Our family has been party happy with the anticipation of a week of "no more teachers, no more books" (Fred has both, but the relaxation of everyone else seems to have calmed his nerves a bit as well). Fred, Jordan and Mikayla are having fun with their annual "March Madness" contest. They haven't watched many of the games, but they like picking teams and "competing" against each other with a point value system that they have come up with. They try to get me involved every year, but it is so out of my realm of interest, that I don't see the point of choosing teams if I don't care whether they win or lose. I can understand being emotionally involved if I am part of the team, or someone I love is part of the team or even if I used to be personally linked to the team, but I can't pretent nterest in a team that I've never even heard of. I'm glad they have fun with it, and enjoy it in balanced moderation. Watching their little "triumphs" and "defeats" against each other is interesting.
Saturday night Fred watched about 40 minutes of March Madness and then spent the evening studying for lectures while Mikayla, Eden, Abe and I played "Settlers of Catan" for 2-1/2 hours! The game is supposedly an hour game, but my children seem to forget that these games we play are board games, and always turn hem into something quite physical and mentally disturbing approaching uncomfortably high decibal levels. I don't know how Fred "thinks" in the same house with the hooligans. I, of course, was completely level eaded, but it is hard not to laugh at the crazy antics even while I am trying to be a responsible mother and restore some semblance of order:) Luckily, Jordan was working a shift at Cookies and Cream and wasn't a part of the mayhem or it would have probably escalated out of control. The weather predictions for this week point to quite a bit of "comradery" and I am sure will include many more "bonding moments".
The tone of Saturday evening seemed to carry over even into Sunday morning and as we pulled up in front of the church I was trying to regain some semblance of sanity among the back seats when Jordan, suddenly trying to be helpful said, "Alright, as soon as we open the car doors we will be a normal family". Not a possibility, but shaking my head, I countered, "please, at least pretend to be normal." And so, the Bloomquist facade climbed out of the car and "behaved" for a good part of the day. Fast forward to Monday morning and Mikayla and Eden are thick into an "Iron Chef" contest in the kitchen. Jordan and Abe are "competing" against each other in some sort of comedic dance competition in the playroom and the twins re waking up in different beds than they started in last night (a common occurence). Fred is responsibly at work, providing for this insane group, and I am hiding in my bedroom contemplating my influence as a mother over the last 19 years. :)
I have pansies in my windowsill waiting for a day nice enough for me to want to spend time outside, digging holes, and mountains of clean laundry reminding me that today is not that day. Maybe I will bribe myself with a chapter of reading, right in the middle of the day, each time I fold a basket. That sounds like a delicious spring break indulgement and might actually motivate me to accomplish the dreaded responsibility!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Out With the Old, In With the New
I just returned from a youth meeting following stake conference where Elder Bruce D. Porter of the seventy presided. He brought such beautiful, simple insight and direction for us as a stake and a community and to my life personally. The Spirit was there in abundance both last night and this morning and I feel so buoyed up. It has been a wonderfully full weekend of inspiring guidance and testimony.
Jordan's best friend was set apart as an Elder today. It is a surreal thing to watch these young boys, one by one, have this mantle placed upon their shoulders, and then hear letters home (a piece of one which was read today in stake conference) which sound like they were written by far more spiritually mature men. There is nothing quite like the sure testimony of a stripling warrior who is sensing the magnitude of their calling and rising to it. It was powerful!
Mikayla has started preparing for the ACT this summer. She never ceases to amaze me with her foresight and preparation and determination. She is diligent and persistent in so many facets of her life and I have gained such a testimony of the potential of the Personal Progress program from watching her magnify "experiences" into life changing habits. I find myself constantly looking to her example to better myself and raise my standards. There is a reason for the label "sweet 16" and she personifies it beautifully.
Lily and Sophie's 6th birthday is on Tuesday. It is normally the busiest day of the week and I am hoping we can mesh it into the day that they have been hoping and dreaming of for months and months. They have a birthday "cake" order requested out of a cupcake fantasy cookbook that I am a little stressed about, but they have been pouring over the pages since December and have their little hearts set on it. Jordan promised to help and suggested that I hide the cookbook that day so that can't compare the two. (What a brilliant son!)
