Tender Mercies and Too Much Driving

Update:  We're still looking for a job, and if you're keeping track, it's been almost 4 months. :)

Erin is still with us.  She returned from her mission at the end of March and will be going back to BYU soon.  It's been so nice to have her for this long--I'm going to really miss her when she leaves.  She hasn't been feeling great since February and we're trying to get it figured out.  It looks like she had a bad case of mono in Feb and pushed through it, which resulted in her now dealing with chronic fatigue.  We're still searching out the rheumatoid factor and fibromyalgia options, but dealing mainly with chronic fatigue.  She's taking a serious dose of vitamin D every week and has had a B12 shot to help as well.  She's still a little slow and taking it easy but those vitamins have helped.

Caitlin is getting married this summer.  It's coming up fast for us!  We're excited for her and Michael!  They've been dating for about a year and really enjoy each other's company.  I was able to go to Idaho and Utah about two weeks ago to get some wedding things done.  I drove way too much for someone that doesn't really like driving.  I flew into SLC on Thursday, then drove to Idaho, saw my girls, took them grocery shopping, slept one night, then Cait and I drove to SLC the next morning to get to work.  We stopped at a dress shop in Kaysville and found the dress.  I was so grateful that we found it so soon and then was even happier when we found out it was on clearance.  Definite score!  It took us longer to find the shoes.  We did more shopping and then stayed in SLC for the night.

Saturday morning we drove down to Alpine and American Fork to meet with our planner, my cousin, E.  She's amazing.  She's got great ideas and is pulling it all together for us.  We ate French toast and made lists.  Then we visited my sister-in-law, put flowers on my dad's grave, and went back to SLC for more shopping and meeting friends.  Then, in the evening, we met Michael and his parents, found him a suit, then went to dinner.  After a delicious dinner, we drove back to Rexburg. 

Sunday morning I put dinner in the crock pot and went to a student ward with Stefanie.  That was awesome and will always be a fond memory.  It was the first time I had ever gone to a student ward and I was so impressed with the knowledge and wisdom these kids have!  They are all natural leaders.  After church I had an much-needed nap and then we had a delicious dinner that we shared with whatever roommates and friends showed up.  And of course, we played games.  Monopoly Deal is a new favorite! 

Monday we ran errands around Rexburg (found the rest of the fabric for Stef's HS grad quilt--one day it will actually be done!) and then ran errands in Idaho Falls.  Cait's roommate introduced me to a great antique store in IF, in which  we spent way too much time and had me wishing for a UHaul.  I bought a few surprises for the kids.  I got Benj some old comic books which he promptly devoured, and Jace a wrestling-trophy belt.  I expect to see him wearing it when the season starts again.  I got Stef a cake pan shaped like giraffes--her new favorite thing.  I got Erin some tiny canvasses at the store where I found the quilting fabric.  (I know this is TMI.)

Monday evening I drove back to SLC to sleep one more night (thanks VT's!)  and got to the airport by 4 am to come back home!  In going back and forth to SLC to Idaho and Utah County, I drove 1200 miles at least in those 4 or 5 days.  But mission accomplished!  We got the dress and a lot of stuff checked off our list!

We have had so many tender mercies through all of this wedding planning.  We are able to have money to pull from to get all of this taken care of.  We are finding things easily and on sale over and over.  We really have been blessed.  It's going to be a fantastic wedding day for C & M!

I Need a Light

My husband is out of work.  It’s been two and a half months now.  Every day he gets online, looks for leads, sends out resumes, fills out applications, and waits by the phone.  Every night we pray and try to sound positive and lift each other up. 

Daily life has changed.  I go to work, he stays home.  He is here for the kids and does the grocery shopping.  We still make the menu and the grocery list together but there are always those nights when dinner gets away from us and I have to bring home fast food.  I used to be the one calling him, “Honey, can you bring home KFC tonight?”  It’s backwards now and getting to be more so.  I never wanted to be a working mom and have this role, but I am grateful for the job and the little income it brings in.

