General Conference

I love General Conference Weekend.  It is like my favorite holiday!  We had so much fun just being together.  The girls did awesome listening.  I think I most enjoyed Elder Holland's talk.  I think I most needed to hear Elder Bednar's talk but really, most of the talks!  What a good time to resolve to be better. 

April Fools

We had a great April Fools Day dinner tonight.  I handed out menus to everyone in the family.  Each person made their selections (without having any idea what any of the things on the menu were).  They were then served what they ordered.  We used some pretty wacky dishes and utensils too.  What a fun memory.

Letter from McKenzie

McKenzie is full of kind words.  She leaves me notes all over the house.  This week I got this note on my pillow and this other she hand delivered.  Sometimes the notes will simply say, "Mom, are you going to write me back soon?  Love, McKenzie" I hope she always writes notes.  What a special way to express love!

Sleepy Little Ones

It's 7:30 am and the littles are all sleeping.  They should have all been awake 45 minutes ago but most of them coughed through the night and all of them fell straight to sleep when I put them to bed last night so today I decided they needed some time to rest.  I am so thankful I'm not dragging them out of bed every morning so I can go to work.  This morning in my prayers I felt particularly thankful I get to be with them through most of the seemingly unimportant things each day.  For I believe those things are the things that bind us as a family. 

I spoke with Anna on the phone yesterday.  She is in the midst of 1st trimester pregnancy.  She is as sick as can be.  I feel so bad for her.  We laughed (I think mostly to avoid tears) about how awful pregnancy is... WORST event of my life and yet how miraculous the whole journey is.  And somehow we forget and do it to ourselves over and over and over and in some cases over again.  And all for the love of those sweet faces sleeping upstairs who in just a few minutes will probably come down the stairs, blanket in hand, bed head and morning breath and hug and kiss me like they haven't seen me in weeks.

How did I get so lucky to be their momma?

Good Bye Hannah

Last night the three older girls came down the stairs and turned in their Hannah Montana paraphernalia to me.  I didn't ask them to.  I didn't even think they should necessarily.  In fact, I never thought much of it.  They came down stairs handed me all their pjs and such and said, "Will you take this stuff to Good Will. She's not as pretty as she was then.  We don't want these."

On New Year's Eve Miley Cyrus was one of the entertainers and I did say I didn't want them watching her segment of the show because she was she was sleazy.  But I didn't say much more than that. Before she performed they interviewed her a bit and it was sad and gross and disappointing but the girls actually asked to mute the TV or change the channel.  

I was sure proud of the girls and their ability to see, on their own, that Miley Cyrus is not the Hannah Montana or even the Miley Cyrus they once adorned.  She was their first movie star stuck person.  It's too bad they have to be disappointed.

Basketball Superstar

Hallie started basketball in October which overlapped with soccer for a few weeks. At first she was a bit unsure if she liked it, not sure if she even wanted to play but now... we can hardly pull her off the court. She got a basketball hoop for the backyard and she practices diligently even in the cold and rain. This week she was the top scorer with 18 points. Her coached teased her after the game and started to call her "Turtle." He said, "when I first started coaching you I wondered if you'd come out of your shell. You're out of your shell and I don't think I'll ever get you back in your shell!"

It's true. She was amazing. She is tall. She is strong. She is so fast. It was so fun to hear people in the stands talking about her. Asking us about her experience. What a happy day for Hallie. I couldn't have been more proud.

A little crafty

I don't know if it's the fact that Brenda came over last week and we started working on a "Give Thanks Banner" or if it's the fire burning and the smell of Pumpkin Roll Scentsy or Taylor playing Christmas Music on the piano or what but I've had a major crafting bug.  This week I've been trying really hard to get the family reunion book done but during my sacred daily naptimes (when Evelyn is asleep and all the other kiddos are at school) I have been listening to General Conference talks I wanted to hear again and working on a wreath, pears, the banner... lots of fun things.

I would have to say, I think Fall is my favorite time of the year.  Of course I think we live in the most beautiful place on earth for Fall.

Now that I've got these few little projects done I think I can stop crafting for the year!