today...

we cleaned and cried.

we enjoyed weather that was a little bit cloudy. partly cloudy, i've heard it called before.

the canine had to spend some time in her kennel for doing naughty things.

we ate friday pizza on saturday.

we filled the house with winter aromas- pine and cinnamon and clove and cranberry and orange.

we had cherry pie and sang happy birthday accompanied on the piano by oldest daughter for the husband's birthday, even though his birthday is days and days away.

we gave hair cuts.

we attended a baby shower.

we picked up the sunday suit and dresses from the cleaners.

we made luke skywalker outfits out of old sunday shirts.

we folded and put away loads and loads of laundry.

we collected the chicken eggs and put them in our pockets, even though we have been told not to, and one of them happened to crack.

we cleaned up messy cracked egg mess.

we talked to grandma and grandpa.

we got hit in the head with a book. and it left a nasty gash.

we slept in.

we tried to set up an appointment to see the newest nephew and cousin. but, alas, his social calendar is full and he was out for the evening.

we practiced karate moves in the family room.

we played piano beautifully.

we exhausted another belt on the vacuum.

we ate birthday candy from last week.

we donated piles of clothes and shoes to the local thrift store.

we asked neighbors not to hold us accountable for the painting of the entryway we told them to hold us accountable for, because we simply did not get around to it.

we relaxed together at the end of the day and watched a movie, because the byu game is on too late.

Catching Flies

The weather has turned here. Finally.

Last evening I opened all the doors and let in the glorious breeze. And the flies.

This morning as we were reading scriptures, oldest daughter wielded the fly swatter and went on a hunt. She has fly swatting skills that you wouldn't believe. Reminiscent of the Karate Kid and his chopsticks. Often she uses just her hands to catch flies.

And then she feeds them to the canine.

Kinda grosses me out.

just a quick note...

Dear Blog,

I have been avoiding you. I have nothing to say. Except maybe that I have a lot to do today. I think you can relate. You usually have a lot going on. I know you have a few visitors each day and you have to be a gracious host. I think you do a pretty great job. Wouldn't it be nice to have freshly baked cookies and milk everytime you have someone stop by? I know.

Anyway, Blog, you have been good to me. You listen to me. Without judgment. And I appreciate that. Especially when I start every other sentence with that little "and" word. Does it bug ya? I hope not. It's just who I am.

I'll let you in on a little secret. Not only do I start most sentences with "and", I really have to exercise discipline in not starting every post with "And so...". It's tough. And I know you understand. I just think "And so..." is such a great introduction. And when I start something with "And so..." it feels like I'm just picking up on our conversation where we left off.

I'll let you in on another secret. You know how we have the canine? I don't think I have ever told you her name. It's Sparkle. Isn't that an appropriate name for a puppy of little girls? I feel pretty secure in telling you her name. Whereas, with my children, it makes me nervous to put their names out there for all of creation to know what to call my children when they want to steal them away from me. Kinda paranoid? Yeah, maybe. But, I'm fond of the children and I'd like to keep them. Like forever.

And so, I'm off to do a little visiting teaching. And take back some library books that we never got around to reading. And take oldest daughter to piano lessons. And to work on my lesson for Sunday. And clean the pit of despair that is my house at this moment (I believe it is the most-neglected thing that lives here). Plus a bunch of other stuff. Like I said, I have a lot to do today.

Thanks for listening. Oldest daughter is learning the etiquette of letter writing. She has taught me all about it. And so, now I know how to end this letter. I have to say "Yours truly,". I think that's just what I'll say, because truly, I am yours. (and the husband's)


Yours truly,
Stephanie


PS- do you know what made me smile on little son's birthday? He said to me, "Mom, I am the three-est boy in the whole world!" Man, I love that kid.

