It's GREAT to be 8!

Yesterday was such a special day in our family.  I told Mylie she should write down everything about how she felt so she wouldn't forget.  I want to remember how I felt too!

Personally, I have been in a spiritual famine for the past few years.  However, the last few months, and especially yesterday, I felt like the heavens were opened and spiritual manna poured down on me.  Mylie's baptism was such a special day and I am proud of her for making the choice to be baptized.

Her baptism was a stake baptism and there were eight children getting baptized, including her and her friend Josh McKnight from our ward.  There was a sweet spirit at the baptism program.  There was a talk about baptism and then a little girl sang the Primary song, "Baptism."  It was beautiful.  Grandma got to give the talk about the Holy Ghost and she did a great job.  She talked about how she likes to wear her warm gloves and keep them in her pocket so they are always with her.  She compared this to the Holy Ghost and how we can have it with us.  She told the children to make sure when they say their prayers to thank Heavenly Father that they get to have the Holy Ghost as a companion.

We were dismissed in groups to go for the baptisms.  Mylie was the first one to get baptized!  Jeff baptized her and Grandpa and Uncle Ben were the witnesses.  She understood that she had to be baptized by immersion and that meant she had to go all the way under the water.  She remembered to plug her  nose, but not close her mouth.  But she went all the way under.  Her cousins and friends were able to sit on the ground by the baptism font so they could watch.

I went to help her change out of her baptismal clothes and back into her beautiful white dress.  I was so happy that I got to be in the changing room and be the first one to give her a big hug.  After both Mylie and Jeff got changed into their dry clothes, our family and friends went with Josh's family and friends into the primary room where Bishop Perkins conducted and both children took turns getting confirmed.

Mylie was confirmed first.  Last month Jeff asked Mylie is she would like to ask Grandpa to confirm her.  She thought about it for a few days and decided that she did.  This was special to me as I was baptized by my dad and confirmed by my Grandpa.  Grandpa gets choked up easily (he said it was the chlorine), but gave Mylie such a nice blessing.  Jeff, Uncle Ben, Uncle Jason, and Bishop Perkins stood in the circle with Grandpa.  When the confirmation was over Uncle Ben told her she had to give everyone a hug.  She had such a big grin on her face and had big hugs to give to Grandpa, Jeff, Uncle Ben, Uncle Jason, and Bishop Perkins.

After both kids were confirmed, Sister Perkins, their Primary teacher, got up to talk to Mylie and Josh.  The Perkins have been in our ward for a long time and I just adore Sunny.  I have often thought how much she reminds me of my own Grandma.  She got up to talk to Mylie and Josh and had a gift for each of them.  She had made them each a blanket and talked about how the blanket is a comforter just like the Holy Ghost.  I was overcome with emotion for how much she loves the children in her Primary class.  And I knew this was something exactly like my Grandma would have done.  As I talked to Sister Perkins afterwards I told her again how she reminds me so much of my Grandma and that I appreciate all she did today and how I felt like my Grandma was here.  Bishop Perkins then told me that she probably was.

At the closing of the confirmations, Bishop Perkins called Mylie and Josh up and asked them to look out and see all the people who were there today and who love them.  My heart was full, because I know that all those people love me too.

After the baptism and confirmation, we hosted a luncheon at the neighborhood clubhouse in Star.  It was so fun to be able to visit and spend time together.  Mylie and Blake loved having all their cousins there.

Today was a special day at church.  The Bishop called her and Josh up to introduce them as the newest members of the church.  Today was fast and testimony meeting and Mylie also chose to bear her testimony.  She has such a sweet spirit.  I also bore my testimony today.  I have been so overcome with emotion since yesterday.  It took a long time for me to get pregnant with Mylie.  I remember pleading with Heavenly Father that if he would bless us with a baby, I promised I would raise that baby in the Gospel.  I thought about that promise a lot yesterday.  I know that Heavenly Father is proud of Mylie, but I hope He is also pleased with Jeff and I as parents.

