The Hard Questions

 I had a crazy morning and had no idea that there had been a mass shooting in Colorado until we got in the car to come back from Grant's yearly check up and heard that there had been a shooting.  So I ran home and turned on the noon news on the TV and watched. Devastating.  My kids were with me and I hurried and made them lunch so I could listen to the news report.  They sat with me eating grilled cheese.  After the reported finished, they had a physiologist talk about how to deal with kids regarding this tragedy.  The first thing he said about younger children was simply not tell them about it (still not sure if that is the right approach but whatever).  So I turned the TV off.

Later, at dinner, Jane started asking all kinds of questions about what happened in Colorado.  Who was that guy?  Are those people dead forever?  Does that guy live in our land?  What's an 'injury'?  Do people die from them?  What happens when we go to live with Heavenly Father? Does he make the injuries better?  The police got that guy so there are no more bad guys, right?  What if bad guys come to our house?  What's a weapon?  Who sent that man here?  His mom?  Why is he a bad guy?  Am I a bad girl?  We should just kill all the bad guys, right mom?

No one prepares you for these kinds of questions coming from a 5 year old.  I tried to answer to the best of my abilities and in a way she would understand without freaking her out.  But the truth is, even I don't understand it all.  I have no idea why that guy was a "bad guy" and why he did what he did.  All I could offer her was my protection and that Heavenly Father will take care of us and the people who got hurt.  She cried a little.  It broke my heart.  To have the world seem such a scary place. . .at 5?!?!?!?  Part of me regrets letting her watch that news program.  She shouldn't have to face the real world so early.  And maybe that psychologist was right--just don't even tell your kids what happened.
But at the same time, I can't keep the world from her or her from the world.  I am the vulture mother--the one who stands on the doorstep to make sure the kids get to their friends' house safe.  The one who checks on them constantly just to make sure they are ok.  Jane and Grant hate this.  But today I was able to explain why I do it.  I was able to express to her that it's because I love her and want to protect her from the "bad guys" out there.  I think it's important for her to know that there are people out there who do bad things but there are also "good guys" who protect us.  That God is watching over her and so are her parents and that even if something bad happened, she will be ok.
I don't have all the answers and I know that children expect grown-ups to.  My heart broke today.  For the people who were in that theater and their loved ones but also for my daughter.  I wish I could give her a better world.  I wish I could give her all the answers to all her questions.

Side note: Tonight at bedtime I went to tuck her in and one of her goldfish was dead.  Perfect.  So with teary eyes, we flushed Anna down the toilet.  "Don't worry, Sweetie.  She's with Heavenly Father now."  She looked up a bit confused and pointed to the toilet, "But how's He gonna get her out of there?"

Real Men Tri at 30

All set up and ready to start

 For Trent's big 3-0 he wanted to run a Sprint Triathlon.  He had a hard time sticking to a training schedule with school but he didn't back out.  So yesterday, for his birthday, we woke up at 4:30 am (the kids were thankfully at my Aunt's) and drove up to Echo Reservoir.  Trent rode his bike over to the "transition area" and I took a shuttle in.  He was nervous but excited.  Before long, it was time to start.  His first event was swimming.  Swimming is Trent's thing.  I actually think he may be part fish. . .but he was still nervous about it.  The 1/2 mile swim took no time at all and he was soon out and running for the transition area to gear up for his bike ride.  He seemed tired but he rode on.  After the 12 mile bike ride, he dropped off his bike gear and headed out for a 5K run.  I was tired just watching these people do this!  Some looked like death.  Some looked like it was a walk in the park.  Trent looked spent but he's not a quitter.  About a mile and a half from the finish, his legs started cramping up.  Charlie-Horses ripped through his legs but he still managed to finish!  I was so proud of him!!!  He did it, and with very little training (he won't make that mistake again).  He says he wants to do it again . . . just not any time soon.  Happy 30th Birthday Trent!  You amaze me!

Trent is smack-dab in the middle of the picture. Not the guy at the bottom of the pic, but one up from him.

Done with the Swim

Headed out on the bike

Last event--the run.

He made it!!!

The massage after.  Is that cute girl rubbing my husband's bum?!?!?  Why yes she is, and boy does he looked pleased! :)

Bubba is 3!

