Anne's long hair

We got the idea from Rosie to straighten Anne's hair! The first time (in GA) it looked a bit like straw, and we realized she needed a trim, but we tried it again last week for church, and she wanted it "CURLERED" every day! I gave her the choice of straightening iron or water bottle, and she chose iron every time.  She loves (the attention and) being able to say, "I have long hair like Maddie and like Emily!"

As to her skin---the homeopath drops really seemed to be helping for the first week or two, but I feel like we're not getting anywhere again.  Others comment that she's looking better, so maybe I'm just too close to it to see, but in the meantime, I'm trying SO hard to be patient and trust the Lord through all of this.  Here she is playing Dr.--if anyone knows how, she does!

We WISH she were a COMPUTER DR. !!!! since our computer crashed the day after we got back from GA.  2 months out of the warranty, so we took it to a shop for a week while they fixed it, and were able to retrieve all of our files, etc.  That way, after many tears of frustration, it only took me 2 hours to have everything reconnected and working again.  I feel like our computer has become what our cars used to be in that (6 years of) newlywed stage :).  Nice to have our patience tried and priorities straightened! Speaking of repairs, Maddie also had laser surgery last week to pull the canines from the roof of her mouth! What a trooper she is! Lots of fun hurdles to help us appreciate success!

But then, there are days like yesterday, where everything just feels perfect, and it's easy to press on:  I had picked up Mom to spend the night with us before she headed back to GA after staying w/ Grandma Priday for a week, and we started the morning--through a fresh 6" of snow w/ our Institute class together--so fun to take her w/ me! The children got jobs done and snow clothes on while I made some bread, and went sledding over at the highschool (Anne couldn't get enough!!), while Mom treated us to Subway for lunch.  Brent stayed home with Brian to watch BYU WIN!!!! their big basketball game (HOORAY!!), I took Mom to the airport, which seemed only to be taking her an hour away, since we've seen so much more of each other lately, then came home to bathe the babies before Brian and I enjoyed a really fun(ny) High Priest Social.  Just a lot of good fun, where I LOVE our house and our family and our stage of happy life just like we are! I am amazed again at how Pres. Monson's simple talk on being grateful can bring GREAT things to pass! There ARE SO MANY blessings to count!

Lucy Birthday

Happy Valentine's Day! and Happy first Birthday Lucy!!
Nate & Stacey were so good to have us for dinner, that Sunday right after we got back from GA--they made a GREAT heart cake for Lucy's birthday, and had beautiful Valentine's tables and place settings for all of us! Brian was a little sick that day, but we opened gifts when we got back, and were all up and running by Monday.  I made pink smoothies and stawberry oatmeal for breakfast that day, then a big heart shaped pizza and giant heart cookie for dinner/FHE treats.  Lucy is SO much fun as she tries to sing during songs now, babble talk as though we should understand, feed herself and drink from a cup, and just ENJOY every interaction she has with us.  I still can't believe how much you can love a new child, no matter how many you already have to love!!

GA Trip part 4

Wednesday I came down w/ a UTI, so after losing my insurance card--and a way into Urgent Care (turns out Brian had a spare in his wallet all along), I got into good old Dr. Patel Thursday morning, got an antibiotic, and then we all headed up to Dahlonega to see Scott and Rebekah's home and stomping ground.  Rebekah gave us a fun tour of the town and Katya's school, and we all enjoyed pizza for lunch at their house.  We also checked out the Nike outlet store on the way home (losing Spencer for a few frightening moments at the playground when he headed the wrong way to the cars, and was fortunately directed to a security guard--and all w/o tears!!...at least not his!).  Brian and I stole away for a little that night to taste Zaxby's that we've missed, and find a birthday gift for Lucy.  Friday I followed Mom to her  intense water aerobics class and finished getting things washed and packed up. We played over at Madsen's for a little bit, and Rosie and Nattie got to spend time w/ us one more time.  The weather was just starting to warm up again (it had snowed Thursday!!), so the kids had fun riding the wagon and Kettcar down the driveway and hilly road.  The kids watched an episode of "Psych" (their new favorite show!--at least the older ones) while Mom, Dad, Katie, Briant, Brian, and I went to a decadent meal at the Magnolia Thomas Restaurant.  We got up at 5 Saturday morning to begin the trek back, and were home, thanks to Stacey picking us up from the airport!, by about 5 that night, in time for supper and baths.  The ride home was a bit simpler, and everyone SLEPT finally!! (NONE of the babies slept a WINK the whole trip out!) .Poor Maddie has had an armful of work to keep busy with in makeup work, and Spencer is STILL waking up an hour early every morning, but other than that,we're not much worse for the wear, and SO happy at the chance we had to be with everyone there.  LOTS of thanks for all of the meals and housing, and HUGE schedule adjustments to be together!! We all loved it and Maddie said the first week back in school, "I was worried school would be so hard or boring after a vacation, but it was actually nice, flew by, and I kept looking at people around me wondering why they seemed so glum--I just feel REFRESHED!!"  Brent is worried at how much Nattie-boo and Margot (or Marble, as Anne calls her) will change too much before we see them again, we weren't sure if Emily's and Katya's hips could handle the separation, we're still enjoying all of Kristen's handmedowns and gifts, and can't stop smiling when we think of Jack calling me "Mom" or Rosie's contagious giggles! Family is just the best!! It was good to feel happy (and not bitter) coming home, and we could only wish the distances were shorter.  On every count though, we are TERRIBLY BLESSED with family on every side, and so glad for the strength and joy they are to us!