Now we just have to pin down date ideas and breakfast in bed orders and hope that we can fit it all in under the guise of a relaxing atmosphere. I already feel exhausted:)......... but birthdays only come once a year.
I am so looking forward to spring break and beautiful warm days where I can "abandon" the house and get my hands in the soil. I need 3 individual good spring cleanings; one for my yard, one for my home one for me--it could do wonders! With the sun I am feeling the pull once again to get my padded self and my padded dog out exercizing, something I have very noticeably abandoned with the cold weather this year.
I am also looking forward to next month when our city will be celebrating it's 100 year anniversary and will also be once again participating in Middleton Unplugged. It is so cool to live in a city where city government and church leadership work in partnership with each other and it all blends together. I LOVE Middleton! I was driving through town the other day trying to see it through a strangers eyes and thinking anyone just passing through would label it a dump, but I was partially wrong. Even Elder Porter mentioned the feeling here in the community, specifically not just among the saints. We have our share of run down buildings and neglected trailer parks, but we more than our share of good people everywhere I look, and it feels like family. After a meeting the other night I stopped at the grocery store to pick up milk. When I got to the check-stand the cashier (Aurora) told me she had seen my husband come through 30 minutes previous, so I put back the milk and avoided trying to fit 8 gallons in my refrigerator. I love those little kinds of things.
Crazy Hair Day at School
(Sophie wanted no part of anything that was not cute:)
Crazy Hair Day at School
(Sophie wanted no part of anything that was not cute:)
Glued to the Olympics
SUNDAY AFTERNOON:
Out of the Best Books
Sharing the Stirring Spoon
A Beautiful Spring Day
SUNDAY AFTERNOON:
Out of the Best Books
Sharing the Stirring Spoon
A Beautiful Spring Day
My Little Lily Pad
Sophie; Always Modeling
THE MAGNIFICENT SIGNS OF SPRING:
Weeping Willow
Aspen Grove
Crocus
Tulips or Daffodils
Sedum
Peach Tree
Strawberry Patch
--
Posted By Bloomers to "BLOOMERS" at 3/20/2010 08:22:00 AM
Aah...Spring Break
Yesterday was the first day of Spring Break for the kids and what
beautiful, tempting weather! I spent 4 hours on Tuesday pruning
rosebushes and deciding (as I do every year) that roses are way too
much maintenance and I am going to rip them all out and put in
landscaping that is more interesting, artistic and less painful to
maintain! I actually ventured out without a jacket a few times on
walks with Olive and my children and on Wednesday I was tempted to
shed my long sleeves, but never actually succumbed. I did mow my
entire lawn, which only needed a perimeter trim, just because I could.
It was my reward for cleaning a few rooms in my house. When the warm
weather comes, house neglect kicks in and I have to pace myself or
I'll never go back inside. I'm kind of black and white that way.
Cold weather equals hibernation. Warm weather equals
"naturalization". I'm afraid I've never been very good with grey.
Fred is barely treading water. I don't know how he deals with the
pressure of trying to please "two masters" (Education vs. Business) ,
who both want him to perform opposing miracles, day after day.
Sometimes I have this fiery indignation that swells up inside me and I
want to go down to that tower in the sky and use my tongue as a double
edged sword, but Mys says that is not how we "win friends and
influence people", and of course it is not my place. So, I will try
to keep a civil tongue and be supportive and Fred with continue to be
a peacemaker and perform amazing feats, all the while downing cases of
Tums, and people will continue to love and admire him, while he moves
monumental mountains, inch by inch, assuming all the while that he is
progressing in nothing well. I learn much of endurance and doing hard
things from him and am so grateful for his sacrifices for our family.
Jordan is working at Cookies and Cream this weekend and is VERY happy
for the work. (Thanks Chris and Lori.) He also meets with the Stake
President this Sunday and we are hoping for guidance to earn a bit
more money before he leaves, but we'll see what happens. We would
have never "planned" for his papers to take this long, but it has been
such a blessing as we never "planned" that getting a job would be this
hard either. We are learning to be patient (it is so hard on Jordan)
and just follow where the Lord leads us. I see his hand in our lives
every day.
