THE CIRCUS IS IN TOWN!

Uncle Mike and Aunt Lora treated all of us to the Circus at US Airways Arena. The kids were so enthralled with all of the stunts and especially the tigers and elephants. Even Paisley was kicking her legs and clapping her hands excitedly. Mike and Lora spoiled the kids with yummy circus food, hats, and toys galore. It was like Christmas for the kids. Mike and Lora are so good to do these special things with our kids. They love to spend time with their nephew and nieces and our kids adore them. Bella calls Mike "Uncle Mike" and Lora is "MikeandLora". It's really funny.

My only regret is that we didn't get any pictures of the kids with their Aunt and Uncle!! Hint: Lora, if you read this, please forward your pictures!

FUNNY MOMENTS

GAGE:

Gage wants a baby brother so bad and begs for this weekly. He tells us we need to get married again so we can have a baby brother for him.

Gage has a real thing about getting his hair cut. I have tried countless times to cut it, but he gets so upset and fidgety until it erupts into a full-blown tantrum. So, I take him to this place for kids where he behaves much better. On our last trip to Disneyland, we had the car loaded up and hit the road, but we stopped to get Gage's hair cut on the way out. A couple weeks later, my friend who had Gage over for a playdate with her kids, called to tell me that Gage told them the last time he got his hair cut, he was really good and happy so we took him to Disneyland as his reward! His 4-year-old friend said, "Really??? I don't get anything for getting my hair cut! Mom!!?????"

Quote: "I don't need to take a nap...I'm happy as a clam!"

Mama, I like when your hair is NOT in a ponytail. You look beautiful when your hair is down, not when it's in a ponytail. If he catches me with it down, he'll say, "Oh, Mama, you look so pretty!" On our way into Bootcamp, he asked me why all the girls have their hair in ponytails and I explained. He asked me if I would take my ponytail out as soon as we got done at Bootcamp. He REALLY does not like my hair in a ponytail!

For Father's Day, I made Rob a video montage with pictures of him with all the kids throughout their lives set to music. The girls were taking a nap but Gage sat down with us to watch. He got so emotional and was so touched by it. I found that endearing for a 4-year-old.

We went to Cafe Rio for $1.50 Taco Tuesday, where we all ate for $7.50!! That is going to be our new tradition. Seriously, how can you beat that price for such yummy food! Anway, there was a whole table of policemen next to us and Gage was fascinated. At one point, he said something kind of sassy and then caught himself quickly and said, "Uh oh, are the police going to come arrest me for being sassy?" Before I could answer he said, "Oh, no they are too distracted eating their food." It made me laugh to hear him use "distracted."

BELLA:

She LOVES peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She'll say, "Mama, can I have a peanut jelly and sandwich, please?" She asks for this the moment she wakes up in the morning.

She likes to tickle everyone's necks. She'll tell Gage to look up at that thing on the ceiling and then she'll tickle him while he's vulnerable. Clever!

She is fully potty-trained, even at night and EVEN while swimming!! What kid doesn't pee in the pool? Bella doesn't. She is so proud of herself each time and right before she flushes, she yells excitedly, "Bye Bye Pee!! Bye Bye Poop!!"

She and Gage are sharing a room now, so that Paisley could get a little more sleep without Bella interrupting it. Gage did NOT want to sleep on the top bunk, no matter how much bribery we threw at him, so we split the beds and have them in an "L" shape in his room. They LOVE it!! Except for some nights when Gage is really tired and wants to go to sleep and Bella is still talking and trying to play with him. Sometimes they end up in each other's beds.

She and Gage love to play dress-up and make up games and stories to act out. In this picture they were both cowboys going out to round up the cows.

She will spontaneously say, "I love my brother. I love my sister. Mama, I love you very much." She is such a loving and affectionate child and I hope that continues. During Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, she saw this little girl walking out wearing this pretty purple dress that was kind of flowing. She said, "Look, Mama! Princess!! Look at the Princess! I want to give her a hug!" I told her maybe later. Sure enough, when I picked her up from Nursery she saw this girl again and ran over to her. "Princess! Can I give you a hug?" The little girl just kind of looked at her and Bella gave her the sweetest hug.

