Footprints

I've been missing (from Blogland) during the last few days. I'm not sure why. Life is always busy and this week wasn't nearly as busy as some. I've had a silly cold or allergies that is causing me a lot of congestion. We had huge storms a couple of nights in a row, including a 7-8 hour power outage and a 45-60 min outage. In fact, here's a cute picture of our breakfast by candlelight. Other than that...who knows why I haven't blogged lately. Oh, and it was symphony night again last night! It was so beautiful...the best one yet. I LOVE going and I LOVE having a set date with DH. It is the best!

A couple of neat things that juxtaposed themselves, though.

First, LD decided one morning to dump the baby power on the floor. Then he walked in it. At first, it annoyed me as another one of his messes. He just is so destructive. But, then K brought it to my attention how very cute his little footprints were and I realized that I will certainly miss those little feet as they grow. (It also reminded me of the first book in the Spiderwick Chronicles!)

Then, C had to do a timeline of his life for school. It turned out really neat. I guess those footprints are already bigger for him. Ahhh! It goes too fast!

Profound Lawn Mowing Thoughts

Sometimes I find that mowing the lawn gives me ample time to think and really ponder. There are basically no distractions and I can just pause and ponder life. Today, I had a really profound (at least to me) insight. I am so proud of my backyard right now. I have been working on it for approximately an hour a day and it has really been paying off. Today, I realized that practically no one else would feel that it was anything special or anything to be proud of. You only feel that if you know where it has come from.

When we first moved into our home five years ago, we took good care of the yard. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was well-maintained, mowed, watered, edged, etc.. Then, about three years ago, we started the tedious process of opening our own business. If you have never opened your own business, you have NO idea how much work it is. We thought we knew...nope. It is a 24-hour-a-day process. So, three years ago, it started to get neglected. Then, two years ago, we had a brand-new business and I was pregnant with LD. More neglect (something just had to give). Last year, the business was more stable (still a TON of work), but I also had a newborn (also a TON of work). During all this, DH worked approximately 65 hours a week out of the house. This meant the yard (along with the kids, the house, and my duties for the business) was left to me. Long story...short point: the yard was a mess. It was full of weeds and very neglected.

Now...can you understand how proud I am of the nicely trimmed grass, the freshly weeded vegetable garden, and the new storage bench for all the basketballs?

I realized, though, as I was mowing, that this is very much like people. Sometimes we only look at where they are right now, not knowing how far they've come. If we could just see where they were five years ago or two months ago or whatever, we would probably be so proud of them for how far they've come instead of so judgmental for how far they have to go.

There you have it: Profound Lawn Mowing Thoughts by me.

Amazing Session

I typed up the last post between sessions of General Conference and I meant to just add a couple more quotes at the conclusion of this session to that last post. But, this session was so awesome that it deserved its own post! The spirit was so strong. The speakers bore such powerful witness. The counsel was so inspired. How wonderful that I got to see and hear this session! While the spirit felt is intangible and unable to put into words, I can share a few of the truths that touched my heart during the last two hours:

• Elder David A. Bednar: "Simply saying prayers is a far different thing than engaging in meaningful prayer." We are full-time "finders." Prayers should not be a wishlist.
• W. Craig Zwick: "Do I need to lower my standards to keep my friends?" "Are we willing to fight the unpopular battle?"
• Lance B. Wickman: "Life is a time for giving and becoming not getting and accumulating."
• Elder M. Russell Ballard: The informative years of a children's life is about 1/10th the lifespan of their parents. Focus on CHILDREN during the short time they are with us. If the simple things are being attended to, a mother's life is more rewarding.

And...isn't President Monson awesome? It is true that he now has that mantle of prophet.

Hooray for General Conference!

Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved General Conference. I literally look forward to it for six months! This time has been no exception. In fact, I have been looking even more forward to it as it will be my first time to hear President Monson speak as prophet of the Lord.

How very grateful I am for the gospel. I am so grateful to have a living church where the Lord speaks to prophets and where we have a 12 apostles just like in the bible. How lucky I feel to be able to sit at the feet of the prophets and listen to the words of the Lord.

Even Little Dan has been enjoying it. I captured him during the sustainings raising his hand, too. The cool part is that you can see President Uchtdorf in the background on the TV. It was so cute. And, he loves to say "Amen." That is his favorite part of a talk or prayer.

