No news is good news... right?

Yesterday morning, we awoke to find our mailbox completely missing! How random is that? No other mailboxes appear to have gone missing on our street and I'm just curious how this happened and why? The good news is, I didn't get any bills in the mail yesterday. lol

The old grey mare, she ain't what she used to be.

I feel pretty clueless right now! lol

I've been really bummed because my dvd making software is on the fritz, so my "annual dvd" that we usually give our parents/grandparents for Christmas is STILL delayed. And nothing has changed regarding this. One day, in Ryan's "free time" *hysterical laughter at the thought of Ryan EVER having "free time"*, he's gonna help me wipe the computer clean and reinstall everything, including our dvd making software and hopefully that will do the trick. If it doesn't, I'll be a bit upset. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Until then, I've been making sure to not tape over any home movies that we haven't burned to dvd yet. I knew we had burned everything up to Rori being born (except DisneyWorld... that project is going to have to wait until I'm otherwise caught up).

Just for fun, I thought it would be fun to put a home movie on for Rori today. I was thinking to myself, "Too bad I don't have her videos on dvd yet." And what do I find? A dvd that has our home movies up through January 2007! What?!? When did I do that? How did I do that? How do I have NO remembrance of this? But there it is - with titles and menu pages, too. WEIRD! But I'm grateful. :) I'm still a year behind and I still can't make my now way late annual dvd. But I do have slightly more accomplished than I originally thought. That's something. :)

Wacky Weather

Once school got out today, Spring Break began!  But you wouldn't have thought that by looking at our weather today...

7:00am:  I get up, wake Cadi up to get ready for school, go to let the dog out and see that it's snowing!  At first I think, "Cool, flurries!  That'll last for a whole 5 minutes."

8:00am: Still snowing... and by 8:30am it looks like this:









They didn't cancel school because even though the flakes were sticking to BBQs and picnic tables, it wasn't sticking to streets or sidewalks.  So, Cadi went off to school. :)

After awhile, it stops snowing and soon it's all melted away.  There are periods of beautiful blue sky with brilliant sun and periods of grey clouds with rain.  After lunch, I went out to visit a sister in our ward.  On my way to pick up one of my counselors, it begins to hail!  And immediately following, the sun was so bright that I needed to put on my sunglasses!  It's been going back and forth like that all day. 

Just a few minutes ago, I was cleaning up after dinner and heard hail against the kitchen window.  I went to look out the sliding door and watched as a wave of hail passed from our house out across the park.  Then it hovered at the end of the park for awhile and started to come back!  I grabbed my camera and took the following pics:





And this video:


And again, just a few moments later, this was the same view:









When I zoomed in on the playground, you can easily see the hail still on the ground with the sun shining... plus, I just really thought this pic was nice. ;)



Really wacky weather today... but fun and interesting! :)

Oops!

I am certain that I'm about to be named "the worst mother in the world" by a certain 8 year-old.

Cadi is taking an after school magic class for just a few days. I totally forgot and told the Visiting Teaching Coordinator to come over today so we can work on the routes which need to be done this week. That means I can't go pick Cadi up from magic class so I had to call the school to give her the message to come home on the bus like normal since I can't go pick her up later.

She's not gonna be happy.

And I feel especially bad because last night I had a small pile of clothes for her to put away but had forgotten to mention it to her, but I noticed today that she had put them away without me even asking her to. It totally had made my day to realize that she had seen her clothes folded and was proactive enough to just go put them away without prompting.

And this is how I reward her. I'm very unimpressed with myself right now.

Easter in an Egg Shell

We had a really nice weekend.  The Easter Bunny made his visit Friday night, so we started Saturday morning looking through our baskets, hunting for eggs, and eating chocolate. :)





Rori got this little toy cell phone in her basket, it is by far her favorite thing from Easter, she won't put it down! lol  She held it and "made calls" all during her egg hunt.  It's a Disney Princess phone and so some of the princesses say "hi" on it, including one that says, "Hi, it's me, Aurora!"  So it's perfect! :)





After our egg hunt at home, we headed over to the church where there was a brunch and another egg hunt for the kids.  Rori had gotten the hang of finding Easter Eggs and had also realized that there was candy inside of them, so she was eager to get her basket filled!  There was a limit of 12 eggs per child but after all the little kids had their 12, there were more, so they were let loose to grab as many as they wanted.  She got away with 17 eggs! 







