Things to Remember Week of 4-23-17

WEIRD DREAMS
So I woke up with the memory of several weird happenings in my dream.  Some of them related to how I was feeling the day before, but others seemed to be just strange additions.  I started to feel kind of down because of all of it and started to work my way into that hole that I often find myself in on Sundays, but it occurred to me, because of what Nate had said about last night's shenanigans, about how "something good is on the horizon and that's why Satan is trying to get me down".  I decided that I'd already given him my Saturday evening, I didn't want to give Satan my Sunday too.  Totally pulled myself right out of that hole!  It was awesome!  I had a few emotional moments during Sacrament meeting which I'm going to blame on hormones- I think we're getting close to P-day- but I did it!  I stayed mostly UP!  Just proud of myself.  My life feels a little stressful right now and things just aren't happening the way I need them to in a lot of areas and there are so many things I keep forgetting to do and I'm still having difficulty making connections, so I keep flaking out on things (like Erika's talk : (  ), but I'm trying not to let that get me down.  All is going to be well :).  It's just a matter of time, I just know it.  4-23-17

ZOO WITH BECKY
Becky offered to let us in on her Zoo pass on Monday.  It was sprinkling a little and more rain was in the forecast, but that didn't stop us :).  It did make it slightly less enjoyable, but it was fun to spend time with Becky and see the Zoo again for the first time in about 2 years (I think?).  Jack sure loved it!  Molly too.  It was fun to show them around and let them experience it all for the first time.  I loved Molly's reaction to the monkeys- she giggled as she pulled up to them in the stroller and then at a different cage of them, reached out and leaned for them like she wanted to hold them :). Super cute.  Jack liked the lions and was pretty geeked out about the tigers- since he is one.  Although, I think it surprised him that they were just laying around, licking themselves, and yawning rather than running around fighting bad guys and jumping off of high places while growling... maybe a little let down.  But he didn't show it too much :).  He got a kick out of the lion drinking fountains.  We were sad that the Polar Bear had died, that was one of my favorite exhibits... Jack asked me all about kidney failure.  We were happy to get back in the warm car after getting soaked all morning, but talked about it all for days!  Animals are the coolest.  4-24-17

FHE
For FHE Charity taught us a lesson on forgiveness.  She used an object lesson with two airplanes, one had a washer in it so it didn't fly.  If you're carrying that extra burden, or holding a grudge, you can't fly as well.  This was a great reminder for me.  There are a couple people in my life right now that I need to let go of hurt from and forgive.  We had Bowman's Orange rolls for the treat- thanks to Kelly and then played Simon Says for Bradley's activity since the frisbee golf course was all soggy.  4-24-17

FIELD TRIP TO THE ZOO WITH ERIKA
I have been on the Zoo field trip with all of my kids except Charity (because I was incapacitated with kids and a new baby- just in my defense :) I would have loved to have gone with her too).  I LOVE this field trip!  It's always been a fun time to spend with my little first grader (or kindergartner in some cases).  This time was no different- well except for the rain :).  Although, I think it rained during Luke's too.  It was funny to go to the Zoo two days in a row, but the second time was so much different!  So much more rain!  I was happy to have an umbrella with me.  I didn't have the two littles, so I was able to walk around more freely with Erika.  We bounced around all over the place seeing what the girls requested.  It was a lot of fun.  I think Erika really enjoyed it!  We spent a lot of time in the buildings- the reptile house and the ape house, which they loved!- so that we could keep dry.  It was a really fun day.  I took some pictures, I'll have to make sure I post them.  We did get a cool show from one of the lion cubs- he was standing up on his hind legs scratching at the glass!  It was so strange!  I almost wonder if he was mad or something- just because of the look on his face. I don't know- it was pretty entertaining, but very strange.  It was fun to spend time with Morgan's mom, Jessica as well.  I haven't had much chance to get to know her.  Just a lot of fun for me and my Erika.  4-25-17

BAD MOOD
Wednesday was not a good day.  I think my bad mood started while I was visiting teaching- which I hate to admit.  I am really not loving some of the conversation with people lately.  I get frustrated.  I struggled with this all day!  So hard.  I know and knew that it was probably hormones, but I had a hard time snapping out of it.  I got a few good cries in that afternoon and evening and Nate was so sweet to help me out the next day too.  I'm not sure what my deal was.  The naughty kids situation wasn't helping.  But I gradually pulled myself out of it by Thursday afternoon.   4-26-17

