Here we are

January ended and here we are half way through February. It hasn't been a banner three weeks so not much to say. I went on a field trip with Emma to Elms that was cold but bearable. My group was a bit obnoxious and the whole day gave me a new perspective on Emma. In our family she is the loud and dramatic one who loves attention and has incredible mood swings. After watching her with her peers for a day, I realized that in part she acts that way at home because at school she is very calm, quiet and in control and it must be hard for her to hold that in all day. Kids were pushing her out of the way for the microscope and she was so chill about it; I found it astonishing. She was so patient with some really annoying kids and I was incredibly proud of her. She is such a good girl and shame on me for not recognizing that more often. I enjoyed the time with her and I'm glad I went even though I was so tired afterwards. 

 

Curtis and Lily have both had a lot of after-school band rehearsals getting ready for some band competition so I have been doing a lot of driving around and it has made Lily's schedule especially busy with dance. 

The boys had a camp out last weekend and it was so cold and rainy but Curtis had a great time on his first ever time camping. Luckily the rain stopped when they got to the site and they were able to stay warm that night, though Josh didn't sleep well. It took up so much time and all that equipment was so much money but I suppose camping is good for boys. Josh just dislikes it so much and was worried about it all week so it consumed his whole day off on Friday and then Saturday plus all the time during the week he kept shopping for supplies and planning for it. We were both very relieved when it was over. Then the priests had planned a pinewood derby for the following Wednesday, which they carried out with moderate success. Josh was also happy when that was over. Shadow leading is a challenge and takes a lot of effort and restraint and then teaching and correction. 

I do have to say though that this past week we ran into a tough parenting situation that ruined me for a couple of days but figuring it out with Josh how to handle it was inspiring. I love him and am so grateful that we are partners in this parenting business because it is tough. I recognized that his service as bishop has really prepared him to deal with tough issues. He has been counseling others and working with teenagers for almost four years now and that has refined and taught him and helped him develop wonderful perspective and an ability to teach in a loving, calm, patient way. I know we have been blessed by his service but this was one of the more obvious moments where I was able to specifically recognize that what was happening was a direct result of serving the Lord and the Lord blessing him and our family for it. 

I went to the doctor for my annual physical, I took Brandon for his, I took Curtis to the orthodontist and Lily a week later for her appointment. I also took Lily to the dermatologist. We went out for a date Friday to Texas Roadhouse and it was so tasty and fun to get out. We came back to get Emma for dance and then ran a few errands until we had to go pick her up. I really just love being with Josh and I'm so grateful Lily is always willing to keep an eye on things. She babysits a lot so we feel lucky when we get a turn and actually only did because the family she was scheduled to babysit cancelled last minute. The boys had basketball on Saturday and Curtis's game was fun to watch and they won. The other team had some pretty intense parents which only made the win sweeter. Then it was so beautiful Josh and I went for a walk and then I gave my kids piano lessons and he cut the boys' hair and the kids each did a cleaning job. 

We have been watching a lot of the Olympics, which I love. It is so fun to see lots of different sports and how incredibly talented and brave these athletes are to throw themselves off ramps and go 80 miles per hour face first down an ice slide. I love the short track speed skating and the snowboard cross was fun to watch.