Here we go!

It has been so busy. But I had a profound experience where I pondered what brings me joy and I'm really trying to focus my life on those things and recognize that they bring me joy. For example, I really feel joy in being healthy and strong so that translates me to going to the gym more often. When I was there Friday doing spin for the first time in a few months, my natural reaction was to think it was hard and I have so much to do I should have stayed home but then I remembered, this brings me joy so just do it! It has helped me feel much better about our seminary schedule and getting up early and even cooking for my family because those things all connect back into core principles that bring me joy. 

Last week everything started so we had a very chill Labor day and then it was up at 5;45 for seminary and Lily and Emma both started dance that afternoon and I had my first piano lessons. I was extremely tired on Wednesday after going to the gym and grocery shopping and I barely made it through the day and ended up going to bed at 9:30. Not sure what happened there but I was worn out and Josh worked late and I needed sleep. Thursday Michelle and I went to the temple and it was beautiful and peaceful and I was so happy to be there. It was also the 23rd anniversary of when I went into the MTC so I started reading my mission journal and that has been fun. Friday I went to spin and ran some errands and that evening Lily performed a few dance numbers in Leonardtown Square as part of the First Friday activities. There was also some baseball practice for Brandon in there and Curtis had his first game this week and had a triple. He got hit in the face with a ball the week before during a scrimmage so his face has looked pretty gnarly for a while but he is finally healed and back to normal, except he can't feel a few teeth but luckily we're going to the dentist next week. 

Saturday was nuts. Curtis had a XC invitational in Annapolis so Josh got him to the bus at 5:15 am. Then I took Lily to dance at 9am and then we all went to Brandon's game at 11:30 am. He played so well and I was really proud of him. Last season he had a hitting issue but first at bat, first pitch, he ripped it! It was very exciting and he was so happy! He played first base but didn't see any action and then was center field for an inning so overall great game for him and his team won 7-1. Then I took Brandon right to the Tripp's for Eli's birthday party and stopped to get peaches for canning on my way home. Then Josh picked up Curtis from his meet (he did very well and really seems to like being on a high school team) and he had three minutes at home to change before I took him to Sarah's to meet up with the carpool to the stake youth activity. Lily had gone up early to help set up and so the two of them were gone all evening; Lily had a great time, Curtis didn't as much but I think he was a bit grumpy from getting up so early. Brandon was still playing with Eli so Josh and I took Emma out for her special dinner that she earned by doing her summer reading list. I picked eight books for her and they were challenging for her, mostly in topic because she tends to get bored when it isn't fantasy. She read Anne of Green Gables, The Evolution of Calpernia Tate, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, The Witch of Blackbird Pond, Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites, The Last Cuentista, So You Want to Be a Wizard and Princess Academy, which was her favorite. She picked Olive Garden and we had a nice dinner before we had to drive back to the Tripp's to pick up Brandon, then we saw a really pretty rainbow on the way home. I was so happy when the day was over and really I have a sense of great accomplishment at the end of every day when we managed to get the kids where they needed to be.

Sunday was a  lovely day at church and a day of rest, except Lily had a meeting and Josh didn't get home until almost 6pm but we had a nice dinner together and it was just fun to sit around talking after dinner. I am really enjoying this stage of life even though I am driving all over the place. My kids are fun to be with and I like the people they are turning into. 

Yesterday we were back at it but Monday evenings we don't have any activities, which is so nice because we can have family night regularly again. Last night we watched President Nelson's 100th birthday celebration and it was so sweet. This morning I hosted a brunch and it was probably the lowest attendance for one I've hosted and none of the people I specifically reached out to and invited came but it was nice to chat with friends. So, while I feel very busy, I also feel very good about what I'm accomplishing and I'm grateful for such a beautiful life.