Warning: Sparse Blogging Ahead

Just wanted to let you know blogging may be a little spotty the next few days. I'll be busy:

-cleaning up from last night's season premier party of The Office (watch for a fun post to come)
-trying to find a new car for Pat
-attending the practice and performance of Addie's first primary program (her line is memorized, songs are practiced- pray she doesn't freeze!)
-spending time with my best friend from high school! She visited last year around this same time, and I can't wait for the next few days with her!
-attending the General Relief Society Broadcast and taking a salad to the pre-broadcast dinner
-trying to get Sam into the dentist to fix the tooth he chipped yesterday :(
-enjoying the gorgeous weather and maybe even fitting in a little yard work or tree planting

Have a great weekend!

Apple doesn't fall far...

-While shopping at Target, I spotted a really cute jacket in the kids section that I was trying to justify. I tried it on and was modeling for Addie, asking for her opinion. When I asked if I should buy it, she replied, "No, mom. It's not on sale." That's my girl.

-While making this soup for dinner tonight, Addie was happily coloring when suddenly she looked up and said, "Mom! What is that delicious smell? Is that bacon?" That's my girl.
In the immortal words of ABBA that she enjoys so much, "How can I resist [her]"?

Goodbye, Summer...

I would be remiss if I didn't thank you for the good times we had. It really was quite lovely. I loved the stages my kids were in- Sam trying so hard to make it on the trike and running barefoot halfway around the cul-de-sac before I know he's gone and singing to himself as h e plays and continuing to charm my socks off. Addie taking off on her bike and making shapes out of clouds and loving us all fiercely and choosing which clothes to wear over and over all summer long and marveling at the miracles contained in seeds. So many picturesque lazy days spent with hoses and bubbles and fireworks and parks and parades and picnics. It was the first summer I wasn't pregnant or nursing in 4 years, and that fact alone made it fabulous. It was so manageable to cart my little brood of two around to paint our little town. There were parties and friends and laughter. There was exercise and grilling and homemade ice cream. I bid you a fond farewell. I'll eagerly anticipate your arrival next year, but because I can't live my life in the future, I suppose I'll enjoy the lingering produce and farmer's tan and embrace fall.

-C

{image via}

Finding Goodness Sooner Than I'd Hoped

This is not Pat's car. But this is similar to what Pat's car looks like currently. Actually, I haven't seen it yet, but from his description, I'm guessing this is what it looks like. On his way back from a late lunch he was involved in a hit and run car accident. A car made an illegal left and hit him, did two loops, straightened himself out, and then sped away. This isn't how I'd choose to start my weekend, but Pat is ok, and for that I am so grateful. His car is likely totaled, which means no more putting off the budget overhaul I'd been meaning to get to. Just trying to find the positives. ;)

Hope your weekend starts off with a bang, but minus the crash.

Goodness

Lately I've been overwhelmed by a principle I've learned before, but it seems so clear all over again. Every person has trials. I know it seems so obvious, but sometimes I forget when the grass is looking so much greener or when my own burdens seem so heavy or when someone else's burdens seem unbearable that everyone has their own tests, their own trials of faith, their own refiner's fire that a loving Father in Heaven will lead them through. From the trials experienced currently by the Nielson's to friends dealing with natural disasters, dissolving marriages, money woes (be it a lack of money or an abundance which has led to pride), self-worth, family drama, health problems, it's all out there. But I've been amazed at the goodness that others have shown to all of those who suffer. $117,000 on NieNie Day? Amazing! Not to mention the provisions sent to those suffering through Ike and the kind words and strong shoulders offered to those whose trials may be less physical.

As I've been thinking about the Nielson's (multiple times a day) and the grace and strength shown by their family through this trial, I've been so touched. This post by Courtney sums it all up. Reading it again tonight for probably the 10th time still made me cry. This is how I want to live. Do I put my head down and just plow through my trials, or do I hold my head high and blossom in the experience? This morning the following quote came across my google reader. It said a lot of what I'm wanting to say.

"Tribulations are frightening. And yet the Lord said: 'Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours." 'And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious' (D&C 59:7)."The kind of gratitude that receives even tribulations with thanksgiving requires a broken heart and a contrite spirit, humility to accept that which we cannot change, willingness to turn everything over to the Lord--even when we do not understand, thankfulness for hidden opportunities yet to be revealed. Then comes a sense of peace."When was the last time you thanked the Lord for a trial or tribulation? Adversity compels us to go to our knees; does gratitude for adversity do that as well?"President David O. McKay observed, 'We find in the bitter chill of adversity the real test of our gratitude . . . , which . . . goes beneath the surface of life, whether sad or joyous' (Pathways to Happiness, comp. Llewelyn R. McKay [1957], 318)."

Bonnie D. Parkin, "Gratitude: A Path to Happiness," Ensign, May 2007, 35 36

We have some friends who are just coming to the other side of a trial that has rocked them to the core. On Sunday Pat stopped me in the hall at church to let me know about progress they've made and exciting things happening for their family. We stood by the primary closets and cried together, so happy for the healing that has happened and the beautiful things that are able to happen for their family, rejoicing that they've made it through!

We all have trials. But where there are trials, there are opportunities to find the goodness in others, the goodness in ourselves, and the goodness in our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. And in all of the above, there is much goodness to be found.

{image via flickr}

pizza love

Busy today planning for a night of pizza on the grill with college friends. I'll get to hold a new baby, and laugh until it hurts, I'm sure. Can't hardly wait.

