22 March 2015

It was an odd, somewhat stressful week.  The kids stayed over at Nana's house on Sunday night and spent all day Monday over there since it was the first day of their spring break.  I picked them up after work and we had dinner.  Since Tuesday was Arlo's big day, I asked Brother Bryson if he would find someone to help him give Arlo a priesthood blessing on Monday night.  After receiving his blessing, the girls went over to have a sleepover at the Bryson's and Arlo and I went to bed early so we would be ready to go to the surgery center first thing in the morning. 

We got up bright and early and were off to the Carondelet-Foothills Surgery Center at ten to six for Arlo's tonsillectomy.  We got all checked in and didn't have to wait long before heading back for surgery prep.  Arlo got a new blanket and was rather uncooperative when it came to putting on his gown.  He got a little sedative just before the anesthesiologist came to get him to take him back and that made him a little wobbly and silly.  He was only in surgery for about ten minutes before the doctor came out and said he was done and everything was successful.  He said that Arlo's tonsils were huge and he wouldn't miss them at all.  He was still dozing when I came back to get him, but he woke up fairly well and had a popsicle and some ice water before we left.  I was really surprised at how well Arlo did all day.  He drank well and had plenty to eat, in fact at dinner time he ate three blueberry pancakes and two scrambled eggs.  When he fell asleep Monday night, I went in to check on him since I couldn't hear him sleeping; no snoring, but there was a gentle purring noise.

Wednesday the girls were pretty good while Arlo took it easy on the couch.  He didn't complain of pain at all and ate steadily throughout the day.  In the evening the girls went to the movies with Nana and Arlo and I taught Activity Days.  Thursday morning, Arlo was doing so well I felt I could leave him with my parents while I went to work.  He continued to do well and all the kids came home with me Thursday evening.  Friday morning, their dad came to pick them up for an extra visit this month.  I figured it would be OK since Arlo seemed to be doing so well.

 I ran and did some chores on Friday morning and then Friday afternoon I had the sisters I visit teach over for lunch.  It was so great to meet with them all at once and socialize together, it was a really nice time.  Friday evening I went to the movies and saw McFarland, USA.  It was alright, although fairly predictable.  I had one remaining free pass and had purchased a loyalty shirt from the Primary school fundraiser so I got into the movie for free and enjoyed my free medium popcorn and with my loyalty cup only spent $1.50 for my diet caffeine free coke.  Even better!

Saturday morning I replaced two tires on the truck, did a little grocery shopping, prepped our meals for the week, ran, and played in my garden.  I've got all sorts of sprouts coming up and am very excited for the spring!  I went and picked the kids up in the evening and by the time we got home, it was time for bed.  They had spent the day at the fair and were excited to tell me all about.  Arlo, unfortunately woke up several times in the night complaining of pain and did not feel very well on Sunday.  We went to church and then to Nana and Papa's afterward to visit.  Arlo had such a rough day, I think I'll have to stay home with him again Monday to make sure he is really feeling well before I take him back to pre-school.

15 March 2015

As I started my opening sentence this afternoon, it was about the beautiful weather, then I perused my last few blog entries, and they all start with how glorious the weather has been and how much I love to be outside.  I guess there's a theme, I love to be outside!  This weekend, however, was very windy which made it rather unpleasant to be out for very long, it was really too bad.

We had a quiet week.  It seems like everything falls in one week, or nothing falls in the week.  Monday our family home evening lesson was on Honesty and Integrity from the For the Strength of Youth manual.  Afterward, we played "Uno" which was hilarious.  Arlo missed the whole point of the game and tried to collect as many cards as possible.

I've been offered a new job at work and am in the process of deciding if I want to accept or continue where I am currently.  A few weeks ago when I had my performance review, my current supervisor also asked me to think about where I wanted my career to go so we could look at new trainings and opportunities.  This has been so hard for me.  I don't know where I want this career to go, if I'm really honest.  I never intended to have this career, and please don't get me wrong, I am beyond blessed and so grateful for my amazing job, but all the same I don't know what my next steps will be.  So I'll continue to do a lot of thinking and praying about it.

