An update.....

Well, no new pictures really but I will just give a quick update. Sunday was our ward Primary program at church. Each child was asked to come up with a few sentences about certain subjects. Of course I helped them a little with theirs but the best part was that Evan completely memorized his and my sweet, shy little man got up there in front of everyone and said every word all by himself. I was so proud. He says he wasnt nervous one bit...wink wink. So cute. Of course Ian being the seasoned speaker that he is...ha ha...did great too. The teachers, as well meaning as they are actually hinder some of the kids from doing it themselves. As a panic measure they keep a copy of the whole program on the podium in case a child needs help or wants to read their part. During practice Ian kept reading his part even though he knew it by heart. So, just before the actual program, I told Ian not to look at the paper and to look out at the audience and find Daddy and Addison and tell them his little speech. Well, he got up there and pushed the paper aside first (to show everyone that he didnt need it) then looked straight out at everyone and spoke like a grown man. I had people ask me afterward if I thought he might run for President some day.....too cute.

So, today, it was mommy's turn. A few days ago I had to run some pictures of me and Denver down to Ian's school because he had forgotten them. They were our Air Force portraits. The school was doing a little Veterans Day program and asked the students to bring in pictures of family Vet's. Anyway, I had to bring them to his Principal who then proceeded to beg me to speak at the assembly. She ony had 2 other speakers and needed help and so reluctantly I agreed. It is strange because although technically I AM a Veteran, I feel like I dont deserve the title since I only served 6 years. I look at men and women who give 20 or 30 years of their life to this country and serve in wars and I think that is who that title belongs to. I understand that everyone who serves plays their part no matter how big or small but it still feels weird. Anyway, I represented the women today. They had a young guy from the Army who had just joined a year ago. Then they had me and then an older gentleman who was a retired Air Force Colonel. 29 years as a fighter pilot! He was so cool. The kids loved it. So, I spoke about my job as a Linguist and I got the kids to interact with me by asking them questions as I spoke and I was doing pretty good until I got to the patriotism part....of course I cried (because Im such a boob) but I dont care because I am VERY proud to be an American. That is something that being in the military really brought out of me. I didnt realize I had that in me and I really want to pass that on to my kids. Afterward, I asked Ian how he thought I did and he said "great mom! Except when you cried...I said 'oh no, dont cry' but then I cried too...." It was a great experience and Im glad I agreed to do it.

While I was speaking at Ian's school poor Evan had a partial root canal. I had to give him this kiddie cocktail of demerol, xanax, and phenegran an hour before to knock him out. Literally 5 minutes after I gave it to him he started getting groggy. Denver had to carry him into the office....poor baby. Now he has a silver cap on his tooth and he thinks it is pretty cool. He thinks it will get him more money when the tooth fairy takes it! He took 2 naps later in the day too....it really threw him for a loop. Im glad it is over with.

So thats about it really. Its been a nice week and we are gearing up for Turkey Day. I have so much to be thankful for in my life and Im really going to try focusing on that every day this month.....