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.