PAISLEY:

Wow...this girl has got a set of lungs. She is sooooo LOUD!!! Especially when we are in church and everyone else is quiet. She also is developing quite a little temper. It's sometimes funny. Other times, not so much. I have begun giving her mini timeouts. But she has this killer smile where she crinkles her nose and shows all her teeth and it just makes you laugh. She isn't talking at all. Not even mama or dada, which I think she was saying at some point, so she's regressing. Actually, she will say it if you ask her to, but never on her own. But she does put her head down and squints her eyes if we say we're going to have a prayer. She's not walking yet, but she does kick her feet in the pool and swims some. She does walk around holding onto things, and will push herself up to stand from the floor without holding anything. She gets so excited about her accomplishment and throws her arms up in the air and then faceplants. Hilarious! I'm sure the pediatrician will express concern at her lack of words at her next visit, but I say toddlers talking is way overrated!

This happy picture of her is because she LOVES cameras and instantly smiles when she sees one.

This is because I wouldn't give her the camera. Temper!!

She loves books and brings them to me to read all the time. But she doesn't have enough patience to make it all the way through one. After a couple of pages, she is pushing it away and handing me another.

She is always trying to keep up with Gage and Bella. She wants so desperately to be included. She loves to climb up on their beds and will lie down on their pillows next to them.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, ROB!

He is so good to his children - playing, laughing and joking with them, and teaching them. He spoils them some by getting to see them throughout the day when he is in town. He could just stay holed up in his office, not coming out until dinner, but he comes out numerous times to check in with us, help out, and have a little fun. He is a great example of selflessness, service and generosity to them and me. He LOVES to have fun and live life to its fullest.

The primary sang to their dads in Sacrament Meeting and Gage was so sweet. The kids made cards for him and I made him a video montage of pictures of him with the kids as babies up until now. We made his favorites: Roast with potatoes, carrots, and onions, rolls and brownies. He loved his special day.

We love you, Daddy!

MY DAD

Happy Father's Day to my Dad! I have such vivid memories of my dad playing with us when we were little. He would give us shoulder rides, piggy-back rides, pick us up by our ears (while we held onto his forearms), wrestle, make us laugh and tease us. He has a great sense of humor, but not everyone knows that about him. He tends to be very quiet and reserved and some think he comes off as gruff. But those who know him and spend time with him know how funny and playful he is.

My dad is NOT affectionate at all and has a very hard time expressing any feelings or emotions. He can BARELY say, "I love you" without cringing. But we know how he feels about us anyway. He grew up with a troubled mother who wasn't too interested in him or his sister and divorced their father when they were young. There wasn't too much involvement from his father from that point. My dad tells stories of his mother tying him to a rope in the backyard because she didn't want him bothering her and didn't want to watch him. She started him in school when he was only four because she didn't want to deal with him. She became an alcoholic and in one drunken stupor started the house on fire and my dad had to carry her and her drunk companions out of the house when he was just a teen. He didn't have the best example of an affectionate, loving mother so he just feels uncomfortable with it.

He was very athletic, but a little on the short and small side, so he worked and practiced very hard to become better. He tells us stories of going out by himself and hitting balls and then running out to shag them and doing it all again and again, past dark. He would run, lift weights, do pushups, etc. so he could get better, stronger and faster. He continues, to this day, to lift weights and run so he can stay in shape. He joined the church when he was 19 (I think?), which we are so grateful for. He was drafted into the Army and was a paratrooper and has entertained us with his Army stories. Thankfully, his duty was served and he was discharged right before they sent his group to Vietnam.

We were all very active in sports growing up and my dad always supported us and would teach and show us things. He would come to my softball games and in between innings would come over to give me some pointers of things he noticed. I don't think they were always well received by me, but they should have been. I loved having him there because I wanted him to be proud of me. I remember one game in particular, I hit an in-the-park homerun and I heard my dad boasting to the man next to him how fast I was. At our Powder Puff football game, my dad was bragging about how quick, agile, and fast I was to some other people at the game. I'm sure he doesn't remember, but it meant the world to me. He taught us to work hard, practice, have confidence and never give up.

I remember my friends, especially in high school, thinking that my dad was scary and mean. This didn't bode well for me having any boyfriends because they were way too afraid of my dad and brothers. My advice to all fathers who have daughters - BE SCARY! Be very, very scary.