I’ve learned some things about myself.  I’ve learned that I don’t like having to working.  I love my job but I don’t like having to give them so much of my time every single day.  I miss doing the things that I used to do.  I miss cleaning the house.  I miss sewing and quilting and working on projects.  I miss having the time to serve others.  I miss reading.  I miss having a free Saturday since it’s now full of all the things that I have to do but couldn’t get done during the week.  I’m mourning my old life.

Time is dragging and we’re looking forward to looking back on it all.  The future is a big unknown to us.  Will we be out of work long?  Will we be moving this summer?  How long will our savings last?  Will I quit my job when he finds one?  Will we be able to find a better job than what we had or will we have to take a pay cut?  This is what bothers me the most—the big  unknown.  I want someone to tell me, “Two more weeks,” or “Get the house ready to sell.”  I need a light at the end of this tunnel.

The Sorting Hat

A few days ago I received this text from my BYUI freshman daughter, “Guess who’s the new 40^th ward sacrament meeting chorister! :D”  It was time again.  Time for all of the Bishops to pull the hat off the shelf, dust if off, and figure out where to sort all of their members. 

I have had children attending college for the past five years.  Every single semester there is the usual getting settled in a new dorm or apartment, meeting roommates, getting classes figured out, and buying books.  And every semester there is a new ward.  The bishop tries to meet with every single student-member of his ward at the beginning of the semester to get to know them and to give them a calling.  Every semester I receive a text declaring the new calling:  “Family Home Evening Mom,” “Gospel Principles Teacher,” “First Counselor—Relief Society,” “Gospel Doctrine Teacher—again,” “Second Counselor—Relief Society.”  

After the hat whispers the beloved calling the ward members know their place for the semester.  Who they work with, how they spend their time, and what their focus will be is all decided.  The Sorting Hat has done its work and takes its place of honor back on the shelf.

The Final Exam

This is the week.  I haven’t had a final exam in years.  I’ve had two online classes this semester and I have one final to worry about.  And I’m worried.

I talked to a daughter last night who, in the last two weeks, has had 11 tests, 2 papers, and 2 projects.  She has three finals left this next week and then has to pack up her apartment, have a mechanic check her car and then drive 2,500 miles home.  She has no sympathy for me.

I talked to another daughter who has 6 finals this next week.  Last week one of her classes required her to sing a solo in front of an audience.  Eesh.  I could never do that.  She also has to pack up her dorm this week and be ready to help drive home.  She has no sympathy for me.

Am I looking for sympathy?  Maybe I am.  I’m afraid of the unknown.  When I click on that open button, I have to take the test without stopping.  Match quotes to author, choose from all of the above, write well-formed paragraphs stating my position, prove I am prepared and that I can do this. 

College shouldn’t be scary.  I’ve been going on and off for over 25 years.  This should be old hat.  But it doesn’t feel like it.  This is it.  My anxiety has fully blossomed and my sleep is interrupted by thoughts of failure.  Not big failure, just little bits that I have no control over.  The computer acting up; the one question that I was sure was right so I didn’t double check; the notes that I forgot about. 

I think I’m looking for sympathy.

Thanksgiving Epiphany

The other day on facebook, I found this humorous status post:  “Thanksgiving is this weekend, remember to set your scale back 10 pounds.” 

When I read this, I smiled for two reasons.  One, it was funny and two, I wouldn’t have to be worrying about gaining weight this year.  I was sick and so unofficially, Thanksgiving was cancelled at our house!  I enjoyed the day by taking it easy, taking my medicine, and taking naps.  My husband cooked a modest dinner of hot dogs, potato salad, and pumpkin pie.  Now, I was sick, but not dead, so I ate.  It was delicious and hit the spot. 

The next morning when I stepped on the scale, to my surprise, I had gained 6 pounds.  Seriously.   

I have since decided that there is something in the cosmos that aligns a certain way during the 4^th week of November.  It affects all scales no matter what or how much you eat.  No matter what you do, you will gain weight during the Thanksgiving holiday!! 

So, next year I’ve come up with a new plan:  I’m setting my scale back 10 lbs.

