Um- Is this thing still working? June Cliff Notes version

So sorry for the unintentional absence of all things bloggy.  My only excuse is that life gets crazy here at the looney bin, and I haven't had motivation in the spare minutes to pull it together enough to post.  To illustrate my point-  I recently FORCED myself to take the time to get ALL my pics off of my camera.  If you know me- well- at all-  you know a few things-  ONE-  I take quite a lot of pictures, and TWO- I usually download them off my camera and have them backed up on at least two sources the same day or within a day of returning home.

Lets just say that I had 987 pictures on my big camera.  I had some of them on the desktop but not backed up anywhere else- so I didn't dare delete them from my camera.  It took me some time to get all the pics from Feb through the first part of July into appropriate folders and backed up as well.  I happened to be doing this while trying to get out the door on one more of my million and one trips I have been on this summer.  The DR was not happy with me for not getting on the road quicker.  I honestly can't remember where I was supposed to be traveling to for that particular trip- it has been that kind of summer. 

When Summer Break began, I had a few major things on the agenda.

One- Oldest going to EFY in June
Two- Middle going to soccer tournament first weekend in June
Three- Middle going to soccer camp in July
Four-  Buzz Reunion in July
Five-  Larsen Reunion in August.

I also planned on squeezing in horse riding lessons for Youngest during the EFY week and Soccer camp week, so that made those weeks busier- but still in the same time frame.

Not too bad, especially considering what our prior 9 months had consisted of.

WELLLLLLLL- that was the plan, any way.

You know what they say about the best laid plans????

They don't work.

In June we added another soccer camp- locally- and hosted one of the coaches.  No biggie- except I was out of town on Friday afternoon when I found out I was hosting - and I knew I wouldn't be getting home until late on Saturday night.  Add to that, the games got an hour behind- so we pulled in to the driveway at about 10- and I dumped stuff out of the car and took off to get a few groceries to get us through until Tuesday.  We also added another soccer tournament and then a rather impromptu trip to Oregon, which I found out was possible on Wednesday afternoon- knew for sure would be happening Thursday morning as I was making food for a funeral and leaving for the additional tournament by noon so I could pick up Middle and her friend from Girls Camp so they could make their first game, then took them back to girls camp so they could make it to testimony meeting.  I have a few Tender Mercies to share about all of this- but that deserves a post of its own.

Tired yet?  I returned home about 9 ish on Saturday night- LOL (she came home with me and Middle)and I ran to the grocery store for basic needs so she could have something to feed the In- Patients while the DR and I drove to Oregon for the week.  The trip was work related for the DR- but it is a long----- drive so I went along, leaving at 1:00 on Sunday.  So- I was home a whopping 15 hours to do laundry and re-pack? We managed to have a nice visit with several of our good friends while there- so that was an added plus!  We hurried home to be there for one of our nephew's wedding open house, arriving with not too much time to spare. We arrived home to a BIG surprise!  All the patients had been very busy worker bees while we were gone- and they had totally cleaned up the toy closet, the food storage room, and the room that will someday stop housing all our hockey gear and become a real live second bathroom.  Holy Cow!  We could not believe how much they had done!  We hurried to help with the open house, and then the next day we were able to be present for another nephew's baptism.  That was a special treat because they live in Washington, and it was held in Utah because he had an aunt get married the day before. 

And- Thus ended June 2012. Possibly one of the crazier months in my life.

Oh- and that tooth that I had the root canal in April??  Well- it has not been my friend. More on that to come too.

I will get back to May at some point.

March- Where did you go?

