Sunday thoughts

Today was our ward conference, and while it was all good (even the 7:30 meeting I had to attend!), the thing that stuck out the most was this experience shared in Relief Society:

A young mother (YM) was struggling with a difficult morning, rushing to find shoes for her preschooler and get out the door while the other children were crying for various reasons. The phone rang. She debated about answering it. She picked it up, and it was her visiting teacher (VT).

VT: How are you doing this morning?

YM: Oh, fine!

VT: Really? Let's try that again: how are you doing this morning?

YM: Great! (thinking: I just need to get off the phone!)

VT: That's not what I heard.

YM: (looking out the window to see which of her neighbors might have seen her frustration) Why, who have you been talking to?

VT: Heavenly Father.

The visiting teacher arranged to lend a hand that day. The mother was incredibly humbled to realize that 1) Heavenly Father was aware of even her more minor distresses, and that 2) her visiting teacher was praying for her consistently and receiving direction as to how to be of service.

This took place several years ago, and the mother (who was our speaker) ran into her former visiting teacher recently. She told her that she would be relating this experience in ward conference and the other woman said, "I don't even remember that." This humbled the mother further, to think that such incidents are such a part of her friend's life that they don't even stand out in her memory.

It's wonderful to think that we can make a big difference in each others' lives, and that sometimes by very small means are great things brought to pass. I know I'm inspired to do better.

six for Saturday

1. Max had his last orchestra concert of the year this week. Sadly, Marc had a previous engagement and I had to stay home with the sick kids. Fortunately, Marc's parents came down from Salt Lake to attend (on very short notice, too). We are so lucky to have grandparents nearby.

I wanted to recognize it nonetheless, so I took Max to the Cocoa Bean Café to pick out some gourmet cupcakes. They were enjoyed by all, and Eva was especially thrilled that some of them were topped with edible glitter.

2. When Lucas and Eva are home sick at the same time, it works out rather well for me. They put on several puppet shows, and with the prep time for creating a stage, selecting the puppets, planning out the scenes, and making signs, it makes for a pretty nice break.

3. I took a cue from Jill and bought these cute totes at Target. I filled them with the new Conference issue of the Ensign, a highlighter, and homemade chocolate/chocolate chip cookies for my Visiting Teaching companion and the women that we visit. I don't know that they needed these, but it sure did make me feel happy to deliver them.

I was heading out to my car on Wednesday evening to make my deliveries when I realized that all four of the women live within an easy walking distance, so I went for a lovely stroll. I've lived in Utah for 12 years, and I still feel amazed about that. (I got sick later that night, and was ever so pleased that I completed that task before being down for the count.)

4. Aha! I finally spotted the new pretzel m&ms at Target! Charlotte and I bought some to test and I am giving them a big thumbs up. You can't beat that great salty/sweet combination in my book.

5. This is a sight that makes Eva swoon. I pulled it out one day this week when she was home sick and bored. She took great pains to select the right colors for both her fingernails and toenails.

She is so impatient during the drying time that I swear each time I'll never do it again. This time she quizzed me in great detail about getting your nails done "at the salon." She can't wait to go there herself. Oh dear.

6. This is the card Marc gave me for Mother's Day. It is just so appropriate.

I have no plans to cook this weekend, so maybe it will be a nice break for us all! (Well, Marc and Max might not be so thrilled.)

Sunday thoughts

I went visiting teaching this week, and it was my turn to give the lesson.

I opened up the Ensign and saw the title of January's lesson: "Becoming Self-Reliant." Yawn. I thought it was going to be about food storage and savings, things I need to be better about doing.

I don't know why I would think the VT message wouldn't be good -- it always, always is. And this one gave me a whole new vision of self-reliance.

"How do we become self-reliant? ... through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being." -- Julie B. Beck

Ohhhhh.

"Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others. It is important to understand that self-reliance is a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ability to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self-reliance." -- Robert D. Hales

Double ohhhhh.

