Chores according to an 8 year old girl named Madisen

Ok. So - for those of us that are already "grown up", raise your hand if you were raised having "chores" that you had to do. I am definitely raising my hand. I remember at Madisen's age having to help a lot around the house because my mom worked full-time and let's face it, it takes an entire family working together to make a house run smoothly.

While Madisen was "off-track" I would leave her a small list of "chores" that I wanted her to accomplish while I was at work. Surprisingly, she is a good at vacumning, emptying the dishwasher, etc. Often times she would say to me....

Madisen: Mom - what is this?
Me: It is your list of things I would like you to do today.
Madisen: Do I have to?
Me: Yes, Madisen. These are your "chores" and there are not very many.
Madisen: Chores? Mom - this is not 'Little House on the Prairie"
Me: Be careful, or else it could be.

So - Madisen did a great job while she was off track of making her bed, picking up her room, helping her dad cook dinner etc.

On Sunday the speakers at church were a recently returned missionary and a member of the high council. The high council member gave a really good talk about "assignments" and embracing the assignments in life that we are given or are called to.

He related a story of his 10 year old daughter and how she hated the different assignments around the house that they gave her because she was the oldest. He also said that it was good for her because she had become more responsible and had set a good example for her siblings.

I leaned over to Madisen and said to her....
"see you are not the only one in the world that has chores and responsibilities".
In her own way Madisen looked up at me and in a very NOT quiet way said:
"It's slavery I tell you. Pure slavery."

I looked around to see several rows of people trying to hold in their laughs. Since we were sitting the 2nd row back from the front in the chapel, and the speaker looked our direction, I am sure that many heard her comment. I tried really hard to not laugh too, but just tried to reassure Madisen that it was not "slavery" at all.

For some reason, I can remember some of these same feelings as a kid. I am so grateful that my parents taught me how to work and taught me all about responsibilities. I hope Madisen will feel that way too when she is older. :0)

Prego - emotional breakdown # 568

Yes - being pregnant for me is really not my favorite time in my life. Please don't get me wrong - I love the fact that right this second I know that in about three or more months I am going to be the mom of two more kids. It's just the emotional baggage that I have while I am on this journey.

Anyone that really knows me, knows that I cannot stand it when my emotional side comes out. It is totally embarrassing. When I am pregnant, I can cry at the drop of a hat at things that would affect me before, but not make me cry. Well - being pregnant turns on the emotions like never before. Just ask Jared - he has lots of stories to tell, especially with this pregnancy. I honestly have wondered how he has survived!!

Anyway - I was going through all of my girl baby stuff. I had saved everything from 0 to 18 months that had been Madisen's. I took a sweet trip down memory lane as I sorted through everything and divided it up. There were a lot of great memories, but also a lot of tears shed. That first two years of Madisen's life went all too quickly! I just cannot believe that my little girl is growing up so fast. I loved so many of the outfits that she used to wear.

I do feel some relief in knowing that 5 garbage bags, yes that is 5 garbage bags, will be given to others that I hope can use some of the items. I think I used to really go overboard when it came to cute clothes for Madisen. What am I saying - Used to? I still honestly do.

So - as I sorted through what I have bought and been given for these boys - I am grateful and hope to not go too overboard. Yeah right!! :0)

Grandma Ruby eat your heart out! :0)

My youngest brother J.T. just returned from his mission last week. He decided to come and spend the week with us and visit family, friends and another "special" friend. Anyway - he had a date with this "special" friend and my mom had left her red hat in the car. I guess J.T. was a little embarassed by it, so he brought it in. Madisen found it on the table and was in heaven. She kept saying, isn't Grandma Ruby the most fashionable? Yes Madisen - just like you - she is "fashionable"!!

Happy Birthday Jacob!

On Saturday we went with Madisen's cousin Jacob to his favorite restaurant for dinner, The Mayan. Madisen loves this place because of the..."cool divers". We hope Jacob had the best birthday ever. We love you!!!

Halloween 2008!

Halloween was interesting this year for our family. I ended up having to work a night shift and then was on call. Jared took Madisen trick-or-treating with some of her friends. She was able to get a lot of candy, but she said that she missed having me there. Awh....

I wish I would have thought to ask off the day from work since it was the last time that we will have just Madisen for Halloween. Crazy how things are changing!!

Madisen wanted to dress up as Sharpay from "High School Musical". Her dad did not know how to put on make-up, but I still felt she made a "fab-u-lous" Sharpay.

We hope your Halloween was fun and safe!!