March was incredibly busy.  Our bantam team took 3rd in one league.  Then three days later- we loaded up patients and Middle's hockey bag and headed to SD for a four state Girls Team Tournament.  It was a great experience and we turned it into a mini family vacation. Got home on Monday and left again Thursday for more hockey- and after way too many years-  our kids finally got it done and took State.  It was a very drama filled weekend- and I didn't get to watch much because every time I was watching, the other team would score- if I walked away, we scored.  So, after a few times- I just went and sat in Middle's dressing room- only coming out to peek- and watch the last period of the championship game.  It was an amazing feeling for my patients and their dad to hold that trophy.  I was so proud of our kids.  We fight a lot of prejudice and discrimination- not to mention flat out abuse from other teams and our kids usually have a lot of retaliation penalties.  This time-  they totally kept their heads and played super clean (for hockey).  We have had some sadness with the team as well-  March 12-  one of the hockey mom's passed away from a rare autoimmune disease.  Then- the week of tournament- the father of one of our long time team members died unexpectedly.  The team wore his number on their helmets to have him "with" them as they played. I have never been so proud of those kids-  and even if they had lost- as long as they played the way they did-  it would be the proudest hockey moment for me.

That weekend also brought a huge surprise trip for Middle-  her Uncle's company borrowed her to use as a Teen Spokesperson at the Pre-Events for the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards.  So- immediately after we got home- we practically turned right back around and took her out to fly to CA for that.  It was an unforgettable experience for her and she got to meet a lot of stars and some of their family members.  Part of the reason she got to go is because she is a 4.0 student- even with all the school she has missed lately for hockey.

Life is not going to be settling down much- so we will see how much I get back to this.  I want to post about SD- so crossing fingers I can post some pictures.  I have traveled over 4 thousand miles since January-  and that is just the miles on my van.  We also put miles on the DR's truck- and my inlaws every so generously let us borrow their much more fuel efficient vehicles as well.

Funny today

This morning I had a phone call from someone who I used to VT (JM) - way back in the day :)-  she was subbing one of Middle's classes and she was looking for addresses that she hoped I would have for wedding invites.

Anyway-  the funny part was she said to me that Middle had told her we just came back from South Dakota from a hockey tournament- and JM asked which of her brothers had played in the tournament.  JM said the look on Middle's face was priceless- and she answered - Neither- it was MY tournament.

January in a Nut Shell-

Well- my blogging hasn't gone well as of late-  hampered a great deal by a huge increase in my hours of employment-  like doubling.  Like full time plus some overtime.  And an increase in hockey activity as well.

We started of the New Year with:

Grandma Bunnie had a birthday.  She is older. Ha.

The DR got the tree taken down and out of my house on the 2nd.  That may not seem remarkable- but the last few years it has still been up when Oldest's birthday rolled around.

PB&J was made a Bishop in a newly formed Singles Ward.

Miss Middle and Oldest played a lot of hockey.

Piano back in session after holiday break.

Then- more and more hockey.

I GOT A NEW OVEN!!!!! A double/ convection  oven.

Baby sister's baby A was blessed- but the girls of this ward were unable to attend because we were snowed in at hockey games.

Oldest turned FIFTEEN!  Not sure who gave him permission to do that.

Baby Sister's baby A had surgery on her skull, and that same day, her beloved dog, Flash, passed away. 

Then the night of the 30th, we received a phone call that a young man Outpatient and the DR had hometaught in our old ward had shot himself.

END OF THE NUTSHELL PART.

A little more detail-

 At the meeting where my BIL was called and sustained as a new bishop- there were two men on the stand from my home ward growing up.  That was rather surprising to me.  What are the odds?  He is going to make a great bishop.   We sent Middle to play hockey in a different state with a friend that weekend.  Everyone but her plays hockey on Sunday.  She had to stand up all by herself  (without even her parents) for her choice to not play hockey and break the Sabbath.  She was shocked to learn that two other members on her team are also members of the church (one she already knew was so there are a total of 5 members of our faith including her, which is a pretty high percentage considering there are only 15 girls on the roster).  It is hard for her to understand why they go to church and yet not only play hockey but do many other things that they have been taught are not good.  I was a little worried about what her choice would be, but she held firm and from what I heard, she did it with humility and class.  Good Girl! Her teammates had some interesting ideas for her, including saying that it was Monday instead.  I think they do respect her for her decision  and her coach told both me and her that he would take her any time he can get her, and he would rather have her half the time then not at all.

