Sorry I never got around to posting last night, so I'll try to bring you up to speed a little, and then I need to clean my house like a mad woman because tonight I have ward book club at my house (nothing to instill a cleaning frenzy like a little company).
We left Thursday morning around 11:00 and made it to Boise around 4:30- 5 1/2 hours with 2 kids and one stop in between was pretty dang good time, so I was happy about that. The kids slept a little which was a definite bonus, and we arrived at Amy's house just in time for dinner. She made pulled pork sandwiches, always a hit, and we enjoyed eating together, getting the kids to bed, and of course watching The Office.
Friday we went to lunch with Amy's family- we usually stay with him, so we wanted to make sure we still saw them this trip. We indulged at the Cheesecake Factory. They have the most rich and delicious macaroni and cheese I have ever tasted in my life. Seriously sinful, and so good. Of course, we also enjoyed some cheesecake. We tried the vanilla bean kind-so good! That afternoon the kids took naps and Amy and I went to Old Navy. I actually bought myself a shirt and I've tried to get over the guilt ever since- sometimes I have a very hard time buying for myself, even if it's a need (which a shirt may not sound like a need, but due to my sparse closet right now, it kind of is...kind of). At 4:24 in the afternoon, the eagle landed, and we were at the Boise Airport for the joyous occasion. It was so good to see Ben again. He's quite a character, but I'll talk about that more another time. We went to gather his luggage, and he couldn't find one of his bags. When he got to the place to file the complaint, he found his bag wrapped in a plastic bag because it fell apart on the journey home. I guess it's a good thing his mission is done! We went back to Amy's and put Sam to bed, and then she stayed with him because we were meeting for dinner with everyone that night pretty late. Addie held up surprisingly well since we didn't eat until about 8:30. Dinner was good, but always a little awkward when both of my parents are in the same place.
Saturday we went to lunch with my mom and her husband and my brothers. It was nice to not have the stress of my dad there at the same time. Addie had her first major accident of the trip after lunch, so we had to wash the carseat cover at Amy's house while the kids napped. That night was the open house at my dad's new house. It was kind of awkward to say the least. Pat and I spent a lot of time staying close to our kids so they didn't wander and get into mischief or into the wrong hands. I felt bad that more people didn't come, but I think my dad didn't do a very good job letting people know about it. We stayed for a bit and then went back to Amy's to get the kids to bed. Amy and I went out to one of my favorite Boise places- Goody's- so I could get a chocolate milkshake. It's kind of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor/candy shop, and it's really in a fun part of Boise.
Sunday morning Addie had a big fit because she informed me she wanted to live at Amy's house and was not happy about the prospect of going home. Addie had tons of fun with Amy- they made sugar cookies our first night there, colored, watched fun movies, and Amy took Addie on a run one morning. They had a great time together! We packed up our stuff, went to Ben's homecoming, and then hit the road. Ben spoke with an elder who had also just returned- they actually spoke together when they left, also. Ben's talk was really good and it was great to see his growth. He can be a cocky kid, so it was nice to see a little humility during his talk.
Well, that's our trip in a nutshell. I have more details to share, but they probably deserve their own posts which will come later. For now, it's cleaning and grocery shopping for me. I'm out!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
I'm Back!
I'm currently trying to dig out from mounds of laundry, but when I regain control of this pit I call home, I'll give a more proper update. Just wanted you to know we made it back after some long haulin' in the car, staying with Amy- the perfect hostess, surviving family drama, and welcoming home my fun but punky brother Ben. Currently my only goal is to catch up on everything, so I'll think about some better ones and post them to give myself a chance of getting something accomplished this week. Hope all is well with all of you- I'm trying to catch up on everyone's blogs, etc. 4 days doesn't seem that long, but it's long enough to definitely be behind on blogs, email, etc. Ok, off to change laundry loads, hopefully later I'll have energy for a real post!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
We're Outtie...
We're headed to the good ol' Boise, ID today, so wish us luck with the 5 to 6 hour drive with the kiddos. I'll be excited to share many a story when we return. Hope you have a great weekend!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
P.S.
Thank you to all of you sweet blogging friends who make me feel so darn good. I'm so blessed to have your support! Your comments mean so much to me. I think when Pat gets a job, I should throw a big party. I honestly couldn't make it through this without you. All of you locals can come, and for the far away friends, I'll take pictures of all the things you could enjoy with us if you were here. I seriously count you as some of my greatest blessings- thank you for the love you've shown me. I am truly grateful.
Breaking Even...
Today it seemed like I was trying to prove the theories about things in the universe being brought into balance. For every good thing that happened, there was a bad one right behind it. Let me share a couple of examples.
Good Thing: Addie finally went #2 in the potty! A few tears were shed, but she hasn't done this since her first time using the potty a couple months ago! Hooray!
Bad Thing: I went to get Addie a treat for using the potty. I threw some trash in the garbage can in my pantry, and somehow slammed the pantry door on my nose. I've always been self-conscious about the size, and today's maneuver which has produced quite the swelling hasn't done anything for my self-esteem.
