TREASURE BOX

At the end of each month, Gage gets to use his "funny money" that he's earned throughout the month for doing little good deeds at preschool. His teacher lets them buy little trinkets as a reward. Did he get toy cars? Rubber lizards? Candy? Nope. He came home with these beauties.

Papa LaDuke would be so proud.

DETAILS

I recently read a quote from a mother whose children had long since grown up. She stumbled across a memory of being outside with her children one afternoon and wished she could remember what they talked about, what they did, how they felt. What color was the blanket they sat on? What did they eat? She longed for details.


I want to remember. I want them to remember. So here are the details:




Outside on the green grass in the warm January sun were two of my children playing to their little hearts' content, imaginations running wild. The Tank was taking a much-needed nap. I sat in a chair soaking up the sun, trying to squeeze in a few paragraphs from a gardening book in between my roles in their story. In this story, Gage was a zookeeper. He had lined up four little ceramic crocodiles (that he got from Daddy's pet supply stuff) with a crate over them, obviously their cage. In his best zookeeper voice he convinced me that these were gentle crocodiles that were nice to humans. Did I want to hold one? Bella (who decided her name for this story was Savannah) pranced and danced, applied lip gloss again and again. Did I want to put some on? The zookeeper decided there would be races using the two exercise balls - hers gray, his blue. He and Savannah raced the balls to the sidewalk and back. He let her win over and over, by pretending to fall or running in slow motion. She was none the wiser and very proud of her victories. When the ball went in the street, the protective zookeeper put his hand out to stop her, looked both ways twice, and retrieved it. She hugged him and told him he was her best brother. They both waved hello to every car that drove by.

The afternoon ended when it was time for Gage to get ready for Tae Kwan Do. This time Daddy got to take him - the first time. I knew it was going to be special and wanted those boys to have a night of it. Gage raced in the door to tell me he earned his white belt along with a medal and a ceremonious breaking of a piece of wood with a swift kick. Very cool. Daddy got him a Happy Meal.

I got to spend some time alone with Paisley after the other two went to bed, because of her long, late nap. I decided that time alone with Paisley will cure what ails me anytime. We sang ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, played Pat-A-Cake, Eye-Winker Tom Tinker, fixed each other's hair, wrestled, tickled, and most of all we laughed. I know she felt special getting to stay up later than the other two.

She didn't say it, of course, but I could see it in her eyes.

DADDY TURNS 40!!!!

Holy Cow!!! 40!! I remember wondering what Rob would look like when he turned 40, and truthfully, he looks the same. Young and handsome.

Rob didn't want to do anything fancy or crazy. He just wanted a quiet day and evening at home with us.

But I had to make it a little fancy by giving him his presents in a Jonas Brothers gift bag. Just what every 40-year-old wants!!

We love you Daddy! Happy Birthday!! You are generous, funny, kind, helpful, selfless and F.U.N.!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BELLA!

Bella turned 3 on January 7th!! I just can't believe it.

More proof that they really do love each other.

We went to Rainforest Cafe for lunch. This is Bella's favorite place - she loves all the animals and the thunderstorms.

Just love this girl.

This little precious spirit has blessed our lives. We learn pure joy from this girl. She is so happy and cheerful, loving and kind. She has a keen ability to sense when you need cheering up. I'll be in a bit of a frenzy doing something and Bella will call out my name. I will answer in sort of a frustrated tone and she'll say, "I just wanted to tell you I love you." She melts my heart. And I love her heart. She cares about others and is quick to share. She wakes up bright and early, before everyone else and runs in excitedly shouting, "Good Morning!!!!" Hugs and kisses all day long. She talks with the cutest lisp and a raspy voice - the combination just is to die for. She loves to sing and sings with a vibrato. Her favorite now is the soundtrack from The Little Mermaid. She likes performing and dancing. And she LOVES Princesses. Belle is her favorite, but she'll take any of them. Sometimes at night, when she's supposed to be in bed, she sneaks into the bathroom and gives her barbies and dolls baths in the sink. She talks to them as she washes their hair.

We love you, darling Bella! May all your wishes come true!!

FAREWELL, 2009!

New Year's Eve was spent at home with fun, food, games, movies, popcorn, and treats. But, sadly, no fireworks. We all pooped out before midnight. LAME!!!!

Resolutions:

Do better at everything, work harder, play more, laugh more!!! That pretty much sums it up. No really.....

BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT.....LIKE.... EVER!!!

This picture is of the two missionaries, Elder Lee and Elder Smith, who helped to change our lives. They were amazing. So mature, so wise.

Rob got baptized on Saturday, December 26th. I was in such shock and disbelief that I didn't take any pictures that day. Ugh....I am just sick about that. One of the missionaries did, and I am hoping to get copies. Rob finally realized that he has always had a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and allowed these missionaries to teach to an open heart and open mind. He asked Ben Thibaudeau, an amazing friend and mentor, to sit in on the discussions. Ben contributed so much to the lessons and can relate to Rob on so many levels. I remember Rob saying after playing basketball with Ben at the church quite a bit recently that he wanted to be more like Ben: calm, peaceful, a good husband, a good father, priorities right, selfless, and kind. I am so grateful to Ben for his example then and for his continuing example and friendship.

Rob was baptized by my Dad. My Mom and brother, Cameron gave talks. (Again, such a blur that I don't remember who talked on what.) All of the LaDukes, including grandchildren and my dear friend, Spring Thibaudeau, sang "I Am A Child of God."

The next day at church, he was confirmed by Bishop Rick Davis, who means a lot to Rob.

We celebrated with family back at home with delicious homemade tamales (not made by me, of course - but I did make the salsa.)

I am excited for the future.....................

CHRISTMAS EVE!!

Traditionally, the kids got to open up one present at home on Christmas Eve. And....SURPRISE!! It's pajamas!!

I hope these two kiddos always love each other as much as they do in this moment.

Then we headed over to Mike and Lora's house for a feast and downpour of presents. I love watching the kids with their Grandpa Powers. He gets such a joy out of them.

I think Gage looks like Grandpa Powers.

These kids get so spoiled by their Powers aunts, uncles and cousins. I love how much they love our children. They get so excited to give them gifts and watch them open with anticipation.

Oh, how Bella loves Tinkerbell. She sleeps with this one.

This accurately captures how excited Gage is the whole time we are there.

We love the Powers family and are blessed to be a part. Uncle Mike and Aunt Lora are, as always, the perfect hosts. Thank you!