The Gala

Thursday night my parents called to tell us they just found out we were invited to attend the Governor's Gala. Do you pronunce it gay-la or gah-la? They were going, but didn't realize that they could bring their family. A girl in my line of work doesn't get a lot of gala invites, so with 24 hours notice and nothing to wear we set out to make it happen. Brennan borrowed a dark suit from a friend and that just left me.


Friday the kids were out of school so I figured if I could feed the baby and get him settled he always takes a really great morning nap then I could leave the kids with Anna in charge and go shopping and actually try things on.


I fed the baby and just before laying him down Ben needed help going potty. I set Joshy in his bouncy seat just outside the bathroom so I could help Ben. When he finished I stood there watching while he flushed the toilet. For some dumb inexplicable reason it started to overflow. I stood there helplessly for a second then sent Benny out while I ran to the other bathroom for the plunger. I got back just in time to see water pooling all over the bathroom floor. I plunged and it finally stopped. Now I stood in disgusting sewer water thinking that this day was going very differently than I had imagined it. I will also (not proudly) admit that during those types of moments the thought "Where is my good-for-nothing husband! The nerve of him out working hard to provide for our family instead of being here to deal with this sewer water!" tends to go through my head. I called him just to tell him to feel grateful he was at work but then he said that he was at the dump installing dispensers in the bathrooms. Then he told me that there actually was something I could have done. Evidently there's a valve that shuts off the water. Good to know.


I started yelling for the kids to bring towels which were all in the laundry room. They didn't quite sense my urgency, but luckily Ben did and jumped right in to action. Anna, Abby and Nate finally brought me some towels, but Ben stuck by me in the hall making sure I had enough towels and rags. Upon hearing the big kids fighting he even said to me, "Don't worry, Mom, I'll take care of it." Then I heard him say in his best weary exasperated Mom voice, "Guys, what's the matter?" I smiled for a minute until I remembered I was wiping up toilet water. About 50 towels, a LOT of disinfectant, and a shower later I was finally ready to put Joshua to bed and go shopping.


I tend to misplace my keys a lot; however, I rarely really lose them so I didn't panic when I couldn't find them initially. As time went on and my precious window of opportunity ticked by and after searching the diaper bag 37 times, the car 42 times and my usual key drop spot about 73 times panic set in. I offered my kids $5 if they found them, but no such luck. I was defeated and ready to give in. Just then my Mom called and when she heard my dilemma rushed over so I could drive her back home and then take her car. My fairy godmother!

In the end it all worked out. My bathroom floor is cleaner than it has been for quite some time, I managed to find something to wear for very little $$, I even remembered I had a darling dressy outfit for Joshua that someone gave me when Nate was born. It was fun to dress up and see everyone else all dressed up, Joshua was an angel baby, dinner was fancy and I tried scallops for the first time (fyi: didn't like them, I wanted to, but found them to be like fish-flavored marshmellows), we had excellent company at our table, and there was a fabulous program of singing and dancing to some of my favorite broadway numbers. Such a fun night.

One of my handsome dates, wish I would have gotten a picture of Brennan and me, oh well. Isn't he so cute?

Update

Brennan was golfing on Saturday and just as he was about to take a shot he heard a buzzing sound and started panicking and swatting at what he was sure was a bee coming in for the kill. After a few fruitless swats he realized the "buzzing" was actually his phone in his back pocket on vibrate. We love Brennan.

Anna and Chloe spent about 2 hours making Nate over. They put make up and girls clothes and a wig on him hoping they could convince us all that Nate had invited a new school friend, "Brittany" over. I wish I could have taken a picture, but I can't find my memory card. He was quite a sight and a very good sport. Her greatest joy is to scare or trick someone. We love Anna.

A good friend of mine called the other day with wonderful news that they're expecting a baby. When Abby heard this she was so excited and quickly rattled off how perfectly their family matches up with ours. "Emily and Anna, Abby and Abby, Jackson and Nate, Cooper and Ben, their baby and Josh, and Mac (their dog) and Patches!" So like her to include our stinky little guinea pig. We love Abigail.

Nate has his first basketball game tonight. I can't even describe how excited about this he is. This morning as he laid in his bed upon waking up he started yelling, "Who's coming to my game tonight?" My kids are all pretty transparent, especially Nate. This fact has its disadvantages, but I absolutely love this about them when they're happy or excited. We love Nate.

