My shower

That was the best part of my day. I caught the cold that is going around in the family yesterday. Today I woke up, but we had to do school. That was a wreck. Elijah just did not want to cooperate today. We didn't start until 10am because I had to take Duane to the airport and the kids didn't wake up on time.

After school (finishing at 4:00), I also had All-city calls to make - with a soar throat. I made dinner, then took Brian to Ichiban. Then I took Quiana to the fabric store for her personal progress project. I am teaching her how to make a hand bag. Then I came home and made an hour or so of phone calls. Then was that beloved shower!

After that, I put the kids to bed. Now, I am writing a grocery list so I can go shopping after I pick Brian up. Then I have a project to get done for Bob. I am going to try and get it done by tomorrow night. Maybe I'll just come home after shopping and go to bed. If I work on it most of tomorrow I can get it done by Wednesday morning. However, I don't have most of tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon I am teaching Quianna how to make her bag. Life needs to slow down when I am sick. Things are going at 110mph anyway, can't they just slow down to 90 when I get sick?

and that was why my shower was the best part of my day...

Stake Conference

I love our stake presidency. Tonight was the adult session of stake conference. The last few times the stake presidency has done something unusual - and tonight was no different. Tonight they taught us how to ponder....

President Lee introduced the steps to pondering the scriptures:

1. Visualize - see it happening... How did they feel? How would I feel? Where would I be if I were in there?

2. Pull out the principles from the story.

3. Receive revelation about those principles - What about that? I need to... What is to be done?

We went through a few scripture stories - Alma the younger, The battles in the Book of Mormon, and Numbers 13-14 (when Moses sends spies into Cannan). Then we figured out the principles and received the revelation. Literally - we. They pass around the microphones and we share our thoughts. It's like a stake discussion lead by the Stake Presidency. I love them! They are so inspired and follow that inspiration! It is so wonderful to know that they are leaders. I trust them and love them. I feel like I know each one personally. We have such a good stake. It feels so good. As I look back growing up, it kind of felt like I was going through the motions. Go to church, go to stake conference, take notes, go home and go back to doing what I was doing before. Now as I sit here, thinking about this evening, I think - I didn't realize church could be this good. I just feel so alive when I am surrounded by the people in our ward and in our stake.

So good!

School blessings

Brian gave us blessings tonight to start the school year. I was blessed with:

• an increase of love, patience and strength when I need it
• the knowledge the Lord will not leave me in trying to do what He wants me to do
• that I may have my love increase and that I will remember that love when I get frustrated
• that I can separate the roles of being a mother and teacher
  

My blessings talked about me following the subtle promptings of the spirit and making a decision from that inspiration.

Elijah was blessed with the joy of learning and that he can have strength as he overcomes obstacles and that he can remember the feeling after he overcomes them when he meets another.

Quianna was blessed with the strength to work with her brother and help me.

And so it begins...

We started moving furniture around today. The corner desk ... from the downstairs office which will soon be our closet and music room - Quianna wants it to be a baby's room, however, that will be quite a while... anyway, the corner desk has been moved upstairs in the living room so we can prepare for school.

The next step is to figure out our office - soon closet. Then we'll move onto our bedroom and then finish with our garage. It will be really good to declutter and organize our room. I have been doing 27 boogie. Every week I go through the office throw away another pile of stuff. I also need to put a bunch of text books for sell online - which I think I'll do right now.

The exciting thing is we have the desk upstairs- which was the first step. Hopefully it will be like as snowball and we just keep going! It is really nice to be typing this at a (clean) desk upstairs with the family. I think this was a good decision.

side note - we had the missionaires over today with an investigator that is getting baptized in October. It was good. Elder Ericho - who hardly eats - ate 3 hamburgers! He ate them so quickly! It was like I turned around and he was asking for another one. It was a good time.

Testing, Testing, 1-2-3

Ok. So not that kind of testing, but for the last couple of days, the kids have been doing placement tests so I can figure out what classes to put them in for k12. Today, we finally finished! The kids tested for at least 4 hours yesterday and at least an hour today. Quianna did more today, but I finally decided where she was going to be.

