March 14, 2010

March 14, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been a nice quiet week. It has been wonderful. I have tried to avoid extra things after the hurry of last week. Monday was a normal day.

That night we went to a family’s house in our ward for dinner and FHE. They had invited several other families over so that we could help fellowship a newer member of the church and introduce him to members of his new official ward. The dinner went really well. All of the families had rambunctious boys, so it was a bit crazy at times, but I think it was still a good use of time.

Tuesday I got brave. I was anxious to do a field trip and so I packed a picnic and headed to the Natural History museum downtown with the boys. We checked out the butterfly exhibit and the insects again. We were excited to be able to see a tarantula feeding, and B-man got to hold a large caterpillar of some sort. We also went and checked out the jewels and geology exhibit. B-man loved the information on earthquakes and volcanoes. The day went really well. J only had a breakdown while I was trying to find parking, but he slept in his stroller which was very helpful. The day was successful enough for me to want to venture out again soon. M came home a little later, and then after dinner I went to swimming lessons. The lessons are so helpful. They get me swimming for one thing, and they also really help me to improve my swimming.

Wednesday was a pretty normal day. We have been really enjoying the lovely weather. It has been so nice to be able to play outside and enjoy being outdoors. That night we enjoyed having nothing to do.

Thursday was another beautiful day. B-man ended up going to our neighbor’s house to play for a while after school. I made bread, and then we ended up going to another friend’s house while I baked the bread. It was a great way to make the day go faster. That night after dinner was my last swim class. I passed the class which was the good news, but I am sad that I will have to force myself for the rest of the weeks.

Friday was a great day. M got to have a slightly more leisurely morning. The day went quickly and after M got home we went to Costco to get some things. That night we assembled some sack lunches to take to a cold weather shelter. The Elder’s Quorum was in charge of the assignment. We made the lunches relatively quickly and then B-man and M delivered them while J and I worked on dinner. After dinner we watched part of “Star Wars” for our family party.

Saturday was another great day. After sleeping in a little we all got going and went to my basketball game. The other team forfeited, but there were enough people to get a scrimmage together. It was great exercise since there were no substitutes. After the game we came home and had lunch while J napped. After J woke up we went to run a bunch of errands. One of the errands was to Cost Plus World Market, where we got a picnic bench for our kitchen table. We actually bought two because we weren’t sure which one would be a better match for our table. When we got them home we pulled the first out and found it wasn’t a good match, the second one we pulled out was M’s first choice and it works almost perfectly! It was a very easy assembly job, and we got it together very quickly while the boys were playing around us. I got the boys to bed while M was finalized the little details of the bench. We are so excited to have one, and to get rid of some of the chairs that were breaking. That night M helped me to get the lasagna ready for dinner on Sunday. We wanted to have as much done on Saturday to make the work easier on Sunday.

Sunday was a good day. M didn’t have any meetings, because there were so many empty callings that needed to be filled. Instead he made delicious pancakes for breakfast, and then worked hard to help the house and dinner be ready for guests after church. Church went really well. People are still adjusting to the new families. It was fun to teach again. We have a new President, but she has no counselors yet. My lesson went reasonably well, and then immediately after church I left with J so that I could get going on dinner while M and B-man helped clean-up and set up for seminary. After church we had two families over for dinner. One family we knew very well, and one family was new to the ward. It was a good group, and worked perfectly. After dinner we cleaned up together, and then got the boys to bed.

We love you all!

R, M, B-man, and J

March 7, 2010

March 7, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

I was a little nervous about the week at the beginning, because M was going to be out of town all week. Monday was a good day. We did a little shopping and then for FHE that night we memorized the Second Article of Faith by learning the song. B-man thought it was fun.

Tuesday we did a little more shopping. We have tried to stay really busy in the afternoons. If we have something to do when M is normally home then we won’t be as sad that he’s not with us. That night after a lot of frantic searching I had a babysitter come over so that I could go to New Beginnings for mutual. It was the last hurrah with our old ward, and I was slightly pressured into going. I had a very hard time finding a babysitter though. I ended up using the younger sister of a woman in our ward. She lives in a neighboring ward and was old enough to drive. It worked out perfectly. New Beginnings went well, and I think the girls all had a happy last party together.

Wednesday was a boring day, I can’t remember much about it. I did go in and help in Benjamin’s class. They were having a 100th day of school party. I always love working in his class. Thursday was another slow day. We were all excited that M was almost home. That night I had the same babysitter come back so that I could go to my swim class. She did a great job with the boys, and I was so happy to not have to drive her home at the end of the night. Being a single mom and having to always worry about that stuff would be a nightmare. My swim class went really well, but it can be very daunting. I am still not a good enough swimmer to do more than one length of the pool at a time. But I have noticed that I am getting better, it is just going to be a longer process than I originally thought.

