The past two weeks

The weather has been very mild and unpredictable here this winter. It's been nice, but it does make me fear an unpleasant summer.

So, we were happy when we got about a half-inch of snow last Monday, even though it didn't last through the day.

I was thrilled to use the excuse to put on our snow pants (I could barely zip mine up) and snow boots.

It was fun trying to peg Hyrum--too bad my aim is less than stellar. I made a large snowball and put it in the shade, and Hyrum and I predicted when it would be melt. Hyrum totally won.

At the end of the week, the day was blustery. Michael came home early from work on Saturday to spend some family time, and we decided to fly kites. At first we thought, "Let's make a kite!" After looking at patterns online, we said, "Let's go to Target and buy a kite!" Best decision ever, especially for a $2.50 Barbie kite.

 Clara enjoyed running with the kite, although the wind was playing tricks on us and jerking that kite this way and that, sometimes plummeting it straight into the dirt.

 After we grew tired of the kite, we enjoyed throwing Michael's purchase: a large styrofoam plane. I was concerned it would break (especially when I threw it), but fortunately it was designed so the wings just fall off and can be easily reaffixed. Genius.

 Michael got this baby to go about a hundred feet. Very cool.

And finally, Michael took this shot of us yesterday after I had climbed under the covers with Clara to snuggle for a few minutes before we began the morning school prep rush. I secretly love turning Clara's light on, seeing her slightly smile through her sleepy, closed eyes, and turn over, telling me she wants to stay in bed all day and "Can I just have three more minutes, Mama?" And when she wears this white nightgown, she is just about as cute as she can get. Minus the killer morning breath.

Not a waste

We took Clara roller skating for the first time at a church-sponsored activity. (My friend, Emily, and I decided that the skating rink is maybe one step up from the bowling alley.)

I shamefully confess I was bracing myself for another bowling-type experience, but to our pleasure, Clara really loved it.

 They had these little scooter things that the kids could use, and that helped enormously.  It also helped that there were lots of little kids there, familiar faces, and nice music.

Michael graciously went around with her, while I happily sat on the side. Pregnancy was my perfect excuse, but quite frankly I have terrible balance and probably wouldn't have wanted to skate even if I hadn't been.

 She even went solo for a little while.

This girl did not want to leave when it was time to go. In her prayer that night, as I was helping her pray, I said, "Thank Thee that we could go bowling," which she repeated but then added to it, "even though I did not do well." I asked her after the prayer why she felt like she hadn't done well, and she commented that another girl didn't need a scooter thing to hold on to.

Well, perhaps it will be something to work toward for another time.

Off to the Caribbean

My parents have planned on serving a mission together for years, and last Monday they entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. Their assignment is to be public affairs missionaries in the Caribbean, a mission which covers thirteen countries.

I am excited for them and proud of their dedication to the Lord. They have sacrificed a lot to get to this point, selling most of their household goods, renting their house out, selling their truck, etc., not to mention leaving their children and grandchildren. Their service is already a blessing to their posterity, an added bonus to the hundreds of people they will bless during their 23-month mission in the Caribbean.

Here they are in the MTC, taking the classic map picture as they point to where they are headed.

We will miss them, but we are excited for their new adventure.

A waste

Clara was sad that I wasn't going to let her have a birthday party this year, but I told her we could do something fun as a family, like going bowling. She was very excited about that.

I wish I had said something like, "We'll rent a kid movie and snuggle together with popcorn!" That would have been a whole lot more fun, not to mention cheaper.

First of all, we had less than an hour to bowl because we had to get Hyrum to a stake youth committee meeting.

 Secondly, it was crazy expensive.

Thirdly, Clara did not want to roll her ball down the lane. She got very upset and started crying. This kind of situation is tricky because on the one hand, we know that Clara has a hard time with new places, transitions, loud noises, etc., and we want to be understanding. But on the other hand, there are times when a firm, no-nonsense attitude is required. Michael told her to stop crying, or--I can't remember what the consequence was--oh, I think it was something like, "Clara, if this is how you're going to act when we try to go bowling, then I don't think we want to take you to Disney World next year." (Clara has been wanting to go and we are hoping we can go next year some time. Another lesson learned: Don't tell your kid about things too far in advance.)

Apparently that was enough motivation because she did stop crying and did try to push the ball down the lane a couple of times. Then I asked one of the employees if we could use one of those ramp thingies, which he--very reluctantly--went and got out of the closet.

 That helped a lot, but even still, Clara wasn't interested in bowling after about six frames.

I realized that a pregnant person probably should not be bowling, so I only did it a few times before I felt like I should stop.

So it ended up that Hyrum and Michael bowled for me and Clara as well as for themselves. Hyrum trounced us all, then we hurried to the car and grabbed food on the way to his ride's house.

 Good thing I got this pic to make me remember something positive about this experience.

Michael told me afterwards (or maybe during), "We are never going bowling again."

And I totally agreed.

Life

These days I don't really feel like I have much to write about. I am still pregnant, and it still feels pretty surreal. My burgeoning belly is helping things sink in a little at a time. A while ago Clara told me, "Your bottom is getting bigger!" Thank you, dear.

We are now business owners as well as commercial real estate owners. Michael and I went on a walk yesterday morning, and I was expressing my concerns (aka worries). He smiled and said, "You really don't do well with uncertainty, do you?" Nope. Unless it's fun uncertainty, like choosing what to have for breakfast.

But the reality of being self-employed is that there is a risk. I realized, however, after our conversation that there is a risk inherent in everything, even being employed by someone else. Life is not about being in control and making everything neat and tidy, a statement I know to be true but consistently try to disprove.

Michael loves what he does (and is quite good at it), which makes it all worth it. And being on a team with the Lord and my husband, how can we possibly lose?

(Confession: I totally took this pic by myself on timer just so I could show you guys what my office looked like and sport my semi-straight hair that lasted less than 48 hours.)

I have also started working at the practice--just 5-10 hours a week--and I do enjoy it, although it is intimidating. I do the books, which is basically like keeping track of your own household finances (which I enjoy as well) but on a larger scale.

I have also been keeping busy as our pack cubmaster. I have to say, these boys are hilarious and I love interacting with them, even though I get stressed out about it every Wednesday.

 

 
We held our first pinewood derby two weeks ago. The boys were so excited and just about jumping off the walls. Good times.

Hyrum has been busy with basketball games and practice, but yesterday evening we went to a benefit dinner and auction together as a family for a friend of ours who is battling cancer.

I'd never actually been to an auction before where the guy is talking a million miles a minute. Michael bid on this cake:

It looked pretty amazing and was quite moist (ooh, hate that word!), but I was disappointed that the frosting was almond-flavored. I like raw almonds but can't stand almond flavoring. Not sure why.

Guess I had more to say than I thought. Happy February!