Thursday and Halloween

Yesterday Brian went bike riding and Hattie decided to get up at 6:15. Ugh. So it was an early start for me even though it wasn't a hike day. I did go to aerobics later after Eliza and Libby got off to school. After aerobics, Terri invited me to their ward's park day, so we went to that. It was funny--the moms sat around the picnic table and all the kids just hovered around us. We were like--we are at the park, now play!! We came home from there and ate lunch, then the afternoon was busy. It was singing and soccer. Eliza got a ride to singing and I took Libby to soccer and stayed with her until it was over. Then I had visiting teaching and had to do a little grocery shopping.

Today we hiked again--Rachel was back on board after being under the weather on Monday and Wed. We didn't run at the end, so I was happy about that! This afternoon Kari watched my two little ones so I could go help out at Eliza's fall party. I was in charge of the "Pumpkin Life Cycle" station. It was pretty mindless, but fun to see all the kids and to see Eliza in her classroom setting. One of the stations was decorating pumpkins and Eliza was so creative--she made a little bow out of some foam shapes. She put two hearts on their sides and put a circle in center to make the bow. It was so cute.

Now for Halloween Night...for some reason it felt like this night was about 10 hours long.








I put off putting the girls in their costumes as long as I could. They wanted to start right when they got home from school. I finally gave in at about 4:30. So everyone got in their costumes and I took some pictures. I just think they looked beautiful! Eliza was a witch, Libby was a fairy princess, Ellie was a fairy (she didn't want to wear the wings because they were too scratchy) and Hattie was a witch. Hattie woke up from her nap grumpy, so she fit the part of her costume for a little while until we started feeding her tootsie rolls! My parents stopped by so they could see the girls in their costumes and they had candy for them all. We trick-or-treated in our cul-de-sac. We planned to go to the neighboring ward's trunk-or-treat since we missed ours last week. So after we trick or treated on our street, I figured it was about 6:15 or so and time to head over. It was only 5:45. Crud! What to do for 45 more minutes!?!? So we drove in our neighborhood and went to a few houses of people we know. Then we headed over to the church (it was still early--like 6:15). I felt so silly for being there just because it's not our ward. But we had a great time and felt like it was our ward in a sense since we knew so many people from being in our ward before the split.

The cultural hall was decorated so cute...The two ladies in charge are so creative and just have a total knack for decorating and they did it up! Hattie LOVED the balloons--she really, really wanted one so she didn't like that she couldn't just take one off the tables. We started with dinner--BBQ chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, corn and pie. There were games for the kids to play, then it was out to trick or treat. Eliza and Libby went off together and I took Ellie around. She loved walking around saying "trick or treat" and getting candy in her bucket. Terri (thank you!!!) took Hattie around with her and apparently Hattie just had a blast. Terri said that Hattie had great manners, saying, "Trick or treat" and "thank you." She did sound so cute saying trick or treat. Plus Hattie had about a dozen tootsie rolls. She couldn't get enough! And Brian handed out candy at the car. After getting more candy than you would believe, it was time to head home. Everyone was wired! When we got home, they had to dump out all their candy and go through it, trade, sort it, etc. That took forever! It felt like it was 11:30 when we got home, but it was only 8:30!!! So by the time the candy was gone through, it was about 9:30. Libby's 8 AM game is going to come early tomorrow!

Tender Heart

Eliza has such a tender heart. Yesterday I was watching the video of Stephanie Nielsen's little girls singing at the benefit concert. It was such a sweet performance and so touching! Eliza came over as I was watching and watched with me and asked who it was, so I told her briefly the story, who they were, what happened, why they were singing and so on. She watched and her eyes looked sad, then she said, "What can we do to help?" I said that we could pray for them and maybe she could make the girls a card and I could mail it to them. She watched the video a couple more times this morning, then she set out to make a card for the two girls. I busied myself getting their lunches made, breakfast made and cleaned up, and just regular morning activities. I went in to her room to hurry her along for school, and what I found brought me to happy tears. She was in her room, emptying out her piggy bank. She put everything that was in her piggy bank in a ziploc bag and stapled it to the card. It wasn't much money at all, but it was all she had. She can be so sweet and empathetic. So I jotted a little note to their aunt where they are staying and told her why the money was included and mailed it off. I hope it brightens their day--it sure did mine.