I get excited about Halloween costumes for my kids. I love it when we can think of something unique or especially fitting for them. However, inevitably, each of my kids go through a phase of wanting to be the same thing every other kid that age wants to be. I give in knowing eventually they'll be up for a more fun costume another year. This year Ben has been bound and determined to be a storm trooper. Yesterday I finally bought him the silly costume with the stupid mask that covers his cute little face. Right when we got home he wanted to try it on. He was so excited and as soon I finished helping him get it on I suggested he go look at himself in the mirror. He came running back to me yelling, "I look FAB-LEOUS!" It was the cutest, most sincere, most enthusiastic little utterance ever. I'm so glad I didn't deny him that joy. We love Benjamin.

Joshua is getting more and more delicious every day. He is so quick to smile and laugh and just be plain adorable. I feel like I'm going to explode with how happy he makes me. He's getting pleasantly plump and I can't get enough of him. The other day Benny was shaking toys above him and got him to laugh which made Ben burst out laughing which made me almost die of laughter and joy. I'm sure the three of us on the floor laughing at a few rattles shaking was quite a sight. We love Joshua.

Weekend

This is my favorite picture of my Grandma, isn't she beautiful? Friday was my Grandma's funeral. It was really so nice and perfectly her. Each of the talks were totally different but all so good. There was lots of music which is what my Grandma wanted. There was a gorgeous Chopin piano solo called "Raindrop Prelude". When my uncle called the woman who was going to play it she first thought they wanted her to play "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head". Close call, we've all had a good laugh at that. The next musical number was a grandchildren choir I figure there were 42 of us up there with two cousins on missions and two of them too little to sing. We sang my Grandma's request "I Often Go Walking" and then "Love is Spoken Here". It was so powerful and emotional, but most of us managed to at least sing some of it. The final musical number was "O Divine Redeemer" sung by my brother, Braden, and cousin, Ashley. It was the perfect thing to end on, truly sublime.

Here are all her children, yes my aunt has 7 brothers and then had 5 sons.

A definite highlight of the weekend was having all my parents' grandkids together.

Hanging out at my parents' enjoying Bradens' family.

My oldest brother and his sweet family live in TN and we rarely see them. Their oldest kids are significantly older than the rest of the kids, but aside from their size, that was never apparent. They were so sweet and fun and interested in the little kids. Ben is obsessed with Spencer. All of my kids were EXTREMELY bitter when they had to say goodbye. One of my greatest joys is having my kids love their cousins so much.

Friday was kind of a marathon day. We got up and got ready and headed out for the viewing before the funeral. As we closed the casket my tender kids were so sad and emotional. It broke my heart, but I am so grateful I could look them in the eye and remind them how happy my Grandma is and that that was only her body taking a rest for now. Her spirit is joyfully reuniting with Grandpa and loved ones and our Savior.

After the funeral and the cemetery we went back to the church for lunch. Those poor Relief Society women had quite a crowd to feed, but did so wonderfully. After lunch we gathered at my grandparents' home for probably the last time and sat around sharing our memories of her. Then all of my siblings and our families and my parents gathered at my parents' home. We had dinner and played games. It was so nice just to be together. I loved that my older kids were old enough to play with us. I remember being "old enough" to learn those same games with my uncles and aunts and it was a huge deal.

Saturday, Christian, Rebecca, Oliver and Amelia went home. Later that day we gathered for a giant soccer game and then the pumpkin patch. They came home and each got to decorate their pumpkins. We left our kids, except for Joshy, at my parents' with Braden and Eliza's kids so that all the adults could go out to dinner. It was so much fun to enjoy a night out with some of my very favorite people.

Sunday Davis and Melissa left and after a nice Sunday dinner with Braden's family at mom and dad's we said goodbye to them.

We have so much to be grateful for.

Goodbye

Last Wednesday I got to go say goodbye to my Grandma June. She died on Friday. I'm so grateful I had that chance and it was so neat to gather at the hospital with so many of my aunts and uncles and cousins and siblings. I will always treasure that memory; however, given that I was a little emotionally overwhelmed and that there was quite a crowd I basically just said goodbye and that I loved her. As soon as I left the hospital and throughout these days since I've thought of so many other things I wish I would have said. So, here through my blog is my letter to my Grandma. My beloved Grandma who I'm missing so much but can't help but be happy for. She's been without Grandpa for a little over two years and I think they were the longest two years of her life. She and Grandpa met in the 7th grade (or was it 9th?) and they were just one of those couples that clearly belonged together. Even in my sadness it makes me smile to think of the two of them together again.

