I volunteer in Jake's class once a week, helping with Writer's Workshop. I love getting to see what these kids write, most of it is wildly creative and clever.
I haven't been for the last six weeks though, as I've needed to be home while we've had a constant stream of workmen in the house. I finally started back yesterday and my attention was caught by the bulletin board outside the classroom door.
The washer and dryer were delivered today!
I almost have no words... I am so overwhelmed. I just sit and stare at them, then yell, "Holy Crap! This is AMAZING!" I giggle uncontrollably and do a happy dance. Then I stare at them some more in wonder.
I sent Brian a picture and captioned it "Have you ever seen anything more beautiful in your entire life?!"
I'm torn between wanting to rush right out and get some of that high-efficiency soap and start washing everything we own (twice), and reading through the manuals and figuring out how all the different settings work.
This is truly the most amazing and unlooked for gift, and I can't express enough how grateful we are for the generosity of our unknown benefactor.
What a great day!
I got up this morning full of plans to finish putting my house back together.
By breakfast I had scaled that back to finishing the upstairs. I started by doing the dishes.
By lunch I had scaled that back to finishing one room.
Guess what guys?
Today I did the dishes!
Tomorrow should be better. We are getting the new washer and dryer delivered, so Friday I plan to stay home and catch up all the laundry!
Maybe this weekend will see the house put completely back together...
Though the title may be confusing, this is not Chrissy wishing herself a Happy Birthday. This is Brian, taking the opportunity to make my 3rd guest blog appearance. I want to take this chance to publicly wish her a Happy Birthday and let her know how much I love her. I really do love you Chris. I know I say it a lot, but I hope that I show it as well.
I'm not the great writer that Chrissy is, but I'll do my best to sum up the evening and share a funny Jake moment from the night. I got home earlier than typical tonight because I had the fun opportunity to have a dentist appointment. We loaded the family up and went over to Farmington to see Jacobs entry in the Reflections Contest. He made it to Regionals, and we are really proud of him. Maybe Chrissy will post his entry in her blog for you all (I don't pretend to have her blogging skills!). Caitlin and her friend Kaylee were down visiting with Chrissy today, so they came along too.
We all then went to meet Chrissy's Dad at a restaurant for dinner. Our kids were pretty well behaved, and Jacob cracked us all up as usual. Shortly after getting served our appetizers, he flagged our waitress down with a "Excuse me, miss..", she politely asked "yes?" to which he replied (in a very official tone) "Would you please inform the appropriate parties, that it is her birthday?" as he gestured toward his mother. We all got a good laugh, and the waitress replied that she was the appropriate party to inform, and that he had done an excellent job of doing so. The kids all thought it was pretty cool when the server's all gathered around and sang their happy birthday song for her.
I hope that it's been a fun and relaxing day for her. She definitely deserves that! We've had a crazy busy past couple of months, and she's had a lot on her plate. I just want you all to know how much I love and appreciate her for all that she does and all that she is. I know all of our kids adore her as much as I do, and I am grateful she is such an awesome wife and mom.
Happy Birthday Chrissy!
Love,
Brian
I don't have much to blog about today. I got up, cleaned and organized stuff for twelve hours, and collapsed onto the couch again. Progress is being made, but oh so slowly.
We did get an electrician here today to hook up power for the new washer and dryer. We get them delivered on Thursday, I'm so excited! So now the only thing left is the plumber hooking up Brian's shower and we will be completely, 100% done.
If I can just survive the putting everything away stage I'm going to love getting back to living in a clean, comfortable home.
I wasn't sure that I would make it to church when I got out of bed this morning. My back hurt so bad. Once I was there I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be able to sit through three hours. But I "endured to the end", and I'm really glad I did. The lesson in Relief Society was very good and at the end the sister who was teaching passed out a wallet sized picture of Jesus with a scripture on the back.
Mosiah 5:15- "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all."
The first part is what caught my attention, "I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable." It made me think of my goal this year of being calm and steady through the chaos of life. I have not felt very calm lately and have been feeling like I was failing at my goal. Today I had the thought come into my head that as long as I am trying and learning new coping methods then I can't be failing. Obviously if this was something I was already good at I wouldn't have picked it as an area to work on in my life. Also, it's only the middle of February... I should probably wait until later in the year to stress about not meeting my yearly goals.
I'm going to put my picture somewhere I'll see it every day to help remind me of my goal. Baby steps towards being calm.
I spent hours and hours today scrubbing the dust off our floor and blinds. Then my in-laws and Taylor came over this evening and helped me move furniture. Things aren't completely done yet, but we are able to sleep in our bedroom tonight! And sleep we will, the exhausted sleep that follows a day of heavy labor.
In a not so pleasant symmetry, I've thrown my back out again. Just like the day we moved everything out of the bedroom. I guess this means we are never, ever moving again.