This conference I was feeling like nothing was jumping out at me as dramatically as it has in the past. As I pondered this, I was touched by the Spirit's answer as to why. It is because I don't NEED anything right now. Life is relatively good and I am, in general, choosing the right and striving hard to be on the right path. So...the only thing the spirit needs to tell me at this conference is that I need to work a little harder, be a little kinder, and be a little more diligent. But, unlike some other conferences, I am not needing major comfort, I am not needing inspiration over a major decision, and I am not needing to make major changes. I know it is true that the Spirit touches each of us with what we need. What a wonderful blessing to have the Gift of the Holy Ghost to know this!

Nevertheless, there were many things that still touched me from conference, including:

• Sister Cheryl C. Lant: "Are we consciously creating righteous traditions or is life just happening to us?"


• Elder Joseph C. Worthlin: Speaking about how the church is full of imperfect people..."The Lord knows we will make mistakes-that's why he atoned for our sins."


• Elder Dallin H. Oaks: We have a duty to speak out and declare our doctrine when there are misrepresentations.


• Gerald N. Lund: The spirit carries things UNTO our hearts, not INTO. We get to choose what we let in or keep out.


• Elder L. Tom Perry: Create a clear picture of Eternal Life and that will help us want to do what we need to do!


• President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Peter said of Jesus, "He went about doing good." Can it be said of me?


• Elder D. Todd Christopherson: "Don't retain some disposition to do evil."


• Sister Susan W. Tanner: "When we delight to serve Him, our Heavenly Father delights to bless us!"


• President Boyd K. Packer: "My shoes are like my life, worn out in service."


• President Thomas S. Monson: Each of us can feel the Lord's inspiration. "Take literally the Lord's invitation to 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.'"

I guess there is actually much that I gained from conference this year! Six more months until the next one! :)

Haircut

Today, I got my haircut. It always feels good to have it done so nice and cute. I am lucky to have one of my best friends that cuts hair. I don't think this picture is the best representation, but considering that we had to hurry really fast since I had a meeting at the school, so she didn't even get to style the cut, I have been working and wrestling with the kids, etc....it looks pretty cute. My sister got her hair done at the same time and it looks so super cute. Way cuter than mine even. My friend is so talented. Amazing, though, how long a day can get with two highlights, two haircuts, and four children three and under. I am exhausted. (I don't think it has anything to do with the fact that I was up quilting past midnight, went shopping before eight this morning, and mowed the front and back yards before we left for our 11:00 haircuts!)

Family Day

DH took yesterday off! If you don't know us (since we opened the clinic, at least), this is a rare event and we all love it. We went hiking in a local nature preserve. It was the perfect weather. It had rained over night, but wasn't too muddy. It was cloudy, but not too muggy. It was cool, but not freezing. We hiked about four miles then had a picnic lunch by the lake. It was really fun. DH and I were talking about how perfect it was: free (since we have a pass), the whole family together, nature, exercise, and close to home. It was a really nice time. I can't wait to go again.

Some kids don't look good with....

Short hair. I gave my boys haircuts last night. It is only the third time that I've cut LD's hair. C looks super cute in an almost buzz. It looks so springy/summery and he's always looked cute with it. So, last night, I decided to cut LD's hair the same way. Big Mistake. It does not look good on him at all. Maybe it is that his hair is lighter or his head is shaped funnier...I don't know the reason. I just know I don't like it and I can't wait for it to grow out. DH doesn't really like it on LD either, but likes it on C. Oh well. Thank goodness it grows back. But never again.

Speaking of LD, he is either sick, has allergies, or is teething (or all three). I know his molars are coming in, but his nose is runny like a fountain. It is all clear, but the poor dude can't breathe, which means he doesn't sleep well, which means...guess who else didn't sleep well!?!

Another Funeral

I am in charge of another funeral luncheon for 100 people. Crazy. How awesome, though, to see all the service people are willing to do on a moment's notice. That is the blessing of my calling.

This one sure has touched me as it is another untimely death and she was a woman so close to my age. The worst part is that she leaves a beautiful 10-year-old motherless. This also strikes close to home, as K will turn 9 in a couple of months. My heart aches for the little girl. I know that Heavenly Father will comfort her and that time will lessen the pain, but, oh, how it must hurt right now.

