Busy

Busy, Busy, Busy-- that's what I've been. 
Monday started out with a trip to:

Yes, I'm finally getting my veins the help they've needed for so long.  I'll have an ultrasound in a few weeks to determine what kind of surgery is needed.  I have to admit I'm nervous.  I'm scared of the possible complications (blood clots/infections are what I fear the most).  However, I need to have them fixed because not doing anything, can lead to blood clots as well.

We're watching a dog for a friend of ours while they're at Disneyland.  Her name is Penny.  She's a very well behaved  dog.  We all adore her.  She seems to like it here, and is playful and bubbly!  She even gets along well with Noodle and Fuzzy Wuzzy.

Book Club was at my house tonight.  I started reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet this past Sunday and finished it this morning.  I loved it!  So I'd read every time I had to feed Abigail, and then I gave the kids baby duty while I painted walls (thank you Andy for all of your beautiful Artwork), washed clothes, dished, carpets, and floors.  Socializing with my sweet friends is so worth it! 

The refreshments.

Tomorrow I'm babysitting a dear friend of mine's children, and on Friday a group of friends and their kiddos are coming over for lunch and pie making!

Life is good.

Wahoo!!! My Sis is Engaged!

Tiffany and Tony

This has to be the best news I've had in ages!  I'm so thrilled!!!  I've been hoping and praying that this day would happen for my sister for so long!  Aren't they lovely together?  I think so.  I haven't actually met Tony, but most of my fam has, and I hear he's terrific!  He proposed to her on the beach tonight, and she told me that the ring is huge!  She sounded so happy, which of course makes me happy.  What a great way to end a great day!

A Reminder that God Cares

Last Sunday was a special day.  Morgan was sustained as Deacon's Quorum President in our new ward.  I'm so happy for him.  It was surreal seeing him in such a  mature light.  My son is growing up so fast, but despite the fact that this makes me feel a tinge of sadness, I also found happiness because I know he's making right choices.  I am so thrilled that he loves the gospel.  I felt even more last Sunday, that my son is growing into a fine young man.  I hope he will learn a lot from his new calling.  He is anxious to dive in, and seems to understand that it will be a lot of work.  He's looking forward to serving his peers in the Deacon's Quorum!

I had a special experience that day, that touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.  Just after Sacrament, Aaron had severe stomach pain from Crohn's.  He told me that Morgan was going to be sustained, but that he was in too much pain to stay.  I knew both parents are usually asked to attend, but I wasn't sure if they were planning on setting them apart during church.  I felt frantic because I really wanted to be there for Morgan, but I was dealing with the baby (who was quite fussy).  Since I'm in a new ward building and still don't know everyone very well, I felt a bit lost and very stressed.  I decided that I had to feed Abigail, so she would calm down.  I figured no one would be able to find me in the Mother's Lounge.  She feel asleep while I fed her, and so I proceeded to Relief Society.  I sat down by my friend, and she leaned over and said she would help me figure out what was going on. It only took us a few minutes to figure out everything, and I found myself arriving just at the right time.  As I listen to the blessings, it came to my realization how everything had worked out just so.  Abigail had finished eating at exactly the right time, my friend helped me at the right time, and now I was listening to my son's blessing.  I knew at that moment that Heavenly Father was aware of me, and that he knew I needed him.  I'm grateful for a friend who was prompted and listened to that prompting.  It all fell together perfectly.  Tears came to my eyes as I had this realization.  It's so wonderful, how you can be living life and out of nowhere a tender mercy appears and you know-- that God is real, that he is aware of you, and love's you.

Moments

*Moments of my day*
(NOT NECESSARILY IN ORDER)

*gave the boys haircuts* wondered how to give my oldest son, Morgan- "A Skater Do"* swept the floor* cleaned the carpet* washed the windows*  looked online for local hikes and horseback riding* facebook* Laundry* a ride* talked with my Dad* reminded kids to finish their chores and school work* taught kids how to improve their cleaning skills* read the news* chatted with my Mom* washed the kitchen floor* scrubbed the counters and kitchen table* showered* read the scriptures* date night to El Coranado* red box movie* grocery store for milk and bread* tucked kids in bed* blogged* more laundry* chatted with my husband* Laughed with my family* relaxed* planned more ways to fill up my schedule* played the piano* contemplated on goals and future* wished I was gardening, running, camping, hiking, HORSEBACK RIDING (instead of cleaning)*

Date night- YES!!! :)

A Day of Service

NEED I SAY MORE...