I am so grateful for Mylie and the sweet, kind, smart, funny, loving girl she is.  She is such a help at our house and a good friend and example to Blake.  I am so grateful for Jeff and his desire to be a righteous husband and father.  I am so blessed to be married to my best friend.  I am grateful that we are an eternal family.  I am thankful for my family and the effort they all made to share yesterday with us.  It meant so much to me to have my entire family there.  I am thankful for Jeff's family and their support.  And I'm thankful for my wonderful friends who shared yesterday with us.

My heart is so full!  I couldn't have asked for a better start to the Christmas season than to spend it focusing on baptism, Jesus, family and friends.

Back in the swing of things ...

Its hard to believe we are FIVE weeks into the school year!  It has been a whirlwind.  Here's the rundown:

BLAKE:  

• in the pre-kindergarten class at his preschool
• when asked, responds that he is FOUR AND A HALF
• is playing soccer and really likes it
• got to tour the police station, and ride in a police car earlier this month
• has a lot of girlfriends

MYLIE:

• is loving 2nd grade
• but learning that 2nd grade is harder than 1st grade
• playing on an awesome soccer team this fall 
• scored 5 goals on Saturday
• gets baptized in 2 months

JEFF:

• rode 1733 miles on his bike so far this year (wow!)
• just started Brazilian Jiu Jitzu classes this month
• (has lots of bruises already)
• taking 2 graduate classes this semester
• is such an awesome Dad

STEPH:

• is an activity days leader
• loves watching the kids play soccer
• has great classes this semester, but is super busy!
• leaves for Moscow tomorrow for a quick trip (go Vandals!)
• has a crush on her iPhone 5

Like father like son!

No one at our house likes snakes, no one.  Whenever Jeff sees a snake - TV or real life - he dreams about snakes that night.  He often tries to fight the snake in the night ... of course there are no snakes in our bed, just me.  This literally happens every.single.time.

So, we all went to the zoo this afternoon.  Of course we saw the snake (well, I looked the other way).  Everyone went to bed tonight and I stayed downstairs to do some work (and avoid Jeff killing the snake, LOL!).  Lo and behold I hear a terrified scream and go into Blake's room.  He is mostly asleep but tells me there is a snake in his bed and that it licked his arm.  Like father like son.

Blake is now upstairs sleeping with Jeff.  I think I'll let those two battled it out tonight and I'll take the couch.  :)

Heartbreaking

Tragically, a few weeks ago in Star, there was a terrible car accident.  The family involved is in our ward.  Their daughter is one of Mylie's friends and their 5-year old little boy was in Jeff and I's nursery class a few years ago.  He died from injuries sustained in the car accident.

It is heartbreaking, no other words for it.  No one expects to bury a 5-year old.  Jeff and I attended little Alvin's funeral on Saturday.  It was a beautiful celebration of his short life.  Both his parents spoke, and I was impressed with their strength.  There was beautiful music and sweet stories about his life.

Our Bishop gave a wonderful talk about why bad things happen to good people.  I am sure this was a question weighing on everyone's mind.

• To the sightless or hearing impaired, [God] sharpens the other senses. … With the loss of a dear one, He deepens the bonds of love, enriches memories, and kindles hope in a future reunion. You will discover compensatory blessings when you willingly accept the will of the Lord and exercise faith in Him” (Ensign, May 1996, 25). —Elder Richard G. Scott Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

• President James E. Faust said, “Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. … For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process” (Ensign, May 1979, 54).

A few years ago Jeff's mom recommended the book "The Shack" to me.  I hadn't heard of it, and didn't know anything about it, but she told me that it really touched her.  It touched me as well.  This book has come back to mind many times in the last week.  The main theme that I took away from the book was that the Lord can't give us free agency, and then take away someone's free agency to prevent horrible things from happening.  We either have free agency or we don't.

