Five for Friday

1. We are inundated with weddings this summer. We had one a couple of weeks ago. During the month of July we have 3. Then we have a break for a couple weeks and we're off to Idaho again for my brother's wedding in August. So excited for all the happy couples, but I think a wedding-filled summer has caught me off guard since we haven't had one for a few years.

2. The 4th of July was great. I didn't really mention it earlier, but our meal was fantastic, the treats just kept coming, the kids were in heaven playing together, and we had really nice visits with family. It was probably one of the best we've had in a while- loved how relaxing and perfect it was.

3. I went to Girls' Camp with the Relief Society Presidency for an afternoon/evening this week and had a great time. The girls in our ward are really great, and we played tons of fun games and then had a nice presentation at the end. We took letters to each of the girls from a woman in the ward, and they were all so touched that someone would've written a letter specifically to them- it was really neat for them. And Heber is beautiful! Pat's dad actually initiated the purchase of the land and helped in the development of our camp when he was the stake president, so it was fun to feel that connection to it while I was there.

4. We have our ultrasound this afternoon. Come back later and I'll add #5 to tell you what we're having!

5. It's a boy. :)

Greatest desires

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Several months ago when Pat's aunt passed away, her daughter spoke powerful words at her funeral that have stuck with me. She remembered her mother as a virtuous woman who "looketh well to the ways of her household" (Proverbs 31:27), who let virtue garnish her thoughts unceasingly (Doctrine and Covenants 121:45), and who had courage and strength as she followed Christ (Proverbs 31:17). It was a wonderful tribute to a wonderful woman, full of grace and truth and beauty. Since that occasion, virtue has been in the back of my mind. As we were driving to Idaho I was trying to work on my upcoming Relief Society lesson and told him, "I think I'm going to teach on [insert long pause, tears, and squeaky voice] virtue." He's getting used to the increase of tears lately with the hormones (a few weeks ago at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House I was trying to tell him that Kneader's baked all the cookies for the reception at the end and totally lost it), but this time they my emotion was justified as I'd truly been touched while studying about virtue. Today I had the opportunity to teach Relief Society on this topic.
Even in the past few weeks as I've been thinking more about virtue, it's been amazing some of the subtle changes I've seen. I've studied the many definitions of virtue, the numerous positive qualities embodied by a virtuous woman. I've thought of examples of virtuous women I've known, the kind of women that have magnetic personalities, not because they are seeking attention loudly, but because their quiet dignity is so welcoming. These are the women who seem to be nothing but goodness. Women who make you feel important and loved as soon as you are with them, and who leave you wanting to be better than you were before. Women who are bold in their testimonies and can stand up for right, but who don't go around shouting their message. Women who delight in their home and family and are motivated to do so by love. Women who are not distracted by things that don't really matter and always make time for things that matter most. There is nothing off-putting, only welcoming. There is nothing hard or harsh, but instead gentleness and tenderness. I loved this quote used in my lesson today.

“Virtue begins in the heart and in the mind. It is nurtured in the home. It is the accumulation of thousands of small decisions and actions.”

- Elaine S. Dalton, “A Return to Virtue,” Ensign, Nov 2008, 78–80

I am excited to embark on the return to virtue. Today we challenged all of the sisters in Relief Society to complete the goals associated with virtue, and what a truly awesome program we're in for over the next 6 months. These are the changes I need to be making. Right now my greatest desire is to become a virtuous woman, but I know that it is truly that, a process of becoming.

Kid hilarity

Sam is cracking me up lately with his zest for life. The first thing I hear in the mornings lately when I go into his room is "Mama! I wuv Mama!" This same enthusiasm is carried throughout the day from activity to activity. "Trains! I wuv trains!" "Addie! I wuv Addie!" Today gave me pause when I was carrying some things in from the car and Sam said, "Heaby tings (Heavy things)! I wuv heaby tings!" Oh, if I could have the same passion for everything I come across.

Addie is currently my shadow. For instance, did you know that Addie's sister Beth Ann just got married, too (Beth Ann was the bride in the wedding we attended over the weekend)? Or did you know that today Addie just needed to make one quick phone call because there's a funeral at the church on Twooooosday, not Friday (and can you tell what I've been doing this week, although the funeral in our ward is on Friday)? Or did you know that Addie's currently planning a party for her friends and would like to plan who's coming and what to eat and some decorations? She is really taking it all in right now and keeping me on my toes.

You can't buy this kind of entertainment. Truly, these two bring me joy.

A Few Details

Lots going on, but a quick trip recap to look back on later.

