Life Lately

Life is good, you know? Even when our home has been full of illness, there has still been so much goodness. I think it is really important to just pause even in the not-so-bright-times and try and find the light, the goodness, the things that make life sweet and enjoyable. 

I have had some really sweet moments, even during this weird time of having mono, which makes my head kind of fuzzy, and my body kind of weak. I gain strength with each day, and now I am just dying to exercise again, like I don't know how much longer I can take not moving my body, seriously, I crave it like crazy. 

I might try and get out there tomorrow, to stretch these running legs of mine. I will not run, I will just slowly, like a turtle, jog at a very modest pace; it might be so modest, that I am walking. Whatever it takes. I gotta rebuild my strength again. And I will. One step at a time. 

So, life just is not slowing down at all. It is zipping by in a flurry of activity and appointments. I have been enjoying all the programs and activities happening lately. There have been some fun things going on. I have not captured everything, but here are a few things... 

Sammi got to be Rapunzel. She was part of a dinner show that the high school put on, during the showing of Beauty and the Beast. She was so happy to dust off her costume and be who she loves to be. 

After Beauty and the Beast, Sammi and Daniel came home and freaked out about how amazing it was. They get all performance-high after shows, and it is always entertaining to watch. Drama, lots of good, wholesome, drama, and energy. I love it.

 They were freaking out saying it was, "Just SO GOOD!"

 Their physical energy post-performances cracks me up.

Sammi and friends making children happy during intermission

 Sammi is in her element with children gathered around.

 Princess cheese!

 Those children were pretty darn happy about being with the princess girls.

 Snow. I am so done with it. I hope, I think, I really, really, hope it is done and spring is coming!!

The sun has been an elusive thing this winter. I have never felt so altered by the weather in my life, and I am from Alaska! The sun has struggled this season, but I sure hope it is ready to play for Spring and Summer! It would try and peek through sometimes, but it never seemed to last more than a day.

Tyson came by to give my children Priesthood interviews. He took the kids one-on-one and asked them some questions to see how they are doing with personal things. I even requested that he talk to the boys about things like "man stuff" as my boys are getting older, and need to have those kind of conversations with someone who knows a little more than I do about being a man, since I am not one.  I talk openly about "life's mysteries" with my children, and I do it often, but it is such a blessing to have backup. My children feel super comfortable talking with Tyson about whatever. He also took time with Sammi to give her a requested blessing, and she also feels comfortable talking to him about anything, including boys, and whatever else might be on her mind. This picture is from an FHE we had with the Harlin family. Tyson, Rachelle, and their kids, came and we had a lesson on music. Henry loves to have Tyson pick him up and put him "up high."

 Snow. Ugh.

 I tried to brighten up my house a bit...

 This holiday tree thing is getting pretty fun.

We have had so much sickness, and even tears this last while. Feeling gross has made us feel more deeply, and it has been rough sometimes. I broke down pretty bad one night in tears, and then Sammi did the next night. We all just started throwing toilet paper at each other for the mess of snot. Sometimes it is so cleansing to have a ridiculous cry. I even threw out the words, "It's not fair!" Because, you know, sometimes life doesn't feel very fair. Everyone seems to feel the loss of not having a husband and father in our lives more, not less, with the passing of time. We keep our heads up most of the time, but sometimes we can all feel the weight of our reality.

Most of the time though, we operate with smiles, and not frowns. Smiling, laughing, and having fun is way more enjoyable than crying buckets of tears; but both are necessary to feel true joy in life.

I found Daniel's Les Mis costume using Amazon. A pirate shirt, a vest, and an ascot. Hooray for online shopping!

 Zoie being cute. I love her smiley face name tag. She does make us smile at all her silliness.

 She falls asleep in some pretty entertaining ways.

 Blue skies and sunshine!

 Hail

 Sammi won the Slam poem award in her class.

Henry had kindergarten registration. He enjoyed it. He met his teacher and got to check out his classroom. My baby is going to be in school! I can hardly believe it.

He was telling me the names of all the shapes.

 This book title is perfect for Henry. :)

 Seriously though, that face. I just love him so much!

 He is innocent, I assure you.

Once we got home, he ripped off his "school clothes" and found something more comfortable. We don't really believe in wearing jeans in our house, unless we have guests, or we are going somewhere. Why wear jeans when there are yoga pants? I mean really, come on!

Oh man, bathing a puppy is fun. She loves it. It cracks me up because she is so skinny under all of her fluff. Kind of like me. ;)

 Drying off.

 I know the pic is fuzzy, but she turns into a poof-ball after a shower.

I took her to the vet today for her immunizations and a check-up. She did great. Though in between checking in, and the vet coming in, she decided to poop on the floor. So, as the veterinarian walked in the room, instead of making a good impression, it smelled like fresh crap, and I handed the assistant a wad of poop wrapped up in a paper towel. And then the veterinarian shook my hand, and I was like ummm... I haven't washed that yet. Yep, just keeping it real. Puppies are all about keeping things real.

While at the vet, I met all sorts of other dog owners. I realized I have entered a world that I know nothing about. And it is a very social world, because dogs force the social out of you, whether you like it, or not. It's not a bad thing, in fact, I think it's a very good thing. This Zoie of ours has managed to change my life in a very short amount of time. Who knew I could grow to love a dog?

The sun was shining today. We all went out and basked in the light. May the light continue to shine brighter and brighter. I am so ready for good times ahead! Woo!