One thing it has done is make me really want to have my "houses" in order. I want to be spiritually on the right path when called home. I want to have the finances for both our business and our home neatly organized with explanations so that DH or someone else could take over if needed. I want my home to be organized so that someone else doesn't have to sort out all my junk. I want the kids' to be fully aware of how much I love them...that if anything happened to me that they'd have many fond memories of a mom that loved them, not a mom that was so busy with the home, the business, the yard, church, etc...that she didn't have time for them.

The fragility of life has just been so evident lately. Besides this funeral, we have another sister that could've potentially had a fatal illness (preliminary tests are good, though! :) ). It reminds me that I am not invincible and I need to be ready at any time. Good lessons to learn.

Happy Easter!

Ever since K was a baby, we've politely asked the Easter Bunny not to make an appearance at our house. Neither of us grew up with the Easter Bunny--our parents had made the same request--and we didn't feel it necessary for our children. I do, however, ALWAYS buy them a new Easter dress / shirt & tie. It has been very important to me. I think originally it came from always feeling so bad that I didn't even want to go to church when all the other little girls had brand new pretty dresses and I got to wear the same one that I'd been wearing every week to church for months. I don't ever want my kids to feel that. So, even when we were in school and had no money, I found gorgeous dresses at thrift stores or super dirt cheap sales or yard sales, but they always have had a new outfit.

This year is no exception. K has a new dress and both my boys have new shirts with matching ties. Yet, this year, I pondered what in the world this tradition has to do with Easter. I realized that it actually has a lot to do with it. New clothing is like a new beginning. With Easter and the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we are afforded a new beginning. We can repent. It is like being able to take off our old clothes and put on nice clean new ones. How grateful I am for my Savior. I know He lives. I know he died and was resurrected for you, me, and all mankind. I

Happy Easter everyone!

Sorry. So Sorry.

I HATE the verifications on commenting on blogs. What a waste of time and energy. So, that said, I have been the target of two spams (or whatever they are called) on my comments in the last week and thus I must turn on the verification to prevent this from occurring. So, I am sorry for the inconvenience. Truly, I am so sorry! :(

Spring Break - Day 5

We had a fun way to wrap up the break. We went and picked up breakfast and took it to the park to eat. Then we played and played and played. I didn't put a time limit on it...we just played and played. The weather was gorgeous, although still a little chilly since it was morning. Then we went to the library and to buy groceries. Just as we got home, DH called and said that he'd like to go to lunch with all of us....so out we went again. The food wasn't that good, but it was so fun to be all together in the middle of the day. (Oh, and the kids bought themselves drinks and Popsicles to use up the remainder of their money while grocery shopping).

Budget Summary: $20ish- $16ish - $4ish = $0 (ish!)

Spring Break 2008 - Day 4, Part B

So, after getting up at 5:45 am, showering, working, and cleaning until 9, putt-putting, etc. until 1:30....AFTER all that, we left for Jumping Party at 2:30. CRAZY. I am one tired Mama. But, my kids had a great time and we had budgeted $10.50 (using a coupon, of course) and had to pay nothing but a birthday present (I already had it...so it didn't come out of the budget). I am thinking that tomorrow will be much more laid back! :)

Budget Summary: $20.59 - $0 = $20.59

Spring Break 2008 - Day 4, Part A

What do you get when you let your kids all stay up past 11 pm and then get up early for a huge day of fun? These lovely sleeping beauties:Yep, they are currently all three asleep (forced naps for all). (Note to self: sleep when the kids sleep! Hint. Hint.) So, this morning started bright and early with "Done Before Fun" services. They whipped those babies out as they were so excited for today. Since we didn't get to have friends a couple of days ago, we worked into the budget having friends AND Putt-Putt together. K's friend got here at 9 and then we immediately went to pick up C's friend.

We headed out to a different Putt-Putt course. I was hoping it wouldn't be as crowded as last year's. We were the only ones on any of the three mini-golf courses, so I guess I made the right choice. It ended up being much older and kind of rinky-dink, but also so much calmer that I guess it was worth it. With us being the only ones outside and LD in the stroller, we couldn't follow them around very well....I guess there weren't any ADA requirements when they built this one! But, no one else was out there, so the boys played by themselves and the girls played by themselves and I just observed, taking pictures now and again. LD sat there so good. I am glad I trapped him in the stroller or he would have been torture to keep track of.

Oh, and a budget blessing happened there. We chose Putt-Putt since both K and C had gotten free passes for doing well in school. C's friend, G, had brought a pass of his own. When we got there they said that C didn't have to pay since he was still 6 and they used his pass for K's friend. I didn't golf...so that meant we were all free! We'd allotted $14.00 for this part! What a blessing.

