Sunday Summary

I am thinking I need to go backwards so I can remember the past week. My memory seems to be failing me... am I really that old?? Or time just going by really fast?

Sunday-- Total Loss

I woke up at 4:00 a.m.and could not get back to sleep. So, I figured since the sun wasn't up just yet, a little house cleaning wouldn't hurt. I cleaned and cleaned, and then at 7:00, I crashed. Headache, sore throat, feeling generally yucky. Maybe I was cursed for breaking the Sabbath. I stayed home from church and slept allll day. Even after the kids were home and James was banging around in the kitchen, asking how to cook the roast. I guess I just needed some rest. The kids had a relaxing Sunday, James was busy as usual. We ended the day with our Prophet Study by reading the Ensign and called a night.

Saturday Soccer: 3-0 Nemesis

What would a Saturday be without a soccer game? I started the morning taking Jeremy to football, then Brandon headed off to flag football, Alex took Mikenzie to volleyball, Baylie had soccer and I went to Kyle's first soccer game. They were victorious of course, Kyle played very well, even the other parents said so... so I am not biased at all, really, I'm not, we just happen to have the best player on the team, that's all. I enjoyed getting a little sun, still enough heat out there for a bit of a tan.
James was able to join us for the end of the game, Kyles other coach showed up at the game as well, I think Kyle appreciated the support.

Yard work and house cleaning rounded out the day. I wasn't feeling well and was asleep by 9:00. James took Alex to buy the coolest shoes ever, at least Alex thinks so. I think the foot doctor has a different opinion.

Friday Night/Girls Night:

A friend called and invited me to a girls night out. We left around six and went to an outdoor theater to watch The Producers. So, six Molly Utah Mormons and a broadway play... yeah, we made it to intermission and headed out for dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. We may be close minded, but I am so grateful for like minded friends who have the same values as I do. We all enjoyed our yummy cheesecake and were home by one, so still a bit of wild and crazy left in all of us moms.

Thursday: Scrimmage

Can you believe anyone on earth can play 2 hours of tackle football and then play 2 1/2 hours of soccer and still be standing after it is all said and done? That would be Kyle... man does that kid have energy or what? How would it be? He was given four positions on the football A team to choose from... like I said, how would it be?

Baylie went to the scrimmage with me while the rest of the family was scattered. Alex got lost while picking Mikenzie up from volleyball, needless to say, her coach was not pleased with the 35 minute delay. Alex was a little humbled, but grateful to find his way to the school. I'm just grateful to have another driver in the family, he is an immense help.


We called it a pizza night and ate at 9:00 p.m. Nothing like being ahead of the game... I need to pull out the old crock pot so we can eat earlier and healthier.
Wednesday: Where did you go?

No clue what we did on Wednesday... seriously wondering what has happened to my memory. I know the b-day pics are a week late, but isn't Baylie the cutest 10 year old you have ever seen? Absolute joy that one. I love the expression on her face in this picture.



Tuesday Night Trouble

Poor Brandon, the last of the group, always left out on Tuesday nights while everyone else gets to go to youth. He and I hung out, against his will, but I think I bribed him enough he almost enjoyed himself. Nothing a little Chik-fil-a and a lot of Sheridan's can't fix. Kyle was at soccer practice, after we picked him up, he was able to partake of Brandon's good fortune at Sheridans as well. Only a few more weeks and Brandon will be an official Cub Scout and will be able to join the crew. He can hardly wait.

Monday Night: FHE, I think...

At least we should have had family home evening. I guess we live in a perfect world, so I will say yes, we had family home evening and everything went wonderfully. It must have been a good day, the kids were all in school, you can't go wrong with that.

Sad, crazy and a little boring, but that is our life in a nutshell.

BE GRATEFUL!!

Sunday Summary

What a long and hectic two weeks we have had!! It seems like time goes by so quickly, I can never catch my breath. My kids are all growing so quickly and nothing reinforces that like the school year starting once again.