The person who hit this family rear ended them going 55 mph.  The family was stopped at a stop light.  Yet at the funeral, the family prayed for the woman who hit them, to comfort her.  My heart was so touched at their forgiveness and their capacity to love.

The last week or so has reminded me that we have no idea what our tomorrows will look like.  We need to embrace each day and each moment.  After hugging Mylie 13 times the other night before bed, she called me back for one last hug.  My initial thought was frustration (enough stalling!), but it immediately changed and I went back in her room and hugged her as tight as I could.  I will continue to hug them and love them.  I don't want to have regrets.

Conversations ...

A few interesting conversations with the kids today:

Blake got in trouble and got sent to his room.  As he walked off he said, "Mommy, you know Jesus is watching you!"

In the van today Mylie randomly tells me that when she is going to have a baby she doesn't want to wear a dress - just a shirt and pants or shirt and a skirt.  Because when they have to take the baby out of your tummy, she doesn't want the doctor to pull up her dress and see her panties.  She just wants the doctor to have to pull up her shirt to get to her tummy.  Oh honey, your panties will be the least of your problems!  That is what I wanted to say, instead I just said, uh-huh.  

Spicy Mac & Cheese

Last summer my dear friends, Karen, Leslie and I went to Sisters, Oregon for the quilt festival.  For dinner one night we went to a Brewery in Bend.  Everything on the menu looked great, but I ordered something I had never ordered in a restaurant before - mac and cheese.  It was to die for good and I couldn't stop thinking about it after we got back.  I knew I had to replicate it and so the search began for a recipe.  I found a great recipe from Pioneer Woman and then altered it a bit.

Let's just say - this is so good!!  I wouldn't try to calculate the calories on it, but seriously, so good!  Mylie and I are going to make it right now.

Steph’s Spicy Macaroni & Cheese

(adapted from Pioneer Woman)

1 box pasta

1 tablespoon olive oil


diced onion


diced peppers (I like to use a combo of red, orange, yellow)


1 4 oz can chopped green chilies


2 to 3 cloves garlic, chopped


diced ham

1 cup cream


1 generous cup grated Pepper Jack cheese
(I use half cheddar and half pepper jack and usually use more than 1 cup)

2 tablespoons butter


Salt


Pepper

paprika

Boil pasta until al dente. In a large skillet, add olive oil and saute garlic and vegetables over medium heat for a couple of minutes. Add ham.   Add in canned chilies and stir around, then turn off heat. Drain pasta and add it to skillet. Pour on cream, add cheese, then add salt, pepper, and paprika to taste and stir gently. At the end, add 2 tablespoons butter and stir again. Check seasonings and serve.

**You can add in other veggies – I sometimes use tomatoes or sun-dried tomatoes.  You could also add corn. 

**Sometimes I double this recipe.  I take ½ and put it in a 9x13 pan and sprinkle bread crumbs over top and then it can be baked later for another meal.  I imagine it would freeze well. 

Reasons I love summer break ...

• Mac and I are sitting and relaxing in the recliner.  
• I don't have papers to grade.  
• I don't have any deadlines looming. 
• It was 65 today. 
• My house is clean.  
• We made a yummy dinner tonight - in fact, I've made dinner every night this week (that is a big deal!)  
• I still have a little bit of my vanilla diet coke left from happy hour.
• We haven't been out of bed before 8:30 all week.   
• But mostly, because I can hear the contagious laughter from Mylie and Blake playing together outside.  From what I can tell, Mylie is teaching Blake gymnastics.  There are lots of belly laughs to be heard.  

This summer is the first summer since I was 14 years old that I haven't worked.  And so far - it is delightful.  I don't think (knock on wood) that I have yelled all week.  We just play, sometimes take a nap, go to the park, go to happy hour, and play some more.  I am taking a grad class (online) at BSU this summer - get this, called Blogging in the Classroom.  Three days in and I think I will like it.  Yes, my homework all summer long will be to blog.  Can summer get much better?