After golf, we came inside to the video game part. I always get a little nervous since it is hard to watch all four of them at once, but I found a spot where I could see almost the whole floor and LD still stayed in his stroller. Since we had money, we used $10 to buy 80 more tokens (we still had a bunch from last year that we'd divided.). They had a blast and (imagine the coincidence) C and K ended up with the EXACT same amount of tickets: 165.

When we left from there, we stopped at a McDonald's on the way home, technically for ice cream, but there was a lot more playing in the playland than eating. The four of them had a blast together and LD wasn't too bad here, either. (cost: $5.41)

We came home and I made lunch of bagel pizzas, chips, carrots, apples, and water. Then, they played outside briefly and the friends went home.

But....our plan tomorrow was to go to Jumping Party. However, my good friend, JK's, little boy is having a birthday party there today. They can have up to 20 people, but only think 10 or so are going so they invited us along....this will save us even more on our budget, but will make for even more tired kids. I'll have to post part B when we get home.

Budget Summary: $36.00 - $0 -$10.00 - $5.41 = $20.59

Spring Break 2008 - Day 3

Today was such a fun day. I just had no idea how much I would love having my sister this close to me. We haven't lived this close since I went away to college and I was 17 and she was 11 1/2. I love it. Well, today, the kids planned to go to their house (30 minutes away) and play and teach them "school."

On a side note, I actually prompted them to eliminate this outing as we see them all the time and they might want to use their spring break days for other things. Both of them were VERY adament that this is what they wanted to do. Well, it turns out that my sister is not feeling well, her hubby is out of town, her baby was up a lot of the night, her bigger kids were being crazy and there couldn't have been a more perfect day for us to come up there! My big kids entertain her big kids and LD is also pretty happy so we just get to sit and visit and hold the baby. It was so fun. Anyhow, when I mentioned to C and K that perhaps Heavenly Father was prompting them to keep this day at their house, Little C's eyes welled up with tears. I mentioned that the feeling he was feeling was the spirit and he just grinned from ear to ear. It was such a nice experience.

We had such a great time. They played "school." We all played wii. I hadn't ever played before. Loved the concept, but I'd never tried it out. It rocked! Sis and I talked. We ate lunch. It was just a perfect time. I'm so glad that we went up there.

Budget Summary: $36.00 - $0 = $36.00

Spring Break 2008- Day 2

Well, amidst all the rain...we planned and planned and planned. I love how the kids have to figure things out on their own with just a little help from me. It is so fun. We knew it was supposed to rain...that's why today was library and friends day...but no such luck. So, we ended up waiting until after LD's nap when the rain let up a little (off and on). We then went to the library (free, of course!) and to McDonald's for dessert and playland time. I was bummed, though, since my memory card was still in my computer from this morning's post and so I couldn't take many pictures as my internal memory is full! UGH. They spent an extra $0.50 to play air hockey, and they had a wonderful time doing it. It turned out really fun. They loved both and they loved watching the flooded streets and yards that we drove by, especially since we had to take a different route to avoid the worst of the flooding. It was just so nice to be out of the house. They had been playing so happily together in the morning, that it was also so nice to be forced home as well.

Budget Summary: $39.75 - $3.25 -$0.50 = $36.00

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It is Day 2 of Spring Break and it is POURING! It was supposed to be library and friends day...but C's friend is sick and K's friend can't come. So, we have been trying to decide what to replace today with. It is so frustrating. Most of what we'd like to do is outdoors or pretty far away (I don't like driving in downpours unless it is urgent....we've treated too many car accident patients and see the pain they are in...so why risk it?). So...we are so bummed. And, we've wasted the last hour trying to figure it out. UGH! Why couldn't it be light rain? Or Sun? Oh well...our grass will sure be green. Maybe we can hang out here making cookies and playing games. There has to be some way to make it fun, right?

Spring Break 2008-Day 1

It's back! Spring Break! And...it is another year without any huge going away plans. But, the kids have been sooooo excited to repeat our Spring Break Budget from last year. They have actually already been planning for weeks. This year their budget is $50 for the week. They get to decide what we do, where we go, etc. They can use it all at once on a big outing or have 5 littler outings. It is so neat to see them deciding how to save money (coupons, discount days, gift certificates). It really is a great way to teach them about budgeting and they LOVE being in control. It is sometimes an eye opener what they choose to do and what they find the most enjoyable.

