The Norm.

I’m writing!

Long over due and it seems every time I do sit to write I don’t know where to start. The norm is happening and Moses and I are falling into new routines as all the other children attend school.

Maeser’s reading has improved immensely and his hesitancy to read has subsided. I am grateful there are fewer tears every time we open a book. 

Scout's adorable lisps are headed out the door. She is starting speech therapy at school this week. Her original assessment showed that we had grown used to her words and I didn't even notice how difficult it was to understand her. Her therapist wrote out the following for us and it's hilarious:

Scout's speech assessment: 

cup = tup

girl = dirl

wagon= wadon

lamp = wamp

rabbit = wabbit

plane = pwane

slide = swide

green = gween

frog = fog

flowers = fower

shovel = sovel

watch = wats

Scout has learned to endure school, she loves the friend part, and is completely exhausted by the time she gets home.

Mary is absorbed in middle school and the school play. Last year she had a difficult time turning assignments in electronically and prioritizing tasks. She hasn’t had any trouble with either of those issues this year. To Dan’s chagrin, she choose the play over running cross-country and she and Abe have started taking voice lessons.

Abraham remained in the advanced math class this year, is rock climbing whenever he has a free afternoon, taking both piano and voice lessons and last week officially promoted (do flyers make it official) his bread making skills. He thinks he’ll be a millionaire. I’m just glad it’s bread, he originally was going to compete with his cousin’s lemonade stand.

And Moses.

Our dialogue goes something like this:

“Mom.”

“Yeah?”

“MOM.”

“Yeah?”

“MOM!”

Me stopping everything, looking directly at/walking over to/ picking up child, “What?” 

“I have a secret. I need to go pee.”

I knew Scout was a huge asset to me accomplishing anything in less than an hour, but I had no idea how much he needed someone at his level, on the floor, undistracted by anything.

He’s my constant companion- except for when Imelda watches him so I can exercise. He loves to run any errand I’ve got... and he stopped taking naps. 

Dan has recovered well, and is back to riding, running and swimming. It’s a huge stress reliever, provides productive research time, and I think he sleeps better. I’m thankful his back doesn’t have chronic pain and I hope he finds a solution to strengthen it.

In the last 4 weeks I’ve tried to be better at my church calling and more supportive of those who have to make some heavy decisions for our ward/stake. I am accompanying a friend to her cancer treatments, I moved another friend out of her apartment because of an abusive relationship, took a cooking class by a friend from El Salvador, agreed to work on the ASIA Women’s Conference again, begun voice lessons, and have a list of books I hope to read in my spare time. 

When I reread this I realize I haven’t mentioned God at all. His light permeates everything we are doing or trying to do. I am thankful for the opportunities our children have to teach and lead gospel discussions in our home. I know the Come Follow Me program is inspired. I especially appreciate the daily conversations that happen between Dan and I, or with Julie. I am thankful to hear of and witness their testimonies of Christ in how they live, love, forgive, and respond to chaotic or difficult situations. I am learning to do and be better. 

Life is good. God is good. 

Here’s to writing again.