Halloween

The kids decided that they wanted to do the pumpkin carving all by themselves. That was just fine with me!

We recycled old costumes this year. No one seemed to mind, except Brody, so no pictures of him.

Brody's Baptism

Brody was baptized today, on his birthday. It was such an incredible experience. Being new to the area, and having it be our school district's Fall Break, we were expecting someone from the Bishopric, the Elders assigned to our ward, and Chris's parents. We showed up to have quite a few members of our ward, so many in fact that they had to add chairs and a few stood. It was overwhelming. We're so grateful for the support we were given. A colleague from Chris's work and his family came too. Brody was spiritual prepared which made the whole day extremely special for our family. (By the way, Brody is holding up his bandaged thumb. He smashed it in my car door and got to make a trip to the hospital to have it x-rayed, cleaned out, examined, and wrapped up. Luckily it wasn't broken. I'm glad I have a doctor in the house. Our two hour visit could have been easily 6 without our express service).

I'm proud of Brody's decision to be baptized; proud he was worthy; proud he's my son.

Brody's Birthday

Brody couldn't have asked for an easier birthday party. No cake - just donuts. DONE: Krispy Kreme.

A bunch of friends to come play basketball, and ride bikes and scooters in the street. DONE. A bunch of Gatorades, a dodge ball, and we had ourselves a party.

"Pumpkin Patch"

We went to a Pumpkin Patch for Braden's preschool...it wasn't anything like we were used to. BUT - it was something better than sitting at home. There was an awesome demonstration to show how a sheep dog herds sheep around a pasture.

First Day of Preschool

It's been hard for Braden being the only one at home. It's been hard for me to entertain him. So, yesterday he went to preschool for the first time. It was pajama day, so he was sporting his Spiderman's. He got to sing in the "Rock Band Chapel". Today we go to the pumpkin patch in place of P.E., and tomorrow he gets to go to Spanish class.

I got all my visiting teaching done, and have plans to actually get my grocery shopping and errands done in one day. He's happy, I'm ecstatic...it's all good!

Bold Changes

I bit the bullet and cut my hair two weeks ago. I'm not super thrilled with it...but that's beside the point. Bailey decided she wanted to cut hers. I made her wait, and wait to make sure it's what she wanted. So, Monday night after FHE, we took the scissors Beth gave us and took 5 inches off. She loves it! (Thank Heavens!!)

Witches Night Out

Last night was a "Witches Night Out" Enrichment Activity. It was freezing. We were in the mid 80's at the beginning of the week, and were hovering in the mid 40's last night. I've been in the heat for too long...I froze! This is my friend Amber Hansen. (Her husband works with Chris - so she's one of the Ortho Wives).

And here is a really stupid picture of me - but I had to show that I wore Bailey's costume. What looks cute on her looks a little risque on me!

Soccer Saturdays

After a Primary Sharing Time on the Family Proclamation, we had a Family Home Evening lesson on how to strengthen our family. We told the kids that at the end of they day, no matter how much we love our grandparents, or our cousins, the most important family unit is our little group of 6. Once after Dad's weekly phone call to see how Bailey's game went, he and I talked about how crazy this soccer schedule is, but what a great opportunity it was for us to spend some quality time together as a family, and how it would be something we will always remember. I agree.


Here are some bad shots of today's games. We dropped over 35 degrees in 4 days and my camera protested by freezing - so I only have one of Brody and some fuzzy ones of Bailey.
Brody has also been given the opportunity to try out for the boys club team next year. Again...a privilege not extended to many, but it might just do us in!

Bailey made another goal today.

She also had two assists. (You have to understand that most games never have a score of more than 3 - so a goal is HUGE!)

Comment on Comments

I just have to say that I really do like the comments left on my blog. As for my "Since Columbus" I have to say: Ali...Slurpie or not, even for FHE, I'm kind of scared that entering the Piggly Wiggly would open a door to something I'm not sure I'd like explored. And Stephanie...THANK YOU for recognizing that we're holding peaches in the picture. Someone asked me if I was recreating the Twilight cover. Really? REALLY?

Since Columbus...

The night we pulled into Columbus, we took the kids out to eat. Since then, Braden has been obsessed with "Red Monster".

I don't listen to the radio much, but I've heard Mony Mony at LEAST 3 times a week. Does that give you any idea about what else might be being aired?

I have seen, but not shopped, at the Piggly Wiggly.

With soccer practices, Activity Days, homework, and who knows what else...Bailey's room is clean for maybe the 3rd time since moving here.

I also have hung (leaned on the mantle) another Keeley Kay Picture.

In All Things; In All Places

I've spent nearly 7 years serving in the Young Women Organization in 3 different wards. I've recited the YW theme countless times. Saturday I saw Bailey stand for what she knew was right and have never been more proud of anything she's done.

She has the privilege to play on a 'select player' club soccer team here in Columbus. Games are held state wide on Saturdays and Sundays. When she was given the opportunity to play, we told her coach we'd only play Saturday games. He agreed, and we were grateful he still would allow Bailey on the team under that condition. There was a little fall out with some of the parents, but most got over it quickly. This weekend, her team was in a tournament just north of Atlanta. We drove up Friday night and sat through countless qualifying games on Saturday. Saturday night, after Bailey's team won their second game (with Bailey making stellar assists and a goal) putting them in the semi-finals, her coach asked if we'd let her play Sunday. We said we didn't play on Sundays. We went to dinner with the team at 8:00 that night before making the 2 hour drive back home, and her coach asked again if we would make an exception and let her 'help' the team. We again said sorry, and explained that we spent Sunday at Church and with family or doing service. Bailey's assistant coach then sat down with Chris and asked what the most common misconception about Mormons was, then proceeded to spend another 20 minutes asking questions about the Church. As we got ready to leave, Bailey wished her teammates good luck and said she'd see them on Tuesday at practice. Her coach then said that more than anything Bailey did on the field to help her team, he felt the example she was setting for the other players and their families by keeping the Sabbath Holy the way she saw it, was a lesson he couldn't teach them and that he was proud of her.

By the way...we just found out they placed 2nd.

SUPERMASSIVE

So - Being the awesome wife that I am...for Chris's and my 13th anniversary, I found him a pair of antique skis. He's been talking about wanting some vintage sports gear for years now. I was so excited, and thought, "There is NO way he can top this gift". Well...he did.

Thanks to Wendy Waits, I'm a closet obsessive Muse freak. Chris heard they were coming to Atlanta, so he bought me tickets. (I don't listen to the radio, and had NO idea they were even performing in the U.S.). They were the opening act, which was the ONLY disappointment. Otherwise, it was one of the greatest things I've ever been to. I've never been the kind of person who loved any music group enough to hang a poster on my wall, or get so excited that I'd momentarily lose emotional control and scream, cry, or do something equally embarrassing. I can't say that anymore. I giggled like some stupid school girl, sang, danced, and for several moments thought I might cry.

Chris must have taken these pictures for me. I literally couldn't take my eyes off the stage, stop doing my nervous "I'm SO happy" laugh, or wipe the smile off my face long enough to do much of anything. **Wendy and Bev, it was better than watching it on my BA TV. I could FEEL the bass beating in my chest. It was so cool! It was so loud, I LOVED it!!

P.S.

It was actually a U2 concert that Muse opened for...and they were pretty good too! :)

Another Day in Paradise

Carol sent me the funnest care package last week. I LOVE my new pink lace rubber gloves. Cleaning toilets will never be the same!