The Week Flew By!

So, I had a lot of people ask me if my headaches were better when the girls were gone--I guess theorizing that the quiet and relief from the stress of being a mom could somehow change my condition. That would have been nice, but no such luck.  I had a few pretty lousy days.  But, I also had a nice time spending time with King and going to the temple with him.  Such a special spirit of peace is in the temple.  I love putting aside the worldly cares and going there to learn and think of the eternal.  It strengthens my faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement for all mankind.  I am grateful I was at least able to feel well enough to do that.

Other than that, I must say I did not do much that was productive.  I didn't get any blogging done, which I wanted to.  I did clean, vacuum and shampoo the car.  Oy.  It took me pretty much a whole day.  Yep, it was that bad.  (And, in case my dad is reading this (he won't), I'll just say, Sorry, Daddy, I know you taught me batter than that.)  But, it looks great now.  In fact, it hasn't been this clean for months.  (Uh, sorry, Dad.)  And judging from the day it took me to recover from this deep clean, it won't look like that again for another few months.  (Yep, sorry Daddy.) 

King worked very hard on the bathroom this past week.  I will post pictures, for the three of you that care, very soon.  (Or as soon as I am able.)

The girls are back, and happy as ever.  They LOVED their time with Grandma and Papa and Uncle Sean and Aunt Rebecca.  I still haven't seen any pictures, but when I do, I will be sure to share some with you.  Today we are cleaning our rooms so that we can go see The Hunger Games.  We've been waiting for months!

Then, this weekend, it is one of my favorite weekends of the year:  General Conference.  Join me in watching if you'd like, on lds.org, or on your local BYUTV channel, at noon and 4:00 Eastern time both Saturday and Sunday.  You will be uplifted and feel the peace our Savior brings!   

Remodeling and Packing

Just so you know, a bathroom remodel is just as much headache as a kitchen remodel.  Except maybe a teensy bit worse because you have another bathroom to use, so the urgency to finish is not the same.  We have now had two sinks and various other bathroom parts in our living room for about two weeks.  I may lose my mind soon.  (Assuming that I have not already--we'll keep you guessing for now.)

The shower is done, though.  Isn't if bee-you-tee-ful?

Other big news at our house this week:  The girls leave tomorrow to spend the week with Grandma in California. They cannot wait!  People keep asking what I am going to do while they are gone.  For a whole week.  I am going to do all of the normal things I do...sleep in, nap as often as possible, feel too lousy to make dinner and offer cereal instead...only, this week, I don't have to feel guilty about it. :) Sweet!  King and I are also hoping to go on a couple of dates and spend at least a day at the temple.  It should be nice.  As long as I don't think about how much I miss the girls. (Or worry about the girls driving Grandma B and Papa crazy. Yikes.)  The trick the last couple of days has been finding enough spring clothes that still fit the girls.  Just when I think all of the laundry is done, they find something else they "have to" have on the trip, and we start another load.  Oy.

Coming soon, (if I don't lose my mind with the whole bathroom thing, or the whole packing the girls thing) I will post some pictures from the musical (the girls were adorable) and hopefully pictures of the bathroom fixtures actually in the bathroom instead of in the living room.  

It Was Classic

We decided it was high time our girls saw the classic sweeping saga Gone With the Wind.  It had been ages since King and I had seen the movie, and the girls had no idea what it was about.  The only thing the knew was that it had the first swear word in a film, and that it was long.  (True, that.)

We ordered pizza, filled our plates for the long haul, and settled in for the forty-seven hour show.  Being the technology savvy 21st century people that we are, we quickly forwarded over all those pesky beginning credits and got right to the story.  I felt a little confused at first, I think because it had been so long since I'd seen the show, but soon, the characters settled in, and the story-line began to make sense.  I remembered select scenes of the movie, and kept wondering when some would happen, and was surprised some scenes came earlier in the movie than I had remembered.

It wasn't until that famous scene leading up to the profanity (yes, I'm  bit slow) that I realized our mistake:  King had put in the second DVD, and we'd watched only the last half of the movie.  King and I laughed and laughed, and the girls were annoyed.  If anyone out there is interested in watching only the first half of Gone With the Wind, come on over!  I'm sure we'll get to it sometime in the next 25 years.

FYI

I heard something on the news the other day about Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,of which I am one--I'm sure you knew) that was SO opposite of the truths they (I) really believe.  So, if you have heard anything about Mormons lately, why don't you check out this graphic below, look at this article, or ask me if what you heard was true?  Because I'd love for you to hear about it from my church or me, and not some random news reporter or your friend that thinks they know all about what I believe or what my church teaches.  :)  

Also, enjoy this video of a song that I have had on my mind lately for some reason...it was one of my favorites when I was a teenager:  I Heard Him Come. Happy Sunday!

