Where to begin...

We've had a wedding.  I don't even know how to go about blogging an event so spectacular as that.  But in the meantime, life has gone rolling on as if I had nothing else going on.  I will blog about the wedding...soon..or someday...when I can comprehend it all.  Until then...

Sunday was an awesome awesome day.  It was fast and testimony and 5 members of my family got up to bear their testimonies.  That's not necessarily unusual except for which five.  Whitley started it off with a tearful testimony about how she was temporarily giving up her dream of attending EAU, in Thatcher.  She gave credit for that to her mom who was definitely inspired to give her that advice.  Gee, I just thought I was being logical.  She was very mature about it, and is taking it a semester at a time right now.  Then...this is where it gets really good... Nick.. the FIRST time EVER.  Not even as a little tyke or after one of the very few talks he has given.  I was shocked and touched and oh-so proud all at the same time.  Then Brooklyn was headed up so I told Katy she could go with Brooklyn.  We have a rule that you have to be able to do it by yourself and have something to actually say.  Glade was not happy that I let her go up.  No one else was up there so I just figured it was no big deal.  She went right up there, said a very sweet and simple (but not the norm) testimony all by herself.  Not a bit shy or nervous.  Wow.  Then Brooklyn gave her tearful testimony of what it was like to watch her big sister come out of the Temple and how beautiful it was.  Glade could contain it no longer.  We didn't intend for it to be the Smith hour, but it kinda happened like that.

Then I got to teach Bo's class again.  They are such a sweet bunch of kids and I'm excited for when they start coming in to Wolf's with me.  That night we went to Smith's for Sunday dinner.  Just a really good day all around.

I spent Monday having my annual exam and then taking Stephen to see Hunger Games.  I hadn't read the books, but I enjoyed the movie.  A tad long, but good. And of course, the popcorn!  I really liked just spending the day together.

Tuesday I spent the day getting ready to host a bunko group at my house.  We ended up with 18 people in that group. Crazy, I know!  It was super fun though and I hope it continues to go well.  I also found through a friend, a condo for an amazing price so a group of us are going to spend 4 days there over Memorial day week for a little getaway.  It's so great to have something like that on the horizon.  Way excited!!

Wednesday Jenny came over and watched BL with me and then we went to lunch with the little girls.  That afternoon I got our chicken coup ready for a new batch of baby chicks.  We got 24 of them, 8 of which belong to a friend.  I don't know why they are so fascinating to watch, but they are!  They all lived through the night so that's a good step.  That evening we had Pack Meeting and then off to watch Spencer and Chelsey open all their wedding gifts.  Long day, but all good stuff.

Today I headed right out to see all my Visiting Teaching sisters and then to Costco to get 72 hour kit supplies.   Yep, it's that time again!  I have an awesome VT beat with really fun gals and a great partner.  I love having all the supplies for kits cuz then I feel all prepared.  Tonight we have a Relief Society broadcast so I'm excited to go there as well.

Tomorrow I am watching my friends daughter who happens to be 16.  She was the girl we kept with us for a week or so a while back.  She is home now, but they don't like leaving her by herself.  So she is coming over and going to a crafting thing I had signed up for, then I will take her to school.

This weekend is General Conference.  That means a lot of fun traditions and uplifting words from our leaders. I also get to meet with Michelle to start choreographing for Oliver.  So excited about that!  Saturday night will be dinner with the family after the priesthood session and then Sunday dinner to put kits together.

So the wedding is over, but nothing has slowed down.  Just the way I like it.

How'd She Get So Good

This past Sunday our new Stake Presidency called a meeting of a few select youth.  They wanted to have a sit down with some of the youth in our stake to see what was up with the teens now adays. What they were struggling with, what their goals were.  Whitley was among the 6 chosen to attend.  I love that she is thought of that way.  That her name is known for so much good.  If I could have only been half as great as she is!

