Our World Cup Baby

Unbeknownst to her, this little cutie has officially turned four years old. We are waiting until her Daddy gets back to celebrate together but meanwhile I've had a few days to quietly reflect on how much I love this 35 lbs of pure moxie.
Aly has discovered her Aunt Ashley's extensive collection of heels and is in love. She is determined to break her ankle in the name of fashion. I'm just glad it's someone else's shoes for once since many times over the last few months when we were rushing into the car to go pick up Kenna and Kohen from school, Aly would come clip clopping out of the house sporting a pair of my heels, ready to go. Frankly, she wears them more -and better- than I do.

Aly loves attention and will do pretty much anything for a laugh. For instance, she once inserted "eyeball" into a song she and her siblings were singing. It got a positive response and ever since then she has to try out "eyeball" on everyone, like "row, row, row your eyeball, gently down the stream"- even though "eyeball" was pretty much a one hit wonder, she is determined to continue trying.

You probably didn't know this but Aly is our World Cup Baby. In the Spring of 2005 Nathan and I put ourselves in the lotto draw for tickets to the World Cup in Germany. Millions do for every World Cup so after the 3 or so rounds of draws we didn't get any tickets. We were really bummed. Until out of the blue we found out that they decided to do one last draw and we GOT TICKETS!!!! And not just any tickets, good tickets. One of the games we were the eighth row, center of the field! We were shocked and ecstatic. Which, coincidentally, is a lot like how we felt 2 weeks later when we discovered I was pregnant with #3, due during the time we were scheduled to be in Germany. Not gonna lie, it took a while to get over the disappointment that I wouldn't be going to Europe. The morning sickness didn't help.

We ended up selling the tickets on Ebay and helping pay for the delivery of our third. We watched the games at home while snuggling up our newest edition, and we were truly happy. So that is why every World Cup holds extra special meaning for Nathan and I, reminding us of the testimony we later gained about trusting the Lord's timing and how humbled we were and are, to have such an amazing little girl sent to our family.

To Our Superman

This Father's Day Nathan is working in Taipei and the children and I are in Boise. That means that we are apart and Nathan will spend his day uninterrupted by well meaning children, he will attend church where he will actually get to listen, and since he is on his own there is really nothing keeping him from getting a nap.... wait a sec. Those are all the things I want for Mother's day! Well, though it isn't my first choice for Nathan I hope it will be all right till next week.
As I considered what to write about Nathan I thought of all of the many, many, MANY things he does for our family and at first I thought if I wrote things like, "he plays with his children", "he does the dishes", "he tries to teach his children right from wrong" etc.- that it'd be gag worthy because all Dad's are this way. But you know what? You know what I've realized? Not all dad's are this way. Not all dad's care if they play with their children, help out around the house and take the time and effort to try and teach their children right from wrong. In fact anymore I'd say it's becoming more rare to find men like that. So it does need to be said. We are blessed to have many awesome BILs, FILs and Dad's in our lives who have been amazing examples of all that a father can and should be. But make no mistake about it, if you have a good man as a father in your life, you are lucky. We feel we are Four-Leaf-Clover-kinda lucky with Nathan.
Happy Father's Day Nathan!!! We love you! Buhboo! xoxo ej, Kennedy, Kohen, Aly, & Ander

Our Dad

Speaking of good men. My brother Justin, Natalie, Ashley and I were lucky enough to grow up with this guy as our Dad. Before I go any further I have to confess the reason my Dad's Father's Day card from the girls and I will be late is because I didn't get it to the post office. I am lame sometimes, please don't let this be a reflection on my upbringing. :)