The Sahuarita Primary school was having its A+ judging this week and Helen was selected to interview with the judges one on one.  I got such a giggle from the idea.  When I asked her what they talked about and what she said she told me she didn't remember.  I hope it went well, you never know what Helen's going to tell you!  Helen also brought home her spring school pictures and, lo and behold, I actually think they turned out rather cute.  Probably not $40 cute, but cute enough to mention!

Friday after getting home from work the kids were off to their weekend visit with their dad and I went for a run.  Then I did my grocery shopping and cleaning.  I also stopped by the automatic car wash on my way to get groceries since I couldn't see out the windshield anymore and was pleasantly treated to a free car wash as they were servicing the machine.  Score!  It was nice to wake up to a clean house Saturday morning.  I cleaned the garage, got the oil changed in the truck, played in the backyard, and then in the afternoon went to the stake BBQ.  It was alright, but it was SO windy, that eating outside was not so much fun.

Today has been quiet and peaceful, I actually took a little nap on the couch which I never do.  I'll be taking the kids over to Nana and Papa's after I pick them up this evening.  Next week is spring break, but I have to work.  They're going to stay with Nana and Papa tonight and Monday during the day, and then Arlo has his tonsillectomy scheduled very early Tuesday morning.  I'll be taking some time off to help him recuperate.  My grocery trip this week felt a little odd because I didn't buy the usual lunch items, but instead bought ice cream, Popsicles, pudding, and yogurt for Arlo to eat while he recovers.  Wish us luck!

08 March 2015

 What a fabulous week!  Welcome spring!  We just had so many opportunities for fun this week.  Monday we had family home evening with a lesson on not judging others.  We watched the short "Partly Cloudy" and talked about how we can become easily hurt when we rush to judgements without fully understanding a situation or knowing someone's intent.  We followed that up by putting together puzzles which was a lot of fun.

We had Activity Days on Wednesday and the girls made decorations for our ward service auction out of tissue paper.  Arlo played nicely on my phone and Helen helped us make paper flowers.  Helen also had a big surprise for me Wednesday evening, she lost her very first tooth!  It hadn't been wiggly long, but it was bothering her so she pulled it out and was so proud of herself.  I also made a hilarious discovery when checking Helen's homework Thursday evening!

Friday the kiddos all went to school and I cleaned the house and went grocery shopping.  I made our meals and lunches for the week and then headed into Tucson for a haircut and color.  I hadn't been in quite a long time since I just don't usually have the time and it can be expensive.  I received my yearly performance bonus this week and had designated a portion of it to treat myself to the salon and buy a new bottle of perfume.  I tried a new place based on a recommendation from a friend.  It was pretty much on the other side of the world from me at Tanque Verde and Bear Canyon, but it was worth it.  I got my highlights updated and cut off all the damaged hair on the ends.  It's still pretty long because I like it that way, but much healthier and I got cute long side-swept bangs.  I was so happy with how it turned out.  I met my mom for lunch when I was done and then went to the mall to buy my perfume before heading home.    I think one of the nice things about not spending lots of money on hair and make up and clothes normally, is that when I do have a little extra in my budget, its such a nice treat; and I like it that way. 

Friday night we had pizza and spent time together as a family.  Saturday was very busy.  We were at the church building at 8 AM to help with our ward's monthly cleaning assignments.  The kids and I straightened hymn books, cleaned up classrooms, and emptied all the trash.  We even pulled some weeds outside because I hate to walk past weeds.  We finished up the morning with a few chores around the house before going into Tucson for a birthday party.  It was at Chuck E. Cheese and while I tend to really hate the over-crowded, over-stimulating environment, the kids LOVED it.  They got tokens and pizza and cake as part of the birthday party along with fun favors and they had such a blast.  We got home in time to do some work together in the garden.  We got our spring garden planted and Helen and Felicity were such a big help.  They really enjoyed placing the seeds for me and covering them over.  I got the soaker hoses and sprinklers all set back up on the timer and I'm hopeful we'll have another successful garden this year.

