43 and 15

 Sunday was my birthday and it was a nice day. We went to church (Josh went to two different wards and that is going to take some getting used to) and it was a nice meeting. Not many people were there and none of my good friends so no one knew it was my birthday and that was okay. It did make me feel oddly anti-social though so we left right after church and had a quiet day at home. The kids all made me super sweet cards and I talked to my sisters and my parents. Josh got home and grilled some steak and made mashed potatoes and it was delicious. My kids got me a cute little bear figurine since I couldn't find a cute one in Tennessee and I like souvenirs and Josh got me a new wallet. I'm also going to spend a day at the temple sometime and he'll figure out the kid stuff so I can be gone all day.  My sisters all chipped in and got me some nice yard games that will be fun to have. I got some nice text messages and cards and overall it was a nice day. I felt especially grateful for my parents and all they have done to give me a good life.

Monday I took all the kids to the dentist and no cavities! Two need to floss better and one was missing a spot brushing but it was overall good reports. Lana and Hannah and kids came to swim for a bit and that was fun. I love Hannah and how positive she is and sweet and since she is one of my young women from when I was in the presidency years ago, I will love her forever. It was also fun to talk to Lana; I look up to her and appreciate her and am so glad she moved back! Lily had dance and Curtis's first practice was cancelled because of a thunderstorm. He got pulled up into the senior league and is playing with all freshman and sophomores and I'm super excited for him; I think it is going to be a challenging and good season for him.

Nothing exciting happened Tuesday and Wednesday I went to the gym and picked up groceries and took Lily to dance. I made dinner for a family with a new baby so I baked cookies and bread and stew and dropped it off and took Curtis to his practice. I really like his new coach and I am very optimistic for this season. I left to get home and pick up the other three kids and got them to church for their activities and used the time to prep my lesson for Sunday (I'm subbing for gospel doctrine). Josh has been working late and has been very busy which I feel like is the story of this year. We had a great time on our trip in February and then it has been a bit of a slog since then. He's either crazy busy at church or now it is work and he has traveled so much and I feel tired. I miss having time with him and feeling like a team; I know it is just a phase and it has been a tough year for him and I've been holding down the fort but my grip is starting to feel more tenuous so I hope there is relief coming soon. 

Thursday was my sweet girl's 15th birthday. I marvel at how much she has changed and grown up and how wonderful she is. She loves to serve others and is so kind and she works hard at school and dance and is responsible. We had her best friends over for breakfast and then they went shopping but then she had to go to dance so we kept it low key. Plus she got a new and bigger bed for her birthday (which was expensive) and she needs new dance leotards and shoes (also expensive) so we really didn't do anything else to celebrate. We had her dinner of choice and a delicious chocolate peanut butter cheesecake I made and she opened her presents. I am excited to get her bed together for her and she is looking for a new bedspread with money from Grandma so it will be fun to update her room. 

  

She wanted to watch videos of her when she was a baby and so we spent almost two hours watching our family video from 2009 which was all Lily and it was so cute. Ah the days of having one little baby to take care of and follow around all day. :) I don't think we have any video of Curtis and I feel badly but those were different days. It was wild to see how different we were and to see Josh's graduation from AFIT and our move to Maryland and our first Christmas in our own home with our sweet baby girl. She was so adorable and it was so fun to watch. Lily said my voice sounded higher and happier and I told her it was my baby voice but now I'm talking to teenagers so I sound different. :) It did make me wonder if I've turned into a grumpy  mom and I need to be careful of not seeming like I am happy in motherhood. It has been a transition time for sure but I love my kids and couldn't help remembering how hard I worked to get pregnant with Lily and all the medications I took and negative pregnancy tests and the miscarriage and D&C and daily shots for months and being hospitalized for being hyper stimulated all before I was blessed to have her. She is such a joy in my life and I'm so grateful she made me a mom.