Nifty little thing called skype…hint, hint…

A note to all of you: Ashley’s comment on our last post reminded me that being this far away doesn’t have to be such a bad thing in our techy society. My skype id is klmscott. Would love to talk any time!

P.S. And, Ash, please tell your little cutie to stop growing up so fast!!!

Not Going There...

Everything is happening so quickly lately. Today my second-to-youngest, wonderful Laurel, turned 13 -- THIRTEEN -- and joined the seething ranks of teenagers everywhere. Weird! [She's now only a breath away from deciding we never knew anything and counting the days until she is able to move out. Luckily, though, a few breaths later she'll realize how truly brilliant we are and be very, very sorry she judged us so harshly (big grin). I'm a patient woman; I can wait.] And next year the baby goes to middle school. When did THAT happen?!!?

Other firsts the last few months: Jessica took her ACT (getting a 30 on it her first try--go Jess!) and was also inducted into National Honor Society, Jess and Derik both had their braces removed, Jess totaled the kid car (we've replaced it with an armored truck), Laurel joined Aubrey and Derik as inductees into the National Junior Honor Society, Aubrey was made president of the Thespian Club (like Derik last year), Derik finally was able to get his implant, Eryn is singing in the honor choir at school, all of them were involved in various UIL competitions, Jess is going to state for her solo at solo/ensemble, Aubrey/Madi/Eryn took up softball, Jess/Derik/Aubrey are constantly going to Jubilee practices, etc., etc., ETC.!

It's tiring but exciting, each day bringing a seemingly endless list of things to accomplish, places to be, and people to manage, but I wouldn't change a thing. I'm so enjoying my wonderfully dynamic, ever involved family. I just want it to slow down a little bit!

In addition to that, Kyle's back in school and is now a high priest, serving in the high priest group leadership. I'm still Relief Society president, and I've also been working really hard on getting healthier. I'm down 25 pounds so far and feeling significantly better. With as fast as things are going, a couple of blinks from now, we'll be having weddings. Oooh, shiver--not going there, yet!

Still good...

Do you ever have one of those moments when you are right in the middle of some course of action and realize that it isn't what you want? I'm not talking about some monumental situation like deciding half way up Kilimanjaro that you didn't really want to climb the mountain after all, but more about life's small moments...

I was on Facebook today reading about what is going on in my friends' lives when I came across a post that piqued my interest. It was a news article about a teacher in California who was told by the school board that he had to take the posters in his classroom down. The reason? They all contained radical ideology like "one nation under God," "united we stand," and "I pledge allegiance." If you know me well, you know that I am passionate about our country and the rights and freedoms that it was built on and stands upon now, and the article bothered me--a lot. My friend agreed, too, that it isn't right, the kind of reverse discrimination that is rampant in our country, but one of the responders to her blog vehemently supported the school board's decision.

So I immediately started replying to the thread, all passionate about freedom of speech, reverse discrimination, etc. when it hit me--I was not reacting in a Christ-like manner and needed to stop. It's one thing to have a discussion about something when both parties are open and the discussion will be productive, but it's another thing entirely to step right into the middle of a fight with your gloves raised.

It's given me quite a lot of food for thought, and it's made me realize several things about myself and my personal beliefs. I haven't changes much since doing my internship in the Colorado state senate. The only difference is that I no longer want to be president...

1. I believe that our country as a whole has lost sight of the values that make it so inherently good.

2. I believe that the voices of the few are often louder than the voices of the many, even when the many are right. I also believe that just because you yell louder, it doesn't make what you're yelling correct.

3. I believe that the voices of the many should be able to be expressed without the few calling it discrimination.

4. I believe that sometimes we have to call wrong wrong even if it isn't the popular opinion.

5. I believe that the constitution does indeed "hang by a thread" in many ways.

6. I believe that we have a personal, moral, and societal obligation to do all we can to uphold goodness and right.

7. I believe that there is still much good in our country and that there is joy to be found in every moment of every day if we only follow the Savior.

8. I believe that it is worth it.

9. AND, I believe that my children deserve better.

It makes me sad.

Thankful...

I have been thinking all day about the wonderful people I've had the privilege of walking down the road of life with, however brief some of those walks have been. I am eternally grateful for the goodness and joy you have added to my walk and love you all. Thanks for being such wonderful friends and for sharing your life with me. It has made all the difference...

Along for the Ride

My important truth for the day is this: blogging the way I used to and my Relief Society president calling do not coexist well. So really all I can do is give you a snapshot of the last three months...

In the last three months 1) Jess got her driver's license, continued teaching piano lessons, prepared for and sang in two different choir concerts, continued studying extreme amounts for all of the A.P. classes she's taking, and tried to catch a few hours of sleep a day; 2) I spent three weeks in London with Kyle, during which we traveled to both France and Turkey (yeah!); 3) Kyle worked like crazy and was finally able to come home, where he's again working like crazy; 4) Derik and Aubrey performed in both Annie AND MacBeth, having five million play practices for the performances; 5) Laurel turned 12, entered the young women's program at church, and performed her first bassoon solo in a band concert; 6) Eryn didn't stop growing up for even a moment, loving Activity Days, excelling at school, and charming everyone around her; and 6) the family left out of New Orleans on a cruise to Central America (Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico) for spring break (after waiting three months for the Christmas present to mature)--all while everyone moved steadily forward in that little task called "living life."

Is it any wonder that we feel a little frazzled? Summer vacation will be a much needed break--you know...girl's camp, high adventure scout camp, Philmont for Kyle and Derik, our friend Shawna's wedding, band camp, some sort of a trip to see family in Idaho and Utah... All that resting is going to be SO boring...tee hee. Never a dull moment, my friends!

Also, on a completely unrelated note, every once in a while, someone says something that really makes you think. Earlier today I had one of those experiences during an assembly at Eryn's school. She was presented with an art award (being chosen from her grade as the best artist). She didn't know she was getting it, and when they started introducing the award, they said, "This young lady is very creative, and her beautiful artistic style reflects all of the different places she's traveled..." I guess I haven't really thought about it much lately, but it's pretty unique for an eight-year-old girl to have been the places she has, and the experiences have changed her and our other children. When I asked her about it afterward, she said, "Mom, when they talked about the girl having been all over, I thought 'that's SO me'--I'm so happy!"

As that sweet little girl's mother, I am SO grateful for the experiences we've had the last few years. I feel beyond blessed that my children have been able to experience the world a little and that I had the privilege of going along for the ride!