So, for Day 1: First they had to get their "Done Before Fun" services completed (commonly known as chores). They got up bright and early and were done before 9 am, I think.

1. Then, it was off to GameStop to buy a new DS game (they paid for it...so it didn't come out of the budget).
2. Next, we went to Barnes and Noble. My friend had given them gift cards to there for Christmas since they are such readers. (They actually earned $0.50 since I bought LD a book in the same transaction and ended up spending less than the book cost since each of them had about $0.25 left on their cards.)


3. Next we went to Wendy's for lunch ($8.75). The plan had been to go to Chili's since they had coupons, but we were worried that we'd miss the movie (see below).
4. Then we went to the dollar theater to see Enchanted. (Surprise! It was family Monday and the tickets were only $0.50 each instead of $1.25! So, we only spent $2.) They skipped popcorn and drinks and stuff so that they could save their money. The movie was good. It was pretty long, however, and LD didn't like the last 45 minutes or so. Oh well...the kids loved it! :)

Budget summary: $50.00 + $0.50 -$8.75 - $2.00 = $39.75

Taxi Mom

Some days it is more rewarding than others to be Taxi Mom. Today is one of those days. C had his third karate lesson. He LOVES it! He got his "gi" today (I hope that is spelled right) and he already has the kem sah down. His teacher didn't even start teaching him it until last lesson. She says that he is the faster learner she has ever had. Kids in his age group usually take six months to learn it and he has taken two weeks. Wow! :)

Then, right after karate, I had to take K to go sailing with her Activity Days leader (from church). How fun! I was jealous. They had such a good time. I love her leader. I love the other girls and I love the independence that I see her growing into. As much as I would love to keep her my little girl forever, it is very rewarding to see her maturing and some of the decisions that she is making now.

Some days...even amid the hecticness...it is awesome to be a mom!

He knows who I am

Isn't it awesome how sometimes there are just too many "coincidences" in this life to ignore! It has been a busy week. It will continue to be a busy week. I was just sitting here, feeling overwhelmed by all I must do, need to do, and want to do. It was just one of those moments. Minutes before, however, I had been watching this DVR'd Women's Conference broadcast while exercising. I had left it going in the background...and listen to what I heard, words of President Hinckley, quoted by Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, "I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass" What an answer to an unspoken prayer--especially the not setting goals far beyond my capacity to achieve. It was one of those moments that I realize that I am not alone, just one in billions of humans on this planet, but that my Heavenly Father knows who I am. :)

ABC tag

One of my roommates from BYU tagged me! And, since I haven't done a MEME in a very long time, I decided to play along. I don't think it will surprise anyone...but, fun nonetheless. And, when I finally get around to publishing this blog, my kids, grandkids, etc. might be able to have a good chuckle as they get to know me better. Let's begin:

A: Attached or single? Attached
B: Best friend? Too many to choose from. They all have a special place in my life. If I had to choose one and only one, it would be my sister!
C: Cake or pie? Yuck. I don't like either. Give me something loaded with chocolate, though...I love that!
D: Day? Sunday. I love going to church. I love the feeling of preparing for and being on top of the week. Seriously. I feel so enpowered after my spiritual boost combined with a day of rest.
E: Essential Item? Cell phone. Actually, (don't laugh) my weekly list of things to do (printed weekly from Total Mom.com) is probably my most essential item.
F: Favorite Color? blue
G: Gum or mints? gum
H: Home Town? Somewhere in the Denver metro area (I'm not big on disclosing everything on the Internet, but that gets you close enough)
I: Indulgences? Nutella, reading Eclipse, sewing my first quilt
J: January or July? Tough question. Probably July...it is usually unbareably hot, but we get to swim and celebrate the fourth of July, which is my very favorite holiday. And, the kids are out of school so I get to see them more! :)
K: Kids? Three of 'em. K will be 9 in June, C will be 7 in July, and LD is almost 18 months (nursery-here we come!)
L: Life is incomplete without? Family
M: Mexican or Italian food? Mexican, but nothing too greasy
N: Number of siblings? 3 brothers and 1 sister
O: One word that describes you? Grateful
P: Phobia? Dying while my children are young and leaving DH to raise them and run the clinic alone.
Q: Quote? So many to choose. Right now my favorite is "What matters is if there's love in your home at the end of the day, not perfection."
R: Reason to smile? LD's giggle, C's dimples, K's Hannah Montana voice, DH's kiss
S: Season? Fall. Leaves, cool weather, college football, school starting. What could be better?
T: Tag? Whoever is inspired to. It actually has been kind of fun! :)
U: Unknown fact about you? I must be boring. I can't think of any odd fact about me. I used to be a middle school math teacher. How's that for loving to be tortured? Just kidding. I love the kiddos and I love math even more! LOVE it!
V: Vegetable you love? Broccoli, particularly steamed in the new frozen veggies bags. Yummo!
W: Worst Habit? Being defensive. I don't know why, but it is so hard to admit to being wrong (just ask DH).
X: X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound...I get to see my babies!
Y: Your favorite food? Salad, but not just the healthy kind: load it up with nuts, cheese, bacon, avocado. Yummy!
Z: Zodiac Sign? Pisces