Grateful for the Rainbow But Hate the Storm

If you know me at all, you know I like to be busy, to have a project.  Well, be careful what you wish for.  Our ward split like 2 months ago.  I've gone seriously stir crazy with having no calling.  It seems as if everyone I know has been assigned, but me.  That just feels crappy.  Anyway, I've gone from "fine" with it to "really grouchy" about a hundred times.  Every time I think it really just doesn't matter and it will come eventually, the very next day I'm all grouchy about it.  I can't seem to keep my positive attitude.  Well the call finally came, by now I have a pretty good idea of what my options are (since every thing else has been filled).  I pep talked myself into really being fine with the options....except one.  Just don't give me that one.

I shoulda known when I was in his office and I got a fairly lengthy sermon on inspiration and times of our lives and blah blah... that it wasn't going to be good.  Finally I just said "give it to me".  Yep, the only thing I really did not want... scouts.  I'm pretty sure how I blogged recently that I was so excited cuz Dalin turned 11 and now I had a one year break from scouts.  Guh!  He asked me if I was going to cry.  I did really well while in his office, which is what I had prayed for.  But that was about as far as it went.  I had a really  not good next couple of hours, I'm ashamed of some of the thoughts I had.  Pretty much I was just sure my Bishop hates me.  I couldn't wait to get home so I could have a good cry.

Then my rainbow appeared.  After church I beelined it to my car so I wouldn't have to talk to anyone.  But one person got me and I'm so glad!  I found out who my partner would possibly be.  That made me turn around and go talk to the girl in charge.  I was so happy!  Sure enough, I would get to be with her.  I now had a whole new perspective and my tears were gone.  Amazing.  Ok, not completely.. it's a process. But I'm on the road.  I guess if you have to endure a storm, at least there can be a rainbow!

Spring Break

So far the week has gone by pretty quickly.  The first couple of days were pretty chill. Glade and I have been talking about eliminating alot of our technology because the kids just keep getting deeper and deeper into the "obsessed" range.  So Monday I went and got some outside activity type things: basketball, new tether ball, chalk, bases with a kickball, board games, etc.  Our rule this week has been no TV/Wii till noon.  That leaves the whole beautiful, cool morning to do other stuff.  The boys have been back to their Magic cards as well.  We haven't really had any issue thus far.  Now, to be fair... I didn't introduce the rule till Monday night and Wednesday we went to the movies in the morning with friends.  But the other two days have been fine.

I also took Stephen job hunting and driving on Monday.  It's really hard to find a job.  Every one just says "go online and fill out an ap."  How are you supposed to make a first impression and let them know you're good?!  He drove mostly really good except when he almost took out a mailbox, drove over a curb and went the wrong way into a turn around.. all consecutively.  In his defense, it was a little tricky and luckily we were in a neighborhood with streets, but hardly any houses (except the one with the mailbox Ü)  It was a fun day.

It's also been good that Whitley has been away helping with a theater camp all week and Nick has been going to work with Glade every day.  Today Stephen and Rhett left for their Mountain Man Rendezvous campout so we haven't had every one home at one time the whole week.

We saw Journey2: the Mysterious Island yesterday with Grandma and the Johnsons.  Aside from being completely unrealistic.. it was mostly entertaining.  After, we grabbed pizza from Costco and played at the park till it was time to go home for naps.  (yes, I needed a nap!)

Rhett has been feeding our friends animals all week so we make that trip every afternoon.  Brooklyn wanted to play with a friend so I told her she could if she would ride her bike over.  She agreed and off she went.  So I thought.  I guess she decided to walk.  On her way there, an old man in a convertible asked her if she wanted a ride.  Scary!!  She told him no, and then he said "fine then!"  and drove away.  I never let my kids just walk/ride around the neighborhoods and the one time I tell her to just go, this happens.  Seriously old man?  Even if you were just being kind, you don't offer a young girl a ride in your car!!