May is in the books!

Five months down!  Whoo hoo!  We had a great May - albeit busy.  Multiple field trips to the prison for me, finishing school for the kids, memorial day weekend, gymnastics for Mylie, and school starting for Jeff.  Our summer is off to a great start!

You can follow my picture a day calendar here:  http://www.shuttercal.com/calendar/myliesmom/2012.

Summer break is here!

Summer break is here and I am nearly giddy with excitement.  And while it is so fresh in my mind, I want to remind myself of many of the wonderful things in my life. 

• Obviously these two.  Not only do I love these kids, I adore them.  Don't get me wrong, somedays they drive me bonkers ... but I am so blessed to be their mom.  I am so excited to spend the summer with them.  To lazy mornings, to eating lunch in the backyard everyday, to have adventures together, to hug each other, to read together, to snuggle on the couch together and watch movies.  I could go on and on, but to sum it up, I am just excited to spend the whole summer with them. 
• I feel so blessed that I have a job that makes this possible.  
• To go to Grandma's.  The kids and I are planning a couple trips to Idaho Falls.  We are excited to play with cousins - ALL the cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents and GREAT-grandpas.  
• I'm excited to have hobbies that I will get to spend time doing this summer. 
• I am grateful that I get the opportunity to learn new things this summer.  I'm taking a grad class and attending a conference in July. 
• And last, but certainly not least, I am so grateful for Jeff.  Tonight we were watching "The Sound of Music" with the kids and I told them that my favorite part was when Captain Von Trapp and Maria sing "somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good."I feel this way about Jeff.  I can hardly express what a wonderful father and husband he is.  He does so much during the school year to make my life easier, I am looking forward to helping make his life easier this summer.  

Bring on summer!

I feel lucky to love what I do.

Graduation 2012!!

For the second time as a full time faculty member I had the opportunity to participate in graduation.  It is so awesome to watch the graduates walk across the stage.  This year I wore my tassel from Ricks College - in honor of my students who received their associate degrees!

It was another great - yet busy - school year.  In addition to teaching and my regular duties, I assisted the department chair this last year with a lot of her duties.  One of the main things I took on was scheduling 13 different disciplines and 100+ faculty.  Although it was a headache at times, it gave me a good opportunity to learn more about the different programs we have and meet more faculty.  We have an awesome department and I love working with the faculty in my department.  As you can see below- we are a little crazy.

I also have wonderful students - and had a lot of students who graduated this year.  Including my club officers.  I have enjoyed working with them and will miss them as they transfer to BSU.  

Reggie, Heather, and I joke about being work brother and sisters.  Sometimes we probably have more fun at work than we should!  

I know that I am lucky to have the career that I love!  Although sometimes I am tired and burned out, it really is the job of my dreams.  I love working with students, I love working with criminal justice agencies, and I definitely love summer break!!

Summer Reading List

Whoo hoo!  Summer break has finally arrived and I can't wait to read.  Once again, I am trying to break out of my traditional courtroom/police novels.  Here is my summer reading list:

• Long Walk to Freedom:  The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela -I started this last night and it is really good so far!
• A Tree Grow in Brooklyn - Betty Smith -this was on my list last summer and I didn't read it
• Princess Academy - Shannon Hale -my Aunt Jalyn recommended this years ago, I picked it up for $1.99 today!
• Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand -this was on my list last summer as well.  It has been recommended by many people
• The Glass Castle - Jeanette Wells -I have heard this is a very good memoir.
• Hotel of the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford - this one has been on my Nook for at least a year waiting to be read.
• To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee -I haven't read this in years, but I show the movie to my law & justice students every semester.  
• World Without End - Ken Follett -this is the follow-up (but not sequel) to Pillars of the Earth.  I read it a few summers ago and really liked it!

I am not teaching this summer (whoo too) but I am taking a summer class.  I have really been making an effort the last few summers to break out of my normal genres.  I am excited about this list!  

