Overwhelmed!

This is pretty much how I've been feeling lately.

There has been a lot going on with Halloween right around the corner.  I've been sewing a skirt for Haley and myself that needed to be done tonight for our church Halloween party.  And the business of running around and finding all the necessary accessories for everyone else's costumes...it's crazy!

Plus, the big thing that is causing my sleepless nights (other than Piper and Rory always waking up and coming into our bedroom...that's a story for another day), is our big Primary Presentation in our church.  For those out of the know...primary includes all the children from 3-11.  Every year the primary is involved in a presentation that is for the entire congregation.  It lasts about 40-45 minutes.  Every child gets a speaking part that basically goes over all of the things they learned throughout the year.  They also sing all the songs they have learned.  Well, I am charge of the program this year...like totally in charge...like writing all the speaking parts for every child (some have more than one), deciding on the songs, what order, the seating chart for all the children (we have about 50 kids), and so on and so on.  This has been a few months in the making...but tomorrow is the big day.  We've had a couple of practices but that still has not calmed my nerves...I'm terrified!  The kids have been super and everyone is working so hard...but I've never been in charge of such an important event before!  

So anyway, life has been crazy these past few weeks, but after tomorrow it should be starting to settle down a bit!

Here's to a great Primary Program tomorrow!!

Wish me luck!

Morgan's Baptism

 Morgan's baptism was beautiful!

The dress she was baptized in was made by my mom and I wore it when I was eight, then Haley wore it, and now Morgan...and Piper and Rory will wear it too.  I love that dress!

Check out those "puffs" on the dress..."the puffiest in the world".

(Anne of Green Gables reference)

I gave the talk on baptism and my mom gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, and of course Ryan baptized and confirmed her.  And Campbelle (Morgan's bestie) along side her two older sisters all sang to Morgan.  

It was such a special day!

We are so very proud of our little Morgan!

And I might add that she was baptized on August 2, which just so happened to be Haley's birthday.  Haley shared her day like a champ and she was very adult about it.

Mt. Biking, Dog Poop and a Confession

 Isn't this a good picture of Morgan?  I didn't take it...someone else did and then sent it to me.  It was from the Wednesday night mountain bike race.  And speaking of the mountain bike race...well, I'm pretty sure I was last...dead last in my category.  Wait...I didn't!!!   I just checked the results and I beat two people!!  How exciting...hopefully they weren't little kids or anything, my ego is already shattered, I don't need it to get any worse.  Just kidding...but seriously...I pretty much suck...I've got to do something about that, STAT!  But the good thing is my children have no idea where I place, they are just super stoked and tell me how awesome I did (Piper especially).  That makes me happy.

 So...onto a different subject.  We have a mysterious dog walker who lets their dog poop on our sidewalk and doesn't clean it up.  Sometimes it's in front of our house, sometimes it's in front of the neighbors, but there is usually poop somewhere within a block of our house.

So this morning I loaded the girls into the truck to go on some errands, but before I back out I walk to the street to bring the trash cans in.  What do you know...fresh poop...right by the driveway.  I look up and spot culprit!!!  A lady with her dog way down the street!! You bet I jumped into the car (after I quickly cleaned up the poop myself...I didn't want to run it over) and peeled out (not really, but it sounds good) to catch her!  Which I did.  I pulled up beside her and let her have it!  Okay, not really, she was really nice about it so I didn't have to get all bitchy with her.  So yeah...bottom line...clean up after your dog!!  That's just rude not to!

Then it was off to the store, which was most likely one of my worst shopping experiences.  Piper had the biggest fit about not getting a certain pair of shoes (I was picking up some sandals for Haley, Piper already has a pair that fit her).  She screamed, and when I say screamed, I mean SCREAMED for just about the entire time I was there.  It was awful...and embarrassing.  I had three big bins in the cart so I had to take the girls out, and they were both being very naughty and running away too (I think Piper kept wanting to escape to find the shoe section again).  So it just wasn't fun to say the least.  

So I bought myself this.

It doesn't help that they now have a Starbucks inside the Target...it was a moment of weakness.  I have to take the girls to their school's big end of the year carnival this evening, I was tired, Ryan is gone and my parents left yesterday back to the LBC for a week, I was feeling lonely...I bought it in desperation.  It's pretty risky buying coffee around here.  This area isn't all that big and when I'm out and about I usually run into someone I know...seriously.  And since everyone and their mother is LDS I feel like a rebel and try not to make eye contact with anyone, and sneak out as fast as I can (which really isn't easy when I have two loud children in tow, but I pretend).  But can I just say...it.was.so.good.  My guilty pleasure: Latte with one Splenda.  Perfection.

So, anyway...there you have it...my little confession for the day.  I never said I was perfect.  I'll start over tomorrow.  As Anne of Green Gables says, "Tomorrow is fresh...with no mistakes in it."  Actually I think Marilla said it first...but whatever.

Now, I'm ready to tackle this Carnival.  Bring it on!

For Time and all Eternity

So, I know everyone is on pins and needles waiting to find out if anyone launched in the sealing room.  Well, I'm happy to tell you that NO ONE got sick this weekend!  Everything went just as planned...I sure am glad we didn't decide to cancel!  

It was a beautiful experience and just wonderful weekend! I had family and friends that joined us...some that I hadn't seen in years!  And to see our four girls come into the sealing room dressed in white brought tears to my eyes!  We all agreed they looked like angles!  And kneeling at the alter, holding hands with the ones I hold most precious in my life filled me with so much joy and happiness!  It was truly special.

The weather was a bit rainy.  However, just as we came out the rain stopped just long enough for us to snap a few pictures!  

This was our attempt to get a picture of the girls.  It didn't work out so well.  And just so you know, Piper is NOT trying to strangle Rory, I think she wanted to face her toward the camera.  But I suppose we'll never know for sure.

After pictures we had a fabulous lunch at our house.  I loved having my house bursting at the seams with people and food!  

Thank you to everyone who shared the weekend with us...we felt so loved!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Rory, enjoying her breakfast this morning.

Haley and Morgan were so excited for school this morning!  Both looking forward to their class parties and passing our their Valentine's.  

I remember when I was in elementary school, I was very particular about who got what Valentine.  You know how the store bought Valentines would always have some type of message on them?  Well, I was very careful about making sure I didn't put a boy name on a card that was too lovey dovey...I didn't want them to get the wrong idea, you know.  Ha!  What a silly girl I was!  It's all about the candy anyway...I'm sure the boys didn't even read them.  

In other news...but an appropriate day to announce it (even though most people already know through facebook).  Ryan and I have set a date to be sealed in our LDS temple!!  We could not be more excited about it!  Come May 18th our family will be sealed for time and all eternity!  What a grand day that will be!  

You can read about temples here.

Happy Valentine's Day ya'll!!