Monday-- Just another Manic Monday

The last of Jeremy's two a days started this week. I was coming back from picking him up from football when James called and told me Alex refused to go to work. It was a long, drawn out battle, and in the end, our sweet Mikenzie went to work with her daddy. Leave it to a woman to save the day.

Tuesday-- 24 hours and counting

This had to be the longest day of the week. I agreed to take Alex to get his license so he could drive to school on the first day. The only office open and willing to give road tests was about 30 minutes away. So, off we went. We arrived at the GPS directed location and found it to be an old parking lot. We drove around and I could almost hear the special effects sound of crickets chirping. So, we drove around and around and I remembered there was another office just a few blocks away. I put the address into the GPS and when we arrived we saw the sign and were relieved. We pulled into the strip mall parking lot only to find it mostly abandoned and nowhere to take a test in sight.

Luckily, we saw a police officer and Alex asked for directions. He told us to go to Antioch Road, a few more blocks away. Again, we put in the address and drove to the third location. We arrived, relieved to finally find an office with actual people in it. When we explained we were there for a road test, the man explained they only do written test at that location. He redirected us back to the original location and explained the address system.

We loaded up, drove all the way back to the original address, went a few extra blocks and there was the office we had been searching for all along. We joyfully went into the office, presented the paper from the written test and were asked for ID. I looked at Alex and he said he didn't HAVE any ID. I almost cried. I searched my purse, begged, pleaded, didn't bribe as I was in a police station and had a feeling that wouldn't go over so well. All to no avail, guess they are kind of sticklers for the rules there.

So, with a tight grin, we all turned around, loaded up and drove alllll the way back home for some form of ID. Then we drove alllll the way back to the testing office. Alex finally took his driving test, passed ( you've got to give those driver examiner people some credit, that must be one scary job ). We drove back to our local office, turned in the driving test results and finally walked out with an official drivers license. All in a mere four hours time.

Alex and I then sat through the obligatory lecture/disccussion with the insurance agent for a good hour. He drove me home and I think I aged a few years in about 15 minutes. Good times.

Wednesday-- HALLELUJAH!!!

YEAHHHHH!! The first glorious day of school. Alex and Jeremy went to High School, Kyle went to Junior High, Mikenzie to Middle School and Baylie and Brandon to Elementary. I sent them all off and had a huge, deep sigh of relief. Free at last.

Alex was able to drive to school, run an errand for me and pick Jeremy up from football. It came in handy to have an extra driver. Kyle decided to go out for football and loved it. He called and wanted me to drop everything so he could have a physical before the first practice so he could get out on the field. Being the mean mom that I am, I made him wait until after practice... can you believe the things we do to our kids these days?? I knew Kyle would never be able to sit on the sidelines and watch, that applies to everything in Kyle's life, he is no bench warmer. That is a good thing.

I went for a very long and hot walk while Brandon was at soccer practice and ended up with a total of 5 1/2 miles logged for the day. Pretty good if I do say so myself. Brandon told me on the way to soccer practice he was pretty sure his soccer coach like having him as a soccer student.

Thursday--Spring Cleaning, just a little late

I woke up and six and started cleaning and didn't stop until almost two. My parents had visited the week before and I was horrified at how dirty our house had become over the summer. So, the cleaning bug hit me and I attacked the kids bedrooms with a vengeance. I felt very accomplished, just a week too late for my parents to see the fruits of my hard work. Oh well.

I picked Kyle up from football and he announced he was no longer interested in soccer and was going to drop the sport all together for football. I saw years of hard work and sacrifice, thousands of dollars and hours of practice slipping down the drain. I took a deep breath and told him that decision was a year away and we would cross that bridge when we came to it. Then I screamed inside of my head " Over my dead body will you be quitting soccer" Smiled and went on with the drive to soccer practice. Only time will tell. Kyle will excel in any sport, that is my one comforting thought.

Speaking of sports here is a quote from Jeremy: As you have probably realized, there are various girths in football. This was after I overheard him exclaim while watching Top Gear: Ha!! Tom Foolery, I suspected as much!! He cracks me up as much today as he did 13 years ago.

