Family Night and Other Adventures

Fall break is officially over.

As the Kaje trudged behind me and Livi in the stroller in the brisk fall air this morning, we were feelin' the loss... it's been a lovely few days. But school! School beckons. And I realize ... after all these years, I am once more it's prisoner. But a happy one, I guess. A happy prisoner. They should put that in vinyl on prison walls:

Let's All Be Happy Prisoners...

                                      --Marie.

Just think of the inspiration I would be giving my fellow incarcerated sojourners.
School really is happy, especially for Kaje, who loves his teacher and the schedule and especially his new friend Miranda. He informed me last night he misses her because every recess she is Sonic and he is Diego... A match made in imagination heaven. And I have met this Miranda when I go in and help on Mondays. She is a cute girl... tight, tight curls and mouth that is surprisingly large and a great big smile. And a little bit of spunk. So that is good for my son.

Last night was Family Night, a night once a week we devote to being together. Daddy was in charge of the lesson, but he decided to just take matters into his own hands and take us all out to dinner. That was super fun, because none of us knew where we were going. I was hopeful, though, and happily my hopes were realized... he took us to Texas Roadhouse so I could have myself some steak and ribs. This is all very unusual... having Livi totally changed my taste buds. The last two and three-quarter years red meat is suddenly my good and faithful friend. But I don't complain! Because that means I get to really enjoy places like Texas Roadhouse. (Side note: I was in Texas once. At the Dallas airport for a layover during the 2000 election. George W. and Al Gore were having a Presidential Debate, and I sat staring at the spectacle in a big bucket chair waiting to get back on a big scary airplane so I could go home. And guess what... I encountered the Mafia. No one believes me, but I did. It was just like the Sopranos. And they could have put a hit on me and eliminated me Hoffa-style. But they didn't.) So we went to dinner, and I talked the Double B's ear off. 'Cause the only time he really dominates the conversation is when he talks about work. So I made up the topics and he contributed occasionally (I have a great terror of being the couple sitting at the restaurant with nothing to say to each other.). However; our children were not cooperative. Livi wouldn't do anything but sit on Daddy's lap or fuss, and Kaje was "too cold" and after he had his three glasses of chocolate milk, wanted to leave. Ha! So we ate a little, then packed up to go boxes and expeditioned home.

Sometime in the middle of the night, Livi came into our room crying. She usually calms down when I snuggle her, but she just kept moaning and scooting around in bed. Her tummy has been a little upset this weekend, so I figured that was the difficulty. Imagine my joy when she sat up, climbed on my stomach, and projectile vomited all over my chest and arm. I was very joyful. In all honesty, there was a split moment before it happened that I knew exactly what she was going to do, so I didn't even really react, except to say "I'm so sorry, baby" to her -- 'cause throwing up like that is the worst. The Double B, however, flew out of bed... frantically hopping around, throwing a towel over me while apologizing for the misfortune, and taking her to the bathroom. She was sick a few more times, which he helped her with as I changed clothes and changed the sheets. She then happily climbed back into our bed, pulled me close to her, and fell asleep. It was really kind of sweet. Looking into your child's face so closeup is a very tender feeling. When my dear kind husband climbed back into bed I said how I was going to talk to our next child about making him the target of bodily malfunctions, since it has always been me that gets it. He laughed and then said "But you're a mom and you can take it. Dad's are only good for rushing them to the bathroom."
He is wise beyond his years, that Double B.

This morning during family scripture study (which we're still pretty spotty at, but school helps me remember) we were reading in 2nd Nephi. It is one of my very most favorite parts, and it touched me. I will share it with you now:

And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?
Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Pretty amazing.

We like adventures here. Tonight is the Scary-okey/Lip Sync for the young women and young men... It should be very adventurous. Stay tuned for a full report!