Predictable life in Prosser

MONDAY

Monday was my first day with just Bryson because Brinn stayed home on Friday. So boy did we live it up! The name of the game is: everything is funner with Bryson! After dropping the kids off at school... p.s. Thanks to Brinn, Bryson came with us. We were all loaded in the car in a little bit of hysterics to get out of here on time, and I am in reverse about to let my foot off the gas and Brinn says "So... are we just going to leave Bryson here?" -oh shoot!
So anyway, after dropping off the kids at school we cuddled in the lazy boy reading books and waking up. We got Bryson dressed and he played while I showered and got ready. Then it was time to play! We walked down the gravel road to get the mail, played with bubbles on the front porch, and danced to Bryson's birthday mix CD from Brinn. By then it was lunch and Ramen was it. I haven't cooked Ramen for a little somebody for a long time. Here we are blowing on his Ramen together.

After a nap we picked up the kids from school. Brinn had history club and Kate stayed to play with a friend, so it was just me and the boys for a bit. We celebrated by watching Looney Tunes. Oh my, it has been forever. I forgot how hilarious these are, I was ing up and glued just as much as the boys...in between blogging of course.

The s came home and we had dinner and cleaned up. It was so interesting, when I first came I went into autocleaning mode which switches on in my brain when I am taking care of other kids and houses. I am used to doing it all because I usually take care of little kids who are still learning how to lean up afterthemselves. The light went on when Brinn said "wow Mere, you do a lot of jobs." Oh yeah, these kids know how to clean up after themselves and do their jobs. It took me a day or so of fighting my tendency to do all the work and realizing that part of loving these kids is reminding them to do their jobs... and that I can maintain my status as a cool aunt. I am now a seasoned pro, dont you worry, these kids are workin'.... minus the morning bedmaking, that comes and goes. I decided that can be the housework vacation job. However, Kate is a bedmaking genius, every morning.

Anyway, so we are doing jobs and McKay was on dishes that night and I got to sneak in a little conversation. He cooly responded that he was ready for his parents to come home when I asked him how he was doing with them gone. The kids are being so good and we haven't had any major emotional breakdowns, but I can tell that they miss their parents and are ready for them to come home. This week has been pretty chill compared to last week with Rose. I don't know how she did all that stuff. The daily do's pretty much fill my days here, but it has been nice to just chill out and know the kids in their regular daily routine.

So after cleaning up we had FHE and it was like clockwork. Kate did the lesson on gratitude and we played a gratitude game while we ate apples and that yummy yummy toffee, cream cheese dip. MMMmmm. McKay won inbetween playing on his Touch, he was the first one to reach "The Land of Joy!" Then regular bedtime routine, however Bryson was up til 11:30 just wide awake... no more 3:00 naps for him.

TUESDAY

Tuesday morning Rach called and it was so good to talk to her! She and Joe are ready to come home and all is well. They are bring home lots of German Chocolate!

Bryson and I went to the park this morning, here are some pictures from our adventures together.

His shoe of choice "Kate's strawberry shoes"

Sailing away to Germany!

I am thinking of hiring Bryson as my resident photog, not bad, huh?

Love the small town lingo, even the balloon fest was advertised as beginning at dusk.

Lunch at the park. All the essentials, string cheese, fruit juice, sandwich and chips. Bryson packed it all himself that morning. He wanted to pack his lunch like the older boys.
We had a fun time watching, chasing, waiting, and talking about all the squirrels we saw. He is chasing one as we speak.

Coordinated kid, he can even do funny faces on the swing. This is no fair weathered face maker.

This was most of our afternoon while McKay stayed and I went to pick up Riss from the airport, delinquent aunt? more so than not, but the kids liked it.

The sign we made for Riss, I am so happy to spend this time with her, what a luxury.

Tuesday night Bryson I took Brinn to her dance class at the activity center. No wonder he likes it, big screen TV with Disney channel and a big comfy couch all to hisself. And I release all responsibility for his outfit, he woke up that way from his nap.

Here is dancing Brinn, it was so fun to observe her class, especially with my newly purchased teaching glasses. And Brinn was great! I had to take a picture of her stretching her splits, pretty great for a with short hammies!