So many things left to do for the wedding.  Mostly little, but still a lot of them. Every one offers to help, but it's not that kind of thing. I'm starting to get a little nervous about how it's all going to work.  At least I found something to wear.  Sadly, not all of the invites have gotten out.  I wish we had done better at that.  Only a week left!!  I would love to put some of her wedding pics up, but that would be cheating.  Ok... maybe just one!

I Caved

So I SWORE I would never do HCG again.  It's terrible for you and I'm sure I'm fatter now than I was before.  However, when I did Weight Watchers for 5 solid weeks and only lost 6 lbs, I got desperate.  Being the heaviest I've been in almost 3 years, I really didn't want to wear a mu mu to Chelsey's wedding.  So I started the HCG diet once again, knowing full well I will gain it back.  After just a week I was down 13 lbs.  I forgot that after about a week, it seems to always make me start my period even though I'm still taking my birth control pills.     The worst part about that is that while your on your period, you basically lose no weight.  So here I am wasting the last week I have available to lose.. wanting 10 more lbs...visiting with aunt Flo and losing virtually no weight.  Only 1.5 lbs in 3 days.  Now I remember why I only ever make it a couple of weeks.  I just hit the weight I was before I did HCG the last time, sad huh?  At least I can now wear some of my old jeans.  Very frustrating though.

What I've learned over the last 10 days is that I DO have self control.  I've gone to the movies twice and not had popcorn.  Watched other people eat really yummy things and sat by empty mouthed.  Not even a nibble of brownie or pizza.  I know that I can resist.  I prove that every time I do HCG.  The problem  is... it's not fun!  Somehow I have to figure out how to resist sometimes.  I'm going to stick this out a few more days and see if I can squeak a couple more lbs out of it.  I may even start again after the wedding, who knows.  It hasn't killed me yet.  It took me a whole year to gain it back before, maybe I can be at the pool this summer without having a towel all wrapped around me!

Ragnar 2012

Another year, another 200 miles.  Along with our friends: Dave and Samantha Garner, Jake and Jenny Johnson, Robin and Melanie Kettring, Lance and Janice Van Horn, Charlotte Bain, Kristina Rich, Jacob and of course, our beloved Rhett... we ran as the Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins in the Ragnar Del Sol.  It again started in Wickenburg and ended in Tempe Town Lake.  The three of us, plus Dave and Sam and Charlotte were all in Van 1.  The rest were in van 2.  Robin and Lance were just along for the ride!

After we dropped Glade off for his 1st 8mile run, we went back to the hotel to get some breakfast.

We checked into our hotel Thursday night, it was quite cozy.  There was some problem with the drain that Dave was trying to solve.  Very handy!

Glade taking off at the start line.  Our official start time was 6:45 am

Rhett stole the show again this year.  He was always the one getting the high 5's and cheers as he ran.  He is fun to have around and did really great.

He even did his night run this year which was a 6 miler in the dark at about 11:00 pm

Gearing up for my third run, 4.8 miles.  Even as light as it is right now, we were still required to wear all our night reflective gear and headlamp.

Rhett and Glade had the crazy fountain hills runs this year.  They don't call it Fountain HILLS for no reason!

Melanie coming across the finish line.  She did great, it was so hot!

Jenny, Melanie and I

This was my first run, 6.8 miles.  By midday it was already too hot to run.  I felt like puking and passing out and all that good stuff.  I'm a total wimp and I know it.  My run was a little slower than I wanted, and I felt terrible the whole time, but when I got home after the race and checked my runs on my iPod... turns out my first 2 miles were just over 9minute miles.  I just ran too fast in the beginning.

Hanging out at Fountain Hills waiting for Glade to come in.  This is an exchange where we meet the other van and tell them how things are going.

After our first legs, we went to an awesome little Italian place called Babbo's for some carb loading pasta.  Then we had to go wait at the next exchange for a couple of hours for our night runs.  There wasn't much to do but hang out in the van and try to get a nap.  After our night runs, we were able to go to the hotel, shower and get about 3 hours of sleep.  This is us at 3 am waking up to get to our last runs.

