I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried

Tonight I went to New Beginnings.  It was a bit like groundhogs day since I also went the night before :)  Different ward, different program.  Both were awesome.  R met us on the way up and picked up Lu and brought her home and put her to bed. 

So we got home and R was out on the deck, wearing his underwear and a coat and his crocs, and a headlamp on his head, and he was practicing casting off the deck with his new reel or something.  The funny part was the kids didn't even bat an eye.  I said "where's dad" and they said "on the deck in his underwear" and we all went "Oh".  For the record that's the first time he's been outside practicing fishing or in his underwear but for some reason no one thought that was particularly odd.

Last night after NB we stopped at Old Navy.  I wanted to get some leggings for Lu.  She has an aversion to clothes that are "itchy".  As a result most of her clothes have been deemed unacceptable by her and she looks pretty scrappy on a regular basis.  I thought some leggings might help the situation. Or therapy (for me)...but leggings are cheaper.  Anyway we went in and they were having a sale. Ethan found something he wanted and Hannah, no surprise, found things she wanted, and I, big surprise, found something things I wanted.  So I bought.  Val told me to buy colored pants.  She said they look good on every body and she got some herself.  There was a cute pair on sale for $8.  So I hesitantly bought them.  I even held them up in the check out (the place was empty save us) and said "am I going to hate these once I get them home?"  Hannah and the clerk assured me that I would not.  Ethan said "yes! I hate them already!"
 I bought them but now I have a problem.  It looks like I am wearing an "outfit" when I put them on.  A cute one but still clearly an outfit and so how often can I wear it??  I hate dressing myself.

lastly after work today I have a mammogram, which I don't mind I've had one before but I can't wear perfume or deodorant today.  That will be stressful.

Other news, sea shell number three has been cast as chef, and a sea creature.  The play should be fun :)

unexpected

Sometimes things don't go as expected.  Today was definitely one of those days.  I got to work, as usual, and everything was normal until lunch time when I got called away from my assignment to sub in fourth grade math...all day, all math.  My least favorite assignment.  Oh well.

I started a diet and....then I decided it wasn't the right one for me.  I am going to do something normal like weight watchers.  I didn't really blow it, I just am not trying to lose 72 lbs before the wedding. 

Speaking of the wedding.  It's off.  For now.  I wish I was in Utah with Jenna to take her out for pedis and hug her.  I think she's made the right choice, but I am sad for her, that she had to.  We'll see what happens.  Slowing down and making sure is always good.  My prayers are certainly with Jenna and Clayton today.

but you know what would have been really unexpected?  If I came home and found that the children had done their chores.  That would have been lovely.  Would.have.been.

Beehive Conference

 Today was our Beehive Conference and it went well.  Whew!  We had a fun schedule and I think the girls really enjoyed it.  We started with break the ice speed friending.  The girls were chatting and giggling and really getting to know each other.  Our stake is so big and that makes it really hard for the youth to get to know each other.  Our hope is if they become friends now they can stay friends and help each other and enjoy each other every time they get together.

 Next we had a class on personal progress taught by Sister Warner from the Bowie ward.  After that Sister Gorley taught the girls how to paint and each one made a beautiful picture of the temple to take home.  I loved that!  They did a great great job.

 After painting we ate lunch and then quickly cleaned up so that the girls could dance.  Three of our Laurels came and taught the Beehives a few of the line dances that the youth do at the stake dances.
Lastly I gave a talk about service and scriptures. 
I'm happy it's over, and happy it went well.

On the way home Hannah and I stopped at Charming Charlies, just opened in Waldorf and Ulta. 
While I was gone R and E went fishing and bought an apple TV.  Lu got to spend the day with Summer.  They went to lunch, and Summer's horseback riding lessons, and Lu got a pet fish.  A beta.  It was her birthday present from Summer.

So everyone had a great day. 

Snow Day 2

Lu and Arden playing

 Another snow day! Yay!  We had kids traipsing all over the place.  Friends in and out.  Lots of sledding and playing games and drinking hot chocolate. Lots of snow and salt dragging around.  Life is messy.  Embrace the mess.  Love the mess.  Be grateful for the mess.  I say this to myself and I believe it.  I also need to remind myself that this is what I believe because quiet, calm and clean have their appeal as well. 

Hannah spent a long time helping me get ready for the Beehive Conference tomorrow and I am very appreciative of her help and good cheer.  I am in a particularly busy season with YW stuff and it's so nice when my family helps me.  I could not do it without their help and support. 

