What to do, what to do

This evening Ainsley came inside crying. She was upset because a couple of neighbor girls were outside riding their bikes up and down the street and told Ainsley that she could not play with them. These girls are her age and are in her class at school. She really wants to be friends with them, but more often than not, they choose to exclude her say mean things to her like her hair isn't pretty or her coloring is bad (two things Ainsley takes pretty seriously). So tonight one of the girls said she hated Ainsley. It really broke her heart to be told that. I don't know what to do about it. Do I go and talk to the girls mothers? I know if Ainsley were treating other kids that way I would want to know. On the other hand, I don't want to try and fix every problem Ainsley has. I know that is the way little girls are, like it or not. I have tried to tell Ainsley to walk away from them when they start to be mean, but she really wants them to like her and doesn't understand what she has done to them to have them treat her so badly. So, I'm asking for advice. Should I let the other mothers know what is happening or should I just redirect Ainsley's attentions to other friends that do treat her well. What are your thoughts?

just yadda-ing

I just felt like getting on and rambling a bit today. Can I just say how excited I am for conference this weekend? This is the first time in my entire life that I have thought or said that. I have always looked forward to conference, but more as a "weekend off". I have looked forward to being able to watch it in my jammies in the comfort of my home. I have enjoyed conference, but more often than not, it has been for aforementioned selfish reasons. This time is different. This time I am looking forward to the messages I will get to hear. I am excited to be counseled by people that have our best interests in mind. I have been trying harder lately to understand the gospel. Right now, I still feel like I have the spiritual comprehension of a sunbeam, but hopefully I will continue to grow. I have felt the spirit so strongly on recent occasions, and it makes me realize that I have known that the gospel is true for a long time. I just have never taken the steps to find out before. Yesterday was Ainsley's primary program. She memorized her line and was so proud of herself. They sang a few of my very favorite songs and it was hard to keep the tears from flowing. Their message was so simple and sweet and it really touched my heart. The thought of Tyler being up there next year is so exciting.
On another note, I have been feeling the stresses of life in the forms of many headaches and stiff shoulders. The sad thing is I know my life isn't that stressful compared to many, many people I know. I haven't been running (need new shoes), which I know has been a huge factor it the way I have been feeling. I guess that I have been a lazy bum for so long, that I have a hard time adjusting to the normal rigors of everyday life. Blake thinks I should go see a doctor about my headaches, but I don't know what he can really do about it except perscribe pain killers. It bothers me that I am this way and I hate it that the kids see me laying down and immediately ask me if I am sick. I just don't want to be that kind of mom, always sick. Maybe this is a good excuse to get a weekly massage. Now that is something to think about.
Well, this week is full of activity. I have our Fall Social for enrichment this Thursday. I will be glad to have that one under my belt....only to move on to Christmas Social. I hope everyone's week is great!

Cute HSM

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Hilarious

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

I know, I know......

I knew I would do this. I have gotten so behind, and everytime I think "I need to catch up", I just feel overwhelmed because I am so behind on this thing. It is a vicious circle in my head. So, I thought I would just summarize this last month and a half and maybe throw in a few pictures to give it a little pizzaz.

In the first week of August the kids and I went up to Idaho, with my sister Rachel, to visit Dave and Shar and their kids. We had a really great time there. They took us 4-wheeling where a small incident occured with Tyler (he slipped off a 9 foot drop while throwing rocks over it). Luckily my brother Dave was already down there and was able to grab him up off of the ground. He had a nasty bump on his noggin and a few scratches and scrapes but was most upset about getting his pants all wet (he landed in a little creek at the bottom). I know he was protected out there because all I could imagine as I saw him slip (in slow motion) was how I was going to get a bloody, unconcious little boy medical attention way out here? He calmed down after a little while and we ended up having a great time despite the mishap.

Rachel returned to Japan in mid-August and we were all sad to see her go. We're not sure how soon we will be able to see her again and we were so grateful to have her for so long this summer.

Ainsley had her first swim lessons this summer. She was a little scared of having to swim on her own, but she ended up having a great time. She did really well, but I think she had the most fun when she was able to socialize while waiting for her turn with the teacher.

The rest of August was a blur, between Relief Society enrichment activities, presidency meetings, Blake's bishopric meetings, getting ready for kids to go back to school, and just your everyday duties, I don't know where the month went. Ainsley started her first day of Kindergarten at the end of August. I can't believe she goes to school everyday now. She has been ready for so long and she loves her classmates and her teacher.

Tyler started pre-school right after Labor Day. He has been trying to go to preshool for a year now and he was so happy he got to stay instead of just dropping Ainsley off. He has a great teacher he loves and he says he sits by his "funny friend" but he can't remember his name or what he does that is so funny. He just says he makes him laugh.

Blake just celebrated his *gasp* 34th birthday. He got a new PS2 game that Tyler loves to play with him. They have become pretty tight since Ty has discovered star wars, super heros and video games. He practically paces the floor until Blake gets home. It is really cute and Blake loves the attention.

So that pretty much brings you up to speed on our whereabouts. Thanks for putting up with this long blog. See you soon!