Busted!

Jasper has a record of sneaking snacks into his room along with some type of instrument or implement to open the snacks.

Yesterday morning I saw that his room door was mostly closed.  Jasper loves to have his door open so I peeked in to see what he was up to.

And there I found him.  In his chair, reading The Sneetches.  Underneath the book pages I found 2 packs of fruit snacks and a can opener. 

Watching Us

Jasper is really into Hot Wheels cars.  These are his current favorite 4 race cars.

My mantra is: No driving cars on the table.

Jasper assured me that he is not driving these cars on the table, they are just watching him eat...and play games, paint and draw.

Sticker Club

Call me a big dork or call me lost in the 80's.

I helped Jasper participate in a sticker club, i.e. chain letter.


I know it's silly, but I thought it sounded fun for the kids.

I'm participated in a few chain letters in Jr. High and never got anything back.

There is definitely part of me who is treating this like a science experiment.  I really wonder if we will get anything back.

On the Road to Adoption

This Thursday Mike and I have our first meeting with the adoption counselor at LDS Family Services.

Adoption was not in my "life plan".  I think that for me, I thought adoption meant giving up on the dream of getting pregnant again and having more children.  And that is painful.  Really painful.  I wrote a little about how we are not sure why I'm not having successful pregnancies here.

LDS Family Services has a section on their website for couples called "Hoping to Adopt" that I have looked at so many times.  I've read the "Real Life Stories", watched the videos of  for birth mothers who explain how they decided what to do.  I even read the story of a birth father.

I feel like I can relate to the birth mothers in some ways.  We are both going through something really difficult.  We both wish there was an easy way out.  We both wish this was not the road we have to travel down.  And yet we do.

I have cried a lot of tears.  And I keep thinking that the crying will end and that starting the adoption process will take the pain away.  But my heart is still broken.

My heart is broken that I haven't been able to have another successful pregnancy.

My heart breaks when Jasper asks me five times a day, "Mom, when are we going to get some more kids?"  Or when he daily reminds me what a good big brother he can be, and then rattles off his list of everything he has come up with that he can do to help a younger sibling.  More tears.

People tell me, "You just need to give up on having another successful pregnancy and let it go."  Great idea.  I've tried that.  A hundred times.  But it doesn't work for me.

For me to say, "I'm okay not giving birth to anymore children" is a lie.  I wish I could let it go.  I really wish I could feel that way.  But I don't.

I want to be pregnant.  I want to deliver another child.  I want to nurse them. I want to love them.

I think I'm okay to have these desires.  I think that God planted these feelings in my heart.  I think it is part of being a woman.

Ezra Taft Benson, a past Prophet of my church said, "“A mother’s role is also God-ordained. Mothers are to conceive, bear, nourish, love, and train. They are to be helpmates, and are to counsel with their husbands.”

I now realize that adopting a child doesn't mean that I have to give up hoping for another successful pregnancy.  It doesn't have to be one or the other.  I don't have to lock that door.

The reality is that I'm probably not going to bear any more children.  And that stings. But thanks to adoption, I can still be a mother again. 

This experience has been a lot more difficult for me than I thought it would be.  I feel like I need extra strength and direction during this time.  I started going to the Temple every Wednesday to help lift me up and give me hope that everything will work out.  I need the peace and light the Temple offers.

Since it takes 45 minutes to get to the Las Vegas Temple from my house, a few of my friends are sweetly watching Jasper for an hour and a half before preschool, feeding him lunch and dropping him off at school so I can have time to attend the Temple and be home when school is out.  I am so grateful for their help.

This feels like a really hard thing right now.  But I am just going to keep going.  Keep moving forward with faith.

Jasper always tell me, "I want to be happy on earth."  Great advice from my 4 year old son.

What's in a Name?

Next week our lesson in CTR 4 class is:  "We Have Special Families."

Today I sent an email to the parents of the children of my class with an assignment that the lesson manual suggests: Tell your child about how their name was chosen, so we can discuss it in class.

Mike took on the task and sat down with Jasper to talk about how we chose his name.  Mike wrote down Jasper's name, his own name, his dad's name and grandpa Davidson's name.

He had Jasper circle all of the "Michaels", "Davidsons" and "Jaspers."

It was really cute to watch them interact with each other.  Jasper's eyes always light up when he spends 1 on 1 time with Mike.

Here's a blog post about Jasper playing doctor like Grandpa Davidson.   He went by "Hal" until he was a doctor, and then he went by Dr. Davidson.

"As time goes on, we realize how important those are that have gone before us. We remember them, their works, and goodness.  But most importantly we remember their good names that they've left for those behind, and for those who are just beginning." (Katie Hughes)

My very talented friend Katie Hughes penned the above words, and she was kind enough to let me use it on Jasper's birth announcement.  I feel like it perfectly describes why we chose Jasper's name.

Below is Grandpa Davidson's Obituary:

Dr. Halvard Jasper Davidson who dedicated his life to the Lord and endured to the end, was reunited with his beautiful wife on September 22, 2002 on their 54th wedding anniversary.

