Charlotte's Web

Salutations! The first book for my summer story-time with Juliette was a simple choice...Charlotte's Web. It's one of my very favorites. In fact, Ithink it's just about perfect. The perfect story of friendship. The unlikely companionship of Wilbur and Charlotte so beautifully captures the love and loyalty that make extraordinary friendships so special. The beautiful and poetic descriptions of the changing of the seasons quietly hint at the beauty of the cycle of life. Then there is Fern, the curious young girl who begins this story on a mission of justice for a small pig. There is so much to be found in this wonderful little book. I recently read this with Juliette - our first chapter book together. We would take a chapter or two in the afternoon, during Josh's naptime. As we read it together I loved listening to her thoughts about Wilbur, Charlotte, and Templeton the Rat. I am so happy I had the chance to revisit this jewel of a book from my childhood. What a wonderful way to spend a warm summer day together.

Breakfast in bed

Juliette woke up today at 8:00 am sharp - as usual. I told her she could go watch some tv while i tried to get a few more minutes of sleep after being up four times during the night. I can never really go back to sleep, but rather lay there half awake listening to what she is doing in the other room. Most of the time I can figure out what she is doing from the little random noises she makes. This morning was no different. I could hear her in the kitchen working on something. I figured she was just getting herself something to eat. A few minutes later I heard her come into my room and put something down and leave. A few minutes later she came back again, standing at the edge of my bed smiling. I rolled over and asked what she was doing. With a proud grin on her face she held up a small blue IKEA bowl holding tuna fish and said, "Mom, I made breakfast for you!" She set it down on my nightstand and ran over and got the bag of tortilla chips she had brought to the room earlier.

I could feel tears in my eyes as I thought about how much thought and effort she put into trying to make me something that she knows I like to eat and that she could figure out how to do all by herself. How did my little Juliette grow up to be such a tenderhearted and independant girl? I hope I will never forget this wonderful moment of having a tuna fish breakfast in bed.

Primary Program

This is the Sunday that I look forward to all year. Especially this year, since Juliette is now a Sunbeam and was able to participate and have her own part.

As a mother, I have come to realize that there is nothing in this world that is more precious than my children. I feel a great responsibility to love, and teach and guide these special spirits back to our Father in Heaven. And thankfully I have the church and the wonderful members of my ward to help me do this.

Like this lovely woman. This is Juliette and her fantastic sunbeam teacher Sister Portnova. She truly loves these children, so they can't help but love her back.



I am especially thankful for priamry. It is such a special time for kids to learn and grow. It is where they really start to learn about Jesus, but they also begin to learn about other gospel principles and concepts too. They learn about commandments and covenants and what they must do to return to live with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.



This is especially true in the children’s music that they learn and sing. And I didn’t realize this until this year when my daughter became a sunbeam in primary. Not many years ago the primary songs were about manners and being kind and giving. In my Primary days, we sang songs like Give, Said the Little Stream —and it is certainly sweet and motivating but not exactly theologically heavy. But that is not the case anymore. Now children are taught songs that teach gospel principles, songs that remind them of the things they should be dong. Today’s children sing wonderful songs that are more spiritually focused. And what a wonderful thing this is. Because as Pres. J Reuben Clark said, “We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.”

This year as the primary children presented their program I was surprised at the beautiful things they taught us through their music. These children learn a hymn from the hymn book each year, and this year it was “Come Follow Me.” They learn songs about knowing that their Savior loves them, about the Holy Ghost as a comforter, and about the plan of Salvation. Elder Boyd K Packer said, “If we will listen, they are teaching the gospel, for the hymns of the Restoration are in fact a course in doctrine.”

I love that my four year old daughter can understand and know about the entire plan of salvation because she learned a song called He sent His Son. I know that these gospel principles she is learning about will stay with her through her entire life. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” I truly believe this. I think that the things we learn in our childhood stay with us. We may not remember specific lessons we were taught in Primary. But I am sure that all of us can remember countless primary songs and the gospel principles they teach. These messages they teach are remembered for years.

I love that Juliette loves to share and sing what she has learned in primary. One of her favorite cd's to listen to is the primary songs. We sing as we work, and play, and travel together. I know that every time we sing the primary songs together it strengthens her understanding and testimony of the gospel.



This year the primary theme is I know my Savior lives. The children have the opportunity to feel and understand the great love that our Savior, Jesus Christ has for them.