Elijah is going to be in 3rd grade math and language arts/literature; Quianna will be in 5th grade math and language arts/literature. I am going to try and do 3rd grade history and 4th grade science so I can teach them that at the same time. I am hoping the teacher I am supposed to be working with will let me do that. She I haven't spoken with her yet - and I can honestly say that I have done my part. I have done pretty much everything except for going to her office or home and ask her my questions. I am getting really impatient. HOWEVER, I think was really patient for the month that I had to wait for the initial information to get to me. Depending how this year goes, I might go with WAVA, or maybe see if I can use MCP in the tri-cities just for the k-12.

So the best part of my day is that I am starting to figure things out for school. yay!

This morning

Ok. I know its not really fair to say my best part of the day when its only 7:45, bu hey! I have really enjoyed my morning. Brian work up around 5:15 to head out of work around 5:45. So I got up around 5:30 so I could get some food for him. I started doing some stretches around 5:45 then I moved onto my 200 sit up challenge and 100 push up challenge. Then I stretched for a walk/jog. I went for a 20 minute walk/jog to prepare to start the couch to 5 k challenge. I have decided to start easy this year. Last year I messed up my back with running too quickly and I would like to avoid the chiropractor this year. I am going to do some back stretches every day and ease into the running.
This morning I have also done 2 loads of laundry, checked my email, and ate breakfast. I am going to read my scriptures, take a shower, fold laundry, and probably watch a tv show while I do that. I really want to start doing this more often.

A couple minutes Later edit -  Ok, I'll probably listen to my love and logic pod cast while I fold my laundry.

I'm an Ornple!

Ok... if you want to catch up, read the story posted here. As I was heading down stairs I asked, "What does that make Daddy? A Plum?" The kids like that and we joked around a couple seconds and I headed down stairs again. As I was heading down Elijah yelled out..."This is the Best Night Ever!"

and THAT was the best part of my day.

mommy

Tonight when I tucked Elijah in to bed, we had a a little trouble, but because of the help from Love and Logic and the Holy Ghost I was able to take care of it.
I then gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek and said, "I love you, you're my favorite son" thinking 'I can say that because he's my only son' but then he smiled and said, "you're my favorite mom." He stopped really quickly because I think he realized that he has more than one mom. But I just gave him a smile and a chuckle and told him goodnight.

I didn't mean to get him to say that, I just wanted to be playful with him while I was calling him son.
He is a wonderful boy with an enormous loving heart. I love being his mom.

Memorial Day Weekend

Monday was Elijah's birthday, so we kept teasing him by saying, "Happy Memorial Day!" instead of "Happy Birthday!" We took the kids and some of Elijah's friends to laser tag. Brian and I played air hockey while they did their games.
On Saturday, Brian took us shopping at Home Depot, Costco, Winco, Fred Meyers, and Sonneberg's Market and Deli. Then Brian BBQ'd some steaks for our date while Elijah went to Quianna's house.
All 3 days of the weekend we slept in - it was so WONDERFUL! On Sunday morning, Brian did some gardening - planted some cantaloupe. He also made breakfast for us Saturday and Monday, and dinner for us on Sunday(and cleaned the Kitchen!). He has been such a big help while I am in school. I am so glad to have him!

12:01am

The best part of my day today was when I pushed submit on my final economics project. I didn't feel the relief until about 12:01 when all was said and done and I was pouring the sparkling lemonade for Brian and me.
I was going to bake Elijah's cake tonight, but I think I am just going to do it in the morning. I am exhausted and don't feel like starting a new project.
I think I am going to go straighten up my room a little and then go to bed...

Temple

Quianna was baptized last week along with her mom and brother, Alex. Tonight was our ward temple trip and I got to go along with her and Brian. It was my first time going to help for the baptisms and Quianna's first time performing them! It was really cool!
We went to Dairy Queen afterwards.
Today, Brian brought home thai food for lunch. It was a pleasantly delicious surprise! He knows the way to my heart... food. :-)

best parts of this week....

