Enerbank Dinner

Tonight we went to Kevin's end of year dinner for his work at The Gathering Place in Gardner Village. The food was well done and I am loving the chances I get to know his coworkers more.

I'm also including a picture of what I wore simply because in 20 years, or less, I think it will be funny to see what I thought was cute at the time.

And yes, yes we do still have Christmas up. Too much snow to play in :-)

3 feet of bliss

Snow Day! That doesn't happen too often in Utah, but when nearly 2 feet of snow falls in just a few hours, the stars align perfectly and school is canceled.

The thing about today was it was perfect weather. The snow kept a steady falling pace meaning there was always a fresh layer of fluff to play in. It was also pretty warm. Cold without a coat, but you could stay out for hours and hours if you were properly dress.

We had so much snow that I suggested to Karaia, half joking, that she should jump off the deck into it. She took me up on that and landed perfectly on her back with a snow explosion of powder floating back on top of her. So. much. fun!

Beckham wanted in on the fun after seeing that. He was more timid at first, but after he landed on his back once, and it didn't brake as he insisted it would, there was no stopping him ;)

I got to sled, walk through the snow in my back yard. That was an adventure all it's own because the snow came up over my knees! Sanders was following me and said, "You lead me (the snow was nearly to his arm pits). Hey! That's like a Church song!" And then Kevin and I dug out the drive way for the 3rd time today.

We are exhausted and tired, but very happy.

Sunshine and Snow

Today started really well. I even showered before the kids left for school!

I honestly can't remember the last time that happened.

I ALSO got my work email inbox down to zero! Hooray!

There was blue sky and sunshine this morning as well.

Now there is snow everywhere. And I still haven't done laundry. Don't judge.

The launch date for the fabric company is coming up. Lots of tweaks that kind of take up a good chunk of the day. It's a good problem to have.

If you haven't noticed I'm not super good at getting my plate cleared. I get super focused on one section and the rest goes unnoticed for too long...until it can no longer be ignored.

Still, it's been a good day. Despite having to remind Karaia and Beckham they cannot leave each other when they walk home from school. I spent quite a bit of time, on super snowy, slippery roads looking for Beckham in the storm because he left the place he said he would wait and Karaia took longer than she said she would take, which was his excuse for leaving. Either way, they both made choices that could have made for a very sad ending.

Luckily, we did not crash and we found Beckham. But I was pretty disappointed in their selfishness. I made them shovel. Even though, as they pointed out, there was no real point in shoveling since the snow covered everything just as quickly as you could clear it away. I did it for two reasons.

1: To give them time with no distractions to think about how the contributed to the situation and to realize how it could have ended really horribly on such a bad weather day.

2: Give them time to talk with each other and figure out WHY it happened the way it did. And understand the reasoning behind each other's  actions.

I believe it worked.  My mom was over when I was giving Beckham the what for. It wasn't pretty because he was feeling entitled. Oh well. I'm pretty sure she understands :)

Sanders is with my mom for a Nana Night. He couldn't be more thrilled! He loves spending time one on one with anyone, but especially Nana.

We are still waiting for Kevin to get home. It's taking longer because of the storm. I hope he walks in soon.

Routine

Nothing much to speak of today.

The two little boys woke up sometime when there was still a 5 at the beginning of the clock.

Ran kids to school in the morning.

Design and Pick Your Plum work.

Volunteered in Beckham's class.

Tried to have rational conversations with hungry boys who had woken up sometime when a 5 was still in the front.

We had conversations but they where neither rational not productive.

Tried to insist on naps.

More design and pyp.

They never slept.

But the alone time in their rooms helped.

Other two came home.

Homework and snacks and hugs and kisses managed.

More snacks.

A little more design and pyp.

And again, more snacks.

Must be growing, especially the two littles.

Dinner made for the 8th day in a row! Fish tacos...and everyone likes them!

Went to mutual.

Had a stake wide tug o war.

Came home.

Talked with Kevin.

Fell asleep on the couch.

Woke up and blogged.

Going to bed to be able to probably do the same thing tomorrow..minus anyone waking up with a 5 or anything less in the front and hopefully more laundry. Not because I enjoy laundry, but because I enjoy having something to wear.

Kindergarten ninja

I vaguely remember Tennyson holding something green as we were getting ready to leave for school. The next time I looked at him he had on his Angry Birds hat Nana made him and I forgot all about anything green.

When he came home from school he hung up his stuff as I busied myself with getting lunch ready. I turned to look at him just as he was taking off his hat to discover this underneath

Yup. I sent a ninja to school without knowing it.

I stopped in my tracks and said, "Did you wear that to school? "

"Yes."

"Did you wear it all day?"

"Yes."

"Huh. What did your teacher say? "

"Nothing. I don't think she saw me."

To which I sarcastically mumbled under my breath," I bet she didn't."

Kindergarteners have the best lives!

He wanted me to make sure I added his ninja pose picture :)

Just so you know...

...I am not perfect. What? You already knew? Yeah, me too.

That is not necessarily a bad thing. It leaves all sorts of room for improvement and new found awesomeness.

Today was a less than perfect mommy day. Some, most, days are better than others. This was the opposite of better. But only during the witching hour between 5pm and 6pm when at some point Kevin arrives home.

I lost it. Like really lost it on Karaia. Unkind tone, harsher than necessary words. She came to me later and said, "Mom, can I talk to you? I've rehearsed this but I don't want you to get mad."

"Make sure you don't say anything disrespectful/rude and I won't." (yes, I recognized the irony as I said then too)

In a very loving way she said, "You always tell me I can use kinder words and tone instead of just going straight to saying things angry and I feel like you could have used kinder words and tone."

And then she left.

I was left with my thoughts and my heart. What she said was not new to me. I'd been giving myself the same lecture since the words flew out of my mouth. But I was so, so proud of her. The bursting kind of proud. She had been listening.....AND learning. Learning enough to teach.

I was proud of her for loving me enough to teach me. I was proud of her for doing it in a loving way. And I was proud of her for understanding her role in what happened and while I definitely could have delivered my words better she knew the core of the message was true and she owned her part in that.

We both had a good cry and lots of sorrys and I love yous. I am grateful for the hard, real feelings and emotions we share around this home. It makes me excited for our future.

Now I remember

Wow. 6 days in and I almost forgot to post. Nice.

We switched to 9:00 am church today. My kids were so well behaved and obedient this morning. I hope it continues.

I also taught the Young Women lesson using the new method. What a neat experience to walk into a class room prepared but not really know what will be taught. Yet, in the end, it was exactly what was needed.

There is more that could be said, but I'd just closed my eyes when I remembered about the blog.

Hooray for me for remembering AND going to be before midnight!