Good Thing: We went to IKEA to pick up some jars to take to my friend Amy who visited a few weeks ago, and who we're staying with when we go to Idaho. We sat down to enjoy a delicious lunch of meatballs and lingonberry juice.
Bad Thing: Addie spills her lingonberry juice all over the table, my pant leg, my shoe, my foot. And yet one more way IKEA keeps the cost down is to provide totally worthless napkins, requiring no less than 50 to clean up the afore-mentioned spill.
Good Thing: Sam learned to crawl yesterday! He finally figured out crawling in the more "traditional" way, that is, on hands and knees.
Bad Thing: Sam screams the whole time he is crawling. He hates it. It's like he's being punished the whole time he's doing it. What a bad mom I must be, expecting my child to move in such a way :)
I suppose I broke even today. There were some good things, balanced by some bad ones. But in a way, all I can see is the sticky jeans/shoes. I can't see past the end of my swollen nose, so to speak, to acknowledge the blessings. I should work on that tonight. Right now, the glass is feeling half empty (but I guess that's an improvement on all the way empty as Addie successfully showed earlier today). No, I'm really ok, friends, just feeling a little cheeky.
Good Thing: Addie finally went #2 in the potty! A few tears were shed, but she hasn't done this since her first time using the potty a couple months ago! Hooray!
Bad Thing: I went to get Addie a treat for using the potty. I threw some trash in the garbage can in my pantry, and somehow slammed the pantry door on my nose. I've always been self-conscious about the size, and today's maneuver which has produced quite the swelling hasn't done anything for my self-esteem.
Good Thing: We went to IKEA to pick up some jars to take to my friend Amy who visited a few weeks ago, and who we're staying with when we go to Idaho. We sat down to enjoy a delicious lunch of meatballs and lingonberry juice.
Bad Thing: Addie spills her lingonberry juice all over the table, my pant leg, my shoe, my foot. And yet one more way IKEA keeps the cost down is to provide totally worthless napkins, requiring no less than 50 to clean up the afore-mentioned spill.
Good Thing: Sam learned to crawl yesterday! He finally figured out crawling in the more "traditional" way, that is, on hands and knees.
Bad Thing: Sam screams the whole time he is crawling. He hates it. It's like he's being punished the whole time he's doing it. What a bad mom I must be, expecting my child to move in such a way :)
I suppose I broke even today. There were some good things, balanced by some bad ones. But in a way, all I can see is the sticky jeans/shoes. I can't see past the end of my swollen nose, so to speak, to acknowledge the blessings. I should work on that tonight. Right now, the glass is feeling half empty (but I guess that's an improvement on all the way empty as Addie successfully showed earlier today). No, I'm really ok, friends, just feeling a little cheeky.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Good News Minute and Weekly Goals
So, for the first time in weeks (is it 10 or 11 now?), I had something worthwhile to share in the good news minute. In a few short days, namely 5, on Friday, my youngest brother Ben comes home from his mission. He's been serving in the Iowa Des Moines mission for the past 2 years. We supported him for over a year of his mission and would've continued had my dad not decided he wanted to step up to the plate. (Expect a few ranting posts regarding my sanity during this trip at having to deal with my parents and their spouses all being in the same location as myself.) At any rate, I am so excited to see him. He's coming to Utah next weekend, and I kind of wish we weren't traveling to Idaho this weekend to see him, but as the good sister, we're planning on it. More trip details will be forthcoming. I haven't left the state since June, I have to milk this event for a few posts :)
Switching gears, let's talk about weekly goals. I did pretty well with the prayers, not 100%, but almost. We made it to the temple (after a failed attempt and a long wait) and had a great visit together in the celestial room. I worked on thinking before reacting. Exercising outside sure didn't happen, so I'll rework this goal. I'll post this weeks and you can judge the rest.
Preparedness: Finish gathering all the family documents. This is still on my list. I don't think I need to say more.
Family History/Temple Work: Work on my PAF for one hour this week- going to be tough since we won't be in town for half the week, but I can do it.
Family (Parenting and/or Marriage): Help Addie jump the potty training hurdle we seem to be stuck behind. This will take her cooperation, and may or may not be accomplished, but I'm going to pay a lot more attention this week!
Personal Spiritual: Be 100% consistent with morning prayers (continued, it takes 21 days to be a habit, right?). Also, take more time to listen/ponder after praying.
Self-Improvement(Exercising, learning new domestic skills, etc.): Do indoor stretching/toning exercises at least 3 days this week- with no weather to deal with, I'll have no excuses next week!
Switching gears, let's talk about weekly goals. I did pretty well with the prayers, not 100%, but almost. We made it to the temple (after a failed attempt and a long wait) and had a great visit together in the celestial room. I worked on thinking before reacting. Exercising outside sure didn't happen, so I'll rework this goal. I'll post this weeks and you can judge the rest.