Life has been pretty busy... although, I haven't done much homework this week... I have been doing lots of graphic design work for Brian during the day. When the night comes, I don't want to do homework so I say, I'll do it tomorrow, but then I have more graphic stuff to do. 5 more weeks and I will never have homework again. A while ago I was thinking of going back to school some time to get a master degree in business but now I don't think I will. Honestly, I don't think so. Maybe... MAYBE I might go back in like 15 years... but that's a big MAYBE. I am excited to be going to my own school learning about things that I want to learn about... for FUN! not for a grade. I have so many plans! I want to learn how to bake, decorate cakes, better photography, I want to read books, I want to learn about history... oh! I am so excited.
Institute has been the best part of my week. We are in the chapters in 3rd Nephi when Jesus comes to the America's. It has been awesome.
Another great part of the week is Quianna's getting baptized! Her mom has been taking the missionary discussions and feels that her and Alex need to get baptized. Quianna is so excited! I am so happy for her. This will be so good for their and our family.
That's about it... busy busy busy

Happy Easter!

The best part of my day yesterday was Brian's and my date night. We are part of a babysitting co-op and it was our turn to go on a date last night. We didn't do much, but it was so good to spend some alone time together that wasn't after the kids went to bed and we were tired for the day. We first went shopping for our Easter Dinner and then we went and bought paper. Then we came home and I filled Easter eggs while he typed up Quianna's talk for her (she wrote it, he was just typing it up to make it easier to read). Then we hid the plastic Easter eggs. My favorite part about last night was when I was done filling the eggs I said, "Ok, do you want to go hide?" and then I thought it was funny so I pretended to start a game of hide and seek. Brian thought it was funny so after he was done with Quianna's talk, he said, "Are you going to count?" so I did. After I reached 25 I got up and started to look for him. I heard him go down the stairs so I looked there. In the entry way he was hiding behind my coat hanging up. I could totally see him waist down. It was so cute, so I played along and went past him saying, "I wonder where he could be." After looking downstairs, I came back up and said, "Ok, I give up... Olly, Olly, Oxen free!" and he jumped out. He then said, "You couldn't see me, huh!?!.... because I can't see you, you can't see me!" It was lots of fun to feel free in our home and be silly together as a couple.
My favorite part of the day is yet to come... well part way. We had Brook and Alex over for Easter dinner and so when he came home from taking them home, Elijah was in bed and so he and I got to sit on the couch and cuddle and relax in the love that we share. The other part of it is when we get into bed tonight, I am looking forward to curling up next to him and relaxing in the security of his arms.
My other favorite part of today was this morning... it was so hectic but I just gotta say, I love my husband. I am so lucky. I had to prepare my primary lesson, prepare dinner for tonight, and get ready for choir which was at 11:30. He took it upon himself to help me. I just told him what to do and he prepared most of the dinner for tonight. Not only that but when I came back to pick them up after choir practice, the house AND kitchen was clean. He is so amazing. I am very lucky!

My graduation Dress

Tonight I figured out my graduation dress. It's nice to have graphic design tools on my computer so I can create on the screen what is in my head. It's so much easier to make decisions that way. I am so excited!

The last two nights!

I slept through the whole night! It has been a long time since I have been able to do that! For the last couple weeks Elijah has been waking up at least once a night and then can't get back to sleep. Then he'll come down stairs knock on our door until he wakes us up to call him in. He comes to us and says, "I can't get to sleep" only for us to say, "go back up stairs and keep trying."
But we've started a new schedule (which you can read about at my other blog) and it has been helping! I am so happy!

Relief Society

Tonight's activity was two couples sharing how they have the spirit in their home and how they have started spiritual traditions. It was really good. The first couple, Jamie and Glen Gilson, shared their thoughts then the second couple, Phil and Alice Huber, led a discussion of "How do you love your kids more today than you did yesterday."
Afterwards, Anngela Wakan, Marianne Stenlund, and I talked for like 45 min. It was lots of fun - just what I needed after a week of work and feeling sick.

side note: When shopping for Quianna's birthday, I bought a cute swim tote today that I can use during the summer when we go swimming. There's even a separate bag that is made for your wet swimming suit. I thought it will be helpful when we have little ones because the kids are getting older and Quianna likes having her separate bag and I am trying to get Elijah to be responsible for his own stuff, but when we have little ones it will be easier to have everything in one bag... and it was only $13. Reg $30! I also bought myself a $5 water bottle, reg $10. It has a spout instead of something you suck out of, and it has a freezing stick so your drink can stay cold. I am excited because I am tired of buying the Kirkland water bottles. Although, those are good for emergency storage. I think I might go back and get one for Elijah because he's been asking for a water bottle. I think Quianna has one, and I don't know if Brian wants one.

