Whoa.

That word best describes how I feel right now. By the way, kudos to the Styx for an excellent career.

What a crazy 2006 we've had so far! Last week we had two children, instead of one (my niece Emma stayed with us) and it was much better, actually, than I thought it would be (a negative approach can be good sometimes - makes for good surprises). There was only one afternoon that was crazy. The rest of the time I found that it was helpful to have both of them there, because it forced me to be more organized and creative about their care. Not that I neglect Helena usually, just that it made me be more prepared and ready to get them playing and busy. All in all, it was a good experience, and it sounds like Joel and Caity had a nice vacation together.

My next challenge (always something new!) is that I was called to be the Enrichment counselor in Relief Society. No criticism to our bishop, but maybe this was a call involving desperation more than inspiration. I mean, I don't craft. I think that's a basic prerequisite for the 2nd counselor. Oh well - they'll take a warm, reliable body, anyway. I get to continue being the Ward Choir Director too, but I'm done with Activity Days now (it was kind of touching - when they announced my release, I noticed one of my little girls crying. Awww.)

In addition to that, I'm trying to help my friend change the person appointed as his trustee (long story), throw two baby showers, get a temple trip together for this weekend, and organize these new Enrichment activities, while cleaning the house, taking care of Helena, and making dinner. Whew! And I'm getting sicked out just looking at my natty living room carpet - call the Merry Maids, get the vacuum! Also, before the end of the month, I have to take an exam for the New Testament class I'm taking through BYU. If I make it to Feb. 1 it will be a miracle. Plus, both my mom and Dan's mom have a birthday on Feb. 1. Better get moving on that.

So how would I manage if I had, say, 5 kids? Valium? Day care? Vivarin? Jolt? My grandma had 6 kids and took care of both of her parents in their old age. She managed (according to my mom) by staying up till about 1 am. I guess I could go that route, but the difference is Grandma was productive, whereas I'm on the internet blogging. She was an amazing woman, whereas I'm only anointed to become such.

"Everyday I write the book."

A Whole New Year...

A whole New Year, still "fresh, with no mistakes in it!" as Anne Shirley would say. It's always nice, naturally, to have a fresh start and take the opportunity to review your life and consider your future. Of course, your future can't be determined entirely by yourself, but it's largely what we make of it.

We sent 2005 out with a bang here in N.M. Joel and Caity had all of Dan and Joel's family here - 28 people in all - for a big reunion. It was wonderful! We hadn't all been together like that ever before. Not as married couples, and certainly not with all those fabulous kids! We ate a big dinner, played with the kids, opened gifts, took lots of pictures, and even put up a "confessional" in Joel and Caity's room where each couple talked to the videocamera about the last year and their upcoming goals. I hope we can all do it again sometime.

Something about being with so much family - it's sort of an existential thing, isn't it? It makes me think, because we're all sealed together, and I know that past generations have done many of the same things we have - have children, do reunions, take pictures, work at our jobs, do our callings, etc. And when each person comes to the end of his or her life, the one thing that they consider is FAMILY. Not work or money or hobbies or even charitable work, but family. I was with my grandmother when she passed away, and although she wasn't conscious, I was - very conscious of my responsibility to honor her by living the principles that she taught me. It was the most powerful moment of my life up to that time and it remains one of the most influential ones.

And so I'd like to take just a paragraph and honor my family. Particularly my immediate one. To begin with, I have a husband who really took a risk in marrying me, and with all my faults, I love him so much. Partly it's because he's so amazingly forgiving, but also for his innumerable good qualities, and the best one of all - he's committed unflinchingly to the gospel and to his family. Can't ask for more than that. And then, as a sort of "icing on the cake" move on Heavenly Father's part, he blessed us with a perfectly beautiful, healthy, loving, funny, intelligent daughter. She's a challenge and a ham and, always, a blessing. Someday, maybe we'll have more children to fill up our quiver, who will help us grow in other ways and give us new opportunities to serve (and make us laugh some more).

"I'll build a boat, steady and true, as soon as it's done...I'm going to sail along in a dream with my Dear Someone."