Also enjoyed a visit to Pizzeria 712 over the weekend with some great friends. Would've been better had my kids not been there (does anyone else feel they're way more fun sometimes without their kids?), but it was still delicious food and fantastic company.

(image via lost button studio, who shared the pizza recipe we'll be using tonight)

First Day!

I am so happy to be on this side of the first day of school- looking back reflecting on what a great day it was instead of looking ahead with great anticipation. Addie was about 80% excited for preschool, but 20% scared. She woke up the night before her first day with an hour long fit about not wanting to go to school the next day. I had a serious case of back to school jitters, knowing that she'd be great once she got through the first day, but not knowing if she'd have a breakdown at the drop off or handle it like a champ.When she woke up, she said, "Mom, is it tomorrow now? Is it my first day of school?" When I replied that it was, it lit a fire under her. I was planning to make pancakes, but she informed me that pancakes take too long and she needed a short breakfast so she'd have time to get ready. We'd laid out her clothes the night before and also taken a bubble bath and painted her toenails, so her getting ready was streamlined for Thursday morning. As soon as she finished breakfast she ran back to brush her teeth and then started to get dress while asking me to make her hair curly. We got ready post-haste, and even managed to take some pictures while waiting for James to come so they could walk to their first day together!

As soon as we entered the classroom, Addie sat down at a table with girls and doll houses and was on her way. She barely even said goodbye! I had great plans for what I'd do while she was at school, but I spent most of the time playing with Sam who is still miserable attempting to cut one more molar and all of his canines teeth.

When we picked her up she ran straight to me with arms outstretched and gave me a huge hug. It's amazing how much she grew up in two hours. She kept singing one line of a song they learned over and over and over ("I am really special" was the line, and I sure think she is!). She showed me the pictures she colored, told me the names of some new friends, talked about the fun toys she played with and the class pets and the playground in Miss Jennifer's backyard. What a great day it was!

I'm officially the mom of a preschooler, and it's so bittersweet. I'm so proud of her, but it's so hard watching my kids grow up.

Feelings on a Sunday Night...

Tonight I feel...

-like this week has flown by. I can't believe I haven't posted since Monday. Luckily, (knocking on wood), it seems like September got my memo weather-wise.

-fooled by September. I thought the end of summer would bring a predictable schedule without as much going on, but instead the month has filled up quickly. Babies being born, friends getting married, friends coming to visit, church activities, it's all on the calendar. I need to enjoy my quiet moments when I have them!

-a little stuffed from the number of cookies I just consumed. Pat had to work tonight, so Addie and I made cookies together to pass the time. I'm getting ready to brush my teeth in an attempt not to eat anymore. We'll hope it works.

-love for my little family. Addie has said some hilarious things lately. Last night we had a babysitter while we went to stake conference, and after we dropped her off Addie asked if she was a kid or a sister (she's constantly trying to figure out family roles these days). I informed her that our sweet babysitter was both a kid and a sister, but also a teenager. "Oh, a teenager, that's so cool. I've never been a teenager before. Can I be a teenager?" It took me back 20 years to when I wanted to be a teenager when I "grew up."
Sam is found singing a lot these days, but speaking only when it really benefits him. Last weekend we had family over for Pat's birthday and all he wanted to eat was watermelon. He decided to let us know by saying, "I want watermelon", his first real sentence besides "Hi, (insert name here)." So surprising that the kid with such limited language could spit out watermelon so clearly.

-overwhelmed that Addie is starting preschool this week. I'm sure there will be more posts to come on the matter since just typing it produces a lump in my throat. Last night I was laying in bed worrying- since we missed any sort of back to school night (didn't receive mail about it for some odd reason) should I call and arrange a classroom tour so she knows what to do day 1? Is she going to meltdown and be shy, or make new friends easily and totally blossom? How early will we have to leave to walk the 2 1/2 blocks over there? Am I really sending her to pre-school?!? Although she's a few months away from 4, she'll be in the 3 year old class, and I know she's more than ready. I'm the one who's not ready. Hopefully I'll be able to post on Thursday that I feel really good about her first day!

-a desire to try a little harder and be a little better. We had regional conference today, and the adult session of stake conference last night. I always love the Saturday night session because it's the one where I'm guaranteed to get something since I'm not fully occupied trying to entertain my kids and keep them reverent and listen in the process. Last night was no different, and I came away with a list of things I need to work on. Regional conference today was cool to think about the number of people participating in just two counties. Pat calculated it was about 4% of the membership of the church, and about 8% of the number of missionaries serving are from participating stakes. But aside from those statistics, we heard inspiring messages from amazing church leaders. I am so grateful for their counsel and the blessings that come from trying to follow that counsel.

Happy Sunday

Hello, September

Dear Last Month of Summer-

Although fall is in the air, I just wanted to remind you that you are still technically summer for the majority of your time on the calendar. Bearing that in mind, if you could provide nice warm days, with just a slight chill in the later evenings, it would be much appreciated. If you could hold off on frost for a while, I'd be ecstatic. If we could still wear capris and short sleeves, postponing long pants and long sleeves and a dive for the fall/winter clothes for a little while longer, I'd be thrilled. And if we could put off falling into a strict routine and enjoy the last bits of the spontaneity summer provides, just for a few more weeks, it would do my heart good.

Warmest Regards,

C

[photo via]