Kirby

Eric loves all Kirby Heyborne's silly LDS movies. So when Kirby came to the LDS bookstore in Tucson, Eric insisted on being taken out of school early to go get his autograph. I felt a little guilty about pulling him out of school. The office staff, I think, just assumed I was taking him out to lunch and bringing him right back like always. But I wrote down on the sign out sheet lunch and personal under reasons for signing him out. I didn't really want to explain in case they gave me a hard time. We had a quick lunch at Subway, shopped at Toys R Us for a few minutes and then headed to the bookstore to wait in line. Over an hour later, Kirby still hadn't showed up and I had to leave to get the younger kids from school. Fortunately he pulled up as we were leaving and a woman standing in line ran out to bring Eric a pen. She convinced Eric to go over to the car and ask for his autograph. It made Eric's day. It made my day having a few hours to spend with Eric alone. He is such a great kid.

Overcoming My Fears

Mario and I were supposed to go to the range yesterday, but I wasn't feeling well. I asked if we could go today instead but he couldn't because he had training all day at work. I decided that I would go anyway. If you remember the first/last time I went to the range, I locked myself in the truck and didn't want to get out, I was so scared of all the gunfire I could hear in the distance.

I decided that I needed to overcome my fears (like I always tell my kids) and just do it. I called the range to make sure they would assist me if I needed any help loading my gun and setting up my target. All the employees are so nice and helpful. I guess they want to see me succeed and be a responsible gun owner. I felt confident that I made a good choice in picking out my gun when the first guy (a customer) made a comment about what I nice revolver I had. One employee helped me get all set up and made sure I knew what I was doing. I have to say, that extra money spent on a laser was really worth it. I put all the bullets except for 1 through the man on the target's chest (I hit him once in the face. Oops.)

The whole time I was shooting, I was thinking..."These people are crazy letting an inexperienced person like me shoot." They put a lot of trust in me that I was not going to make any fatal errors. It kind of reminds me of how when you have your first baby and they let you take him/her home from the hospital and you have no idea what you are doing. How could they trust me with this new baby? Today I was thinking, how could they trust me with this weapon? Not only do you have to trust yourself to be careful, but everyone else around you too.

Stake Conference

Today is Stake Conference. Apparently we weren't clear about which conference it was when we told the kids about it yesterday. The three younger kids each walked into our room this morning excited about not having to get dressed today. They thought we would be lounging around in pajamas all day to watch General Conference on our television. Imagine their disappointment when we told them it was Stake Conference and yes they would all need showers. I think Erin took it the hardest.

Early Christmas Present

Mario has been begging me to get a revolver that is easy for me to handle. I told him that I wanted to pick it out. So after researching guns this morning, we went to a gun show (just a coincidence that one was in town this weekend). I picked out the gun I wanted, but insisted on having laser grips. So we found a shop in town that sells exactly what I was looking for. I don't think Mario will let me pick out any more guns, it cost him a lot more than what he expected (he used his TDY money to fund the purchase.) But I love my new gun and the kids are jealous of the cool laser. Now maybe I can actually hit my target or at least scare the person who breaks into my house. I think I would be nervous having a laser pointed at me.

Instead of meeting for lunch dates at Subway or Jason's Deli, Mario and I will be meeting at the range for the next few weeks so I can be proficient before his deployment. I think I am turning into my sister. I never understood why she liked target practice. I am not sure I will like it as much as her, but it will be nice to learn to defend myself and my family if I ever need to. Mario is wanting me to take the concealed weapon course. Could you imagine me becoming a gun toting mom?

Running

I ran four straight miles on my treadmill today. That was the first time since I injured my knee in May or June. And my knee feels great. I don't run too fast, only about a 11 minute mile, but hopefully that will improve also as the muscles around my knee get stronger. I am so excited!

Gift to Return Already

Nathan got a really cool remote control helicopter for his birthday. He doesn't like to share it much because it is a bit fragile. But it is the favorite toy in the house right now, especially with the high living room ceiling (even Mario loves it.) So, I was really excited about a r/c stunt plane that I bought Zach for Christmas. But Zachary hit Nathan yesterday and then refused to take a punishment. So I told him that if he didn't comply I would return one of his Christmas gifts. The kids never take me seriously and probably for good reason. I am a big pushover especially to the twins. But once I said it, I had to follow through. So I finally got Zach to time out and I opened his gift in front of him and told him it was going back to Toys R Us. Of course that really humbled him and he begged for me to give him another chance. He has some money in the bank so he is begging me to take him to the store to buy his own. But I don't feel like that would be teaching him a lesson. Erin is asking to buy it from me too, but then Zach would get to play with it and it still wouldn't teach him a lesson. So I think the only thing to do is return it (or give it to Mario to play with when the kids are all asleep.) Zachary is one stubborn kid (reminds me of my brother Charlie....fortunately he turned out well.) I have been keeping the plane under the tree as a reminder to the kids not to get in any more trouble. I sure hope I don't have to return anything else.

Soon to be Teen

Eric has been showing signs that he is reaching those teens years. The most recent one, text messaging. For a while Eric was paying the $5 a month charge to have 250 text messages. But he quickly gave that up since he wasn't using it. Now a few months later I checked his usage and he had almost 100 text messages. At 20 cents each, that really starts to add up. Fortunately I called Verizon and they were able to backdate his text message plan and now he only owes me $5 instead of close to $20.

Mario thinks I need to lighten up, but he is the one that was opposed to text messaging in the beginning. I admit, I don't like Eric text messaging. Isn't it enough that we give him a phone? It is hard to let him grow up and be a normal teenager. I don't like what I see from most normal teens. I guess I am going to have to loosen up a bit. 250 text messages probably won't be enough either. He will probably have to upgrade to unlimited before I know it. But I don't think kids should be so attached to their phones. Why can't they just call each other? Why do they sit in firesides and text each other? That tells me they aren't getting anything out of it. I wonder how many are texting during Sacrament meeting. I don't know if I am going to survive the teen years. I want my kids to be well liked and not be nerds, but at what expense?