Great 2 B EIGHT!

My beautiful Emma Lynn turned 8 on Saturday the 22nd. It almost seems surreal to type.

On Thursday I had a special Mommy Date planned for her. Les Miserables had come to Boise so I bought tickets. I really wanted to take her to the Saturday maintee {on her actual birthday} but they were already sold out. I found some for Thursday {that's why I pulled her out of school.}

I made up 8 cards with 8 clues to our next activity and a reason why I loved her.

1. Pretty Polish is always a must.
"I love you because you are pretty inside AND out!"

- We went to Rite Aid and picked out "Glowstick" green nail polish.

2. Food makes me happy {and so do you!}

"I love you because your helping hands make me happy!"

- She chose Dairy Queen for lunch and while we waited for our food we painted her nails.

3. Something NEW to wear is always fun!
"I love you because you have the courage to try new things."

- We went to the mall and she picked out some new clothes and...

4. You know how to accessorize just right!
"I love you because you choose the right."

- Her accessory of choice was a new headband. :)

5. Something about a song and dance makes the world complete.
"I love you because you are an important part of our family. You make us complete!"

- We went to the Morrison Center in Boise to watch Les Miserables. BSU was playing BYU that afternoon so parking was a little crazy. But we found a spot and ran over to the theater with 10 minutes to spare {I felt lucky!} I had never seen Les Mis but I knew the general plot and a few songs. I was really excited to share this with Emma. 

We ended up walking out of the musical before intermission. It was wildly inappropriate. The language was crude. And there was plenty of sexual innuendos. But when they started acting out sex I could not sit there any longer. I whispered to Emma that we needed to leave. So we walked out. As we shut the door of the theater I started crying. The emotions of it all got to me. Emma was concerned about my tears. I apologized that we had gone to that play, and that it was a bad and inappropriate and I didn't know and I'm so sorry! The beauty of it all is that she did not know. She had no idea that a single bad thing had occurred on stage. She is completely beautiful and pure. And this being her eighth birthday and the important step of baptism I find this to be so touching and really a special treasure. It was an emotional experience for me but also a lesson and a blessing. I know that she will not always be unspotted from the world but with the atonement she always CAN be.

At this point we continued on with cards :) {so grateful to have a prepared plan to continue with when the main activity of our mommy date fell through!}

6. Is your sweet tooth calling?
"I love you because you are sweet and thoughtful. I love my cards and pictures from you!"

- We went to Dairy Queen {a different one} for blizzards.

7. I'm so happy you came to swing along with me today.
"I love you because you are such a hard working, obedient student."

- We actually skipped this one {we gassed up the car instead} so we could do the last one! :)

 8. How about a spread to cover your bed?
"I love you because you have chosen & are excited to be baptized!"

- We went to the ever wonderful TARGET to pick out a new bedspread set {she has needed one since the move to the toilet house and the new girl bunkbeds.} Of course they had an owl set and it was love at first sight. She LOVES it!!

Even though the date didn't go as I had planned we have a wonderful time together. She is a beautiful girl and I am blessed to share this journey of life with her as her mother. Love you Emma Lynn.