What is your job?

Last night Alvin gave a great Family Home Evening lesson on prophets and apostles.  We will listen to modern-day prophets speak at General Conference this Saturday & Sunday, and we're trying to prep Miles to watch and appreciate it.  (Well, watch some of the four 2-hour sessions.  How do you keep young children interested in watching Conference talks?  Or at least keep them from distracting you?)

Presidents Eyring, Monson, and Uchtdorf of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Alvin concluded his lesson by saying that a prophet's job is to talk about Jesus.  To illustrate what "job" means, Alvin asked Miles about our jobs.  I got a kick out of the dialogue that ensued!

Alvin: What's my job?
Miles: Mmm . . . work!
Alvin: Yep, that's right.  What's Mom's job?
Miles: < pause > To cook and eat.
Alvin: What's your job?
Miles: Obey and do my Morning Chart.
Laura: < laughing hysterically because he really captured the essence of our jobs >

The famed Morning Chart.  It's a great way to keep Miles (and me!) focused on getting dressed and ready for the day.  He likes to put the clips next to each illustration after completing the task.  Miles even asks to do his Morning Chart throughout the day so he can earn back trains that have been banished to the Naughty Bag.

Does pregnancy give you cavities?

Now I will reveal my oral history.  In thirty years I have had 2 cavities: one in a baby tooth, and one in a permanent molar.  I was very proud of my healthy teeth, and thank my mother for diligently administering fluoride tablets to me in my childhood.

Two weeks ago I went to the dentist for a routine cleaning.  I was nothing less than astounded when the hygienist claimed I had 5 cavities.  She said, noting my sidekicks (Clay and Miles), "Yep.  Kids'll do it to you.  They suck all your nutrients.  Plus, you tend to be less diligent about tooth brushing when you are chasing them around all day."

Is that true?!

Whether it is or not, I had 5 cavities filled Thursday.  I suddenly feel ashamed that I laughed at Alvin's limp cheeks when he had dental work done a year ago.  What would you say is the worst torture: the shots, the drilling, or hours of numb, sagging cheeks and tongue?

Leaves are falling all around . . .

We spent a beautiful spring day outside . . . raking leaves!  Yes, I'll admit a few of them were leftovers from last fall.  (Hey, we were busy fixing up our new house and getting ready for a baby.)  But those leaves weren't even soggy after spending a winter on the ground.  (Too dry.)  Most of the leaves we raked today fell from our trees in the last month, only after new blossoms and leaves pushed them out of the way.  Just another crazy thing about living in Oklahoma: some leaves fall in the spring.