Cookies, Part 2

I'm not sure how long the cookies will last--even in the freezer!




This morning's hike was hard for some reason! The run at the end about did me in. Hopefully I can get better at it. Today was bread making day. I love that Ellie loves to help and that she knows how to pulse the mixer, then turn it to the right speed.

That is what we had for lunch. Ellie and Hattie had bread and M&Ms. A very balanced lunch, for sure! My afternoon went by so slowly for some reason! Ellie didn't nap and Hattie's was pretty short. Terri had Eliza and Lib over after school, so that was nice that I just had my other two. Especially since Brian had mutual tonight...gave me a little break before that!

Cookies

6:15 came early on Monday for hiking. Terri made us run the last part, so that was killer, but we got done faster. After hiking and having some tired legs, we got the girls ready and off to school. Kari brought Kylie over to play for a bit, so Ellie enjoyed that.

After school, we did a couple of errands, then came home for dinner. For home evening we went over the whole budgeting with the girls. I talked to them about how paychecks work and all the different things we have to pay for that come out of that check. I had made a sign (even before Heidi posted hers!) that said, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." So that is our new motto. They girls seemed pretty supportive of it. We talked about things they can do to help out...not asking for things at the store, not wasting things (food, toilet paper, paper, etc), and being in carpools. If my girls had their way, I would take them and pick them up everyday, but we are lucky to have great people to carpool with. I think they are thinking more about it now. I was able to share my testimony with them about this principle and share some great blessings we have already received in the short time we have decided to make these changes.

Today after the carpool pick up, Ellie, Hattie and I went to aerobics. They both were quite needy during, so I didn't get as good of a workout as I would have liked, but it was still good. We came home and I hurried and got ready before my visiting teachers came over. Karolyn brought me the yummiest white chocolate caramel apple. I would have eaten it all in one sitting if she hadn't told me that their whole family had shared one because it was so sweet! I would have felt guilty! So I spread it out over two sittings. Ha! After lunch, I braved making cookies with E&H. Ellie had fun helping and they both enjoyed eating some dough! I kept a few out to give the girls when they got home from school and some for Brian, but I froze the rest and my plan is to put them in their school lunches.

This afternoon, I took my girls to Karolyn's where she kindly watched them while I went to Activity Day. The lady in the calling with me was in charge and she had the girls paint pumpkins--one for themselves and one to give away.

It was fun and the girls loved the hands-on activity. Brian had dinner ready when we got home (he is going to try to make dinner once a week--love it!)...we had spaghetti and green beans. He is so good to always remember a vegetable. I always forget!

Happy Tuesday!

HSM 3, Family Reunion, Etc.

Friday went much better in the morning. Kari, Rachel and I did our hike. We went the reverse route, so it mixed it up a little bit but it seemed a little tougher. Eliza and Libby got off to school and I had planned to go visiting teaching but Ellie woke up sick. She threw up a few times in the morning and was really tired. Luckily it only lasted during the morning, then she seemed better. ...tired but not throwing up. So we stayed home and she took a great afternoon nap. She has been a bit tired all weekend, but she seems to be feeling better. My parents had planned to pick up Eliza and Libby while I was visiting teaching, so they still picked them up as they were looking forward to it. They just did some errands together, then came home.

That evening, I took the Frosts family pictures, then picked up Brian, Eliza and Libby and went to see High School Musical 3. We went to the 7:30 showing and we probably should have gone to the earlier one. No one fell asleep, but they were tired! It was a cute movie. We really like the music. I need to see it again though...we usually like them more and more the more we see them. It was a fun family date--the girls were cute and had a fun time.

