Hauling Hay and Late Nights

Cousin sleepover. Hannah Montana pajamas, reading stories until late, showers for all, awake by 6:30. Smoothies and pancakes.

Maddie at EFY. She says this year, they have the cutest, tallest boys in the whole session in their group. They also have Jason Hall as session director who was a great friend of Brett's in BYU student government. She is with cousin Katie (they have wanted to go together for years) and they also have two friends in their group who will go to Bountiful High with Maddie this coming year (but who went to a different jr. high) who she loves. Oh, and apparently the best counselors in the session and the cutest room ever. How fun to be her age at EFY. I was a counselor, but never got to go as a teen. It is so great at combining social fun and strength of kids all over the country who share your beliefs, with classes, activities to build your testimony. Awesome experience.

Spencer hauled 167 bales of hay last night. He said it was one of the hardest things he has ever done. Long shirts don't help, spiders on him, itchy, exhausted, 3 1/2 hours of pure misery. I am grateful for my friend Eric for giving Spence and his son the opportunity to do that. I'm glad it wasn't me, but every teenage boy needs some experiences like that. Hauling hay. Sweet.

Ali's ballet teacher yelled at her a lot yesterday. You just will never believe this, but she made Ali cry :) She's pretty brutal. She told Ali that if she can't get "over her point" she might as well rip off her toe shoes. So, she did and had to do the rest of the class without them. She has to go today and is dreading, dreading it. This ballet pointe class is kind of like Spencer's hauling hay experience, I pointed out to her. Think how good it will be for her if she sticks with it.

Brett off to scout camp for 3 days. It is 3 hours away and I am a week away from having this baby. Hmmmm, I thought as I saw him packing up the tent, scout shirt, pocket knife. "Now if I go into labor, you want me to reach you how? The cell phones don't work out there? What is this camp called again? No prob. I just won't go into labor," I confidently say. What are the chances? Going into labor a week early? Never happens, I'm sure.

I get to go to my own baby shower tomorrow. I feel way too old to have friends throw one for me, feeling a little guilty over it all. It is true, though, that the closer it gets, the more grateful I am for it, because I have NO baby stuff anymore. I never would have thought after having Sydney 8 years ago that I would be having a baby shower tomorrow for an ACTUAL BABY that I WOULD HAVE with MY OWN BODY. Wow. I'm grateful for a Creator who guides me in my life. I know this is the right thing for our family. Maybe I didn't do it right the first 4 times and this is my last chance. Maybe I just was too busy in the middle of 4, that this is a bonus experience for me to just enjoy one. Maybe it is a gift to my older kids. Maybe she has been waiting in heaven to come to my family for a long time and was just about to give up hope. I was a little stubborn. Whatever the reason, I'm ready now Baby Kate.

Remember the summer cousin sleepover with the smoothies and pancakes? Well, turns out, I am responsible for making them and Paige just came in and said she was "HUNGWY and TIYERD" so I'd better get going. I'm hoping they all like whole wheat pancakes with sugar free syrup. (They'll never notice the difference, right?) YUM!

Musings on the 4th

Why is it that food tastes so much better at family get togethers? The sticky buns are so sticky with the crusted-on brown sugar and butterscotch. The hashbrowns are toasted just right. The fruit is bigger than usual and especially the pineapple is sweeter than you ever remember it. The bacon, the eggs with peppers, onions and salsa, the chocolate milk, juice, ice cold water.

Maybe it's the fact that everyone is lined up to get some, the smell permeating the house. Maybe it's all of the kids underfoot trying to get the "good stuff" before it's gone. Maybe it's because no one had to make it all--things always taste better when someone else makes it. Maybe it's because everyone is wearing red, blue and white. No, that probably has nothing to do with it.

July 4th. I think it is important for children growing up to know that there are traditions every year. For us, it is the big breakfast, water parade and then Park City fireworks at night. This year, I'm skipping out on the parade. Spence and I are about to drive home for some feet up time, and I'm not just saying that figuratively. Feet literally up at 38 weeks. He just came in from playing tennis with Uncle Gordon which is another good reason for family get togethers. My 17-year-old just played tennis with his 60-something :) uncle, and apparently got it handed to him on the court by the same said 60-something uncle. That's good for a boy.

At family gatherings, we get to hear about someone's trip to Senegal, someone's victory of their house selling this week, someone's dating and moving plans, someone retelling Brian Reegan. We get to listen to grown brothers still dissing and joking each other, watch teenage girls organize races with 4 year-old boys, see 8-10 year old girl cousins busily making plans for the next sleep over or club, and we just get to EAT.

These are the gatherings that connect our lives. Good day, July 4th is. Pics later..e

BOATING

Early morning skiing, one friend/cousin each. Home by 11:30. Beautiful mountain lake. First time this summer.

I'd Better Go and Get Me Some

My sister sent me this advertisement. She is so thoughtful. I've kind of gotten out of this, but it's high time I get some of these back. You can bet I'm getting the vest too. And cutting my hair.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/10333/saturday-night-live-mom-jeans

Happiness in a Bowl

This is what I looked at this morning which made me so happy. How cute is that newborn? How happy do those babies look-all warm and scrunched up? Add the extra smell of baby shampoo to the warm water and a soft fuzzy little back and head and you have one heaven-like experience. I'll bet that is what heaven is like. You get to go around smelling babies and rubbing their little backs. 2 more weeks. 2 more weeks. You probably also get to take lots of naps (with the same babies) and eat sweets which, turns out, aren't bad for you there.

Go To spababytubs.com After you are on their website, click on "How to Use" and just ENJOY...

SWIMMING FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SUMMER.
HEAVEN.

READING: My Atonia by Willa Cather

LISTENING TO: Alex DeGrassi --classical guitarist who does a lot with Windham Hill Recordings. I love his version of the Princess Bride theme.

WATCHING: Easy Virtue at the Broadway and The Proposal last night with Brett. Also liked Last Chance Harvey with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson.

WORKING ON: Finishing baseboards, closet and door in the baby's room. The pink I bought probably won't work; too bubble gummy. I've got to go get it remixed.

BUYING: Hospital PJs, car seat and stroller frame to strap it into. Wish I were buying a cute t-shirt and fitted pants that zip up and button at the top.

EATING: Scrambled Eggs and toast, salted almonds and whole wheat blueberry pancakes with cold skim milk. No cereal or juice for me, no way.

WISHING: I could take a long stretch, touch my toes, feel the back of my knees get warm from the stretch, go for a speed walk, then stretch again. Aaaahhh, how good would that feel?

DOING TODAY: teaching morning piano, going to lunch at a quaint, funky restaurant, painting, working on my band music, getting kids to work, making some semblance of carbless dinner

LOVING: the sun, date movies, baby moving inside of me, kids who drive, good night's sleep with lots of pillows, scriptures with the family, hearing the dishwasher running that Brett just loaded, kissing Syd's little sleepy face when she wakes up.