One of the YW, who is also our neighbor and friend, helped Rori so that I could take the pics.  Thanks! :)

Cadi was harder to capture on film.  To start, I was holding onto Rori so that she wouldn't 1) eat all the candy out of her eggs, 2) run into the "big kid field" and try to grab more eggs, or 3) run off into the parking lot and become a scrambled egg!  Also, it was a large area and of course Cadi decided to do most of her looking on the FAR SIDE of the field!  And when she was close, she was running pretty quick to get her eggs!  So, here is one decent pic of her... do you love the lollipop stick hanging out of her mouth? lol



Having gotten all the eggs and candy out of our system, we were ready to truly celebrate Easter on Sunday by dressing up, attending church, singing hymns, talking about our Savior, and spending time with family.

This was the first time I had the girls and I "matching".  We're all going with the black/white daisy theme.  The girls had cute pink accents so I had my nails painted to match... not that you can see that though. ;)









Did you notice that Rori was still holding onto that phone? lol 

After church, we headed up to my aunt's house and had dinner with them.  It's always fun to visit with them.  Here's a pic I took of my cousin with her hubby and their sweet little girl. :)



It was a wonderful weekend!  I hope you had a great Easter as well! :)

Good Friday

Today was a good day. :)


First, Rori and I did some shopping and got some incredible deals. That's always a great way to start a day. lol Then I learned that Beckie's doing well enough that we can actually go out for lunch. Yay! I've had a few calls - just to let me hear my cool new ringtones. Thanks! Cadi had a birthday party to go to and while she did that, Rori and I attended a baptism. What better weekend for a baptism?

Yep, today was a good day. :)

"Keep breathing. That's the key. Breathe." - Gimli (LOTR)

For the first time in my life, I have actually felt a desire for my life to be shorter. I was reading in Alma 12 & 13 and it was talking about how we will one day stand before God and be accountable for our life. In Chapter 13 we are told to not procrastinate the day of our repentance and then to continue to pray always, endure to the end, you know - all that jazz. ;) Anyhow, it got me to thinking that I feel like for the most part, right now I'm doing okay. At least, I'm doing the best I can. I can always do better but I'm really trying to. But I wonder, how long can I keep this up? Somedays are just tiring! Yesterday was one of them. I didn't want the responsibility yesterday. I didn't want to be RS president, I didn't want to have the weight of raising my children with EVERYTHING they'll need in order to be successfull (especially spiritually), I didn't want to have to work hard to take care of my body or my house... I was just tired and wanted to give up!


Thankfully, today I feel better. But as I read last night, I just thought, how long can I keep going before I get too tired (spiritually)? I hope it never happens, that I'm always able to at least give it my best and sincerely try my hardest. I do have a firm testimony of the Gospel and I know that the only thing that could weaken it would be my own choices to be disobedient. And for a moment, I thought, "Gee, I hope I'm taken before I start to to slip."

I have thought MANY times before, that I would like the Second Coming to happen soon. Mostly because of all the awfulness in the world. Whenever I hear about children being abused in any way, I just wish it would end, that the Savior would come and all the evil and wickedness would go away - so no other innocent children would ever be hurt, if nothing else! But this was the first time I actually thought that dying earlier would be better/easier than later. (*Disclaimer: these are nowhere near suicidal thoughts. I simply thought if my natural life ended up being shorter instead of having to endure for another 50-60 years or so, that would be nice! lol)
But don't worry, I'm not desiring that anymore. It was a short thought just because I had been so tired that day and didn't feel quite up to "enduring to the end". Usually, I feel like I'm up for the long haul and I want to just prove that I can do it. For someone who has no desire to run an actual marathon, it's funny that I view it that way. I see this life as a marathon. I want to reach that finish line knowing that I didn't ever give up and that I had earned the reward. And it sure does feel like a marathon some days! lol I guess yesterday I was just on a "Heartbreak Hill", but thankfully not all days are like that and today I feel more like I'm running on level ground. :)

Eggs-ellent

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Of course, it's almost over now... but better late than never!