SOFTBALL
Erika's softball game went really well again.  She is doing so good!  The game was cut a little short because of the wet field, but fun time sitting in the rain cheering our little girl on.  4-26-17

GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE
Charity and Kelly have spent quite a few hours at this place working with kids/teens with Down's Syndrome.  They help them learn a play and this week was their big performance.  I just love that they have this opportunity.  I love that they love the people so much.  They are really sacrificing and putting their needs aside to serve those people.  Makes me happy.  They had their YW classes attend the play for their activity.  I was bummed we missed the show, but I heard it was great!  4-26-17

OVERNIGHT
Knowing I needed a night off- Nate booked the night at a hotel and took me to a movie (we saw Circle- pretty weird show- still thinking about it).  It is so nice that Charity and Kelly are okay letting us do this once in a while- it was such a relaxing time.  We did have to get up at the crack of dawn to come home and get kids off to school, but it was definitely a much needed break.  4-27-17

NANCY'S SEWING MACHINE CAKE
I spent most of the day Friday and all of Saturday morning making Nancy's cake.  This cake has been in my head and on my mind for the past couple months.  Becky had seen it on Facebook and shared it.  I liked it, but thought there was no way I could make it.  Then out of nowhere I got the crazy idea to offer to make it.  I really never thought I would be able to make that cake!  I thought maybe I could come close and if not- just make some little sewing machines to put on cupcakes or something :).  But surprisingly- it actually came together!!  It was one of the more fun ones I've done recently.  I really enjoyed it.  It took me forever, but I had expected that.  I had expected a lot of the problems- the sewing machine started to droop a little and I did have some hangups with the fondant, but it went relatively smoothly!  I was so surprised!  AND I was so surprised with how it turned out!  I was really proud of myself!  I still can't believe I made the cake that I thought I never could make :).  Made me happy.  I hope it made it safely to Nancy and that she liked it and felt loved :).  4-28-17

CLAIRE!
We got to have Claire come over Friday night.  We wimped out (because I'd been making the cake all day) and just got Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner, but Claire and I just sat and talked the ENTIRE EVENING!  So fun :).  I really think I could talk to her forever! Good times.  4-28-17

Edits

Trying out my new presets... not sure how I feel about some of them.

Easter Morning

Easter Morning was lovely, but slightly rushed in my mind.  I woke up just a tad later than I'd planned.  We crammed in scouting out baskets, making and eating the traditional Creamed Eggs on Toast breakfast, getting dressed in new clothes, hunting for eggs ALL OVER the backyard, and then a few pictures too.  It was a packed morning.  Surprisingly we were on time/early for church!  On time meaning we got cushion seats- so we were about 15 minutes early :).  We had been blessed with a big box of candy and toys from Lynn and Ali the day before, so the baskets were slightly more full than we'd planned :).  The Easter Bunny got some surprise help!

This is to be used as black mail later.

Pringles!

I just love this kid's smile :).  

This kid's too :).

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drawing faces on all his new candy! HA!  They actually sat untouched on the counter with their cute little faces for about a week before I told Jack they needed to find a new home.  That was when he started folding paper to make actual homes for them! :).  Such a cutie. 

yummy thick WHITE bread for everyone else. 

Hearty whole grain bread for me :).  And actually, I think I like this bread better now.  Except maybe with Nutella- but I'm not eating any of that right now anyway.

The handsome chef :).

In his awesome "Property of my hot wife" shirt :).

He loves his little turtle already :).

gorgeous!

handsome Jack

I have to point out that Luke had gotten dressed into a nice comfy sweater for church since we didn't buy him new Sunday clothes since he's got three nice suits that fit him.  I came down and saw him not in a handsome suit and begged him to change into a suit for his mom for Easter and guess what! he did!!!  Melted my heart just a little bit because I know he ONLY did it for me.  Look how handsome he looks in it!

I am posting this one because I love that Luke is looking over at Molly :).  He hangs on her every move, 24/7.