I've been so proud of Emma. She has gotten so good at her violin. I love this girl.

Jackson

Just a few thoughts from my son. I wanted to get them written down. Last semester, Jackson had a hard time that last two months going to preschool. He would cry and was SO clingy and that is so not like him. I had a hard time leaving hims so I didn't and ended up just paying a lot of money for him to come home with me. This semester I thought we would try again before we quit for the year and he has done really well. I found that if I give him a task to do during the time we're apart (usually draw me a picture) he runs in without any problem...until Tuesday (two days ago). He started to cling to my leg again. So I just walked into his classroom and started playing with the toys with him and Sadi and after about three minutes he said "okay mom, you can go now. I'll be okay." And that was it. It was a boost of confidence for him, I hope. He's such a good boy. I can't even say how many times I have the thought that I am so grateful to still have him with me.

That same day on the way home from getting him I was telling him how I had to go to the doctor (I have had some crazy cramping going on that had to get checked out...I don't get cramps...so they were something else) and he was going to his friend's house with his sisters. He let me know he would pray for me while I was gone and then we we got into the car again to go to his friends house I asked if he remembered what he said he would do and he broke into a prayer right there in the car and blessed me "to be safe." That's how he always blesses our family so I'll take it. I just like watching and listening to him. That boy can melt my heart.

When Emma heard herself say her part, she said "I had no idea my voice was so pretty." She's the first girl to speak.

HOPE

So I haven't used my blog as much of a venting area for politics as I probably should. The truth is is that I am a talk radio junkie. I love Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin (although it has taken me a while to get past his voice. It's a tad nasally.) I think I got the trait from my father who drove me crazy as a kid because I couldn't stand hearing those boring voices all the time.

On any given day you can call me and find out what politically is going on my little brain. I tend to lean very conservative, although there are a few areas I might budge toward the middle...I'm just throwing those in there cause I don't know what they are, but I'm willing to think there's gotta be something.

I recognize that people all around the country are feeling the same way I am feeling which is that I am very rapidly watching my country and my freedoms be taken away with a happy face on the package telling me that it is going to be good for me. My husband and I aren't nearly educated enough to know what is good for us and our family. It's a good thing those big guys in Washington are watching out for me. BLAH!!!

My reason for posting is that this is the first night in over a year that I have felt HOPE. Scott Brown won in Massachusetts. I am SO HAPPY!!!!! My father called me when he heard and it was just this huge relief. I couldn't help but wonder if ACORN was somehow going to sneak in thousands of votes for Coakley, but it didn't happen and their voices were heard! YEAH MASSACHUSETTS!!!!! I'm so proud of you!

Cute three generation picture!

My mom came to visit for a week and see the Rose Parade on New Year's Day. It was such a fun trip. Of course we introduced her to Emma's favorite toy and she laughed her head off at herself. WE love you Mom and LOVED having you here!

Last night Emma and I were working on homework and she took my hand to write me a message. I thought it was very clever so I ought to take a picture. She is so precious!