Saturday was a BUSY day. It started with a baby shower in the morning for my good friend Jillian. It was so good to see her again. We became friends when we lived out in Surprise and we've kept in touch off and on, so it was good to reconnect. After the shower I zoomed home and then we were off to Libby's soccer game. It was a fight (all morning) to get her into her uniform, but she did it. Brian told her it was either wear that or wear her underwear to her game. She made a good choice! Once at the game, Libby just watched again.

It's such a struggle to know what to do! We don't want to waste our money on her just sitting out, but then we don't want her to think she can just quit. (I already feel guilty letting Eliza stop piano--I don't want to be a family of quitters.) So we just decided to keep her in and let her do what she'll do. It'll be a good experience if nothing us. Or at least a lesson in patience for us. After being spectators at her game, we met up with my mom's extended family--my aunts and uncles and cousins--for a little family reunion/get together. We first met up for some good old fashioned bowling. It was a little hectic at first getting 40 people organized into lanes and in shoes and playing, but once we did, everyone had a great time. Libby didn't want to bowl at first (surprised!?!) but she finally gave in and had a great time. Eliza and Ellie both loved it, too. Hattie preferred the drinks and popcorn.





After bowling, we all headed to Squaw Peak for a BBQ. Everyone brought their own meat to cook, then we brought either chips or a dessert. We had such a great time. It was such a pretty locale, the weather was great (especially after the sun went down), and everyone had fun socializing and being together (especially the kids!). After dinner, I was in charge of a game, so we played the candy bar game that we played at girls camp. Each person got a bag with two pieces of candy in it. Some were just small pieces and some had big boxes of candy. During the game you roll a little "dice" (a block of wood with directions on each side) and you do whatever it lands on--like put a piece in the bowl in the middle or take the whole bowl or trade sacks with someone, etc. It was fun--a little harder for the little kids to play but I think everyone ended up with some candy. Then Kathy led us in a game of doing the human knot--that was fun to watch. I had Hattie, so I couldn't play. Plus I had to keep Hattie from enjoying too many sodas that were left sitting out. She couldn't resist! We came home around 7--everyone was so tired and covered in dirt! But we had a great time seeing cousins and family.








Today was a nice Sunday. Everyone did great getting ready, then we were off to church. Hattie did pretty well--we only had to go out near the end. Sarah (our babysitter) was there for a missionary farewell, and Hattie saw her. She went back and sat with her a couple of times, then when she came back, she kept saying, "Saa-wah..Saa-wah..." fairly loudly, so I had to take her out. Sunday school and relief society went well. I love having everyone in nursery or primary, so I can sit and enjoy my classes.

After church we came home and got ready for family dinner. This week we had Brian's family over for dinner. Brian grilled up some hamburgers and hot dogs, then everyone else brought sides and dessert. The kids love playing and the adults like chatting. Chrystalyn and I slipped out to go to a broadcast at the church. It was about marriage and prop 102. Man--I sure hope it passes. It is scary to think if it doesn't, what our kids will be taught in school. And it will be taught as "normal" and "okay." So vote yes on 102!!

Last Mutual

Wednesday morning started early--hiking at 6. It was windy--and it only got worse later in the day! I hurried home and got ready, then I was off to Eliza and Libby's parent teacher conferences. Eliza's teacher said she is doing great in class--has wonderful handwriting, is a great writer, reader and an amazing artist. She showed me one picture she drew of a tap dancer they read about--it was so good! She had the tuxedo perfect and even had one leg up with the little movement lines to show he was tapping. Her teacher said she wished she had 27 Eliza's. She also mentioned that Eliza is so sweet in class and so tenderhearted, so that is always good to hear. She mentioned that there is one boy in the class that most kids don't really like playing with because he is difficult and just need extra attention. He is the one who is always in trouble. But she said taht Eliza will play with him and call on him, so she (and I) thought that was really nice. Libby also got a good report. She is doing great in class. Her teacher said she participates all the time in class--she just talks very quietly! She also said that when she gets silly, she gets really silly! She said Libby has a really high pitched laugh and she can always tell who it is! She said she is a great reader and is doing very well in class. We were happy to hear they are doing well-we just wish they would save some of that great behavior for us! LOL.

