Hello November
Emma, however, was in rough shape on Tuesday and spent the whole day sleeping on the couch. In fact none of us got a good sleep that night because she threw up mucus in the middle of the night, which woke Lily up, who woke Josh and I up. Then Josh had to get up at 4am to go to the airport and I had to get Curtis off to school at 6am and Lily was up at 5am for seminary. All day I just kept telling myself that if we could make it through the day, everything would be all right. Brandon still has a drippy nose but he has for so long now, I feel like it must be allergies, so he went back to school. The rest of the week was busy since Josh was gone but I got it all done. Wednesday Emma went back to school and Brandon had his last practice. It was the team versus the families and it was fun to watch. I had to leave go to pick up Lily so I missed a good chunk of it and I was sad my family wasn't there to participate but that's how it goes sometimes. Brandon's coaches are all really wonderful and I'm so grateful for them.
Thursday was a big day. Lily got her braces off! She's had two rounds of braces for a total of almost 2.5 years. I went and picked her up from school and after her appointment we went to Panera to celebrate and then shopping at Old Navy and Bath and Body Works. Then we picked up Curtis and I took them both back to the orthodontist for a check up and for Lily to get her retainer. It was fun to be with Lily since we don't get to spend a lot of time together and her smile is so lovely! Curtis had his last game that night so I took Brandon, Curtis and picked up Lily from dance and dropped the three of them off at the park where Curtis's game was pretty early so I had time to go back and pick up Emma from play practice, then we picked up dinner and went to the game. I always miss having Josh's help but I'm always proud of myself too when I make it all happen on my own. Curtis's game was fun and he played well. I thanked his coach afterwards and he told me Curtis needs to move up in the spring. I'm proud of him and his dedication and focus and hard work. He's a good kid. I had a special moment driving home with all four kids in the car and them laughing and talking and I just felt peace and joy in the midst of the work of family life and it was sweet.
Friday Michelle and I went to the temple and it was lovely. I love being in the temple and it was peaceful and beautiful and I love being reminded of eternal truths. She also listens to everything in my heart, good and bad, and helps me through it and supports me and that has been a special blessing to me lately as I've been working through some emotional stuff. Josh got home that night, still sick and very tired but at least he was home.
Saturday was Brandon's last game and then the sponsor invited us all to Nicolletti's for a pizza party. I had signed up for snack but with the party decided to bring cookies instead. Lily wanted to make sugar cookies that look like baseballs but then she cut the cookies pretty thin and the icing wasn't hard for us to really decorate them yet when we had to go. It was all very frustrating for me and I can't count the number of times in my head I thought how I hate making sugar cookies but in the end everyone ate them and said they looked good. They weren't what I imagined or wanted to bring but I suppose that doesn't matter. I don't know why I felt like my reputation of being a good mom was on the line; it seems like I should be able to make sugar cookies with a simple design on them. Anyway, pizza was good, cookies were fine, it was good family time and then we came home and cleaned and made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for a friend's birthday and Lily's Friendsgiving.
Sunday was a lovely testimony meeting with a good choir rehearsal afterwards. I'm really not a good choir director and especially not when I'm also trying to play the piano but it is working. I might need to ask someone to actually direct the choir because I can't really hear how it sounds from behind the piano. I am usually pretty worn out afterwards; it takes a lot of emotional energy. But people are showing up and it is coming along.
Last Monday Josh stayed home sick, I taught piano and cleaned and did laundry, Lily went to a GIS Friendsgiving dinner that she said was fun and Emma had her first real play practice. Tuesday there was no school so I hosted a brunch for all the middle-age moms with older kids so they could play, like a big kid play group of sorts. A lot of people came and the kids all had a great time and we had a ton of pancakes. It was nice to talk with people and I was especially happy Cherissa came and interacted with everyone since she hasn't been able to attend church in awhile. Michelle stayed and helped me clean up and even took Lily to dance for me, which was so nice. Then I taught piano lessons and they are more fun now that the kids are all playing Christmas songs.
Thursday Josh had off and he rested most of the day while I went to school and made copies for the teachers. Usually there are two of us but it was just me this time and it took forever. I also have tried to use the laminator twice now and have failed both times. Third grade needed a ton of copies so it was five sets of everything and then there was this booklet I had to copy, fold and staple and that took forever to do 28 times for each of the five classes. It was nice not to have anything to do that night though and we just relaxed, although Lily did go babysitting, which was a blessing because she owes me money for her Disney trip and her new pointe shoes.
Friday we had planned to go to D.C. for a wonderful adventure but it was rainy and my family was just not feeling it. We slept in, had a big breakfast and then watched some of the Amazing Race. Then we each picked an activity for the day. It was the only day in months and months that we didn't have any outside commitments and could just be together and it was really wonderful. We played Sequence, had a ping pong tournament, played some basement baseball, Just Dance Broadway, and Five Crowns. Then we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and came back and watched the 7th Harry Potter movie. It was really nice to be together and not have to worry about a schedule or church or work or school or activities or housework.
Saturday Josh and Curtis went to the stake youth activity in D.C. while Lily went to a six hour Nutcracker rehearsal. I was going to go clean the church but some other families got it done the night before so that was really nice. So I organized choir music and did some Christmas planning and then the kids and I cleaned out the garage. That evening Lily went babysitting and Curtis went with the Rays to Six Flags for one last hurrah and the rest of us went to Brandon's end of season baseball party. His coach hosts the team every season for pizza, awards, and an outdoor movie. It was a nice evening and even though we aren't best buddies with the other parents, they are a nice group of people and I'm glad to be a part of such a supportive and tight team family. My buffalo chicken dip was a hit and that made me feel better from the cookie ordeal.
Yesterday was a busy Sunday with choir and then a quick dinner at home and then back to church for the youth fireside. Josh didn't come home all day and was busy until 8:30 so that was a 12-hour day of service for him. Ward council, church, appointments for welfare and tithing declarations, he had to go visit a member who was in a tricky family situation and then teach at the fireside then he had to attend a stake welfare training meeting. He is still getting over his cold and today he had a meeting at the Pentagon so he was up and gone by 5am. As soon as he is released I am taking him away for a relaxing weekend at a spa or the beach or something. He works so hard and serves so hard and I do get frustrated sometimes that he doesn't seem to have much energy left for us but he supports me and loves me and somehow I am able to take care of everything else. I'm excited for Thanksgiving break and hope he'll be able to recharge a bit. But sacrament meeting was really wonderful with great talks and the YW sang a special musical number that was sweet. Then in Relief Society we had an amazing lesson that Amy taught about forgiveness. We had such a good discussion and she really taught it so well. I felt the spirit prick my heart with some things I need to do and also I felt good for the progress I have made in some other situations. It was so uplifting and inspiring and I'm grateful to be surrounded by wonderful women who teach me and help me be better.
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