Friday: Rain, Rain... glad you are finally here

Generally, every single day of my life, I love NOT being a school teacher and then there are days I am really thrilled I am not a school teacher. Like when the tornado sirens go off in the middle of the day and all of the students have to be evacuated to the shelters. Yeah, those are the days I am really sooo overly happy I am NOT a school teacher. And then when the 2nd grade teacher has to explain to her class recess was canceled because of the tornado warning-- especially happy NOT to be a school teacher. That would be Friday, very glad NOT to be a school teacher. I can't decide which would be worse, canceling recess or sitting in a smelly wrestling room with a bunch of 10th graders-- such a toss up. I love NOT being a school teacher.

Saturday--Run Girl Run

That would be my mantra for every Saturday. 9:00 flag football, 10:00 scout thing, 12:00 volleyball practice, 2:00 soccer tournament , 3:00 soccer practice, 5:00 shopping with 3-6 kids at all times, 9:00 finally, a date with Mr. Wonderful, 11:00 shopping at Wal-Mart for school supplies Midnight, bed time. Not a busy day at all.

Sunday-- A day of rest... and embarrassment

I had early morning meetings, James got the kids ready for church and the day was off to a great start. After we spent a looooong time talking to Alex, I finally had to lay down for a much needed nap to get rid of my relentless headache ( long weekends with teenagers tend to bring on these headaches, be warned ). The house looked like a tornado had ripped through it, but I happily collapsed into bed thinking it was Sunday and no one would see it. ( Tornado season, both inside and out ha ha ). When I woke up, James was gone, the Teacher's quorum presidency had come and gone, and the Priest quorum adviser had stopped by. All while dishes were stacked in the sink, laundry baskets were strewn around the entry way, scriptures and white shirts and ties were everywhere. I may have taken my much needed nap and my headache was gone, but boy did I pay for it. If only Tylenol would take away complete humiliation... I would be fine. I NEED A HOUSE WIFE!!

Be Grateful!!

Sunday Summary
( On Thursday )

I don't remember much from last week... Summer is melting my brain. So I will sum up all that I can remember.

Monday-- total blur, sorry

Tuesday: Registration Begins, check please

Mikenzie was the first one up for registration. She is in 7th grade this year and could hardly wait for the day to begin. I took her to the school with me, while Brandon and Baylie swam at the community center. She got her schedule, her locker, her yearbook photo. She will be on the same team that Kyle was on last year, her teachers will be in for quite a treat after having Kyle in their classes.

After registration, I took Mikenzie home, went back to the community center and ran 4 miles. Brandon finished swimming and ran his mile on the treadmill, all while pushing buttons, talking and watching everyone else. It stresses me out, I'm worried he will fly off the treadmill one of these days. But, he loves is and feels proud to have burned 60 calories.

Wednesday: Junior, it's your turn

I went to the high school for Alex and registered him. It made me very... nostalgic as I wrote that he was in 11th grade this year. I stood in line and paid for his parking permit, yes, you read that right, PAID for his parking permit. It will be worth every penny though, one less errand to run everyday, especially to early morning seminary. Alex's friends all asked where he was and were happy to hear he would be home soon.

Thursday: De Ja Voo

The next day was Jeremy's turn for registration. I met him after band camp with nice shirt in hand for school pictures. He saw no need for the nice shirt and wore his crummy old athletic shirt. Not worth the argument, at least he caved and combed his hair before his picture, believe me, this is a big step for Jeremy. We went in and repeated all of the steps from yesterday. Jeremy is fun to be with as he greets everyone by name and calls out to his friends. He couldn't get his locker open, so we called for assistance. Not a lot of help there. I was surprised the person helping us could even open a locker, let alone fix one. Jeremy finally shrugged and said he would use his football locker. Fine with me, as long as the homework gets done, I will be happy.