Teaching Moments

Actual conversation middle daughter had with the canine just 2 minutes ago:

Middle daughter had in her possession two Ariel toothbrushes. Both her own. Because Ariel is her favorite princess. She crouched down to be better able to see the canine and lifted that little hairy face with her tiny hands. As she gently cradled the canine's chin so they could see eye to eye, she said softly, "These are my toothbrushes. They brush teeth. Ariel is on them. But they are not the same. One is pink and white with sparkles and the other one is purple and pink. My favorite colors are purple and pink."

She opened her mouth and pointed to her pearly whites and said, "These are teeth."

Then she pointed to the canines chops and lovingly pointed out, "These are your teeth. They are pointy. My teeth are not pointy. I am a girl. You are a dog."

She was truly teaching the canine. And it was obvious she knew that the canine was privy to new information. And the canine was attentive. As any student should be.

I think she is going to be a great mom.

Did you know?

Our household has increased by an additional pair of Hannah Montana footwear. For middle daughter.

Our family recently celebrated our 12th Birthday!

Sam's Club has moved Underwear to the front entrance, so it is extra traumatizing when we go there now.

Younger sister and her family are home from their summer in Virginia. And we are thrilled. We are lining up for haircuts!

Oldest daughter is LOVING her new class and teacher.

Middle daughter thinks she is curriculum director for her new preschool.

Little son now requires 3 songs before he will fall asleep at night.

The husband is the most awesomest PR guy around! I am so proud of that man.

My parents celebrated 41 years of marriage this past weekend.

I have 3 loads of laundry waiting to be folded. Good thing laundry is pretty patient.

Oldest sister is days away from baby #5!

The canine is thriving.

Only 99 shopping days till Christmas.

Oldest daughter gets to sell Girl Scout Cookies this year! She can't wait.

Middle daughter built the ultimate fort for the canine. What a giver.

Little son is a milk drinker. In a big way.

The husband is brilliant. Just brilliant.

The gospel of Jesus Christ brings me joy.

You are Under-Dressed

I am sitting here in the dark, laptop on my lap in little son's bedroom (per his request as he falls asleep) on the most comfortable chair in the house. The husband has been away on business for the better part of the week and I am missing him fiercely. This is what I will tell him when we talk next.

You will be glad to know that the children, the plants, the canine and I are still all alive.

Middle daughter and I had a beautiful afternoon crafting jewelry- one ring for each finger. She was delighted.

I visited with oldest daughter's principal this afternoon and hope to resolve the conflict by Monday. I will tell you more of this when we are together.

The canine's bowels are functioning wonderfully. And even better- all the functions have been outside!

We had a lovely visit this evening with older sister and her family. We feasted on crusty bread sandwiches, strawberries, and best of all- brownies and ice cream. Oldest daughter was playing with the plastic handcuffs and asked me to hold out my wrists because, "you are under-dressed", she said. We must teach her what the proper phrase is.

I think it is time for two things 1) teaching middle daughter a little tact and decorum and 2) locking the bathroom door. Middle daughter walked in our bathroom just as I was stepping into the shower. She stopped dead in her tracks, stared at me and said, "Mom I just want to tell you something. You are beautiful, but you are not beautiful when you be naked." I know you would hotly contest her on this one. Thank you for being my champion!

The haystacks at the dairy are on fire and filling the air with a foul aroma.

I missed my scripture reading today and hope you are not too far ahead of me. I will do my best to catch up.

I finally removed the squash plant from the flower planter. It is not producing squashes and is overtaking my lavender. I feel much better now.

Little son insisted on me laying down with him for his afternoon nap. I was glad for the invitation as I was feeling a little weary and in need of a recharge. I said to him, "Goodnight little son." To which he promptly responded, "I'm not little son, I'm Worm Boy." It seems he refuses to be called by his given name anymore. So, I teased a little and said, "Good night buddy boy." Again he responded with, "I'm not buddy boy, I'm Worm Boy. " I couldn't resist. I taunted for a few minutes and then we both drifted off into dreamland.

Enjoy your hot air ballooning and white water rafting. And be prepared to share your adventures with the children.

Come home soon. Sons and daughters need their dads and wives need their husbands.