Choosing Gratitude

Today I am (trying to be) grateful

that I decided not to drive Andrew and friends to a distant temple last week,

that we forgot to fill up with gas ($50) when we intended to,

that Elena & Lily fell asleep as soon as we left Liberty Park with them,

that my kids were also headed toward Utah County from Salt Lake Saturday afternoon,

that we all have cell phones so we could call them,

that Eric was driving his truck (with a tow rope) to haul stuff for the CureSearch walk,

that it was a sunny day for an impromptu picnic on the grass outside of Wendy's,

that Rob & Julie finished lunch with the Lee's just in time to lend us their back seat,

that Amy offered to drop everyone off and come back and get us,

that a stranger stopped to help & gave Eric $100 when he saw our Team Elena shirts,

that a police officer directed traffic around us,

that hubby's bonus--which will arrive Friday--was anticipated, but not quite spoken for,

that I wasn't driving,

that hubby doesn't panic under pressure like I would,

and can navigate across three lanes of traffic going sixty-five miles an hour

without power steering

when the engine stalls without warning and smoke pours out of the back of the car.

(The verdict involves a head gasket replacement and over $1800. We're considering our options.)

Why you should pay attention in history class

Because one day you'll be headed into a grocery store, with nothing but milk and paper towels on your mind, and you'll be approached by a junior high student carrying a clipboard. He'll ask, innocently enough, if you'd be willing to participate in a short survey for his history class. You'll be feeling agreeable, and so you'll say yes. Then his friend will whip out a video camera, and you'll realize that you made a mistake, but you'll tell yourself that it would be foolish to refuse to cooperate now. After all--how bad can it be?

And then you'll spend the following excruciating moments answering question after question with "Wow, yeah, I recognize that name, but--" followed by "I don't remember." Maybe because instead of listening during history, you were drawing hearts with some boy's initials on your notebook, penning your name with his last name, writing poetry. All those names and dates--in one ear and out the other. (Sorry Courtney.) And in that moment you will feel stupid. Really, really stupid. You might even ask yourself how it is that you managed to raise a family of bright children having such a low intellect yourself.

The boys will stifle giggles behind their notebooks. You'll picture yourself on some late night TV show, or youtube video. You know the kind. The boys will attempt to encourage you. "You were close," they'll say when you miss the date by a mere 200 years.

So the bottom line is--pay attention on that sunny afternoon right after lunch when everything but school is calling you and you wonder why you need to know whose picture is on a twenty dollar bill. Trust me. One day you'll be glad you listened.

Best Weekend Ever!

Girl's Getaway in Park City

We shopped, we ate yummy meals, we made jewelry, bows & decorations, we played games, we watched movies, we scrapbooked, we shared, we exercised, we hot-tubbed, we laughed hard, we stayed up late and slept in.

It was wonderful!

Already looking forward to next year!

(P.S. And don't I have beautiful daughters?)

Easter

Hanging out with Grandpa

The Manly Easter Egg Hunt

Thirteen!

Today Andrew officially became a teenager! Originally, we planned to have a birthday party today, then a cast party was announced. So his father and I planned alternate activities, since the birthday boy wouldn't be home anyway: home and visiting teaching! It's nearing the end of the month--so what else would we do on a Tuesday evening. Then the cast party was postponed :( So I moved my appointment and Andrew, Julie, Rob & I celebrated by seeing the latest Harry Potter at the dollar theater & eating cake and ice cream. More celebrations to come!

Thanks to everyone who remembered him!

Character Day at the Jr. High! Can you guess who Andrew was?

Hanging Out With Elena!

We've spent the afternoon at Primary Children's with Elena. Her mom and dad had a much-needed break and went to a BYU basketball game. As of this writing, Elena is unhooked from the IV and bouncing around the room. The biggest challenge is keeping her from falling off the bed in her enthusiasm. Although her ANC is very low and her hematacrit is low, the fever is gone and she seems well. I'm not the doctor, but I'm guessing she'll be headed for home soon.

Highlights of the afternoon were:

*watching her wave at another bald child outside her door

*listening to her sing "I am a Child of God"

*snuggling with her on her bed for two hours while we tried (unsuccessfully) to take a nap

*having her roll over spontaneously and say, "I love you, Grandma!"

*and a surprise visit and tea party from Belle and her prince!

Tender Mercies

I think Heavenly Father loves me. He knows that there is nothing that will make me happier than having all my family together. Wednesday night that happened. Saturday afternoon that happened. To put it in perspective, we haven't been all together since Julie's wedding--and that was also an incredible tender mercy.

Two days after everyone left for their homes, Elena woke up very sick, and was admitted to Primary Children's Hospital. Additionally, Eric & Briana were informed that she will be beginning a new protocol, which will mean more hospital stays and more isolation, for a while.

Is it a coincidence that Eric & Jenny and Danny & Kristi chose that weekend to surprise us? If they had waited one more week, it couldn't have happened. I choose to believe that it was, instead, evidence of a Father's love.