A Boring Week

I last wrote on Valentines Day. That week was a nice week. Valentines Day was fun, Daniel and I had a couple of hot dates (one of Valentines Day, and then we got another Datebox that we dove into that Saturday after -- outdoor adventure themed, with hot soup dinner, candle-making, card games and a movie, the BFG -- so fun!), Brooke had a great time with preschool that week, we did the park one day ... A good week.

This last week was ... boring. Brooke developed a cough sometime during Valentines week, and so we spent a lot time at home, containing our illness and helping Brooke (and Daniel) to get better. Luckily, (or maybe I should say, so far) Camille and I have remained healthy. We cancelled preschool last week for various reasons; there were some rainy days, so we couldn't do the park or bike-riding much; mostly we stayed home, played, watched TV. Brooke wanted to paint just about every day, which we did; and Camille was pretty into playing with playdough this week, which we did just about every day.

I struggled with motivation this week, and as a result, didn't get as much done as I'd have liked. I also was struggling with boredom, and while I did play with the girls a lot, part of me really didn't feel like it. I think that getting out of the house really helps us all handle the days and the monotony better. Brooke is better now, though, so this coming week ought to be a bit better.

Last night was the ward's Youth Fundraiser dinner. There was a silent auction and live auction, dinner, and dancing. Cowboy/western themed, so -- pulled pork sandwiches and square dancing. We had a lot of fun visiting with friends and eating. Brooke and Lucy were having a great time playing together, and when they got the music going, Brooke pulled Lucy out onto the dance floor. Brother Haslam led the dancing by explaining and teaching some of the moves to the little kids; and then he called the dancing as everyone square danced. It was so fun watching Brooke and Lucy dancing together! They didn't get all the steps right, and the teenage girls were so nice, helping them. But they were sure trying and having a great time out there on the dance floor! They looked so small, dancing around with all the adults and older kids. I loved watching them out there! It was just so cute!

I love that Brooke is such a little social butterfly. She has so many friends that love her, and she loves them. She's not shy in the least, and is always ready to get out there and have some fun. That's kind of what happened last night. Daniel and I realized at one point that Brooke was not sitting at our table anymore, and we kind of asked each other, "Where's Brooke?" looking all around trying to find her. We finally spotted her up near the stage, dancing to the music (before square dancing) with Elliot and some of her other friends. She just heard the music, and grabbed some friends to go dance with her. I love that about her!

I went to the temple on Saturday. I'm trying to hit the temple every month before I have this little cherub. And it was nice yesterday, not nearly as busy as the last time I went. Afterwards, I felt so much peace and a bit more direction. Sometimes I feel bombarded with messages -- from church, from friends and family, from bloggers I follow, from the world at large. Some of them are good; many of them are good messages. Some are bad. But I come to realize that even though there are many that are good, not all of them need necessarily be for me in my life at this time. And going to the temple tends to clear out all the messages so that I am able to focus on what Heavenly Father's message is to me. I get a clearer picture of my life, the direction my life is taking, and my purpose right now. It's rather refreshing, actually. And also hard to describe. As I go through my daily tasks and work, taking care of my home and the girls, I get sidetracked a lot, thinking maybe I should be doing something else or something in addition to what I am doing. But then, I have to step back a little and remember that what I'm doing right now is the most important thing I could be doing. And that I don't have to do everything, or even all of the good things that I want to do or think I should do. It's okay to be choosey. I need to be choosey.

Anyway, that's just a little of what's been going on in my head this week. Or lately.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I just love this holiday! I think it's right up there with my favorites. I love decorating for Valentine's Day, and I love planning out gifts and valentines for my little family. I love the treats and all the love that goes around on Valentine's Day. And so far, this one has been great!

Daniel and I have both been busy the last couple of weeks making Valentine's gifts for each other. He kicked me out of the house one Saturday so that he could work on it without me seeing what he was up to. And I've been working on his when he works late. So this morning when I came downstairs, this is what I saw:

Some treats for the girls, and a wonderful gift for me. I really love it!!

