Mother's Log April 2017

April 8
Emmy, Jeremy, and I went and watched a neighborhood boy, Ty, be baptized today.  What a neat experience for Emmy.  Ty is one of her best friends and she was very intent on what was happening.  She even noted how neat it felt in the room and recognized it as the Spirit.  I think she also enjoyed getting time alone with Mom and Dad. 

The date didn't last long though.  :(  Jeremy and I went to the Tuachan Preview in Salt Lake.  Jeremy is good friends with the head of the board there so we get invited to the review every year.  The talent is just incredible.  Maybe in another life that could have been me but I appreciate others touching me with their amazing talents. 

April 15
Our neighbor passed away this week.  She's been the owners of the lamas in our backyard for years.  Now they will likely sell the land behind us and our happy woodsy view with amazing sights of the valley will turn into views of houses.  😕 

April 16
Happy Easter!!   It's been a really good day.  The girls looked beautiful in their "new" dresses (actually their Christmas dresses but didn't get worn because we were snowed in).  The younger girls sang at church as did my choir.  I had the opportunity to be in the middle with my choir in front of me and the children choir behind me as they all sang "I Wonder When He Comes Again."   It was a rather incredible experience.  I truly think that certain kinds of music can at times open the doors of Heaven.  This felt like one of those times.  I love Easter and all that it stands for.  I love being able to spend it at home and keep it precious. 

April 19
Sami had her jazz festival for jazz band today.  She looks so cute in her black slacks and shirt and white tie.  At first I was bummed that she won't be elegantly dressed for performances anymore but she was not hurt by it at all.  And now, having seen her perform the elect band of the school and looking so cute in her tie with her big trombone... I'm a fan!  She loves playing the trombone and you'd never guess she just picked it up less than a year ago. 

Ally also had voice lessons again today.  She's singing "How Far I'll Go" from Moana at the end of her lessons right now.  There were parts where she was "making magic" with her voice.  She's come a long way and is really starting to get strong.  I love hearing her sing. 

I'm pretty proud of these two girls today. 

April 25
Kassi is planning her 5th birthday party today... as it snows outside... She is planning popsicles and merry-go-rounds and balloons and basketball and slides and peaches and Band-Aids and bounce houses and the list keeps going.  But my favorite part of all: "everyone gets a kitten!"

April 28
Bad Mom moment today.  My child was the only one at Preschool not in her PJ's at the Pajama Pancake Party.  Thank goodness Kassi is so easy going about that kind of thing.  After the night of no sleep I had last night (and I've been having for the last year, really, but last night was SO BAD), I was just glad I got her to school.  I didn't even think to look at the calendar.  

April 29
Really hard week.  I've been a mess.  Forgetting things.  Getting the wrong time for appointments in my head.  I'm so tired!  To top it off, Jeremy is out of town with the three older girls, Lily might have hand, foot, and mouth, and I got a flat tire at Lowe's.  I'm sick of painting my banister.  It will never get done!  And I want to just sit and cry.  Sometimes life is so good.  Sometimes life is hard.  Sometimes it just feels off.  I'm in an off moment.  I hope I can snap out of it soon.  Sleep would be nice.

Mother's Log March 2017

March 12
Eventful Day! 
Lily went to Nursery without me--she's finally old enough!! 
We had our first day of choir practice at the house routine.  (Still made it to church late thanks to daylight savings...)
Jeremy was finally beat at Scrabble!! (By Sami)
Lily drank out if the dog's bowl.  Came into the room carrying it and drinking.(Yeah... stomach still turning on that one)

March 14
Lily was stuck on the brick while I showered today.  Apparently the one inch off the carpet made her nervous and she just stood there crying and frozen until I came to the rescue.  I'd say she's scared of heights but she's really not.   She tried to do a flip off the upstairs banister last night!  
Lily is so big!!  We had our 18-month well check today.  She's in the 50th for weight, 75th for height, and 90th for head!!  Whoa!

March 15
We went to the park again today.  The weather has been so warm.  Kassi and Lily play well together at the park.  Lily is insane on slides.  She doesn't care how big or steep it is, she goes head first! 

March 27
Happy Birthday to my dad.  It's been 2 1/2 years since he passed away.  I miss him. 

March 29
Happy Half Birthday Sami!  Growing up too fast and looking less like a girl and more like a young woman everyday. 

Today marks five years since Mike passed away.   It doesn't feel like five years.  It feels more like one or two... Life has just gone on.  Kids have been born.  Families have changed.  Everyone is older.  Mike would have been 37 this year. 

On a funnier note:  we sat down to dinner tonight and the middle girls were being rowdy.   I was trying to get them to calm down for prayer and suddenly Lily says (in toddler accent), "guys stop!"  We all looked at her stunned and started laughing!  Then she leaned forward and pointed her finger at her sisters and said, "No, no, no!"  ...  yeah... hilarious!

March 31
It's been a really long week.  Lots of tears.  Some humble pie.  Apologies given.  Lessons learned.  Restless nights.  Sick kids.  I can't wait for Conference Weekend to start tomorrow and Spring Break next week!  It couldn't have come at a better time!

March 1 at Valley View

The following was sent by the girls' principal yesterday.  I must say,  I'm rather proud to claim this school as "mine."  Mrs. J has been a blessing to the school.  This is her third year as principal and what a three years it's been!  She adores my girls and still hugs Sami whenever she sees her.  The community at this school is so unique.  What a blessing Valley View Elementary is in my life. 

***

Hello Valley View Families!

You may have heard yesterday was a busy day here at school!  We had a surprise assembly where our very own Wendi Stringfellow was the first recipient of the Heidi Martin, Mighty Heart Educator in Excellence Award!  She was nominated by a parent for the award.  She received $10,000.00 to purchase items for use at school, Jazz tickets, a night's stay at Little America, dinner at Ruth Chris, and a beautiful plaque.  KSL's High Five anchor Lori Pritchard visited and we all gave Mrs. Stringfellow a "High Five."

If that wasn't enough, our school counselor Miss Sara Carver received her own "award," a marriage proposal from her now fiancée Hayden Spencer.  The students helped a blindfolded Miss Carver locate her award by clapping hot and cold until she reached him.  By the way, she said, "Yes!"  The day ended with our wonderful school musical production of "Meant to Invent."  It is an honor and a privilege to serve as principal of this amazing school!  I just wanted you to know about the great day we had!

Respectfully,

Mrs. J

Mother's log January 2017

Jan 1
She walks!!!!  At last she walks!!  Last night at the New Year's Eve party at the Fisher's in St. George, Lily just decided to walk.  She walked to me from across the room and then walked everywhere. 

Jan 27
Jeremy and I are at a firm retreat at the Zermatt in Midway.  Nice place.  I called to say goodnight to the girls and Lily said "hi Mom" and then "I love you" I can't believe how much she's growing up!