I watched 3 of my friends children today so they could go on a hike, our turn is next-- thank you Hardy's.  That's a total of 10 kids!  I really need to say that I couldn't have made it through the day, without the help of my 3 oldest children.

• babies smiling, eating, crying
• kids running full speed
• video playing, movie watching
• "Can we go outside, please?"  YES
• reading, writing, grading science tests
• cleaning, cooking, changing diapers
• calling sisters in the ward and writing letters

 Serving my dear family and friends brings meaning and joy to my life!

Easter Fun

This was taken right before the egg hunt began, they could hardly hold still for the pic. 

We held the hunt in our backyard, which as you can see, is quite barren.  While the kids gathered eggs, I just kept thinking how cool it was that my kids were hunting eggs in the desert just like their Grandmother did (my Mom), 54 years ago.

When I was a little girl, I remember her telling me a story of when she looked for eggs, one Easter morning.  Her parents had sent her outside to find eggs, and somehow she mistook a small, round cactus for an egg-- much to her dismay...

I sometimes can't believe that my kids are having similar experiences as my mother had growing up.  I never imagined, ever, living in Tucson- and yet, I love it here.  I love that we can see what my mom loved about AZ, and that we have family history here as well. 

Anyways, the kids had fun finding eggs, and eating lot's of candy.  Aaron wasn't feeling well, he has sinusitis and a terrible cold.  He slept through most of conference and into the evening.  I felt so bad for him, but he seems to be doing a bit better, still very tired.

I was thrilled to see my older kids glued to conference.  We all enjoyed the beautiful messages, and felt the spirit. The younger ones weren't quite as reverent, but they did ok for the most part.  They are just so busy, and it's so hard for them to sit still. 

I made egg salad sandwiches for lunch, and a turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, and red velvet cake for dinner.  The recipe for the cake was a new one for me, and I'm thrilled it turned out just the way I had hoped! So delicious!

What a wonderful way to celebrate Easter with conference!  Wasn't the music lovely?  It was the best!

Where Have I been?

I have been in the carribean, yes, that's why you haven't heard from me...

Ok, not true.  I wish I could say I haven't blogged lately because of some major reason.  Nope.  Just lack of desire.  If you don't know this about me, now ya do, I am an "on off" type of gal. 

For example, when I was in college I discovered that I LOVED philly cheese steak sandwiches, and before I knew it, I wanted those any chance I got.  Then one day, I didn't want philly cheese steak sandwiches anymore.  I don't know what caused this, I was just done.  I had no desire to ever eat one again!  It was years before I had another.

Now I'm not saying it will be years before I whip out another blog post, well maybe... JK.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not a true blue blogger, maybe I'm what you call a "fair weather" blogger.  There will be times when I feel like being a devoted blogger, and there will be times when I feel like laying low, and dealing with whatever I've got going on, without a thought of adding another blog entry. 

I guess I can feel a little overwhelmed at times.  I've been very busy with the kids school the past month or so, making sure they are all on target for the end of the year.  We've been submitting work samples, which can be pretty time consuming.  With all this school work, my housework is a bit behind (not to mention that I've been reading, which gets me behind in the housework as well.  I haven't learned how to pace myself-- hmm, there's that all or nothing thing coming into play again).  I've had some sick kids the past few weeks, which takes up even more time, taking them to the doc and caring for them.  I do have a way of fitting in way too much socializing, but it's oh so fun.  So there ya go, those are my reasons.  When I start to feel overwhelmed, which happens often around here, I just get down to survival mode.

When you don't see a blog entry from me, know that my house is a mess, I'm probably sleep deprived with my hair in disarray and frazzled to my wit's end!  :)