A day of firsts

Nikki had her first day of dance class on Wednesday. She has been looking forward to this for almost a whole year. She was just so adorable. I was nervous that I had the wrong time when we got to the studio because there were no other cars in the parking lot, but it just turned out that no one else was there for her class that day. So she got to be the star of the show as the only one in class. She was absolutely in heaven. She thought the ride home took forever because she couldn't wait to show me everything she learned in class. It took a lot of bribery to get her out of her leotard and ballet shoes that afternoon.

It just so happened that Wednesday was also Hannah's first day of Kindergarten. I was probably more nervous than she was. She came home with so much energy. I think she loved it so much that she was just wired for the rest of the day. And she actually told me about what she did, which is a totally different experience from her preschool days last year. Nikki and I missed her so much that day. Around 10:30 Nikki started asking to go pick her up from school. I noticed that night as we were cleaning up the house before bed that there really wasn't that much to clean up with her gone for the better part of the day. That was a nice bonus.

I just can't believe my baby girls are so grown up.

Roughin' it

Nate & I went camping last weekend. I was so surprised when he said he wanted to go because he hates camping. His last camping experience was when he was Scoutmaster in Georgia. For a Utah cityboy, to go camping in the swamps of the deep south was a totally new experience. He was too hot and too tall for the tent, so he left the tent door open and stuck his feet out all night long. Needless to say, I had never seen so many redbugs on a pair of legs in all my life. He hasn't wanted anything to do with camping since then, but we did have a good time last weekend. It was really peaceful and fun to have no entertainment other than ourselves. We were really excited that we got such a good fire going. Nate let me help start it and feel useful, but I couldn't have kept it going -- I cheated on too many requirements during my Girls' Camp days. It was hot, so we want to take the girls to the mountains in October when the leaves are changing and it's cooler. To be completely honest, we spent the first night in a tent and the second in a hotel. Boy did I sleep good the second night! And smores are actually better cooked in the microwave than over a campfire. =)

Blueberry pie

I love desserts, and my sister-in-law, Alli, made this blueberry pie a couple of weeks ago. It was so yummy, and I actually have one in the oven right now. It was really easy to make. I can't wait for it to be done. Here is the recipe.

Blueberry Pie

3 c. fresh blueberries
deep dish pie crust (regular or graham crust -- both are good)
1 c. sugar
1/3 c. flour
1/8 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1/2 c. sour cream

Put blueberries in the crust. Combine the other ingredients and pour over berries.

topping -- 1/2 c. sugar, 1/2 c. flour, 1/4 c. softened butter. Mix together and sprinkle on top.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Enjoy!

Kindergarten blues

We got a notice in the mail today informing us of who Hannah's kindergarten teacher will be and what time her bus will pick her up and drop her off. I'm so nervous for her!!! I'm so afraid that I've sheltered her too much and haven't taught her enough. I can't believe she will be away from me for the better part of the day for most of the week. She is so clingy and dependent on me that I really am afraid she is going to have a hard time. She also has no qualms about breaking down into a crying fit, and I can just hear those mean boys calling her a baby. I certainly won't mind her growing out of that really fast, but I hate to think of someone being mean to my little girl. And the bus is a whole issue all on its own that has me scared spitless. If I let her take the bus, she will only have a 10-minute ride, so I suppose I shouldn't be so worried about it. I just don't like to think of a busload of kids practically unchaperoned because the busdriver is only one person and should be focused on driving. Or if the driver is focused on the havoc the children are raising, then she isn't watching the road well enough and my child is in danger of a car accident. I rode the bus when I was in kindergarten, but I had an older brother and sister with me. I would have been terrified if I was by myself. Can I really let Hannah go to school on her own? I feel like I have done such a poor job in preparing her for this new stage of her life. I can only hope that she is more ready for this than I am. I guess we'll see in two weeks...

A special experience

I had the privilege of playing the organ for a funeral this morning. I hope it's not too morbid to say that I enjoyed it. I have actually been able to play for at least six funerals since moving here last year, and since I'm new to the area I have been able to participate without having the strong emotions of close family or friends. They have all been spiritual experiences for me. I think the words spoken today for the lady who just passed away would be the kind of words I would hope to have said about me. She was described as a lady, very classy, and at the same time one of her grandchildren remembered her fearlessly leading them into the surf at the beach with a storm brewing, causing huge waves. She also rode the rides at amusement parks with her grandchildren. And the two most important parts of her life that struck me were her faith and the love she and her husband shared. I think those are the greatest legacies she could leave, and I'm grateful that I got to hear about her life. I feel inspired to live a little better after hearing of her example.