Today we colored Easter Eggs as an activity for our Family Night. :) Rori thought it was cool but really thought it was more fun to watch Jimmy Neutron (for some crazy reason, she loves that movie! lol). Cadi and I colored most of the eggs, but Ryan did end up coloring one in the end. It took him quite awhile to do it, too! He used several colors and then had to take a call for work in the middle of it, but in the end, when it was finally done, it looked pretty cool. ;)

I honestly cannot remember if I posted about this or not so, I hope it's not a repeat. Now that Acadia is older and has been reading more and watching movies like Harry Potter, we've started talking to her about the Lord of the Rings. She hasn't been interested much, but last week, Ryan started showing her the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring, and she got hooked! I was a little ticked since I had made it ABUNDANTLY CLEAR that I wanted to be with her when she watched the movies for the first time. Fortunately, they hadn't gotten far, plus had been distracted by visitors showing up, so when I got there and found out that she was starting to watch the movies, we started over and began together. We didn't get too far that night, just to the point where Frodo and Sam are leaving the Shire. Tonight we watched some more, to the end of disc 1. It's cool to have her watching it with us. We have to go slow though, and explain a lot. We'll see how it all goes, we may not show her the other movies yet, we'll see how this one goes first. But I"m still excited to share them with her! :)

While we were getting things together to decorate Easter Eggs tonight, Ryan was holding Rori near the fridge and he pointed to a picture of Christ that is on it and Aurora said, very clearly, "Jesus!" That was really cool because even though I try to show her pictures sometimes and I will tell her that Jesus loves her, I really haven't done it that much (just sometimes on Sundays when I'm trying to help her be reverent in church) and I don't think I've ever shown her this specific picture. It's at the top of the fridge and she's not usually allowed in the kitchen anyway, so she doesn't see that picture much at all. It's great to know that she knew who He was. :)

It's been a busy week but it's over now!

•Ryan fixed his car! Yay!!! And even though the new part alone was going to cost him $800, he fixed it all for FREE. Using JB Weld. LOL

•I gave my talk. No one "boo"ed. That's gotta mean something. ;)

•My friend and her mom are doing better. Not 100% well, mind you. But they are definitely better. :) We had dinner together tonight and it was GREAT to just hang out and visit! Good times. :)

I am tired and so this is all you get for now. Nitey-Nite! :)

Happy Anniversary, Ryan!

15 years ago today, Ryan was baptized a member of the LDS church.  I am so grateful that he was!  If he hadn't joined the church, we wouldn't have met and the life that we have built together, including our beautiful girls, wouldn't exist. 

To celebrate, we are having one of his favorites for dinner, and because I know he won't have time to read my blog today, I feel safe in revealing what his special gift will be tonight.

"The Prayer at Valley Forge" by Arnold Friburg

This is a picture that we have both always loved and now Ryan will have it for his office.  I hope it will help him to remember that no matter how crazy or hectic it gets there at work, he can take a few moments to say a little prayer and the Lord will guide him with the things he needs to do.  I'm a little jealous that this will be at work and not here at home! lol  I guess I'll have to go visit him for lunch more often!

FYI, this is what the artist had to say about this painting:

"Since I was a boy, I have revered General Washington. At age twelve I drew what I thought a fine picture of him astride his white horse. Along with learning the American legend of his praying at Valley Forge, this deep inspiration of boyhood was never to leave me.

And so it was that I waited many years to picture him again, in prayer now, in the snow, dismounted from his strong horse - only this time in the full power and richness of oil colors.

To prepare for this painting, to insure accuracy in trees and landscape, I made a pilgrimage to Valley Forge, in the dead of winter. In the summer the place is filled with visitors. But now, in the snows of February, it was deserted, the wind moaning through the great trees - silent, lonely, cold. It was a cold that chilled to the bone, a cold that froze my fingers until I could no longer sketch nor even snap my camera.

To insure accuracy in man-made things, I sought out whatever museums, collections, libraries, or informed individuals could offer on horse gear or uniform. At the Smithsonian Military History Museum, I made minutely accurate sketches from the very uniform actually worn by Washington. As for facial likeness, I studied every portrait ever sketched, carved, or painted from life, but always keeping in mind how cold and rawboned he must have looked during that winter encampment. But such research, vital as it is, provides only physical facts. What I really tried for was, through the medium of paint, to recall the pain, the cold of that cruel winter of 1777-78.

I sought to pay tribute to the tall and heavy-burdened man who alone held our struggling nation together. For while the British grew fat and warm and well fed in Philadelphia, it was the man Washington who stayed with his starving and freezing army through that dreadful winter at Valley Forge. It was in desperation that he wrote to the governor of New Jersey, "Our sick naked, our well naked, our unfortunate men in captivity naked!" With his own countrymen indifferent to their condition, where else could he turn but to God?

It should be plain to anyone that this is a symbolic picture, rather than a historically recorded event. The well known American legend is without documentation. But from Washington's own words there can be no doubt of his deep and humble dependence upon whom he chose to call "that all wise and powerful Being on whom alone our success depends."