M is for Merrell

Working practically full time is taking over my life. I'm grateful for my job--kids get more expensive as they get older. But there are a few things that are now on the back-burner. Keeping up a blog, reading other blogs, surfing the net to check out interesting things, housework--definitely on the back burner. I'm still trying to read a lot. My reading times haven't changed--before I fall asleep, waiting rooms, etc. But, I haven't really kept up with my list of what I've read so I have to clean my room and go through my book piles to try and remember what I've read so I can update my book list on my blog. And remember, housework is on the back-back burner. So, it'll be one of these days . . .

We had family pictures taken recently. We were able to get together a few days before Cait went back to Idaho for her 3rd semester. I'm so glad we did because it'll be about two years before we're all together again. That's a long time. And we had the pictures taken in Magnolia about a week before the fires started up there. I'm so glad we got it done when we did!! No one wants smoky pictures, or the brave fireman running with a hose through the background. Or even black tree stumps. Anyway, somehow it all worked out. Pictures done--check.

I have three quilts to make and/or finish. I'm thinking it'll be a Thanksgiving week project--I'll have time then. Cait made one that I want to help her finish, but that might wait until her next break so she can learn how to machine quilt. I have started to cut out one for my and Chris' bed and Stefanie finally chose the fabric and pattern for her graduation quilt. I have until June to finish Stef's (or if I finish it on the same time-line as her older sisters, the Christmas after).

My baby started middle school this last month. I know, kind of random to just throw that out there, but today he had a hard morning. He came home happy, but this morning was hard. I've got to take time in the afternoon when he comes home to help him organize his homework, projects, practice times for piano and cello, and remind him to brush his teeth. The bus gets him home at 4:30--not much time to do all of those things. And I'm trying to get dinner on the table and busyness sets in for all of us. Today was a time to step back and rethink our afternoons and try a new approach. Although his grades are great so far (progress reports today contain 2-100's and 2-99's), it's the keeping things organized and remembering all the everything that he needs a little help with.

(And mom needs a little help too. In the last few weeks, I've completely forgotten an orthodontist appointment and showed up for piano lessons on the wrong day.)

Another adventure that is taking over our house--the search for the perfect boot. For those of you who might not have heard, Erin received her mission call to New Hampshire recently. She's getting all of her preparations done. One thing that is required is a pair of leather boots, waterproofed, lined, low heel. Of course, there is none of that in Houston. So we've turned to the internet. Every pair of boots the girl finds have something wrong with them--price, lining, calf size, etc. She's ordered twice now and sent them both back. We've decided that she needs to wait until she gets to New Hampshire and then go shopping but tonight she's back online checking out more possibilities. And, of course, she found the perfect pair but . . . they don't have her size . . . of course.

Even though we're all quite busy around here, we have been working on The Merrell Family Challenge. Erin put this together for us--the idea came from a roommate's family. It's basically a spreadsheet and point system for keeping track of and motivating you to do things that you are already doing or should be doing. For example, if you're ready for the day by 9:30 am you get a point, floss your teeth you get a point, 15 minutes of spritual time, get a point, drink 8 glasses of water, get a point. There are 12 points possible each day. We do drawings at the end of each week for a prize and there will be a grand prize at the end of 8 weeks. There are bonus points possible for doing extra things--goals you make up for yourself, like blogging or working on a special project. At the end of the 8 weeks (5 more to go) we'll evaluate and see how it works for our family and maybe do it again after Christmas with a bigger group--it'll be a great way to start the new year. The bigger the group the more fun and the bigger the prizes. It's also been a great way to pull us a little closer. Doing things like this really connects our college kids to the family.

Well, it's time to get some kids to bed. Morning comes early around here.

(Happy now Mareen and Becky?) :)

Time to catch up.

My sister and her kids moved back home last week and I feel like an empty nester. Now we're adjusting to them being gone. Our house feels so empty. We miss them!

This isn't a big blogging moment for me, but I have to say that I'm finally catching up on a few things and have been reading today! Reading Maeve Binchey and reading blogs and catching up! And my brain is actually finding the time to think of a few subjects to write about. I love it.