Mikayla is up before most of us, trying to finish up homework and
exercising and reading her scriptures. I'm just trying to hang onto
her coattails. Yesterday she spent the whole day grocery shopping and
re-organizing the fridge and pantry. I loathe shopping and because I
keep my pantry pretty well stocked I usually fall into the trap of
using it all up before I go again, which really defeats the purpose of
having a 3 month supply and makes the restocking procedure quite
painful. It's kind of how I approach laundry folding as well. I
really am so much happier when I just "keep up", so I don't know why I
can't seem to be consistent with that concept; one of those natural
man abominations I suppose. I guess I will stay in the rut until I
learn it in my heart not just in my head.
Eden has started reading "Song of Years". There have been a few times
over the past few years when she wanted to read it, because Fred and
Mikayla and I talk about it so much, but I have persuaded her not to
until I thought she was "ready". A few weeks ago, she stopped reading
a book she had started with the explanation, "all I ever read is
princess books....I'm tired of princess books", and then she grabbed
"Song of Years". She's ready and I'm excited. It's kind of a right
of passage in our family. Even Jordan has started reading it, but
he's a bit distracted with mission prep right now, so I doubt he will
make it through.
Abe and Lily and Sophie are looking so forward to a full week of
freedom to ride bikes, bask in the sun, watch nightly movies and
PARTY!!! I hate to break it to them that there will still be cleaning
(always cleaning :) and some homework and piano practice for Abe, but
they have had a few nice days of relaxation.
As has happened EVERY year, as long as I or my children can remember,
the weekend leading up to Spring Break week is gorgeous and then it is
cold and rainy the entire week of. The forecast seems to be leaning
in that direction and though none of us are surprised (after
all..."Tradition, Tradition!") we are all quite disappointed, as
usual. BUT... we are going to LUXURIATE in the sun this weekend!
--
Posted By Bloomers to KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES at 3/19/2010 11:48:00 AM
beautiful, tempting weather! I spent 4 hours on Tuesday pruning
rosebushes and deciding (as I do every year) that roses are way too
much maintenance and I am going to rip them all out and put in
landscaping that is more interesting, artistic and less painful to
maintain! I actually ventured out without a jacket a few times on
walks with Olive and my children and on Wednesday I was tempted to
shed my long sleeves, but never actually succumbed. I did mow my
entire lawn, which only needed a perimeter trim, just because I could.
It was my reward for cleaning a few rooms in my house. When the warm
weather comes, house neglect kicks in and I have to pace myself or
I'll never go back inside. I'm kind of black and white that way.
Cold weather equals hibernation. Warm weather equals
"naturalization". I'm afraid I've never been very good with grey.
Fred is barely treading water. I don't know how he deals with the
pressure of trying to please "two masters" (Education vs. Business) ,
who both want him to perform opposing miracles, day after day.
Sometimes I have this fiery indignation that swells up inside me and I
want to go down to that tower in the sky and use my tongue as a double
edged sword, but Mys says that is not how we "win friends and
influence people", and of course it is not my place. So, I will try
to keep a civil tongue and be supportive and Fred with continue to be
a peacemaker and perform amazing feats, all the while downing cases of
Tums, and people will continue to love and admire him, while he moves
monumental mountains, inch by inch, assuming all the while that he is
progressing in nothing well. I learn much of endurance and doing hard
things from him and am so grateful for his sacrifices for our family.
Jordan is working at Cookies and Cream this weekend and is VERY happy
for the work. (Thanks Chris and Lori.) He also meets with the Stake
President this Sunday and we are hoping for guidance to earn a bit
more money before he leaves, but we'll see what happens. We would
have never "planned" for his papers to take this long, but it has been
such a blessing as we never "planned" that getting a job would be this
hard either. We are learning to be patient (it is so hard on Jordan)
and just follow where the Lord leads us. I see his hand in our lives
every day.
Mikayla is up before most of us, trying to finish up homework and
exercising and reading her scriptures. I'm just trying to hang onto
her coattails. Yesterday she spent the whole day grocery shopping and
re-organizing the fridge and pantry. I loathe shopping and because I
keep my pantry pretty well stocked I usually fall into the trap of
using it all up before I go again, which really defeats the purpose of
having a 3 month supply and makes the restocking procedure quite
painful. It's kind of how I approach laundry folding as well. I
really am so much happier when I just "keep up", so I don't know why I
can't seem to be consistent with that concept; one of those natural
man abominations I suppose. I guess I will stay in the rut until I
learn it in my heart not just in my head.
