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Posted by Ben and Rachel at 7:28 PM 0 comments
Last night was our Young Women's New Beginnings. The theme was "Who's on the Lord's Side?". It was done up very well, with a "sports" like emphasis. We had it in the gym, which was decorated with posters, balloons, and the chairs facing each other, like bleachers!! Everything was related to us all being on the same team, working together for a common goal. It was a very clever and original idea! The YW who recently received their YW medallions put on a cute little skit about being physically and spiritual "fit". Then I had to fill in for the Personal Progress leader, who was tending her sick child, at the last minute. It was pretty easy. I just had to read a few paragraphs and a poem. It felt like deja vu, being I spoke at Young Women's last year, on Personal Progress. This year was much easier:) Especially since I wasn't having contractions this time!! (I was very pregnant!) Then we introduced the new Beehives, like they do at basketball games (music playing, running through girls on each side giving them high fives, and then breaking through a banner with their name on it (a last minute idea). That was fun! Then someone spoke using sports analogies...church being like a "locker room", the team being the Lords team, etc. For refreshments, we had it set up like a concession stand. It was all very creative. Wish I could say I thought of it, but the only thing I came up with was the banners they ran through!
Posted by Ben and Rachel at 9:45 PM 1 comments
Can you guess where this picture was taken? In our neighborhood! Hard to believe, I know! For a short time, the color Green graces us with her presence. What a great view, huh?! Guess that view make our HOA worth it. "What?", you say! Yes, our HOA has been the hot topic in our neighborhood these days. In our CC&R it says there is no overnight street parking. Well they have taken that to the extreme and have now said that there is no parking in the street at anytime and will start towing in March. Our neighbor wasn't happy about that and called channel 5 news! They were here last night getting the neighbors opinions. They got Ben talking, and got Aubrie and I on camera (even though I was trying to avoid it!) So there is Ben's moment of fame! Aubrie was so excited to be on TV and couldn't wait to see it the next morning!
Posted by Ben and Rachel at 8:11 PM 0 comments
It's been awhile....life has gotten away from me this week. Boston came down with a fever on Friday, after school. It lasted through the weekend, so Monday I took him to the Doctor. So Monday I was rushing around to his Dr. Appt. and then to the pharmacy, and then tried to make up for lost time. During Aubrie's dance, Ben stayed with the kiddos so I could get a pedicure I DESPERATELY needed. Ben was actually encouraging me to go. It was nice to relax, even though the lady I got wasn't my favorite (I'll have to remember that!) This time I brought a book, WICKED, and read. The book is actually quite scandalous, and I probably should have put it down for good. I won't be recommending it to anyone, but instead tell them the story. After my pedicure, I ran to Sams and did some grocery shopping (my back is still aching from the heavy cart), and then showed up for the last 15 minutes of Aubrie's Jazz class. They started teaching the recital dances and the pictures of the costumes are already displayed. They are soooo cute! It helps when the owners daughter is always in the same class as yours:) After we got the kiddos in bed, I met up with the girls and leaders, to help one our Laurels celebrate her birthday. We brought stuff for ice cream Sundays, and surprised her. She hasn't been coming lately, and it was a great visit, so that was encouraging!! When I got back Ben and I headed out to do some grocery shopping at Walmart! Our fridges are full, what a great feeling! That's when I feel like...If anything is going to happen let it be now...when my fridges and cabinets are stocked with REAL food! LOL
Yesterday, Boston was feeling better and went to school. The day was a little more relaxing...I made sugar cookies, read my book and Ethan played outside (it was a beautiful day!!). The evening was crazy, though, b/c I planned on making cookies that night and delivering them, but Ben had a meeting he didn't know about. So we rushed through dinner and he had to take off while the kids and I decorated cookies and had FHE (we postponed it). I talked about ropes and how ropes that are frayed aren't as strong as those that aren't. I related that to our family, and how we have to work together instead of trying to pull away. I told them we need to be strong so we can face trials when they come!! Aubrie then ran and got her "Why are You So Grumpy Book" and the kids discussed how in different situations they could change there attitudes. It was very cute! Wish they could do that for real!! These past couple of days I have been saying, when they start fighting, "what kind of rope do we want to be?" Tonight Aubrie prayed that the family can be a "strong rope"!
Today my day started crazy! As I was dropping Ethan off at preschool, I realized that I forgot his Valentines, so as soon as Sophia woke up from her morning nap, I rushed out the door and dropped them off and then headed out on my quest to get 80's clothing! Our youth was having a "decades" dance, so of course I picked the 80's! I got a sweet jean skirt and pink sweater with a big purple belt and white flats. When I picked up Ethan, I asked his teacher if she had any 80's stuff, and I totally scored with some bangle bracelets, net gloves, and leg warmers. Here is a sweet picture of Erin, Marcy and I! My Mom said she felt like she had her 10 year old girl back! Hee! Hee! There were some other great costumes there...Elvis, poodle skirts, rockers...the YM actually didn't really do so great with the whole dressing thing, but that's expected. The music was good and they had some fun games. It feels good to get out on the dance floor....other than my family room! LOL
To go backwards a bit....Saturday we finally finished the wood work in Aubrie's room. I just have to finish hanging a few things and her room will be done!!!! Finally!! Her bathroom is almost done, too! Just trying to find time to make her curtain!!!
This week I have also stayed busy trying to find and purchase tickets for a girls "WICKED" trip! It's actually going to happen, and I'm so excited about it! I have never been on a "ALL" girls trip, unless you count girls camp! It's going to be a blast, especially since I get to go with such great friends!! We have 11 girls in all, so far! Hollywood, watch out!
