This Past Week

Thanks to the 3-day weekend, we got a few things done around here.

The Bathroom Project we have been working on since April is now (mostly) finished.  Just as we were finishing the floor the bathtub stopped draining so we need to have that looked at.  The toilet is now having issues so we will need to get a new one, and I want to still change out the faucet.  But other than those things this bathroom is much improved!  Here are the before and after pictures.

 

On Wednesday, Ms M started preschool at a in-home preschool just up the street from us.  She goes twice a week for 2 hours each time.  I think she is going to love it.  Especially the getting to socialize with other little girls part.

On Thursday, one brother-who wishes to remain anonymous-allowed Ms M the priviledge of painting his toe nails.  She was so excited.  She had already painted my finger and toe nails and was looking for her next client.

We also hosted a wedding shower on Thursday for the Bride-to-Be in our family.  I am amazed at how excited we all are for this event.  Especially the two youngest.  A is already counting down the days.  And M is asking every day (sometimes more than once a day) when the wedding is.  Cute...so cute.

And speaking of Labour Day.  This is some fun the younger kids had that day.

School Is In..

for everybody, except the preschooler who starts next week.

Our Morning Schedule now begins at 6am when the oldest arises (and sometimes I am there to greet him) and goes through 8am when the youngest two boys step onto the school bus.

He is now a Sevie at the Middle School.

 Roaming the halls looking for his classes,

opening lockers,

 

 and sporting eyewear for the first time!

 

 He did NOT want me to take his picture,

and he most certainly didn't want me to follow him to the bus stop, so I captured some photos from afar.

 He is a Sophomore starting High School.

 

Wait did I just say HIGH SCHOOL.   As in the last stop before he leaves the nest and moves on to bigger and better things.

As in serving a mission and attending college.

As in my little family as I know it will probably never live under the same roof again after that.

Wow...I am getting way to ahead of myself, but time still isn't on my side and it isn't slowing down.  If anything it seems to be speeding up!

There is ONE more person who started school this week too, but he is on the teaching side of things.  I didn't get his picture but you can call him...

Professor Dean

Gone

8 years ago we moved away from one of the best experiences of my life.

We were living in Sacramento, CA and my husband had just accepted a job in Utah, where we were both born and raised and where we decided to return to be close to family.

A job with the State of California had originally brought us out to Sacramento 3 years earlier.  I didn't want to go on this adventure of moving 600+ miles away from family because I was scared.  But I have to admit that it felt right at the time.  So we moved to California with two young children where I was able to be a full-time stay@home mom for the first time.

I am not a very out going person so I knew that getting to know new people would be a challenge for me.  But what I found in Sacramento were some of the best friends that I have ever had in my life.  I so desperately needed them and was so thankful for their acceptance, love and influence.  


Today I found out that one of those friends is gone.  Passed away suddenly, not sure what from.

My heart aches.  My mind is questioning why.  My eyes keep filling up with tears.

I had been thinking about her lately and was going to contact her, but I didn't.  Now I won't get that chance, at least in this life.  It is so easy now with fb and email to just send a little "thinking of you" note but I will regret not doing it now for the rest of my earth life.

It is so easy to switch positions with her in my mind but it is imaginably hard to comprehend how her husband and kids are coping.  I don't want to think of her as gone, I would much rather imagine her playing or teaching her four young kids, or tending to her amazing garden or sitting down and reading a good book, or talking with me at Friday club, or during the early morning walks we used to take together.  

Her friendship meant so much to me.  I wish I had done a better job of telling her so.   Love you Kendra-I know someday I will see you again!  May God bless and watch over your family.

FHE - Miniature Golfing

 We had the chance to go miniature golfing as a family

-thanks to Nana

 She preferred the new style of putting.

There was a lot of waiting for the party in front of us to be done

so that we could have our turn.

 

 With a little instruction in the beginning,

he did really well.

 

 

  

In the end

18 holes of miniature golf 

was just a little too many

for this four year old.