Thanks:

1. Josh's first official drawing. Tonight Josh brought me this saying, "Look Mama, Elephant"... I looked and I could definitely see an elephant head. Up until now he's just colored and maybe attempted shapes (circle, triangle, etc) but this is the first time he's drawn a recognizable picture- and I just love it! I love the big ears and trunk with small eyes on each side of the trunk. I'm going to frame it!

2. Growing up. Okay- so today is a Josh day. But I'm also so thankful (and sad at the same time) that Josh is growing up. Age 2 has certainly been challenging- but lately Josh has been choosing to be more obedient. I've learned that if I make a simple request and wait a minute he usually says "Okay Mama". He even holds my hand now when crossing the street automatically, and tonight put things back on the shelves in a store after asking me for them. And he just stripped down and asked Jake to turn on the shower for him (he used to HATE showers).

3. Harvest. So this year was our first attempt at a real garden. We found out later that most the stuff we planted died because we weren't watering enough- but its been a good learning experience. With the weather is getting cold I figured it was time to take out the garden. A few days ago I picked the last of the tomatoes and tore out all the old plants. Today I blanched the tomatoes and have them cooking into a spaghetti sauce in the slow cooker which I'll freeze for later. Growing and reaping a harvest really is good for the body and soul. This year we ate fresh peaches, cherries, a few strawberries and raspberries, tomatoes, Lettuce, carrots and a couple of peppers. I learned about the importance of pest control, had to get creative with carrots when I realized I'd waited a bit long to pull them and had to pull them all at once and learned how to can peaches and tomatoes. I think that's pretty good progress.

Thoughts:

This last Sunday I taught all of the young women. I'm a laurel adviser, and normally just teach them, but the leaders each take 1-2 fast Sundays a year and teach the whole group. The lesson was on Wise Choices, and I really tried to put good thought and preparation into it. I even made a cute handout to go with it (I'm not usually too cutesie like that). It went well- the girls really participated and several girls and leaders complimented me after. I've always enjoyed teaching- from the mission, to my internship in Guatemala, to the senior MTC, and in various callings. I've been one of those weirdos who doesn't even mind giving talks in church or presentations in school. I hope I continue to have opportunities to use and develop this "talent".

Right now home and family life keeps me plenty busy- but I still think about going back to school and getting a MA degree so that I could one day teach at a University level. I don't really have any interest in undergraduate... but have always thought that university teaching would be awesome (where people are there more by choice). I don't even in what subject I would teach; I find Literature fascinating, but my schooling doesn't show it. Business is what my education is in and I really enjoy parts of that, but I don't know that I have or would have enough practical experience necessary for that...

Even if I don't get another degree though- I think a lot about further education- in a variety of ways. There are so many things I'd still like to learn. I love real estate- and would love to get my real estate license- which isn't that hard or expensive, but I'm not sure I could find a broker that would give me the flexibility I'd want- since I'd be more in it to help friends and family than to really go after it as a profession. I'd also love to take some horticulture classes- or cooking. Get back into the arts (I abandoned it after high school) maybe more in the form of interior decorating/design...

Randomly thinking back to the teaching thing>>> It is frustrating though that I enjoy speaking/teaching young adults and adults so much- but struggle with my own kids. You know how some adults just seem to be able to relate to and think like kids (Jesus Garcia is a perfect example)- that is SO hard for me. As a mom I struggle to have the patience and adaptability that requires teaching kids. I'm not good at coming up with activities or projects that Josh can participate with me in. Even when I try I end up getting impatient if he doesn't do it fast enough, or how I'd planned... UGH I need to work on that. Lately he'll say "play with me Mama" and hand me a toy car or something- after a few "vroom vrooms" or "crashes" I'm board and done- but I know its important for his imagination to really act out or get creative. The other day I thought "I'll sit down and do a Halloween craft with him" but couldn't think of anything. I even got online to look for some ideas- but when I didn't have all the necessary materials, or it looked like it would make too much of a mess I gave up and decided it wasn't worth it...again UGH. Guess I just keep trying. Its a good thing Dekker is getting bigger and soon will be able to play with Josh. I'm not much of a playmate.