One of my favorite primary songs that the children learned this year is I’m trying to Be like Jesus. I can’t help but stop at the primary room door and listen when I hear them singing this wonderful song.

All of the song they sang this year were wonderful. And as I watched the children performing on Sunday, I was truly amazed. It seemed to me that they were not just singing; they were declaring their determination. Jesus Christ was their example. To be like Him was their fixed goal. And their eager looks and their shining eyes convinced me that they have no doubts. They expect to succeed. And they will.



Juliette was amazing. She knew all the words to every song and sang with joy. She didn't hesitate to get up and say her part. She said, "Moses was called by God to lead the people out of Egypt." She also got to sing the Noah verse of Follow the Prophet as a solo with a few other girls in the ward. I am so proud of her.

I hope that she will always remember the simple yet profound principles she learned as a child in primary. The words and melodies of Primary songs may be simple, but the message and the power of each one are clear.

School Days

Juliette started preschool this week. She is in heaven because she is finally in the four year old class and has the same teachers that Jacob had last year - Mrs. Osborn and Ms. Miller.


I was worried that four days a week might be too much for her. But today she asked me why she couldn't go on Fridays too. I think she enjoys having someone to play with other than mom.

I have been noticing quite a few changes with Juliette lately. She is becoming much more independent and starting to do more things by herself. I can't decide if I like the changes or not. She's growing up and in some ways it's so refreshing to have a child that doesn't require as much assistance. On the other hand, I'm having a hard time giving up some of the control. I'm suddenly seeing flashes of waving good-bye to her from the door while she takes off driving by herself, heading to who knows where with who knows who!


She also has be getting a little too sassy lately. One particularly rough day we called Jeff for a daddy daughter talk. He told her to go to her room and change her pants. Juliette wanted to know why. He then explained that she had her sassy pants on and she needed to change them.

Here is to hoping that school will be the positive influence and change that we need right now.

Life with two

A little over a week ago, July 1st to be exact, Josh turned 3 months old. I once again survived the newborn stage.

It seems like milestones are something so many moms look forward to. I was one of those moms too, with Juliette. But something was different for me this time. With Joshua I seemed to sink into a baby bliss. No matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to soak in this baby enough. His expressions. His curled up body. His little noises. Surprisingly, while dealing with a newborn, I was hit with wanting another newborn. I am not anxiously looking forward to his next milestones. I just want him to stay little.



Don't get me wrong. I was in love with Juliette from the start too. But as a new mom, never having raised a baby before, there were many days I didn't think I was going to make it. I learned that the days may go by slow, but the weeks and months fly by with lightning speed. I also learned that if you don't take it one day at a time, all the years ahead can seem overwhelming.

So I guess I am truly greatful to Juliette for teaching me about the greatest and most important thing I have ever attempted in my life - being a mother. She made me realize what I wanted to be when I grew up, and that I could enjoy being just a mom.

Those three little words used to bother me - just a mom. But now I love that that is what I am. And I wouldn't trade being just a mom for anything in the world.



Before having Josh, I heard many pros and cons of having a second child. Thankfully it has turned out much better than I could have ever hoped for. I know there will be plenty of crazy days in our future. But I can't help but look at these two faces and smile - because I love them both so much. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

Keeping Secrets

It is no secret that I have a new boyfriend. He is easy going and loves to snuggle. He doesn't mind getting kissed every two minutes and smells as sweet as honey. He does have a receding hairline and dandruff, and has the occasional acne breakout. But I don't mind. I don't even mind that he likes to keep me awake at night to get some love.

But I have to tell him thank you for letting me get to bed a little earlier - because I think Jeff was starting to get jealous.



He has the most beautiful blue eyes that will melt your heart when he gazes lovingly at you and smiles. But he still gazes lovingly at lights, ceiling fans and trees too.

He tries to tell me all of his secrets, but unfortunately I think they will remain a secret. Too bad, because I think he knows some good ones.

I am not the only one who is in love. Juliette has a serious crush this little guy too. She has to constantly be kissing, touching or holding him. I often will ask her to give him some space, but she always tells me, "I can't, because I just can't stop kissing him!


Today as we were driving to church she informed me, "Mom, Josh has a booger that is playing peek-a-boo." She then proceeded to ask if her finger was too big to fit in his nose. Now that is some serious sisterly love.

We can't seem to get enough of this new man in town. And we are enjoying every minute of it.