What a Week!

I've been holding off on writing a new post, because I haven't gotten all of my pictures on to the computer and readied for this. BUT - there's so much to tell! I'll have to post the pictures later.

Lame as it might be, I'm going to number the highlights of this last week.

1. Our toilet in our main floor bathroom overflowed, thanks to Helena's generous use of toilet paper. (Can I ask - who puts CARPET in a bathroom? Previous owners???) Thank goodness we got roped into buying that Rainbow vacuum.

2. I had a troublesome mole removed from my chest. (Yes, you can see the before picture now, and after pictures next time. It's in a decent place, don't worry). Helena said it looked like a raisin. Fortunately, it was tested and found benign (non-cancerous).



This photo is from when I was pregnant with Helena, and Dan thought it was hilarious that the keyhole in this neckline framed my big, ugly, witch-like mole. I suppose I'm glad to at least have a picture of it to put on this blog. How forward-thinking of him!

3. My sweet and nearly perfect husband agreed to add one extra day to our Disney trip. (I got him on the numbers. It's only $4 more in terms of ticket prices for us to stay the extra day; including hotel and meals it was STILL a great deal.) Incidentally, I'm listening to the soundtrack of one of my favorite rides - "Soarin'" at Epcot's Future World. Lovely.

4. I received GOOD MAIL FROM NIKKI! One of the best parts of the week. I'd been having a "Jonah Day," where everything seemed to be wrong. I'd just finished putting the kids in the van and I was up to my ears in frustration when I ran out to check the mail and - there it was! I'm all set to pay it forward, so look for good stuff, everyone! THANKS Nikki! Your sweet and encouraging note (and fabulous labels!) turned my day around completely.

5. Inspired by the bloggers I was previously envying, I decided to get down with my crafty self - it took some doing to find her - and I made a magnetic message board. Wouldn't it be nice if I had a photo? :) I will, I promise. Doesn't look half bad, either. Just doing it gave me the belief that I can do new things successfully.

6. Two wonderful people passed away. This was not a good thing for those of us left behind, but for those that have gone on - there is one happy party in heaven right now! It's up to us who are left behind to fill the vacancy of goodness and righteousness that they created by moving on.

7. On another depressing day (hello, call the doctor! time for better living through chemicals!), I received the most beautiful picture from a good friend who was in Zermatt, Switzerland. I actually have that photo, too.



It was so inspiring; again, it changed my outlook.

8. We enjoyed a fun block party here in the "Ruddimere" development. The party itself was held mostly across the street from us, and included a bike parade (which Helena and Hunter were both in), a pinata, caricatures (we had ours done), barbecue, and the kids' favorite - foam! It was up to Hunter's chin, but he kept wading through it, and Helena eventually just sat down and let it cover her up. It was nice getting to know some of the neighbors who are newer to the neighborhood, as well as the ones we just plain never got around to meeting (outside of the "honk and the wave" common in these parts). It's an annual party connected with Labor Day. I think it's gone on for over 75 years.

9. Miracle of miracles, we grew tomatoes and green peppers! They were finally ripe and ready for eating. It seems like our tomatoes have been green for months. I wonder - what were they waiting for?

10. We attended a birthday party for my aunt Christina, where we all played hide and seek - even Hunter, who leaned his head against a tree, closed his eyes, and whispered "shush-a-shush-a-shush-a" and then would start running. He was getting into it, let me tell you.

11. Our ward has a new bishop! The rest of the bishopric remained the same - same counselors and everything - and Bishop Wilson seemed, well, a little overwhelmed, but I bet he's excited deep, deep down, right? I'm looking forward to working with him and wish him the best.

12. I started a new BYU class - the second half of the D&C. I know, I know - I do feel like I'm cheating a little, by taking a religion course, but these BYU professors know how to "take it to the next level." I need a few more credits and this is a fulfilling way to complete them. Honestly - what other schools could I take this class at? Certainly not GVSU, that's for sure. Little by little, I'll complete this degree if it takes every cell in my body (or at least my brain).

13. And now for a humorous story: Yesterday Helena was digging around in a pile of "Friend" magazines I had for pictures of President Hinckley and President Monson. She kept coming in to where I was, saying "Here's ANOTHER picture of President Monson!" After a few minutes, she came in with a picture of President Hinckley and said,"I know how sad you are he passed away. (Long sigh). I just don't know when all these guys will come back." It was like she'd really considered this...and I don't know when we'll see "all these guys" again either! It's like watching Hunter "pray" - he bows his head and squeezes his wee eyes shut and whispers nonsense, and we laugh, even though prayer is supposed to be spiritual and everything. I love those two.