Eden has started reading "Song of Years". There have been a few times
over the past few years when she wanted to read it, because Fred and
Mikayla and I talk about it so much, but I have persuaded her not to
until I thought she was "ready". A few weeks ago, she stopped reading
a book she had started with the explanation, "all I ever read is
princess books....I'm tired of princess books", and then she grabbed
"Song of Years". She's ready and I'm excited. It's kind of a right
of passage in our family. Even Jordan has started reading it, but
he's a bit distracted with mission prep right now, so I doubt he will
make it through.
Abe and Lily and Sophie are looking so forward to a full week of
freedom to ride bikes, bask in the sun, watch nightly movies and
PARTY!!! I hate to break it to them that there will still be cleaning
(always cleaning :) and some homework and piano practice for Abe, but
they have had a few nice days of relaxation.
As has happened EVERY year, as long as I or my children can remember,
the weekend leading up to Spring Break week is gorgeous and then it is
cold and rainy the entire week of. The forecast seems to be leaning
in that direction and though none of us are surprised (after
all..."Tradition, Tradition!") we are all quite disappointed, as
usual. BUT... we are going to LUXURIATE in the sun this weekend!
--
Posted By Bloomers to KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES at 3/19/2010 11:48:00 AM
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Out With the Old, In With the New
I just returned from a youth meeting following stake conference where Elder Bruce D. Porter of the seventy presided. He brought such beautiful, simple insight and direction for us as a stake and a community and to my life personally. The Spirit was there in abundance both last night and this morning and I feel so buoyed up. It has been a wonderfully full weekend of inspiring guidance and testimony.
Jordan's best friend was set apart as an Elder today. It is a surreal thing to watch these young boys, one by one, have this mantle placed upon their shoulders, and then hear letters home (a piece of one which was read today in stake conference) which sound like they were written by far more spiritually mature men. There is nothing quite like the sure testimony of a stripling warrior who is sensing the magnitude of their calling and rising to it. It was powerful!
Mikayla has started preparing for the ACT this summer. She never ceases to amaze me with her foresight and preparation and determination. She is diligent and persistent in so many facets of her life and I have gained such a testimony of the potential of the Personal Progress program from watching her magnify "experiences" into life changing habits. I find myself constantly looking to her example to better myself and raise my standards. There is a reason for the label "sweet 16" and she personifies it beautifully.
Lily and Sophie's 6th birthday is on Tuesday. It is normally the busiest day of the week and I am hoping we can mesh it into the day that they have been hoping and dreaming of for months and months. They have a birthday "cake" order requested out of a cupcake fantasy cookbook that I am a little stressed about, but they have been pouring over the pages since December and have their little hearts set on it. Jordan promised to help and suggested that I hide the cookbook that day so that can't compare the two. (What a brilliant son!)
Now we just have to pin down date ideas and breakfast in bed orders and hope that we can fit it all in under the guise of a relaxing atmosphere. I already feel exhausted:)......... but birthdays only come once a year.
I am so looking forward to spring break and beautiful warm days where I can "abandon" the house and get my hands in the soil. I need 3 individual good spring cleanings; one for my yard, one for my home one for me--it could do wonders! With the sun I am feeling the pull once again to get my padded self and my padded dog out exercizing, something I have very noticeably abandoned with the cold weather this year.
I am also looking forward to next month when our city will be celebrating it's 100 year anniversary and will also be once again participating in Middleton Unplugged. It is so cool to live in a city where city government and church leadership work in partnership with each other and it all blends together. I LOVE Middleton! I was driving through town the other day trying to see it through a strangers eyes and thinking anyone just passing through would label it a dump, but I was partially wrong. Even Elder Porter mentioned the feeling here in the community, specifically not just among the saints. We have our share of run down buildings and neglected trailer parks, but we more than our share of good people everywhere I look, and it feels like family. After a meeting the other night I stopped at the grocery store to pick up milk. When I got to the check-stand the cashier (Aurora) told me she had seen my husband come through 30 minutes previous, so I put back the milk and avoided trying to fit 8 gallons in my refrigerator. I love those little kinds of things.
