Mom and Dad

This is my Mom and Dad. Don't they look happy? This was a picture taken at my house over a year ago on their first date in 30 years. Here is the long story made short. They dated in high school, fell in love and wanted to get married, but because of family things they didn't. Then they lost contact. Around Christmas like 2 years ago they made contact on Facebook. I remember being there at my sisters house for Christmas, we were watching the Forgotten Carols, a family tradition, and mom was chatting on facebook the whole time. After she had been chatting for awhile, the giggling and blushing got my attention. I asked who she was chatting with and she said it was a guy she knew from school. I immediately thought "If he is single she is gonna marry him." Sure enough, not long after that they went on their "first date" and then got married. I won't even go into the night of their date, that is a story for another time, but lets just say it's like she as 16 again and I had fun.

Well, my mom and dad are moving out of their current home into another and so I have been helping them pack and clean. Last night we stayed late trying to get as much done as possible before we all just died from exhaustion and then they took me out to dinner. As I followed them to the restraint I watched them in their car. I was listening to a romantic song in the car and at a stop light I saw then lean in and kiss. Gross did not even enter my mind. I just felt so happy. My mom has a had a rough life. She was a single mom and she worked really hard and made a lot of sacrifices to make ends meet and to raise three crazy kids. I am so glad that she has found such happiness, she deserves it and it's about time she is in heaven with the love of her life.

My one regret in all this is that it didn't happen sooner. I know the Lord has a hand in all things and I do not question His will nor His time, but I do wish they had met up earlier. It would have been nice for my mom to have a loving husband and to tell you the truth I really like having a dad. But I take comfort in knowing that they have an eternity to be together and be in love. I thank the Lord for His plan of happiness and that it is just that, a plan of happiness.

"Genderless" Child?

OK, so ya know that couple in Canada that wants to raise a "Genderless" child? Oh dear!

The first Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints issued this proclamation on the family in 1995. Here is what the Prophet and Apostles have to say.

"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose."

If I may share my thoughts on this story... I have two boys. When they were born there were a lot of decisions to be made. One that my husband and I agreed on very strongly was that we wanted to avoid the world's view that boys and men are "Macho, don't cry, tough, do guy stuff." I wanted my boys to feel like it was ok to show emotion, to cry if they wanted to, to show affection and be sensitive. I did not want to limit the way they dresses, acted, or the toys they played with as long as they stayed within the proper bounds as we saw them by the gospel of Christ.

In the bible it says that boys don't wear girl cloths and girls don't wear boys clothes Dueteronomy 22:5.

I used to hate being a girl, I wanted to be a boy so I could do all the cool stuff like play football and fix things with tools. I wanted to be in scouts not stuck with the girls painting nails. But as I got older I started discovering the difference between men and women. God made us the way we are. He made us male and female and He gave us divine attributes to help us. Men, usually the providers of the family are strong, hard working, and focused. They are great at what they do. Women, normally the mommies at home, are nurturing, loving, and instinctive. These attributes are God given, important attributes. I would not trade being a woman for the world now. Being a woman allows me to have children, be a mother, and give my kids what they need to grow up to be strong, righteous, intelligent children of God. My husband also takes joy in his role as a man. He enjoys working hard to provide for us, wrestling with the kids, and protecting us. The attributes he has from God are important just like mine are and they compliment each other and help us to work together more effectively. God's plan is perfect, He made us the way we are and nothing in the world will change that. Because His plan is perfect we as His children are part of perfection.

Pre-school debate

I have been thinking about pre-school lately. Glen, my oldest, is so very smart and he loves learning and reading. He has such a passion for life and learning that I want him to have great learning opportunities. I have asked around to friends, family, other mom's and teachers. There are so many opinions. (Please feel free to share your opinions one way or the other.)

Some say that there is no need for pre-school if you are a stay at home mom, you can teach your own kids. There is a large list of reasons not to send a child, money, worry over safety, having the child "leave home" early. Others have a huge list of reasons for sending a child to pre-school. Social interaction, coping skills, a great learning environment, it's fun, it helps kids get ahead start in school.

And so the debate is on. I know Glen would love it. So far he knows the alphabet and sounds, he can sight read a few words and is beginning to sound words out, he can almost count to 20, he cuts, follows instructions, and tries to write letters. I took a test for him that put him almost at the level kids need to be for kindergarten. So I would not send him for the learning necessarily, though I know he would learn a lot and love it. He does not have a lot of friends his age, but he is very kind and social. I am not worried about him going, though it will be sort of sad, I still think his joy at learning will make up for the hours I miss him.

If he went it would give me a little one on one time with Benjamin, time we don't often get. It would also give me a sort of break, some times I feel so burned out chasing after two toddlers. And here we are with the guilt. I can't help thinking that is I was a better mother I would not need to send him because I could teach him all he needs to know for school. If I was a better mother then I wouldn't feel so burned out. Part of me feels so guilty, almost like I am sending him away because I do not want him. I assure you that is not the case, I love my sweet angels beyond words, it's just my mommy guilt.

Please share your thoughts with me. Have you had success with pre-school, or do you think it's a bad idea?