The whole family went to the Peeler's subdivision last night to do Trick or Treating! We had NO idea that so many people from the ward would be there. It was really nice. We got to walk the street with the kids AND visit with our friends! It was a late night, but we all had a lot of fun!
I'll post pictures later.
We had practice in the chapel today for the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation. The presentation is on November 11 and we always practice the 2 weeks before in the chapel. The kids ALWAYS complain about how boring it is and that they have to stand up too long, but I kind of agree. It is a long time (2 hours) for practice, and they do have to stand longer than they ever have to, BUT, we have to practice.
I got a call on Saturday night that my music leader was having to go out of town on Sunday to visit her Grandmother who is very ill. Ok, I can handle that. I can do the music, it's not ideal, but we will survive, AS LONG AS my pianist can make it. And, she did, thank goodness.
After church, at the linger longer activity, Debbie Carter came up and asked me how it went. Here was my response, "It was better than I had feared". And it was! We still have another week to practice, and the kids actually did pretty well considering I changed the presentation this past week and ended up assigning talks to the Senior primary.
I was conducting the music to Families Can Be Together Forever and when it was finishing, I looked over at Bobbyn (our pianist) and she was all teared up. That got me going too. The children's voices are so angelic. Then a little later, while the girls were singing the first verse to Love is Spoken Here, I totally lost it! Then the boys, piped up for the second verse and it was just beautiful. I am tearing up as I am writing this, just remembering the sweet spirit as they sang. You must click on the song links and listen to the words if you are not familiar with the songs. They are powerful.
Stay tuned, the kids are going to be just great, I can feel it!
First thing this morning, was off to the ball fields for Lauklan's game. He enjoyed himself, and I am glad. I left Kerstyn there for her game that started at 11 and Chris returned at 12:45 to pick her up.
While the kids were at home with Chris and Kerstyn was off playing baseball, Mom and I went to the Craft Fair for a few hours. We had a very nice time even though our visit was brief. It consisted of a quick walk through the streets and lunch at The Frosty Mug. However, Mom found a vendor that made artificial foods and she was very excited that he would make her a fake piece of cake to put inside her cake dish. Interesting... Glad you were happy about that mom. :)
In the afternoon, our neighborhood had a block party and we went down for that. They had games for the kids and a bouncy house, and the adults could visit or play horseshoes. There was a good turnout and we had a really good time until it started pouring down rain. Well, we'll try again next year.
Brennan received his Arrow of Light award last night at pack meeting. This is the highest Cub Scouting award and it is the only thing that carries over onto his Boy Scout uniform.
They had a very nice presentation tonight for Brennan and Nate Sage. It was given by Jon Sage, the Cubmaster, and he and his wife Katie went above and beyond! They made a plaque for the boys to hang on their walls with an arrow and seven feathers all with different colors representing the seven rays of light on the Arrow of Light badge. It was impressive! When we get it hung up, I will take a picture and post it.
I was beaming from ear to ear! I have found out already, in my short time so far of being a mother, that this is an emotional roller coaster! How challenging, rewarding, frustrating, trying, wonderful, crazy and WELL WORTH IT a ride it can be and IS! Do we ever get it figured out?
Last week I started working for Chris' office for real. I say for real, because I have been an employee since he opened on August 1, 2006, but I haven't been physically working in the office. I was just making the daily deposits and running errands as I could.
Well, last week, he pleaded for more help! He asked, "Can you please find someone to watch Aislinn tomorrow for just an hour so you can do some insurance stuff for me?" He asked with this look on his face that I knew he was desperate.
So, I called Kristen Higley last Thursday morning and asked her if she could help me out for an hour or so watching Aislinn. She said yes, so I dropped her off, then Greyson off and went to the office.
Three and one half hours later, I had to leave and Chris offered me a job. (Cute, huh?) I told him that I would come in one morning a week to keep his corporate stuff up and current and he was elated! I spent the whole morning making copies for unemployment compensation insurance and faxing them the completed job and working on the professional liability insurance renewal.
Today was my time to go in for this week. I spent my morning inputting deposits and paying bills. I think he is quite appreciative (at least he is until he sees how much I messed up the books not knowing where each little thing goes). I sure hope so...
Tonight we had a nice, brief FHE. What was really great about it was the children singing. We let Lauklan and Geyson pick the songs that they wanted to sing. Geyson wanted to sing Families Can Be Together Forever, and Lauklan wanted to sing The First Article of Faith.
It was so sweet to sing as a family and to share that with one another.
UGH! Does that say enough?
Can I make it?
Will it be ok?
Can we pull it off?
Will I lose my mind?
I woke up this morning to a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL sound! It was rain! Now you ask, "Why was it so wonderful to hear rain?" Well, it is because it meant that it was likely that Lauklan and Kerstyn's baseball games would be canceled. And...they were! :)
I felt bad that I was so happy, the kids were not happy! But, I sure was! So, what did I do not having to spend from 8:30 - 1:30 at the ball fields? I went to Publix, ALONE!