I really love being able to play the hymns as prelude and postlude for such occasions. One of my favorite hymns is "I Believe in Christ," and here are the words to it. I was grateful for the opportunity to reread them as I played the organ this morning.

I believe in Christ; he is my King!
With all my heart to him I'll sing;
I'll raise my voice in praise and joy,
In grand amens my tongue employ.
I believe in Christ; he is God's Son.
On earth to dwell his sould did come.
He healed the sick; the dead he raised.
Good works were his; his name be praised.

I believe in Christ; oh, blessed name!
As Mary's Son he came to reign
'Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
To save them from the woes of sin.
I believe in Christ, who marked the path,
Who did gain all his Father hath,
Who said to men: "Come, follow me,
That ye, my friends, with God may be."

I believe in Christ -- my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I'll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan's grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above.

I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I'll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: "Ye shall obtain."
I believe in Christ; so come what may,
With him I'll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again
To rule among the sons of men.

What a great picture

The other day Nikki was showing a picture that she had drawn to Nate. On the same piece of paper she had asked me to draw a horse with wings like on the Barbie Pegasus movie. I know I don't have any drawing talent, but when Nate saw it he said, "Oh Nikki, what a great picture. Did Hannah help you draw that horse?" Ha! Well, he may have mistaken my artwork for that of a 5-year-old, but at least he knew what animal it was!

Marshmallows and chocolate chips

Hannah has a new favorite dessert -- marshmallows and chocolate chips. She would actually eat them for lunch, snacktime, and breakfast if I let her. This morning I was making my shopping list, and I asked the girls if they could think of anything we needed from the grocery store. Hannah's request was chocolate chips. Then when we got to the store, that was the first thing she wanted to go looking for. I love chocolate too, and it's scary to think how much she has learned from me in her short five years of life.

who needs a gym membership?

Ever since our girls were old enough to crawl they have loved to come and attack anyone who lays down on the floor. They think it is the most fun thing to swarm all over you. Nate probably laid on the living room floor for about an hour today, but he certainly didn't get any rest. He was worn out by the time they finished playing with him. I think the girls' favorite part was when he was using them to do a bench press.

Torero's

Last night Nate and I went out on a date, and we ended up eating at this neat Mexican restaraunt in downtown Goldsboro called Torero's. It looks like just a little hole in the wall, but it was soooo good. They had a guy with a guitar walking around singing. He was really good and it added a lot to the atmosphere. Then we ordered. Now I usually like Mexican food, but this was the best I've ever had. Nate tried to tell me I was just hungry, but when the leftovers today still tasted like a little piece of heaven I knew I was right. I ordered a Macho burrito which, by the price of it, I didn't think would be a major platter. Well, it was about three times the size of what I expected. I should have portioned it out to last three meals, but it was so good that I admit I ate half of it. I got chicken in it, and I wish I had the menu to describe the rest of what was in it. It was fabulous. I just can't say it enough. Nate's order was wonderful, too. I can't remember what it was called, but sausage and eggs was the main ingredient. He said he used to eat it a lot on his mission in Argentina. They brought his out on a large round plate that had the sausage, refried beans, rice, lettuce and vegetables all laid out. And then they brought him a little dish of tortillas, so he could make his own burritos or fajitas or whatever it was called. All of it was just delicious. I ate so much that I don't think I'll be hungry for the next week.

Killer mosquito

We spent the 4th of July at JW & Alli's house and had a really good time. Mike brought some water balloons and the adults probably had more fun than the kids did. JW even took a trip onto the roof to get Mike with the water hose. While we were outside I noticed a mosquito on Hannah's face just under her eye. I shooed him away and squished him, but apparently not soon enough. The next morning Hannah woke up with her eye red and swollen. She also has a bite on her calf that is puffy. The poor thing. She is also really sensitive to fire ants, and I don't even want to think about what would happen if she got stung by a bee or wasp. I've never seen anyone so sensitive to small insects.

And this is right after a couple of weeks ago Nikki woke up with some kind of a bite on her foot that caused swelling up past her ankle and started turning purple. She was limping on it whenever she tried to walk. JW gave her a shot of prednisone and it cleared up pretty quickly after that. But I was starting to get a little worried about it. I'm starting to think that North Carolina has some killer insects.