During the day, I tackled Eliza and Libby's closet and dressers. It's always a huge job, but it's done (until next season at least!).

On Wednesday night, Jason and Kari watched our girls so we could both go to mutual. The new YW president wanted me to come since I had put some work into planning it (Young Women in Excellence). When I got there, the new personal progress specialist asked if I would share my testimony about getting my medallion again. So I had to put something together in a few minutes. I started off by saying that after I got released Brian said, "Maybe you shouldn't have gotten your medallion so fast or you wouldn't have been released!" Ha! If only! Before our bishop got up to make some comments, one of my laurels got up and totally surprised me...the YW had each done a little page--with their picture and a note to me--and she had put them together in a notebook. It was so, so nice and meant so much to me. I loved reading through all the letters and I was so touched by their words. It was a nice thing to get at my last mutual night. when we were done, we went and got our girls. Jason and Kari were kind enough to feed our girls, then they made us dinner when we got there, too. Thanks, Headricks.

We got to bed a bit later than normal (the girls, too), so it made for a weird morning. Things went okay until Eliza got up--not until about 20 minutes before her carpool ride came. So I was rushing to get her ready. Then she had a major meltdown about what to wear. I couldn't believe she couldn't find anything to wear--she had a ton of shirts in there. Next time I went in (after her third outfit change), she said madly, "Why do you give us so many choices!?!" Ugh! I can't win. She wasn't dressed and her ride was coming in a couple minutes. I got upset with her trying to hurry her along and she lost it! Then she complained that no one is nice to her--she said everyone at school is mean to her even though she is always nice to them, etc...It was a major meltdown. I ended up keeping her home from school. They only went for 2 hours because of parent teacher conferences, so I figured it wouldn't hurt too much. She was quite emotional and I couldn't stand thinking of sending her to school like that. So she went to aerobics with me and then we only had time to come home and I got ready before we went to pick up Libby. We came back home and they played for a bit before we went to Brian's parents' for "grandmother day." She wasn't there though, but we still all went and the kids played for a while. We spent a lot of time outside--Hattie is really into swinging right now--she likes to be on the regular swing and just hold on. After a couple hours, we left and I played taxi--I took Eliza to singing, then picked up our movie tickets we had bought a while back for tomorrow night, then we went to Libby's soccer practice. We got there early, so the girls played on the playground before it started. Libby did great at practice. I was glad she did it--she threatened earlier she didn't even want to practice. Brian picked up Eliza on his way home, then he met us at practice. We all enjoyed watching Libby practice. I stopped with Eliza, Libby and El at Wal-Mart on our way home. Woosh! What a day.

For Sale

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Talents

Monday morning's hike was good. The weather is great. Alicia (and her dog) joined up with us, so that was fun to have another person. Before long, we'll have a train going up the mountain! I tried running on some of the up parts at the end, so that'll be a challenge to keep doing that. I came home and waited for everyone to wake up and helped get everyone ready for school. After the school girls were off, I started cleaning out Ellie's and Hattie's closet. I took out what didn't fit and boxed it up and I got out their clothes for winter. Next chore will be doing that in Eliza and Libby's room. Kari brought her girls over to play for a little bit, so Ellie and Hattie had fun playing. The rest of the day was spent at gymnastics (the last day of class) along with getting ready for my first activity day and sewing and sewing. I had some baby gifts to do, so I hurried and got all those finished.