Saturday evening is our family movie night.  It was Arlo's turn to choose the movie so we watched Big Hero 6, again.  It was like the fourth time this weekend since it's all Arlo wanted to do with the freedom of weekend "screen time".  It's a really cute movie, so I didn't mind.  We had popcorn and some movie theater candy and cuddled on the couch/floor. 

Our Sunday was so great.  We enjoyed our meetings and the kids had a great time in Primary.  Arlo went completely willingly to Primary today, actually seeking out Sister Thompson, the Primary Chorister, and walking to Primary with her hand in hand.  I'm so grateful for wonderful Primary teachers and leaders who help my children feel welcomed and loved and special. People who are helping to nurture their little growing testimonies.  We went to Nana and Papa's in the evening for a visit and dinner, it was great!  I love life, as always.  I am so grateful for all the things I've been blessed with.

01 March 2015

 I don't know if it's because spring is in the air or because I feel like there are wonderful things just on the horizon, or what, but I have been so optimistic and happy the past few weeks.  Not that I've been unhappy, but there's just something in the air that makes me feel hopeful.  Monday we had a family home evening lesson based on a comment that one of the sisters in my ward made in regard to opposition.  We talked about how sometimes bad things happen to good people and why they're allowed to happen.  We read some scriptures, shared our ideas, watched a song clip called Opposition from the "My Turn on Earth" play, and for an object lesson I had the kids taste a cap full of lemon juice and then a teaspoon of honey.  The idea is that without opposition we couldn't understand the blessings we have.  If we were never sick, we couldn't be grateful that we are well, without feeling lonely we wouldn't understand what love is.  Tasting bitter gives us a greater appreciation for something sweet.  The kids liked the lesson and really enjoyed the mango popsicles at the end!

Since we had rodeo break on Thursday and Friday, the kids had a lot less homework than what is normal.  In fact, they had finished it all on Monday night, so Tuesday we stopped and picked up a pizza and a DVD copy of Big Hero 6 and that was our Tuesday evening treat.  The kids were ecstatic!

 Wednesday Felicity and Helen dressed up for rodeo days.  They were so adorable, I wish I had gotten out my actual camera instead of using the phone.  I swear Felicity was born to wear boots and a hat!  After school Nana came and picked up Felicity and Helen to spend rodeo break at her house.  Arlo and I enjoyed an evening together and did lots of reading in the evening.

 Thursday evening, Arlo also went over to Nana and Papa's to spend the night, so I had quite the long weekend.  I had my performance review at work and had another good year.  I received a raise, which is always a nice thing.  When I got home from work Friday, I went for a run and then drove into Tucson to go shopping.  I rarely go shopping for clothes, and when I do its almost always the thrift (and I'm not knocking that because I have found some great things for cheap).  This time I went with a small budget and decided to buy myself some new things.  I stopped in Target and Old Navy.  Old Navy was having a 30% off everything sale and I found some things on the sale rack, which was nice because I ended up getting two dresses and a denim jacket.  Because the clothing items were on sale, I was also able to buy some fun new jewelry.  It was a pleasant treat!

Saturday morning I attended the Stake Relief Society conference and when that was over went home to work in the yard.  I wish it hadn't been so windy because I wanted to plant this year's garden, but couldn't because most of the dirt ended up in my face when I tried.  I did make it out for another run and finished up with grocery shopping and meal preparation.  I pulled all the leaves off the basil plant I'm growing in the window and made lasagna.  Today was nice.  I enjoyed my meetings and enjoyed being with friends.  Life is good.  It's not perfect and sometimes its messy and sometimes its really, really hard.  But I firmly believe that things will unfold that will help me see why I've come the path I have and I'll have a greater appreciation.  I hope everyone has a wonderful week!