Dad was the third of four children born to Hans Arthur and Margaret Olson Davidson on Oct. 23, 1923 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He married his sweetheart Marilyn Smith in the Salt Lake Temple and she preceded him in death July 7, 2001.

Our father, grandfather and great-grandfather taught his posterity by word and deed. He loved the scriptures, the Church and teaching the Gospel. He served in numerous positions in the Church including: Branch Presidency in Guam during the Korean War, Elder's Quorum President, High Councilor, Manti Temple Visitor Center Missionary, and Manti Temple Ordinance Worker.

Dad graduated from the University of Utah Medical School. He served an internship in St. Louis Missouri and a residency in Internal Medicine in West Virginia. He was the Admiral's physician in Guam as he served in the United States Navy. He practiced medicine in Salt Lake City and settled in Manti where he compassionately served his community for more than 30 years. He was passionate in his love of practicing medicine and serving and helping those in need. In his later years he found joy in painting the things he loved, portraits of his family, General Authorities, the Temple, and his Heavenly Father's creations. His family found great
satisfaction as he shared this talent with others.

High Adventure

We had the BEST day of hiking, Jeeping and exploring today at Secret Pass in Golden Valley.

I am a Child of God

 "I am a Child of God" is a favorite song in our church.  It's a Children's hymn, but everyone loves it.

Here's a link for a free mp3 download and sheet music for the song if you like it.

Below is a wonderful video of the song that I promise you will love.

Primary Lesson Helps -- New Website

If you are a teach children about Jesus Christ, then you will be happy to know that the LDS church has a new web page called Children's Lesson Helps. 

This is a great resource for parents or anyone planning a Family Home Evening or Primary Lesson.

I teach the CTR4 Primary Class this year, and I am thrilled to have this extra resource for lesson planning.

It lists (with links) additional stories, activities, videos and music to go along with the Primary lessons.

Right now the supplemental ideas are available for the first five lessons of the year.

Here's the press release is you want all of the details.

Happy lesson planning!

Full website address: http://lds.org/children/resources

Got a Dime in My Pocket

When I was young we wore out a tape by Janeen Brady called "Songs for a Mormon Child."

I still can sing most of the words to "Got a Dime in My Pocket", "Never Tell a Lie" and "I Want to Be a Mother."

Jasper and I have fun singing along to these old school tunes.

Here's a link where you can listen to the songs for free if you want a childhood flashback.

CTR 4 (Choose the Right)

Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012


Since I'm staying with my Sunbeam class, I'm now Jasper's CTR 4 Primary Teacher.

He is SO EXCITED to be a CTR 4.  He thinks it sounds so grown up.

Whenever he gets dressed now he proudly reads the "4T" label on his pants and shirts and says, "Mom, this says "4T" because I'm a CTR 4."

In class today we made necklaces with CTR on them and talked about how we can choose the right.

If the project involves coloring, cutting, gluing, pasting, and taping -- my class is in heaven.

One of the questions the manual said to ask is "What do you do when your mom or dad asks you to help out and do a chore?"

Before asking my class this question, I asked them, "What are some chores that your mom and dad ask you to do?"  Thinking this would help them give a more realistic answer to the question the lesson manual suggests.

One girl piped up that her chore is to get her mom a soda pop when her mom needs it.  I just smiled.

Someone else offered up that her mom instructed them "We CAN do laundry", but she told her mom that the only chore they know how to do is to get their dad a can of Coke when he needs it.

At this point I am trying not to bust out laughing.  So I say, "Would you like to know what chores Jasper does?"  Thinking this will get us off the soda stories and back on point.

I said, "If we need a new trash liner, Jasper gets them out from the cabinets under the sink and shakes it out and puts it in the trash cans; in the kitchen and the bathrooms."

They all sat there with wide eyes; stunned.  Then little Addison burst out into spontaneous clapping for Jasper, and the rest followed suit.  They were both amazed and impressed.

Jasper was thrilled to receive such accolades and my class was mesmerized. so I went on.

"Jasper also carries the entire laundry basket downstairs to the laundry room.  Sometimes he gets the darks and sometimes he brings the whites.  Then he helps me put the laundry soap in and pushes the buttons to start the washing machine." Again, more clapping.

And since I was on a roll, I told them when Jasper takes his shower he also sprays the glass shower door with a vinegar cleaning solution, scrubs it down and then pours a small bucket of water on the door to rinse everything away.

At this point the class erupts in clapping again.  Jasper is feeling great.  And I'm feeling like a chore freak, especially compared to the soda stories.

So I decide to leave out Jasper's vacuuming, including plugging the vacuum back into charge and changing out the attachments.

Jasper left feeling like a star, even though one of his classmates told him and the rest of the class that, "You guys are just doing scribble scrabble.  That's not coloring", when working on their CTR necklaces.  She is a coloring prodigy child and she really is good.  Don't worry, she's working on being a little less harsh on the other "less gifted" kids in class.

