Derek is ever the patriot. When Mike gave him some of his old pirate ships he traded Nathan until he had a complete American fleet and forts. He often colors things in red, white and blue. On the way home when Megan asked who wanted to play a choose your own adventure game Michael cried, "I'll be the wizard." Derek shouted, "I'll be an American." He also wanted to put an American flag on top of his birthday cake.

The other day Eliza wanted to play with something that Derek had and it was making her quite upset. Merian stepped in with a wonderful solution. Eliza dressed up like a princess, complete with a tiara and a wand and Merian wore a Little Red Ridding Hood cape. Then Merain guided Eliza through an entire episode of Super Why! (Eliza's favorite thing to watch.) I don't know what story she chose, but the story line is always the same and I heard them shouting out the familiar phrases with gusto as they moved through out the house collecting Super Letters. The answer to her Super Story Question was "w-a-i-t". Because of the fun way she was told the answer, she was happy with that and really didn't have to wait that long since her story had helped her past time. I think Merian is totally awesome.

Eliza was so excited to give the scripture in primary today. Just like the times when she was assigned to give her talk or give her part for the primary program, she practiced and had it memorized and couldn't wait to say it. Just like the other two times, when it came time to do it, she shrugged and looked at me with a smile and
I had to say it. Then, just like before, when we got home from church she complained that she didn't get to say her part! We had her say her scripture before family prayer tonight. Maybe if we have her keep practicing in front of the family, next time she will do it! Next time, I'm sending her dad up with her.

Tonight after reading her books I told her we only had time for one more. She laid them out and very scientifically chose:

"Eeny Meeny Mo Mo Mo, da da da da so, so, so. My mom told me to pick the one I want."

Eliza insists that her name is now pumpkin, but sometimes she is Little Red Ridding Hood.

Norah is currently eating nuts that she requested. She loves them. It is so strange to me that she can handle them. With her mouth full of teeth she can also eat tortilla chips. The other kids were so late at getting teeth they would always choke. Sometimes when I see Norah smile it looks like she is wearing dentures to me because I'm not used to seeing that many teeth.

Emma has been practicing the piano a lot. I love hearing her. She is very good at getting her school work done and using her afternoon time wisely.

Michael gave a talk in church last week. He came home from a babysitting job Saturday night and said he just remembered he had a talk. He worked on it right away and it's pretty good if I do say so myself.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is (state name) and I'm so grateful to be here. My talk is on gratitude, and how it is good to have a gratitude attitude. I am grateful for my family, our ward, our church, this world our Father in Heaven has given us, and for the small wonders of everyday life. Sometimes you see these wonders so much, that they become less, and less visible. You have to open your senses to the wonders of this world, and I quote from President Monson:
“a grateful heart,then, comes through expressing gratitude to our heavenly father for his blessings.” Close quote.
I have a scripture in Matthew chapter 15 verse 36, where Jesus is breaking the fish, and the bread to share with the crowd of thousands. The people were grateful for what little they had, and there was enough for everyone.. In the scripture it says, “And he took the seven  loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. We all need to be grateful, for we can give thanks on any day, not just this Thursday. I bare my testimony, that if you can be grateful, and have a gratitude attitude, you will notice a change in your life. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen

I hadn't previously given much thought to the fact that the food was blessed and thanked at the feeding of the multitudes, but it made me think that even though they didn't have a lot they were thankful and it was more than enough. In my life, if I am thankful it always seems like I have enough.

Megan got a dance card. There is only the New Year's Eve dance left that she can go to. That should be fun.
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There's an update. Did I miss anyone?