First School Days

Took the kids to kindergarten Monday. Porter said, "I'm a little bit nervous, Mom."
I know Madison was anxious too, she just hid it better. But, because they went to the "meet and greet" on Friday, I think they were a little bit more prepared. They have gone two days and are doing fine--so am I!

It's been fun spending the time they are in school with Lane. He is a character already, and when he has my full attention I am laughing most of the time. He is so fun to hang out with. He doesn't seem to be bothered at all that he's left alone. He still gets his backpack together though--just to take them to school. His nickname of "Tookies" for the twins has stuck. He makes up words all of the time and thinks it's hilarious.

Madison has been very insistent and particular about what she is going to wear and how she wants her hair done. Her second day she wore all hot pink--her favorite color. She went in head-to-toe pink--literally. I tried to talk her out of it, but was not successful. I did manage to convince her that she couldn't wear her dress to school every day. That was her first choice. I also talked her into the rainbow necklace--to break up the color a bit.

The kids think their teacher is nice and amazing. And, they said they haven't gotten in trouble at school. For some reason they thought they were going to get in trouble at school. Porter has been proud to report that he can sit still in his seat. We were actually worried that he wouldn't be able to. The kids sit at different tables so they can make new friends.

Madison though they were being separated so that they don't fight. We were trying to explain to them that we wanted them to have the opportunity to develop separately from each other and not be compared or competed with. I guess we didn't explain it very well because I heard her telling Porter that if they got caught fighting she would deny it--so they don't in trouble or have to get separated. Little allies. I'm on to them.

The chalk drawings were made my their teacher for the first day of school. She wrote everyone's name on the ground. Because Grandma Rhonda has been working with them they immediately found their names. They thought that was pretty cool. They also got to wear clip-on name tags.

Last night Madison told me that "now that she knows school" she really likes it. She said she wasn't sure if she would like it or not before. That's exactly what I told her was going to happen. She's just like me.

Porter likes making new friends and comes home with a new name everyday. They love school. Yeah! Hopefully, it will stay this way for let's say the next 19 years!

Back to School

Yes, I am a nervous-nelly about my kids going to school. I realize I am not the only mom sending kids to school. And that I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. But, hey, that is what I am good at!

I keep trying to get some kind of sense of how nervous my kids must be too, but they just laugh at me. Porter told me yesterday, that he was 5 and that is really, really, old. I told him that there are kids who come from homes that are, let's just say, not as healthy as his. (i.e. they use bad words, and do bad things!) He just said, "Mom, if there are any bad kids I will just be their friend. Even if they are mean to me, I'll still be their friend." And as if a final reassurance he said, "You know I am really good at making friends."

I told him that mom, dad, or grandma won't be there to help him make decisions or to protect him. He said, "Mom, Jesus will be there and I know how to pray."

Okay, I guess he passes. I didn't know Jesus was starting kindergarten, but I sure am glad he's going to be in Porter's class.

***

Madison is already a mini-mom. I really could let her take over. I caught her outside yesterday pointing a finger at the boys and telling them what they weren't supposed to be doing. They were all in swimsuits--well Porter was in his underwear, but the other two had swimsuits on. (At least he wasn't naked.) They were playing in the pool and running on the slip and slide.

I peeked out at them. When I saw Madison, I stopped her and bent down to her level. I cupped her face in my hands and said, "Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you just have fun and be a kid for once?"

She looked up at me quizzically and said, "Why?"

****
When Lane gets tired he turns into a little passive-aggressive monster. He wanted more popcorn. We were watching a movie and eating popcorn. He picked up the bowl full of nothing but corn kernels and slowly poured it onto the ground while he looked at me. I was furious. I told him he had to pick it all up by himself.

I got so mad, I announced time out for myself. I didn't want to yell at him, although I really felt like it. I went in the other room and sat on the bed. Madison came in. I said, "Okay, miss Mom. How am I supposed to handle this."

She said, "You need to apologize to him first."

Exasperated, I said, "I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't yell at him. That's why I am in here. Because I don't want to lose it on him."

She stopped and thought. Then said, "Then just pray until you're done being angry."

My kids are fine. I'm the one that's nuts.

