Perspective

I got a little perspective today.  I was reading about children being sold as prostitutes in the Philippians and though I've heard about it before, it was a reminder of how good I've got it.  I think its easy to get wrapped up in my own little world. My world of house payments, to do lists, church callings, potty training, home improvement.  And I'm surrounded by people who mostly live in that same world. Occasionally I feel a little sorry for myself because I have so much to do and I'm stressed. Because we live on a teacher's salary (which by the way is just below the poverty income level in Utah. Its a CRIME that teachers are valued so little in America. Parents, support your teachers! Its NOT the teacher's fault the school systems suck. Its NOT the teacher's fault they have to dumb down the material for all the kids with learning disabilities, ADD, problems at home, etc. If parents were more involved with their child's education that would be a HUGE fix to the education system. But this is a rant for another day).
Anyway, I was saying, I some times feel sorry for myself. But today I am feeling so blessed. I have a home. Its warm, its big enough for my family. My husband has a good job that he enjoys going to. I have two beautiful children who are sweet, fun, happy and healthy.  I get to be a mom. I get to stay at home with  my children and keep them safe from the world. I get to teach them about the gospel of Jesus Christ.   I get to teach them that being kind and doing service is so much more important than money, status, and success.
I was rocking my sweet baby to sleep while I thought about these kids in the Philippians that live in such dire circumstances that they are forced into a life of prostitution.  Peaceful little Jens just held my finger and slept with no cares or worries. It makes me sick and sad that there is so little I can do to help everyone who suffers in this world. But it makes me more determined to make sure I provide a safe, happy world for my children.
A few years ago when Thurm & I were on vacation in Thailand we were laying on the beach and I noticed this big, fat white man with two little Thai boys on either side of him.   I knew that he was paying them to be with him by the way he was commanding them. And my imagination ran wild with what I'm sure they were forced to do. I was SICK.  I didn't know what to do. I didn't have any money to give them. I was mostly scared of getting wrapped up in a situation that was over my head. I felt panicky and sick. I think about that moment still and feel guilty that I didn't do something. I still don't know what I could have done safely.
I always think I need to do something huge to save the world. Three days after Thurm & I got married we had our final interview with the Peace Corps.  It didn't feel right, so we decided not to go. I finally had to come to terms with the fact that I can't go to Thailand and save every child from a life of prostitution, but I can still help.  I volunteer with the Children's Justice Center locally in Tooele.  I don't have time to do much. But I try to help raise money.  Its not nearly enough and I always want to do more.
But I'm so thankful for what I have. I don't know why I have it so good, but I'm thankful.

November so far...

Jens the fatty fat isn't so fat. I took him to his 4 month appointment on Monday and he is above average height and average weight.  But that kid is SOLID--I'll take a picture of his leg rolls that are SOOO cute.

Thurm tends to come up with some interesting nicknames for our children. Quinn's are Quinn Kwon and Mr. Quinch. I thought Jens would be Yens (the Danish pronunciation), but Thurm calls him Jensipan (think marzipan) and it has stuck. We all call him that.

Thurm has been writing every day this month for a few hours. He is doing a competition of sorts and is trying to write a novel in a month. So that has been consuming his time and mind.

The sheetrock is done in our attic, now I have to paint. But I decided to potty train Quinn this week, so painting will have to wait. We can't afford to carpet anytime soon, so I guess it doesn't matter when I paint. Quinn has done great with potty training. I set a timer for every 30 minutes and he gets a nilla after. Its working like a charm. He has yet to go #2 in the potty, but I know he's ready.


I always appreciate when Thurm takes photos of me (though I usually delete most of them) because I'm always the one behind the camera.

Sweet, sweet Jensy.

Doesn't every mom have a picture of their kids with make-up all over their face?

I found the boys like this the other morning. Quinn had moved Jens over to his pillow and put a blanket on him and read him a story. It was actually really cute, but Jens started crying when he saw me.

I LOVE this picture, its one I'll look back on fondly when my kids are grown.

I'll probably look back on the finger paint picture fondly too : )

Quinn Anecdotes II

Quinn played 'time-out' yesterday. He set the timer, sat on the stair and told me I was in time-out too. So I sat on the stair and asked why I was in time out. "For hitting Jens."

Today he successfully put his lunch in the microwave to heat it up. He held up his hand and said "high-five."  I was so surprised it took me a minute to respond. Then he went through the next series of hand guestures "knuckles....noggin...dude!"  I laughed pretty hard. Thanks Aunt Marci : )

He has been watching "Super Why" lately and I'm not sure if this is a direct result, but he has suddenly started being very creative and using lots of imagination.  Imagination and pretend are brand new concepts in his world and its so fun to watch him.  The other day our couch was a boat and he kept jumping off into the water to swim.