Rebel Princess has been nominated for best cover!

Hop on over the the New LDS Fiction blog to vote for your favorite cover. And, while you're there, check out the other amazing covers in the other categories.

Enjoy them when they're big!

I can't count the number of times people told me to enjoy my kids while they were little because they grow so fast. It's true.  They did grow fast, but I didn't stop loving them the moment my son's voice changed or my daughter developed hips and a somewhat obsessive interest in cute boys. They were fun while they were little - and they still are. In fact, I think they get better with time. Wiping bottoms and runny noses can't compare with exchanging books and laughing about jokes that actually make sense.

Here are some advantages to having older kids;

First off, they are still cute.  Look at that face.

I still get to make her hair all pretty.

 We can use much more exciting mediums for art projects. He twisted this balloon animal all by himself.

We made these shirts with permanent markers and rubbing alcohol--definitely not something you would do with a toddler.

We can go hiking with them and don't have to carry anyone. (Blogger did something funky with some of my pictures.)

They can still be silly.  Here we are at the dinosaur quarry in Vernal Utah. They are touching a real dinosaur bone. (They have a designated place for people to touch the bones.)

The quarry was actually pretty packed, but I never had to worry about someone wandering off or running away.

We can stand by rivers and not worry that someone is going to drown.

In a few months I will get my own personal errand boy.

 Their school projects are fun and don't involve macaroni noodles.

 There was a cobweb I couldn't reach. He made a contraption that involved a mop, a broom, and some duct tape to clean it for me.

Blogger did something really weird with this picture. I'm posting it anyway. It's kinda funny. His entire head was attached when he was cooking. 

The older they get, the better they get at cooking.

He collected over $1000 worth of items for a local children's hospital. Talk about a proud Mommy moment!

So don't panic when someone tells you to enjoy your kids while they are little.  You can still enjoy them when they're big.