SNOW!

Today was the second time in a week for SNOW! I actually went out this afternoon and took a picture...it is the South afterall...it might melt before the kids got home from school. But...it kept on snowing and snowing and snowing. LD didn't quite know what to do with it. It is his first experience with it. How different from me growing up in Utah and Colorado where snow was much more common in the winter. My kids thought the light dusting on Monday night was a huge amount. I think I have about 2-3 inches out there right now and it is still coming down! This is probably the second-most snow we've seen since moving here more than six years ago. How fun. Now...if my kids' (and kids all around the area's) prayers are answered...there will be no school tomorrow. We'll have to wait and see about that one. For now, it is frozen fingers, hot chocolate, warm soup, crazy, wild kids, and the peaceful feeling that comes from having the lovely white blanket over our neighborhood.

Basketball is over!

The basketball season has ended. It was a sad day on Saturday as both C and K played their last games of the season.

For K, this year was a struggle. She was the shortest, youngest, and least experienced on her team. But, she learned many new things and was a defensive star. She developed such good friendships with her teammates. She had both the fortune and misfortune of playing on a team with only six kids. Everyone else we played had at least 8. Some had 10-11. This meant that she was greatly involved in every game and that their team really gelled together, but it also meant that they were always more tired than their opponents. I am really, really proud of her for finishing the season. She is actually considering playing next year.

C, on the other hand, LOVED basketball. He was also the shortest and youngest on his team and this was sometimes a big disadvantage (when his defender was twice his size!). He had the same fortune/misfortune of being on a team with only six. He had a couple of stellar games where he was zipping around the floor and driving to the basket. Sometimes, though, he was very timid and didn't risk it. Confidence is the issue, I think. Next year will be better.

As for this "Soccer" (or Basketball) Mom, I am so relieved to have my Saturdays back, not to mention relief from all the practices during the week. At the same time, I will so miss the kids and parents that have been such a part of my kids' lives during the last few months. Now it's on to gymnastics for K and Karate for C...neither of which take up my Saturdays! :)

You Know Your Family Is Sick When....

• You count down the hours, not the days since the last time you cleaned up vomit.
• No one in your family likes saltine crackers and yet your brand new box is already 3/4 done.
• You drink soda with your breakfast.
• All of you stay home sick from church, not just one or two of you.
• Lunch consists of 1/2 banana and 1/2 an English muffin.

Yes, we have been sick...BUT...I think maybe we are done with it all! :) It has been the strangest bug ever. I sure hope we didn't share the germies with anyone since it has not been fun.

The Best Gifts, Yucky Surprise, and a Broken Washer

Yesterday turned into an adventure for me! DH came home early...which is probably the best present of all. He works so hard and so many hours. We ate a quick dinner (still wasn't hungry from Olive Garden) and had "cake." I have never been a big fan of traditional cake, so every year I try a new dessert for my birthday. This year was simple and yummy....Jell-o's No Bake Cheesecake. I used to hate cheesecake, but now I really love it...especially the fake kind. Don't ask me why, but I think I like it better than a homemade one.

After dinner, I was presented with my presents. The very best ones were the letter C wrote me inside his card and the card that DH gave me. Amazing how dots of ink on a paper (forming words) can mean so very much. They both made me cry and I have reread them already many times. Here is what C wrote:

Included in my card from DH was a note saying that in a couple of months he will take time off so I can go out of town for Time Out for Women in another city! Yippee! I am so excited. We can leave Friday morning, drive there, hang out, shop, eat dinner...whatever we kidless Mommys want to do...go to the night part of the conference for three-ish hours, sleep in a hotel, go to the other 6-7 hours the next day and drive home (two nights without wives and with kids might just put the DHs over the top). I think my sister can go, too! That would be awesome. I hope a lot of my friends can make it. It is actually on two of my close friends' birthday...maybe they can for their present, too.

