Parker kindergarten class this fall has only 6 kids signed up.  Avynlee will be old enough to go, but I think she will benefit the most by waiting for the next year.  Mr Owens (principal) and Ethel (secretary) have been worried about what the district will decide to do with such a small class.  I have seen their anxiety about it and the thought has continued to come to me to mention it to my friend Katie who lives in St. Anthony.  I kept forgetting or putting it off until registration day today.  I was a little late, but better than never, I guess.  I sent her a quick text and said its going to be a great class, lots of one on one attention for the kids...spread the word if she knows anyone up town who might want to drive their kids out to Parker.  She called me immediately and was telling me concerns about her son who is kindergarten age this year and how she has been praying for guidance.  I suggested the idea of putting him in Parker for various benefits I could see.  So she called the school and got him on the roster.  Then she texted me to say that my text was an answer to her prayers.  It was a small thing for me, but huge to her.  That made my day and also made me think how I almost didn't bother texting her with the thought, "oops, meant to do that, too late now, probably didn't matter."  I am going to respond to my ideas quicker, who knows how many "ideas" or "thoughts" I have that are actually promptings.

I have SO much to do!  I leave tomorrow night with Sawyer (and maybe Avynlee, undecided at this point), hitching a ride in the back seat of my parents car to surprise my baby brother James for his birthday...I assume Jame's surprise won't be ruined by posting this because only 2 people ever read it (gotta love moms-mine & Jarons).  I prepared my Monday TaVaci lessons, did some preschool with Avynlee, put dinner in the crockpot, taught piano lessons, gave Jaron and Hudson haircuts--cleaned UP the hair, attended a city meeting, made sure Savannah and Hudson did their homework, helped Jaron do HIS homework, vacuumed, cleaned a bathroom (only the one company sees), checked in with Terina about the plans while I'll be out there, and more still.  Savannah cleaned up the kitchen for me and she did a darn good job of loading the dishwasher!  Yes, it was in hopes that I would buy her the 3rd book in her Percy Jackson Heros series from her 4th grade book order, BUT I don't even care, it was so incredibly helpful!  It's amazing that someone did something FOR ME today.  I love being a mother, every little moment of it, even when it seems like a thankless job.  It sure is a good way to learn to be more like the Savior-putting others first.  It's not often that family members do truly helpful things for me.  I do think "thoughts" count, like home drawn pictures, dandy lions from the yard and crooked blankets spread on the bed in an attempt to make it (the last one is Jaron).  Savannah doing the dishes was one of those times that it felt like a big breath of air as I bob along the swift and tumultuous river of life.  And was just what I needed.

As Hudson said his evening prayers tonight:
(every phrase begins with "Thank Thee that..." despite Savannah correcting him numerous times to say "Please bless...")

"Thank Thee that the kids who have no home can find somewhere comfy to sleep and the kids who have no food can find something gooder than bugs."
Love that kid.

With Sawyer not quite 2 months old and the other kiddos bounding all over the place, free time is something that is very rare for me.  Today at 11 am, I was to be found still in pajamas, not showered and had just barely gotten Sawyer to sleep in my arms, when there was a strong knock at the door.  The older 3 were playing outside and I thought for a moment it was one of them.  I did not hurry to the door, assuming that was the case.  After a moment's thought, however, I decided that particular knock did not sound like one of theirs. Carrying Sawyer with me, I opened the door to find a young boy, perhaps 5 or 6 years old.  I did not recognize him immediately.  He asked me if our dog has had his rabies shot.  I stammered, very puzzled, yes, but not recently.  He said, "well my mom wanted me to ask because your dog has bitten my 2 year old sister and her head is cracked and bleeding."

Whaaaaaaaa??!?!!  I almost passed out.  I absolutely could not make sense of it.  Biscuit is such a friendly dog.  big and hairy? yes. annoying at times? definitely.  off his chain at that moment?  dang it-yes.  I asked where this happened. Who is this neighbor that I do not recognize?  He said he was visiting his (great) grandma across the street (Loretta, biscuit's favorite place to hang out when off the chain).

In a matter of seconds my mind is reeling with thinking this little guy must be mistaken, but the facts do come together that he must not be.  I tell him I will get dressed and come over.  I am shaken to my core to think we are possibly responsible for the life of a little girl.  And after all the problems we have had with that dog wandering.  Most people love biscuit, but there are a few people in Parker who feel very strongly against him I couldn't help feeling shamed that we didn't take care of him sooner, but who would have ever guessed?  I wondered if he had been bit by some rabid animal in the night and transformed into a monster???

I prayed with panic as I ran up stairs to lay down the baby and throw some clothes on.  I told Heavenly Father that I could not bear this burden.  It was too heavy, too traumatic.  I could not face the family.  After a minute I called Jaron at work.  He said he would call his dad and ask him to come over.  Immediately the Lord had answered my prayer.  I would not have to carry this burden alone.  I could go over and do what I needed to, knowing Jaron's parents were on their way.