And the girls (and Daniel) bought me some flower plants. I gave the girls some Valentines themed books, and I made Daniel this pillow:

Brooke had preschool this morning, and Hillary Erdmann (who was doing it today) invited Camille and myself to join them at the end for unicorn hot chocolate, exchanging valentines and playing a little bit. It was perfect! Brooke was so proud of her little Valentines mailbox that she decorated, and we've had a great day so far.

One of my favorite motherhood moments this morning:

• While Brooke was at preschool and I was doing dishes this morning, Camille went to play outside. I could hear her banging on the little playhouse outside, and she came in and pretended to get some chicken and fries that she "was making for dinner" in her house. It was the cutest thing ever. And the little smile on her face! It melted my heart. But what got even better than that, ... after a little bit, I heard her come in and mutter something about giving a hug. She walked right into the kitchen, right up to me and gave my leg a big squeeze! For no reason, without me asking for a love, she just ... walked up and gave my leg a hug. Well, of course, I couldn't let her go after that. I stopped dishes, squatted down and she gave me the best little squeeze. She gives the best hugs I think I've ever had! She wraps her little tiny arms around my neck, places her cheek against mine, and squeezes with all her strength. They are my absolute favorites. 

Another favorite motherhood moment from today:

• Brooke and Camille were sitting at the table eating their lunch. Brooke finished her lunch early, which meant that she could have her valentines treat first. She ripped into the heart-shaped chocolates that Dadda had given her, and started eating one. After a bite or two, and with Camille looking on with rapt attention and a few words about the treat, Brooke says, "Camille, do you want a bite?" To which Camille responds with a little, "Yes!" She takes a bite, sits back in her seat, and says, "Thank you!" AH! My poor little mother heart just burst! Such sharing! Such kindness and consideration! Such politeness! Look at my little girls in action, loving each other, sharing, and saying 'thank you'! It was too cute! I love how much they love each other. Every day they get to be better friends. They love playing with each other most of the time, and they love to be together. 

The past weeks have been pretty good. I feel good, physically and emotionally, which is nice. I do feel like I'm getting huge, and I experience a lot of aches and pains (pregnancy-related). But mostly I feel good, and up to doing all my normal activities. We've been doing preschool, bike-riding, park dates with our friends.

Last Saturday, during Camille's quiet time (because she's not napping much anymore), Brooke and I had a little date. It was a stormy, rainy day, which made it kind of fun and cool. We had a little bit of shopping to do, and then we hit the library. It's hard to take both the girls to the library. Brooke always wants help with the little computer games, and Camille runs around pulling ALL OF THE BOOKS off the shelves. And I can't manage both at once. So I thought it'd be fun just to take Brooke one day, without the tiny one, so that we could do computer games together and pick out some books without the disruption of little sister. And we had a nice little time together!

I've also been working on some home sewing projects: Valentines heart pillows, towels for our bathroom, fixing a few things, and coming up -- a little baby boy blanket! It's been fun! I really enjoy doing sewing projects for the house and for gifts. I still have a lot to learn about clothing construction, but once I get better at that and figuring out how things will fit me, I'm sure I'll like that a lot more, too.

Other than that, Daniel's been working a lot on the weekdays, late into the night, often. So I have time to work on these projects, read, watch movies and do other things around the house. I miss him a lot in the evenings, and really relish the time that he's at home on the weekends. But I'm managing okay.

Valentine's Date with my man! We went to Stonefire Grill for dinner, and afterwards to a pharmacy to read funny Vday cards. It was fun! And nice for us to get out together.

Happiness is a Choice

I recently finished reading Happiness is a Serious Problem by Dennis Prager. We are reading it for my book club, on my recommendation, and I think it was a very good choice. I hope everyone else thinks that, too. He has some very good and wise things to say about life, psychology, and happiness, and the kinds of things we must do and not do to help us be happy. I really loved it! And I discovered things about myself, and things that I could probably do (and stop doing) to help me be a happier person.

One of his overarching ideas is that happiness is a choice, and also that our feelings don't really matter that much; it's our behavior that matters. Even when we feel unhappy, we should still act as pleasantly and cheerfully as we can. It's something that affects everyone around us, how pleasant and happy we act.

