Weekend Wrap Up

This past weekend was crazy busy.

First, it's all official...I'm a college graduate. I didn't make it to convocation like I had hoped, but we did meet up with some of the Snow clan to celebrate at my favorite pizza place...

can't get enough of the Vego Pizza!

I can't believe I no longer have textbooks, classes and homework to worry about.

I couldn't have done it without every single one of them!

I'm overwhelmed with love and gratitude for this group...

Saturday had us preparing for a lovely baby shower that we hosted for Lauren and Chris and their brand-new Emma. I didn't get any pictures, but the shower was very enjoyable and there was a great turnout. The couple heads East soon and we are going to miss their family!

Easter came and went in a flash and I believe there are pictures somewhere I took...need to find time to sort through them. Huge shout out to my mother-in-law for having us and making the day completely stress free and fun!

Ahh...Motherhood

• This post will not include a photo...I know, lame.
• I washed an I Pod Touch in the washing machine last week...on the long timed setting.
• I dropped the aforementioned I Pod Touch walking into the repair store and cracked the screen.
• I forgot..oops...I mean I wasn't aware that there was a National Pancake Day a week or two ago and I was informed that I was the only mom who did not make pancakes that day :(
• I found out that April 24th is National Pigs in a Blanket Day...it's on my calendar :)
• I also found out that there is a National you fill in the blank   Day for every day of the year. My favorite is "Have a Coke Day" which is on Mother's Day...how perfect is that?
• Today I heard about a study out of the UK that said the unhappiest families were those composed of  4 girls...not kidding about this one...EXCEPT I beg to differ. The happiest families they claim consist of two girls. Second place goes to one boy, one girl. Of course, since my Stats class, I've come to question any claim published or broad casted that is not substantiated. However, I didn't need my Stats knowledge to seriously question this study.

There you have it...I have had a few long sighs the past week or so...but motherhood is one job that makes all the sighs worth it!

A Slice of Heaven

I experienced a slice of heaven for 48 hours last week.

Pristine coastal weather combined with a beautiful setting and void of distractions.

I sat on the pictured deck and studied for my Stats final for hours.

It's just not the same trying to study at home or in a library.

I took away a little of this slice of heaven in the form of a sunburn.

Dan and I fell asleep next to the pool on our first day only to be awakened by the pool guy asking us if we'd like our sunglasses cleaned. Perhaps it's a good idea he came along because the only place I put sunscreen on was my face (50 spf I might add) and it was spared. I underestimate just how little the rest of me has seen the sun in the months. For now, aloe vera jelly is my best friend.

And thank you Dana Point for providing a perfect escape!

A Classic

How I every managed to not read this book before is beyond me.

I am hooked right now on Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre.  I'm not quite half way through it and I find myself reading phrases out loud to Dan or whoever else is around.

After Sister Dibbs referenced Jane Eyre in the Young Women Broadcast a few weeks ago, 

it dawned on me I needed to read this English classic.

Emily in the meantime had ordered a beautiful copy of the classic.

 She obliged me and I'm reading it first!

However, I plan on purchasing my own copy to mark up and underline.

Anyone out there seen the latest movie version of Jane Eyre?

She Wins...We All Win

Emily entered my bedroom late last night grinning ear to ear,

 informing me that she was the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship. 

Apparently, she has taken the initiative and responded to a few different scholarship opportunities.

We had no idea and she had actually forgotten about this particular response she had made at the end of February.

Yesterday she got the great news...her response had been selected and therefore she would be having the extra funds deposited into her BYU Student account.

When she shared the news with Dan, he said he felt like he had won a $1,000 too.

Isn't that the truth! Her London fund just got a little bigger!

Completion

Hilary finished her personal progress and the culmination came at our Stake's Recognition Night.

She displayed a few things that represented some of the value projects she completed over the years.

Some of the value projects included reading the Book of Mormon (twice); Health and nutrition; Temple Attendance; Sewing projects.

 We are proud of her for sticking with it and accomplishing so many good things!

E is for Emily

My quiet, independent, oldest child is very low maintenance.

She always has been and I think she always will be.

Having said that, I don't ever want to look back on my blog books

 (for which purpose I try to keep this updated),

and wonder why there is so little noted about her lately.

Because I assure you, life is crazier than ever for her.

She studies, she works, she studies some more, ice skates once a week with her peers and keeps up her own blog, which is far superior to this one.

She also manages to listen to me, laugh with me, and offer sound advice. She is still my child, but I recognize as she continues to mature and grow older (almost nineteen...yikes) she is an adult with amazing, exciting, and I'm sure some challenging opportunities ahead.

As I dropped her off at class today, I pondered all the way home how fortunate I am to be her mother, and yes, her friend too.