I just love the idea that self-reliance is a means to an end, a way for us to be free to provide selfless service, the way our Savior would do. And that any time we improve ourselves, in any way, we are doing more to reach that ultimate goal. It's so much more than food storage.

Sunday thoughts

I can't think of anything else today besides service.

If I know one thing about getting ready to move halfway across the world, it's that we are inundated with service. You might think you would welcome that with open arms -- and maybe you would -- but I still struggle with being the recipient at times. Nonetheless, I am always, always incredibly grateful and humbled afterwards.

Jill has once again proven herself to be the most understanding, selfless, giving friend ever. She has been over so many times this week, I lost count. She didn't wait for me to ask for her help or tell her what I needed her to do (she knows me too well).

-- She took Eva for the whole day on Thursday, and I spent the entire day doing errands and knocking items off my to-do list(s).

-- Hannah watched Eva for several hours on Friday so I could be distraction-free.

-- Jill came over on Friday for a summit about the state of my lists.

At Marc's suggestion, we went out to lunch. My first reaction was that I couldn't possibly, but I was oh so glad that we did. The summit took place at California Pizza Kitchen. {all photos by Jill}

This was one of my lists. I consolidated them all to one new one. (plus one for packing) I am seriously a list addict.

We then hit Cold Stone, as Jill had a gift card (thanks, Lisa!) and treated me to this embarrassing decadence. It was fabulous.

We went back to my house and did 3 more things on the list before I had to pick up Eva!

-- One of my visiting teachers called on Friday and asked if we liked corn. She was going to a corn stand and wanted to bring us some as well. Oh, and a Costco rotisserie chicken and a huge package of strawberries. I nearly wept with relief.

-- On Saturday, Jill and Jenn came over to help. It felt more like they came to stabilize me. I feel like I've been teetering on the edge of a precipice for the last week -- one minute I am thinking, "I'm doing great, I can totally handle this!" and the next I am thinking, "I am never going to make it to the end. I think I'll sit down and cry." And yes, I'm still taking my meds.

When they first arrived and asked what they could do, all I could do was shrug. Jill returned our library items and came back with Sonic drinks. Jenn started dusting:

I am embarrassingly bad about dusting. (I think that once someone has cleaned your house, and seen your (lack of) housekeeping skills, it takes your friendship to a new level. There are no more secrets.) Jill joined in on the dusting, vacuumed the laundry room and the downstairs.

(blurry self-portrait, but it had to be documented)

Jenn had to leave, but Jill picked up Wendy's for us and the kids and we all sat down to watch So You Think You Can Dance (top 15 routines ever). Any guesses on how I felt when they left?

-- Jenn brought me the game Gloom because she knew I was planning to buy it before leaving. She gave me a gift and saved me from another errand!

-- Marc took Lucas shopping for new shoes, as we discovered he didn't have any. Hooray, one fewer errand for me! Plus, he helped the boys pack their suitcases! Woohoo, I didn't have to pack for 4!

-- Our bishop announced in sacrament meeting today that we were leaving and wished us safe travels and told us that we would be missed. I was surprisingly touched by that.

-- My darling neighbor Traci called this afternoon and invited us to dinner. I haven't been buying food, as I'm trying to use up what we have, and I was planning to scrounge up something, probably waffles. Instead, we went to her lovely home and had a veritable feast. We ate wonderful food outside on her back patio, which feels like a little corner of paradise. She even sent us home with a cellophane bag of homemade cookies!

-- I received several cards from blog friends over the last couple of weeks, many well wishes and expressions of thoughtfulness sent my way.

And so, once again, I find myself absolutely humbled by the many ways I have been served. How did I get such wonderful friends? What have I done to deserve such gifts of time and sacrifice? All I can think is that I have a Heavenly Father who is aware of my every need. Thanks so very very much to everyone who stepped in to fill those needs.


