Bertie Bott's

Meg found this box of jelly beans in the cupboard.  I cut each flavor into six bites, then the children tried them.  Maisie is reacting to the "vomit" flavored bean.  We tried to trick Austin into playing, but after eating the "earthworm" and "earwax" flavors, he was done!

Sand and Surf

After a full morning of playing in the sand box, Austin had the ingenious idea to take the kids swimming.  Then, we went for DQ ice cream.  (NO, I did not wear a suit nor enter the public pool.)

Today

And this is where I am today, almost two full weeks into the new year.
FHE was a bit rough tonight.  Literally.  Meg ended up with a bloody nose just before we started.

 Today I sewed.  These are PB look-alike chair backers that I made from $.23 felt squares.  Both my littles have been super sick for an entire week, I have not slept, and so I am a bit sick.  Still, Eddie napped today for three hours and I finished my project.

Mostly I am quite smug that my table has eight chairs, and that I can alternate boy/girl/boy/girl perfectly around the entire table.

The pocket to hold love notes.

 My entry table.  Note the candy I've used on display is nothing that tempts me.  If I didn't have to weigh-in this Friday, then perhaps I would have filled those hurricanes with peanut m&ms, cinnamon lips, and white-chocolate kisses.

Family Pictures

Family pictures are always draining.  Not this time!  How?  Well, our group is mainly adults now!  What?  Yes.  Still, we had only three pictures to chose from, because the boys got restless and started dancing and modeling after but one pose.  Although we were frozen afterward, I didn't notice during the shoot because of the warmth and wholeness I felt connecting with all 10 siblings and 2 adoring parents.  Here is the family from which I hail.  I will forever be the 4th of 11.

Afterwards we headed to the Timp temple to do sealings -- another rare treat.

Happy New Year

Our missionary, Jim, came home at midnight on New Year's Eve.  He received quite a welcoming chant as he approached us.  I still get teary thinking about his two years of sheer obedience and sacrifice.  I know the Slovaks will miss him, but I am glad he is back!

Those signs took over two hours to paint.

 Home!

#33

Happy Birthday!  I drove the kids 601 miles to snowy Utah arrived in time for a shared birthday.  Sunday services included hearing John and Rebekah speak, Tyler sing, and Andy sing in Sunday School (fluke).  Rice Crispy treats for a cake done me in!

 Birthday part II was celebrated at the roller rink.  40 guests and 2 hours later proved to be a memorable experience.

 Dearest, and only friend, came to my party.

 The three birthday girls.

Dreams for my year at 33:

Birth a delicious baby

Find charity within my depths

Be slower to anger

Sing more often in my home

1

Last day of my 32nd year. Loving Utah. Shopping at Tai Pan, beautiful mountains, and a selfie. This year I weaned my baby, moved to a new state, Austin started a new job, and have 26 weeks of baby inside. What a year. What a blessed life.

2

I drove the gianormous Suburban to Utah for nine hours today.  The children were gems. We love Utah!