Thriving Ivory

This is this great new band that Jason and I really like. I was listening to them today and thought I'd spread the word. The lead singer's voice is kind of weird, it takes a little getting used to, but the songs are still really good. To listen, see thrivingivory.com. My favorites are "Hey Lady" and "Twilight". I was totally bummed that we missed their concert. It was the same weekend as my high school reunion---and only $5 a ticket!---we were totally bummed. Anyway, check em out, it's a great band.

Worst Blogger Ever!

Okay, so I'm probably the worst blogger ever. I finally set up a page, and then I never post anything. Well, I was going to a few weeks ago and my computer wouldn't save anything (except my foot that almost went through the screen, but we won't go there right now). So anyway, here's what's been going on with us. October was nuts (fun, but nuts!) and so I took November off--no projects, no trips, and no blogging. So now that it's December, I'm getting back to things.

Here's my October in a nutshell (with a little November to finish things off):

--General Conference weekend with friends Michael and Katie
--Ten-year high school reunion in Vegas (totally rocked! I loved seeing all you guys!) and visiting Jason's grandma in St. George--Brooklyn's birthday partyHalloween (Yes, that is Jason, and he won $50 in the employee contest at work!)--Relief Society Enrichment (which I'm on the committee for and I signed up for some crafts to make for Christmas gifts, but I had to spend most of my time in the nursery because some people bailed on me so instead of finishing projects and having less work over Christmas, I had to bring everything home and created more work for myself, topping off the month of stress and pushing me to take a whole month off not working on those crafts)

--Anne Marie's baby blessing; my mom, Michael and Katie, and Adam and Rachael came; it was a good day and a good blessingSo October was a little crazy, but November was wonderful, and Thanksgiving was just awesome. I spent Wednesday cooking, all day in the kitchen in my element, then Thursday we drove out to Michael and Katie's house to spend the holiday with them and some of their family, and it was a wonderful day and a nice wrap up to my month off. I'll put up pics when I get them off my camera. I actually worked on some of my crafts on Monday and enjoyed it. So here's to less stress and more time to enjoy my children. And if you don't get something for Christmas, I still love you, it just might have to wait until next year for me to actually finish it =o)

Prayer

It was so cute this morning--Alex loves to say the blessing on the food, and Brook never wants to. Alex started to say the prayer for breakfast this morning, and he needed a little prompting, but I was busy with a fussy baby, so Brook helped him. Alex repeated everything she said, which besides saying thanks for the food, included blessing us to drive safely to Grandma's today and to bless Daddy to be safe at work. She's such a good big sister. And then Alex ended the way he always does, with a big AMEN, flinging his arms way out. I love my kids.

New Quote

So I'm just posting lots of things at once while I have some quiet time at the computer. Here's a quote I found interesting:

"A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other" (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 16).

Maybe I should start a book club blog--anyone interested? And yes Mom, I'm reading another "boring" book. But I did pick up another Dick Francis and I actually liked it, so there's my slice of humble pie for thinking all these years that they were dumb. OK, baby's crying, better run.

Making Bread

I was making bread last week and Brook's friend Emily came in the kitchen to see what I was doing. She wanted to help, and soon Brook and Bailey followed. It was neat to see them get so excited about bread dough.

Budding Photographer

I was feeling brave the other day and took all three kids to JoAnn's. Alex was bored, so I let Brook take some pictures to distract him. Here's what she took:

Utah Stinks!

Yeah, so Provo skipped fall this year. Today it's 40 degrees outside, and it actually snowed. Alex needed to get out of the house, so we all got bundled up and braved the weather (Brook was playing at a friend's house). I am so jealous of you guys in Vegas right now.

Interesting Quote

I came by this in the book I'm currently reading:

"I think I have learned, in some degree at least, to disregard the old maxim which says, 'Do not get others to do that which you can do yourself.' My motto, on the other hand, is, 'Do not do that which others can do as well.'" (Booker T. Washington, Up from Slavery, New York: Signet Classic, 181)

Especially as the holiday season gets nearer, I have to remind myself that even though I can do it cheaper, better, and cuter, that still means I have to do it. Just because I can do something, doesn't mean that it's not OK to just buy one from the store. I'm just glad that last year's Halloween costumes still fit and I don't have to kill myself to get everyone a cute costume. And they're already paid for--double bonus! So that's my thought of the day. I can still be super mom without doing everything. By the way, it's a really good book, and if you haven't ever read it, I highly recommend it.

party ideas

I need some ideas for Brooklyn's birthday in three weeks. I decided to get a head start since doing a party in 2 days didn't work out so well last year. She wants a princess party (Sleeping Beauty)--any game ideas? There will be boys invited too, so I want to figure how to make it a little gender neutral. Maybe some general medieval things like sword fighting (but without the swords, these are 5-year-olds). I've got the cake covered, but beyond that I'm a little lost. Any suggestions?