Last week was my birthday week. I should have kept a better journal of what happened because then this post wouldn't be full of a bunch of holes. Anyway, it was an awesome week and here is what I remember.
Sunday: Sustained and set apart in my new calling. I am the 2nd Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. I am over the teachers, the music, and the YSA women and the Laurels moving up into RS. Something new for me this time round (years back I was the 2nd counselor in charge of Enrichment - back when it was still called Enrichment) is that the presidency takes care of all the visiting teaching assignments - we have no visiting teacher coordinator to do it all. So that is a lot of work. I'm teaching the Presidency Lesson in Relief Society this upcoming Sunday. Derek was also sustained and set apart to his new calling, which is the assistant ward clerk over finances. This translates to a lot of work, but mostly concentrated on Sundays for 2 or so hours after church. My calling, so far, has translated into a lesson to teach next week, a talk to give the week after, a meal to make for a sister tomorrow, 3 meetings, daily conversations with the President, and I only have Thursdays (except for every third Thursday of the month) as my only day of the week where I am available to do anything. Hmmm.
Also, on Sunday I started reading the first book in the Fablehaven series. I just needed something to read.
Monday: I finished the first book in the Fablehaven series. It was a blustery stormy day outside, but not rainy and not really even cold. I LOVED just sitting and reading a book. Plus Derek worked from home so I could run Joshua to school and back without worrying about the other kids. And the kids didn't fight, I think all day long. It was awesome. That evening was the last presidential debate -and I am so glad because not only do those things make me incredibly nervous, they often make me incredibly angry. But this one was excellent and I think the American people who have eyes to see and ears to hear will be able to see clearly their two choices - if they choose differently than I do, that is of course ok, but I think it is important that we know exactly what we are choosing because we will be held accountable to that. (PS. How in the world is anyone still "undecided,"? Doesn't that seem a little weird? What are these people waiting for? Have they just not thought about the election yet? Come on! It's only a little over a week away!)
Tuesday: My actual birthday. I went to a Dr.'s appointment and everything looks great. The baby was doing exactly what he was supposed to be doing and is exactly the size he is supposed to be. That afternoon I worked on the kids Halloween costumes - which is really fun for me in a way. I made two swords, a pirate eye patch, two tinkerbell shoes, and a Smee cap. I didn't get to the hook. Derek brought home Panda express for dinner and I ate way too much but it was so awesome not to even THINK about making a dinner. Then I had a RS presidency meeting and it was so FUN!! I am by far the youngest in the presidency - which makes sense because I am probably one of the very youngest in our RS, but the other women are so fun and we get a long so well already. It was fun to plan and prepare and discuss, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Wednesday: Can't remember much. But it must have been good. I baked cookies that evening - the pumpkin orange cookies - and they were fantastic.
Thursday: Found a babysitter last minute (Thanks Heidi!!!) and attended a couponing class at Derek's work. I've done couponing before and not much of the information was new, but it was so fun to be in a workplace again (it's been 6 years) and to spend time with Derek without the children. Joshua didn't have school because we had parent teacher conference and that was fun. He is doing exceptionally well in school, is slightly above grade level in reading and writing, and got 3 O's (Outstanding) for "following directions," "getting along with others," and "obeying the rules." In fact, his teacher who is our neighbor joked that sometimes he reminds HER of the rules. That afternoon I baked pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. That evening my in-laws came over and we celebrated my birthday with take out from Costa Vida. The kids were exceptionally well behaved. My inlaws brought me a bunch of tulips to plant - and we would have done so that evening except it had snowed either that day or the day before, I can't remember which. Anyway, it was too cold and too late. My husband also surprised me with a SUN OVEN!!! Yea!! I've wanted one for a number of years now. It was still being shipped so it wasn't there right then and there, but he informed me it was coming. I also got "Being George Washington" by Glenn Beck. George Washington is one of my favorite people and I've read a good amount about it, but I was excited for this book. So I started it that evening.
Friday: And on Friday I finished it. It was a great book. Friday afternoon the weather was fantastic so the kids and I all played outside. Until I made them work. I raked all (most of) the leaves that were carpeting our backyard and the kids collected 3 boxes full of walnuts to add to the other 6 or 7 full boxes in the garage. For their hard work (and minimal complaining for a 5, 3, and 1 year old) I promised them a trip to the dollar store on Saturday.
Saturday: We ran a bunch of errands which was fun. I bought new blinds at Home Depot (Oh yes, I forgot to mention I totally broke our vertical blinds in our front window Monday night. Yes, they just came crashing down and we've had to avoid that room as much as possible during all dark and slightly dark hours of the day and night so as not to expose ourselves to our neighbors curiosity - in case they are curious). We picked up the Sun Oven. And of course, went to the dollar store. That afternoon was the ward Fall Festival (read as Halloween Party) and the kids dressed up in their costumes. Plus I donned one (sort of) as well. Photos after Halloween. Neither my chili, nor cookies, nor muffins won a prize. And because there was so much food everybody had left overs to take home. And I'm glad people didn't eat all that I had brought because those muffins and cookies are THE BEST... whether anyone else thinks so or not. And now I have some left over. Well, actually, by this afternoon we had eaten them all.
And that is basically how the week went. My house is now picked up, the dishes are done. And I just ate an entire Symphony chocolate bar that I got at the Stake Auxiliary training meeting I just attended. Besides feeling a little over-chocolatey, I'm feeling pretty good. Happy Birthday. I am now 31.
Next major life event: birthing my 4th baby. I'm crossing my fingers (ok, actually I am fervently praying) he is born on Friday, November 16th. I'm going for water breaking around 7:30 pm and a full delivery by midnight. Yes, somewhat specific, but I figure there is no harm in asking.