GA Trip part 3

Tuesday Anne & I got to go w/ Mom to bookclub @ Briant & Katie's house, and that night, TJ & Kristen had us over for yummy taco salad and games--is "Attack Uncle TJ" considered a game?

We drove west on Wednesday to get our family pictures done, and then drove past our old house/school/etc.  Our house was actually up for sale, so we got to peek inside--NOTHING had been changed either!!--except that it was terribly worn down.  The kids all thought the house was smaller than they remembered, but that the yard was bigger! House prices have dropped a lot, and as hard as it was to leave, it now looks like we sold at just the right time!! Imagine buying a house for $45,000!!!, when we sold it 5 years ago for nearly double that!! I also got to have lunch (we used to have a "Birthday Luncheon" every year) w/ old friends Kristy and Kristina while we were in West Cobb.  It's such a strength to have great friends! That night, we girls (Mom, Katie, Maddie, Emily, and I) went out for a HUGELY delicious bite of dessert, then brought the leftovers home to share w/ the boys.

GA Trip part 2

Monday, thanks to Scott and Rebekah's savvy, we got great deals on tickets to the GA Aquarium, and we loved having them come w/ us & G&G to see all the fish, and have a very crowded lunch at the Famous Varsity afterwards.

It was an AMAZING aquarium, and lots of fun! We came back for dinner and FHE at Mom and Dad's before Scott & Rebekah's family went back home.

GA Trip part 1

February 27, 2011
Dear Family,

We took a trip to GA!!!After crazy traveling (any travel w/ 6 children HAS to be crazy doesn't it?), we stayed @ Mom and Dad's for a week, enjoying the Georgia Aquarium (that we had never caught while we were living there), a little hiking, a drive past our old home, and lots of wonderful cousin and aunt and uncle time.

We left our house Friday morning (2/4) around 9:30, flew to Phoenix, then flew to Birmingham, then after a brief rental car debacle (misquoted price on a suburban rental, and fairly absent customer service), we drove a 7 passenger minivan 3 more hours to Marietta, getting in around 2 AM!!  The last pictures are at the Birmingham airport--what our luggage and exhaustion looked like at that point, and how grateful we were for Brian being able to drive so well and long after a day like that!!

After sleeping in Saturday morning, all the GA family gathered for a little hike and dinner afterward.

Scott & Rebekah stayed over w/ us Saturday night, so we got a little cousin sleepover (minus the sleep, and ending w/ mostly everyone separated--in order to stay w/ tradition!), and then all enjoyed going to church together the next morning, where we got to see a LOT of new faces, but a lot of dear familiar ones as well, AND we got to be there for Briant's first week conducting as a bishopric counselor.  After church and naps, the Madsen's (who are also in the ward!) had us over for a raclette feast and fun games.  Anne finally realized who it is that made her blankie, and sat on Carrie's lap singing songs for a good while.  Despite her misery, I was grateful Anne could enjoy this trip and getting to know cousins and G&G's house, etc.  She had a lot of fun--and probably enjoyed the planeride more than any of us!