I honor my dad for his examples of integrity and honesty. He ALWAYS tells the truth, even if it hurts. He just can't help himself. He is selfless and generous, almost to a fault. He is a realist, but also optimistic. He is a stickler for being prompt. Actually, that's putting it mildly. He is so anxious about getting somewhere on time, that he is ALWAYS early....really early.

Most of all, he has a strong testimony of the gospel. Despite my initial selfish protests, I am so grateful to him and my mom for serving a mission. They have sacrificed so much their whole lives and continue to do so, all to serve the Lord and their children.

I love you, Dad! Your grandchildren adore their Papa! Happy Father's Day!

MY MOTHER

Happy Mother's Day to my knock-out mom! I am so grateful and proud to be her daughter. What's so wonderful about getting older and becoming a mother myself is that I can wholly appreciate the kind of mother she was and is.

My mother, Karen Schuck LaDuke, was born in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, with the thickest, darkest, head of hair. When she was little, instead of going outside to play with the neighborhood kids or cousins, she stuck around the grown-ups hanging on their every word, though not making a peep so as not to disturb them. When she was just two-years-old, she gathered up some magazines lying around the house and headed off to school, unbeknownst to her mother until some neighbors had to bring her back home. When she finally did start school, she was bored out of her little intelligent mind.

When she turned eight-years-old, she announced to her mama that she wasn't quite ready to be baptized. They lived quite a distance from an LDS church and her mother was ill, so she had only been a few times in the months prior to her 8th birthday. She felt she needed to wait until she could attend more regularly and study, learn and prepare to be baptized properly. Her mother did not argue and let her daughter make her own choice, a trait that carried on in Mom.

My mother is a very talented writer, another talent she inherits from her mother who is a published author. She is a wonderful public speaker as she always memorizes her whole talk so that she can continuously engage everyone with her eye contact, expression and intonation.

My mother rarely, if ever, raised her voice to us even though I'm sure I deserved it once or twice. She taught and disciplined us out of love always and exemplified patience. She loves my dad unconditionally and is a great example to me of the kind of wife I aspire to be. She taught us how to work, how to budget and be frugal (though I need extra lessons), how to cook (even more lessons needed), and how to love each other. She would always remind us that when we left the house we represented the LaDukes and to make good choices. She was and is always so obedient and faithful. One of the things I remember most is how she always let us make our own choices, even when they were the wrong ones. She did this from the time we were little and continues to let us find our own way now. How hard it must have been to hold her tongue and set us straight! When I think of what must have been many sleepless, tear-filled nights she spent over us, it breaks my heart. Even now, when one of us calls her for advice on making a decision, she won't tell us what to do. Her advice is always to fast and pray earnestly until we know what to do. Sometimes I just want her to fast-track it and tell me what to do. She is a great example of service, selflessness, and charity. She is always reminding us to love those who may offend or hurt us and forgive without hesitation. Two phrases she said that stand out to me the most are, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" and "Pride goeth before the fall". Maybe they stand out to me because I need them the most - especially the first one.

I found this article with interesting questions to ask your mother and emailed it to my mom for her answers. Here are just a few of them:

1. What's the one thing you would have done differently as a mom? I can't limit it to one. I would have spent more time at bedtime with the youngest five. I would have taught you better about prayer and the Savior and all that He has done for us and how following Him brings the greatest happiness. I would have never lost my cool but would have been only kind and loving and in control when disciplining.

2. Why did you choose to be with my father? He made me laugh. He was strong and handsome and loved me. I liked all those things and thought he stood out in each. I thought he would love me forever. He cared about others and wanted to help them. He wanted to do all the right things where the Church and the Lord were concerned. That was most important.

3. In what ways do you think I'm like you? And not like you? like: You have an intent interest in being a good mother (and are). You want to do what is right. NOT LIKE: You are so much better at being a friend and a nurturer of those you care about (which is almost anyone). When it comes to going so far as enabling, I've decided you are more like your father. But overall, you are just so good at making others feel good. Outstanding trait. You don't seem to have the same kinds of interests that I do except reading and playing the piano. You are much more outgoing, optimistic, loving than I. If I didn't love you so much I could be jealous but I'm just happy for you.