Z and I took a long walk. 

Ethan, Abinidi, River and Eden playing Mexican Train

Snow Day

 5:00am the phone rings, it's an announcement from the schools.  They are closed for inclement weather.  Turn off the alarm, settle back in the warm covers, sigh.   Snow yay!!

6:00am a little girl comes in the room and announces it's snowed!!! and can we go outside??  It is 15 minutes past our regular wake up time so we got to sleep in!!

A snow day is fun.  It is beautiful.  A day home from school is welcome especially today since I still have not prepared my presentation for Saturday and have little time and many meetings this week. 
It holds the promise of unexpected fun.  Like a vacation you were not expecting.

So we begin...

{insert snowy fun}

and then,

8:00am  the floors are wet, the kids toes are cold,the dogs are wet,  Bub can't "find his gear", laundry is piling up (and for the record last night all the hampers were completely empty and I was feeling soooo happy about that, there is a stack of wet things by the door and cups of 1/2 drunk hot chocolate on the counter.

Snow...grrrr!

update:  Snow fun was had by all.  We ran some errands.  I get to make decorations for the blue and gold banquet so Hannah and I got those done.  Ethan is off sledding with John.  Hannah is at Alyssa's working on French day Friday and Grace is playing with Keean.  First they started at his house, now they are at ours.  They've been sledding.
It's been a good day.

catching up

Lu working on her theory

Catching up with laundry was the order of the day yesterday.  We did a lot of loads.  I also went visiting teaching, Grace came with me and then got to stay and play with Arden.  Ethan played with John and then in the afternoon a small gang of boys knocked on the door and they both ran out to play soccer.  I watched some of the inauguration on TV.  Even though I do not love our president I do wish him well and pray that he will be wise and I feel blessed that we live in a country where the people chose and the peaceful transfer of power is respected by all. 

When the kids get baptized we always let them choose a restaurant to go out to dinner to.  Since Lu got baptized on a Sunday she didn't go out that night so we went out last night.  She chose Subway.  The most economical choice ever.  We had a fun time at dinner with lots of pleasant conversation.  Then we came home and watched The Work and Glory vol 1 for FHE.

Today I didn't work because I had a doctor appt scheduled.  The annual fun one.  I also did some VT and drove up to Waldorf to meet with my new counselor and give her an orientation.  She is super friendly and talkative and we had a good time at lunch.  I don't know how much orienting I did but we did go over the calendar and she's good to go :), and we laughed a lot. 

Lu tired of practicing

Grace's Baptism

Today was Grace's baptism day.  What a special day it was.  This weekend was stake conference.  Today we got to watch the general session broadcast to our building.  It was a really nice meeting.  Pres. Sakai spoke last and his little girl Lily is only a few days older than Grace so she is also preparing for her baptism.  As a result I think it's been on his mind and his talk was all about baptism.  He did a very outstanding job and I loved hearing about it just before Grace's baptism.  She was so excited she could not sit still all during the meeting. She wiggled and squirmed and asked every minute if it was time yet.  It was a long meeting, but I totally understood.  I remember being so excited and anxious when I got baptized.

A lot of people came to be with us for this special day.  Brother Zawada gave the talk on baptism, Sister Mitchell gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  Ethan said the opening prayer and Joey Zawada the closing.  Dad did the baptism and confirmation.  I really felt the spirit and am so proud of Grace for choosing to be baptized and wanting to follow Jesus.

After the service we had some of our friends over to BBQ.  The weather was perfect! (50degrees out) and the kids could run and play.  The McCombs, Martines, Davies, Streeters, Marshes and Zawadas came over.  Everyone brought something and we had birthday cake and burgers!

Our birthday girl!  Oh how we love her!!

Now we are enjoying the quiet of the evening.  It was an exhausting weekend.  We had our zoo trip on Friday.  We cleaned and shopped yesterday, plus the stake YW presidency was responsible for feeding 120 people yesterday after the leadership training and before the adult session of conference. That was some work, although all our husbands helped which we were so grateful for!  The food turned out well and everyone was complimentary and full ;)
The session last night was tremendous .  So powerful.  I love the adult session the best.  It's always so inspiring.  The music was fabulous and the talks were great.  I was really uplifted.  We got home late and then got up early this morning to get stuff ready for Lu's big day.  I am pooped...in a good way!