*We leave tomorrow!*

Sunday thoughts

So, I was asked to give a talk on home teaching. I immediately came up blank on that, but with a little help from lds.org (and Jill's dad!), I came up with some material. And, as usually happens, I was scrambling to finish in a timely manner and had to leave out much of my talk.

The highlights:

-- The bishopric member I spoke with on the phone said, "You just can't be a member of this church and be a hermit." This actually gave me pause and I thought about it for a couple of days. Because I am a hermit! Or at least, very hermit-like. I have determined that it is a very good thing I have church callings, or I might truly never get to know anyone in the ward. Who are we kidding? I might never leave the house. And I am thinking that moving to Paris is probably a really good thing for me as well -- talk about going outside of my comfort zone.

-- Home teachers support and serve all members of the families they visit. They nurture the friendship and respect of these members, showing genuine concern and love for them. They become acquainted with each member's interests and needs and recognize special events in their lives. (Church handbook)

-- "To perform fully our duty as home teachers, we should be continually aware of the attitudes, the activities and interests, the problems, the employment, the health, the happiness, the plans and purposes, the physical, temporal, and spiritual needs and circumstances of everyone - of every child, every youth, and every adult in the homes and families who have been placed in our trust and care as bearers of the Priesthood and representatives of the bishop. This is literally the Lord's way to watch over his flock." (David O. McKay)

-- "In this world of gluttony and greed, there is a certain satisfaction that comes from rendering service to others purely because of love and not for pay. I think the Apostle Peter felt that same exhilaration when he wrote:

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; (1 Peter 5:2)

"I recognize that it takes time to develop the discipline and desire to prioritize concern for others ahead of one's personal interests. That ennobling transition begins when one makes the baptismal covenant:

Now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things...

"Home teaching opportunities provide a means by which an important aspect of character may be developed: love of service above self." (Russell M. Nelson)

-- Above all, be a genuine friend to the individuals and families you teach. (Ezra Taft Benson)

-- I talked about how I have been given a visiting teaching assignment multiple times where I didn't think I had anything in common with either my companion or one of the sisters we were to visit. Without fail, I learned to love those sisters -- usually very quickly. I quoted one of my former companions who said, "I love it when the Lord chooses my friends!"

-- President Faust related an incident that happened to him as a young boy. His father found a lost lamb in the desert and brought it home. He was given the charge to care for the lamb. He fed it out of a bottle, played with it, named it, and generally considered it his pet. One stormy night, he forgot to put his lamb in the barn. He could hear it bleating outside, but he didn't want to get up out of his cozy bed. In the morning, he saw that his lamb had been killed by a dog. He said:

"My young heart was broken. I had not been a good shepherd or steward of that which my father had entrusted to me. My father said, 'Son, couldn't I trust you to take care of just one lamb?' My father's remark hurt me more than losing my woolly friend. I resolved that day, as a boy, that I would try never again to neglect my stewardship as a shepherd if I were ever placed in that position again."

-- "Anyone serving in any capacity in the Church in which he is responsible for the spiritual or temporal well-being of any of the Lord's children is a shepherd to those sheep. The Lord holds his shepherds accountable for the safety of his sheep." (Bruce R. McConkie)

-- "Miracles are everywhere to be found when priesthood callings are magnified. When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes. The priesthood is not really so much a gift as it is a commission to serve, a privilege to lift, and an opportunity to bless the lives of others." (President Monson)

Evidently we as visiting teachers are under the same obligations as the home teachers. That quote about anyone serving in any capacity in the Church is pretty clear. Can you imagine how many burdens would be lifted if all home and visiting teachers took their duties seriously to be shepherd of the Lord's flock? I know I'm inspired to do better.

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...

Creative Wednesday

Jill came over yesterday for Creative Wednesday, since Friday is all tied up with Halloween things. I can't come up with the words to express how happy it makes me that she is as committed to Creative Friday as I am, and therefore willing to reschedule so we don't have to wait until next week.

She came up with this creative oven mitt solution for her "cutter's elbow". A bit unorthodox, perhaps, but it seemed to help!