Wonderful book. Such truth in that one thought. And I've been trying to be a more cheerful and happy mother to my children. I'm not always successful, but I think I've been doing well, for the most part. It is still hard to hide my frustration, sometimes. Something I still need to sort out. But I've also noticed that since I've started acting more cheerful, I actually feel more cheerful, as well! It's like people say, "Fake it til you make it!" I think even faking it sometimes helps it become more real.

ANYWAY... January was a good month. We did some fun things, got back into a somewhat normal routine (normal tends to look a little bit different every day, ... especially since Camille has stopped napping). Nothing big in particular is worth really sharing. But there are a few little things:

• One day, after Camille got out of the bath, she examines her fingers and say, "They're squishy." and proceeds to squeeze each fingertip. She kept saying that and doing it over and over, and then she told me to "squish them". Which I did, of course. It was too cute. 
• Camille has been saying such "grownup" things lately. One of my favorites is "zeggsactly" (exactly). I guess I must have been saying it a lot, because she picked up on it and says, "Zeggsactly!" all of the time.
• I went to the temple at the end of January, which was really nice. It's been so long since I've gone to the temple, it was much needed. I'm hoping to go each month until this baby comes. Because after he comes, it'll be a while again. And I need the peace and strength right now! Preparing for another baby to come to us!
• So, Camille hasn't been napping, right? So, one day, after "naps" and quiet-time, the girls wanted to watch a movie, and Brooke chose Mulan. The three of us sat down to watch Mulan, and it's usually Brooke, on the inside corner of the couch, me sitting next to her, and Camille next to me, snuggled up in the crook of my arm (a really lovely arrangement, really. I love them cuddles). And I'm exhausted, of course, so I fall asleep rather soon; kind of in that in-between kind of sleep, you know? But after a while, I feel little Camille next to me, totally nodding off! She's falling asleep, too! Right next to me! And I think, "Yup. She still needs naps. Even though she won't sleep!"
• I cleaned out all the toys and got rid of a ton of toys and books, and put the baby toys up until this little baby boy needs them. So I brought out a lot of stuff that's been in the closet a long time. And it was just like Christmas for the girls! They came out in the morning and discovered all these long-lost toys, and they had a ball with them! Camille especially loves all of the puzzles I pulled out, and she loves doing them with me. And Brooke likes all the dolls and stuffed animals that we rediscovered. It's been kind of fun. I still feel like we have too many toys. But at least now, they're basically all out to play with, and we don't have boxes and bags hiding in closets (aside from the baby one). And next time I decide to de-junk, there'll be a lot less to go through, and hopefully decisions will be a bit easier.
• I did an FHE lesson about how we can be like Jesus, and it was a big success. For both girls, much to my surprise and delight. I showed different pictures of Jesus and pointed out the things that He was doing, and asked how we could be like Him. They loved it!
• I finished going through and editing our 2016 pictures and videos! It's so nice to get big projects and goals like that done! Now I have some Valentine's Day pillows and bathroom towels to work on.
• One of my favorite things lately about being a mother is the following situation: the girls are sitting on the couch, watching a movie, and I am either sitting with them or doing a little cleaning around the house. And all of a sudden, out of nowhere, Camille starts up with this adorable little belly-laugh. She's laughing at whatever thing she's watching that she thinks is just hilarious, and it is so cute! Brooke rarely laughs at things she's watching; she's more of a zombie. But Camille does, and I love it!

Well, I better go get ready for the day and for preschool. I'm teaching today, and I think I'm going to take the kids on a little field trip today. Get some donuts, or something. I hope it's fun!

*Brooke really wanted to make Fruit-kabobs (or what she called "fruit-sticks"). And I couldn't say no. It was really fun being in the kitchen with her that day, making them.*

*Even on the days when I do her hair, it always manages to end up looking like this. I don't know.*

*Brooke's reading to Elsa. I thought that was really cute.*

 *One day last week, I got pretty sick. I even ended up throwing up once at the end of the day. But sometime during the day, I laid down to rest, and Camille came in wanting to play with me. I explained to her that I wasn't feeling good and was going to rest a little. So she pulled up a stool, brought over some blocks, and played next to me while I was laying down. Such a cutie! She just wanted to be with her mom, even when her mom couldn't really play. She is just such a sweet little thing.*