Hello! Another Monday edition...there is something about Sundays now...it seems too hard to write! Anyway, I didn't want two weeks to pass me by, so I am forcing myself to pound this out. Our life has been lived at hyper-speed for the last few weeks it seems with hardly a moment to spare. I feel like Richard and I are hanging on for dear life from one day to the next-full of good, but a lot of good! Here's the rundown...
Last Monday was pretty straight-forward: music class for Gretchen, dance for Rachel and soccer practice for Marshall. Bridget desperately wanted to have Cambria over to show her her new room, and since Bridget didn't have anything going on after school, it worked out! Cambria's little sister, Naomi, is in Gretchen's kindergarten class and they have become good little buddies so Naomi came over too. It was a fun and friend-filled afternoon for those two, which makes all of us happy.
Richard had the day off on Tuesday, which was so wonderful. He and I make a great team, and it is days like this I wish he didn't have to work! After we got the kids off to school, we dropped the van off for routine maintenance, went to breakfast, ran errands, Richard got the flu shot, picked up the van, and then I volunteered in Gretchen's class-all by 11:00 am! After lunch, Richard put together a book shelf for Bridget's new room and I started moving some of Gretchen's things into her old/new room. After school, Rachel had dance and Marshall had a soccer game. Richard was able to be there for all of it and I was able to be there for most of it. Marshall's team ended up winning 7-0, so it was a great game! We had a late dinner at home all together after soccer, which was nice. After dinner we "Boo-ed" two families. We got Boo-ed right before we left for Vernal, and the kids had all been eagerly anticipating this fun act. I made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and we got orange soda and Bridget took the wrappers off and drew a face for a jack-o-lantern. Bridget, Rachel and Gretchen delivered the treats, knocked on the door and hid for our neighbors the Camps. Richard, Marshall and I watched it all from our bedroom windows. It was delightful to watch. When they got back, we piled in the van and drove to Sara's house. Marshall dropped off their goodies disguised in a beanie and gator. :) It was a fun evening outing and we all loved it.
My Wednesday morning was completely delightful. After all the kids got off to school, I went downtown and met Katie for my birthday breakfast at The Coffee Shop at the Little America. I had the best two hours catching up with her and eating delicious food. After kindergarten, Gretchen had lunch with Charlie and Jackson and had a great time playing with them, and I enjoyed a little bit more time to myself! Later that afternoon Bridget had horseback riding, Marshall and Bridget both had piano lessons, and Rachel had dance...luckily, soccer practice was cancelled for Marshall! That was honestly the best news of my day! I lived in the van for two hours that afternoon/evening just driving around Farmington and Centerville...nuts! Marshall also went to the YM/YW activity that night at Cross E Ranch for the corn maze. Despite getting a little car sick on the way home, he had a great time. Bob and Becky came and stayed at our house that night in order to catch an early flight the next morning. We enjoyed spending some time with them before we all went to bed.
Thursday was a day for the books. I actually gave myself a real relaxing morning, because I knew that the second half of the day was going to be bananas. Once Gretchen got home from school, she and I had a quick lunch and then it was off to dance for her. I was home for a bit and then drove to the Radisson hotel by the airport and met Katie there. Can I just say it was a true treat to spend time with Katie two days in a row?! That has not happened in years! Anyway, Anna was flying in for a very quick weekend trip with her mom and Georgie and the only time we could see her was to pick them up from the airport and drive them to her sister's house in Sandy! I left my car at the hotel (relieved I wasn't ticketed!), hopped in Katie's car and we drove the few minutes to the airport. We only had to wait a bit before they were outside and it was so great to see Anna, Georgie and Jackie, Anna's mom. We had a short 30 minute drive to her sister's house, which we desperately wish could have been longer, but we are grateful for every minute! Georgie fell asleep in the car and when I got her out she just kept sleeping on my shoulder-I wish I could have taken her home for Gretchen! We eventually forced ourselves to say good-bye and Katie drove me back to the Radisson. I picked up Gretchen from Genevieve's house on my way home (so thankful for ALL the people who helped make Thursday afternoon possible for me!) and we walked in the door just before 5:00. Rachel was off at a group lesson for piano and Bridget was getting ready for the farm. I made a quick dinner for Gretchen and me to eat in the car while we took Marshall to soccer. After we dropped Marshall off, Gretchen asked me where we were. It took me a minute to realize she was asking what state we were in. I told her we were in Utah, and she said, "What?! We've been in Utah the whole time?! I feel like we drove to Las Vegas!" We were in Woods Cross. :) We were home for five minutes, just waiting for Rachel and as soon as she got home, the three of us went to the church for the primary program practice. We had a pretty decent primary turnout considering it was a week night and we were able to get through the whole program twice, it was mostly successful. :) We gave all the kids donuts, thanked them for their hard work, and sent them on their way. Richard had picked up Marshall from soccer and swung by and picked up the girls. I stayed for a primary presidency meeting and made it home about 8:45. It was a day for sure! But, the kids did great. I just left them a note that afternoon telling them who was picking them up when and to be ready and eat dinner and it went well. And like I said, so many other parents helped drive my kids around that day and took care of them. It surely takes a village! Needless to say, I slept very well that night!