Walking across the street I saw our dog.  He was not snarling, dripping with blood and baring his fangs as I had imagined.  As congenially as ever, he came to me and walked calmly as I chained him up.  So my confusion continued to mount.

Thankfully, thankfully, the tiny girl was not on the brink of demise.  She had a gash on the back of her head.  The blood had dried and scabbed over.  She was not laying lifeless on the ground (as I had supposed),  she wasn't even crying.  Katie (Loretta's granddaughter-the mother) was so kind to me.  She hadn't seen what happened, but it was obviously something to do with Biscuit who had indeed been over there.

She took her daughter to the doctor to be sure everything was okay and called me to let me know the doctor said it definitely was not a bite, but perhaps a collision with a dog's tooth.  I bawled on the phone and told her I was so sorry and thanked her for being so kind to me.  Her mom, Kitty, called me back to say no one in the family was worried one bit about it.  They love our dog and they love us and they are not concerned. 

Katie gave me a heads up that the doctor required her to file a police report.  Katie notified the police who asked if she wanted to press charges and she said, absolutely not.  The police, however, still are required to come to our house and see the dog.  If it had been a bite, they would quarantine, but since it was an accident, they just need to verify  the dog is not vicious.  The police visit has yet to happen.

I am so thankful for my inlaws who came to my support and for the kindness of good neighbors.  Jaron and I will have to make some decisions about the best thing for Biscuit.  We've been in this conundrum for over a year now, but this even has brought it to the forefront.

Last fall Hudson brought home a wrestling registration form from kindergarten.  Being that Jaron never wrestled and no one in my family was a wrestler, it wasn't a sport I took much thought of.  I tossed the paper and went about my business cleaning the kitchen.  Three days later Hudson asked me if I saw that wrestling paper.  As is usual with anytime my kids ask me about something I have thrown away, I fill with pretense and try to act nonchalant.

 "Oh yeah...I saw that..."

With all the eagerness of innocence he replied, "Well, did you sign me up?"

My response, "uh...."  and I'm thinking in my head,  Dang it.  I don't want to commit to that.  How to let him down easy...

After looking in his wide little eyes I said, "Fine.  I'll go to the parent meeting and see if it is workable for our family."  It turned out it was not workable.  South Fremont was too expensive, practice times were too late at night and they wanted more of a time commitment than I was willing to give.  After mentioning all of this to Lisa Marie, she suggested that I put him in Sugar City wrestling in the Spring.  It was quite a bit less, better practice times, and more relaxed as far as time expectations.  So We let Hudson give it a try.  He went to one practice then his first tournament at Bonneville High School.  Two matches, double elimination.  We were done by 11 am.

Yesterday we attended his second tournament.  We showed up at 8 am for weigh ins.  By noon he still hadn't wrestled once.  We were all frustrated and tired of waiting.  I finally talked to some of the ladies in charge of running the computer program (new software to keep track of scoring and matching partners) and they explained that technically Hudson had won once because of a forfeit.  They asked that we keep waiting and his turn would be up very soon.  As I was walking away they thanked me for being nice.  I'm guessing they had already heard from a lot of angry parents.  That felt good.

When I explained to Hudson that they had given him a turn, but he won because the other kid didn't show up, he jumped up and down with excitement.  So funny!  I guess the idea of winning is more compelling than actually participating in the sport at this age.

One of the more positive aspects of this tournament was that Jason and Amber were there with Carson and so were Don and Millie with Logan.  So Savannah and Hudson both had friends to play with during the long waiting spells.  Ralph and Regena also came to watch Hudson and Carson wrestle.  They were able to see Carson, but ended up leaving before Hudson ever had a chance.  We understood.  It really meant a lot that they came, though!

Another hour or longer after I talked to the ladies in charge, Jaron noticed that some of the kids who were in Hudson's weight class were being called up for a 2nd and 3rd match and Hudson still hadn't had one chance to wrestle.  So I went back and politely explained that we had to leave and were really disappointed because Hudson hadn't got on the mat once.  By this time it was 2:00 pm.   Janelle (who is over the Sugar City wrestlers) pulled some strings and got Hudson in match right then.  He was pinned in less than 30 seconds but with the previous forfeit/win, he came in 3rd and got a medal.  His day was made!  Hudson is such a light weight and has very little experience (no technique) so he doesn't win matches (maybe a few in practice every so often), but regardless, he loves it.  He leaves with a smile and wants to go again.  So I guess that's all that counts, right?

Jaron on the other hand...wanted to go snowmobiling, but at my request, he sacrificed his plans to come and be with the kids and I.  He was extremely frustrated with how unorganized and time wasting the day played out to be...and to top it off, we had to go to Winco-a less favorite place of his.  But he was a good sport.  The day overall turned out to be pleasant spent together as a family and I can't help but be grateful for a husband who is present and giving.  I quite enjoy having him by my side.