Monday blues

I always want to post something uplifting and life-changing on my blogs so that I can change the world...but that really never happens. I don't even anything special to report. In fact, it's mostly anxiety and challenges. Allbeit small challenges. My car is still in the shop, but I should have it by the end of the week. How happy and thankful I will be to have transportation again. It has been six long months.
School starts for the twins--college for me--on the 29th of this month. I am so eager to finish my degree, but have to do it one slow semester at a time. I don't know why I am anxious about the kids going to school. Maybe because they leave the safe protection of being watched only by people who love them enormously. I don't know that their teacher can love them as much as we can. I also don't like the milestone of kindergarten....because at the end of that road is graduation. At after graduation, they are gone. I wish we could keep them small forever. Oh the heartache and happiness of your children.
I started at a new store this past week. It has been a great source of anxiety for me. I do not like the new boss. He seems snide and insincere. I was so loved at my last store, I hate not feeling valued. I am also getting too old for rude customers.
I really want a desk so that I don't have to type sitting on the floor. I will get one soon, just have to finish paying for my expensive car! Oh well, such is life. I'm off to start the week.

Back to the grind

I am currently enrolled in college again. I really want to keep going even though it seems like finishing is so far away. I am only taking two classes this semester. I took last semester off because of so many distractions going on in my life. I guess one class at a time until I can finish!

Little Lane

He is such a cute little stinker. I often get told by people that he is their favorite of my three kids. I think because he is so sweet and genuine. And, he is extremely polite. He says thank you to everyone for everything.
Yesterday, was his first day of half-primary. Many of you may already know that when they turn three they spend the last half of the year going to one hour of primary. The the last hour they go back to their nursery class. This is to prepare them for January when they will begin as full-time Sunbeams.
He fell asleep during Sacrament meeting so he was a little groggy waking up. I actually took him to class with me, but when he woke up he really wanted to go to his class. He loves going to church.
Once I got him to class, they informed me he could go into Primary. He was so excited that he got to go to the "big" primary. The same one that Porter and Madison were in. He's quite into music, so he really loved all of the singing.
I ended up staying with him....mostly because he was a little groggy from waking up at first...and okay, let's me honest...because he's my little baby. I loved watching all of his excitement. I will have to go to my class next week by myself. I think I will be okay without him.
The singing teacher did an activity where the kids got to get called up by drawing their names out of the glass jar. Lane was so disappointed that he couldn't go up and volunteer. I told him to go ask the lady if he wanted to do it. He walked right up to her and said, "Can I do it?" She told him next time and was nice enough to call him up to the front.
He had to wave the stick with a ribbon on it and yell "Yee-haw." She tried to get him to say it, but he got really quiet. So, she asked everyone to be very quiet so he could talk. When he finally said something, it was very quiet. But he clearly said, "Giddyup."
I am thankful to all of those ladies who put so much time in to make primary fun. My kids love it. Lane tells everyone that he is practicing to be a Sunbeam. He is so proud and happy to be in with the big kids.

Happy Birthday...5 years old already!

The twins turned 5 on Sunday, July 17th. And...I haven't had time to write about it. We were so busy this year that I feel like we weren't able to focus on them that much. Sharing one car, until my gets fixed, was also an added stressor. We celebrated on Saturday, because I was working Sunday night. We bought them each their own tiny cake...because no one ever eats all of the cake. Porter said, "I was expecting a much bigger cake." I said, "Are you disappointed?" He said, "No mom, I was just expecting it to be bigger."
They shared time opening presents while Lane acted as the garbage man. He would collect their wrapping paper as it was taken off. He was a really good sport. I always feel bad because with only three kids, he is the only one not opening presents on their birthday. Of course, they shared all of their candy and toys with him. They are such sweet siblings to each other.
They got loads of stuff, cards, and money from all of their grandmas and grandpas. They have four sets of grandparents on Brant's side and only my parents on my side.
As a last minute idea, we took the three of them to Chuck E. Cheese--by far their favorite place to go. We had a blast following them around. I think Lane's favorite thing to do is to put tokens in the machines. He rode one ride six times in a row.
They birthday landed on Sunday and one of the things they were so excited about was to get up in front of the primary and get sung to. When they came home, they said that they forgot to sing to them. They were both so sad. Of all of the things they were looking forward to that was a big one for them. I thought they would forget about it, but they brought it up again yesterday. So before primary I talked to the president and asked if she wouldn't mind singing to them. She felt so bad they were missed. She was actually out of town last week and of course, it was an innocent mistake. She was so gracious and even brought cookies over to them last night. They were very delighted.

Happy Fourth of July!

Can I just say that holidays are so much more fun with kids!!! Fourth of July really never was a holiday growing up. We actually didn't look forward to it because that was the busiest time of year for Taco Bell. It wasn't until I married Brant that I actually got to watch fireworks.