Richard had a very early work shift Friday morning. He is in the depths of my cold now, so I feel bad for him. But, thanks to Coke Zero and lots of cold medication he was able to power through. Bless him. Marshall had a taco truck for lunch because of his Spanish class, he loved it. After school, my parents came and picked up Marshall for his birthday outing. Their original plan was to go plane watching and out to brunch or lunch on Saturday, but the weather had other plans, so they bumped the plane watching up to Friday afternoon. From what I have heard, those three had a great time. They were able to see planes landing and taking off and with binoculars they could see flights either going to or from four other countries. I believe Marshall told me they saw a flight from South Korea heading to Dallas! So amazing! Meanwhile, at home, I tried to get the girls to either do jobs or nap, but they only wanted to play, but after their busy week, I couldn't blame them. Richard got home just after 5:00, we loaded up in the van, and drove to Rachel's piano recital in Bountiful. My parents and Marshall met us there and we cheered on little Dokie. She missed a few notes, but nailed the dynamics, and she did a good job. She had two recitals in Let's Play Music, but this was definitely the most people she has ever played for. After the recital, we drove into Salt Lake and grabbed quick dinners for all of us at the City Creek food court-something to make everyone happy! After dinner we walked over to the Eccles for a night I have been looking forward to for months-The Lion King! Richard and I bought these tickets so long ago. This was my third time seeing it, Richard's second and the first for all of our kids. I told Richard no expense spared on these seats and we sat on the main floor, right on the aisle so that we could have an unobstructed view of all the amazing costumes coming down. It was amazing and so wonderful to experience it with my kids. They were all riveted the entire show, and despite it starting at 8:00, everyone stayed awake the entire time...even Richard! Ha! It was honestly so amazing and I am so glad we splurged and did it. Rachel and Gretchen watched The Lion King movie on Saturday afternoon and the soundtrack to the Broadway version has pretty much been playing non-stop in our house and car since we got home.
Saturday morning everyone was able to sleep in except Bridget and me-off to the farm in the cold and rain at 8:00 am. Lovely! Bridget and Cambria loved it, I did not. :) At 11:30 my parents came and picked up Marshall for his lunch date. That crazy kid chose sushi, and all I can say is I am so glad my parents like seafood. Marshall came home ecstatic about lunch and talked about it the rest of Saturday. At 2:00 pm, Bridget left to go to Cambria's house for the afternoon and then their family Halloween party and did not get home until 10:30! She had a great time at the party and came home with loads of candy and wonderful stories. Cambria's great uncle hosts this party and has been doing it for years. He has a barn and a pygmy goat so of course Bridget thought this was the coolest thing ever. :) Richard, Marshall and I watched the BYU football game. I have not seen Richard this upset over BYU football since Gary Crowton was the coach. He popped a balloon (Marshall is not letting him live this down) and he turned the game off early! Marshall and I were shocked! This has never happened. Thankfully, Richard channeled his anger and took apart the entire bunk bed in Rachel's room and we finished cleaning up the room and got her new queen bed all set up. It was anger well used! Ha! That night Rachel went to a birthday party for a boy in her class. His parents were brave and invited 17 kids over for dinner, games and a movie. When I picked up Rachel and Sara, Luke's mom told me it was wild...I have NO DOUBT. Richard and I went out for a late dinner and Marshall baby-sat Gretchen. He was so good to her and played board games with her after they ate. And when I got home from church on Sunday I found those two in the living room again playing games...my heart. Anyway, Saturday was another very late night for us. We were all finally home by 10:45, everyone was still awake, even Gretchen, but we were all sound asleep by 11:15 pm! Gretchen even slept back in her "old room" as she calls it.
We had a great Sunday yesterday. It was the primary program, Bridget's last! Bridget and Rachel both had speaking parts and Gretchen sang "Keep the Commandments" with the CTR 5 and CTR 6 class. We had all the kids who spoke write their own talks, and they all did a great jbb. The primary kids all sang great and there were not many dry eyes by the end. The last song we sang was "I Will Be What I Believe", a song that was written a few years ago. The kids sang so well and with their whole hearts. I was sitting up on the stand and couldn't even sing with them-it was so touching. My parents were able to come see it, and Richard was also there, which hasn't happened for all of October! The rest of our day was relaxing and spent together, which was wonderful and what we all needed. We also all went to bed earlier last night!
And that's a wrap! Here's to a new week...may it be a little calmer. Wishful thinking!
Love to all of you!
Richard, Jenny, Marshall, Bridget, Rachel and Gretchen :)