My other project this week has been to get J sleeping twelve hours at night. I guess to be more correct it would be to go twelve hours between feedings at night. At the beginning of the week it was painful, but suddenly towards the end of the week he made major progress. We have had three days in a row (at least) of twelve hours between feedings. Hopefully soon he will stop waking up at 5:30 thinking it is time to eat. J has also gotten much better at crawling. He has a very effective army crawl that is taking him all sorts of places. It is making him very happy, and so far he isn’t into too many things. Although I can already tell that the pantry is going to be a favorite spot of his.

Friday afternoon M got home from his training. It was so great to have him home. That night we stuck close to home. For our family party we had a dance party in the basement. That was B-man’s suggestion and he was very specific about the music that he wanted to listen to.

Saturday was an interesting day. The morning was pretty relaxed. M and B-man went to the Home Depot clinic. They built a funny little rain gauge. That afternoon we ran a few errands but mostly stayed close to home. We got some sad news in the afternoon. As B-man and I left for his soccer class M left to go to the temple. It was the Stake Temple night, and they have a special meeting in the temple. Before the meeting he did some Sealings and then after he came home. I went over to a friend’s house for dinner so that I wouldn’t have to be alone again. They have four month old twins, and yet it was me that got the help during the meal. J is quite a screamer when I don’t feed him fast enough. How do you fix that? He kept screaming, and then scaring their girls. M got home much earlier than I thought, and actually beat me home. Once home we hurried to get the boys in bed, and then spent the evening together.

Today was exciting; it was the first day with our new ward. M met in the morning with the EQP from the other ward to get helpful information on the new families. Church went really well. We had a great testimony meeting, and then after there was a chance for the families to mingle and get to know each other. It started out a little forced, but pretty soon everyone relaxed and was able to warm up to each other. It was a great way to start off the ward. After church we hurried to get dinner ready for us and some friends. Somehow everything came together despite being home an hour later than we thought we would be. We were grateful to fast today. We are so grateful for our families.

Love,

R, M, B-man, and J

Darth Vader

Here are more shots of B-man. Since he was Darth Vader for Halloween we have done a lot of talking, watching, and singing of Star Wars. B-man loves the music in the movie, and those who know him best, know that he is usually making some sort of noise. Whether it is talking, singing, or some sound effects. We'll try to get the singing of Star Wars on camera. He knows the Darth Vader theme, Luke Skywalker theme, and the main theme to the movie.

First Date

I think the place where M and I had our first date closed. It is such sad, sad news! Especially since the food was delicious. Our first date was nine years ago at Ottavio's on Center Street in Provo. Did it really close? Why? What if we want to eat there someday and relive that first date? I hope I am wrong.

February 28, 2010

February 28, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been another busy week. The topic of conversation for the week has been the upcoming ward boundary changes that will be announced next week. M felt like he figured them out pretty soon in the week. M and I feel like we have done a lot of "passing" in the night. We have done a lot of celebrating my birthday this week too. Monday I ran some errands, and then that night we celebrated and had Family Home Evening by going out to dinner. We used my birthday coupon for a free burger at Red Robin. The dinner was great, but we have discovered that J has entered that lovely stage that makes eating at a restaurant painful for the other patrons. He has a shriek on him, and it is not pleasant. We didn't bring enough food for him, but we just ate quickly and then left.

Tuesday was a slower day. I ran a few more errands, and then that evening I had my swimming class. I am taking the class with a friend of mine. We usually stay after for a few minutes and swim more to get some exercise. I am not sure what I did wrong, but I suddenly started feeling very nauseated and dizzy. I think I was swallowing too much water or air. For the next two hours I felt really sick. Thankfully it started to pass later that night, and I was able to sleep it off.

Wednesday was another busy day. I worked on several organizing projects this week. It has felt good to get some things crossed off my list, and to clear out some space in the house. That night I went to a baby shower for a woman in the ward. I meant to only stay for a few minutes, but I ended up staying longer than anticipated. It was a fun party though.