Alterations

"Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations." --Faith Baldwin

Many of you know that I sew. When I was a new mom and stayed at home and needed a hobby, I dusted off my mom's old sewing machine and started sewing baby room decor and little girl dresses. There was a lot that I had to figure out, but nap times were long and I was happy to have a hobby that I enjoyed.

As the kids grew older, I wasn't sewing for them as much, but started quilting and taking in odd jobs like sewing 50 drill team uniforms and making duvet covers and tailored bed skirts. The paying jobs gave me a bit of anxiety--getting something right for someone else, so I turn down those requests now. But I still quilt when I can--I love the creation of a quilt.

Every once in a while someone asks me to alter something for them. I do not like when that happens. I would much rather sew something from pattern to finish than alter and figure out someone else's work and fix it. I even hate to hem and sew on buttons. It's drudgery work--like housecleaning. Sometimes my girls need a formal dress made over. I procrastinate as much as possible and usually end up pulling a late one the night before, hoping it all works out. And even though it always turns out great, the process is just not fun.

My life has been altered as of late and it's not fun either. I'm not saying that I hate it and it's the worst ever, it is just taking some getting used to. It's not fun and games; it's thinking and planning and work.

The first alteration came in October when I started spending my Tuesdays and Thursdays (days off at the preschool) working at a new job. I was working 5 days a week and trying to remember when I woke up which job I was going to that day. A little bit of stress. Then about Thanksgiving time, I gave the preschool my notice and started working 5 days a week at my new job. It's a great job--I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it. But it's a change. 5 days a week is a lot more than 3 and I don't have any free time during the day to schedule a hair appointment or go grocery shopping. I have a long commute to drive and still lots to learn and get used to.

The next alteration came mid-December when my sister and her 3 kids moved in with us. She's having a rough patch and needs a place for a while. Of course we're not going to say no. She's my sister and I love her and her kids. But it's a big change. The dinner table is a tight squeeze and when we all go somewhere we have to take two cars. There's bottles to fix and diapers to change. And this was right before Christmas. I'm not saying I hate it and I'm not saying I love it. Right now it's just something to work through and hopefully fix. We're looking at the way this garment was put together in the first place and hoping that a few changes here and there will make it fit better. And the work room is my home.

It's a big alteration compared to what life used to be. I will admit, I've always been leery of change. That's a character trait I've had since birth--I still sleep in the fetal position. But life goes on and every day brings a new something whether I like it or not. The baby, 6 weeks old now, is getting bigger and when he sleeps good at night we all celebrate. We love H helping us with the dishes. And Z is turning out to be a great soccer player and is going to register for school on Monday.

We're all adjusting to our new normal. And I know we'll all survive and maybe we'll even like the new look we'll have when we're done. Right now I better get back to my unpicking.

Thrifty Finds Along the Commuting Trail

I have a new commute. I've never been a fan of commuting and neither has my husband. We have always lived within 10 minutes of whatever job he's had. My commute is now 40 minutes. Yuck. So, I've found a scenic route. Along this route, I pass two thrift stores. (Starting to sound better, huh?) I actually left the office on time last Thursday and stopped in at St. C's to check it out. It did not disappoint.

I found these three cute patterns for 25 cents each. They'll look great in my sewing room, when I get that sewing room.

I found this cool copper grater for $5. Yes, that's copper. And it's old and it looks like a turtle. It was the first thing I saw and into my hand it went.

How about this cute petite rocker? You like? $7. Yep, seven dollars. It needs a little wood glue and maybe a new screw or two. And definitely a wipe down, but I know how to do that. (My hubby like projects.)
So, St. C's thrift shop is a keeper and I'll check out the one across the street as soon as I get a chance. My commute is starting to look up.

Girl Weekend!

Really cool, hilly quilt

I LOVE going to the Quilt Show. It's something that I try really hard to get to every year. I usually talk a friend or two into going with me.

Simple block, perfect styling (Project Runway talk)

This year, I invited some family into town. They were so amazing to actually spend money on the airfare and put up with my barky dog for a few days in order to go to the quilt show!