The kids had so much fun. We started with an early morning flag raising ceremony at the church. It was a great patriotic way for the kids to start the holiday. Then we went inside for breakfast. I had to go to work--so "oh no" missed the parade in the triple digit weather. Brant took the kids and they had a great time. Especially catching candy. After work, we had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Smith's. Then, Brant let the kids light fireworks. We finished with watching the firework show at Redrock. Porter was literally jumping up and down saying he loved this holiday. I think it was the pyro part of it.

A-B-C, 1-2-3

Rhonda has been home schooling the kids and working so hard with them. She is amazing. I can't take credit for any of their education. They can both write their names (see example). Lane can write an "L" but he's not as proficient as the other two. Rhonda has been taking one letter a week and helping them learn it. She sings songs, studies the Pledge of Allegiance, and is having them memorize Articles of Faith. I am amazed at how much they learn. The twins start school next month! Aaah! I am freaking out. My babies...going to school. Just crazy.

Jayley visits

Due to Jaden's unexpected seizures we were able to have Jayley spend almost a week with us. She flew in Monday and was supposed to have her parents pick her up. But, they were a little busy attending Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Madison wasn't sure what to expect as she has heard alot about this Jayley girl that used to be her Dad's favorite girl. She questioned us quite a bit about her. We assured her that since she Jayley had her own dad, that Madison was still Dad's favorite girl.

Lane was so cute with her. He took to her right away and wanted her to do everything with him. Maybe it's because Porter already has his partner, so he figured Jayley could be his. He started calling her his "chookie." Jayley was awesome with the kids. She played with them and read stories. Jayley helped me take them on the bus--something they have been wanting to do--and we went to McDonalds.

Brant wants to keep her. He tried to come up with a million excuses why she should stay with us. The best he could get from her was a consideration to go to UNLV in a few years when she graduates from high school. Brant was so excited for her to come. He really does have a soft spot for her. He loved taking her out and going to her soccer games when the Taylors still lived in Las Vegas. Whenever she would do really well, he would take her to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. He took her there when she first got into town. And, sweet Jayley, wore her soccer necklace that Brant bought for her years ago.

Jayley was such a trooper. I know this couldn't have been the most fun part of her trip, but she didn't complain. When I was home, I didn't have a car so we would have to walk and/or take the bus. We made it to Old Navy for some shopping and went out to eat at Sweet Tomatoes. It is so fun to have a teenager around that is sweet and helpful and nice to your little kids. We loved her! And, we're still throwing in our hat for taking in her while she goes to college.

The Bus Stops Here

My car broke down several months ago on the way back from visiting a close cousin. Because of the high cost to repair it, it’s been sitting in a shop ever since—and probably will for another four months. So, for the time being, I am officially vehiculess. (A term Tracy actually coined almost 20 years ago. I think she cursed me.)

But I haven’t let it get me down. I’ve fully embraced public transportation as my new way of getting around. And yes, there’s plenty to complain about when it comes to riding the bus. I could write paragraphs. But that’s not what this is about. What I’ve realized is that this unexpected inconvenience has been quietly teaching me—and I’m genuinely grateful for the lessons.

Today, as I sat on a bench in the hot sun, waiting, I was thankful for even the smallest breeze. I tilted my little droid phone into the shade to double-check that I was, in fact, at the right stop to get home.

While I was sitting there, a man in a suit approached and asked how far away Lake Mead and Rainbow were.

“Quite a ways,” I said. “I wouldn’t walk it.”

I pulled up a map on my phone so he could see where we were. He nodded and said he might walk it anyway, but I told him the bus should be arriving soon—it might be worth the wait.

Now, I may not be the most outgoing person in the world, but I do carry the Lane family gift for gab. As we waited, we got to talking.

He told me he was from El Salvador. His wife and six-year-old daughter were still there. He was on his way to look for a second job—trying to save enough money to bring them to the United States legally. In order to maintain his path to citizenship, he had to stay in the U.S. for six months and one day out of every year. That meant he couldn’t go home for long and couldn’t take on permanent jobs if he wanted to visit his family. He could only afford one trip back per year. Back and forth wasn’t an option.

He didn’t have much in terms of possessions, but he spoke with unwavering gratitude. He told me how thankful he was to Heavenly Father for his health, for work, and for the opportunity to build a better life. He believed—truly believed—that God was taking care of him.

He was one of the most genuinely grateful people I’ve ever met. And one of the happiest. No surprise there—those two things often travel together.

When the bus finally came, we boarded. A few minutes later, another man who had paid cash for his ride turned to my new friend and offered him the rest of his bus pass.