We opened the package that Kristi sent for us to open together. Seriously cute Halloween stamp sets! I love that she sends us joint packages, it is so fun and she is so thoughtful.

I worked on gratitude journals for some of my new Laurels. I want to give them each one of my "friendship shortcut" kits.

If it's wrong to love these so, I'm just not sure I want to be right.

I had to post this photo, even though it's not so great of me. Look at the mischievous sparkle in Jill's eyes! I think she looks so cute.

Here's something I found interesting: I went visiting teaching on Tuesday, and after chatting for a long while and giving the monthly lesson, I started telling the woman we were visiting about Creative Friday! I had no plans to talk about that, but I suddenly found myself telling her how my grandma (CJP) advised me, when Max was very young, to carve out time for myself. To make time. To find a way to take care of me, to do something that I like to do.

I remember it so clearly, and it was definitely an a-ha moment for me. She gave me permission to find ways to take care of me, and I guess I needed permission to do it. I read, I work on projects, I do other things I enjoy, but Creative Friday is at the top of my list of things I do for me, because it makes me a better me, and a better mom. Apparently I was being guided, for this friend -- pregnant with her 6th child -- seemed to really need to hear that. You just never know, do you?

week in review

It's been a busy week. I told Jill yesterday that that last hour we spent together at my table was the first time all week that I had just sat down and done something that I wanted to do. (with the exception of an hour or so of tv after the kids are all finally in bed)

That's a little bit sad, right?

Especially since it's not like I've been hugely productive in other ways. Rather, I just have a little Klingon that will not leave me alone for any reason.

On Monday I took her to the park for an hour and a half. I talked to Jessie on the phone for a good portion of that time, but it was still a hot and exhausting labor of love. After all, it's not easy to push someone on the swings while trying to hold your phone with your shoulder! That afternoon, I finally conquered cleaning the shutters on our main windows. They were disgusting and had been driving me crazy for weeks. Weeks, I tell you! I did that for two hours, but then I ran out of ammonia, so the rest of the shutters are still heinous. Apparently if I don't have ammonia, I just throw up my hands in defeat.


On Tuesday, I took Eva to my sweet neighbor Heidi's so I could go to BYU and attend their awards ceremony for the opening of the school year. Marc received an Alcuin award, which gives him a bit of recognition for all his hard work, plus a nice chunk of change in travel/supplies funding for the next 3 years. Well-deserved. (I'm not posting the photos I took of Marc on the stand out of deference to my husband. I try to do that occasionally.) It was a first for me sitting in the reserved floor seating of the Marriott Center. Oh, and I thought the President's talk went on about 20 minutes too long. I just could not seem to stay awake, a fact that Marc noticed from the stand. Oops.

Max & Lucas were sad that they didn't get to go. I don't know how much of that had to do with the fact that the ceremony took place during school hours... Marc's parents took us out to a Thai restaurant for lunch, where Eva proceeded to whine because she wanted noodles, not rice, and she wanted to talk to Grandma (read: monopolize) even though she needed prompts as to what she should talk to Grandma about. Grandpa pulled out some strawberries and cheese to round out her rice lunch, because of course he had a bag of groceries for us under the table!

Max's U.S. History class made these dollar bill rings. He wears it proudly, because evidently those suckers are harder than they look.

On Wednesday I went visiting teaching. My visiting teacher had already come, but as she didn't read the entire message, I was unaware that there was a passage I was in dire need of hearing:

“All of you need to drink in deeply the gospel truths about the eternal nature of your individual identity and the uniqueness of your personality. You need, more and more, to feel the perfect love which our Father in Heaven has for you and to sense the value he places upon you as an individual. Ponder upon these great truths, especially in those moments when (in the stillness of such anxiety as you may experience as an individual) you might otherwise wonder and be perplexed.” -- President Spencer W. Kimball

I LOVE this. It could not have come at a better time. Also, thanks to my temporary identity crisis during the last week, we had a lot to talk about. Just another testament to me that our trials -- even the fleeting and/or relatively insignificant ones -- shape us and endow us with an increase of empathy to share with others.

