Which is the bigger miracle?

The tooth fairy came to my house on the same night a child lost her tooth? (For the last year or so it seems like the tooth fairy has always gotten lost on the way here, arriving a day or two late and often remembering, I mean, finding the tooth, several days after it was orginally placed under the pillow.)

Or...

The fact that I took clean, sparkling dishes out of my brand new dishwasher after over a year of trying to revive the broken one?

Either way. Something is right today!

A Proud Mom Moment

Today I was touched by the sincerity and strength of my 8-year old son. Here are just a few of his words from his talk today in Primary. His topic was fasting, and his testimony of this principle is personal and sincere.

He talked about how fasting without prayer is starving. He also shared a scripture in Matthew 6:16-18. Then he gave his personal example and testimony. He does not doubt the existence of God or His awareness of him.

"Since I was baptized in February, I’ve tried to fast on Fast Sunday. During that time I have also prayed very hard for my family. My mom explained to me that Heavenly Father doesn’t always answer our prayers in the way we want. I have been praying for my mom and dad and I have fasted for them. I know that my fasting has blessed my family. Heavenly Father answers my prayers. I feel very grateful.
I want to end by bearing my testimony…
I believe the church is true. I know Heavenly Father answers my prayers. It has happened almost immediately for me. I know that President Monson is a true prophet and that it’s the right thing to listen to him. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

I was especially grateful for a phone call tonight from one of the primary teachers who heard Connor speak. He wanted me to know that he was touched by the sincerity of his talk and that he too knew that God had answered his prayers. Connor smiled from ear to ear as we listened to the message. And so we relive this moment over and over. A small proud mom moment worth remembering.

X-Rays

Here are the x-rays from Breanne's fall before the Dr. put the bones back into place. The left arm, L, she is holding her hand with the palm facing her so the top bone hides the broken bone underneath. It does give you a good picture of how displaced the bone was.

The right arm x-ray is palm down, so you can see both broken bones.

Broken Moores on the Mend

One of my girlfriends who was out of town for church last week said, "I heard you and Ross were sitting together again at church." To which I had to reply, "It's not just a rumor. It's true."

I have another friend who asks me almost daily, "I saw Ross' car here again. How are you guys doing?"

The truth, "There is a lot of pain, and I'm not sure how we are really going to make this work but, today again, so far so good." The other truth, "Things have changed a ton for the better. It's awesome!"

"It sounds like you are cautiously optimistic." So I guess that describes it.

I have heard each of the children pray either separately or together, "Thank you that mommy and daddy are back together."

My prayers are full of gratitude too--and continual pleas for guidance and help. Perhaps like it should be, that hasn't changed a whole lot.

Our Junk Yard Visit

We did it! We made our first ever trip to the junk yard. The story is now complete.

Sometime after Collin ripped the old visor off I got good advice from a friend not to go to the dealer for a new one. Going to the junk yard wasn't something I was looking forward to, in fact, I came really close to pawning this responsiblity off to Papa or anyone else willing to take it.

Someone suggested, though, that I may benefit just as much as Collin by doing the hard thing that I didn't really want to do. So off we went today to face our fear, rise to the challenge, complete the story together. You get the idea. (Did I build the drama well enough?)

The irony. Collin picked a visor from the driver side instead of the passenger side and I let him. Well, I argued with him some, but we were both ready to have this over with. I didn't think it would be the right shape, but it fits. The mirror unfortunately won't face out so that you can use it. When the visor is up the mirror faces the ground, and when the visor is down the mirror faces the windshield. I can't decide if he got his $16 worth or not.

So maybe I get a C- today. I guess with a few A days and a few C days it all rounds out to about B+ anyway, don't you think?

Snapshot in words from the kids this weekend

At dinner when Connor, who has plenty of ketchup, but is about to pour more on his plate...
Me: You don't need any more ketchup. You only have two tater tots left.
Connor: Yes, but I have 5 fingers.



Breanne listening to the radio in the car.
Bree: Singing and dancing really make me feel happy.



Collin about visiting the Christi McAuliff Space Center overnight camp.
Collin: I guess most of the people who really like this stuff are geeks and nerds. I don't care because it's the coolest thing EVER!

Mine too, Honey, Mine Too

I was cleaning off the desk today and found one of Breanne's kindergarten pictures that I was going to file, but still haven't gotten around to doing it. I may file it, but I'm scanning it first. My heart aches that summer is basically over. I'll add this here as part of my grieving process.

Sliding Rock

These are just a few pictures that highlight my littlest adventurerer.
We're ready to back with friends again soon.
If anyone is game, just let me know.
The water is mountain run off. It's absolutely freezing.
Not an activity for the faint of heart.
And so much fun!

On the Motherhood Test Today I Just Got an A

It was one of those tests where my oldest son threw an ugly fit because he wasn't ready for school in time. As his panic increased so did his rage.



Rewind to Friday when I went to a few classes at BYU education week.
Joy and Gary Lundberg re-taught me something I was able to practice this morning.



1. Validate their feelings.

2. Establish the boundary with kindness, gentleness, love, and firmness.



Me: You sound pretty frustrated that you're not ready for school.

Child (screaming at me): Yea, well you're FINALLY noticing.

Me: Sounds like you're really having a tough time?

Child (sreaming at me): Duh, mom!? I'm not going to school now. Throwing his bike onto the driveway.

Me: (saying a silent prayer. Please help me to say the right things. I didn't get angry or yell at him. I actually genuinely felt sorry for him not getting a good start to his day.) If I drive you to school, you'll have to walk home because you won't have your bike. Is that what you want to do?



This child continued to rage and fume. I stayed calm, loving, and sympathetic.



Infact, you know what the Lundbergs said on Friday? They said that when you establish a clear boundary it gets worse before it gets better. They told stories that taught this well. Now I have one of my own.



Once in the car he broke his pencil and then pulled the sun visor out of the car ceiling, ruining the van. I was shocked but I said very lovingly, "Wow that will cost a lot of money to fix." I resisted the urge to say anything else.



Do you understand how monumnetal this is? Today I didn't yell. I was kind and loving. I was gentle AND firm. It's like the coming together of years of reading books, going to seminars, and classes.



Oh, yes I know there will be more tests. I'm just not ready to move on to those until I celebrate this one.

First Day of School

Summer is officially over. All my children are in school the whole day. It's Collin's birthday. Wow, it's a big day.