Friday: There's a doctor in the house

After spending most of my morning at Costco, with the main purpose of buying a new mattress for Brandon, I finally tackled the painting in Alex's room, as a surprise to him. I started with blue on the bottom and that was about as far as I got before James called to let me know Dr. Marshall was on his way over and would be there in about 10 minutes. So, I put my paint brush down and tried to clean my messy house before he arrived. James introduced me and then said-- she's had a ... busy, day. yeah, I know I looked terrible.

We visited with him briefly, after he left James and I went to Lowes to purchase moulding. We had the whole color scheme in our heads. We came home and called it a night.

Saturday: Honey, the company is here

Saturday was full of errands and running around in high temperatures, including totally changing the paint color in Alex and Jeremy's room. We re-painted the part I had just painted. James worked all morning and was thrilled with the whole painting idea. We had more guests coming and I was scrambling, trying to get things in order. Before I knew it, I was out of time, picking one sweaty Jeremy up from mowing a lawn and late for The Stack Family's arrival. When we arrived home, the house was full of children and it was great to see our long time friends. It had been almost three years since seeing them last, we were able to pick up right where we left off.

We went to a Thai restaurant and had a wonderful visit, followed by more conversation at home. It is wonderful to have such great friends in the gospel to make good memories with.

Sunday: It's all fun and games until...

Someone forgets the bread. Poor Jeremy, a.k.a. teacher's quorum president, took all of the heat for that little-big mistake. The ward gathered, Brother Jones stood up to begin Sacrament Meeting and announced, there was no bread. So, the meeting progressed, 20 minutes later the bread arrived and all was well. Then Jeremy was hit up by the bishopric, the young men's president and his quorum adviser about the bread. Last but not least, James had to take a stab at it, letting Jeremy know he told him so and it was ALL his fault. He was pretty deflated 5 minutes after the meeting. By the time church was over, he was back to his jovial old self and said Brother Meade gave him the typical football coach talk " You messed up on one play, now do better on the next. " Great advice we can all use in many areas of life.

On that note, my average week in review can come to an end.

Be Grateful!!

Sunday Summary

New feature to my high traffic blog: Summary Sunday

The title speaks for itself, I'm sure, so let's start with week one:

Monday: Calling it in
I was sick, or tired, or sick and tired. All of my travels and the non-stop pace we have had since our return from UT finally caught up with me. I actually didn't feel well on Sunday, but I forced myself to my church meetings so the guilt wouldn't weigh me down. So, not a lot to say about Monday, other than I was grateful James made a great meal for the kids.

Tuesday: Ward Party, Take Two
So, we had a Pioneer Day Celebration all planned out for the 24th at a park, but it fell victim to the infamous Missouri thunderstorms. In my own defense, I had sent out a voice of warning to the bishopric. I was, however, given a verbal pat on the head and told to go forward as planned. Needless to say, at 5:30 last Saturday, we were scrambling to find fridges to store all of our pioneer day food, which had been cooking for three hours at that time. I know, us Relief Society sisters and our needless worry... aren't we just silly for checking the forecast and wanting a plan B? When will we ever learn not to plan sooo far ahead?

ANYway ...Tuesday night we did a quick set up in the church gym, had scant decor, as I had planned for a picnic, not a ward dinner. I put up a few of my great aunt's and grandma's patchwork quilts, scattered canned food through out and set out the good old paper ware and started the party. There was plenty of food, and the kids were all entertained for an hour by various auxillarys, which made the parents very happy. Thus deeming it by several ward members " The best ward party ever " So, I guess success can be claimed. Silver linings, you just can't live without them.

Wednesday: Recovery Day
Not a whole day off, but I slowed down a bit, caught up on housework and went shopping with Mikenzie for birthday gifts for Kyle. My visiting teachers arrived at 9:00 a.m., I woke up at 8:30 a.m. and cleaned frantically. I had NOTHING to wear, so I looked like a crazy person by the time they arrived. I had my work out clothes on, James' gray compression hose all the way up to my knees, my hair was in a ponytail and I had a head band on. When they asked if I forgot they were coming, I laughed them off... what would make them think that? Crazy clothes, boxes of food from Costco all over the kitchen, bags from the ward party in the front room, piles of folded clothes on the kitchen table. What gave them that idea??