Okay..now for the surprise...right as we were finishing the gifts, LD decided to contribute one of his own...he vomited all over! Now I know why he was cranky yesterday...the poor baby's belly must've been hurting. If vomit can ever be cute, this was. The poor guy would puke, say "uh-oh, uh-oh," puke again, "uh-oh..uh-oh," and so on. He was so concerned about this strange mess that he was making. Poor guy!

Of course I immediately cleaned up the mess and threw everything in the washer. Guess what! When I woke up at 3:30 (more vomit) I went to move the laundry and.....my washer is broken. The water won't drain out. I've dried a bunch of things, but nothing helps and the soonest the repair guy could come is Friday! UGH! I've been frustrated about it all day. Luckily, though, I have been diligent in setting money aside in savings and I'm not worried about the expense part, just annoyed that I have to deal with it.

One last picture...for our day off of school on Monday, I took the kids to Jumping Party and my sister and her kids joined us. SOOOOOOOOOO fun to have cousins close by! Here they are (minus LD (too squirmy) and her little baby (asleep, I think)):

3 cards + 3 visits + 5 emails + 6 phone calls=

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yep. It is that time of year again! Time just goes so fast. Today hasn't been all that great so far. I guess that it hasn't been horrid either. Ya know....normal stuff has to be done. I was hoping to get a few minutes to read or have "me" time, but LD is being VERY clingy and won't take a nap. UGH!

I did, however, get soup, salad, and breadsticks at Olive Garden courtesy of JK, one of my best friends. Amazing how filling those fatty little breadsticks can be. I am still not hungry. It was great to be out for a little bit with friends, too. I really am so blessed.

I realized that while today might not be anything too special....I am so blessed that every day is special. I know that I have a Savior that loves me, I have a wonderful family (DH and three kiddos), I live in a wonderful country, I have a beautiful home that protects me from this darn wind (but also from rain, cold, heat, etc.), we always have enough food to eat, I have the most amazing friends ever, my sister lives close to me now, my kids have a great school to go to, etc. See...I don't need to feel like a princess on one day of the year....I get to be one EVERY day! :)

Nails and a Symphony

For Valentine's Day, DH told me to look in the mail (He also came home from work and brought me a dozen gorgeous roses during lunch!). I dutifully looked and looked. All I knew was that we were going to go out on Friday night and that something was coming in the mail. I LOVE surprises. I am the type that would know that a present was somewhere and not look at it since I'd rather have the surprise on Christmas morning. Seriously. No peeking from me. Anyhow, they never came so DH had to tell me. We are now rest-of-the-season ticket holders to the symphony!

Friday was our first one. For my birthday, as well as the symphony, my sister and I went out for me to get my nails done. I LOVE the French tip. LOVE it. I have always had natural nails, but I've gone a few times for a French tip manicure and I've done it myself many, many times, but it never seems to last very long...even when they airbrush it. So, I decided to try the fake nail thing. Never been a huge fan...too much money, too fake, too long, too impractical...etc. But, I had the guy cut them as short as my natural nails so they really don't hinder me at all. And I LOVE them. I think they are so gorgeous. I love that the white tip doesn't chip within ten minutes. I will have to see if I love them still after I keep going and paying for the fills and such, but for now (as they say in the song)...I feel pretty oh so pretty.

And...the symphony was even better than I'd expected. I thought it might be a little boring honestly. The music, however, was beautiful. It was fun to dress up. It was awesome to be out with DH. And...we have three more to go. How fun is that? DH thought of it all on his own, set it up, and now we have mandatory dates! LOVE IT!

Just Had to Try it Again!

81 words

Speed test

This was fun! Next time maybe I will do better.

72 words

Speedtest

Don't they look like angels when they sleep?

What you don't get from the picture is....he woke up at 4:45 this morning! Wide awake. Guess who has also been up since then!?! Thank goodness for pictures like this. I am sure that in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25,... years I will look back on this picture and weep for my little baby. I have to savor the moments today.

Profound Random Thoughts

I have a few profound thoughts to share. It seems like a lot of things have especially touched me today.

