Daughters

I once heard a young mother say she was worried about having more than one daughter.

Her first child was a boy, followed by a girl, and she had recently found out that she was expecting another girl.

I was a bit surprised and asked why.

She had been the only daughter in a family with four children.

She felt that, overall, girls were harder to raise.

More drama. More money. More emotionally needy.

Since I raised only one son, I couldn't speak to the comparison, but I could tell her that 

I wouldn't change having four daughters for the world.

I love those girls!

Here's a quick update this week on the three still here at home.

Lexee

I think I've mentioned before that Lex has more guy friends than girl friends. Lots of her member friends are leaving to serve full-time missions (I keep mentioning that she could go too!), but she also has some that aren't members of our church, to whom she is a great friend AND missionary. Her friend Chris was leaving the next day to head to the MTC, so they hung out one last time Monday night (with two non member friends). 

(We are madly trying to get Christmas decorating done before we leave for Thanksgiving... we just kept decorating around this chatty group.)

Lex was HEART ATTACKED by some friends in her YSA Ward on Tuesday night. I wanted to grab a pic of our door, but Bill had taken them down this morning because they got wet in all the SNOW.

Shilo

Shilo was a judge for the swim fundraiser Titan of Teachers Talent Show. The guy judges loved to talk it up throughout the show, but the girls didn't have much to say. At one point, the emcee asked for a female judge to comment, then got the crowd to chant, "Shi-lo, Shi-lo, Shi-lo..."

When the mic was passed to her, Shi said something amazingly witty like, "That was great!"

She has her mother's spur-of-the-moment humor - none.

(She said she thought of something good to say after the moment had passed... see? just like me.)

I have to record that she had a crowd of peers chanting her name... how often does that happen?

Here's Shi surrounded by her coaches. It's still up in the air how this season is going to go with two new coaches... things will for sure be very different. At least Coach Johnson is smiling at her!

Mauri

As I mentioned in a previous post, Mar's had a little lunchroom drama.

It's given me cause to reflect on my Jr. High days. I destroyed a couple of friendships over petty, ridiculous things. I went along (as a follower) with a Mean Girl or two, who, in moments of pride or jealousy or self-importance or insecurity decided to peck away at the first target they could find. It makes me angry that I allowed it... went along with it... felt justified in hurting someone else's feelings. It has been one of those things I have regretted my whole life since. 

As a mom, I am determined to do my best to teach my daughters from my mistakes. 

Don't go along with it. 

If you are kind, you will win in the end. I promise.

(I love these reminders)

(source)

(source)

I love the quote, "What Susie says of Sally says more of Susie than of Sally."

(source)

That being said, Mar has mixed things up a bit and started eating lunch at another table.

One of the girls at the new table came up with a cute idea - a Secret Turkey gift exchange.

Such a great way to exert time and energy (v. gossip and mean talk/texting).

I am proud of how Mar is trying to tactfully navigate it all. She is so much smarter than I was at her age.
I am so grateful. 

And here's our cute little Ava Elf.

I love my family (including my son, DIL and SIL, lest you wonder)! 

I am so grateful to have such an amazing group of people in my life and beyond.

Happy Thanksgiving Week!!