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"We're going to the line leader festival. Would you like to come?"

Wondering where this festival is held and just what happens there I agreed. "Sure! What's the line leader festival?"

"It's where we all get to take turns being line leader!" But of course!

Line leading has become quite a big deal around this house, along with sitting "criss-cross applesauce", singing songs about "special me" and making sure to pack fruit treats in our "book bag" to eat during snack time at school.

I really must apologize, but it seems my life has been consumed by a highly energetic preschooler and a baby set on walking before her first birthday. And if those excuses arent satisfying enough, well, Im still without my trusty ole personal computer. (not to be confused with an actual "pc" because in this house, we live and die by the apple:) That means waiting patiently thruout the day for my husband to relenquish his, and for a small window of opportunity to type a few sentences without interruption. The probability of these two events occuring at the exact same moment is right up there with being struck by lightning or winning the lottery. In fact, I would venture to guess I will actually be struck by lightning first, then, due to overwhelming sympathy, finally get my own computer and begin blogging again regularly. My first blog back will be a stream of thought entry about how I wish I'd won the lottery instead.

Ok, on to life and the real stuff. Luxie LOVES preschool. The first day I dropped her off she headed inside without so much as a kiss or a "goodbye." She still loves it and looks forward to going each week, and I love the little glimpses I get into her world without me/us. It's strange, really, that from here on out the rest of the world will have a major part in influencing her life. And that is why I feel so strongly about making the most of the time I have left with them at home. Yes, it is crazy, and frustrating, and seriously, I had NO IDEA how HARD it would be to raise kids. No idea. At all. I look around at moms at the grocery store, and at church, and at the park and all these thoughts rush thru my head. "Oh look, she's pregnant...no kids yet? Little does she know....Hope she's ready....Hope she's sleeping now...." Or "Oh, she has just one? And I thought it was tough then...Oh the free time I had then...Yes, two is harder...." And to the mom with two kids I think "Yes, she gets me...she is right there with me....go on girl! You go! Yes, Im right there with you!" Then I see the moms with three, "Wow...can I do it? Can I really take that step knowing what I know now? Am I ready? It's gotta be tougher than this...can I take it?" And when I see a mom, God bless her, with four or more... I simply move out the way. I clear a path for that woman and even lower my head to show her the respect she deserves. I stand in awe as she passes and stare in amazement. That is a WONDER woman. All moms are amazing, all deserve an incredible amount of praise and encouragement.

Yes, there is only a small window of opportunity to set our kids on the right path, and I hope that moms know how valuable this little bit of time is. They drive us crazy, they are so whiny and so loud, so messy and so naughty at times. But oh, they are so special. They are so fragile, and this world is such a hard place. They are so precious and this world cares very little for them. We are all they have to depend on. We (family) are the only sure thing they will know in this life. I remember asking a mother of 4 (whom I respect) with older children (teenagers and above) what I should do about Luxie lying. If she admits to the lie, and then confesses the truth, is she still in trouble for lying? How should I handle it? She said something Ive never forgotten, and honestly, I try to remember it when things are going crazy around here. She said, "You might discipline her for lying, but remember in the end she chose to do what's right. And life is so hard already. And it will only get harder for her. In the end, you want her to learn to choose to do what's right." Yes, life is so hard already. I had no idea that thruout life each stage would have it's own levels of toughness. It really is a battle for our kids, and I try to remind myself that these days really do count for something.

Zaine is in love with her sister, and wants to be wherever the action (aka Luxie) is. She is determined to keep up with her, and claps with joy whenever Luxie comes around. She is such a quiet girl--so easy going (thank you LORD!) and I fear at times that she will be completely outshined by her highly energetic sister. Then Luxie gets in her face and she gives a loud protest and a smack to the face and my fears subside. She may be quiet but she knows what she wants! Thank the Lord for a good eater too. They really enjoy eachother already and Im so glad. I had another mom tell me (a mom of SEVEN so I listened!) that one of the best things you can do for siblings is to encourage them to celebrate the others. Meaning, help them to learn to love the great things about eachother, even though they are different than themselves. For instance, I am helping Luxie to celebrate Zaine's achievements as she stands, and cruises, and gets toys for herself, etc. And I am teaching Zaine to clap with joy at Luxie's songs and Luxie's big jumps, etc. From what I understand, this builds a comradery (sp?) that fosters friendships later in life. I sure hope so. I pray they will be the best of friends.

OK, enough mom stuff for today. Sorry guys out there who are bored to death! But really, that's what's going on with me! Oh, and we are supposed to get a bid on the house today, so we shall see. Hopefully I will get the computer in my hands again before November!