A Few New Things

A couple of weeks ago Jeff went downstairs to do some laundry.  (Lucky me!)  Later we could hear the washer thumping all over the house.......loudly.  It was broken. Sniff.  Not such a good thing for a family of 5.  But, lucky for me, Jeff decided to spring for a new washer and a new dryer.  We've had old refurbished ones since we got married. I'm pretty confident that we got the 2 washers and 3 dryers we've owned for about the same price as our new one.  :)  Our washing machine came last week and it's hooked up and running now.  I {heart} this thing! the dryer comes this week.  Can't wait to try them together!

We also decided to move Lyndsi downstairs in her own room.  I told her that on a certain Saturday we'd move her down.  As that day approached, I started getting really nervous.  Not because I thought it would be too scary for her, but because I thought I'd worry too much about it.  Jeff and I talked and decided to go ahead with it.  That Saturday involved a lot of work!  We had to relocate the food storage and divide up all the toys in the extra room along with all the shelving.  The girls' room had to be taken apart and move all of Lyndsi's stuff downstairs.  There were two girls' rooms now to put back together, clean and organize.  Don't worry. McKay didn't get left out of all the fun.  There was a piece of furniture destined to be put in his room which required somewhat extensive rearraging and organizing in there as well. I couldn't have done all of this without the help of my awesome and amazing parents.  (And Jeff too when he got home from work.) It's been just over a week now and the general consensus around here is: we all love the new arragements!  Everyone's rooms are staying cleaner and we're all getting along so much better.  Lyndsi in particular is reall enjoying her new, private space.  She is a better sister now and generally much happier.

The last thing was SUCH a big deal to both McKay and Sophie.  They have both been saving their money to buy their own ZhuZhu pets.  The same day we got our washer, I took them to pick out their new pets.  I thought this would be a passing fancy, but those little guys go everywhere with us.  They are played with all day long and the 2 new ones plus Lyndsi's that she got for her birthday all seem to be pretty good friends.  :)

St. Patrick's Day

St. Pat's is never a big deal at our house.  We do the usual wear green or get pinched thing, occasionally I'll sneak a few drops of gren food coloring into the kids' milk or mac 'n cheese.  This year the kids had the idea to set a trap for a leprachaun.  As we were going through the bedtime routine I helped each kid set their trap (each loaded with a shiny coin to attract the little guy).  When I tucked Sophie in her bed, she admitted to me that she was scared of the little guy. (In the morning, she told me, "Mommy, I just shut my eyes and closed my mouth and didn't open them til morning!)  Lyndsi on the other hand asked Heavenly Father to help her not be soexcited that she couldn't sleep. She told me she peaked from her bed a few times in the night.   In the morning, Jeff and I had our own wee visitors in the wee hours of the morning.  They were all so excited everyone was up by 6!  When they checked their traps, they didn't find leprachauns but they did find a pile of gold  (ok-gold hershey nuggets).  It was a fun little thing and 100% the kids' idea.  I think we'll try and do this again next year!

Glam

For as long as she's been able to put a braclet on by herself, Sophie has been my glam girl.  She loves bracelets, necklaces, makeup, having her hair done (and she must have a bow or flower of her choosing  everytime), shoes, purses and anything else accessory-ish and girly.  She proudly flaunts her jewels and fancy accessories anywhere she can get away with it.  She also loves to make jewelry with her Grandma and insists on wearing it to church.  She is rocking the 3-year-old fashion world.  And I love it.  :)

Lyndsi's Baptism

Saturday was Lyndsi's baptism.  I knew it was exciting and special and all that, but I felt really unprepared for how wonderful it was.  And not just the service, but the entire day was full of peace and love and family-togetherness.  We were all just happy.

Jeff both baptized and confirmed her (and did a wondeful job).  Our home teacher and good friend, Terry Ewell spoke on baptism and our primary president Mia Tibbets spoke on the Holy Ghost. 

Afterwards we had a big lunch at our home for our family and friends. Lyndsi loved having everyone who could make it there and was really quite surprised at how many people showed up for her special day. 

By dinner time she was just lounging on the couch going through her new scriptures and looking at the other gifts she was given.  We asked her to come in for dinner, but she just wanted to stay on the couch and do what she was doing.  Looking at her, both Jeff and I realized she was still just letting it all soak in and was enjoying it. 

It was a wondeful day and thanks so much to all that came and missed those who couldn't make it!! 

Looking Forward to This

New Mantra

"It's a false sense of accomplishment every time I quit"

Thank you Jimmy Eat World.