View Points from an almost 5 Year Old

Daradie:
During Sacrament Meeting: "I want to bear my testimony." In a whisper, Dan asks her what she's going to say. "I'm going to say that I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and I love my family and the scriptures....you know, stuff like that," as she flips her hands and hair about.

In all seriousness on a car ride: "Dad, you need to build a tall and long garage for your pick-up. I don't think it's fair that we have just one garage but a car and a pick-up." Too bad we just drive too big of cars to fit in the so-called "two car garage" that we have now. She is one observant girl!

During a phone conversation, Daradie heard her grandma say to me that we don't have to paint her bedroom purple since she has so many coloring pictures of princesses all over the walls. The next morning I walked into her room and was totally shocked that she was tearing down her prized posters. In absolute shock I asked her what she was doing. "Grandma said that you won't paint my bedroom purple if I have pictures all over the walls." She took EVERY thing off her walls! We did promise her a purple and pink room before her birthday and she is obviously going to keep us to it.

Um...Seriously and why am I having this Conversation?

Conversation 1: After replacing the disposal and everything working great, I started up a load of dishes in the dishwasher. Once the load was done I emptied it out and realized that the dishwasher had water on the bottom and it didn't drain out. "Dan, on Curious George," yes, that's right as in the PBS children's show, "George didn't rinse the food off the dishes before he started up a load and it didn't drain. Could there be something stuck in the pipes?" Has my life lead down the path of comparing a cartoon monkey to real life?!?

Conversation 2: While having a quiet family dinner at TacoTime a "gentleman" sitting three booths behind us asked an innocent question about the score on the TV. The conversation continued and went something like this. Keep in mind that he is three booths away in a crowded fast food place with the radio and the TV on---
"Are those your kids?"
"Yes, they are." We turn back around and continue eating.
"How old are they?" We answer him and turn back around.
"I have you beat. I have a 5 month at home and a 21 year old." Polite smiles and turn back around.
"Are you the mom of both of them?" As he looks right at me and yes, we are still three booths away.
"Yes, they are both mine." As I begin putting my kids' coats on and picking up our trays.
"Are you going to have anymore?" Polite smiles continue and pretend we are overly-occupied.
"Now that I see them closer she looks just like her daddy and your son looks a bit like you."
Oh, boy! I'm relieved that Deputy D.N.A. approved and we could finally scuttle out the door. Seriously people.

Wow! One month later....

Well, you'll soon realize that I'm a horrible journal writer. In fact, we still have a 1/2 used journal given to us as a wedding present and that was twelve years ago. The journal continues to sit at my bed haunting me.

Some of you expressed some "concern" over Daradie's new hair cut. See, not that bad....we went and had it professionally fixed. She came out LOVING her new locks.

My kids are so great at playing with each other! Koen is the best little brother ever. What four year old girl wouldn't love to have a constant prince to rescue and comfort a damsel in distress?

The lil' pardner needed a snack break.

The kids were so lucky to have Sadie, Grandma Peck's dog, come and stay with us for a week. I never heard my kids fight more than that one week. They fought over who would take the dog out and who got to feed the dog and who got to sit by the dog and who got to pet her first when we came back from errands and who she licked first and the list goes on and on and on. Debbie and LeRoy, you better insert me in your will. Sadie is a total house dog. We put her in the laundry room to sleep at night on the first night. I'm not sure who whined more--her or Daradie. We gave up and just let the two sleep together. *Please note Daradie's outfit. This type of attire is the normal around here and I believe she even wore fuzzy crocs to preschool that day. And yes, that is correct. Your eyes do not deceive you--striped pink and brown socks, black polk-a-dot pants, purple princess skirt and a blue gumball machine shirt.

Koen took the picture of Dan and I love it! It's just as if Koen is the only one in Dad's eyes.

We went to my Grandpa's 90th birthday party. He's such a remarkable man. I've never seen him get mad--that man can hold his emotions in like a professional. Daradie was so excited to do ballet for the program. She's with her cousin Paige who she absolutely adores. Did I mention that Daradie worships Paige? Oh yeah, Daradie LOVES her cousin Paige.

We've been doing Princess Dates with Daradie. Once a month Dan or I take her on a date. This particular date she wanted to dress-up and go somewhere fancy for a treat. She had more fun getting ready for the event than actually eating her ice cream. She was so cute that night. She made sure that her Barbie had a coat on and that everyone she saw recognized her beauty, "Hi! Don't you like my dress?" or the infamous, "Why didn't you say that I looked beautiful tonight?" to any person that threw her a glance.
I've really looked forward to the dates. There just a little something that helps us to remember how blessed we are to have awesome children. They remind me to look more at their talents and gifts. The dates are nothing too spectacular--ice cream, a drive to look at horses, an hour of just coloring in the bedroom without interruptions. They're small but eternally huge moments.