I am SO HAPPY to be Jasper's CTR 4 teacher this year!

2012 -- CTR 4 Class Beginning of the Year Photo

I'm basically the luckiest Primary teacher around.  I looped up with my Sunbeams, and now I'm the CTR 4 Primary Teacher. 

Madi moved to Alaska, Brayden moved to Arizona and we added Garrett to our class.

Jasper is in my class for the 2nd year in a row.  When he was in the Nursery class Mike was his teacher.  So he has always had a parent for a Primary teacher.  We certainly didn't plan it that way, but that's just how it's happened.

Here's our CTR 4 class beginning of the year photo.  I like to take a picture at the first of the year.  I think it's fun to compare it to how much everyone has grown at the end of the year.

I'm really looking forward to a great year teaching these kids in Primary.

 Me with my 2011  CTR 4 Class

(L to R: Jasper, Reagan, Savanna, Cadence, Simone, Addison, Garrett and Bridger)

2011 Sunbeam Class Photos -- Beginning and End of the Year

Last year I started a new tradition with my Primary class to take a class photo at the beginning and end of the year.  I also made a class photo list

I love to see how much the kids have grown each year, especially at this young age.

As an adult, I would LOVE to look back at a class photo from each of my years in Primary. 

You think you're going to remember everyone and everything...but it's all fuzzy.  I just remember bits and pieces.  Like when Richard Yardley threw my shoe out the 2nd story window when we were in CTR 11.  Or was it his twin Ronald?  I told you, it's all fuzzy.

So here's my little class that I love!

 Sunbeam Class -- January 2011

 Sunbeam Class -- December 2011

 Sunbeam Class with me-- January 2011

 Sunbeam Class with me-- December 2011

 

 

 Sunbeam Class with me-- January 2011

 

 Sunbeam Class -- January 2011

 

End of the Year 2011 Sunbeam Class Photo

(L to R - Simone, Cadence, Madi, Reagan, Savanna, Bridger and Jasper.  Missing: Addison and Brayden, who moved a few months ago).

Dec. 18, 2011

In 2011 I had the opportunity to teach one of the Sunbeam classes in the Eldorado Pass Ward.

I was lucky enough to have a class of Jasper's friends that I love dearly.


In January 2011 we started out with three classes of Sunbeams -- a total of 20 three year old's.  A few months into the year one of the three Sunbeam teachers left, and they were never replaced.  At that point I had a few more kids added to my class and definitely had my hands full.

Here's our end of year class photos from 2011.

Sunrise, Sunset

We had a fabulous all day Jeep adventure that Mike carefully planned out for us.  The icing on the cake was looking at this beautiful sunset.

Hidden Falls Park in Henderson

A brand new park ranks pretty high up on my list of really exciting things.  Especially when it is 2.5 miles from my house.

Hidden Falls Park is having it's grand opening tomorrow (Jan. 7th) at 1:00 PM.  The park is located behind Von's on Horizon & Horizon.  The address is 281 West Horizon Drive.

Jasper and I took his friend Peyton and we all went to play there for the first time today. 

Hidden Falls Park does a great job blending in with the natural surroundings.

 

 The rugged rock back drop is a welcome sight that can be viewed from the entire park.

Because the hills on the East side of the park are so high, the park is shaded earlier in the afternoon, which I am sure will be a welcome respite from in the hot summer.

At the bottom of the park (right behind Von's) there's a skate park, basketball court, and two dog parks.

Up the road there are two play grounds -- one for toddlers and one for ages 5-12, a splash pad, shaded picnic areas and restrooms.


At the top of the park there's a gazebo with picnic tables and trail head for walking and hiking.

Even though the park road continues far up the hill, there's only one way in and one way out -- near the back of Von's. 

In the big kid area (ages 5-12), the favorite item is the Slalom Glider Slide.  This is a new-fangled kind of slide that I have never seen before.

Instead of sitting in the slide, on the Slalmon Glider you sit on top of the slide and straddle it.  It definitely takes a time or two to get used to.


I think that part of the "fear factor" with this slide is that it's high up and the kids are sitting on top of the slide vs. down in a slide with sides.

The O-Zone Climber was a bit advanced for ages 6 and under.  Most of the kids that age kept getting stuck.

The Swiggle Stix Bridge is definitely a favorite for Jasper.  We were pretending there we sharks in the "water" that would get you if you fell down.

The Wobble Pod Bouncer was a lot of fun too.  This is right near the back of the slide, and gives the kids something to do while they wait in line.

The climbing wall is called the Escalator Climber, and it wasn't a big surprise that it was the older kids who were mores interested in scaling this 10 foot wall.

There are 2 spinners.  The Gyro Twister Spinner and the Stand-Up Spinner.  They could use two Stand-Up Spinners as they are a favorite. 

The toddler area includes a hopscotch, small slide, periscope, tunnel with a clear top and alphabet wall.  

Jasper had fun finding the letter "J."

Needless to say we look forward to may more adventures at Hidden Falls Park.