January 22, 2017

Monday evening I went to bed totally spent, and I regretted every conversation with my children, because I knew I had been angry with them in word and deed.  Then, something wonderful happened!  I found the selfies Maddie recorded on my phone, which happened to be videos of herself.  I listened to the commotion and sounds of all those around me, and discovered the opposite of my reflection.  My voice was calm, I was laughing, I was drying tears, giving commands to my kitchen help, singing to Molly and all of this in her 67 second sound bite.  It helped me know that today was not the day to lose courage, but to take heart.  I had actually done my best, and it mattered.  My best looked a lot different to peeps than to my conscience.  Clearly, I had used my best energy on those people who mattered most.  This week was better because I saw my efforts in a different light. 

Tuesday night I spoke at an RS meeting about relationships, and I actually spent 4 minutes to get ready and clean up -- I felt like a million bucks (though Austin missed it because he didn't come home until 10pm).

 We have a set of 8, 24 piece puzzles that we put together every day, at least twice.

 We figured out that marshmallows on each scripture pictures almost keeps their interest for a full story.

 We pretended that dishes and lunches were nonexistent on Wednesday night.

 These two play "beauty parlor" with Molly while I brush the little boys' teeth.  Maisie brushes Molly's hair, and Nick lotions her hands.

 She's very big.

 Meg begged me to make pretzels with her. So we did it instead of Saturday chores, and we had a grand time.

 Hail.

 Molly is three months.  She came trailing all the joy of the heavens with her.  We celebrated by taking her to a movie, in which she "talked" through the entire thing.  Austin held her at the back.

 Sunday is here.  Austin was home long enough to throw the football, eat dinner with the missionaries, and leave again.  But, I left all the dishes for him, and he quite faithfully did them.  He's very well trained.

 All of these teased Meg, so they had to sit here until dinner was ready.

 Our Sunday pledge to invite an investigator to a stake youth musical fireside.

I thnk Maddie has the prettiest little nails.  OPI polish is never ill spent on her.

January 15, 2017

Another blessed week came and went.  Saturday night these two little boys made a bathtub in the bottom of my shower.  They were very clean and very pleased.

 These three were all wearing purple, so as triplets Meg forced Andy to take a picture.

 For 150 minutes Molly, Ryan and I sat watching Andy play flag football.  We set up "camp" by the swings, Andy played well, and it rained.

 Friday night we held a dinner party with friends.  Here is the, the after was finally cleaned up at noon the next day.  How fun it is to be with friends and eat delicious food.

 I made delcious granola this week, so our afterschool snack most days was granola and whole milk.  I made them sit on the rug hoping to prevent spills and mess.  Nope, didn't work.

 Ryan loves holding his baby.

 Nick and Maisie competed in the geography bee, they both got out.  They probably should have listened to their mother when she told them to study all of break.....

 I found holes in my bread when I came to the kitchen to toast it at dinner time.

 Then I found the guilty party, though I never doubted; I'm just glad I bagged it.

 I find us playing on the floor by the hour.  Here is Ed's superman pose.

 I'm trying to get back into yoga.

 Naptime kisses.

 Band-aid sharing.

 Two hour major ordeal getting new tires for Austin's car was quite an adventure -- my friend ended up rescuing us.

 Monday night for FHE we playing BINGO.  We were all thrilled with our prizes.

 Maddie was especially thrilled -- she won a whoopie cushion.

I reached my goal to play piano for five minutes on two days this week, but I also pulled out my uke and played her for a good bit.  Blogging each Sabbath helps me see the beautiful blessings in my life.

January, Week 1

Sundays are lovely, even though I am the sole entertainer for most of the day.  In this moment the bigs were at a fireside, the middles were studying church materials, the smaller middles were preparing FHE, and the two littles just needed some floor time.  

 Double decker.

 After our date to Walmart, Austin and I noticed 9 javelinas foraging in the neighbor's yard.

 Maisie and Eden started their science fair project.

 Friday Eddie drew a hermit crab.  He's still wearing his Santa hat, because the Christmas tree is still up -- that was his agreement.

 And, I finally got around to some photos of these three elves.

 Thursday Nick received a couple belt loops at pack meeting.  (Photo was taken with Molly in my arms, and Ryan climbing all over my lap.)  Way to go, Nick!

 Maisie and Ryan filled the hall with bubble wrap, then somersaulted all the way popping bubbles as they went.  It was especially funny in the morning when the popping sounded at 5:30 as the kids moved their way into our room for scriptures.

 My extra clean kitchen, because it was Wednesday night and I was bored.

 Eddie and Rayn were very clever finding sheaths for their weapons.

 Monday we drove home from Utah.  Meg slept 8 of the nine hours, Nick and Andy were deep in their seats reading as well.  I think a car ride is so cozy.

Happy New Year 2017

Sunday, January 1st, was our last day in Utah.  We worshipped in church, and I think Ryan was the luckiest, because Grandma was in nursery.

 The family room was quite full, but kids still ran in and out.

 Lots of cousin time.

 My kids hadn't seen grandpa's stone, so we visited there.  The local siblings meet there every Sunday.  (My plot is right where Andy is standing.  Yes, I'm pepared for death.)

 New Year's Eve was spent in the great room with great food and music and fun.

 The smaller kids ran and slid through the legs of their uncles (and Tanner).

 We mostly just watched the chaos.

 Lots of love everywhere brought in the new year at 7:30pm.

My goal this year is to recognize my ordinary tasks as extraordinary.  The smiles that brighten the faces of my family and friends, the laundry that keeps my family smelling good, preparing food that nourishes our healthy bodies, the taxi driving taking children to extra activities that allow them to try new things, and the weekly sacrament that connects me with the atonement and essentially heaven.  Here's to a year of growth, and five minutes of piano everyday......