I am so proud that she and my dad stepped out of their unadventurous, non-traveling comfort zones to serve a mission in Hyderabad, India. I am so anxious to see them again, but I know they are where they should be, serving the Lord. Before she left, my mom told me how her friend who had served two missions already told her that it's good to leave your kids because they learn that they don't need you. But I disagree. I will ALWAYS need my mother.

I love you, Mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAISLEY!

Our sweet baby Paisley turned one-year-old on April 24th. We had a little family celebration on Saturday, the 25th, complete with yummy food and chocolate cake. Our guests were Papa Powers, Uncle Terry, Uncle Mike and Aunt Lora, Uncle Trevor and Aunt Alyssa, and Cousin Brian. It was a beautiful day and fairly windy so we went across to the park to fly a kite. Even Papa Powers came! It was so fun and we felt so child-like and carefree. Paisley was in heaven getting to explore the whole park without anyone bothering her. It also was Grandma Powers birthday, whom Paisley didn't get to meet here on earth. We asked everyone, in lieu of a gift, to write a special note, thought, or memory about her and Aunt Lora put them in a beautiful scrapbook. We felt it was a great way to honor her and for Paisley to have something to know her Grandmother by. What better gifts could we all have given her? I did wrap a box of Kleenex for her to unwrap.

What I remember most about Grandma Powers is how happy and positive she was all the time. Through all of her medical problems and battle with cancer, I never once heard her complain. She would always downplay everything and do her best to convince us that it would be alright. She was always so complimentary and never criticized anyone except for President and Hillary Clinton. She wanted desperately to be here long enough to meet her precious new granddaughter, Paisley. She couldn't wait to kiss her soft skin and hold her close. Sadly, she didn't make it that long, but we like to think that she smothered Paisley with hugs and kisses in heaven before her birth. She adored her grandchildren and made each one of them feel special. She supported her children in their choices, always allowing them to find their own way.

My precious Paisley,

When I was pregnant with you the doctor called to let me know they found something alarming on the ultrasound and wanted me to get a more detailed and thorough ultrasound. He said that there was only one artery in the umbilical cord giving you the essentials for life, instead of two. He advised me to try not to worry and that we would take it one step at a time. My first thought was that I would rather die than have something happen to you. But after the initial fear subsided, I was overcome with a peaceful feeling that all would be alright, no matter what happened. Sure enough, you arrived without incident (to you anyway) and you were so peaceful and calm right from the start. Your brother couldn't wait to meet you and your sister was happy to have a new doll to play with. Your daddy cried tears of joy when he saw you and his protection over you began immediately. A happier baby there never was. You never cried, partly because of your nature and partly because I did my best to tend to your needs before you needed to cry. You were a good sleeper right from the start and as time went on, so did the amount of hours you slept each night. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep you from growing, learning and trying new things. I knew how important this was for you to do, but I just wanted you to stay that sweet newborn who cuddles and nuzzles into me. Your first smile was so thrilling! Those people who say it's just gas have no idea what they're talking about. Your smile was genuine, I could tell. And it was just as exciting to us as Gage's and Bella's first smile. Somehow I felt that we wouldn't get as silly about your first milestones, being such experienced parents (Ha!), but oh, how I was wrong. You weren't in a huge hurry to crawl and you certainly don't seem to mind not walking, despite the strawberries and raspberries on your knees and tops of your feet. You must sense that I'm not ready to relinquish your baby-hood. Your brother, Gage, can make you laugh just by looking at you. Your sister, Bella, talks to you each morning and night from her crib across from you and the two of you laugh and entertain each other in your own secret sister language. You frequently crawl to them and put your head on their shoulders for hugs. You love to give kissess, albeit open-mouth and extra slobber. You point to things and people in a frenzy, thirsting for knowledge. "Moo (your version of it)" was your first word, when asked what a cow says. This was followed by Dadadadadada. Daddy has you performing all his tricks, like his other two little monkeys did. You love to clap your hands and you get so excited at "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Pat-A-Cake". Especially, the part where I draw the letter on your stomach, which incites such giggles. When we ask you to say "Mama" you take the back of your hand to your mouth while making noise, simulating your best Mamamamama. You just barely this week started to say "Mama" without that. You are so chubby and roly-poly - all the more to smooch and eat up, I say. As I dreaded, you are gaining your independence little by little each day. You want to feed yourself, you want to get from Point A to Point B without being touched, and you want EVERYTHING that anyone else has in their hands. We are so blessed to have you in our family and are already learning from you. May you always remain peaceful, happy, calm and loving. Especially through the toddler and teenage years! May you feel our love for you and our desire for you to make good choices. May you know our Father in Heaven and His shared desire with us for your eternal happiness. May your siblings be your best friends and help to guide and protect you. And may your second year of life go more slowly than the first. We love you and want you to feel the joy that you bring to us each day.

