2 Dates and other stuff

DATE #1
Jason and I have been trying to get out more often.  Together.  With just us.  (And a sleeping Amelia.)  One night we ran to Target after the kids were in bed to look for dress shoes for Jason.  Let me just say right now that I was not attired in "Target appropriate" clothing.  Yes.  I know.  I was horrifically out of touch with Target's unwritten dress code.  I had NO Make-up.  None.  My hair was still pulled back in the weird makeshift bun I used for my shower that morning.  And I wore a worn out, old, bleach stained shirt. I would have fit in if we had just gone to Walmart.  At least I didn't wear slippers.  But let's be honest, it's only because I don't currently own a pair. I did, however, purchase a new pair of pajamas that I am in love with.  I wish I could wear them all day long.  There are some really cute things at that store.  But we made some awesome discoveries too.  I'm almost 33 so I can laugh at some of the styles now, right?  Rows of weird blouses (which someone cuter than me could pull off), and weird printed pants.  My favorite was a one piece short jumpsuit.  Awesome. I seriously know people who could wear that and look adorable, but on the hanger, it doesn't scream, "TRY ME ON!"

DATE #2
Another night we decided to go bowling.  I totally always forget about bowling.  Liam had picked to go for his birthday and we decided it would be fun to do again on our own.  It was sort of the best of times and the worst of times.  On the one hand, I broke 120 and Jason (very gentlemanly) let me win.  I've never beat him before.  Or even got half his score.  On the other hand, I experienced my new most embarrassing moment.  You know when someone is in the lane next to you bowling at the exact same time how disconcerting it is?  Well, that happened and I tried to stop but...my momentum was already going forward.  So then I was just trying not to let my foot go over the line-but it did.  Holy COW those lanes are really waxy slippery.  My arm spasmed and I couldn't let go of the ball.  So.  I completely slipped with arms flailing all over the place and landed on my rear end.  There was this audible GASP.  Like on Wii bowling when you throw the ball back instead of forward.  Yeah. And then the guy next to me was like, "Hey.  That was a nice shot.  I enjoyed that."  And I nonchalantly replied, "Yeah.  I know.  I strive to entertain." Or something only slightly witty like that.  I'm blushing all over again as I'm writing this.

OTHER NEW STUFF:
Amelia can almost always sit up by herself now.  She enjoys any solids I give her and she is getting a new tooth.  Still.
Eli is currently in transition.  Or something.  MAN.  That kid.  He is very contrary right now.  But he looks at me with his stubborn face and his strawberry hair and big eyes and I want to hug him.  But he won't let me.  Sigh.
Natalie is very busy.  She is learning to read and thinks she is Amelia's mommy.  She carries her doll with her a lot of places now (at my suggestion so she'll leave Amelia to me.)  We walked to the park last week and she pushed her baby all the way there and back in the doll stroller.  She also just had some major dental work done.  (crown, root canal, etc.) But she fell asleep during the procedures.  I wish I could fall asleep at the dentist!
Liam is struggling with his health a little.  I had a scary doctor's visit where we discussed things that I was worried about but thinking I was only being an over-protective, paranoid parent.  Turns out, they're valid concerns.  Yeesh.  He is really liking school, much to my relief.  I was a little worried about his teacher but so far everything has been great.
Janey is enjoying the weather.  She'll ask if she can go walk around the house "to help her calm down".  Next year I want to make sure she has her own garden so she'll stop digging in mine and picking my produce.  She is really into fairies right now and spend a lot of time picking flowers to make fairy rings and stuff like that.
Lizzy is really into organizing still.  She cleans her room every night before bed.  She is liking school and she and Jane are enjoying having their friend Riley back.  She enjoys cooking and has been BEGGING me to make dinner.  As soon as I have a sink...as soon as I have a sink...
Ben is back in school this year and likes it.  But he doesn't like homework.  And I don't like makeup work.  But we all have to do things we don't like sometimes.  He has some good friends in school this year, for which I am very grateful.  He just got back from Clear Creek where the 5th and 6th graders got to do an overnight-er.  I remember my 6th grade trip.  So. FUN!
Jason has 4 callings in the ward and has been working extra hours this last week at work.  He's super handsome and amazing and I'm a lucky girl to have him.  I have no callings so I follow him around and bug him about his.
 I'm surviving with no kitchen and no phone for at least another week but I think I'll make it.  I hope.  Washing dishes in the bath tub is so passe.  I am however, SO GRATEFUL to have a dryer that works!  Ours broke the week after we moved back in after the fire.  So a working dryer is a HUGE blessing.  We survived THE storm of 2013 with only a little flooding.  In fact, it was entertaining to watch it out the window.

