Labor Day/Week

 This week was so busy but wonderful at the same time. Monday we slept in and had a nice breakfast all together and then we went kayaking. We did the McIntosh Run and it was so fun. Josh and I had done it together years ago but now the kids are big enough to come too and there was minimal complaining. It was a really beautiful day and I loved being out on the water. Lily and I paddled our big one with Brandon in the middle and then we borrowed two kayaks from the Rays that Josh and Curtis used. Emma paddled our little one and switched with Brandon when she got tired. It took us about two hours and was just really lovely. There were jellyfish in the wharf water so we didn't get in the water at all though. Josh and I went to go get our car from where we put in and the kids played on the playground. I went back and started cleaning up while Josh got us fun slushies and then we went to our pool to cool off and swim without jellyfish. It was wonderful family time and such a blessing. 

Tuesday was laundry and a bunch of other tasks then so much running around. I picked up Curtis, I picked up Lily and took her to dance, I taught piano lessons then I picked up Lily and dropped off Emma, then I took Curtis to practice and then I picked up Emma. Josh worked until 11pm that night so hopefully it won't always be like this but I was pretty exhausted by the end of the day. 

Wednesday I went to the gym and grocery store and cut the grass. Then it was the same routine of picking up kids, piano and dropping them off in various places. Thursday I went for a bike ride, made bread and dinner for my family and another family that I took to them. Curtis had his first game and played well. His team won and they are pretty good, although they made lots of first game errors. He pitched the first inning and rocked it so that was fun.

Friday was a wonderful day. Michelle and I went to the temple and it was so good to be back after 4.5 years of it being closed. I have been to other temples in those years but not nearly as often as I would like and it was always so stressful to get there and get home. I'm so excited to be able to go more often now and have it be easier. I felt such peace and calm and joy. I had some good thoughts and Michelle and I had a good talk in the celestial room. I can't say enough how wonderful and happy it was to be back in the temple. I wish I could go every day. We made it back in time for all the afternoon craziness and I even got the car cleaned out for Josh to drive up to the youth dance that night. 

Saturday Lily started her junior company rehearsals and Brandon had his first baseball game. He is in kid pitch now so it was slower and a bit more painful than last year but his team actually played well and Brandon scored a run after getting walked to first base. Curtis also filled in on a different team for a double header because they were down a player. He got to play with some of his friends so he loved it and enjoyed playing 4 hours of extra baseball. Emma and Lily both had birthday parties too so it meant that Josh and I were not together all day long since we were driving around all day. It was a bit tiring and I'm so grateful for Sunday as a day of rest and not having to go anywhere except church today.  

I'm glad my kids are involved in good things and that they work hard and are learning new skills. I'm glad they are social and fun and have friends. I try to say yes to every good thing my kids want to do and support it as best I can. Curtis wants to do the running club after school and there is just no way I can pick him up because I'm teaching piano then. I felt so badly saying no because it would be so good for him and he'd get to spend time with his best friend (who he doesn't have any classes with this year) so I thought for days about how we could make it work. These are the moments I wish we had family around; a willing grandparent who would be happy to pick him up twice a week would be such a blessing. But in the end his friend's parents offered to bring him home, which is the nicest thing ever. I was really touched by their kindness and generosity because it is a hike to his school and it is no small time commitment and we don't even know them but they thanked us for letting Curtis participate. Lily is making them cookies right now for us to give them tomorrow when they bring him home. 

We stayed up late watching the BYU game last night and they won! It went into double overtime and we gave up at the end of regulation because it was 2am but we know they won and will watch the rest of it later, but it sounds like it was just kicking field goals until we finally got one. So I've been tired today but it was a nice day at church and I'm grateful. This week it is my turn to drive Lily and the other girls in our neighborhood to seminary and I am kind of dreading it but it is good for her and I'm glad she wants to go and study the gospel before school each morning so my goal is to not complain about it.