Eliza did our lesson for family home evening last night. She did a "talent" game. She had written everyone's name on a paper and on the reverse side had written and drawn a picture of their talent. One person had "no talent" on her paper, but that just meant that she got to try to guess everyone's talents. My parents had come over so my mom could help me make peanut butter balls for the baby shower tonight, so Eliza hurried and made them papers. Here is what she thought our talents were:
Brian--making things fun
me--singing (I totally laughed as I am not a singer. Glad she thinks so!)
Ellie--coloring
Hattie--making funny faces
Libby--she had the "no talent" but Eliza said she is good at making things fun, too.
Grandma--knitting
Grandpa--having fun (she drew a picture of him doing steamroller).
At the end she taught us a lesson that we shouldn't "lose" our talents and that we need to keep working and practicing them. And sometimes we need to take a break (think piano) and try again. It was a cute lesson.

Today Brian left early for biking, but the morning went on as usual--getting ready for school, breakfast, etc. Then we headed to aerobics. Today was interval training...lots of short, intense exercises most of the time. We came home, Hattie took a nap and I did some last minute prep for activity day along with getting myself ready.

So today was our first activity day. I was just a little nervous that the girls would think it was boring or lame. We had 10 girls show up. Let's just say that 10 & 11 year olds are a lot different than my laurels! HA! They were just giddy and silly and chatty, etc. I had a couple "ringleaders" that I'll just have to get on my side and give assignments to keep them from being too crazy, but most all are so sweet and fun. Here is what we did...when the got here, I had them each fill out a little getting to know you form. Then I gave each girl a Ziploc bag of M&Ms and each girl only had one color. I talked about what if we were all the same, had the same talents, etc. Then I talked about how we all have different talents, etc. etc, and how that makes things work better. Then they each put their M&Ms in a bowl in the middle and we played the "Been There Done That" game. I read a statement and if it applied to them, they took an M&M. It's a fun way to learn more about the girls. Then at the end, they enjoyed the mini dipped apples I made. Rachel saw that idea in a magazine about the same time I saw it online, so we both tried it. I think they must do some trick photography to get theirs to look nice and round. When you use a melon baller, the bottom is really round, but the top with the skin on it is flatter. They still turned out pretty cute and the girls downed them!


(sorry--the screen on my little camera doesn't work, so I can't tell what I am getting in the shot. You get the idea though.)

Tonight I went to a friend's baby shower, so it's always fun to sit and visit after a busy couple of days!

Soccer Star?

On Friday morning, Rachel, Kari and I went hiking. There is a stretch in there that really has me huffing and puffing! It's steep and switch-back-y. But once it's over, I am glad we got up and hiked. After hiking I stayed sweaty and went to aerobics. It was a leg workout, so by the end, my legs had some good exercise. Hopefully we'll see some results there soon. Finally I came home and got ready while Hattie napped.

After school, E and H napped while Eliza and Libby colored. Then Brian's mom came and got Eliza for a sleepover. She said they had Paradise Bakery for dinner, then went to Brian's granddad's house. She got to pick out a couple of his shiny rocks.

Brian had a camp out, so he left for that at about 4:30, so the other girls and I had dinner--chicken fingers and macaroni, then they helped me deliver some invitations for our first activity day. Then we came home and I put the youngest two down. Libby and I stayed up and played Trouble and Memory and had some ice cream before going to bed.

We were up early as Libby had an 8 am soccer game. So I had to get everyone up and ready and get the two littlest to my parents' by 7:40 so I could go with Libby to her game. Right before we left, I started getting a migraine. I was like--you've got to be kidding me! Terrible timing for sure. So on the drive over to drop Ellie and Hattie off, I had the light thing/blurriness with my eye (don't worry I could see to drive), but by the time I got there that had ended and I just had a headache. I did feel some nausea during her game, but I was able to keep it together. Libby's game was interesting as she wouldn't play. I wish I had some pictures to show, but she sat on my lap most of the time. Later she said she didn't like all the people there watching. That girl! My parents came and Brian's dad had brougt Eliza. She was so excited to see Libby play but to no avail. What am I going to do with her?!?! No amount of convincing could get her to play. Frustrating! After her game we came home and Brian got home soon after. Libby had another game at 2, so he took her back to that. This time she sat on her ball a little closer to the field, so maybe we are making progress. I can't figure her out! I think once she got out there she would forget people on the sides and just have a great time.