We had ordered a new oven and it was supposed to be delivered on Dec 23.  It wasn't.  Then it was backordered again.  Well- actually- it was built specifically for us because we ordered white I guess.  Anyway-  I didn't get to do my Christmas cookie baking in it-  but we christened it by cooking lasagna, brownies and then three pizzas all at the same time.  And I have since baked 9 dozen cookies in just a couple of hours.  I need a few more silpats and good baking sheets :)

Oh-  and I taught RS in there too-  I was not at peace with the lesson, and felt that I didn't present it as well as I would like.  It didn't help that my neighbor had her farewell talk that day and our former bishop whom we are very close with spoke as well.  I was emotional, and coughing up my lung- so it wasn't my best.  I hope the sisters felt the spirit though.  Many spoke to me after- so I guess maybe it went better than I was afraid.


The weekend of Oldest's birthday was a crazy one- the girls headed to Middle's hockey.  Outpatient drove out and the boys took off a day to go find snow and ride the machines.  Then Oldest also played hockey games.  The girls got up and headed out of town. nearly had a wreak on snow packed roads and then had to endure the bulk of the trip in a stinky car after Youngest got motion sick and threw up. She gets that from her mother.  Thank goodness that my aunt lives where we were headed and even more thank goodness she was in town and Youngest got a shower.  Miss Sophie wasn't so lucky- but I wiped her with wipes as best I could.  As we headed to the rink, it had begun to snow.  Lots of snow.  By the end of the game there was over 4 inches.  The only roads home are mountainous, dark, lightly traveled, and poor cell phone service at best.  So- after fueling up our tummies and car, we headed to the one remaining open road- only to find it super slick, snowing heavily, and pitch dark.  So we turned around and got a hotel- sneaking in Miss Sophie.  She is a good hotel dog- surprisingly.  I had made the girls grab extra clothes and over night stuff just in case, and I had grabbed my computer so if we got stuck there- we would be prepared.  Well- I forgot to grab clothes for myself- and who knew that Youngest would have used hers up in the first 30 minutes.  So- we made a quick trip to Wally world- and I did a load of laundry at the hotel.  And I vowed to RESTOCK my  car's emergency supplies like wipes and sacks for sick kids.  I also found that I left my power supply at home so I worked like a crazy woman for as long as my battery lasted. The drive home the next morning was bright and sparkly-  very slick and a few scary moments when I wondered what I would do if I could not make it up the iced over hill and I started to slide back down-  but it was all good-  I think we said 4 or 5 prayers for safety- and after the first 30 minutes- the roads were clear. 

In the meantime-  the DR, Outpatient, and Oldest headed back from their trip and got up early and headed out to Baby A's blessing.  I feel so bad that I missed it :(  I haven't missed very many of my niece and nephew's blessings.   The DR and Oldest got home very late but safely.  I am thankful for that.  It was a bit of nutso.

We had Oldest's birthday breakfast-  but because his birthday fell on a payroll Monday- we deferred the rest of his celebrating until the next Sunday. I made his cake in two layers of cherry chip and one of chocolate and it was decorated like the Wild Thing in "Where the Wild Things Are"-  it turned out cute, I think.  I got a little teary as we were singing Happy birthday with our great Neighbor/Friends, and I thought back to the first time we had gathered for his birthday-  the same group- only older and with the addition of Youngest and one other little brother, and a cousin who is living with Grandma and Grandpa.  We have all lived here for nearly 15 years now. 

Friday brought Baby A's surgery on her skull which went very well- but the day ended in sadness with my brother in law returning home from the hospital to find Flash had passed away.  I am probably almost as sad as if he was my dog.  He loved me a lot. :)  He had started having seizures recently and it is probably for the best- as he most likely had a tumor or something-  but still so sad.  My youngest brother and my BIL buried him in their backyard, and in the morning- he and the kids had a little funeral. Baby and Mom got to come home on Sunday- and get on with the healing. 

The phone rang at 11:00  pm on Monday night, and it was Outpatient telling us that V had shot himself.  I wrote about him a little bit here.  He is currently stable and Outpatient and LOL are going to try and visit him.  I was so sad for him that night, I couldn't sleep.  I though about the bond formed with Outpatient during those months when Outpatient and the DR were hometeaching, and the little extra effort for friendship that Outpatient made.  I hope that this will be a turning point for V- and that somehow- that bond can be strengthned and he will find his way out of the darkness he has been living in. 