Preparedness: Finish gathering all the family documents. This is still on my list. I don't think I need to say more.
Family History/Temple Work: Work on my PAF for one hour this week- going to be tough since we won't be in town for half the week, but I can do it.
Family (Parenting and/or Marriage): Help Addie jump the potty training hurdle we seem to be stuck behind. This will take her cooperation, and may or may not be accomplished, but I'm going to pay a lot more attention this week!
Personal Spiritual: Be 100% consistent with morning prayers (continued, it takes 21 days to be a habit, right?). Also, take more time to listen/ponder after praying.
Self-Improvement(Exercising, learning new domestic skills, etc.): Do indoor stretching/toning exercises at least 3 days this week- with no weather to deal with, I'll have no excuses next week!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Snowy Saturday....
That's what today has been. I always cringe a little when I see the big white flakes at the beginning of the season. I don't love snow or winter. I never have. I'm a person who is frequently cold, and any sort of weather that can make me colder is not a welcome sight. So, on to other matters.
Last night was our turn to go out, so we went to the temple and then to JCW's for a little cheeseburger love. What a nice visit it was, and so needed! I've been to the temple doing initiatory or sealing work recently, but it's been a while since I've done an endowment session. We tried to go on Thursday, but while we were in the chapel Pat wasn't feeling well, so we left and went back last night. He was feeling better, so that was good. (By the way, did you know the temple has pink and blue white out to use on the cards in case you have started a session but it isn't completed? Just an interesting thing I learned on Thursday.) We spent a long time in the chapel waiting because it was a busy night, and then we spent a long time in the celestial room doing some serious pondering/praying. We both felt like we need to continue to wait for this job. I was kind of hoping we'd get an answer to move on just so we could start trying to plan something, but since we didn't, our patience is continuing to grow. Today I felt such an inner quiet, though, like I was suddenly at peace with things instead of being filled with all of the turmoil about what we're supposed to be doing. I have grown so much, and I really am grateful for this experience. I will openly admit that I hope it comes to an end soon, but I know that the Lord knows the perfect time table for us, and I will continue to trust in that. One of the blessings that I reflected on last night is how great this has been to refocus our family. I told Pat it's almost like we needed him to not work so we could recognize more of what we should be doing and establish those patterns in hopes that we can keep them when he returns to work. Instead of trying to squeeze things in around work, they will come first and we'll find a work situation that works with the things that are important- you know, kind of like the object lesson with the big rocks and the pebbles. I'm really hoping to start establishing time to work with Addie on teaching her some things she needs to know- kind of in a very casual pre-school setting. I think with Pat at home it will be easier for me to start those patterns that we can then continue when he returns to work. We've made great strides in our daily prayers and scripture study, something we were somewhat hit and miss with before has become a lot more habitual. I've really recognized what a better mom/wife/person I am when I do those simple things- if I miss a day I feel it, and so do those around me, all day long. I've been able to recognize some of those blessings of obedience. So, we're busy enduring right now, and all is well.
Last night was our turn to go out, so we went to the temple and then to JCW's for a little cheeseburger love. What a nice visit it was, and so needed! I've been to the temple doing initiatory or sealing work recently, but it's been a while since I've done an endowment session. We tried to go on Thursday, but while we were in the chapel Pat wasn't feeling well, so we left and went back last night. He was feeling better, so that was good. (By the way, did you know the temple has pink and blue white out to use on the cards in case you have started a session but it isn't completed? Just an interesting thing I learned on Thursday.) We spent a long time in the chapel waiting because it was a busy night, and then we spent a long time in the celestial room doing some serious pondering/praying. We both felt like we need to continue to wait for this job. I was kind of hoping we'd get an answer to move on just so we could start trying to plan something, but since we didn't, our patience is continuing to grow. Today I felt such an inner quiet, though, like I was suddenly at peace with things instead of being filled with all of the turmoil about what we're supposed to be doing. I have grown so much, and I really am grateful for this experience. I will openly admit that I hope it comes to an end soon, but I know that the Lord knows the perfect time table for us, and I will continue to trust in that. One of the blessings that I reflected on last night is how great this has been to refocus our family. I told Pat it's almost like we needed him to not work so we could recognize more of what we should be doing and establish those patterns in hopes that we can keep them when he returns to work. Instead of trying to squeeze things in around work, they will come first and we'll find a work situation that works with the things that are important- you know, kind of like the object lesson with the big rocks and the pebbles. I'm really hoping to start establishing time to work with Addie on teaching her some things she needs to know- kind of in a very casual pre-school setting. I think with Pat at home it will be easier for me to start those patterns that we can then continue when he returns to work. We've made great strides in our daily prayers and scripture study, something we were somewhat hit and miss with before has become a lot more habitual. I've really recognized what a better mom/wife/person I am when I do those simple things- if I miss a day I feel it, and so do those around me, all day long. I've been able to recognize some of those blessings of obedience. So, we're busy enduring right now, and all is well.
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