My night run was 6.8 miles uphill.  I felt pretty good when I started, but it didn't last more than a couple of miles.  Even though it may have been my slowest run, it didn't bother me like my first run that I actually did faster.  It appears I can over come almost everything BUT the heat.  This is also the run where my back first started hurting.

We tried putting this little elf hat on our antenna, but it kept getting all crinkled up when we would drive.  It never came off though!  Lasted the whole race.

This is us waiting for the race to start.  It's a little chilly at 5:30 am.

Our traditional stop at Texas Roadhouse after the race.

Hanging out in the van waiting for our night runs.

We reuse our shirts every year, so we just use duct tape to put our numbers on our shirts.  Pretty clever!  This year was definitely  not my favorite.  I was not prepared and way too heavy.  I told myself I wasn't going to worry about my times, just enjoy the race.  That didn't exactly happen.  By the end of my third run which was in the heat AND uphill, I was in tears.  Sucky way to end the race.  In the end I ran just over 18 miles.  Glade's was just over 18 and Rhett just over 16.  I swore I wouldn't do it again.  Actually, I don't really want to do it again.  I would love to do another one, somewhere else.  And if I do another one, I will do it right! 

I'm in Love!!

I've been looking for black shoes to wear casually since November.  I like to not buy things unless they call me, unless I love them.  So, I went all winter with no casual black shoes.  I had actually stopped looking since summer is around the corner and I will be in flip flops for the next several months.  Then, when I least expected it... there they were.  The shoe I didn't even know I was looking for!  I couldn't have imagined this in my brain, but it's exactly perfect!  Lucky for me it's my birthday, or was Ü... and they were only $20!!  So when you see me wearin these babies, be sure I will be walking with just a bit more swag.  Oh yah!!

Happy Dance

So I've been feeling a little lost lately.  No real projects or assignments on the horizon.  I don't do well without something to be thinking about, planning, organizing, etc.  You don't need to remind me that I'm planning a wedding.  I'm VERY aware of that!  But it's also very short term and most of it's in your head until you get to the day (or week) before.  It's made me a little stir crazy and honestly, a little cranky to be in this state.

Back during Glee, a theater friend asked if I would help her choreograph Oliver in the spring.  Oy.  I know, I'm not a choreographer.  But I figured I could just assist her, not be the ONE.  So now it's time for Oliver and we had our first meeting last night.  I'm so excited to get started!  A little nervous as well, as I listened to the songs and realized I was partly responsible for those coming to life!  Right after our meeting, they held the Community Theater Committee meeting.

I didn't realize how it was all going down at first and then I found myself right in the middle of it and was really uncomfortable.  See, I'm  not a committee member.  Or, I wasn't.  I tried to just sit quiet and not say anything since I really wasn't even supposed to be there.  By the end of the meeting, I was an official member and I get to be Vice Chairman of the Committee.  This sounds way more impressive than it is.  I volunteered to be the Gopher for the  Chairman so I could learn all the other aspects of what goes on there, so they gave me a nice sounding title.  The best part is who the Chairman is.  I LOVE her and am so excited to get to spend time with her and learn from her.  It's a year commitment so I have the next year to be a busy bee at the theater.  It's more administrative and overseeing, so it shouldn't be quite so consuming as Glee was.  Speaking of which...

I'm also co-directing Glee again this year.  I know, I know... but I will do it so differently than last year!  I'm really excited about all the prospects and time I get to spend with such great people doing things I love.  Not to mention that I will get to spend so much of this time with my kids as well.  I went to bed last night doing a little happy dance in my brain.  It's been a while!

Bridal Shower

Chelsey's aunts threw her a bridal shower this past Saturday.  What an amazing job they did!  The pictures do not do it justice.  Amy and Sherry overdid themselves on the decorations and her Aunt Kristi made the most adorable little cake balls!  Spencer's family brought most of the rest of the food, which was abundant.  We had tons of friends and family show up to support her, it was wonderful!

Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to get pictures while all the cute food was still on the table

They served lemonade in these little mason jars, so cute!  There were also tons of painted picture frames with pics of Chelsey and Spencer all around.

