Looking Back...

I've been thinking back over the week. Counting my blessings and my frustrations.
1) My vacuum is broken. I bought one to replace it from Walmart, but it was broken when I opened the box. So, I've ordered one I like better from Louisiana. Everyone knows vacuums from back East work best. Besides, it is red.
2) One of the children squeezed toothpaste all over one of my upholstered chairs in the basement. But, it is almost dry enough to scrape off now.
3) We almost have all the special recommends we need for the temple dedication on Sunday.
4) I did make a baby dress, but I haven't mailed it to the baby yet. (She won't be naked, so I guess that is alright.)
5) A little boy from the neighborhood came yesterday to play with my dress-up bucket. He put on a fluffy slip and announced that he was Zilda, a princess with long ears that look like elves. Zilda must be pretty good with a sword too.
6) My dishwasher parts came, and the dishwasher has been cleaning everything much better, Yea!
7) I had an e-mail from Lynetta which made my day.
8) I cried over Natalie's story about Oakley's diabetes and over the job hunt frustrations. What with colds and all this blubbering, it has been a big kleenex week.
9) Nathan has had work to do this week. It keeps him busy and happy. I am so glad.
10) I have been getting better by bits and stages. I appreciate my health more after that nasty flu.
11) St. Patrick's Day came and went. I didn't eat corned beef and cabbage, but I did make lime pie; the milk was green, and my friend Molly called to tell me about her yummy corned beef and cabbage. I'm so glad for friends who understand about cabbage.
12) Some days this week I have dressed my little boys in clean clothes for the day. But the best is that today, Ethan dressed himself. Sure his shirt is backwards and inside out, but I'm not saying anything but, "Good job, Ethan!"
13) Caleb is down with the cold now, but Seth is much better. And, if I take a count, we have just about all had it, so maybe we'll be done entirely soon.
14) The best is that it is Friday. I have a date lined up for tonight and I am grateful for the dollar theater on the next block.

It is funny how weeks go. Jacob is off to a camp this afternoon, so I will help him get out the door. I want to make handkerchiefs for the dedication, so I'll try to do that too. Meanwhile, the house is dirty, but you know, waiting on that vacuum.

Draper Temple Openhouse

On Tuesday we had tickets to attend the Draper Temple openhouse. This is how the crew looked before they left. I was sick with a fever, so Seth and I stayed home, and Daddy braved the excursion with the rest of the kids. They all came home excited about what they had seen. I am so grateful to have this opportunity for them! It comes again in only a few months with the new Oquirrh Hills Temple too.

Now we are looking forward to the dedication. It takes place on the 22nd of March and all of my baptized kids get to participate. When the Nauvoo temple was dedicated, Jacob hadn't been baptized yet, so this is a first for all of the kids. What a blessing to live in this age of temple building.

Rock On, Dude!

Jacob has been playing with my camera all weekend, and this is my favorite photo of the bunch. You will notice the guitar has only one string, and it is broken. That will happen at concerts I am told.... Love you, Caleb.

St. Patrick's Day

I am not sure why I love St. Patrick's Day, but I always have. As a child, I remember running in to mom and dad's room to try and pinch them while they were still in bed and hadn't had the chance to be wearin' o the green yet. My dad would always growl that he had green eyes, so we couldn't pinch him. :) Today I decorated. Which means I put out my beautiful dolls. My Grandma Joy made these years ago, and when they moved to their little apartment, these found their way into my house and heart. They are second only to my Christmas tree in favorite holiday decorations. The little lady has a music box that plays "When Irish Eyes are Smiling". I just thought I would share the green joy with everyone today!

Creme Brulee

I did it! I've been wanting to try to make Creme Brulee for awhile now, and I made it yesterday! It turned out really yummy. Some of the kids didn't like it, but that just left more for the rest of us! Seth was happy to finish his own, thanks.

Fashion Disaster

Today is Fashion Disaster Day for spirit week at the junior high. Thought I'd post my childrens' creative genius. Leslie is sporting the hat we all love to hate, among other atrocities. She is actually too sick for school today, but couldn't be outdone by Jake.
Note Jacob's hair part. He was rather proud of it.

My tiny, goofy ninjas. This probably explains some things. Like why Seth thinks that hitting is perfectly normal. If you are viewing this, it is your duty to mentally block all background mess. Repeat in your mind: "Nothing to see here." over and over until it disappears. That is what I do!