Oh yeah, I also bought make up today... I think i am taking it back because I don't really like it... guh. I wish I could find some make up that doesn't smudge. getting tired of that.

uh...

The last couple of days I have been sick and so my days have consisted of homework and sleeping. Out of that there isn't very many good parts of the day. I guess my best part about Sunday was we picked the kids up in Ritzville and hung out with Barb and Dan for a bit. On Monday, the best part was "finishing" the design of the front cover for the Radiohead charts at Sierra Music. Now, I just need to hear back from Bob.
I am staying home today from Institute because I slept in to feel better. I am going to Cheney for my usual meeting with Rob and my PrePress Class. Hopefully by taking it easy today will help me recover from this nasty head cold.

mmm... steak

I know the day isn't over yet, but the rest of the day consists of babysitting (for our co-op), homework, and preparing my lesson for tomorrow's class.
The best part of my day is Brian barbecued steaks. They tasted like jerky. So good... we ate them for lunch and watched 1990 football follies. (we miss football... can you tell?) Can't wait for preseason! We started talking about how exciting it will be to watch the colts this year because Collie, Wayne, Clark, and others are healed and will be back. We talked about how we want Colts shirts/jerseys. I think that he should get Peyton Manning and I would get Austin Collie that way we can have a QB/WR pair. He thinks it would be cool to get a Clark one. Since Collie is such a young player (he went to BYU and is LDS!) they don't have a jersey for him so it would have to be custom made which is $15 more! maybe we'll save up during the year in time to buy them for the season...
I bought a straightener today. A straightener to curl my hair. I think it's funny that I use a curling iron to straighten my hair and a straightener to curl my hair. As Brian said, "silly girl"

Babysitting

The best part of my day was spending time with Gabi. She has become so fun as she has gotten older. She is talking so much and has a fun sense of humor.

It’s lots of fun to start getting ideas on how it’s going to be like when I have a little toddler around. Along with us playing silly games with each other, her and I cleaned the kitchen. I gave her a baby wipe and I had a bleach wipe and we wiped down the cupboard doors. Hopefully it will help us with the ants.

Another fun thing about today is I made chicken salads and tater tots for Brian’s and my dinner. The thing is, the last two times (including tonight) I have been busy with homework or cleaning the house that I have burnt the tater tots. When sitting down for dinner Brian says, “Why is it that you burn tater tots? I just don’t get it, you make these amazing meals, and then you burn tater tots.”

Husband, food, football

Brian's mom came and picked up the kids today. No - that was not the best part of my day, but because of it Brian and I got to spend his only night off this week at home relaxing instead of meeting Barb and Dan in Ritzville. (thanks Barb!)
Brian and I have needed some time together to relax. So I made zuppa toscana (soup from olive garden), a nice salad, and garlic bread sticks. We ate dinner together while watching a 5 hours (not quite 5 because we fast forward commercials) TV special about the history of the AFL. We have had it on our DVR for months, but haven't had the time to watch it. Since we are getting rid of the DVR at the end of the week we needed to watch it.

What's the best part of your day?

Every night when my parents would tuck us in my mom would ask, "What's the best part of your day?" and we got to tell her the best thing about our day. Sometimes we would use it as a stalling tactic, but I never realized how wonderful the idea was. When my dad would tuck us in, he would forget and I would remind him, “You have to ask me what’s the best part of my day!”
Now having children of my own (well, I think of them as my own) I do realize how important it is to look on the good and to be falling asleep thinking of the best part of my day which lead to other good parts of my day. Only on a rare occasion (or at least that I could remember, my parents would probably say it was more than rare) if I stayed awake later would I have bad thoughts creep in my mind and cause that I couldn't go to sleep.
Now that I am not tucked in anymore I don't have someone asking me the best part of my day. Sometimes when I tuck Elijah in and remember to ask the question he asks me back, but I think it would be great to ask it of me everyday. So I have decided to create my "best parts" journal.

Every night I will write the best part of my day. It will be like my mom is tucking me in again and asking me that very special question.