Thursday: Kyle's 14th Birthday--yay!!
Not the greatest birthday for Kyle. I didn't even wish him Happy Birthday until 9:30, such a great mom. Not like the mom on the blog I follow who puts up decorations in front of her children's bedroom doors for them to wake up to. I didn't cook his favorite meal, heck, he didn't even get a boatload of gifts. He didn't seem to care himself, maybe that was part of it. When it was time to go out to eat Kyle said " Ehhhhh, I'd rather not " Okay... so we had a quick meal at home. Mikenzie made a wonderful birthday cake that she and Baylie decorated. Kyle opened his few gifts ( we have spent a chunk of change on him this month... so don't feel too bad for the kid). He was so busy texting, we had to ask him to stop and open his gifts.

Friday: Date Night
I made a goal to be all purdied up when my true love came home from work so I would be ready to go on our weekly date. I had my hair did, a skirt on, feeling kind of pretty and lady like. Well, James came home, put shorts and a T-shirt on and asked what we were doing for the night. It's the details ladies, they really get noticed. So, after a quick wardrobe change on James' part, we headed out for dinner. We thought about Olive Garden, but ended up at Ihop for some reason. We left full, but not too satisfied. You should always follow your gut, in theory and sometimes, in reality.

We made our usual stop at Target and spent $ on stuff we didn't really need and came home. Called it a night and went to bed. Aren't we romantic??

Saturday: A Special Day
Oh mama, did I have a great Saturday morning or what?? Kyle had soccer practice and I was the Soccer Mom O' the day. Since it would take me just as long to drive home as it would to wait, I spent my time shopping at Zona Rosa. Dillard's was the first store I hit and was it a shopping spree or what? 40% off of the 50% off stuff... yipee!! I had a great time in the Children's department, the Men's department and in the Women's department. Can you say Christmas in July?? So fun, just me, myself and I for two hours, saving... not spending. I also found an Avon store, so I loaded up on my favorite lotion. Stopped by Rocky Mtn. Chocolate Factory. Is it just me or are all of the employees at every store ( from UT to MO by the way ) a little... grumpy. I always feel like I am invading their personal space. I'm just sayin', not the best customer service... nationwide. The coupon I had didn't cover what I thought it did, so I ended up with three caramel apples, which isn't always a bad thing, coupon or not.

Sunday: A day of rest
Church at 9 a.m. is no fun, that is all I can say. I rolled out of bed, stumbled into the shower. This was James' second week of being home on Sunday morning ( in 11 years mind you ) and none of us were in the mood for much, especially with it being Fast Sunday ( or Fast Sundae as Mikenzie wrote on the calendar, just to torture us all a little more ). Church was great, we all arrived on time, what more can you ask for?

I sat by a new member, Ellen. She is very nice and I look forward to getting to know her better. She is a high school teacher, so, she has some guts, if anything. Speaking of having guts, her husband is Jeremy, and now Kyle's, teacher's quorum adviser, so more power to him.

I was also thrilled to see Kyle set apart as a Teacher today, by his dad, so a double dose of blessings. He gave me a hug, then Mikenzie smiled and demanded one too. I love to see how close those two are. Last year I felt very impressed to give them a ride to and from school everyday instead of making them take the bus. I can see the long term blessings that came from doing that in little acts such as their sweet hug today.

We came home, made our weekly crepes, even James admits to being tired of them, after 12 years. Finally, maybe we can make a new tradition... now, what to eat instead? We also had chips and guacamole, I know, we are very eclectic on Fast Sunday... we just eat anything that sounds good.

I settled down for a nap while James and the kids tidied up and the Teacher's Quorum had their meeting. I slept like a baby through it all.

We had a nice roast beef dinner, went for a ride around the future temple site, read from The Ensign, texted Alex for a bit and called it a night.

Quite a week if I don't say so myself. Add the swimming and soccer practices and I would say we are about done.