Feburary 10, 2013

Wow!  This week was so very busy-full of so many fun things that we are starting to feel dizzy.

Let's see:  a few highlights for memory sake.

Monday we went to a retirement center to do family night for the residents.  It was a little stressful getting ready but once we were there it was a wonderful time.  The kids were happy and willing to perform together and alone and seemed even more comfortable to chat with the residents.  I was so proud of them and glad to see the their eyes light up from the experience.  The only thing that was missing was the fact that many of the residents remembered my "other little boy"  (who was Scotland who had wooed them all last time)  I absolutely love to see my kids play music together and alone.  I feel like it is a time when I'm really seeing who they are-because music takes so much concentration and also is such a conduit for the feelings of the heart.  I felt so grateful to have  a husband who was able and willing to lead out, participate and help.  He sang the old favorite Danny Boy, which also touches the generations who lived through wars.  It reminds me of how safe and protected my life is.

 Capriel and I celebrated a very special occasion this week.  After about a year and a half of work, she completed her first sightreading book and as a reward we got to enjoy Pizza Pie.  Capriel, our very compulsive child, showed her true spirit this day as she literally inhaled plates of pizza and pasta and treats.  It really was an impressive sight! 

 In my efforts to decorate Rhyse's room on the cheap I tried to get a cute shot of all the kids to blow up for her wall.  These will not be blown up, but I thought they were fun. 

 Talia is learning the recorder in school and has been blessing our home with the Shrill but beautiful sounds of novice recording!  She was even confident enough to play a couple of numbers at the retirement center monday.  For some reason I couldn't help but just grin as she played. 

 Talia also gave a presentation at school that we got to attend.  Her report was on the Revolutionary War.  She spent a lot of effort, tears, and work creating her report, and was very nervous to present, but she spoke clearly and knowledgeably.  I was proud of her. 

 Pepper seems to think she I truly one of my children.  I have to insert this picture to show my sisters what a loving animal caregiver I have become.  It certainly has taken some effort, but really she has been a wonderful addition to our crazy home. 

 My few simple ideas for Rhyse's room are pulling together.   My sweet friend Amy made the subway art for me and the kids and I modge podged the letters.  The string art was a little more time consuming than I anticipated (aren't all projects?), but we all had a fun time watching it unfold and trying to get it just right.  It is supposed to be a sunburst kind of like the Tangled image that pops up all over the movie.  I really have had fun infusing a little of my own personality into my home. 

Thursday, Craig took Capriel and Talia to the school for the yearly Square Dance night.  They were so excited to have an hour with just Dad (cause he's super busy right now) and seemed to enjoy learning the fun steps.

Saturday, I went to women's conference and Craig took all the kids and cleaned the church.  It was such a nice treat.  Everyone had games and Capriel (according to her record made four baskets!) 

Today Rhyse gave her first talk in Primary.  She has been practicing all week and surprised us by completely memorizing it and even giving it with a degree of presence and confidence.  Lately she has been a highly difficult contrary person, so it was refreshing to see her sweet side emerge.  After she was finished everyone just erupted in a reverent but audible "oohhh."

Landen also got his first temple recommend today-something which makes me very proud.  He does a great job passing the sacrament and takes his responsibilities very seriously.  He gets up all on his own and is ready to go 30 minutes early to church in a suit and tie every week.  O.K, maybe that's stretching it a little.  Last Sunday he came up without the tie and was pretty incredulous when Craig told him that the tie was to be a part of his wardrobe from now on!  I think it seemed like an awful lot of uncomfortable Sundays ahead of him in his life.

 Breck has found a few moments to dabble in her art again, something that makes me so glad.  Here is a quick drawing she did of Capriel.  She has such a gift for seeing light and beauty.  Her knees have been boasting fresh floor burns for weeks now from her aggressive bball playing.  She has improved immensly in her ball handling and general understand of the game.  Today she did a beautiful crown frensh braid on Capriel's head.  Earlier when I was creating some simple drawings for Rhyse's talk, she looked at them and gently said, "let me have them Mom."  She also did the tracing for my sunburst.  Is there anything this girl can't do?  Seriously, she really is amazing. 

Snow is falling and falling and falling.  I stayed up late into the night a couple of nights this week ( I can't remember the last time I did that) finishing the book (The Moonrakers Bride).  I loved this book and would certainly recommend it as light quick reading.  Nothing super deep or detailed, but a fun complicated  quick moving plot.   I dream of being organized in all aspects of life, and struggle to find the right balance between everything.  I have been loving taking a couple of classed a week at the gym and have not been so incredibly sore for such a long time.  I have even tried a spin class a couple of times and am enjoying venturing a few steps into that culture.  I have strained or pulled my hamstrings and have been amazed at the level of pain and decreased range of movement that has caused.