Talent Show

We've had a busy few weeks around here.  Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are preparing for their upcoming school musical, Dear Edwina.  Rehearsals are now every day until dinner time.  On top of all of that rehearsal, SB also rehearsed for a trio in a vocal competition and an opportunity to attend a regional middle school choral festival (CSWS).  That's a lot of rehearsing!

SB and her friends did a lovely job on their trio.  They had fun, and received the highest rating possible, a gold.  We were sure proud of them and their hard work.  

The concert for CSWS was fabulous, as always.  It's always amazing to me the difference it makes in a concert when just the kids that are serious about music participate.  Great sound.  But, SB wanted no pictures of her taken to remember the moment.  Someday, she'll be glad we took these anyway...

In the meantime, Snow White finished up her honors art class.  As her pieces of art have slowly been coming back from the various shows and competitions they were entered in, she's been able to bring some of them home.  I think her very favorite thing she made was the giraffe, which is actually a whistle.  Pretty cool. 

Some of her art was selected to go to a show for local school kids.  She earned an honorable mention for her colored pencil drawing of peppers.  It will be displayed in an art gallery downtown for the month.  We went to the show opening and awards ceremony to check it out.  It looked great up there on the wall. 

Meanwhile, our Cinderella is busy preparing for her Junior Festival music selections.  She will be playing two piano pieces in the festival for judges.  She's also been focusing on her studies, working hard and learning lots.  She recently gave a presentation in Biology and her teacher said, "That was the best presentation I've ever seen covering Down Syndrome.  In all my teaching years.  Ever."  She was pretty tickled. 

So, I think we've pretty much covered how great and talented the girls are.  We are proud of them and their hard work.  Now, if anyone could tell me how to take this creative energy and focus it on improving our home environment, say in picking up dirty clothes or emptying dishwashers, I would be happy to hear your suggestions.  :)

Old School

Last night, we gathered around our bed and had our family scripture study.

King read The Book of Mormon from his Smartphone.

Cinderella read from her Kindle.

Snow White read from her iPod Touch.

Sleeping Beauty read from her iPod Touch.

I read from a book, like a normal person.  And the girls mocked me when I had to work to turn the page.

It's hard being old.  And old school.

Just Life

Life has been cruising past, it seems.  We go from one busy day to the next.  I can't even pin down what we do each day--school, piano, play practice, tutoring, lunching, mutual, choir practice, homework, church, driving, and more driving. (I am counting down the days until Cinderella can do some of the driving.  :) )  It all just blurs together into one busy life.  Makes me feel tired, but happy!

Big news at our house is that SW and SB have earned enough money to purchase themselves each an iPod Touch.  I must say, it was a long time coming, but I am proud of them for working so hard at it.  Every birthday or Christmas penny, every cat-sitting or baby-sitting dollar, every "extra chore" dime they received went into their iPod savings.  Yesterday, the iPods arrived in the mail, and it was just like Christmas.  What amazes me is they know how to use them, have downloaded several apps, and seem like iPod pros--within a matter of hours.  They are a little bit bummed that these nifty little devices come with a long list of family rules and consequences, but that's how life goes around here.

Also, I must say that my husband knows me so well.  For Valentine's Day, no expensive flowers and candy for me--he knows I'm too practical for him to buy me flowers, just because he he loves me, just because Hallmark said he should buy them on the day when they are most expensive.  Oh, no.  Not an iPod either--to expensive and impractical!  Instead, he bought an "in the wall" ironing board to put into the laundry room.  Because I recently told him I am so tired of our ironing board being set up in our kitchen or bedroom.  So, I am one happy girl.  And someday, when he wants to, just because he loves me, he'll get me flowers.  :)  But now to figure out where to put the stuff that is on the shelves that the ironing board cabinet will displace...so romantic!  ;)  I am super excited.

images credit

Phew!

I don't think I can adequately express the relief I feel that Science Fair project season is now over.  Worst school assignment ever.  Seriously--Science Fair was created just to teach parents everywhere more patience. 

And, in case you were wondering, people finish a word search puzzle an average of 67 seconds faster if they do not listen to rock music, and middle-schoolers with pets (but with only some of the responsibility of caring for them) statistically have the higher grades. Also, moms with two children doing projects are more stressed--but that last one is just based on personal experience.

I Have Three Teenagers!

It hit me again this morning.  I have three teenagers.  Three.  Although, you would think it would have hit me harder last night while we were dealing with two crying girls because of homework, and one mad because we don't have the right body wash.  (The injustice.)