I looked out the window and what did I see?

This morning instead of rushing out the door hurrying to get somewhere, I took some time with a couple of my favorite things ... my camera and my lilacs.  I was pretty happy with the results. 

Can you almost smell them?

April recap

I am really excited that I have stuck with my picture a day project for 121 DAYS!!  Whoo hoo!  Here is our April in review.  

You can see my whole calender here.

Just what I needed!

This weekend Jeff rode the Frontrunner bike ride (62 miles) in Salt Lake.  You can read his account of it here.

My wonderful mom changed her weekend plans and offered to watch the kids for us on Friday night.  Our plan was to leave our house Friday morning and then meet her in Pocatello and she would take the kids and we would go to Salt Lake - we would head back to Idaho Falls on Saturday night.  When we got to Pocatello, she encouraged us to stay the whole weekend in Salt Lake and said she would meet us back in Pocatello on Sunday afternoon.  She said she remembered having little kids and the need for time away.  I love her more than I can even write.

This weekend was just what I needed for a few reasons:

• I miss Jeff.  Is that silly that we live in the same house and I miss him sometimes?  There are many days when I feel we just see each other in passing and give each other a high-five.  I anticipate the next few weeks to be even busier than the last few weeks.  Hours in the car together to talk and a weekend full of dates was exactly what we needed.  
• I love to see Jeff succeed!  This ride was awesome for him and I love to see him be successful in what he wants to do.  He is such a support to me in all my hobbies, I love when I can extend him the same support.  
• I needed to miss my kids.  I love my kids so much, and love every minute that I spend with them (ok, most minutes ...).  But having the opportunity to miss them is always good.  I was excited to see them, relished in Mylie's squeals when she saw me and Blake's 5-minute (not exaggerating) long hug.  
• I needed to hug my sister.  It was fun to hang out with my baby sister Bailey while Jeff was on his ride.  She met us one night for dinner too.  I can't wait for Courtney to move closer and for even more quality sister time!
• I needed to be grateful.  After we picked up the kids and were driving back, I was driving and everyone else fell asleep.  I had one of those moments that Heavenly Father gives you when you can really see and feel how incredibly blessed you are.  I was thankful to be reminded of this.  
• I needed to recharge.  Aside from the ear infection I have today (ugh), I feel like I can make it through the last few weeks of the semester.  Summer break is just around the corner!  Whoo hoo!

April Updates

It is tough to believe that we are this far into the year!  Here is an update on everything going on at our house:

 This boy keep us laughing and on our toes!  He is doing so good in school and I often hearing him counting or identifying letters.  It is hard for me to believe he is the same boy who two years ago didn't talk.  It is rare that he is not talking now.  He loves superheros - reading about them, watching them, playing with superhero toys, and mostly pretending to be a superhero.  He is happy for the warmer weather so he can play outside with Bosco and sissy.  He loves his primary class, loves working out with Daddy (see above picture of him doing yoga), and still loves to snuggle his momma!

This girl is growing too fast for me.  She is a reading fool and checks out chapter books from the library.  She LOVES to scrapbook and went with mom to a crop on Saturday.  She is very fashionable and puts thought into her outfits, hair and earrings.  She loves school, but is excited for summer.  She started tumbling class and loves it so far.  She is going to take tennis lessons again this summer.  She loves playing with her brother and the two of them have a great imagination.  They play school, house, pirates, detectives, you name it!  She is such a big help to me.
 

This guy has so much dedication!  It is only the middle of April and he has already logged over 500 miles on his bike.  He has his first ride of the season coming up in a couple weeks - 62 miles.  He is doing P90X (see yoga day above).  He is registered for summer school and excited to be continuing in his Adult and Organizational Leadership Masters program at U of I.  He is such a wonderful Dad and the kids have so much fun with him.  I am so happy he is mine. 

