Relapse

One of the hardest weeks of the year is the first one, and here we are.  This is the only Christmas photo by the tree this year.  It's a good thing I haven't taken it down.  Plus, Meg was home, that's a bonus.  Austin and I did drop her off at the airport, so she's back at school, and I sulk.

Maisie did make us doughnut holes. Delish.

Monday night we used my new FLIKR fire and roasted marshmallows right on our table.  Fun.

FHE activity was coloring The First Vision primary activity page.  Some used crayon, some marker, and some water colors.  We all sat nicely for a good long time creating.  We listened to messages about the events.  But we also listened to the promptings from heaven testify that Joseph's vision was real, he knows it, and we know it.

I tried to let my hair dry curling.  It was super cute wet, but just got frizzier and frizzier by the hour.  Blast.  One day I would like to use my natural curl.

Ryan wrote very nicely and completely in his journal today -- only he couldn't find the composition notebook, so he used a sheet of paper.  

I found a little twin. Actually, I copied her pants.

This cute BOOMA is shining brightly this week.

Maisie had curls to boot, and she didn't even need to kick them into gear.

This week was rough because I wanted to be learning at the table, so that did happen, but I had so many distractions to keep us functioning.  That space of efficiency and energy is shortening.  I can't figure it out.  But, I just keep pretending that the 11,000 steps I take each day mean I'm working to be a little better than the day before.  Most days I feel like I've relapsed.  That's okay too, because that's the great thing about teens (did I mention I have four right now), they let me know when I'm unfair, tyrrancial and hopeless.  Thank you, those are good places to start building my character this year.
 

Viva Mexico

Wednesday blew quickly by in Mexico, because the winds died down and we found respite on the dunes.  Nice Nick loves our little Molly.

Meg and Maisie braved the surf in wet suits.

Andy was not brave.  He used all his courage to read four novels.

After we ran along the shore, Austin had enough warmth left to paddle.

Nick is the mound.

We made it until sunset when Molly called it quits.

YES!  Proof of our family, our beach and our love.

The big girls ran and walked the beaches everyday -- both are training for the upcoming track seasons. Nick came up with tons of games of chase, tag and wrestle.  Every night the three littles came inside trailing sand.  Their hoodies and pockets filled up with sand and slowly sprinkled across the floor.  Maddie flitted from group to group, mostly moving and hardly stopping.

New Years Eve we huddled around the fire pit and watched the neighbors set off crazy-big fireworks.  Austin handed out poppers, so we had our little bit of fun.  Actually, it was delightful because they started throwing the poppers at each other from the balcony.

Our final beach day was another warm one. As long as I kept moving, I was warm.

They played all day long, and even picked up a few neighbors.

Lots of food and water

Lots of jumping and reading and sleeping.

Maddie filled up Eddie's shirt.  They called him, "Chungus."

Time to go, and no one was moving very quickly.  Relaxation became the norm.  

It's so easy to travel with big kids, lots of seats and lots of devices.  

As soon as we were driving up our long road, Eddie begged to keep driving until we reached Grandma Kim's house. I wish.  Oh, how I wish.
 

December 29 -- My 40th Birthday

Today was one of those special days wherein every breath was one gratitude, happiness and peace.  Here are my birthday guests greeting me and the day.

Molly brought me a card that she composed herself then gathered shells to complete the perfect present.  Those boxes contained the Harry Potter Lego sets I've been dreaming about for over a decade.  

By 10am, the children were rushing into the waves with wet suits and kayaks.  Austin and I read books on the balcony instead.  Andy is a bit of a cold bug, so he generously entertained Molly.  He carried her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes -- she didn't complain.

Meg had this great idea to do  HIIT workout of my choosing.  We began indoors, but quickly headed to the balcony for fresh breeze and sunny seas.

It hardly looks like we're working.  I hope I can climb the dunes tomorrow.

After reading on the sunny sandy slopes and napping these two came inside to help me build Legos.  What fun.  Molly called me, "Birthday Mom," all day.

The boys and Maddie played Nintendo, and Austin and the girls puzzled.

After a lovely dinner and a tribute via song, (I'll include the link) cookie cake, CFM D&C, Super Smash and reading, it was time to call it a day.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dN6CxemxpVAGU3Uq5

https://photos.app.goo.gl/G1TgWLvg3Q5hwAxbA

Not a bit of stress even tempted my peace today.  I'm certainly middle-aged, and so happy to be growing old -- it justs means I've been given a beautiful blessing to live a life whereupon I can enhance my character and love more deeply than the prior days.  This next decade my goals include: diety, husband, children, family, friends, piano, foreign language, and lots of smiling and laughing. 

 

December 28

One trip to Mexico this year wasn't enough; we fell right back into beach life.

Felix made Molly her name bracelet.

Just after the was unloaded, they knew to run to the water.

Boys vs. Girls forts (The boys won, big time.  Theirs was complete with silos, sentries, and leaders.  The girls' had tress and gardens.)

Andy helped dig a guy out.  He started the rush to help.

We took some really awkward sunset photos.  You would never guess that he knows how to hold me.  I really made fun of him. 

"Beach hair.  Don't care."

Super Smash FHE game

She loves him.  I love him.  I love her.  I love them all.

Last night in my thirties selfie.  Thank goodness for automatic filters and color pops.  It's often humbling when I do see myself in natural lighting and close to a mirror, I'm often shocked and disappointed.  HAHAHHAHAH!