I love house quilts.

The show was amazing! Hundreds, probably thousands of quilts. Every style, color combination you can think of. It was a fantastic art show.

(yes, that's a quilt of a door)

And the booths! What did we count? Maybe 20 aisles that had probably 30 booths on each full of fabric, buttons, books, patterns, sewing machines, long arms, kits, more patterns.

Looks like rain

We were on sensory overload. Definitely. We spent two days at the Festival. The first day was all booths. Looking and buying and looking and walking and getting Kaffe Fassett's autograph (oh yeah!) and looking and walking and sore feet. For about 6 hours.


Amazing

Then we spotted the booth. There were chairs and they were empty and so we sat. And then a smooth talking chica put a back rest behind our backs. Wow! Did that feel good! We bought 4 and got the 5th one free.

One of my absolute favorites. It's whimsicle and it's red!

I KNOW you can buy them at the dollar store. I KNOW we had to carry them around the rest of the day. But they are really cool, they really work, and they make great hats! (and shields)


On the second day, we went back to a few booths that we 'needed' something in and then spent 5 hours enjoying the finished quilts! We had a great time and enjoyed Texas BBQ, Tutti Frutti, did some antiquing, and exhausted ourselves. It was great! Who's up for next year???

Before and After

Benj on the morning of Thursday, 9/30.

And then, a few hours later.

Here we go again! :)

Going to BYU Idaho

The saddest, most exciting thing of September was taking Caitlin up to BYU Idaho. She was so ready and so excited to go! It was a fantastic trip! And sad, too, because another child is off on her own. It doesn't get any easier with the "next one." Believe me.

We flew to Salt Lake with friends Miriam and her daughter Pamela (and flight attendant friend, Veronica!). We were heading to BYUI together! We stayed a couple of days in Utah and visited grandma and aunts and uncles and cousins. We drove down to Provo and spent a day with Erin. I finally got to see where this daughter lives! She has a cute apartment and great roommates! We spent time with friends from Houston. We ate dinner at The Brick Oven and laughed for 2 hours while attending Divine Comedy. It was an awesome fun day!

Erin, Shaun, Old-Spice Guy, Caitlin, Pamela, Megan

We also spent a day with my aunt and picked her brain for remembrances of growing up with my dad and what he was like and what stories she remembers. We loved talking and we all loved the visit and the lunch and the chocolate cake. I borrowed some pictures and got copies made and recorded some of the stories to listen to later and share with my siblings. It was a great day!

We hit the road to Idaho on Sunday afternoon, check in was 8 am on the morning of Labor Day. And then there we were. At the campus. At the dorms. Setting up the room, hooking up the printer, putting on the new bedding, hanging up clothes, finding places for everything, grocery shopping, WalMart shopping, picking up books from the bookstore, ID cards, orientation, adding a class, dropping another, running into friends, and having a great time!

Getting it all set up.

So, day 2 in Idaho, we decided to take a break from the campus and we headed up to Yellowstone. It's only 1 1/2 hours away and well worth the drive. We went with our friends from Houston and also another friend from Houston that we picked up along the way (actually we picked her up from Cait's dorm since she almost lives there).

Caitlin, Pamela, Laura

Yellowstone is such an amazing place! Totally amazing and beautiful, especially in September. I have a special fondness for that place since it is where Chris and I honeymooned exactly 23 years earlier. Yes, we spent our anniversary 3000 miles apart. Life. I really missed him and texted him a photo of Old Faithful. Sigh.

We got to Old Faithful 10 minutes before it blew. Perfect timing!

But, back to Yellowstone. We enjoyed lunch by the Madison River. It was so peaceful--we just took our time and admired nature. We saw lots of elk, a few buffalo, lots of hot pots, bubbling mud, and a suicidal mouse. My passengers were excited about everything they saw and excited that they were in 3 states in one day--Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming! Perfect day trip!

Madison River

Miriam, Pamela, Laura, Caitlin enjoying deli sandwiches, Chips Ahoys, chips, and a pear.

Big Boy right by the side of the road. Caitlin wanted to get out of the car and just touch him so badly!

