Listing our luckies

Today was fantastic.

We spent the morning assembling and sewing 25 bunnies as a family. I learned of a high school friend who's four year old was just diagnosed with cancer. We decided we could sell these to try to raise money for their medical expenses. We took them around to neighbors door to door. Thanks to so much generosity, we were able to raise $100. 

                                                                 
 Tonight was the first ever general women's meeting of the church. It included 8 year olds girls. I decided since Anabelle is particularly smart and wise, I would count her as 8. And take her on a date. And stay out late. Boy, was it great. At the end of the night, as we were having dinner and desert together, we made a list of "luckies", since our day was so marvelous. It went something like this:

-Sold lots of bunnies and most people gave double our asking price
-we were able to score two tickets at the last minute...we went there without tickets and were just planning on watching it in the tabernacle.
-we got to watch the prophet walk in, and we loved that all those thousands of people suddenly went silent as we all stood for him. When I realized he was coming in I grabbed her and picked her up (it was a serious strain- she grew a bunch since the last time I toted her around) because I wanted her to see the prophet and watch his interactions.
- we heard an apostle, President Eyering, who I love to listen to.
- we loved the stories and the songs. They asked all the 8 year olds to stand and start to sing "teach me to walk in the light". Anabelle was the only child near us so hers is the only voice I could hear and it moved me to tears to listen to her sweet little voice and be in this setting with her.
- when we left the conference we walked over to Temple square and it was an incredible environment. When we left our house 2 hours earlier, it was cold and windy. But suddenly it was warm and the dusk light was beautiful, and the flowers were lovely. And everywhere you looked there were mothers and daughters holding hands, and so excited to be out doing so.
- Anabelle got to touch the temple.
- we went to Costa Azul and ate delicious food, including our favorite Tres Leches cake (which we got for free). We discussed it and decided that we needed to start a tradition for women's conference that would have to remain a secret until one turned eight. Tres Leches felt right. I realized that in seven years I would be doing that with all of my girls (which is a really exciting thought).
-and then I came home to a vacuuming Braden who continues to clean and mop as I write this.

I feel especially blessed as I just read through the updates of our little cancer friend. Her Mom has a broken heart watching her daughter lose her hair and vomit and she''s wondering if she will live. And I had an incredible night with my wonderfully healthy daughter. All I can do is be grateful. And I really am.

Muahahahaha {2013}

By the time Halloween has come and gone it seems that all the kids have had a chance to dress up in a multitude of different costumes for various activities. I bought a Miss Piggy costume for Maisey, which she refused to wear. Right before I was about to be irritated about the whole thing I remembered that Elise is basically helpless and she has all the makings of a good pig. 

I made that tail by hand. Every scale and pearl. She hasn't played with it a single second post Halloween. Cool.

I made Maisey's octopus and Elise's shark. I had lots of fun doing it. This whole thing got started because Anabelle kept taking out blankets to use as mermaid tails, and then didn't know how to put them back. It started to annoy me. So I decided I would make her a mermaid tail. Then it all just sort of spiraled out of control. And that is the story of how I saved myself time by not having to put a few blankets away.  If you ever have time management questions send them my way.

Grumpy Uncle Nate trick or treating with us. 

soccer season [fall 2013]

This was Anabelle's second year playing soccer. She is a really fast runner. She was still a bit timid and hesitant to get in there and actually get the ball. She still loves playing goal. 

It's almost more fun to watch Braden than to watch the kids. 

Lila & Maisey loved soccer practice. Braden was gone for 6 weeks and I had all four kids at the field alone, (during a time that Elise felt she should be asleep) . I think they preyed on the fact that I could only watch them so much. They always ended up in the splash pad. So I decided to stop telling them not to. That way, we could all be happy friends. Because that's what single parenting is all about- giving the kids exactly what they want so that your life gets easier for a minute. 

Besties!

 

Yes, she is holding hands with a little pal, they're laughing, they're having a good time. No idea what they're supposed to be doing. Note to Braden- this is why I buy her plastic cleats. Because she can dance and twirl and chat just as well in Payless cleats as she can in Nike's. 

How they walk together. Always hand holding. Always adorable. Never ever ever stop doing this.