It is my hope that coming through this picture will once again whisper the spirit of Valley Forge, of suffering and devotion and pain, of liberty, and of the hand of God in the affairs of men."

Quick Update

•Ryan's car is still not working. If/When he ever gets any "spare time", I hope that will change.


•My talk is getting there... I've written a good portion of it, but there is more to do. I've still got time though. :)

•My friend and her mom are both home and feeling better. There still aren't many answers for them, but at least they are both doing better. With continued rest, hopefully they will both feel 100% better soon. :)

•The weather is still gorgeous! I love it!!!

•Still working on keeping the house clean. Today it is looking alright, but I'm way behind on laundry, so that's my chore right now.

•Last night, Ryan and I had a nice night at the temple, and we made an earlier session than we planned, so we weren't out very late. Which is nice since I've been tired ever since the time change this past weekend.

Life is good, it's also busy... which is probably good. :)

My poor, neglected blog.

Life is busy and I apologize because even this won't be a real post. Just a list of some of the things going on lately:

•Ryan's car broke down and still isn't fixed. We had to juggle just the one car for a few days but are now borrowing a pick up from a ward member - Thank you!!!

•I am writing a talk to give in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. If I all of a sudden come down really sick this weekend, do you think anyone would suspect something?

•One of my best friends is in the hospital with incredible pain and so far, we can't figure out why. It's hard to sit there and not be able to do anything to help.

•Her mom was also in the hospital this weekend and again, they haven't figured out what is wrong. I've told this family that we aren't allowing any more family members to be admitted, two in at one time is plenty!

•I sorted through a bunch of stuff to donate to the thrift store, loaded up the minivan (it was quite the load!), and dropped it all off. I don't know what I did with the receipt though and I sure would like that write off (even if I can't claim it until next year).

•I went through one of my "junk drawers"... even weeded out, it's still pretty full. :S

•The weather has been nice so I've been wanting to be out and about more to enjoy it. Could Spring really be here to stay? Or are we just being teased?

•I'm trying really hard to keep the house half-way decent. I've given up on trying to keep it clean. Half-way decent is my only hope at this point. Case in point: I worked all Friday morning to scrub the floors and wash the floor mats at the doors, in the kitchen, and in the bathroom. Just a few hours later, two cute girls tracked mud in over my newly scrubbed floors and freshly washed floor mats. I give up!

There are other little things: I've been continuing to read my scriptures (still on track for the 97 day challenge), I finished reading the Ensign, the Friend, and the extra insert for the Ensign this month on President Hinckley, and I'm trying to practice a song on the piano that I've always wanted to learn.

I enjoy being "anxiously engaged in a good cause"... it's just tiring sometimes and pretty time consuming. Most are things I'm happy to do. Though, I could do without the broken down car and I would rather that my friends were not sick, but I'm happy to be there with them to try to comfort them, I just wish I could do more to help.

I will try harder to make time to blog, it is something I enjoy and I think it is a good thing. It's an easy way to keep in touch with friends and family who are not near and it's sometimes my best attempt at keeping a journal. So, look for another (real) post in the near future. :)

I get no love around here.

*Exaggerate much? lol*

Convo that took place 3 minutes ago:

Me: Can I have a hug?

Rori: No!

Me: Can I have a kiss?

Rori: (Runs away)

Me: Can I have a high five?

Rori: (Ignores me and tries to climb on the dining room table)

Me: Well, can I at least have a low five?

Rori: (Stops trying to climb on the table, runs over, and gives me a low five.)

Thanks, kid. At least now I know how much I'm worth. lol

I've got an extra kid for a day!

And no, I'm not talking about Ryan... though I could have been. ;)

One of the sisters in our ward is having her baby - right now! :)  Yay!!!  And her little boy needed a place to stay while that's all happening.  Things just worked out right for him to come stay with us, so he's here and we're having fun with him.  He'll be with us tonight and part of the day tomorrow.  He's a little younger than Rori and so far they have played together pretty well.  Right now it's about naptime for him and I'm not convinced that he likes that idea.  Mostly, I'm sure he's just not liking his temporary room and bed. :(  Poor guy. 



Oh good, just in the time it took me to upload that pic and post it, he's asleep. :)  Hopefully things are going well with his mommy, too! :)

I can totally relate!

Last night, Ryan and I were watching The RM and I just had to laugh when it got to the part where he was called to be the Elders Quorum President and his face broke out in boils.

Yeah, I can relate. lol

*Thankfully, I did not get boils, just an anxiety attack. lol