I'm officially IN my 40's

My birthday was a whirlwind of exciting things that mostly had nothing to do with me and THAT was OK.  The night before we went to dinner with several of our friends who just happen to have spouses with birthdays the same week.  So weird.  So a night at the Olive Garden was wonderfully awesome!

The next day was a fundraiser for a family in our ward.  It was a 5K run, basket auction, breakfast and carnival.  The only real bummer was that I hurt my back during Ragnar and I haven't been able to run since.  It totally sucks.  The whole morning was really fun seeing lots of friends and enjoying all the festivities.

After, mom and I snuck away for a birthday lunch at Barros pizza.  Yum!  We sat and talked for way too long which made taking a nap a little tricky.

That night was Chelsey's bridal shower at our house.  Amy and  Sherry came and decked out the house in total cuteness. The whole house was filled with friends and family and yummy food and goodies.  We are very blessed.

Glade had taken the two boys to work with him during the shower and came back with a card table for me.  That's very exciting cuz I've never had one.  I know!  Actually we did have one once, but the first time we put it up, a sweet boy trying to take it down didn't know about the little tabs you push to get the legs down.  Instead, he just pushed hard until they broke.  A one time use table.  Anyway, I was very excited.

Sunday I had to teach in Relief Society.  That always makes me really nervous, but I think it went ok and I was glad for something to do.  That night I went with Chelsey and Spencer to take their wedding pictures at the temple.  I was kind of a bump on a log cuz my back was really hurting from standing so long at church and now at the temple.  They did really good though and their pictures will be wonderful.  Instead of going to Sunday dinner, I went home to my heating pad and a book. 

Though there was no actual birthday fanfare (other than 70 some odd FB birthday wishes), it was a really fun weekend that I wouldn't have changed at all.

Vocal Point

Last night we attended the BYU a capella group,  Vocal Point's,  concert.  It was soooo awesome.  I didn't follow them on the sing off cuz I just don't really like watching TV that much, but I'm so glad I didn't miss this! I bought tickets to the concert mostly for Glade cuz he likes stuff like this.  Turns out I liked it too!

My kids, Whitley, Stephen and Rhett, are on a performing group called QC Krew at the the theater and had the opportunity to do a workshop with them for a couple of hours before the show.  They were all super excited to meet them and get tips and pointers from them.  Because we have a few connections at the theater, we were able to take two of them home with us after the concert to spend the night.  (they try to stay in members' homes instead of hotels)

Whitley had her eye on one in particular and because I'm such a good mom, I maneuvered our way into getting that one to come to our house!!  Once we got  back here, we made them some PB&Js and fishie crackers for a little snack followed by a nice big donut.  Ya know we had to do that!  After, we sat in the living room and chatted and listened to them play guitar and sing some songs they had each written.  So talented!  Not only are they super good, but so sweet too.  Never once were they pretentious or proud, but exactly the opposite.  So humble.

Turns out the one Whit had her eye on has his eye on a girl at BYU, bummer.  We stayed up till after midnight.  In the morning, they came down and joined us for scripture and prayer and then went out to play with the kids while I finished breakfast.  Jake had never had biscuits and gravy before and Landon's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree when I brought out the chocolate milk.   Before we took them back, they gave us a little encore performance.  We drove them back and said a sad goodbye.  It's mostly sad cuz you know you'll probably never see them again, but we had such a fun time and they totally stole our hearts!  They left us a CD and a cute little thank you note in the van.  Awesome awesome boys!!

Jake Tengelsen singing "Loving it Over the Hill"

Landon Peay singing us his song he had only half written.  We brainstormed with him for a bit trying to finish it.

Jake, Bo and Landon

They sang Jason Mraz this morning.  Katy loved it!  She loved them!

The kids with the whole group

We kept trying to sneak a picture with just Whitley and Landon but everyone else kept jumping in.  We figured her with all the cute boys was almost as good. Ü