1. I was in charge of a funeral luncheon to feed 100 people. It took a LOT of phone time and coordinating, but I am just so touched with people's compassion. Today, as this steady stream of people kept arriving to drop food off at the church, my eyes teared as I noticed old, young, richer, poorer, those that knew the family, and those that had only been in the ward a short time all come with their hearts full of compassion and their arms full of food. What a tribute to the wonderful side of human nature!
2. When I got home at 3:30 this afternoon, I had not had lunch. I mentioned this to the kids as they got home from school and the next thing I knew there was a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of water sitting on the table. C had decided that he would make me some lunch since I had been so busy with the funeral today. Isn't that touching?
3. I love to listen to Dr. Laura and I got to just for a few minutes today, but she said something I found profound...this is a paraphrase since I was in the car and wasn't able to write down a direct quote...What matters is if there's love in your home at the end of the day, not perfection. Isn't that great? My home doesn't have to be perfectly organized and clean at the end of the day (like it is in the house of my dreams in my head), but I have been successful if my kids feel safe and loved and taught. This is the most important.
4. Heavenly Father is always sending us promptings. My best friend, A, and I have been talking about this a lot. He is always sending promptings and we rarely know why, but we are always blessed if we follow them. :)
5. I love BYU Radio. On Dish Network, it is channel 980 and it is the same here and at my parents'....so I assume it might be the same everywhere. It is on all day long. I just turn off my TV and route it through the surround sound. It has uplifting music all day. Then, at various hours it has conference talks, scripture reading, etc. No matter what I am doing, I can listen to a few minutes and it always inspires me to do better. Or, all of a sudden, I will hear a chapter from the bible. I think this is one of the main reasons that I have been able to listen to the those promptings from #4.

That's all. Now it is off to basketball practice, dinner, creating Valentine's and Valentine boxes, and preparing for C's class party tomorrow (I am the room mom).

Really Quick

I only have a short moment, but I am trying not to neglect my blog so often. Just a fun couple of pictures. I walked into the kitchen today and found.....THIS! What you can't tell is that I have 10 ft ceilings (that slope up to 12 ft) and she is at the very top (before the slope). 10 feet high! What was she thinking?

Driving Me Crazy.

Does anyone need a 16-month-old for a week or so? He is driving me insane. The last two days have been almost intolerable. Right now...he is asleep! :) We tried to go out to dinner last night...usually a fun adventure and LD was horrid. He was whining and throwing food, dishes, silverware. He didn't want to eat any of his favorite foods or anything new either. At church today, he was the poorest behaved he has been in months. Can we say "nursery?" Good thing I love the kid so much. Good thing that his smile melts my heart. Good thing I love to hear him say "Cristo" (Spanish) as we walk down our hall and he sees a picture of Christ. Good thing he gets excited watching his siblings play basketball. Good thing I can handle anything he gives me since I also have a Mother's love.

On a similar note, I have been thinking a lot about the frailty of life during the last few months. I recently reread an entry in my journal about it (I think I commented here as well). It said something about how I realized that death will come. If not a physical death of my children or family passing on, then death of time. In a few years, we will not hear the patter of little feet or the fighting of siblings for, even if we are granted many years together in this life, the moments are still fleeting and will come to an end. It's just a reminder to live in the here and now for it will never come back.

The Best I Can Be

Last night, I realized that while I am nowhere near where I want to be, I am working; I am moving forward in many aspects of my life: organization, financial, spiritual, kids, health, etc. I am really trying to be the best me that I can be. I realized that by working towards all my goals...I AM being the best me! Although I've heard this many times, it was very comforting to realize that all that is expected of me is to be improving and working. Thank goodness for a loving Heavenly Father that knows our thoughts and the intents of our hearts and knows if we are stagnating or striving to improve.

• In other news, I am so happy that my sister is here! The cousins love each other so much and I know my kids wish that they lived next door.
• K is feeling better, but I think that LD is getting it or something else: he is very clingy, very tired, and has a runny nose. -sigh- It's just that time of year!
• My vacuum is broken. The same part I had to replace about a year ago is broken again. I don't know what to do. The part costs about $50 and I have to order it so add some shipping to that. We've had the vacuum for five years. It is a middle grade Kenmore (costing about $200-$250 new). So, do I buy a new one or buy the part? Do I buy a cheap, cheap vacuum and just replace it later? Do I buy a really expensive one and hope it lasts longer? Any thoughts? It is just driving me CRAZY since I love to vacuum and do so about every day (except Sunday).