William had his first boo-boo this week. He banged his face on the bottom of a chair and got a nice fat lip. It doesn't seem to have traumatized him too much, seeing as how he still climbs on absolutely everything.
Anyway, I am at school and it's a Friday, so I want to be home. I just wanted to post our latest and greatest family picture. Brandon's uncle took this with his fancy schmancy camera. Thanks Uncle Phil!

This past week has been a week of growth for my little family. Growth, meaning . . .

--William is still teething. Tooth number 8 is on its way.
--I picked William up today and I swear he weighs more than he did last night, and I felt the same way yesterday compared to the night before.
--Teaching math is very different from teaching music. I would much rather prepare students for a concert, rather than a test.
--William has been sick all week. Staying at home with a sick child is not a day off. My patience is growing, I think, at least, I know it should be. Maybe it is growing smaller. (Is that possible?)
--William has learned how to stand up on things. Therefore, William has found out how hard the ground is.
--Brandon has a lot of homework. It's a really good thing that this is his last semester.
--William likes to throw up food that he doesn't like. (Yes, Dan, it's true. I think you jinxed us.)

I've learned a lot this week. I've learned that I'm not as patient as I should be, which must be why that patience is being tried. I've learned that teaching math is harder than I thought it would be. I have to work at it.I've learned that I love my husband and my son with all my heart and that I would do anything for them, even teach math and clean-up throw up. And I've learned that it's a good thing I'm only 25 because I have a lot to learn about life still. I think I am going to pass this little test Heavenly Father has given me. Oops. I shouldn't say that, or there will be another week of growth all too soon.

Is there really any doubt, whatsoever, that my son is absolutely adorable?! He just gets cuter and cuter every day. Even this morning, when he woke up an hour earlier than he was supposed, he was still so dang cute! He is learning more and more every day. We are starting to introduce him to the world of "big people food." He likes this world, although he is still figuring it out. Gagging and choking are not uncommon events in our house. He is especially vocal if he doesn't like the food. For example, we gave him a little piece of tomato the other day. I put it in his mouth, he made a sour face, gagged, and then starting spitting. Hmmmm, can he be more obvious about his feelings?

I have made it through two weeks plus two days of school. Teaching is such a rewarding job, but very wearing. Couple it with being a mother and I have my hands full. This past week has been a week of adjusting. I want to give 100% to both my family and my job. How one does that is still a bit beyond me. I know that prioritizing is the key, but how do you choose what to leave out? I suppose it is not as much about what to leave out as it is about not allowing myself to feel guilty if something does get left out. It is OK if my clean laundry sits out for a couple of days because I chose to work on my blog, or make a family video. It's OK if my house isn't absolutely spotless, especially if the clutter we have is from the plethora of toys that we try to entertain William with. It's OK if I went out to dinner with Brandon last night, rather than getting ahead on my lessons plans. What is truly important to me is that my family is happy and in order for them to be happy, I must be happy. That is how I decide what to leave out. My family comes first.

"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


Speaking of being happy, here is a little something that will make you smile.