Shrinking Ray

Taylor, Carter and I participated in a Mother-Son BBQ at Carter's school recently. Carter and I had a blast playing the games together. Taylor, being in middle school now was too cool for the games and instead "hung out" with a few of his friends(that just happened to be there with their moms and younger siblings). While I was playing with Carter I happened to notice Taylor talking to some girls with his friends. To my surprise he handed his cell phone to one of them and smiled as she typed something into his phone. I was too far away to really get the scoop without causing a scene so instead I bided my time and casually asked him about it later. The funny thing is, since Taylor has started middle school I have noticed that he talks about girls much more than he did in elementary school, but he still didn't really seem interested in them, in that way. So my interrogation, er, I mean questions had to be subtle.
Me: So what were you talking to the girls about?
Him: Stuff
Me: What kind of stuff?
Him: School
Me: Do they go to your school?
Him: No
Me: Why did she take your cell phone and type something?!
Him: Were you watching me?!
Me: Uh, no...I uh just was wondering.
Him: She just gave me a ring tone mom, no big deal
Me:(relieved) oh good.
Him: Mom, you know I talk to girls all the time, right?

Needless to say, I know he talks to girls, I think it was that he seemed to enjoy it a little too much...it was like, gulp, flirting or something! Why can't kids stay 6 years old forever? When they love you and no one else is important? I remember my mom saying that about my youngest brother Joe and now I know what she meant! I think I will borrow something that Scott always says, I am going to invent a shrinking ray and shrink them back down to the age and size where they fit into my arms and I can keep them safe and sound in my own little world forever!

We are Family

We visited The Gathering Place and it was all decorated for Halloween! So of course we had to snap a few pics!
Joe and I checking our navigation system.
Amy and I are pretending to be horses and Joe is feeding me. What? You didn't get that from the picture?
Whirlwind weekend! I spent the weekend with Amy (and Tyler!) and the rest of the fam that went up to take Joe.(For those of you who don't know, Joe is my youngest brother and I think the most like me!) We got to see Amy in a play called "Into the Woods" and she was fabulous! Her voice is ethereal and pure. I wish I could sing like her. She is so talented, I wish it ran in the family!! We crammed so much into the weekend I don't know where to start. We went to the Salt Lake Temple, Amy's play, Conference, cousin's dinner, and squished the mall and Red Lobster in for good measure! Back to Joe-I can't believe it is already time for him to leave. It's smacking me right in the face as I write this...I know that Joe is ready, but I feel so torn. Part of me is so happy and proud of him and part of me is (selfishly) screaming, "Don't Go!" Everytime one of my siblings leaves on a mission I get this feeling that part of me is missing. I am sure that my parents feel it more keenly than I, but it is like an essential part of me is just out of reach and no matter how hard I try, I can't get to it. Joe has made an amazing transformation from boy to man this year and I know that he will be a great missionary. I treasure the family I have been given in this life. Nothing on this earth makes me happier than family. I have been blessed.