Just Stuff

I know I'm way behind on this thing.  But so much has happened- to much really to catch up on, so here are some random things that have happened lately. The video shows how fast Amelia has already grown.  She loves, LOVES her brothers and sisters and coos a lot during the day.

 She is still the best sleeper EVER at night but doesn't like to take long naps unless she's being held.  So I never seem to get much done.

  In other news, Eli found this big dog at the Findlay reunion and chased it around and around.  My other kids were all scared to death of it but he couldn't get enough.  He also couldn't get enough Cheetos and pop.  He kept opening cans of pop, drinking a few sips, and then getting another to try.

The house is still in disarray.  We currently have cement for a floor in the kitchen as a prep for the tile they'll be laying.  Soon.  I hope.  We are living with dust and paper plates and lots of visits to Grandma's.  We are so grateful for all the love and support that our family and ward have given us.  Jason and I will remember this as the "summer of fire" but the kids will remember the fun at the hotels and grandma's and having Daddy home so much.All in all, I think the whole experience has blessed our family enough to make all the inconvenience and trials worth it.

Mimi is 8 weeks!

Our little Mimi is such a good baby.  She's already had some 5 hour blocks of sleep at night.  Her favorite activities include laying on her stomach on my lap while I play the piano and cooing and grinning at anyone who looks at her after a diaper change or a feeding.  She also loves to be outside and ride in her stroller for our daily walks.  Her not so faves are wet diapers and an empty tummy. Nicknames:  Skeezit, Millie, Milias, Toots McGee, Snort, Cheeks McGillicutty, and my favorite from Eli: D'Amelia.

A New Embarassing Moment to Add to the List

After trying for several weeks to get to the temple for our date we were finally successful this week!  Yay!  BUT.  If you'll notice the title of my post.  yeah.  It was REALLY, I'm talking REALLY hot in that sealing room.  And I'm pregnant.  And I've been having issues with my heart racing.  NO, I did NOT pass out.  I made it through the session- but by the skin of my teeth.  I had the chair on either side of me in a death grip to stay focused.  One of the sisters in the room had to excuse herself and go out into the hall.  The other sister followed her out to make sure she was okay. Upon leaving the room after the session, I had to sit down but it was still SO HOT.  Then I noticed that there was already a wheel chair and several official looking people around.  The other sister passed out once she reached the hall, and let me tell you, it is a serious thing when it happens.  For instance, did you know there is juice and cookies available if you get woozy?  So here I am, trying to be all nonchalant, but I can barely breathe because my heart is going about a million times a minute and I'm roasting in the 100% polyester gown I rented to fit my baby belly.  I heard the lady at the elevator say they had a lot of sisters struggling today, and then she pointed at ME, "look at this poor sister here, she doesn't look well either."  ugh.  So one of the sweet temple workers comes over and basically, she took my all my outer stuff, i.e. veil, robe, etc off for me.  She wouldn't let me stand up.  (I didn't think that was allowed.)  But I cooled off a lot faster.  So I decided I could walk again, because really, I've felt a lot worse before.  But the lady took my arm and wouldn't let me walk AND I had to take the elevator down.  I kept telling them I was fine, because I have had a LOT worse this pregnancy and I just have to push through it.  Plus Jason was there.  Well, then a guy appeared and took my name and number down.  So they can call and check?  Or maybe so if I pass out in the dressing room they know who I am?  I told you, it's a serious thing.  And I didn't even pass out.  So, I got escorted all the way to my locker and then was informed that someone would keep an eye on me to make sure I didn't pass out in the cubicle.  ummm. ok.  So embarrassing.  But they were SO NICE.  When I came out of the room they escorted me to a bench to wait for Jason.  She told me no more sealings or initiatorys from now until after the pregnancy.  What I say is, no more polyester gowns and 100 degree rooms.  But the main thing is, I got to go to the temple.  And that's what matters.