THIS AND THAT

We went to the Easter Pageant at the temple for the first time ever. I can't believe I've never gone before. It's possible my parents took us when we were little, but I have no memory of it. We took Bella to our friend Karla's house and took her two nephews along with Gage and Paisley. It was so well-done and Gage was mesmerized. We were lucky to have Paisley be happy.

All of the little cousins got together for an Easter Egg Hunt and then devoured all of their candy. They were so wired, but had so much fun and got along really well. So well that we grown-ups were able to visit some for once! Gage was singing Primary songs as he was hunting for eggs. Uncle Trevor got a kick out of that. Bella was so happy to have Maya and Callie here. She loves the girls.

Gage went to play at the Narducci's and they did some Easter crafts. He made me this cute little bird's nest with little eggs and a bird on top. He told me to put it in a special place and to think about him when I saw it. I put it on the window sill right above the kitchen sink, which he approved of. He'll sometimes ask me if I'm thinking about him when I'm standing at the sink.

Aaron and his girls came up the next weekend to play! We went to a birthday party on Saturday at this fun park in Chandler. They have a great playground area and a splash zone. They also had water balloons for a fight that brought lots of screams and some tears too. One of the uncles of the birthday boy brought along this self-made train (out of a golf cart and some wagons tied together) and gave all the kids rides. And, of course, cake!! They had a ball! On the way home, Rob spotted a sign on the street corner that read, "Baby Turtles". He did a fast U-turn and needless to say, we now have two baby turtles. The turtle lady said they like companionship. They are named Myrtle and Crush. Myrtle belongs to my niece, Lily, who wasn't allowed to take hers home. Hmmm....a parent who tells their child no. That's an interesting concept. Actually, Gage didn't even get a chance to ask if he could get a turtle. Before he even knew what was happening, Rob was at the turtle table holding them. Thankfully, Bella was passed out in the car, otherwise we may have come home with 10 turtles!! I must say, they are pretty cute. As it turns out, Myrtle and Crush do NOT like each other and have resisted our forced attempts at companionship.

The kids love to help me in the kitchen with all sorts of things. They like to help stir, get their hands messy, and spill things. They ask me to turn on the music and dance while we make things. It definitely brightens the task of making dinner!

The binky fairy is about to pay a visit to Bella, but she can't decide if she should take Paisley's binkies too. After all, her goal is to take binkies from big girls to provide them for babies. Well, Paisley is a baby and really likes her binky. And we really rely on her binky, especially in church! I know I've said a hundred times that the binkies are going, going gone. Could you take them away from this girl??? Seriously, she walks around like this A LOT!

I took Gage to his eye doctor for his routine checkup. Or should I say routine lecture?? Here's the problem. The doctor wants Gage to wear this eye patch (it HAS to be adhesive and can't be a play Pirate patch) every day for 3-4 hours, emphasis on the 4. I know that this is necessary to make his eye stronger, but it is pure torture for both of us. I resolve every night at bed to be sure to make him wear his patch the next day, but for various reasons (excuses), it doesn't happen very often. After this visit, however, I've decided that the torture of being humiliated or given a scathing lecture by this doctor is much worse. Gage agreed and he's worn it every day since. Yaayyy! By the way, this is what he looks like when he doesn't consistently wear his patch. Sorry, Gage, this is just too funny.

We talked to Grandma and Papa LaDuke on Skype recently with the kids. Grandma asked Gage what he's been doing and he said, "Oh, this and that." Too funny.

Today, as we were driving in the car, Gage was teasing Bella and making her upset. Then out of nowhere he said that he missed Grandma Powers. He asked me if I remembered when she was in the hospital and everyone was crying (that was over a year ago and he was 3). He said that she died for no reason. I asked him what he meant and he said that Jesus died for all of us to take all of our sins away, but Grandma died for no reason. I'm simply not equipped to respond to this, so I didn't. And then he went back to teasing.