My Sweet Handsome Dude was born 3 years ago today.  What a three years it has been!  He started out so quiet and calm and now he is the life of the party.  This boy cracks us up! And drives us nuts. And everything in between.  Our lives would definitely be sooooo boring without Grant.  Here is a quick glimpse of our guy at 3:

Favorite book:  "Stuck" (we read it EVERY night)
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite foods: Hot Dogs, popcorn, scrambled eggs
Favorite toy: any car or train he can find
Favorite person: Sis
Favorite phrase: "Sorry Mommy/Daddy/sissy/etc" or "What-a doin'?"or "look-it me!"
Favorite show: Fireman Sam or Popeye

*He's a mamma's boy.
*He loves to wake us up in the morning, bright and early, with a "cock-doodle-dooooo!"
*He loves to dance.  Even if he's throwing a fit, if you turn on music with a beat, he will start dancing.
*He is very independent.  He want to do things himself and will redo it if you have already done it for him.
*He is very coordinated.
*He is a very social fellow.  He will walk right up to perfect strangers and say hello, he can make friends wherever he goes, and he has NO personal space.
*He never stops moving--even when he's sleeping.
*He has very little-no fear. He just goes for it! (definitely Trent's kid)
*His most ticklish spot is on his little collar bones.
*He loves Popsicles and swimming and doing whatever sister is doing.

We love you buddy!  Happy Birthday!

Grant's Carnival

 I love throwing a party, especially for my kids.  This year is Trent's big 3-0 and so I had started planning a big surprise party for him when he told me flat out he didn't want a party.  Bummer.  So I channeled all that party-planning energy into Grant's birthday.  We only do big friend parties for the kids every other year and this was his year so I started planning months ago.  And with the help of Pinterest, I had the perfect party for him.  The invites turned out great.  I had the theme and the goodies and the prizes and the games.  I had this party planned down to the very last detail.
Morning of the party: It hasn't rained all summer but today it decided to be a rainy day.  Good for the firefighters, bad for the party planner.  Just a bump in the road.  Grant woke up with a terrible cold.  I scrambled to get to Wal-Mart to get the balloons and wouldn't you know it, they were out of helium. By noon I was ready to go nuts.  But the show must go on.  So I called and scheduled our clubhouse then ran door to door in the rain knocking on doors telling everyone the party had changed locations.  My sweet Aunt came and got the kids and took them on an adventure while I decorated the cake and by 4:30 we were set with the "new party", just as the clouds cleared and the sun came out.
Long story short, we had a wonderful party for Grant.  Although it didn't go quite as planned, all of his guests showed up, the games were played, the food eaten, the candles blown out, and the boy was happy.  I'd consider that a success, even if it wasn't perfect.  A big thank you to our families for all the help they gave us with games/booths/wrangling children.  Thank you to the kids who came for all the amazing gifts you gave to Grant.  He is all set for like 4 years now!  So generous of you.  And thank you to my unbelievable husband for all he did to make this happen.  Now for the pics!

The Cake

The Ring Toss.  Thanks Cathy!

The Pin Drop.  Thanks Charlene!

The Can Knockdown and the Amazing husband

The Beanbag Toss.  Thanks Mom!

Blowing out the candles.  My bro Zach brought colored flame candles for the cake.  They were awesome!
Thanks!

Face Painting. Thanks Dad! (Thanks for the paints, Amy.  We missed you!)

Opening presents.  The kid got spoiled but look how happy he is! What a cute little tiger!

Happy 4th of July!

We had a very busy Independence Day this year.  My friend Holly and I organized a neighborhood Potluck breakfast at the park.  Who doesn't like a Pancake breakfast on the 4th of July?!?!?  We had a great turn out and Gini Cates decided last minute to make homemade scones freshly fried.  They were to die for!!!  There was so much good food and so many wonderful people. 
After the breakfast, we ran out to Utah Lake to spend time with Trent's family on the lake with the jet skis. It was warm and mostly bug free and the kids loved riding with Aunt Amy and Grandpa.  Grandma Bassett, as usual, brought in an impressive spread for lunch and then we headed home for some much needed R&R. 
After some rest, while Trent was working on homework, the kids and I headed out to get some fireworks and ice cream.  The kids were so excited about the fireworks (especially the tanks, chickens, and snaps).
We grilled up some burgers and then I got to baking Grant's cake for the following day.
That night we went to the park and lit off fireworks with our neighbors.  They brought some impressive ones (not snaps and tanks, but ariels!)By 10:20 pm we were tuckered out so we left (even though they still had loads to go!)

It was a wonderful, yet tiring day!