First, about my kids. I wrote this in my journal Sunday, July 15:

The last month has been HOT! We’ve been hibernating in our air-conditioned house, or we’ve gone "swimming" at my sister’s pool (more like dog paddling or floating on tube), or we’ve gone to the free family movies at the theater (for which they don’t turn on the a/c).

The boys have been grounded since June from playing video games on the computer or Playstation. They were sneaking in the middle of the night to the office and would play a few hours and then they would be difficult children throughout the next day. Normally they would be allowed to play one hour per day as long as their chores are done. They were almost ungrounded a few times, but they would get caught sneaking again–usually the night before their grounding ended. Silly boys! We have now hidden the Playstation power cord and have moved the computer into the kitchen (locked with a new password) to save them from themselves.

They are good boys, though. Ant was assigned to give a talk in Primary at church today. He wrote the whole thing by himself, and just asked me to help him find a scripture passage about faith. He spoke very clearly as he read a short story, related it to a scripture passage, and then shared his feelings about it. I’m so proud of him!

Last night, after family scripture time, Bud said that he didn’t believe it–the scriptures, Heavenly Father, Jesus, etc. He’s told me before that he doesn’t want to me a missionary or go to church when he’s a grown-up (he’s 6 now). All I could say was that I believe it. Dh told Bud that it is his choice to believe what he wants, but he (dh) believes the scriptures are true. I think Bud was just trying to get a rise out of us. This morning he asked if he could turn on the TV to watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s program. Then, he chose to sit by himself at church–two rows up & to the side of us. If he wasn’t being so reverent, I would have made him come back, but he was quiet, sitting forward, looking at the artwork in his copy of the scriptures while the Sacrament was passed. He quietly colored on a program during the rest of the service. Afterwards, I was sure to praise him for his behavior.

Cutie is always eager to say the dinner or family prayer and pouts if it’s someone else’s turn. She has enjoyed her two Primary teachers who realize the importance of consistency for 3-year-old kids. They have been so good about having a classroom routine, and just showing up each week (or getting a parent to substitute if they plan to be gone), something the other 3-year-old class has been lacking. I subbed a few weeks ago when the lesson was on Daniel and Goliath. The other teacher was giving the lesson and brought a long strip of material and a light cushy ball and used them to show the kids how David might have used his sling to hit Goliath. The kids had so much fun flinging the ball all over the room as they were waiting for their parents to take them home.

Cutie will start preschool this fall. She still has two more years to wait until Kindergarten since her 5th birthday will be a few weeks after the cut-off date. She loves riding her red tricycle and a little pink bike with training wheels that a neighbor gave away.

About a year ago, I joined a private message board of moms. It was really addicting for a while and I had a hard time regulating the time I spent chatting. It’s the main reason I haven’t posted on here as much. Since the computer has been in the kitchen (instead of secluded in the office), it’s been easier to walk away from it since I’m constantly reminded of my children and household responsibilities. Balance is on the horizon.

Some family members have told me they miss my posts (I used to tell them if they wanted to know what was going on in my life, they should read my blog), and I realized today that I miss connecting with my old blogging friends. So I’m coming back. Will you forgive my absence? My goal is to post once a week, at least. I’ll try to have something more profound, or something more witty to say next time, instead of just catching up.