“I won’t be needing it anymore,” he said, and handed it over.

That quiet kindness nearly undid me.

We see people struggling and feel sorry for them—and yes, many of them carry more weight than they should have to. But in moments like this, I realize they often carry something else too. Something I envy. They’ve learned how to be happy.

And maybe that’s the real secret: happiness doesn’t come from having everything—it comes from being grateful for what you already have.

Miss Marissa

(I don't have your updated email, but know you stop here occasionally.)
What's up? I haven't talked to you in so long? do you still have your blog--I can't find it if you do. I miss reading it. How is everything in your neck of the woods?

We in Vegas again. :( Oh well, life is treating us good and we can't complain. Hope all is well. Would love to have an update.

Mommy and Madi Time

I worried about Madison feeling left behind, but it was all for naught. She has such self-esteem I believe she thinks the boys had to go away so that she could be the princess for a day. I let her choose what she wanted to do. Friday night, we painted finger nails. Then, took a bus to McDonald's. We could have walked there faster, but she was insistent on taking the bus. She thought public transit was the coolest thing she has ever discovered.
We rode the bus back home--even though I tried to convince her to walk. She talked to everyone on the bus and even shared her cookies. She would giggle when the bus would start moving because she was so delighted being on it. That night, we watched a Barbie movie we had previously rented from Netflix and saved for this night. She wanted to do more, but I told her the night was over (I was pooped) and it was time to go to bed so we could have another fun day tomorrow.
In the morning we went yard-selling with Grandma. I french-braided her hair into two pigtails. It was the first time I have ever done that for her. She thought it was awesome. She got bored of yard sales easily, though she scored a free Hello Kitty mirror compact and got a Lai Hawaiian necklace for only ten cents.
We got home--and again she wanted to ride the bus--to Chuck E. Cheese. After getting there she ran around and played, but decided it wasn't as fun without her boys. Not that she wanted to leave, just didn't spend nearly as many tokens. After trying several flavors of soda, she decided rootbeer is her favorite. A guy there was encouraging kids to follow him for free tickets. When they all gathered around them, he told them to do the dance he was doing. Madi did it for awhile, then abruptly walked away. I caught up to her and said, what's the matter? Why did you quit? She said, "It's not worth it." By the time got home, the boys were bathed and tired. They all shared stories about each others adventures and both wanted to do what the other did. Dad and I were tired. Tired, but content. Our children are beautiful.

More Pics

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Fathers and Sons

What a great plan to have all of the dads and boys go on a campout! It gave me treasured time to spend one-on-one with Madi...but I'll talk about that later. This is all about the boys. All of what I am about to tell you is hearsay, as I was not actually there. So, I'll do the best I can to document the tale.
They left on Friday afternoon. Brant actually took the whole day off work so that he could get prepared. He is way over-compulsive sometimes, but if they would have gotten stranded at the campground for a week--they would have lived well.
The boys spent at least a week before talking about the camp out and how excited they were to go. I think that started the momentum. They set up the tent all by themselves. And though Brant was prepared, he forgot to buy "D" batteries for the pump, ergo, no air mattress. They roughed it on the ground. Needless to say, Brant didn't sleep much.
The boys immediately made friends with a group of older boys. Brant said the kids thought our boys were so cool. (I have to agree and totally get their cool factor.) They fish in Lake Lindsay--which is a catch and release--so they took pictures to prove their work. Worms weren't doing much. The boys suggested hotdogs, simply because that's what they would want if they were fish. Surprisingly, it worked remarkably.
They swam in the lake and were carefully guarded by the Bishops daughter, who was serving as a life guard. It's the first time in their lives they were speechless. As soon as she tried to talk to them, they clamored behind Brant. He said they thought she was too pretty to talk to. How do they already get that at their age?
They roasted hot dogs and marshmellows and had a grand time. They told Brant they wanted to move there and that their grandma, mom, and Madi could come and visit them.
The flashlight fashioned around Lane's chest is because he is Iron Man. (Iron Man has a light on his chest.)




What

I am not a girl

I was telling all of the kids yesterday that Jake and Amber had their new baby girl, Ashtyn Arianna Lane. When I said the name Lane said, "What! That's my name and I am not a girl." I tried to explain to him that my name used to be Lane before I got married. He said that it couldn't be my name because it is a boys name--he is a boy--duh! Then I told him that everyone in my family had the last name Lane and that is how he got his name. He said, "They can't have my name. That's my name and I am not a girl." As Lane would say, "He is so much funny."