9.18.11
1. Addie with Zinnias she got to pick from grandma's garden.
2. John with a hat from Greg's special stuff from life. It's some kind of scouting hat from way back when.
3. Our sleeping arrangement fro the past while. Amazingly they all took a nap that day.
4. The boys moving their mattresses. They are getting really strong and moved most of the mattresses, drawers and assorted other stuff this week.
5. Anna with her favorite camera pose. As I flipped through pictures from the year looking for one suitable for a matching game most are with her tongue out. When I looked through her baby album same thing her tongue is out in many. I guess maybe she is just proud of her tongue?
5. More moving pictures. REassembling the rooms. Uncle Matt helped John put together his bed with his new power tools from the troubleshooting win. They were slick although I don't know if I will ever get the bed apart again.
6. Aliza reading another MAgic tree house book. I love that author! What a great way to introduce kids to the world.
7. Harold and his dad "racing" and "jumping" on the ramp - shown in the next picture. Dad made it home before dark to try the ramp Harold had created and practiced on in between moving furniture. All the bike riders joined in and no one got a scrape!
8. John did not quite master jumping so he is just shown speeding by the ramp.
This week has been hopefully the almost last in the saga of our house. The electricians finally found the "big" problem hidden in a wall in the basement. It was miss wired and more amazing that it had worked without mishap for so long. We are thankful too. And I am more at ease in my house knowing it is hopefully all fixed up. Happy to report that all sockets, lights, and switches work. We have been using them more and more as the sun goes down so early these days. They told me this was a job they would remember for a quite a while and they hadn't seen something like this for a long long time. Oh goody. When they told me they bill by the hour we quickly agreed to do the cleanup and the replacement of covers on all the switches, boxes, and outlets. But they were super nice and after the first shock, really they got shocked on one spot. My kids thought it so funny I had to get them hushed because I'm sure it really smarted and was only made worse by laughing children. So after much crawling through the ceiling, and hunting every other place they got it done.
Then we were on to the carpet layers who weren't so professional but after a second trip to finish the job correctly it looks better especially after the carpet cleaning I did one night. So we are in our house again. Its nice to have room again. And I kinda like being separated from the kids for the time being. I may have a buyer for my missized windows and so that's hopefully good too. However, in this happy reconstruction we FINALLY got the bill from the contractor. Let's just say I was breathless all day. The total was lots. He assured me I had more money coming from insurance... but I highly suspect a RACKET. SO on one hand what's the beef? the insurance covers it, but when they are negotiating cost without my knowledge and when I would have spent the money with people I liked or trusted more, well I think it is a racket. But I guess I am thankful that it is going to be covered. And I guess this is a lesson to learn. Be very very careful about what you have them do. I would have been a lot more gung-ho on ripping stuff out myself- it goes back easily- and been less happy to sign on to the "oh we'll take care of that" train too.
So in the midst of all this we also did our first fruit run trip and oh my is it good. The eating peaches we get- Sweet Dreams- are divine. And lest I be bored or lazy in reading this week I will be canning and canning and canning. If for no other reason but to keep my Reed from eating it all fresh.
Last thought are you starving your mind and your spirit. I have been reading the Daughters in my Kingdom book- the new Relief Society History book. And almost everyone I have talked to about it has said oh yes, I just haven't opened it yet. It is SOOOO GOOOD!!! As usual I am learning so much of what we accept as just the way things are is a real gift and privileged. Where else do women lead, instruct, teach, and actively participate in decision making from such young ages? Aliza gave her first primary talk just a few weeks ago. That is teaching her to articulate her thoughts and feelings in front of a group. This is a huge skill. So please take some time if only the ten minutes before bed and read this really great book or any great book. It's invigorating, relaxing, and inspiring. I have also been struck by the importance of self-reliance of knowing how to take care of your self and your family, in all situations and times. Again a skill set or knowledge I just taken for granted. How thankful I am to have been taught and shown by example the importance of self reliance and self discipline. NOw as a parent I am realizing how hard, time consuming, and wonderful this is. I love being able to enjoy my kids make their own school lunches, or do the laundry, or nurture each other through stories or play time. How great it is for them to serve and learn. As I was sitting with them all tonight I was thinking wow families sure are great what a neat group we are to be friendly and comfortable with each other. It's times like these that make life so sweet.
Wishing you all the best and hoping you too are reaping the rewards of the year and your decisions in life that have brought you to a good place now. With love.
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