On Wednesday afternoon I weeded out and organized all of Eva's and Lucas's clothes. Why does it seem like this job is endless? I swear it needs to be done quarterly. Kids and their growing.

{in honor of my mother, my very favorite Black-Eyed Susan!}

I also did some yard work this week. I am thoroughly fed up with the 90-plus temperatures. I realize that it's still August, but since my kids have been in school for two weeks, I am just so ready for a little cooling off and a beginning, or a movement towards, a mere hint of Fall.

Max stayed home sick on Thursday, and even though it was my very craziest of busy days, I realized I had to take him to the doctor. I was glad I did, because it turns out he has a sinus infection and needed antibiotics. (Tell me I'm not the only mother out there who is relieved to get a diagnosis and prescription when I take my kids to the doctor's office!) On Friday morning, he sounded like he was going to cough up a lung, so I was doubly glad that I didn't wait. By the way, the doctor (not our usual one) asked if he had ever had a sinus infection. I couldn't stop myself from laughing -- they're our family specialty.

Lucas went on a field trip to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. He came home complaining that the walk to/from the festival was so short. I guess it just couldn't compare to last week's field trip to Timpanogos Cave. Incidentally, he told me that his group got separated from the pack while coming down the mountain and they did not have an adult with them, and that at one point they thought one of their class members had fallen off the edge of the mountain! He didn't, thankfully, but just the fact that that was even a possibility made me fearful in retrospect about the wisdom of this outing.

I received a great card from Jill on Thursday -- again just what I needed. She included this quote:

"Through her mothering, a woman is the consummate leader of leaders. If we truly believe that we are here in mortality to be tested and to demonstrate by the way we live our lives whether we want to be part of the kingdom of God or not, then what could possibly be more significant than bearing a child and thus making it possible for a spirit son or daughter to advance beyond the preparatory state of premortal life and enter the testing stage of earth life? And having borne that child, what could possibly be more enduring or important in the eyes of our Heavenly Father than nurturing one of His sons or daughters -- teaching and cheering that precious soul on, preparing him or her to pass the test?
Nothing. No diplomat or CEO or billionaire philanthropist does anything that comes anywhere close in importance to what a mother does. No trophy or status or honor of man begins to compare with motherhood in terms of its eternal impact and glory. Period." --Jane Clayson Johnson

My grandmother has told me essentially the same thing many times. Why is it so easy to forget?

We used the last of our diapers at bedtime on Thursday. (I had told Eva I wasn't going to buy anymore.) I didn't know if this was the right approach. I still don't. As expected, she informed me that she didn't want to wear underwear. I informed her that we were going to try it anyway. She put up a fuss, but finally came around when I proposed the bribery plan. The girl does love stickers and treats.

She also seems to have a bladder of steel. She has only gone 8 times in 2 days, should I be concerned? We went out to do errands today -- a marathon of Costco shopping (I know, on a
Saturday!) and a long sojourn at T.J. Maxx -- and she sailed through without incident, even using the unfamiliar bathroom at T.J. Maxx. I'm really crossing my fingers this time. I need to feel like this is all carrying us to a victorious end. Plus, she's starting preschool next week!

This morning I made nectarine/strawberry smoothies. I invented a nectarine smoothie years ago and it is one of my favorite things about summer. After I poured the glasses for the kids, I looked at the lineup and it made me giggle.

When I got back from Costco, I had an impromptu pantry reorganization and fridge/freezer clean-out. 3 garbage-bags full! It was like I channeled Jill for a couple of hours...

One final thought: I went out to the grocery store tonight for a few things we can't live without until Monday. I ran into a former neighbor that I haven't seen for a couple of years. Her youngest started first grade this year and I commented on her having all of her kids in school full-day. Are you ready for this? She said she's bored.

