Six for Sunday

Just a few things that happened this week that I wanted to document:

1. I finally was able to do my visiting teaching this week. I managed to find a time to visit one woman that I haven't seen since October. (She works two jobs, is extremely busy, and doesn't return phone calls.) We were catching up, and I discovered that they had an unexpected financial problem in November which resulted in them not having anything at all for Christmas. My heart sank. Here is a woman under my stewardship with a problem like that, and I didn't know anything about it! Have I mentioned she lives right down the street?

The Relief Society president had called her and happened to find out about their troubles. The ward provided Christmas for them, and they were very grateful. And all this happened without my knowledge (or my companion's). Oh the guilt. I am much more determined now to make sure that we keep in contact. I will try to get her email or cell number. Or I will drop by more frequently. Somehow, I have to do better. I hate knowing that I've fallen down on the job.

2. I took the boys to get their hair cut on Wednesday. Since then, Lucas has taken to fashioning his hair into a fauxhawk. I'm not opposed to this in theory, but I think his methods need a little work. It cracks me up that the boy who used to resist getting his hair combed with all his might now voluntarily goes into the bathroom upon waking to get busy styling.

Oh, and he told us he wants to watch the SuperBowl today! What the? I don't think we've ever had a football game on at our house. He sure knows how to surprise me.

3. Eva has been pretending to be various dogs this week (she is a huge fan of Martha Speaks). On Thursday, I found her lying on one of the stairs. (I confess I didn't know it was possible to stretch out on a step like that.) Apparently, that's where Miranda sleeps in her pretend dog world.

4. Marc and I went to a matinée of Slumdog Millionaire yesterday. Oh my. I loved it so much.

It doesn't have any explicit sex, but it does have some disturbing violence related to being an orphan and living in the slums. Despite that, it has an overwhelmingly buoyant, soaring, and upbeat feel. I loved the casting, the cinematography, the soundtrack, everything!

A movie that can make you want to sit and watch the credits has really accomplished something in my book. And going to a matinée makes me feel like I'm getting away with something! Truly enjoyable.


5. Last night, Eva woke up with croup. I already had her vaporizer going, and I rocked her for awhile so she could be upright, but she was still struggling to breathe, so we bundled up and went out into the cold. We were sitting outside shivering and she suddenly became very still. I followed her gaze and saw three deer walking down our street. They saw us and froze. Eva was completely enthralled and whispered, "they're white-tailed deer, Mama!" Eventually they decided we were not a threat and we watched them forage for awhile.

The cold air must have done the trick because she was able to go back to sleep and didn't wake up until after 9:00! This is so unusual for my kids that I actually went in to make sure she was breathing.

6. So now I'm home from church, again. We got a call this morning telling us that Max is going to be the new Deacon's quorum president (he was at church early setting up chairs). I wonder if his new calling will make him any more inclined to go on the Klondike campout this weekend? And I hope they don't set him apart today while I'm at home...