The Fruit of My Loins

With me starting school as well, I've been amiss in celebrating my children's start of a new school year. And one with all three in school, too! Hard to believe. Rob and I have truly been blessed with wonderful children. They are the neatest kids. I hope they have a great year.

Here's my junior high school student (or should I say middle school). Cameron started 7th grade this year and loves his P.E. class and teacher. The first thing he tells me about each day is what he did in P.E. and then something about Mr. Lamoreaux. So yes, that's his favorite subject so far. He tried out for the Knowledge Bowl team and made it, so he gets to do those competitions. Mr. Trivia will really enjoy himself.


Look at my lovely 5th grader. She just turned 10 and is growing up so quickly, but so well. We love everything about Missy. She has the most loving spirit of anyone I know. And her huge spirit is just so happy to have a healthy body and to be here on Earth. My Missy is such a joy to me.
Yes, the Tiny is off to kindergarten. It's been a rocky start. School started on a Wednesday, but the next full week of school started with tears every morning once she got to school. One day they lasted until noon. None of this was I aware of until Friday when I took her treats to school and found her crying. Her teacher said she did it every day. So we made Amy a happiness chart that her teacher would sign everyday if she wasn't crying in the morning. She almost lost her reward one morning but her sweet teacher helped Amy find her smile and she was able to get her reward at the end of the week (season 2 of SpongeBob). I hope that all is well this week.

Here are some more pictures of that morning.


Amy in her classroom. Her hair is finally long enough again to put in a ponytail (and that was on her orders).

I'm still comtemplating the events of the other day. I'm still troubled by the whole thing, but on an interesting level. It's still disturbing to me and a little tender. Have you ever felt completely alone before? Like there wasn't one soul in the entire world who cared about you? No friendly face, no encouraging words? I've never felt so empty before in my life. As I stood at the ticket desk, trying to comprehend what was happening, I felt despair like I've never felt before. Now I'm a pretty independent individual and pride myself on being able to make the best of a bad situation. Things usually work out for me because I feel I think well on my feet. But at that moment, I really needed someone to rely on. I wanted to feel like someone cared about me and my situation and that someone had answers or suggestions, or just something for me. But there was not a soul in that entire airport who looked my way, gave me any comforting words or reassurances, especially the airline people. They just wanted me to go away and be an idiot somewhere else. I can't even put into words exactly how I felt, other than it was the most horrible feeling in my life. I just kind of aimlessly walked away in a daze, having absolutely no clue what to do. I didn't even have the wherewithall to say a prayer. But Heavely Father was still with me, I guess, and the only thing I could think of was to get back home. Thankfully, I had a sympathetic husband to talk to when I got back to my car, and the sweetest customer service person at Expedia. She was the one who finally got the tears, once I wasn't numb anymore. I really appreciated her listening ear and trying to help me out with my problem. The most amazing thing of this whole experience was the love that I felt from my students the minute I walked back into my classroom. I decided to go back to work and not waste my personal leave day, and they were so happy to see me and so empathetic to my plight. I truly love where I live and work. They are the greatest places on earth!

So there's a point to my rambling, and I think a lesson I have learned. I feel so badly now for anyone of Heavenly Father's children who have ever felt the way I have in their lives. I don't want anyone to have to feel like this, especially if I am around them. I will, in the future, do everything in my power to help everyone around me know that there is at least one person in the world who cares about them. We are all sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, and just like our theme in Primary this year, we all can say "I am a Child of God". I think it's amazing that that is usually the first song our babies learn when they go to Primary (along with Popcorn Popping on the Apricot tree and Book of Mormon Stories, of course). I was playing it on the piano one day when Amy came and sat down on the bench beside me to sing it. It was the most beautiful thing and I was so amazed that she knew all of the words. So I hope that you who read my blog (few, though, you are) will join me in this quest, endeavor, or whatever you call it. Help those around you feel the love our Heavenly Father has for them. I love you all!