A Chill Sabbath

Sunday was pretty chill day. Church meetings were great and the ward friends all checked up on me. Sacrament meeting looking closer at the haircuts I realized that I missed a few hairs, but as long as they are all laying down, you can't tell. Shh, and don't look too close?
After church while Bryson napped and I figured out how to coordinate pictures on my blog with text, the kids were excited to finish their family video features. They watch the video from their parents wedding in 1994 and reminded me of how little and cute I was back then... those were the days.
For dinner I cooked Italian Chicken... for an army. I forget that I am only cooking for 6, 4 of whom eat kid portions, and 1 who I am lucky if he takes five bites inbetween all the play that accompanies dinner time... and every other time for that matter.
For dessert Brinn made baked apples with spices and butter in the center. We served it with ice cream and oh boy... Delish!
And while we are on the subject, I cannot tell you how fabulous Brinnley is. She is integral glue that hold this family together. Multiple times this week I have watched her walk away peacefully from someone who has broken or ruined something she was working on or blurted out an unkind remark. She is incredible! And a GREAT right arm!

MMMmmm....

This is James...when he gets a hold of my camera.


We played Rummikub before bed and asked Bryson to take our picture, after the first one he announced that this next one was a funny face one and began demonstrating all the possibilities. That is why Brinn is ing up amidst the funny face making.

This is Kate... when she is the photog.

This is Bryson ding his Ninja jump.

This is Bryson just being Bryson on Sunday evening, then acting shy when we asked him to do his ninja jump... see above.

Day 2: Balloon Fest and much more!

Here is a picture diary of our Saturday including the Balloon Fest and the kids just being their wacky selves.
This was the crew at 6 am up and at 'em for the Balloon Fest minus the chipper photog (yeah right, 6 am?!).

We first went to see the balloons inflate and take off.

Well Thank You very much! I kind of like this small town life with wilderness inbetween neighbors and "goin' into town", etc.

After the balloons took off we walked down to the bridge over the Yakima River and watched them touch down on the water. Some pilots signal for the crowd to applause and others touch down multiple times, its pretty cool. We climbed down by river and the kids found that they could climb under the bridge. The picture right above this is Brinn and James on the underside of the bridge.

This is I am sure not atypical of regular Saturday play when all the jobs are done. Brinn in the horse, Kate is the cow, and Bryson is the round up cowboy directing the show!

McKay and Brinn went to a pizza party birthday bash at "Shy's Pizza", so I took James, Kate, and Bryson to McDonalds for dinner. This is dinner and entertainment all in one with the playplace one step away from our table. These faces you see are what the kids look like the other half of the time, they are funny face champs!! This is one of my favorites of Kate and Bryson.

This is one of the many solicitated pictures of Kate, she is always posing, dancing and wanting pictures of it all. I can hardly keep up. I attempted to keep track of the memorable one-liners of this crew, but I gave up within the first two hours when I was rolling with everything that came out of their mouths. Especially the younger few!

James

Bryson took this picture while we were picking up McKay and Brinn from their party. Yes I am holding two ice cream cones, the second one was Bryson's. Just living up to Rose's prophecy of my role as the 'garbage disposal'.

Part of the Balloon Fest is the Night Glow in the Stadium after the sun goes down. The preshow entertainment was the local steel drum band playing some rockin tunes. Towards the end of their show they called all can-can-ers out of the audience to dance while they played the tune and of course Brinnley, Kate, and I headed down and can-canned our hearts out.

After the preshow cleaned up they began inflating hot air balloons for the Night Glow. When the sun goes down they turn off the stadium lights and the balloons dance to the music with their lights and its really cool.

These are the three that lasted through the gentle wind. They did wave and popcorn patterns and 'danced' to the music, as did we in the stands!

Saturday was a great day, we got home and played for the rest of the morning. After lunch I put Bryson down for a nap and crashed along side him while the kids entertained themselves watching the 1999 Family Reunion video.

Saturday night bath time was announced and as Bryson sauntered up the stairs he called out in his most macho voice "Kate, you wanna take a tub with me?" And apparently an after bath "running around with your towel on your head" party inevitably follows the water play. The picture below is what I found when I went upstairs to see what all the screaming and pitter patter was about.

Bryson and Kate playing hide-and-go-seek in their towels! It seems that every time I turn around I can't help busting up, these kids have wackiness comin' out their ears! It is an absolute treat to be here with them, I knew this job would be fun, but I had NO idea!

First full day of all the fun!!

Friday James was the first one down for breakfast and his hair about killed me, all slicked.

