bubbles

this girl

Ethan had a "day off" today.  Last year he asked me if he could take a mental health day this school year.  I thought about it and decided he could have one.  He asked last night and I double checked that he wanted to take it so early in the year then agreed.  We watched TV until late and then he slept in late.  I thought we'd go to the movies or on a picnic or something fun but he wanted to stay home.  It was so disappointing.  I did force him to go to the store with me and we drove through Wendy's.  Big day.  Silly boy.

He said if he was writing this blog he would say "I was so disappointed.  Ethan was home "sick" and I wanted to go to the movies but he did not.  I wanted to go on a "fun picnic" but he did not.  I wanted to go hike but he didn't so I changed my plans and instead lectured him on how he wasn't living up to his potential because he has a 90% and plays too many video games" Then he laughed.  Smarty pants.

Despite having one less kid to get out the door the process took longer than usual.  Hannah texted soon after leaving the house that she forgot her calculator.  Then she texted that she forgot her water bottle and to take her medicine.  Grace and I tried to leave early to take those things to her before the bus but Grace was uncooperative and we barely got out the door.  Then Matthew (next door) called , he missed the bus.  So we drove him and on the way realized that Grace left her assignment at home so after we dropped off Math and found Han we went back and got Grace's and then she missed the bus so I got to drive all the way to Lexington Park (an hour round trip).  Great morning.

7/10th's day

Today was a "half day" which Grace calls a 7/10th's day since it's not actually half.  It was the last day of the marking period.

Hannah had piano lessons and an orthodontist appointment and found some time to dye her hair and neck and ears purple.

name that baby pumpkin

a. Grace b. Tate c. Ethan

A fun start to the week

Our sisters are leaving us:(. We have enjoyed having sister missionaries so much and now we won't have any on our area. We had a little going away lunch for them at salsas.

In other news I did online training so I can substitute teach again.  Hopefully I can work one or two days a week. 

Ethan had soccer practice. The season is rolling to a close. Their last game was a huge win. It would be nice to win another and end on a high note. 

Grace had a homework melt down, as happens from time to time. When she finally finished I took her upstairs and made a hot bubble bath for her and pulled a chair into the bathroom and read the Princess Academy to her. Then she rinsed off, we brushed hair and teeth, said prayers, did the kiss and tuck routine and she went right to sleep. It's hard being 9.

After all that Hannah and Rob and I walked the dogs and looked at the stars.  There was supposed to be a rocket launch and the ISS was to be visable. Cool stuff.  (the launch was postponed a day)

Sunday nights

Tonight we ate burgers and tots.  Sat around and talked.  Grace went booing with Arden and had Maggie over to play and Arden after to watch a movie with us.  We watached Hocus Pocus and ate pumpkin pie. It was a good night.

Great are the words of Isaiah

We've been studying the words of Isaiah in Sunday School this month.  This week Jared Moran was subbing and he called last night and asked me to share some comments on these verses in Chapter 43:

1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have ^aredeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

 2 When thou passest through the ^awaters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the ^bfire, thou shalt not be ^cburned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

 3 For I am the Lord thy God, the ^aHoly One of Israel, thy ^bSaviour: I gave ^cEgypt for thy ^dransom, Ethiopia and ^eSeba for thee.

 4 Since thou wast ^aprecious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

and to share a personal experience when the Savior helped me with a trial.

I do not pretend to understand the words of Isaiah, or to enjoy them.  I did appreciate the opportunity to ponder last night these few verses and to have had a thought come to me.  I was reading and looking at the footnotes and prayerfully pondering when I clicked on the word fire and it referred to the story in Daniel of Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego.  They were thrown into a fiery furnace but were unharmed.  In fact when they came out they didn't even have the scent of fire on them.  It occurred to me that the Savior walks with us through our personal trials and keeps us in His watch care.  That's the fiery furnace part.  But after a trail we often hold on to the scent of what we went through.  For example, someone who is hurt by an unkind comment might hold on to the hurt and angry feelings long after the offense has passed.  The Savior helps us get rid of those lingering feelings, that is a miracle.  Sometimes the things that happen to a person are too egregious to forgive alone, but when we hand it over to Him we can heal and forgive.  What a wonderful grace He offers us.  Each of us has trials, every day I would say.  Some small and some large.  We can count on Him to be there for us during, and to help us after.  I am grateful for that miracle.

Love this pic of Chels and Han

Pumpkin Carving Party

Tonight we had a fun time with friends. We carved pumpkins and ate squash soup and chili. The kids love running around together and everyone loves a good bonfire!

Ethan didn't come as he had a different Halloween party to go to. His friend Gerig has a huge going all out bash every Halloween. This year they rented lazer tag vests and guns for all the boys and they were going to battle in the woods.

Hannah fixed Grace's hair so pretty. The other night when I was gone at stake auxiliary training and Rob and Ethan were at soccer Grace and Han were home together. Hannah was still sick (strep) and Grace was so kind and nice. She brought H a drink and asked if she needed anything. She also helped Ethan get his soccer stuff together when he wasn't ready and his ride came. She also walked the dogs and did a little picking up. I was a little surprised but so happy to hear about her good works when I got home. 

Today Grace made pumpkin seeds.

Rob's idyllic morning. No fish but a peaceful view.