Crazy Hair Day at School
(Sophie wanted no part of anything that was not cute:)
Crazy Hair Day at School
(Sophie wanted no part of anything that was not cute:)
Glued to the Olympics
SUNDAY AFTERNOON:
Out of the Best Books
Sharing the Stirring Spoon
A Beautiful Spring Day
SUNDAY AFTERNOON:
Out of the Best Books
Sharing the Stirring Spoon
A Beautiful Spring Day
My Little Lily Pad
Sophie; Always Modeling
THE MAGNIFICENT SIGNS OF SPRING:
Weeping Willow
Aspen Grove
Crocus
Tulips or Daffodils
Sedum
Peach Tree
Strawberry Patch
Monday, March 8, 2010
Out With the Old, In With the New 3-08-2010
I just returned from a youth meeting following stake conference where Elder Bruce D. Porter of the seventy presided. He brought such beautiful, simple insight and direction for us as a stake and a community and to my life personally. The Spirit was there in abundance both last night and this morning and I feel so buoyed up. It has been a wonderfully full weekend of inspiring guidance and testimony.
Jordan's best friend was set apart as an Elder today. It is a surreal thing to watch these young boys, one by one, have this mantle placed upon their shoulders, and then hear letters home (a piece of one which was read today in stake conference) which sound like they were written by far more spiritually mature men. There is nothing quite like the sure testimony of a stripling warrior who is sensing the magnitude of their calling and rising to it. It was powerful!
Mikayla has started preparing for the ACT this summer. She never ceases to amaze me with her foresight and preparation and determination. She is diligent and persistent in so many facets of her life and I have gained such a testimony of the potential of the Personal Progress program from watching her magnify "experiences" into life changing habits. I find myself constantly looking to her example to better myself and raise my standards. There is a reason for the label "sweet 16" and she personifies it beautifully.
Lily and Sophie's 6th birthday is on Tuesday. It is normally the busiest day of the week and I am hoping we can mesh it into the day that they have been hoping and dreaming of for months and months. They have a birthday "cake" order requested out of a cupcake fantasy cookbook that I am a little stressed about, but they have been pouring over the pages since December and have their little hearts set on it. Jordan promised to help and suggested that I hide the cookbook that day so that can't compare the two. (What a brilliant son!)
Now we just have to pin down date ideas and breakfast in bed orders and hope that we can fit it all in under the guise of a relaxing atmosphere. I already feel exhausted:)......... but birthdays only come once a year.
I am so looking forward to spring break and beautiful warm days where I can "abandon" the house and get my hands in the soil. I need 3 individual good spring cleanings; one for my yard, one for my home one for me--it could do wonders! With the sun I am feeling the pull once again to get my padded self and my padded dog out exercizing, something I have very noticeably abandoned with the cold weather this year.
I am also looking forward to next month when our city will be celebrating it's 100 year anniversary and will also be once again participating in Middleton Unplugged. It is so cool to live in a city where city government and church leadership work in partnership with each other and it all blends together. I LOVE Middleton! I was driving through town the other day trying to see it through a strangers eyes and thinking anyone just passing through would label it a dump, but I was partially wrong. Even Elder Porter mentioned the feeling here in the community, specifically not just among the saints. We have our share of run down buildings and neglected trailer parks, but we more than our share of good people everywhere I look, and it feels like family. After a meeting the other night I stopped at the grocery store to pick up milk. When I got to the check-stand the cashier (Aurora) told me she had seen my husband come through 30 minutes previous, so I put back the milk and avoided trying to fit 8 gallons in my refrigerator. I love those little kinds of things.
Crazy Hair Day at School
(Sophie wanted no part of anything that was not cute:)
Crazy Hair Day at School
(Sophie wanted no part of anything that was not cute:)
Glued to the Olympics
SUNDAY AFTERNOON:
Out of the Best Books
Sharing the Stirring Spoon
A Beautiful Spring Day
SUNDAY AFTERNOON:
Out of the Best Books
Sharing the Stirring Spoon
A Beautiful Spring Day
My Little Lily Pad
Sophie; Always Modeling
THE MAGNIFICENT SIGNS OF SPRING:
Weeping Willow
Aspen Grove
Crocus
Tulips or Daffodils
Sedum
Peach Tree
Strawberry Patch
Strawberry Patch
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