On Saturday night, we had to go pick up Brian's car from Tyson's house (another leader ended up driving it home so Brian could make it home a little earlier). So Eliza and Libby rode their bikes while Brian and I took turns walking/running with the other two in a stroller to his house, then we just drove home in his car. It was a little warm but a fun walk.

Today was a crazy day, too. We were able to go to church together since I didn't have a meeting. Sacrament was really good. I loved our high council speaker, then our stake president got up and basically warned us that we need to reevaluate things and that many people's circumstances will change in the next year and that we need to watch our selves, our thoughts, our actions, our deeds, etc. It was interesting timing as on Thursday, Brian and I had decided to "tighten the reins" and create a budget to allow us to save more for a "rainy day" as they say. So this whole budgeting thing is very eye-opening and so is seeing where your money is really going. It's a bit depressing, but I look forward to seeing some changes and progress. It was weird to be back in Relief Society. I do like it in there and each week I'm sure I'll think about being back in young women's less and less.

After church, Brian had to stay after for a committee meeting--they are doing a provident living/financial class during Sunday school time, so he is helping out with that, then he had a scouting meeting and to top it off, he had a fireside. I was not too thrilled about all that in one day, but hopefully they all won't fall on the same day again! We had family dinner over here, so at least the kids were occupied a bit, but it was a little crazy trying to juggle everything. I am ready for bed!

List

My list to catch up on life (boring--it's just for my personal documentation!)
Tuesday--
-back to school
-aerobics
-at night Becky and I hosted a Modbe party and get together for friends. It was fun to visit.

Wed--
-gymnastics with Ellie
-home stuff until pick up time
-Eliza's piano lesson (probably the last one for a bit--we are taking a break for a while)
-no mutual-it felt so weird to not go
-delivered some "boo" goodies. Eliza and Libby dressed up in all black and loved sneaking up to doors and running

Today--
-went to Monique's to talk activity day stuff and to get some ideas
-home--Abbie came over to babysit while Brian and I went to the temple. It took a village though to coordinate rides home, to soccer, to singing, to home, etc. We had a nice time, then zoomed over to Libby's soccer practice. It was fun to watch her. She has such a great time--even when she is doing cartwheels on the field! Such a girl.
--home, ate dinner, put kids to bed, did some editing for Cathy's class, etc.
--better get to bed for hiking in the morning.

Sad Sunday

Yesterday was a sad day for me. I was released as Young Women's President in our ward. I was so sad and not expecting it at all! Really it's been a hard five days--Bishop grabbed me after mutual on Wednesday night and said he needed to talk with me for a minute. I was thinking he was going to talk to me about his daughter. During mutual that night, his daughter had slipped out to go talk to him and when she came back I could tell she had been crying. So I thought it would be about her. So I went in his office and he said, "This is really hard for me." He actually said that a couple times at least. I said, "Is it about your daughter?" He said no, so then I was thinking he was going to tell me some bad news about the family of one of my girls. Then he went on to say that he was extending a release to me from my calling. Eyes burning, mouth trying not to gape open. I was NOT ready to hear that. He just said that he felt like I needed to be released for a little while, but his logical mind didn't want to do it and he wanted me to still be in there. But it couldn't ignore it anymore he said. He said, "You've been in for 3 1/2 years..." I quickly said, "It's only been 2 1/2," trying to lobby for my calling back! But it didn't work. I held it together pretty well in there, but when I came home I couldn't hold the tears in anymore. I was so sad. I loved my calling and I loved the girls. So it was an emotional few days leading up until Sunday knowing I was being released. At least I can say that I feel like I did my best and that is all that matters.

