt similarly situated. How as a third grader a girl from the fourth grade looked at me funny and how I hated to pass her in the hallway and cafeteria. And how elated beyond measure I was when I stopped seeing her at school and found out she had moved. Woo Hoo Glory Be--it was the best day of my life. And the feelings of how I couldn't wait for evenings and weekends because I knew I would be in the security of my own house. It brought back feelings I have long tucked away in a distant corner of my childhood. But now they are back and I only pray that I can "parent" my little chicks to adulthood.