it's sunday

1. I think I've missed more church this year, then all my other years combined.
2. I was supposed to teach R. S. today.... Brett called a sub for me yesterday.
3. I feel really bad about it.
4. I stayed home... and watched some conference, napped, did laundry, hand stitched a little, wrote a letter to the missionary.
5. I hate missing church, really.
6. One of Brian's best friends from school came home this week from the Birmingham, England mission. His homecoming was today- ya, I missed it too.
7. Can you tell I was feeling sorry for myself?
8. HOw is this possible after the very best guest post ever!!!!
9. thanks Chloe- Chloe is very easy to love.
10. Brian has a rash-- he has had it all week, we looked at it today- it's spreading! Brett immediately took him to instacare--- Poison Ivy.

and I thought today was gonna be dull?

when was the last time you played monopoly?

So- again- Trent & I missed church yesterday...

I don't think I have ever missed more church in my life than this past few months!? Trent came down with a low grade fever & sore throat Saturday night. I ran him into instacare right away (wondering if last month's strep was still hanging around?) No strep, but ya- everything is "going around." Including this latest virus. Have you ever seen a summer with so many illnesses going around, or is it just my town?

So T- bored out of his mind- decided to give his stuffed Zore a bath & wanted me to take a picture. All animals stuffed etc.. are or should be name Zore in Trent's mind. We have had a couple of "Zore" goldfish & stuffed animals now.

We played Sequence- he beat me.

Then, this version of MOnopoly- he beat me again.

This morning- bright & early- with a fever of 99.1- he has successfully beat me at monopoly again. He can't go to tennis & I am in for a long day....

Even with the fever- last night was a special night!

Jack's buddies came for dinner then our Bishop & High Council man- because Jack was ordained an Elder in our church. Marcus & Brittany (the newlyweds) were here too. Where is their picture... ? All the monopoly has taken it's toll.

Have I told you lately how much I adore this guy?

I think it's the hair..... ??

I Love this guy's hair. I love how it is all messy all the time- & red & fiery.
It has been great to have him around this summer & I dread him leaving- although-- ya, again I will say it again- I am THRILLED he is going to the "Y" -that is the only reason I will not be crying on moving day. I am planning on doing a post all about his bedroom before he moves- I could be arrested for poor parenting & he would be mortified, but I think for posterity's sake-

it has to be done.

That is, if I can shove the door open & don't catch some sort of disease before I can post the photos... it's scary place! He says, "why clean it now? I have to clean it when I move out in a month anyway." Such reasoning... it's easy to imagine how he got into such a prestigious college isn't it?

After all the excitement these guys had a rousing game of "executive monopoly" that's what they called it since they were all in white shirts & ties. Zach pretty much wiped everyone up with the board! Way to go Zach!
It's impossible for a mom not to love these boys!

So- really, when was the last time YOU played Monopoly?

I Love Our New Schedule

I was dreading our new Sunday schedule.

Our church time is 9:00 instead of 11:00. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal,

but it's been hard in the past with sleepy teenagers.

Not to mention names- Brian the missionary! Can you believe it- the kid who is now a missionary used to give us heck about having to be a church at 8:30 to set up chairs!

Well, Jack was great- Hailey too. Everyone was up in time, with time to spare.

All during church it snowed- blizzard like. Maybe I should start taking my camera to church!?

I made a great dinner- (didn't take pictures)- planned out my week- worked on cub scouts with Trent- played games- took a nap-we even had our Sunday devotional.

O my goodness- I love Sundays!

So does Max!
* how was your Sunday?

*what time do you go to church?

For journaling purposes I am writing this post.
Today Megan & Tony are here for a special Christmas dinner. We had ham & potatoes, carrots & green bean bake. For dessert we had this banana pudding- it's so easy to make & amazing.My sister Johnna made it for us last summer & we love it.
Afterward we played games & visited. It is so nice to have them here, but I am feeling lousy. I went to the instacare this morning right when it opened. They gave me a decongestant & a prescription for a sinus infection. It's working I can feel my sinuses lightening up already. I missed our primary Christmas sing a long & singing in the choir. I am so glad I got to stay home & rest though. My head felt like a big weight.
I can't believe I forgot to take pictures today @#$%*! but at least - with Megan's help- I got dinner done. Chloe cleaned up most of the house organized my office & the pantry! That girl is amazing. Jack & Hailey did the dishes (by hand- the dishwasher repair man comes tomorrow.) Tony is spending the night & we are up late watching movies.
Loads of people have been coming by with treats all day. It is so sweet! Best of all two of the missionaries- Brian's- best friends Laura & Whitney came by with cookies. Laura said Brian had written and said- go visit my mom for me. It was so sweet of them to come by. Brian has so many great friends. It was great to see them & get the chance to visit for a bit.
I feel blessed to be feeling better tonight that last night & happy to have my kids home.

Peach City & Trent...I guess he was bored?!

I am lucky enough to have the greatest neighbors in the world who let us come & pick peaches off their tree yesterday morning! This weekend I have been busy mostly~ eating peaches. They are so good~they are incredible! Nothing says summer like a fresh peach. Last night & tonight I have made 3 batches of freezer jam-(notice the Ziploc freezer bags, they store a lot easier in the freezer, when you need jam just pour them into your container)- and froze 8 pie fillings! Plus I made this pie tonight~

which is gone now.
With all the peach activity etc. going on around here I have been so tired. Something about Sunday makes it even worse. As I get home from church I can usually can feel myself crashing. Today was no exception, except that everyone was tired. So after lunch I laid down on the couch & I was out. I didn't realize that most of us had fallen asleep- everyone but Trent & Chloe. They were watching a movie before I fell asleep & when I woke up everything seemed to be fine. So I started on this pie. Later when the pie had cooled I told the kids we were going to all pick up then meet at the table for our Sunday devotional & pie. Because of the pie, everyone was milling around getting ready when suddenly Hailey who had started picking up the blocks let out the dreaded- OH MY GOSH. Trent had gotten out the Elmer's glue and glued most of the blocks together. He was making a "waterfall for his train track." These are not ordinary blocks. They are one of our most precious toys. Grandpa messer had made them for us at least 18 years ago when megan & brian were babies- irreplaceable. So the kids got butter knifes & wash clothes and started prying them apart & wiping off the glue. I was so mad I walked into the kitchen where I immediately noticed about 10 cups of flour on the counter - trent had dumped out. I'm not sure when that happened. I guess we need to schedule our naps.