Some bubbling pots. Some were stinky and some were pretty awesome.

The next day was a Wednesday and classes started on Thursday. I went to Cait's dorm Wednesday morning and we made pancakes for breakfast and cut up some of Aunt Marca's peaches. Yum! Now that's how you get to be friends with your roommates really fast. Fix them a breakfast like that on the first morning and they'll love you forever. We worked on her room for a little bit longer and then we said our goodbyes. It was time for me to go. She was ready to do her thing and I was feeling like I was in the way. Goodbye my Caitlin. Study hard. See you at Christmas.

So, anyway, that is the story of taking Caitlin to Idaho. And now I'm home and there's only 5 places to set for dinner and not as much laundry to do. And nobody here laughs so hard that their eyes leak and they have to run to the bathroom. Miss that girl.

Cantaloupe Conversations

I really like cantaloupe. It has a sweet refreshing taste and it's always been my favorite melon. Sometimes picking out a cantaloupe can be tricky. There's the "push on the blossom end" trick to see if there's any give. There's the "scratch and smell" trick to see if it smells fresh. I've also bought them and turned them blossom side down on the counter for a day or two to let the sugar run through it before cutting and eating it. Sometimes we think we have a good one, buy it, take it home, cut it up, and it's already rotten inside. We've spent a lot of money on cantaloupe and maybe half of the time we get a really good one that we just love. The other ones end up in the trash.

I have a friend who I love dearly. We live a few states away and only see each other occasionally. Most of our communication is done over the phone--she doesn't do computers. I love it when we have a good conversation but most of the time it's hit or miss. When I see her name on caller ID, I immediately worry: will it be good or will I be frustrated when the call is over? I have to answer the phone just so I can answer the question! When I call her the worry is the same--will this conversation be a good one or frustrating? I never know what I'm going to get. I try and direct the conversation as much as possible, but a lot of times I end up saying, after only a few minutes, "Well, it was good talking to you, I've got to run." It's like I've just cut up a bad cantaloupe.

I've invested a lot in this relationship and sometimes it does pay off, but I wish it would be more consistent. Even when you pay for something, there's no guarantee that it's going to be good when you get into it. I should be enjoying the sweet taste of friendship more than I am. I wish it could be good everytime. I guess it's hard to tell exactly what's under that thick skin.

I will keep buying cantaloupe though, because there's hope, and hope is something that has always helped me to keep on trying even when things are rotten. Because I know that when I do get a good one, it's really good.

If You Give a Pig a Pancake . . .

If you clean out a closet, chances are, you'll find some hangers that are small kid-sized hangers and you won't need them anymore because your kids are getting big.


And you think to yourself, hmm, "Who could use these small kid-sized hangers?" And if you think to yourself, chances are, you'll think of your sister who has a 5 year-old, a 20 month-old, and another on the way and you think, "Perfect! I'll send them to her!"

And if you think you're going to send something to your sister, you think you need to send something fun for the kids as well. And if you want to send something fun for the kids as well, chances are you'll be in Kroger and find cute hair bows for a great price. Perfect for Hanna.

And, chances are, if you buy something for Hanna, you'll have to buy something for Zach. So, if you think you have to buy something for Zach, chances are you'll call your sister and ask her what Zach is into. And chances are that if you call your sister and talk to her she'll tell you more than Zach's love for Buzz Lightyear. She'll tell you that she doesn't need any hangers. "Please don't send me any hangers!" She'll also tell you how the pregnancy is going and her quest for healthy eating.

And if she tells you how her quest for healthy eating is going, chances are, you'll happen to be sitting at a Weight Watcher's meeting when "Healthy Cookbooks" are half price and, of course, you'll buy one for your sister.

And, if you're doing all of this stuff for your sister, you'll be thinking about her a lot and you'll find the perfect stitching project that will be really quick. And you do it!

But you can't be stitching all of the time so you go to Target to find a Buzz Lightyear and you get the perfect one for Zach.And while you're at Target, you hold Buzz Lightyear in your hand and think, "All I got for Hanna were hairbows. She needs a toy." So you go to the next aisle and find a doll for Hanna.