In all- January was a rather rollercoaster month- super busy, and now on to February.

Weekly ReCap- Dec 3-11

Well- possibly one of the busier weeks we have ever had- or at least in a really long time.

Saturday the 3rd there were games in a town 7 hours away. Thanks to the weather and mountain passes, it took closer to 8 going and 9 coming back. Youngest and I stayed home. 

We have had the regular lessons, practices, plus extra for special numbers, and then Oldest decided to scare us by getting sick- so we hurried him in to the doctor to be very proactive and head off pneumonia before it got him again.  So- on Wednesday- we had a dr appt, hockey, piano times 2- ward Christmas party for which I had not one- but two food assignments, Middle and Oldest's SEOP's, Youngest -Activity day.  Fun stuff.

We also threw three haircuts in there on Thursday and Friday, and dress rehearsal for TaVaci Christmas concert- which Middle couldn't do because she and I were on our way for her to play hockey with the team from my birth town.  She hasn't had games in a month with them- so of course it was this weekend.  She played very well-  she plays defense- and had a rating of +2 in both games- which means her team scored two goals while she was on the ice- and no goals were scored against her line.  This is a very good thing.  They tied the first one on Friday night, and won the second one on Saturday Morning.  She and I then jumped into the car and sped the couple of hours home so she could get to the TaVaci concert.

Meanwhile, Oldest and the DR were also doing hockey in Small Town on Saturday morning and made sure that Youngest made it to the rehearsals.  Luckily LOL was here to help with hair or we wouldn't have made it to the concert in time.

Friday we finally forced in time to get the tree decorated- it has been standing in the corner for a week, waiting for someone to love it-, and to get our Christmas decorations out and set up.  Only the 10th-  gee, we are so on top of it  :)

We were supposed to have a company party-  but we said there was no way possible we would be attending that- since it was scheduled for Saturday night and we just had enough going on without traveling a couple of hours out of town just to turn back around and be home that night.

 Middle also had to speak in Sacrament Meeting. The DR spent all of Sunday at the church with Tithing Settlement.

One more week of out of the ordinary, super crazy, and then Christmas will be here.  I am not ready. Can't imagine why.

Best Laid Plans- October Replay

So much for my plans to post more frequently :).  I am sorry, but I also know how very busy I am- so something has to give.


Moab:

Youngest's Last minute Class Party.  Went very well if I do say so myself.

Pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins.

Youngest had a Rapunzel/ Tangled theme going (can you see the long hair coming out of the tower window?)

Middle is sort of in love with owls right now

Oldest went for a flaming face

Dear Oldest-  if you are going to pull stupid faces, I WILL post them on my blog AND facebook.

Girlies before leaving to go Trick or Treating.  It is Middle's last year-  I have a prejudice against kids older than Middle School going.  And I am okay with that.

Rapunzel meets the Mafia

the 80's meet the 50's

September's gone Already???

Wow- did the last month fly by or what?

Middle has played a lot of soccer-  all out of town.
Girls are back to TaVaci
All patients are back to Piano Lessons- after a 2 year break while Grandma was gone.
BYU Football has been a little bit Bi-Polar.
Outpatient turned 23
Neighbor/ Friend opened her mission call. To Germany.
Relief Society Tea Party
Nephew TC returns from Chile
Our first- born niece got married **-
Nephew TC reports mission.
Science Fair Project
Service projects

DETAILS:

Soccer-

Lots of traveling but they have won all but one game-  they are doing well. 


TaVaci-

Middle changed her other mind (at least 6 times) and decided to finish out her last possible year.  She will be glad, I hope.


Piano-

Regardless of what my patients might say to your face, I think they have missed it and are enjoying the progress they are making so quickly in trying to get back up to speed.  I have spent a small fortune in new books and music for all of them to work on.



BYU football.