Sunday was hard. I had to go to welfare meeting still in the morning, and I got teary in that meeting--then sacrament meeting was hard when they announced it, etc. I bore my testimony--I really wanted to, but I probably shouldn't have as I was too emotional. When I got back to my seat, Libby was sniffling a little bit (whenever she seems me crying or sad or whatever, she gets teary, too). But then she said to me, "Mom--next time you bear your testimony, don't cry talk." I guess she didn't like that! Ha! I can't guarantee that though. I wish I could keep it together better. Rachel--I guess we have the same spiritual gift! LOL.

Young women's was hard, too. I went one last time and just seeing the girls tugged at my heart. And saying the young women's theme did, too. I think it'll take a while to realize I am not in that calling. During the day today I had little thoughts like, "oh--I should do this to get ready for mutual or for young women in excellence..." or whatnot. So it'll be tough to get out of the mode, but I'm sure it'll happen soon enough.

That same night he released me, he gave me another calling. Two to be exact. I teach relief society one lesson a month and I am also the 10 & 11 year old activity day leader. I am excited to start on those callings.

Today I went hiking again, but at a more pleasurable 6:30 AM instead of the earlier time. It was chilly! Once we got going it was better, but I was still cold. Today my girls didn't have school, so we stayed home and they played outside a bit. My mom came over and we did 28 more quarts of peaches. We are done for this season. I hope they last me at least through December! HA! They are so good.

After finishing, we were off to gymnastics, then home for family home evening. Before that, the oldest three girls played school. Eliza was the teacher and Lib and Ellie had backpacks with a folder and a "lunch". Eliza made them walk in lines and had class, etc. It was cute and they had fun.

Tomorrow will be back to the school routine...have a good week. I'll leave you with just a few highlights of my time in YW. (I shouldn't have looked through my pictures--it made me sad all over again!).

Crack of Dawn

On Friday, I was up WAY earlier than I normally am. I met Leslie and Terri at 5:15 to hike. It was so weird for me to be driving in the dark to someplace in the morning. But the hike was great. It was nice to have a workout done early in the morning. I got home, then did the normal morning routine--make lunches, breakfasts, get the girls ready for school, etc. I ended up driving to school again, so after I dropped off, I went to my mom's and we were off to Mesa. We went to Emily's to buy some more albums from her. My mom bought several so she can be prepared for any baby or wedding showers she is invited too. After Emily's we stopped at my aunt Deb's house since we were already out in that neck of the woods. We grabbed lunch and headed home. My mom and I had Nielsen's. Love it! We splurged on a fresh peach cobbler with vanilla custard. I am glad we got one to share-it was a lot of food but so, so good.

I got the girls from school, Eliza had a friend come play and stay for dinner and Libby went over to Carson's for his birthday.

Today was so cold! I am a wimp, but it was chilly! We spent most of the day outside, so that was fun. Tonight Brian and I did our date night. We started by me taking my sister-in-law's family pictures. Then we grabbed a bite to eat, then made a couple of stops. We stopped by Sam's Club. My aunt had a project table she just got there, but I guess they don't carry it at the one by us. :( We ended the night by taking a pie over to the Headrick's and just hanging out. Kari's birthday is on Sunday, so we did a little early celebration. It was fun to catch up since they've been in and out of town. (Glad you're back for a while!)

Breakfast

Yesterday I knew Eliza was up to something, but when I got up there was a note stuck in my door…

So I went to the table and found this…



She had felt bad for how she acted after school on Monday, so she wanted to apologize and do something nice for me. It was really sweet. She had made everyone oatmeal and had it all out and the table all set. She made the oatmeal herself and I had to really chew mine down. It needed more milk, but Brian had told her not to use too much and she took it literally. She did put a scoop of peanut butter in it—which is a routine of mine, so that was cute. She can be so thoughtful.

Yesterday morning Ellie and I went to gymnastics. This was her outfit of choice--including the nice headband. It was so funny that she wanted that on like that (I tried to put it on like a regular headband, but she changed it) and she wore it the whole time.

Yesterday afternoon we went to watch one of my young women--Alex--run in her cross country meet. It was at Thunderbird Park and once the sun went behind the mountain, it wasn't too bad! My girls got dirty in the dirt and Hattie tried to go up and pet every dog she saw--which was surprising since Libby is deathly afraid of dogs and Ellie is quite fearful, too.


Last night was mutual. We had a recipe exchange--most of the girls brought a dish and the recipe to share. Then we made recipe journals to put the recipes and then jot down notes as they make them--like if they liked it, or to cook it longer or shorter, etc. It was a fun, laid back night with the laurels and I got caught up on what they all are up to.

Today Eliza and Libby got picked up for school, then I noticed Eliza left her lunch on the arm of the couch. So we packed up and dropped it by the office. Then we came home and I watched my friend's little boy while she helped host a lunch for all the bishops' wives in the stake. After school Eliza had singing and Libby had her first soccer practice. We kind of slyly put her in soccer and slowly dropped hints that she would be playing soccer. We had to do that or she would have been her stubborn self and not do it. Her pink cleats, socks and shin guards sure helped, too. Brian said she did great at practice and had a lot of fun. Whoo hoo!

Contention Monster

Today was back to the routine of the week. Brian ended up going in early and I drove to school. It's been a crazy, tad-stressful few weeks for him at work since the market has been so terrible! People--rightly so--are very concerned about their money, so they look to him for answers. Needless to say, he went in early to take phone calls and to make calls, too, for a proactive approach.

From my school drop off, I went straight to aerobics, then back home. Rachel invited Ellie and Hattie over for a play date, so they played there while I ran to Target for our home evening treat and back home to make brownies. I picked up my girls and put them down for naps, and before I knew it, Eliza and Libby were home and we were off to gymnastics. During gymnastics I ran to JoAnn's for some velcro to finish a project. Then it was pick up, home, dinner and FHE. Our lesson tonight was from the Before They Turn Twelve book about family and the focus was contention. It was a cute lesson and I told a story and they had to go around the house looking for "contention monsters" or "angels." I had to laugh--are my girls the only ones who were arguing over finding the contention monsters and not getting along during my lesson about avoiding contention? I had to laugh. They we played a fun game where I rolled up newspapers and taped them and we had to keep the ball (a.k.a. contention monster) out of our area. They had a lot of fun with that. For dessert, I wanted to show that each person is important in our family and each person brings different talents, etc. So I put a different part of an ice cream sundae in a bag labeled with each of our names on it. So I had Libby open hers first (without them knowing that there were other bags). Inside were sprinkles, so I pretended that was our treat. I put a few in each person's hand and played it up. They thought I was crazy. Then I had each person go inside and get his or her bag and contribute to the treat. It was a much better treat when everyone brought something to the table--so to speak. It was fun and hopefully the contention monster won't be around as much at our house!

Today

This morning I got to sleep in a little bit (8), then I got up and didn't stop until now! We had breakfast--more cinnamon rolls and Eliza, Libby and Ellie had hot cocoa--or "hot water" as Ellie called it. Then we watched conference--my favorite talks from today that stood out were Sister Dalton's about living a virtuous life and standing up for what's right even though you might be standing alone. I also loved the one by President Oswold about being a good teacher and I loved Elder Cooks about trials again. When does the Ensign come out again so I can re-read them?!?

Tonight my parents and Brian and Kamille and family came over for dinner. We had Cafe Rio pork and all the fixings--so delicious!! I can't get enough of the dressing. After dinner we all headed out back for the kids to play. Could the weather get any more beautiful!? It was so pleasant. The kids played on the swingset, ran around chasing each other, played catch and my dad became the "steamroller," which the kids all just LOVE.


Hattie doesn't normally run around like this. I had taken her outfit off just a little bit earlier for spilling some soda down the front. Then she went and found another can and did it again!


Before bed we got out possible Halloween costumes and the girls tried on and put together what they want to be. Our neighbor brought over some costumes yesterday that she was getting rid of and my girls were so excited and are so excited for Halloween to come!