If you did all that thinking and shopping while you were at Target, chances are, when you get home, you will want to just sit and stitch and finish the project.

If you finish the stitching project, chances are, you will decide you need to frame the stitching project and you will go to Michael's in search of a frame.

And if you go to Michael's in search of a frame, chances are, you'll find one---that needs paint.

So you paint it really fast and while it dries you do the dishes and sweep the floor and wait. And chances are, if you do housework while you wait, it will dry. And you put it in the frame and you are happy and think you are done.
And if you think you are done, chances are, the frame will not fit in the box that everything was being packed in.


So, you find a new box and it fits! Yay! But if you find a new box that the frame fits in, chances are, you will need tape.

So you know you have tape somewhere and you look and look. And chances are, if you look for tape, you will find it in the laundry room on a shelf next to a pile of hangers.


And chances are, the pile of hangers will remind you that you have a pile of kid-sized hangers that still need a home.

(Anyone out there want a pile of hangers? They must be picked up, I'm not sending them anywhere. )

Nesting

Erin came home yesterday. We hadn't seen her since Christmas, which has been very weird. That's 7 1/2 months without seeing your child. I know she's all grown up, college student, has her own life, all of that. But, there's something nice about all sitting around the table together, laughing, eating, just all being in the same room at the same time!

So, this last week, in preparation for our daughter to come home, I've been cleaning, oranizing, and planning. And in the midst of it, I decided to start a new project. I've been wanting to make a little wall-hanging/quilt project for the laundry room. Something in red to match the new washer/dryer that we got a couple of weeks ago. So, what is it about my brain that makes me want to take on a new project when there's already enough busy-ness going on in the house? I seem to always do this. When I get busy, I add more to it.

The term "nesting" came to mind yesterday while I was mopping, vacuuming, wiping down bathrooms, getting J to football, making cookies, and quilting, simultaneously. Yes, that is exactly how my life was at 8 1/2 months pregnant, 5 times over. I get busy and then add more. Why not? And when I thought of the term "nesting," I cracked myself up. I think I actually laughed out loud (while I was wringing out the mop). I was expecting a daughter and I could hardly wait. It had been almost as long as a pregnancy since I'd seen her--of course I was happy and getting ready! The labor was definitely easier--just a drive to the airport, and no reflux or diapers to worry about. Just lots of hugs and stories and staying up later than we thought we should. Girl stuff and family stuff--the good stuff. I'm so glad she's home!

Summer of Connections

If I had to pick a theme for this summer, it would be "The Summer of Reconnecting."

It started with our own family ties being strengthened.

Sibling to sibling and husband to wife.
And then spread from there--
The drive-in movie with lots of cousins.

Laura, Sue, and LizLunch with friends from high school. It's been years since we did this--maybe 10 or more.

And I think our connection is stronger than ever.

Boating with family. Abby, Katie, Caitlin, and Sean--cousins from 3 different families.

It was amazing how much we enjoy each other and love each other.

Benj and Jeff sporting their life jacket diapers. My prediction: friends for life.

Family get-togethers. This one with cake and ice cream. Yum! Kent and Marca

Mom and Chris

Liz and Galen

Loraine and Mandy

Mart and Marci and family. Wish you were still in Texas!

Liz and Jani--We hadn't seen each other since we were 10! It was so good and strengthening just to see her and her family and know that she's doing well.

Great way to spend an afternoon--shake at Granny's, catching up with an old best friend.
Jace and Uncle Jon scooting around on the 4 wheeler. Benj and Dad, fishing. Enough said.

Cottrell cousins--some of these cousins I haven't seen since I was 10.

It was the first time I'd met their spouses.

Hopefully, it won't be that long til we get together again!

Jace and Troy racing in the pool.
It's crazy how the years get away from us.

I can't believe how long it had been since I'd seen, face to face,

people who mean so much to me.

Friends who were there for me when times were really tough,

family who will always be there for me, through it all.

It's been a great summer,

reconnecting with loved ones

and making some amazing new memories.