Well- it has had its moments.  They have been few and the DR has/will miss more games this year because he doesn't want to miss his meetings on Sunday and that is hard to do with games getting over so late on Saturday nights-  the night of the Utah disaster- he and his dad didn't get home until 2:00 AM.

So far, only the girls have had a turn to accompany the DR to the games, because the one other weekend was too crazy with the wedding and our nephew's mission report- so the DR opted not to add yet another round trip out in that week.


Outpatient turned 23-

LOL had a party for him- and it was adorable! Woodland Theme- thanks to the acquisition of Rufio to inspire the theme.  Hedgehog cake balls, owl cupcakes, "acorns" from kisses and pretzels, and a cake like a tree stump.  Gummy bears and "sticks" as well.

 LOOK AT RUFIO'S PARTY HAT!!!!!  Seen anything cuter?

stole the pics from LOL's blog- since I wasn't packin that day-


Mission Call-

Friend opened her mission call- which has quite the story behind it- and it said Frankfurt Germany.  She is way excited and we are excited for her.


Relief Society Annual Tea Party-

Caused way more stress than it should have for us.  They had a fun idea to bling out shoes for a fashion show.  Thanks to our busyness, we didn't get to start until almost the last possible minute to create our blinging fashions.  We only did the girls.  We tried our hand at making cake balls (those take more practice- although they looked okay once we got them on the cake plate to display.  Only got pics of Middle's shoes-  Youngest had silver blingy healed sandals and she attached gold bows and big curly ribbon streamers which trailed behind her.

Middle's shoes actually turned out pretty good- but thanks to soccer practice, she and I missed the Youngest's play that she did at the tea party.  I felt bad about that and wonder why they didn't wait until later into the party to perform- since a few of us weren't there yet.  Oh well- other than Youngest being disappointed- it was fine.  Our cake balls disappeared quickly- so that was good.

Elder C returns.

Our nephew TC returned from serving a mission in Chile- he left 6 days before Outpatient had returned from Brazil- so it has been 4 years since these best buds had seen each other.  I didn't go to the airport- it was on a Wednesday and the week of the wedding, but the DR drove out and back that afternoon with his parents.  He said he looks great but thin.  Might mention here that he was serving 60 miles from the epicenter of that horrendous earthquake a couple of years ago-

Wedding

Our niece is one of the sweetest gals ever- She was married once before which was not a good situation- divorced a little over 8 years ago.  She has had such a struggle- but finally- she is so happy- and we are so happy for her and J-  it was a long time coming- and I have to say that wedding was possibly pulled together in the shortest time I have ever seen-  it was so creative and fabulous and I was so happy to help with the set up and during the reception.

Mission Report

We got up dark and early to drive out and back for TC's mission report-  it was so nice to see him again!  He did a great job speaking- even though I couldn't hardly keep my eyes open :)  There was another person speaking that day who was preparing to leave for a mission- to Frank furt Germany- and so of course I had to run up and speak to her immediately after the meeting was over and tell her about our neighbor- so maybe they will even end up serving together down the road.

Science Fair-

Middle had her project due- and that was shocking to the system-  I am used to trying to help with those in the spring months- not immediately after school starts-  but we got it done- doubt she will be going to the main fair-  but that is what I said last year too.

So-  for the most part-  That was our September- Cliff Notes Version-

Back To School 2011

Back To School Spa PaRtY!

Fill in the Blanks- 3V3 Soccer Tourny

August 12/13, 2011

The girls headed back to Small Town after the oral surgery event, and major school shopping x3.  We drove down the flag lined roundabout as a little detour- then headed to the house so that Middle could get ready for a 3V3 tournament.  I don't really want to get into that, because quite frankly it was so poorly organized, I felt bad for those in charge.  We could have stayed out and had a better time with leisurely shopping, but whatever.  There were only two girls teams in it-  so they had them play against the boys teams, most of whom are an age division up from the girls.  The girls played very well- to the surprise of some of the players and their parents.

It is funny to watch Middle-  she is so stinking competative against the boys- and totally not afraid to take it to them, but get her against her teammates on another team and she backs off.