Well, guess where I spent the night? I dropped Kerstyn off at the ball fields for warm-up and then a game and decided that I did not want to get home at around 8:30 and still have to make dinner and give baths. So, I left with the other four and came home to feed and bathe them. Around 7:30 Chris called and said that he was heading home. He then graciously volunteered to watch the remaining part of Kerstyn's game and then bring her home.
I was so happy! Small things really do make a difference!
I haven't been keeping up on blogging lately because I am just doing well to keep everyone fed, clothes washed, and try to get where we are supposed to be! I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed at times. Many prayers have been given up from myself asking for help to get it all done, and to try to do better than I am.
I know that General Conference was perfect timing for me. When I am feeling discouraged, I think of the mother talk, or other ones that apply and try to regain my focus. I am SO thankful for my testimony!
Chris and I have designed our dream pool and here it is on it's way! We are all SO VERY EXCITED!!!
I took this picture standing on the Lanai. The end of the pool is where you see the boards. It is 8 feet of decking on the left and the right. The pool is 17 feet wide and 34 feet long with a 6 foot kiddie pool in the front (closest to the house), and a 6 foot hot tub on the end that is elevated. That is why there are boards up so high.
The kids ask EVERY day, "Mommy, is the pool done yet?" Can you imagine?
I just LOVED every talk this weekend. I felt that each person had a message just for me.
My favorite talk was the one given by Sister Beck called "A Mother Who Knows". It was so uplifting and empowering. If you didn't hear it, you should go read it.
Another moving moment was in the Saturday Afternoon conference when Elder Wirthlin was giving his talk. He started shaking in the middle and I sat straight up and started to cry. I was thinking, "someone go help him!" Well, guess what, right after that, Elder Nelson walks up behind him and stands there right behind him and literally held him up so that he could finish his talk! On top of that, Elder Wirthlin was talking about the greatest commandment, to love one another. WOW!!!
Aislinn a year ago after the first cast was put on. What a trooper!
Aislinn being two, but perfectly healed!
Brennan was initiated in the Order of the Dolphins today. It is Round Lake Elementary's honor society. I was very proud of him. This picture was taken after the ceremony with his friend Daniel Manry. (I also taught Daniel when he was in second grade. He's a great kid!)
Greyson is the big 4 today! We went to church today and sang to him in Primary. Yesterday, he had his cake and got his birthday dinner. He wanted chicken nuggets! He also got his presents from Yoo-Ma and Papa and Chris and me today.
When I go to the gym 5 days a week and work my tail off, I don't lose a pound, and sometimes even put one on.
Then, I go 4 days a week and take it easy and lose 2 pounds!
Talk about backwards! Also, you have to eat junk food on your easy weeks, and try to be very good in your eating on those weeks that your working your tooshie off.
Odd...
I would just like to announce how wonderful it feels that I have cleaned my bathrooms, yes all 3, this morning and polished my counter tops. Also...I organized my laundry room. I still have to mop the kitchen, entry and hallway, but I am well on my way to smiling the rest of the day.
Now, I know, this is NOT what it is all about, however, this is better than going to the gym as far as 'happy' feelings go. I just love to see clean bathrooms, kitchen and floors.
I know, I know, I'm crazy, but I hope that you all still love me! :)
Today there were several changes in the Primary organization. I lost Debi Peeler as our first counselor, Karen Brooks as our secretary, Barbara Seng as a teacher, and Cathy Brooks as our Faith in God leader. I will truly miss each of these women as their contribution has been great and their friendship wonderful. On to different pastures for each of them.
With that said, you know that Primary now has SEVERAL missing pieces. So, the good news is that we got Maria Valentich as our first counselor, Mary Gronlund as our Secretary, Lurlene Lawton as a teacher and Faith in God leader AND Kristen Higley as a primary worker in the nursery!
WOW! For a time being, we are fully staffed and are blessed with valiant teachers and help.
However, with all those changes, we, meaning Bobbyn and me, have to get a decent Sacrament Meeting Presentation figured out. The good thing to us working together is that Bobbyn is AMAZING!
Last night we had quite a bout with severe weather. I am truly grateful for some loving friends that called me at 10:33 pm to say "turn on your television, a tornado is on the way"! Well, it would of been nice to turn on my t.v. to see what was going on, but I had NO signal since the bad weather was not far away! Quite distressing!
I then ran into the bedroom where a weather radio was that Chris had just won two days ago at some business thing. I got it out of the package as soon as I could and plugged it in and it started going off immediately! Tornado on the way, with some other sever weather. Well, Chris popped right out of bed when he heard the weather alarm and I was glad since if I needed help grabbing kids, it would sure be faster with two of us instead of just me.
Well, we were blessed and the tornado missed us, but our neighbors around 5 miles away were not so blessed. The tornado did touch down and several buildings/houses were damaged, but I don't think anyone was seriously hurt.
That was an eventful night. It sure was not a good feeling to be hearing the warnings and just praying that all would be OK. However, in my prayers last night after the severe weather passed, I was SURE to thank my Heavenly Father for keeping us safe and blessing me with friends that cared enough to alert us.
