Royal Wedding

Yes, we are among the crazy throngs that got up early to watch the wedding this morning.
So, before the crack of dawn, we woke up and dressed in our finest (or our prom dress from 1994) and set up for our tea party to watch the pre-game and the wedding.
We're having fun. Caroline is thoroughly confused as to why there are trees inside the church. She is also a bit mystified by the hats - especially Eugenie and Beatrice's (it does look a bit like something died on their heads). When Sammy saw the boy's choir he said, "There are all my buddies!" He also thought that the cars going to the Abbey were racing. I didn't think that was a bad idea. Puts a nice new twist on things. =-) The kids are also laughing at the accents, "Cheeses Christ? Who is that?"
We don't have much planned for the rest of day - which is good considering we got up about 4am. We declared today a holiday - Caroline gets out of school. We're going to do some "homework" on the wedding later to hand into her teacher. So, other than that - all we have to do is get the house cleaned and the laundry done and finish up some paperwork. No big deal, right?!?!

Tim Lincecum - Windup

Too cool *not* to post...

Pictures

Since I wrote earlier in the day, I figured I would post pictures now. We're listening to the Rays / Twins game. Hearing the Sox recently was making my ears bleed. Bleh. All I can say is that Joe Mauer looks cute even over the radio. =-)
And, yes. That is a diaper on my son's head. It's clean. I promise.

Teachable Moments

I've been thinking a lot about this lately.
What exactly is a teachable moment? And, if you're with a child - doesn't every moment qualify?
Or are they moments when I am expecting too much out of my children?
I think we had a moment like this the other day.
We (me, Caroline, Sam and Nate) were at church. The reading was from Daniel - about Shadrach, Mishad and Obendigo (or ToBedWeGo, however you prefer to pronounce it). Caroline was really excited because we had just read that story and we were talking about how God sends angels to help us everyday. The kids were really engaged and the conversation was going great (or so I thought). We were leaving church and Fr Thurb asked Sam about what he thought.
His reply?
"Lightning McQueen is the fastest race car EVER!!!!!"

Annnnnnddddd....the teachable moment is over.
It was nice while it lasted.

Saturday Morning

It's relatively quiet, so before the chaos of Saturday begins, I figured I would blog.
It has been a good week. Everyone is healthy.
Nate's ear infection is getting better - he is still having trouble sleeping - but I'm not sure how much of that is really ear related and how much is Nate's desire to get up and play in the middle of the night.
Sam and I went for a walk this morning. Nothing like getting 4000 steps in before 7AM and finding some "dinosaur eggs" to start your day off right!
Caroline and Daddy were working on a "train" while Sam and I were walking. They took an old diaper box and put wheels, a funnel and some other decorations on it.
CJ also got some of her school uniforms for next year this week. I couldn't believe it when she tried them on. Sniff, sniff. My little baby girl was not looking so much like a little baby girl. She also amazed me by giving me a blow by blow account of the book of Exodus (she is really into it). And this is not something we've read together. Her reading comprehension amazes me.

Work was a little challenging this week for me. Not because of the work part, but because I often have to say good-bye to people that I work with. Most of the time, I don't know that it's going to be the last time I see someone in this world - which in some ways makes it easier (and in some ways tougher). But I knew it was the last time I would see a very special lady when I kissed her and bid her good journey on Monday. I was so thankful because her family was there and I got to tell them some stories about her and relay how grateful I am that our paths crossed and what a blessing their mother was to the people around her. While I get to help some really wonderful people in my job, sometimes the best part is how much they help me (without even knowing it).

Here are some pictures from the past week: