Falling back into habits

 

 

Evan and I have rededicated ourselves to regular temple attendance. A worthwhile habit that is harder to fall back into than it is to fall out of. (True for many habits.)

We have set many dates, or truthfully stated, many failed dates. Responsibilities of the world (work) or human frailties (illness/laziness) have gotten the best of us. This time, I put our date on the calendar. I even scheduled leftover night for dinner. I double checked with Evan last night to make sure we were still on. It was a GO.

When I got home from work, I called Evan to find out when he would be home… after a brief pause.. he told me it did not look very promising. As he went through HIS list of days that would work, I responded with reasons why they wouldn’t work. Again, we were doomed to fail.

Not long after we hung up, I decided to get up and go alone. I sent him a text message, letting him know what I was considering. With his blessing, I changed my clothes and went. After all, is it not better that I go to the temple alone rather than NOT go together. I soaked up the blessings of the temple and returned home before Evan did.

Maybe next time, we will be together. Either way, we still have eternity.

 

A better week -

Things have settled down at work and I have been able to catch up in preperation for my conference in Saint George next week.

Kylee is finishing finals on Friday and Taylor is busy with rehersals for the upcoming Choir Concert.

My brother-in-law and his wife bought a new house earlier this month and they are moving in over the weekend. Evan is buried with Stake Conference so we are not able to help them move. However, we are done with church early on Sunday, so we will travel south to help them only way we can... enjoying each other's company, relaxing on the Sabbath, and sharing a meal together. I am looking forward to preparing dinner for them and touring the new house.

Monday's giggle:

Read THIS

a most unusual saturday

I slept in

I ran non-primary related errands

I started and finished a couple of very small sewing projects

Bad week...

My week at work has made this look pleasant(and preferable):

OK Go (another entertaining video)

Spring is in the air

Finally, a day warm enough to get some yard work done.

Saturday was a busy day. Cleaning up the flower beds, mowing the lawn, discussing possible projects, cheering at a soccer game, grocery shopping.

While cleaning up the clematis out back, I uncovered this years nest full of eggs…

After lunch, I caught 30 minutes of  my niece’s soccer game before running off to the next obligation…

I am hoping for the opportunity to see games of other nieces and nephews too! I forget how much fun they can be.

Green Buick’s

This week, Evan finally decided on his new car: An Audi!

Strangely enough, he got tied up at work, so he sent me to the dealership instead. My assignment: pick out, test drive, negotiate, sign, bring home. (OK, I though it was a bad idea too!) He had every confidence in me.

I went to the dealership to do what I was instructed to do.

Imagine his disappointment when he came home from work to find a green Buick in the driveway.

 

I explained to him that the car he wanted was NOT in stock and that the salesman assured me that this Buick would be the best alternative. If not, a BETTER alternative.

He IMMEDIATELY returned the Buick to the dealership and DEMANDED his money back. It was not a pretty sight.

As it turns out…

This was a dream.

When he shared this dream with me, I could not help but share my twisted female interpretation...

When we got married, he thought he was getting an Audi. As it turns out, I am just a green Buick. How disappointing is that!?

This interpretation, however, got me thinking.

I need to work harder too keep the Audi in our relationship. I don’t want my husband to have to settle for a Buick.

Checking the list

Last night, Taylor ran out of the house at 10:30, stating that she would be “right back”. I thought she was running outside to say hello to someone who was driving by. Evan got up after hearing all the commotion and looked outside just in time to see a car drive off and no Taylor in the yard.

I was questioned over the matter and tried to explain that since Evan saw what was going on outside, he knew more than I did. A quick call to Taylor on the phone, we were quickly brought up to speed… the results have been posted at the school.

A few minutes later, Taylor called us back. She is on the list.

We have an A Cappella singing Madrigal in our midst.

She went back to the school this morning with some friends who still needed to check the list, then off to breakfast to celebrate.

I am so proud of her!! She had to step out of her comfort zone many times this week, and it all paid off.

Singing her heart out…

A Cappella tryouts were a success. Taylor received her invitation to try out for Madrigals. Those auditions were today. The result show is Saturday. Stay tuned.

Taylor

Happy Birthday to my baby…

Birthweek again

First of all, Taylor auditioned for A Cappella. She felt braver and stronger than she was for last years auditions. She also received a lot of positive feedback. The director noticed much improvement in her over the last year! She hopes to receive an invitation to audition for Madrigals by tomorrow. If she gets this invite… A Cappella is a sure thing, since it is a requirement for Mads.

Tonight we kicked off birthweek for Taylor. Family dinner out. Cake and ice cream with a crowd tomorrow.

Primary

Three and a half years ago, our Ward boundaries were realigned. We were shuffled from our Ward of 11 years. Before our first Sunday in our new Ward, I was called as Primary President.

I thought the Bishopric was crazy, but I (reluctantly) accepted. The difficult task ahead . . . selecting counselors from a pool of strangers. I spent many days driving through the neighborhood, flipping though the ward list, attending the temple and praying. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

Me and my newly called presidency dove right in. We desperately tried to learn and remember the names of over 140 children. We fell in love with the children immediately.

A few (of MANY)  highlights.

1. Three weeks before our first Primary Program, I lost my 1st Counselor, Pianist, and Music leader to other calling. (VERY bad timing!)
2. Again, before our second Primary Program, I lost my Music leader.
3. I LOVED running around in the middle of a water fight that we (the Presidency) started after one of our Quarterly Activities.
4. I amazed the children when I did a Sharing Time on the Atonement.
5. Every week, I reminded the children the importance of being reverent. They rarely disappointed me.

This year has had a great start. At the end of March, we had a Quarterly Activity with an Easter theme. The kids went on a “Special” Easter Egg Hunt and they collected eggs that were filled with a simple reminder of or Savior and His atonement and resurrection. We have other exciting activities and learning experiences planned.

BUT . . .

Today, I was released. I think the Bishopric is crazy. But I am thrilled for the children as I know the new Presidency will be awesome.

Blessings in various forms

Last night, Evan returned from his quick business trip to Vegas. It is always a blessing to have him home safely.

As always, the girls ran up to greet him. I hope they never out grow this. It is a blessing to have such beautiful daughters that will always have at least one thing in common - their love for their daddy.

We all caught up on the events of the last few days and talked about future agendas. Kylee shared her experience with her guidance counselor at school and her newly declared major: Human Development & Family Studies. Her bad news: she has one more Math class, Her good news: She will be starting core classes in the fall with only two more GE classes remaining. Taylor shared her concern for the ACT test that she will be taking in the morning. She had been reviewing and practicing all week. Her bad news: she has to wake up early on a Saturday morning. Her good news: she would like a fathers blessing.

In Evan’s own words . . . It is so nice to come home from Vegas and be able to practice my Priesthood. What a blessing he is to us.

Spring

I love the hope spring brings.
A new beginning.
A new life.
A renewal.
Reminders of the atonement of our Savior and that we are all given the gift to change.

I love the sights and sounds it brings.
The warmth of the sun given by longer days.
The songs of chirping birds and the birth of baby animals
The sights and smells of the blossoms emerging from the ground and the branches.
All reminders of His resurrection and that we are all give the gift of living again.

I love the Spring day in 1820 when a young boy followed the counsel as he read from the book of James.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.   (James 1:5)

I love all of the wonderful blessings in my life that have come to pass through that single event in history.

The EVIL side of eggs…

It’s not cholesterol…

Prologue

We enjoyed two wonderful days of conference. I also cooked up a storm. I braised pork and made black beans yesterday and we grilled flank steak today and consumed Tres Leches Cake for dessert.

Neale & Emily and the crew came up. Neale joined Evan at the Priesthood session, and Emily and I had a visit and dyed eggs with the kids.

We all had a good evening and were winding down the day. Taylor was still out with friends. Kylee and I were sitting on the couch, filling our minds with visions of the world (CSI) when we heard a strange thumping outside. I went to the front stoop to investigate and did not see anything unusual. I came back in and did not give it a second thought.

Flash forward to Sunday dinner. Following the after-dinner-discussion, Evan escorted his mother out to her car. As he walked up the driveway back to the house, he noticed this

 

He promptly grabbed Kylee and the two of them drove their respective cars to wash them. Too late for Kylee’s car – some of the paint was already damaged. While they were gone, I noticed this

 

So, after washing the cars, Evan got to do this

Happy Easter!

Easter Eggs

Eggs are a symbol of new birth, like a bird or another animal that is born out of an egg. The oval shape of the egg is also the same shape for a raindrop and a seed, which are important for giving life to growing plants and animals. When Jesus rose from the tomb, he was resurrected, which means he came back to life after death–he had a new life, just like the egg. The egg also represents the rebirth or new birth of humankind, all of us because Jesus died for us so we can be saved and return to live with God. [*]

Last year was silk ties, this year . . . glitter.

You can learn how to make these HERE.

When son’s worry…

… there is wide spread panic.

I know this because I received a phone call from my husband today. He had not been able to reach his mother on the phone and neither has his brother. He requested that I go over and check on her.

On my way, I practiced the drill… check pulse, call 9-1-1, call Evan.

I felt calm. I knew all would be well.

I was right.

As I walked in the door, she looked up at me from the couch where she was reading a book. I explained to her that she had some worried son’s and that we should check her phones. It turned out, the ringer on one phone had been turned off, and the cordless had been unplugged and thrown away because the battery no longer held a charge.

I am so grateful that she live so close and that she is in our home each week.
I am grateful for all of her children and that they love and care for one another.
I am grateful for her first born son, and that she gave him up for me.
I am grateful for my own mother.