One thing that I think happens to most people who have children is that at some point, maybe the night you are up all night rocking and worrying over a sick baby, or maybe just those quiet moments together snuggling up your newborn, completely in awe of them- you will have the realization that your mom and dad did these exact same things for you and what's more, they felt about their baby just like you do about yours. They absolutely were in love with their little bundle, they loved me as much as I love my baby. When I first had this realization I just sat there completely overwhelmed with the sudden understanding and knowledge of how much my mother and my father loved and cared for me.
But you don't have to be a parent to appreciate your own. These 3 ^ knuckleheads pretty much adored their Dad... At least until 13 ish when we discovered we actually knew everything and went on a sabbatical of sanity and didn't return until we were... much older. We are grateful he has loved us through it all. And of course Justin and Dad have been practically inseparable since those fateful words, "it's a boy!" and, as I imagine it, my dad let out a huge sigh of relief.
Anyway, we love you Dad! xoxo Natalie, Erin, Ashley, & Justin

Sink or Swim

I know that I am occasionally prone to exaggerations. But this new development needs none and it's still pretty impressive.

True Story: Last week Aly wouldn't even jump to Nathan in the pool. We've only gone swimming a few times this season but Nathan and I both thought it was going to take some persuading to get Aly to even put her head under. Monday, on her own she started jumping off the bottom step, bouncing off the bottom and coming up for air acting half drowned. I tried to get her to just play on the steps because she was worrying me. She refused. The following videos are from Tuesday.

Did ya catch that little "1,2,3!" in Chinese as she jumped in the water? Oh, and how she JUMPED IN THE WATER! And swam to the side like no big thing. I couldn't believe it. I still can't. It was literally overnight and she figured out how to swim on her own. I guess she wasn't kidding when she said she was going to be a mermaid.

Farewell 09/10 School Year

I aspire to be more like this woman who, when faced with a room full of boisterous 4/5 year olds, continues to speak more and more quietly until the noise level slowly retreats to meet hers. It magical.

Mrs. Cook has been Kohen's KA teacher this year and regularly amazed me with her consistent uses of positive reinforcement and redirecting- Kohen has simply thrived in such a positive and encouraging environment. He had ample time to create all sorts of 'projects' he imagined up and the supplies to do it and Mrs. Cook was his greatest cheerleader. Even for the picture she went and found the card Kohen had given her to show it off.

Unfortunately Kohen's KA class came to an abrupt halt on Wed. around 11am when the CDC decided that 2 confirmed cases of Hand Foot and Mouth were enough to shut the class down. So we all came and gathered our disappointed students and I had Kohen home 2 days earlier than expected. Thankfully he hasn't been too upset about the water fight and ice cream party he missed out on. Other than that, Kohen's year = amazing.
I contrast that with Kennedy's year in 1st grade. When the girls in the class informed her that they had all been together since preschool so they were not going to be her friends, I think she was a little shocked. Especially after her Kumbaya-esque year in Kindergarten. I think I was shocked too. At first I thought things would iron themselves out over time but the girls held firm.

Eventually the teacher and a parent were involved and things got better. For about a week. Then the off and on games started and have continued throughout the year. About once a week Kennedy cries after school, sometimes she'll tell me how there are X amount of weeks left and she still doesn't have any friends. Not to make this about me but wow, can you say gut wrenching? And having to act the opposite of how I feel as I try and teach my daughter to forgive and be kind to those who hurt her, hoping she doesn't see the Mother Bear I'm fighting to keep contained inside....NOT EASY.

And I know I am biased but what's not to like about Kennedy?! Seriously, she is a smart, nice little girl and a loyal friend. The only cruel tricks and antics she knows now are the ones that have been used on her this year. It makes me sad. I am praying for a true friend for her next year.

Anyway! Much of the friend drama took place during recesses. During class things usually appeared to be okay. Kennedy loves school, especially reading and science. The school's science program is amazing. She would come home inspired all of the time wanting to recreate experiments.
Kenna brought home a CD with over 1,000 pics from the school year and it was fun to see so much of what went on during their school day.
Overall Kennedy enjoyed 1st grade. I am trying to block out the social failings she experienced and hope she overcomes them with ease next year. Meanwhile I find myself at 30 yrs old, resisting the juvenile urge to draw horns and scribble out a few choice faces on the above picture.

Hey, I'm a mom. I'm not perfect.