Instruments

M is choosing an instrument this week for band.  We've told her for years that she gets to play french horn.  The band director had them try out all the mouthpieces and they'll get their assignments and choices soon.  I got out our clarinet tonight and played it.  All of the children were exited to blow on the mouthpiece.  It's pretty fun having these skills and instruments.  I played a few children's songs.  It was so fun.

Group shots

We had so much fun visiting Utah and all points on the way and back.  I'm so glad we got to see so much family.

 Wow, L is getting really big.

enlarging my capacity

The past year has been full of situations in crisis.  I'm learning to not respond so fast, and not put so much time into responding furiously when others are still contemplating.  At church, I try to limit myself to 2 comments per class. 

I sent out an email this morning to a board I belong to.  I've typed up my rebuttal to the first response, but not going to send it yet.  I need to wait until there are more responses and then see if I'm addressing all of that, instead of shooting from the seat of my pants. 

This is totally a new concept for me.  I don't have to say everything I think. 

breakfast buffet

With 5 kids and their preferences we're heading toward breakfast buffet.  G likes german pancakes, so does B and P.  M won't eat them so I make scrambled eggs.  I eat the eggs, and so does B and P.  L wants the applesauce muffins from 2 days ago (that were frozen) and so does B. 

Part of me balks at this but another part of me figures that the more they eat at breakfast the better.  Also, we have enough power struggles through the day that I may as well let them have what they want, as long as it's good, in the morning.  I do occasionally let them have cereal and milk, but generally, they don't get anything else.  And on days when I just need them to eat bread, they're ok with that.

in the tick of thin things

Something came up in a group I'm in that had never happened before.  It became a lot of drama and I was texting, emailing, acting without thinking or consulting with other members in a Christ like or even adult manner. 

I asked P for a blessing to help with all the commitments we have with the school year starting.  He blessed me with patience.  I feel the peace of that blessing and am grateful for it.

I am new to texting, in the past 4 months.  This situation showed me that I cannot communicate via text.  Perhaps date and time communication I can handle.  Group texts discussing issues or people, I can't handle.

Baaaaaack

We're back from an epic road trip.  We spent 5 weeks away that included 2 weeks of driving and 3 weeks visiting in Utah.  We saw so many church history sites, family and adventures.  I'll make a movies soon, but here are some highlights.