1. It's only been two weeks, people.
2. Never say something like that to a woman who still has a young child at home, particularly when that child is Eva and she's in the midst of potty-training! It fired me up pretty good.
3. I am never bored. Ever. I always always have more things that I want to do than time to do them.
4. When an adult tells me they are bored, my esteem for said adult drops somewhat. Maybe a little harsh, but it's true.

Bored! Well, at least I don't have that problem!

the problem with procrastinating

Things have been unexpectedly busy around here this week. I'm not sure why I let things take me by surprise like that -- it's not like I didn't know about all of these things -- but at the beginning of the week I was feeling footloose and fancy free, only to realize by the middle of the week that I had a whole lot of stuff to do, and fast. Here's what's been keeping me occupied:

• Finding and wrapping a gift for a birthday party for a friend who's turning 8. Why is it hard for me to find a present for a boy? I should be a pro, right? I ended up with the old standby, a Bionicle.

• Going visiting teaching -- first time in the new ward. I got to meet my companion and a woman that we visit at the same time! That was a first for me. I found out that my companion's husband is in the military. She has five children who have only seen their father sporadically through the years. He was on a submarine when she found out she was pregnant with twins -- there was no way to communicate with him and she couldn't even tell him until two months later! He was home for the birth of the twins, but had to leave one week later. This woman is amazing. Her husband returns from Iraq in one week, for good, but he will be in Virginia for a few weeks finalizing everything. She is so excited she can hardly stand it.

• Getting ready for YW. The Laurels have started making little recipe books. They make a recipe and bring copies of it for everyone, then they make a little scrapbook page with each recipe. (I made toffee dip with apples.) The girl who was supposed to be in charge of bringing supplies didn't show up, so fortunately I had brought a bunch of my stuff. One girl brought spinach salad, but forgot to bring forks or plates. Luckily, we had napkins, so we ate the salad with our fingers. That was another first. Incidentally, I've started having dreams about my Laurels. I'm not sure what that means, other than that I guess they're on my mind.

• Back to piano lessons. It sure was nice having no lessons last week!

• Helping Max get ready for a Scout overnight campout. It is truly staggering how many things they have to pack just for one night. They are going to Topaz Mountain, which I'm sure would be a lot more fun if it weren't getting down to freezing at night! (Yep, it snowed again yesterday. I guess they thought a late April campout would be warmer.) Also, I have to send him with a tinfoil dinner. I've never made a tinfoil dinner in my life.

• Trying to stay on top of the laundry. I just don't understand how the hamper could be almost full already when I just finished folding all the laundry last night!

• Jill's brother-in-law Jared came over yesterday to give us an estimate on tiling our kitchen and entryway. I'm so excited to be one step closer to having that done!

• Family dinners. A small victory on that front: on Tuesday I was going to a YW leadership meeting and didn't think I had time to pull a family dinner together. I was scrambling to get something, anything, for everyone to eat. Max and Lucas were having a Pokémon battle on the table. They scooted over to eat. Marc and I happened to sit down at the table as well. Eva was in the family room and said, "Hey! I want to sit at the table, too!" Maybe they're coming around...
  

• Our first ward activity is tonight. Not sure why they scheduled a Scout camping trip that conflicts with that, but... the rest of us will be going to see if we can get to know anyone. I signed up to bring cookies, because well, I love to make cookies.

• On Saturday we will be celebrating Eva's birthday and my niece Nicole's birthday. We're all going to meet at Thanksgiving Point for the baby animal birthday party and the tulip festival, then we'll come back here for panini and birthday cake. I have not done one single thing to prepare for Eva's birthday -- no gifts, nada. What in the world? My birthday banner isn't even close to being done, and I don't think I'll have a chance to make the cake until Saturday morning.

• I have to teach YW on Sunday. I've read through the lesson, but that's it so far. Hmm, not sure when I'm going to have time to prepare, probably not until Saturday night. Not ideal.