 

I have been busy!  This semester has been flying by.  I can hardly believe there are only 4 weeks left!  Right after Spring Break I left for Las Vegas to present at a conference with some other faculty members at my school.  We presented on training teachers to teach online.  Our presentation went great.  I am registered to take a graduate course in educational technology this summer and am quite excited about it.  If it goes well, I am going to work on a graduate certificate in educational technology.  (In my spare time, ha!)  I am soooo looking forward to summer.  For the first summer since I was 14 years old (22 year ago, ack) I am not working and I can hardly wait.  The kids and I have lots of fun stuff planned!  I told them we could do fun stuff everyday ... after we sleep in.  :)

I love being their mom.

(Only 10 days late) March is in the books!

I am still moving right along on my picture of the day project.  I feel like this is the year I am going to make it all the way through the year!!  It has been a lot of fun!  Here is our March in pictures!

I've got everything that I need, right in front of me ...

We have become quite the Muppet lovers at house since the new Muppet movie came out.  We rarely take the kids to new releases (we are a dollar movie kind of family) but splurged on that one - and were quite delighted by it.  We then got the soundtrack and it has been playing in the van for months.  I'm not going to lie - my kids pretty much know the words to all the songs.  Hearing the two of them sing "The Rainbow Connection" is about the sweetest thing ever.  Hearing Blakey sing "Are You a Man or a Muppet" is about the funniest thing ever.

Earlier this week, my friend Melissa mentioned to me that they had Kermit and Miss Piggy at Build-a-Bear.  I tried to resist, it lasted nearly 24 hours, but in the end it was futile.  I gave in.  We didn't tell the kids where we were going, just that we had to run an errand at the mall.  When we walked in Build-a-Bear and they saw Kermit and Miss Piggy - well it was one of those moments when it is really fun to be able to surprise your kids with something that they love.

(Yes, Blake is wearing his Halloween costume at the mall.)

Of course, we had to doll Miss Piggy up - she is all about fashion.  As Mylie pointed out earlier in the week, after she watched the Muppets for the first time and saw Miss Piggy, she became very fashionable herself - ironically, when I thought about when we saw the movie, she is right!  She has been much more aware of her hair and outfits since then.

I asked Blakey if he wanted to get Kermit a shirt - because of course they had Kermit the Frog shirts for Kermit the Frog.  Blake looked at me like I was an idiot and reminded me that frogs don't wear clothes.  Duh.  And phew!  $7 saved.  Blake was more concerned with bathing Kermit (one of the things you get to do when making your animal).  Blake was really concerned Kermit may have toe jam.

Toe jam be gone!

Kermit and Miss Piggy have not been out of the sight since yesterday.  And now when the kids sing songs from the Muppets - Kermit and Miss Piggy are singing along too (because these Muppets are also puppets).  The theme song from the movie has the following lines:

I've got everything that I need right in front of me,                                  Nothing's stopping me, nothing I can't be with you right here next to me.  

That kind of sums it up.   We may be kind of dorky driving around in our mini-van, belting out Muppet lyrics, but I love these dorks.  :)

More Spring Break...

A beautiful 65 degree day at the park today with friends!

This might be one of my new favorites.  I just love her blue eyes!

Jump Mylie!

Helen

Daniel

Lillian

This is his "Stop picturing me face!!"

Spring Break!

I am soooo happy that spring break is finally here!  Saturday morning we took off for SLC for a long weekend.  We met my parent's for lunch at Maddox to celebrate Dad's 60th birthday.  Mom and Dad surprised us by bringing Max, Mylie and Blake were in heaven!  After lunch we went to Bailey's and then (cue angels singing) went to IKEA.  IKEA just makes me happy!  Sunday we went to the zoo and then spent some time with Bailey that afternoon.  We took the kids swimming and it totally wore them out.  They slept like rocks!  Today we did some shopping and leisurely made our way home.  Today's weather was crazy - but Saturday and Sunday were beautiful.  We had a great trip!

Love these kiddos - right after our train ride. 