Just a funny for the week....Boston had a birthday party today and I had to rush him there right after his piano lesson. When he got in the car, after his lesson, he said "Mom are we going home first so I can do more chores before I go to the party?" I told him there was no time. He sounded disappointed and said, "I like doing my chores". When Ben picked him up he said.."Dad I didn't do ANY chores today!" What planet is this boy from? Really... I want to know!!
The new Chore Charts....Ethan was excited to be included and Boston was sad b/c he wanted the blue font!! You can never make everyone happy! It is funny how they were all excited to get them..."come on kiddos they are CHORE CHARTS! You realize that don't you!"
Day at the park!
Posted by Ben and Rachel at 8:55 PM 0 comments
*warning....spell check has not been working and Ben isn't here to proof read!! Read at your own risk!!!
Today I was flying solo, like the good ole days!! Well I guess I shouldn't say "Good", just less complex! Ben left at 6:30 this morning, for Tucson. He is going to be opening that area soon! He will be coming home tomorrow night! Today I kept busy. I cleaned up this morning. Then I took Ethan to the car wash after school. He has been bugging me to wash my car (the clean freak that he is), even offering to clean it himself. After being there for 45 minutes, it was really dirty, I headed home and put Sophia down for a nap. Then I called Kayleen (it's great having YW who have early release) to come over to watch Sophia while I ran to pick up a baby gift...more joneseybaby stuff!:) Aubrie had voice lessons after school, so I stopped by Erin's, who lives in the same neighborhood, just to visit while I waited for her 30 minute lesson to be done. It's hard to really do anything during that 30 minute lesson. I guess I could take my scriptures and read in the car while I let the kids watch a movie or something! After the lesson, I rushed home to get Sophia down for another nap. During that time I had the kids read. It was a half an hour of peace and quite...NICE!
After I was done reading with Boston, I thought I heard him singing the words, under his breath, "Oh it is wonderfuL". I didn't want to embarrass him so I started singing "I Stand All Amazed" (FYI my favorite hymn) and when I started singing it, he chimed right in. We sang the first two verses together. It was a little patchy, but he had the Chorus down perfectly. When I was done I said, "Boston, how do you know that song?" He just shook his head giving me the "DUH" look, and said "at church of course". I asked him if he was learning that in primary, and he said, "No, just from the main part"....meaning sacrament! Good to know that even though I feel like I'm wrestling the kids for an hour, things are sinking in. (BTW Aubrie was singing it with us, too, for the first verse). I then went on to talk to him about the song and how amazing it was that he died for us, and how much he must love us. I told Boston that I loved him so much that I would die for him, like if a car was coming and I had to push him out of the way. He gave me a big hug and started to tear up. Then after a minute or so he said, "Mom, if Ethan was in the street I would push him out of the way and die for him, because I love my brother." I was thinking how sweet that was, and then thinking....then why do you two fight SO MUCH!!! Gotta love kids!
After our little reading/singing session I took the kids and headed over to Kari's. Her husband and Erin's husband are out of town, too! Kari made dinner, so nice of her, and we ate and let the kids play. It was nice to socialize a little and let the kids get out some energy! We left around 7:15 and the kids were in bed by 8:00. Of course, they weren't asleep b/c the were all wound up, but I'm sure they will sleep good!
What a full day! Oh it feels good to get a lot done, but now my body is TIRED!
Posted by Ben and Rachel at 8:07 PM 0 comments
I remember packing Ethan's, size 3 ,diapers away after he was potty trained, and thinking it will be forever until Sophia is in these! I was right! After 10 months (almost), Sophia has finally moved up into size 3! As I was putting them on her I was thinking about how time has flown by so fast! She has really seemed to grow up these past couple of weeks. She likes to motor around, discovering whatever she can get into. Because she gets around so quickly, I have created the biggest play pen ever, by pushing all the couches in the family room into a semi-circle. Sophia is finally eating, and A LOT!! I nailed it when I said that I just don't think she liked the baby food. I started giving her solids and she is going to town. Last night she ate fettachine noodles with chicken, bread, peaches and cheese. This morning she pounded a bowl and a half of oatmeal and some yogurt and tonight she added BROCCOLI to her menu! Banana's are one of her favorites. It's like a whole new Sophia!
Posted by Ben and Rachel at 7:51 PM 0 comments
Ben made good on his Christmas Present and took me to see Wicked. I thought we were going to fly to LA, but instead he arranged to use his brother's car, so we could drive out. ( I didn't want to take our car in case my Mom needed the family bus for an emergency!) At first I was a little irritated that we were going to drive, since we were going up Wednesday and coming back Thursday, but it turned out alright. Probably had to do with the fact I didn't have screaming fighting kids in the back seat! It was nice to have some time to talk and have no other distractions, like TV, kids, blogging, etc. Ben wanted to drive so we could stop at the outlet stores. I had my suspicions, bcuz he told me that there was a "reason" for us driving. As we were coming up on the exit he said, "I can't have you going to Wicked with that purse". My suspicions were confirmed! I have been complaining that my purse isn't big enough to hold all my baby things, and so he took me to the outlet and bought me a new purse, wallet and wristlet. I guess he figured since he saved money on airfare, he could spoil me a little. I'll take it! After hitting a few other outlets, we headed out to make our drive to the hotel. At least that is where he made me think we were going. He actually had arranged for us to stay at the Hellewell's. They are good friends from college. They lived back east for about 10 years, and while we we lived out there, made a few Thanksgiving visits to their place. They finally moved back to California. Kristen's husband bought her tickets to Wicked for Christmas, so Ben bought them on the same day so we could all go together. We all went out to dinner, after fighting 2 hours of LA traffic; gotta love LA! We had dinner by the Pantages theatre, in Hollywood, so I got to see all the "stars" on the sidewalk. I can't believe after all the years I lived there, I had never been to Hollywood.
Posted by Ben and Rachel at 4:37 PM 0 comments