Thursday was another busy day. The days have all sped by very quickly. I made some sugar cookies and frosted them for some of our families that we visit teach or home teach. I also went and visited with one of my friends in her home before delivering the cookies to our families. Later that night I went to swim class. I was very happy that I didn't end the class feeling sick. Instead of staying after to swim extra we left and rinsed off before heading to book club. We discussed The Help. The book is fantastic, and I highly recommend it to anyone that hasn't read it yet. After a lively book club discussion we headed home. The wind that evening and through the night was very fast. If it has been snowing we would have had a blizzard. I was happy that we didn't get any snow, but just wind with the storm.

Friday was another busy day. M was home later than normal in the morning. It was great to have him home. Most of the day was pretty slow. Then in the afternoon M came home and took the boys so that I could go get my haircut. My sisters had all chipped in so that I could get a haircut from someone that knows about curls. I LOVE getting my haircut. Getting my hair washed is my favorite part. It was a really nice salon, and the women working on me were very nice. I really needed a haircut and was so happy to get it done. After the hair cut I checked out a store nearby before heading back home. That night we had pizza for our family dinner, and then I made a cranberry upside down cake so that the boys could make me wishes... It was a great night. B-man wished that I would have a hundred more babies. I don't know about a hundred, but one would be nice! (He's so funny, I've never even mentioned to him about our baby "issues.") That night M went to a guy’s night out. There are a few guys that he and his friends are really trying to get to come to church, so they are hoping that these nights will help.

Saturday was busy too, but we did get to see each other a little. M and B-man left first to help one of our friends move. Seriously all of our friends have moved in the last six months. It is kind of crazy. I went to help do the book at our stake basketball game, but they had enough people so I went home. I then met M to get B-man. He then went shooting with a family friend at a nearby gun range. While he was gone I took the boys to a baptism for a boy in our ward. Baptisms are so wonderful; they have such a sweet spirit there. It was wonderful! Eventually we were all home together that afternoon. It was wonderful to have some time together. While we were together a friend brought over a cake that she had made for my birthday. We had been talking about what moms do for their birthdays with the cake. It was a beautiful delicious cake. We put candles in it and had some more fun with it. That night (there was something every night this week!) I went to the Stake Relief Society meeting. It was a wonderful meeting. I got really inspired to use my time better, and to remember the influence that just one woman can have. Sometimes I forget. We have a general authority living in our stake boundaries, and he shared the story of his grandmother. She was raised as a member in rural Minnesota. There was no organized church there, but maybe a few times a year the missionaries would come and give them the sacrament. His grandmother married a man and then had six children. Her husband was not a member, but using only a hymnal and a copy of the Book of Mormon; she raised her children and taught them the Gospel. Eventually five of the six children were married in the temple, and now one of her children is a general authority. What an inspiring woman. What would become of my children if they didn't have Primary? It was a good reminder that I (M too) am the one in charge of gospel instruction, but in a good inspiring way. Not in an overwhelming way. I'm going to try and do more. After the meeting I went to the home of a woman in our ward for hot chocolate with other women from the ward. We are all mourning the loss of our ward. It has been a great ward. Hopefully our one great ward will turn into three wonderful wards.

Today was the big meeting. We went to the chapel early so that M could help direct traffic. Even trying to be there early we didn't get the "comfy" seats. The meeting went really well, we had the Sacrament and then the changes were announced via video up-link from the Stake. It went really well, and for our family there were no surprises. Nothing much is going to change for us. We are in the same ward, same bishop, and the same callings. There's a chance mine could change, but M will keep his for sure. We stayed after and helped clean up the chairs while visiting with others. After church we had lunch and enjoyed being at home. For dinner we were invited to our friends' house. They were also feeding the missionaries. It was a great dinner, and we were excited to be able to watch the Olympic hockey gold medal game. It was a very exciting game! We came home and put the boys to bed.

We love you all!

R, M, B-man, and J

Swim, Bike, Run

I have been 30 for one week. Growing up I thought 30 seemed old. Now I realize how foolish I was to think that. The truth is that I still feel like I am in my early twenties. The only time I get freaked out is when I hear that the freshman class for BYU this year was born in 1992. That is insane.

Here I am on my birthday thinking I was about to go on a date with my hubby.

I am choosing to embrace this new decade of life. I have lots more wrinkles and gray hairs than I thought I would, but I also have a house full of people that love me and that I love too. I also have a goal. (This is all inspired by my brother the wolf.) I am going to do a sprint triathlon in August. It is at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, and it will be a 500 yard swim (open ocean!), 30k bike ride, and a 5k run. All of that is scary to me, but I figure that is a good thing.

Anyone want to join me?