During our trip to Idaho:
-We attended a gorgeous wedding. The food was great, flowers were lovely, and the bride was stunning (not to mention her maid of honor- my dear friend Amy!).
-We met my brother's fiancee for the first time and started talking about details for their wedding. We laughed at Ben's cheapness in planning and were glad that such a nice girl is joining the family.
-We played at the park and Addie became instantly enamored with my dad when he pushed her on the swing for 30 glorious uninterrupted minutes.
-We said and listened to the kids say sweet prayers for Pat as he has been dealing with a Crohn's flare, making travel a lot less fun.
-We got our dry cleaning done for cheap- $7 total for my hand-washed dress plus Pat's suit. (Why don't we have cheap dry cleaning places in UT?)
-We were pleasantly surprised by how well the kids did in the car and definitely enjoyed Sam's 2 hour snooze on the way home.
-We were glad the kids did so well with Moe, my mom's dog- much better than our last visit.
-We were well taken care of by my Mom.
-We lived it up and bought 2 cartons of ice cream on a trip to the grocery store instead of just one- oh the joys of vacation!
-We were happy to come back to our own bed.

Great trip, getting back in the swing of things this week. Lots I hope to share soon!

Home Again, Home Again

Back from a 5 day jaunt to the ID for time with family+friends. Lots to share, but for now check out this cute article all about my grandpa that ran in today's paper in his West Virginia town. Deep inside, there is a green thumb in my genes. I'm trying to coax it out.

June Bug

Already mid-June? How can it be? A quick re-cap of what we've been up to.

-Made delicious food for a baby shower at the end of May. I'll have to share some recipes when I get a chance. Despite one recipe having to be made again, our time table worked out and the food was well-received. I'm coming back to the kitchen finally!
-Started off June with a visit from my mom while I was in a full on frenzy for Enrichment. Our Fair and Delightsome activity was a smashing success, and my mom had fun with the kids for a couple days. Win-win.
-Enjoyed visiting with Chrissy's family while everyone was in town for the twins' blessings. Those are two sweet babies- I love any chance to be around them, and I really love being around all of these fun sisters. It really makes me hope that Addie gets a sister because I realize how much I missed out on! We also made pulled pork and man I love an excuse to pull out all the stops and bring that recipe to the table.
-Watched Addie's love for gymnastics grow while she's in a class this summer. She's now professing that she'd like to take gymnastics for 20 years. I've only committed through the end of July.
-Refereed a few battles between the kids. I'm really needing to implement some structure to our summer to cut down on their skirmishes!
-Had an amazing dining experience at Spark to celebrate my 27th this weekend. Pat said that if he blogged, this would definitely be blog-worthy. Our food was beyond fantastic, and we're already trying to plan when we can go back. After dinner, we drove up Provo canyon for a bit and admired the lovely green still covering the mountains, then rented a movie, stocked up on treats, and cuddled up in front of "Bedtime Stories". We honestly haven't watched a movie together for probably a year, and this was a fairly amusing one. It was a really nice date.

Lots more to catch up on, but off to run some errands and get ourselves out of this house before the rain begins again!

Highs and Lows

I'm not trying to turn into a Friday-only poster, but it sure is working out that way lately. A few highs and lows to send you into the weekend.

Highs
-Hearing the heartbeat this week! In the 150s, so now I've got to dig out my appointment books from Addie and Sam and try to deduce based on heart rate if I think we have a boy or a girl.
-Currently on day 3 of no barfing- let's hope this trend continues!
-Being in the height of party season. One tomorrow, a birthday dinner Sunday, a big Relief Society Fair next week, and a post-blessing celebration next weekend for my favorite twins. Good food and sunshine are in my future.
-Kids making me laugh. Like Addie being so excited to "repent" a movie this week, and then we can have a "cativity" to watch it. Or Sam being apologetic on another day of nap-strike and then telling me with a devilish grin after seeing my disappointment in his nap-less state, "Don't hurt me! Hahahaha." Or when I put Sam to bed and he asks me to "stay one more minute. Two times." Where does he come up with this stuff?
-Reclaiming the house some now that I'm starting to feel a little better. Scrubbed the kitchen floor on hands and knees! Caught up about 6 loads of laundry! Made dinner more than once this week!
-Pat only having a 3 day work week with a Monday holiday and his normal Friday off. Yippee!
-A last minute Park City trip with seriously successful shopping including the perfect gift selection for Pat's mom's 65th birthday- she got shivers over her gorgeous new coach bag, and my sister-in-law and I felt the success of a good gift given.

Lows
-Tons on the to-do list. All the parties require a lot of effort coming up. Hopefully I can plan accordingly and manage only one trip to Costco in the coming days.
-Sam being on nap strike all week. I'm not ready for this!
-Swallows attempting to nest on my porch again. This means war.

Good definitely outweighed the bad this week! Hope your weekend is full of goodness!