I love this baby elephant.  I could watch the elephants for hours. 

This is our traditional Hogle Zoo pose.  :)

February

So I realize it is March 4th - but it has been a busy last few days.  I'm pretty proud of myself for keeping up on my picture of the day project.  I'm 64 days in!!  Whoo hoo.  Here is a peek into our February.

You can follow my calendar at http://www.shuttercal.com/calendar/myliesmom/2012/2/.

Family Home Evening

I'm not going to lie ... our little family is wonderful about spending lots of quality time together, but not so great about having structured family home evenings.  We are trying to do better.  This is week 2.  Last week Mylie was in charge and did such a great job.  It was really sweet - she had stories and scriptures and songs.  This week she was in charge again (imagine, my child likes to be in charge!)  However, Blake wasn't going to let her have all the glory.  He knew what was going on now and he was prepared.  He had his own little box that he brought out (Mylie brings everything in a box).  He stood up and held a picture of a car and began a talk about the Holy Ghost.  It was hilarious/so sweet.  He wanted to mimic just what she did.  Oh these kiddos of mine crack me up!

Playing Hooky

I don't go to campus on Mondays.  Blake stays home with me and we play and I grade.  Mylie woke up this morning complaining of a stomachache, or a cough, but mostly that she misses me during the week and really wants to stay home today and play with Blake.  It only took about 17 seconds for me to think about it and totally give in to her.

They started out by making a tent in Blake's room.  They were so happy with themselves - I remember making tents with my brother, and really, it was a lot of fun.  They had their lunch in there and even faked taking a nap in there.  Now we have moved on to snuggling on the couch, eating popcorn, and watching "Enchanted," which is one of our favorite movies.

I know that she should be at school - I really do, her stomachache/cough seemed to have magically fixed itself.  She will be at school tomorrow and the rest of the Mondays this year.  But just for today, I am totally OK with staying home with my two favorite kids.  I miss them when they are at school, I love watching them play together more than anything, it probably won't be always that they want nothing more than to be together with me - so for today I'm taking that.  Today I'm OK with playing hooky.

So quiet!

After a busy week I was all done with everything on Friday about 2.  And so I thought ... what should I do ... the kids are still at school ... I came up with a few ideas:

• I could grade papers
• I could craft
• I could clean the house
• I could take a nap 
• I could go shopping ALL by myself

Shopping was the winner.  First I went to Target, I only had a couple things on my list - I was looking for a new computer case and also needed new rugs for the front and back door.  I stood in the rug aisle for 20 minutes - and no one complained.  I bought a coke and a piece of candy at the checkout and didn't have to explain or argue about it.  Now, don't get me wrong - It isn't like I don't ever go shopping - the kids and I go shopping often, and really, I love going with them.  I love every thing  about them ... but I'm not ashamed to say that I really, REALLY enjoyed my quiet shopping trip.  Then I went to Staples, which could possible bore my children to death.  Then I went to the craft store, just to look around.  No one begged me to PUH-LEEZ buy them some stickers.

And then I went to the mall ALONE.  And I had an epiphany while I was there.  Remember when we were teenagers?  Could anything be as traumatic as going to the mall by yourself?  Let me just tell you at age 36, there is no trauma involved in being at the mall by yourself.  To say it was a delightful afternoon would be an understatement.  I spent an HOUR in the apple store.  A whole beautiful, quiet hour.

Then I came home and I was so happy to see the kids and spend the remainder of the day with them.  But to all the moms out there ... it is OK to enjoy the quiet doing something YOU want to do and not feeling guilty about it!

Wow!

Our year is off to a great start, though it is really hard for me to believe we are already 8 days into February!  One project I am working on this year is a photo a day.  I have tried this a couple of different times, but this year is the year!  I am tracking it using a website called shuttercal.  Here is a link to my calendar:  http://shuttercal.com/calendar/myliesmom/.

Here is a peek into our January!