The twins had a great birthday.  This year, it was not a "friend" party year, so the girls chose to go to dinner with the family.  They chose Thai food.  Probably not the typical, but I was happy.  It's one of my favorite places.  King and I go there almost every week for a lunch date. Yum.  Then, we came home to presents and cake.  I loved their faces as they opened presents.  They had some surprises.  :)

Their favorite (and least expensive, I might add) gift was Nerf Guns.  They have been wanting them because "everybody's little brother has one, and we don't have any."  Naturally, we went with buying them the guns, rather than the little brothers.

They were thrilled.  Cinderella, on the other hand, looked a bit worried....we'll have to get her one soon.

Snow White wanted a giant cookie "cake" and Sleeping Beauty wanted cheesecake.  They decided next year that they are going with cheesecake with chocolate chip cookie crust.  Sounds great to me.

 

We love both our birthday girls.  And despite the fact that it occasionally freaks me out that I have three teenage girls all at once, I wouldn't have it any other way.  The three of our girls are all so fun and smart and funny, and just all-around great people.  I'm blessed to have them in my life!

Mini-posts

I lack the time, desire, and energy to formulate an entire post that goes together neatly and makes any sense.  So, how about a bunch of mini-posts that have nothing to do with each other, but have been on my mind?

1.  We know a lot of people who are struggling with very real and very hard things.  It makes me sad, anxious, and heart-heavy.  I have had worse than average headache days, as of late, which also wears on me.  But, the Spirit keeps whispering the words to the first two verses of a hymn that have brought peace to my heart.  Be Still, My Soul: 

Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
 

Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Isn't it a comfort to know that every path leads to a joyful end?  No matter the thorny way, God is guiding us and has control of the future.  I am so grateful for this knowledge.

"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."  

Psalms 37:5   

"Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full.  Therefore, care not for the body, neither the life of the body; but care for the soul, and for the life of the soul.  And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life." 

Doctrine and Covenants 101:36-38

 2.  Sleeping Beauty and Snow White are rehearsing for a play in March.  Snow White got a part with a solo, the Queen of Something-or-other.  The part she really wanted, though, was one of the main characters, the Dancer.  Yesterday, the choir director asked SW if she would be the understudy for the Dancer.  The Dancer is being played by one of SW's good friends who may have to be in a dance competition the weekend of the play.  She won't know until that week, so SW is now understudy.  I love that the teacher asked SW because, she said, SW is "mature enough to responsibly prepare but can handle the reality that she may never play the part."  It's nice to know our children are mature and responsible somewhere, right?  And, it's also cute to see how excited she is to be understudy.  Now, do I hope the friend has competition that weekend, or not?  Hmm.

3.  The twins turn thirteen tomorrow.  Oy.  While it's true that there is nothing cuter than two sweet newborn girls, it may also be true that there is nothing more savage and frightening than two thirteen-year-old girls who woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  With a fifteen-year-old sister.  Oy.  Maybe everyone should pray for us.  Or for our girls.  One of those.  (I love them.  You know this, right?)

4.  I bought some of that Kraft Mac and Cheese with cauliflower in it.  It didn't fool anyone.  It was disgusting.  When I bought some Whoonu cookies(with fiber and vitamins, but they look like Oreos), Snow White accused me of trying to feed them cookies with cauliflower creme.  Even I'm not that gross.  They did eat the cookies, which are still cookies, but at least it's better than normal cookies, right?  

5.  Cinderella continues to amaze me with her dedication to Early-morning Seminary.  She wakes up by herself every morning, at about 5:30, and has a terrific attitude.  I am grateful she is choosing, all on her own, to make this commitment to her relationship with Jesus Christ and learning His counsel.   She's tired, but she thinks it's worth it.  What a terrific kid.  

6.  We had to re-do the girls' shower (long story) and now need to renovate our bathroom.  Can you believe how many choices there are out there?  It's enough to make anyone crazy.  King said, "I don't care what we do, as long as you are happy."  I said, "Then let's buy a house twice as big, with a brand new master bath, two times closer to Utah."  He didn't think that was very funny.  Or feasible, for that matter. 

7.  I don't like packing the kid's lunches.  Well, not packing them (they do that), but buying stuff and worrying about what to put in them.  They don't really like sandwiches much, rarely will eat a veggie, and I am afraid the Bagelfuls (a bagel stick with cream cheese in it) that I have been buying lately are not being made any more--no store carries them any longer.  I feel lousy in the mornings, and so it needs to be fast, but I am out of ideas.  Help. 

8.  There is not an experience much worse than bra shopping.  Except bra shopping with your teenage girls.  That is all.  

And there we go--eight mini-posts that are not related at all.  Except that they were all in my brain.  Hope your weekend is lovely.  We plan on partying like it's 1999, which is the year the twins were born, so it's only fitting, don't you think?