Macaroni and Cheese, Cottage Cheese and pink balloons!

When I asked Emma what she wanted for her birthday dinner her reply was macaroni and chesse and cottage cheese! "Oh and Mom I want pink balloons". How simple! I tried talking her out of the mac and cheese but as I thought about it this is what she wanted and so this is what she got!! You should have seen her face when I took 5 pink balloons into her classroom. It was priceless!! Happy Birthday Emma! Thanks for reminding me it is the little things that matter the most and you matter alot to me. I love you! MOM

And then there were none.

7 Aug 2009

Today Emma started school!
We learned on Thursday, that the school made an exception and Emma will be starting kindergarten early. Although she doesn't turn 5 until the 30th of September! She is so excited! she woke up earlier than usual, even though she doesn't start class until 11 am. Jonna did her hair before she went to work at the school, then left with the other kids. All morning, every 10-15 minutes she would say " Is it time to go dad?" and I would reply "not yet!" "OK dad you count and tell me when it's time." When it was time to go, she brought her shoes to me and ask that I put them on her. She doesn't even have Velcro on her shoes anymore, nothing to remind me of what she is giving up. She passes that invisible line in the sand, never to look back and always to remember. She looks into my eyes and tells me "Daddy, I'm scared!" Not timidly, but, more matter of fact than I care to admit. My throat catches, and a tear wells. What a statement of profound trust and honesty. We talked of her teacher, her new school, and the love of her family, parents and father in heaven, and his love for her. She likely will not remember beyond today what has transpired between herself and her father, but then again, this was meant for me, a lesson for my time not hers.
I took her to school and Jonna met us in the nurses office. We three walked to her classroom to meet the teacher before class starts. She gets to see the playground and mingles with the other children her age. The bell rings and she lines up and is in the hall before we know it. And then she is gone. Another moment has past, one that goes unnoticed by her, another growing pain for dad.
I cried in the hall! I've never cried for any of my children starting school. It's the total role reversal. When Jonna was staying at home raising the kids it was she that cried whenever the kids reached a milestone. when I cried in the hall she laughed at me. what a turn of events. Jonna laughing and me crying! My little baby is off and I feel somewhat like a mother bird pushing their young out of the nest. Either "Fly or Fall"...She flew!!!

But that's just the Dads perspective.

Kissing The Frog

There are times in a persons life that will try us to the point that we feel we are unable to bear. Those are the times that we find out just how blessed we really are to have such a strong person for a wife and mother. In just over a year since going back to school, and through this summer taking a pathophysiology course, we have learned to cut the fat in just about every area of our lives except around my waist (not gone yet). We are living with less, using less and relying heavily on the lord. Most importantly beyond that we are recognizing our own abilities more and leaning on each other for guidance and support. The Lord really does know what is most important to your family, and when the appropriate time to bring forth the blessings promised. Until then, it's kind of like kissing a frog and hoping he'll turn into a prince. We can only live by faith until the Lord sees fit to bless us with things promised. Until then we close our eyes and go for it, no matter how distasteful the task may be!

By the end of next semester in school I will have 94 credit hours and will continue toward a BS in Nursing unless a slot opens in the community college here, or a Banner Fellowship comes available. Until then I keep my shoulder to the wheel and push along. At any rate, my outlook for the future is always bright. If for only one reason........I'm not the one kissing the Frog!

On July 29, Jonna and I will celebrate our 16Th Anniversary together. How rewarding it is to have someone such as Jonna for my companion and Mother for our children. Her strength and willingness to "go and do", far exceeds the point that other women try to attain and fall short. Yet, every year Jonna kisses that same frog, with the hopes that someday......maybe this year the fog will make the transformation into the prince she deserves. I hope that I will not disappoint her.

I love you Babe!

Your prince of dreams
Your Frog at heart
Daryl

Is It Summer Yet?

It seems like we will be in school forever! Will it ever end? We are not out of school until June 9th. It is really hard to get up and go to school when everyone around you is already out of school. Brynley and the little girl next door were having a discussion about them already being out of school and how lucky they were. Brynley's response was "Well, we will be smarter than you." Hopefully this week will go by quickly because I need a break!!!! Thinking happy summer thoughts:)

Utah here we come!

Well it is the last Saturday before we hit the road for our road trip!! The kids are so excited to go to Utah! We have alot to get done today and Monday. We will leave on Wednesday morning around 3am!! We are excited to be able to go to conference, see Grandma and Grandpa, check out schools for Daryl and what ever else we can fit in. Packing and getting everything taken care of is the hardest part right? Or will it be the 13hours and 31min(according to map quest) drive not including all the stops in between for potty breaks and just getting out to stretch. Hopefully we will be there sometime on Wednesday evening!
See ya soon Mom!!

Spring Break Wish List!

Well we have been on Spring Break for one week now with one more to go! Wow the break has been great! So much fun with no structure!! So I had a list of things to do while on break and so far accomplished only a few on the list. So far I have slept in at least twice! Spent some time with my kids just relaxing and we finally had a family picture taken! Thanks to my friend Kathleen. Thank you so much for being patient with us Kathleen. We went out in the evening and ran out of day light and had to try again the next morning. If one day of getting 5 kids ready was not enough we had to do it again. We did have fun the second day and got alot of good pics. It's amazing to look at these pics and look at how big the kids are getting and wonder where the time is going. It has made me realize how fast time goes by and how we really need to spend time with those that matter most to us because soon the time will be gone and we will miss all the little things that matter most.

Chick Flicks

Alright all you manly men out there. Its time to strap on whatever you have to strap on, buckle up and make the stand that you usually come to terms with your manhood enough to get a grip and sit long enough with your wife to watch just one more chick flick. Tonight, while waiting to pick up Chelsie and friends from the youth dance, Jonna and I had a wonderful evening watching "Fireproof". For those husbands out there still waiting for a sign to think of someone else besides yourself this is the time! Get out of that comfort zone you have built around yourself and whatever has come between you and your wife. Watch the movie and understand inpart what we are dooing wrong! Now is the time to act and prove not your manhood, but rather your worthiness to be that companion and father the lord intended for his cherished sons and daughters in our care. And the next time we meet, may we look into each others eyes and have our Joy move us to tears that we are still the lords and he is ours.

Daryl