February 21, 2010

February 21, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

Our lives are starting to feel normal again after all the snow and school/work closings. Monday found me still in Utah enjoying a “Clark Sister’s” weekend. We were having a great time. We spent the day visiting; we did a little shopping and even got to visit with my sister E. The time went too quickly, and before we knew it was time to pack and get things together.

The next morning half of the women were gone on an early flight. J and I spent some time with Annie and Orva. J loved the dog at the house. It was a pretty big dog, but J didn’t mind at all when then dog would smell him and give him kisses. Later that morning my sister E picked me up and we went to breakfast with my brother Skate. We went to Magleby’s Fresh, and it was delicious! After breakfast I dropped off Skate at his classes. I then ran a few errands and then went back and picked him up and he drove J and me to the airport. Everything went really well, and we made good time, got all checked in etc. The flights went really well. The best part was that J slept nearly the whole way from Las Vegas to DC. It was such a great early birthday present. When I landed in DC it was near midnight and so a friend picked me up from the airport so that M wouldn’t have to bring the kids. It felt good to be home and in my own bed.

J really couldn’t get enough of Skate.

Wednesday morning was a return to almost normal. B-man had a one hour delay on school. Even with the delay I almost didn’t wake up in time to get him to the bus! I spent the morning working on unpacking and getting some laundry started. I also spent the time looking around the house for surprises from M. Once again he was very busy while I was gone. He not only cleaned the house, but he also had recessed lighting put in, re-caulked our bathtub, and a bunch of other little projects. The recessed lighting is on our main floor, and it makes such a difference! I can read in there now! That night M tricked me. He told me to be ready to go to dinner after the boys were in bed, but actually it was some of my friends that kidnapped me and took me to dinner for my birthday. It was a fun night with delicious food. The day went much too quickly, I’m so glad we like to stretch out birthdays around here.

Thursday was more laundry and organizing of things around the house. We hit the grocery store too to stock up on some needed things. I stopped by a friend’s house to pass the afternoon a little faster too. Thursday night I went to my first swimming class. I was a little nervous. I know how to swim, but I’m looking for a little help with my stroke and breathing. Turns out I am not as good of a swimmer in real life as I am in my head. Most of the class was bits of a controlled drown. I am not the worst in the class though. One brave woman is such a bad swimmer that it is painful to watch the teacher work with her. My friend is taking the class with me, and it was fun to have a friend there to eliminate some of the awkwardness.

Friday was a relaxing day. We used one of my birthday coupons for dinner. B-man thought it was great. After dinner M went to help one of our friend’s moves. He was there for several hours, but was grateful for the large crew that the home owner had recruited on his own to make the move go faster. We have a new appreciation for people that organize their move.

Saturday was a very busy day. It started with two things at the same time. My basketball game and B-man’s Primary party. I went alone to the basketball game, and M took B-man to the party. After playing a very fun game I then drove and picked up B-man from the party. We came home and were able to relax for a while. B-man and M ran a few errands together while J and I stayed at home. Later that afternoon the pace of the day picked up again. We took B-man to his first indoor soccer class. It was mostly a lot of running, and some dribbling with a soccer ball thrown in, but he loved it! It was a crack-up to watch him run with so much intensity. Immediately after the class we went to his school carnival. I have very fond memories of the carnival at my elementary school growing up. It was the highlight of the year. This one seemed was too crowded (it was indoor, ours was outside) but I think B-man liked it. Everything took longer than we thought it would, and so we ended up in a panic to get rid of our tickets and get home so that M could make it to a baptism. We did take a try at the cake walk. It was a tradition in our family growing up. We were thrilled when B-man won on our first try! We hurried home from the carnival and M hurried to go the baptism. I then worked on getting B-man and J ready for bed, while also getting myself ready for a Valentine’s party. It was a crazy hour, but somehow it all came together. I did have to leave the house a mess, but oh well, there are worse things. For the party we were supposed to dress as a celebrity couple, and after much debate we went as Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. The party was fun and we were happy to win third place in the couple competition. After a fun night we headed home and collapsed into bed.

Here we are in costume. I look a little more like Elvira then Demi.

Today has been a great day. M had meetings in the morning and came home to report that next week I wouldn’t have to give a lesson because there was going to be a special meeting to announce new boundary changes. Church went really well, except for a wiggly J. M was surprised to find out (only minutes before) that he needed to give the lesson in EQ because the teacher had disappeared from church. Thankfully J held it together during his lesson and played on the floor. Seriously a small miracle. After church we came home and got immediately to work on dinner. It was a new recipe that turned out delicious. It was also easy which makes it a plus.

We love you all!

R, M, B-man, and J