Road Trip!

The countdown is on. Only 1 more day 'til we leave for Chicago!

Just another day...

Well, a few weeks have gone by and we've all survived the big "move out". I can't believe how whiny I was about the whole situation, someone should have seriously said , "enough already!!!!" Maybe it's having an awesome new sewing/exercise room that padded the blow. Whatever it was, I'm glad that things are starting to be normal again ( whatever normal is). I really need to start posting here more regularly. Steve commented tonight on the infrequency of the posts. Now if Steve's complaining about not enough on the blog, you know it's pretty bad because most of the time he forgets we even have a blog. I don't know why I'm so terrible at it, I post regularly on my other blog. Maybe it's because there is always so many more interesting things going on in Relief Society. Nah, I think I'm just lazy. What could be more entertaining than Mason explaining to the dentist that he's not old enough to have x-rays and making sure to tell him about pretty much every embarrassing thing that has ever happened in our household. Yeah, it's gotta be the lazy thing because I have enough material provided by my family to post hourly. I know I say it all the time but I will try to be better.

Lexii is settled into her new apartment and loving life! Boy, does time go by fast. It seems like I should be preparing for a spring dance recital or kindergarten graduation, not planning what I can turn her bedroom into (it is going to make a really nice exercise and craft room though). My baby is no longer a baby. I'm sure going to miss seeing her and talking to her everyday, but I am very excited for this new chapter of her life. Ahh.... to be young again (no thanks, I had a hard enough time getting to where I am. Only a crazy person would want to do it over again)!

Lex, congratulations on surviving through the teenage years. You have a wonderful life ahead of you. Go and be brilliant as usual.

Life in the Dark Ages

Can you even remember what life was like pre-internet? My children often wonder how survival was possible before the modern conveniences of today. No spell check, no internet, non-existent cell phones? No call waiting, caller ID and the WORST- only 1 phone in the whole house? How cruel. Having to make plans with people face to face ahead of time would be unheard of today. I've watched Lexii check her Myspace, chat on the internet, talk on the phone and text all at the same time. That makes my brain hurt just thinking about it.

I do have to admit though, I love the internet. Just today I've hooked up with an old high school friend, chatted with friends, found out where my bro-in-law will be doing his residency, sent friends recipes via e-mail, looked up recipes, used my cell phone because I was waiting for a call on the other line, received a text message for a free DVD rental and a free meal if I live in Texas, found information on saving money, updated my blog and Facebook, watched an episode of Lost that I missed Wednesday and before the day is through I will have booked a flight, hotel and rental car and renewed library books. Isn't it amazing what you can do online!

Whew! I must have been a pretty boring person before the internet. The funny thing is- I thought that I was doing just fine.

Spelling Bee Update

Well, Nate has wowed us all again. He is advancing to yet another level of the spelling bee. I can't even pronounce most of the words, let alone spell them. So far he has been competing with 4-5-6 graders but now it will be 4-5-6-7-8 graders. The new word list contains 1,150 words but they haven't guaranteed that they will only go off of that list. It could be any of 45,000 words if competition is tough. He only has til March 10th to practice. Good luck Nate- nationals is only 1 step away!

Things have been pretty busy at our house lately. Definitely the biggest thing is that Nate is advancing to the next round of the spelling bee. He's made it through the class and the school and is on to the next level. Congratulations Nate! The next round is on February 17th.

The Bed

Mom- this post is for you! (And yes, that really is my bed.)

Growing up, there was always a constant battle between my Mom and I. The bed. She wanted my bed made every day. I didn't (and still don't) see the point. She would say she hated to walk by and see and unmade bed. My solution- close the door. I would remind her that it was my room and she would always trump me with the fact that it was her house. I still don't remember actually making it much. Usually it was the obligatory throw of the comforter over it all to at least cover it up. As an adult I still rarely make my bed and I don't force my kids to make their's either. I mean, what's the point? It's not like reusing a dirty dish or putting on dirty clothes. I still sleep great in it at the end of the day.
A couple of days ago we had a home visit from our adoption caseworker. It was one of those visits where they tour your house, go through your cupboards, and ask tons of personal, uncomfortable questions. Feeling totally inadequate, I decided I had better make my bed for the occasion. It only took a few minutes and it looked really nice! As I admired it, I thought, "Hey, maybe I'll make this again tomorrow!". As I left the room I thought it couldn't hurt to listen to Mom and maybe TRY to make it once in a while. I went downstairs to check the boys rooms and Nate proudly proclaimed "I made my bed! If my bed is made and my room is nice she will probably want to give us a baby". As I stood there thinking of the hundreds of reasons that she might not want to give us a baby, bed making didn't really make the list. So- sorry Mom. The kids still don't have to make their beds and I haven't made mine since. Steve has though, so maybe there is hope for me yet.