Week of Birthdays

We spent the past week celebrating birthdays. We started with Jessica's birthday on Tuesday. We ate at Chili's and went to the Duncan home for ice cream and cake to wish Jessica a happy birthday. Kennedy got in on the candle action to practice for her upcoming birthday. Jessica was nice enough to share her cake with Kennedy.


Thursday was a marathon birthday for Kennedy. Nana and Papa started the day off by taking us out to breakfast. Liam joined us and they both enjoyed eating pancakes and eggs.

After a much needed nap, (no, not me, Kennedy-I could have used one, though!) we went to Jungle Jim's with the cousins. Everyone seemed to have fun riding the rides and playing games.

Even Jared squeezed onto the kid size roller coaster and played his share of air hockey with Jason. Alex was a little young for the rides, but he enjoyed the sights and sounds and being around the family.


After Jungle Jim's, we ate dinner at Jasmine, so Kennedy could eat her favorite chinese noodles. We topped the night off with Kennedy tearing through her presents. She barely even looked at the presents before she was on to the next one. Of course she got spoiled by everyone.


The reindeer birthday cake (made especially by Nana) was a hit. Kennedy loved it and told Nana that "it tastes good". Kennedy joined in as we sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She absolutely loved her birthday and we had fun spoiling her.



I really can't believe that my baby girl is 2. I guess she isn't a baby anymore. It seems like yesterday when Jared and I were praying that we would be able to someday have children. Our prayers were answered and now we have two beautiful children. We are a family and I love my kids so much. It's days like this one that really make me thankful to be a mom. Happy Birthday, Kennedy. I love you.

On Your Second Birthday

Dear Kennedy,

Your birthday is just about over, but I'd hate to let the day pass without sharing a few thoughts about my special little girl. A year ago your mommy and I were still new at this parenting thing (even a year later - we don't know what we're doing), and you've given us a wonderful opportunity to learn on the job. Thanks for being patient with us, as we've tried to be understanding with your needs.

Each day I love watching you learn new things about the world around you. Whether it's your ability to process new ideas and words, or simply meeting a new friend - you are always observing your surroundings. You amaze everyone who listens to you speak. I can't remember any one-year-old with a better memory of names and words. I swear if you hear something once, you've locked it into your brain.

One of my favorite events of the new year was your open acceptance of your little brother. Many older siblings have major issues when they get a new little one in the house (and that's with nine months to get ready). You immediately accepted Alex into your life and you gladly opened your heart up to our little guy. I absolutely love hearing you talk to "Alex Boy," lovingly calling him "big guy."

I can't imagine our lives without you Kennedy. You have an independent spirit, an inquisitive mind, and an innocent heart that has truly blessed our lives. Keep growing and learning DeDe. Big things are on the horizon for you and I can't wait to come along for the ride. I love you! Happy Birthday!

Daddy

Subbing for Santa

One of my favorite traditions arounds the holidays is the Houtz Annual Sub for Santa. Speaking as an old teacher, this is one of the times where I don't mind being called a sub. Throughout the year, each member of the family has a change jar to collect for the yule tide service project. Tara and I aren't really the best at having much change to collect. Does anyone use cash any more? We're just lucky that I have a big jar of coins that I still have from my childhood piggy bank. In spite of our challenges collecting the money, I think it's a great way to remember others and get beyond the whole commericialism of Christmas. It was fun to get Kennedy and Alex involved this year, even though Kennedy thought everything we were buying was for her.

Movie Review: Akeelah and the Bee

Tara and I don't get to watch many movies. It doesn't really matter whether it's going out to the theater or watching a DVD at home. We just don't seem to make the time with everything that's going on around us. About a month ago my brother lent us a movie called Akeelah and the Bee. I hadn't ever heard of it, so that's why it took a month to sit down and take it in. I have to say I wish I had watched it much sooner.

The film is about an 11-year-old girl, Akeelah, who lives in the Crenshaw district of LA. Everything she encounters at school tells her to be average. Her friends laugh at her if she does well in school. The teachers don't really motivate her to achieve. The school is falling down and there aren't funds to fix the problems. It seems that Akeelah is destined to fall through the cracks. The only place she can find solace in her world is in words. I know this may be the English teacher in me, but it was amazing to watch her embrace words. Long story short, Akeelah has a gift for spelling and she enters the spelling bee. Her journey is an inspiring tale and I hope you'll rent the film if you haven't seen it.

Perhaps my favorite part of the film is when Akeelah is being tutored by Dr. Larabee, played by Laurence Fishburne. He asks her to read the following quote by Marianne Williamson:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."

I love this message and the way it inspires people to reach inside and try to become great. I know that I settle for mediocrity too often and I don't want my children to do the same. Akeelah reminds us that we can achieve our dreams if we don't let our own inadequacies overcome us. A great message and a great movie.

Soup and Sundaes

Yesterday we received the following email at work:

Hi All,

The LDS Institute of Religion is extending an invitation to U of U staff members to attend a holiday open house. It will be Friday, December 8, from 11:00 to 1:00.

They will be serving soup and sundaes. They are hoping for an approximate count, so please let Allison know if you plan to attend.

Thanks

So, we went to the open house and I quickly figured out that they should have been offering soup and Sundays. I think every faculty member and several students came over to our table to talk to us. Not that I cared about any of this, but I can only imagine how others may have felt about all the attention.