Dear Grandma,

Please give my love to Grandpa. If you happen to see my Mom's parents please give them my love as well. I miss you all so much! I know I'm blessed to have such amazing grandparents, I'm so sad not to have any of you here with us now.

One of my greatest joys is that most of my children will have memories of you. My Anna June will remember her namesake and have a clear picture of a great woman she has that connection with. They were so sad to hear you had moved on. We've loved having you around so much these past few years when you stayed with Mom and Dad or came for Sunday dinners or to our cousin camps in the summers. For as many kids as we always have running around at our get-togethers you seemed to always see them all. With 46 grand kids and 34 great grand kids it would be easy to for each little face to sort of blend together in a huge mass of craziness, but you somehow seemed to be able to see each one of us and understand who we were just by quietly interacting or watching. I was always surprised by your insight when you would tell me something you'd observed about my kids. I would love to be more like you in that way, maybe if I were quiet ever I would learn some things.

Brennan loves you and has always felt close to you and Grandpa. That too means the world to me. I'm so happy he was touched by your lives and goodness. He takes pride in being part of your company and that connection with both of you.

I would love to be like you if and when I ever grow up, Grandma. You are so refined without a hint of snobbishness. You managed to raise 8 amazing children and opened your home as foster parents I don't know how many times. You somehow also found time to develop your talents with music and literature and gardening. You were married to a man with a larger than life personality and you were happy to give him the spotlight, but you never disappeared. You are articulate and well read and up on current events and were happy to converse, but never needed to show off your knowledge. Mostly, you are a deeply spiritual, self-less, righteous woman who stayed on the path to the end. I hope to be so prepared to meet the Lord as you were. I love you so much and I'm so grateful to have your faithful example to cling to until we meet again. Mostly, I'm grateful that you'll be my Grandma forever.

Goodbye, Grandma. I love you!

A Good Day

Today was a good day. We're in one of those intense stages -- intensely joyful and intensely stressful. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong it's just the typical chaos that comes with a houseful of adorable, noisy, affectionate, emotional kids plus a newborn. It's the insanity of simultaneously helping 3 kids with homework, holding a sometimes fussy baby or even feeding baby, making dinner, and entertaining 3 year old. You know just that stuff that on any given day makes me feel like either Wonder Woman or a cranky old lady who just really needs a shower. Anyway, I don't take good days for granted.

It was a really cold morning so while Ben watched a show and Joshy slept I took a nice hot bath. Already off to a great start. Then as we drove to our weekly grocery shopping adventure Ben was very seriously discussing things with me in the cutest way ever. He was saying things that an adult would say, but he said them with his lisp and sweet little voice. When I told him my Grandma was sick he quickly asked, "Is she going to be okay?" For some reason that made me smile the rest of our drive.

At the store I let Ben choose a toy that he can have as soon as he's potty trained. He had a really hard time choosing, but finally did and I was really glad it wasn't the toy hunting rifle. We came home and Ben took a nap while I watched almost a whole movie while I fed Joshua. He's a slow eater, but sometimes it's nice. I didn't have to drive carpool. The kids came home happy and noisy. Anna got most of her homework done at school and went to piano this afternoon having practiced this week! Abby had her friend Paige over and they let Ben and Nate play hide and seek with them downstairs. Happily occupied children is truly a piece of heaven.

When Ben woke up I put his new toy up in the closet right where he can see it when he sits on his little toilet in the bathroom. We put his underwear on and he went potty several times sometimes in the toilet and sometimes not, but no big messes. You'd have thought he re-discovered the theory of relativity by his siblings' reactions to his successes. So cute. Ben was so proud of himself, couldn't wait to go tell the neighbors that he went potty in his toilet. I'm cautiously optimistic.

I knew what I was making for dinner and had it in the oven by 4:30 (UNbelievably rare). Most of the kids actually liked and ate dinner. Brennan came home and held the baby so I could get some things done. He made Joshua laugh so hard. I made a dent in the messes. We played our own version of charades for family home evening and that always cracks me up. Ben does the exact same thing every time he gets a turn which is to run around fake fighting an invisible foe and jumping and landing in really awesome poses. When we use up all the usual guesses and still don't get it, he'll say, "I'll give you a clue" and then tells us exactly who he's supposed to be. Brennan for reals acted out his favorite animal, the sloth, again (just in the game).

Now the noisy ones are all asleep and it's just Brennan, baby and me. It was a Good day.