After the following information was shared and very well received during a recent discussion amongst friends, I wanted to share with all of you. It's from a book I'm reading called Christlike Parenting:
"Well-meaning parents who have tried their best should avoid the temptation of using their children's behavior as the measure for their success as parents. If children's behavior were the sole measure of good parenting, our Heavenly Father would not qualify." The writer admonishes us to do our best and go forth in faith.
Sound advice.
Have a happy parenting day!

Dane had his second piano recital Tuesday night. (His first happened when he'd only been taking a month and I didn't get to go, Cam did so this was my first Dane recital. Very exciting!) He did a great job and didn't miss a beat when he realized half way through his first song that the bench was too far away from the piano. He kept (logically) standing up to play, but eventually moved the bench with his foot while half-way sitting on it, again not missing a beat. It didn't even ruffle him.

My mom and my husband's parents came (Dad, I didn't invite you. I don't know why...sorry) while Cam stayed home with the little noise-makers.

Now this is where the circle comes in. I was mentioning to my mother that once I was looking through the scrapbook my MIL made for my husband and found a very familiar looking program from a piano recital. Turns out the my husband and I not only had the same piano teacher, but our names [insert appropriate romantic sound-byte] were right next to each other on the program.

"It's too bad" I say to my mother "that you didn't find another teacher for me after mine moved away."

She replied "After all the grief you gave me over practicing? No way."

Huh.

It's funny...I don't remember the grief. I vaguely remember not wanting to practice, but I was earning Strawberry Shortcake miniatures for my practice time. I know I did my practicing because I have a lot of those miniatures which I, of course, kept. They still smell lovely.

I do remember being excited about recitals. I liked theory. I loved my Composers music book and the Toreador Song and the Peer Gynt In the Hall of the Mountain King. I hated running into the next student if my mom was a tad late picking me up. I was painfully shy out of my comfort zone. I remember punching a boy in the eye for being, what I deemed, fresh. I was 6. He probably was, too. Sorry Christopher, where ever you are.

So now, my son is giving me grief about piano practicing. So, it grief happens, but we're sticking with piano lessons. Thanks, Mom, for putting it into perspective for me.

HOMECOMING!!!

My in-laws have finally returned from their second mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They served in the Germany Freiberg Temple for 18 months. They met and worked with some wonderful people and I'm sure it was hard to say good-bye. They had some amazing experiences there and so many blessings.

Kids sure grow a lot in 18 months. Kathy, my mil, stood back for a long time just looking at the grandkids then teased them about eating while she was gone when she told them not to.

We made welcome home signs during family home evening yesterday. Bryce, whose sign read "Hello. My name is Bryce", held his sign the whole time, even all the way back home. Dane decorated a cute hat as well with the German flag and "I am 6" written all over it.

My sweet niece and nephew practiced at saying "Welcome Home" and did a great job. Kristine was heart-broken when we had to say good-bye in the parking garage. I don't know if she was sadder about leaving Grandma and Grandpa or not getting to play with my kids.

Alesha and her daddy
The group (Alesha took the shot)

One Day Left!

See you tomorrow, Grandma and Grandpa!!!

Just counting the days...

We arrived home from the airport with Cam in tow in the wee hours of the morning of the 18th.
Despite sporting a beard because he didn't have an adaptor for his shaver, he was a sight for sore eyes. Wonderful reunion!

These two will be home late on July 15th. Only 26 days left! We have missed them!

It's hard to know what to say, so I'll just say:

• I'm so grateful that no one was hurt
• especially my kids
• I'm grateful that the person I hit was so concerned for me and my babies.
• I'm grateful she was so kind and forgiving.
• I am grateful that there was already an officer there and he was so patient.
• I'm grateful that we could drive away.
• I'm grateful for insurance.
• I'm grateful that the van will be repaired before Cameron leaves for Europe next week.
• I'm grateful my airbag didn't deploy.
• I'm grateful that only two cars were involved.
• I'm grateful that Cam has been so concerned and taking such a gentle attitude.
• I'm grateful that I was probably just going 10 MPH when I hit the other car.
• I'm grateful that I have the ability to learn from my mistakes. If I have to go through pain, I'd better be getting something from it!
• I'm grateful my van took the most damage (since everyone is OK).
• I'm grateful that as I cried myself to sleep that Cam just knew what it was about and rubbed my back and said it was OK.
• I'm grateful my parents are in Hawaii and their car is in my driveway so that we can begin the repair process tonight and still both have cars to drive (thanks, Mom).
• I'm grateful to be able to say: It coulda been worse.
• I'm so grateful it wasn't.

Dane had his cute primary program yesterday. The kids came up with their own lines with the help from a prompt. Dane's was When Jesus comes again I will be ready and I will smile. He spoke his part so well, loud and clear.

The best moment, however, came when he saw that Grandma Cindy, Grandpa Ron and Kyler had come to his program as a surprise to all of us. It was the smile that you live for as a parent, to know that your child is truly happy at that moment.

Dane's mom was smiling, too, because although we live farther apart than my family would like, they made the effort to come all the way up here just to hear Dane say that one little line (and see him sing with the Primary as well). I was really touched by the thoughtfulness. That's love!