Just before I woke up this morning, I dreamed that I had photos to go with this post. Wishful thinking!

p.s. Yesterday morning Marc, Eva and I were all eating cereal for breakfast. Eva looked around and said, "is this a cereal party??" Who knew such a little thing could be a thrill?

recent happenings

I have new visiting teachers -- one is a neighbor that I have long admired but don't know very well, the other is a woman that I really don't know at all. One of them stopped by a couple of days ago with this bowl of raspberries and a pitcher of cream. She said she was thinking about me, and that this is her favorite comfort food, so she brought me some. Her kids were teasing her about bringing this, saying that it was gross! Can you imagine? I told her to let her children know I considered it a real treat. I heartily enjoyed the bowl of berries and cream, and I was quite touched to think of her picking berries in her backyard -- for me!

She also brought by a little note for my fridge that says: "Do not postpone a prompting... rather, act on it and the Lord will open a way." This thought goes right along with our lesson from the New Testament on Sunday, which was in part about recognizing promptings and acting on them. I've been thinking about it ever since, and know that this is an area I can improve in. I was inspired by my visiting teacher.


Jessie and Hannah came over on Tuesday night. Marc took Max to see Transformers, and we hung out watching Harry Potter movies, eating treats, and working on projects. Well, Hannah and Jessie worked on projects, I sat on the couch icing my knee and enjoying the company. I took some photos of Hannah as well, but they didn't really turn out. (When will I learn that I can't use my point-and-shoot camera indoors?!) I cannot get over how entertaining Jessie is, she makes me laugh like no one else.


Now that Jessie and Timm are leaving in just 2 weeks, I am officially very depressed about it. I have been sad ever since I found out they were moving, but now it's hitting hard. We have been trying to spend lots of time together in the time that remains, and Jessie & Bella came to hang out today. So sad that this cousin time can't continue indefinitely...

Last night when I was putting Eva to bed, we were snuggling in the rocking chair and she said, "I want to see Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma and Grandpa love Eva." Then she went through the list of all the people she could think of that love her. After she said Bella and Jessie, there was a pause while she was casting about for the name of her uncle. Finally it came to her and she said, "Timm! Timm loves Eva. Timm brought over a cool! (pool) Pretty nice...." (Is there a sound that expresses how your heart is hurting?)

We went to Target today (first time since coming back to the US!) and found an adorable top for Eva for only $5.99. I held it up to show her and she gave me a look that clearly conveyed it was so cute it was painful. That was a first, and I totally agreed.

Incidentally, Eva and I are on much better terms this week. I don't know what turned things around, but she has been very cuddly, showering me with hugs and kisses, and just all-around much happier. She even accompanied me on some very long errands and whenever she was thinking about how she wanted to go home, she said, "just one more store!". That's what I'm talking about.

I met Chloe at the grocery store on Tuesday! It was a little strange being recognized from my blog, but it's always good to meet a fellow blogger. Since she and a couple of other people asked recently about the camera I'm using, here's the scoop: it's the Canon 10D and I use the Canon 50mm lens 1:1.8. It has seriously improved my photos. Seriously.

I have been going to physical therapy and my pain seems to be increasing. The physical therapists are a bit mystified and say I must be doing too much and I need to take it easy. Easier said than done.

And finally, I had a great time at Jill's house on Friday night visiting with Jordan, Crystalyn, Liz, and Amy M. I brought my camera to document the night and didn't take a single photo. Duh! However, I did take photos on my way there and on my way home. Ridiculous. (I guess I figured Jill had it taken care of.)

(I saw these giant piles of pink pipes on the way to Jill's house! I'm sure people were wondering why I got out to take pictures.) And I saw this flag on the way home. It spoke to me. It called to me to pull over and take a picture. I'm sure it had no idea how difficult that would prove to be, with the other millions of people out driving at midnight! Good grief. Yet I obeyed. What would you do if a great big flag was calling to you?