I did Kate's hair in two buns that she was very excited about. And I know how to do buns because I am a ballerina kate said. I am grateful all of that hair training proved useful :).

The rest of the day was a low key day except Brinn was feeling too good, so she stayed home for the day and hung out with me and Bryson. We read stories and basically watched Bryson run around and be Bryson until he crashed for a nap and we followed. I got up to pick the kids up from school and enjoyed driving around the small town. Friday night we watched Singin' in the Rain and fixed supreme ice cream sundaes. But before we indulged, we did... I mean... I did hair cuts for the boys. My first time, no big deal! James reminded me that he wanted #4 on top and #2 on the sides. Rach left a 'whatever' for Bryson, so when I asked him he said "I will tell you, I want a 2 1/2". ANd McKay was so good, he coached me every cut of the way and I finally took a breath when he declared "yeah, that feels pretty good." Phew! The last picture is what I looked like and the one before it is how I felt!

The Great Auntie Relay: Prosser, WA

There is so much to catch up on and it will be posted...someday. However, I am in Washington for the week playing mother of 5 and upkeeping my status as a "cool aunt" for Joe and Rachel's kids: McKay (14), Brinnley (12), James (8), Kate (6), and Superman (3). Joe and Rach are in Germany visiting with her extended family and checking off another thing on their 'something we've always wanted to do' list. But enough gabbing, I am confident their parents are eager to see pictures and hear how our week has been so far. Rosey was here last week for the first leg of the trip and we overlapped for 2 hours to pass the baton and review the "Book of Knowledge and any other unwritten wisdom Rose found helpful. Our hysterical reunion in the airport turned some heads and only contributed to the laughter.
So Thursday, Rachels good friend Jill and Brinn came and picked me up from the airport. We drove home by way of the 'morning school route' which was very helpful as Rose hypothesized my biggest challenge was going to be navigating the morning school dropoff.When we got home, Brinn gave me the grand tour of their new house and we had a quiet pizza dinner with McKay before Kate and Bryson were dropped off. The news from Bryson was that "McKay has a new I-ball touch". Sunny was the mom who brought them home. Her son Herky is Bryson's best friend. That's right, his name is really Herky, short for Hercules, his brother named him. His real name is Easton. And their younger sister Elle goes by Herbie... so funny!
Thursday night was just regular routine: scripture and prayers and bedtime. Brinnley painted my nails and Kate pretended to file hers so she could legitimately stay up. Brinn painted my nails purple and then wrote dance words like "Plie, Ballet, Dance, jazz,and Modern" on top. She even drew a ballerina on my thumb. She's a Pro with those nail pens!

An Interview a day, keeps the...peace away?

I had an interview everyday this week and learned ALOT!
Monday's was a group interview for a receptionist position with a marketing company in American Fork. I had fun in the group interview and would enjoy working for a quality company like them, however, it doesn't make me want to do flips and happy dances.
Tuesday I taught ballet classes to the younger girls at Dance Showcase as an audition class to teach there Tuesday nights. Now I got to decide where to commit to for Tuesdays, Centerville or PG. My friend Tiffany Gurney, who I danced with years ago is teaching there and leading the ballet program. So we chatted and found that our goals for the girls and teaching philosophies are very similar. And the drive.. is only 20 minutes away. So I decided to take the job down here and feel good and excited.
Wednesday I interviewed for an Alumni Relations administrative position at UVU. Great interview. I felt like some of my answers were a little canned and I drited into pageant mode. So I am working on and learning how to be myself and speak from my heart in the moment and balance the planning ahead and thinking about answers to possible questions beforehand. It is a work in progress.
Wednesday night I started my institute class with Brother Bartholomew, it is church history from 1845-present. I am president of the class and it was very nostalgic to be back in that place. It was like picking up where I had left off, institute and leadership responsibilities, but with 5 more of the most transforming years of my life under my belt. interesting.
I was talking to my dear friend Kareena after class and had a breakdown, just wishing that my life would settle down. It was the breaking point of my patience and trust and I think I got to the point I have wanted to get to: total surrender. I drove home in tears silently offering up my life to Heavenly Father in utter humility and surrender. I am willing to go and do whatever HE asks. Thy will, not mine be done was the offering I willing laid before Him. Gratitude immediately rushed in and I knew that this was all part of the beautiful process of my life!
Thursday I interviewed with a large dental office in Lehi for a call center position. It was a 'working' interview. So I got to sit behind the desk with a headset on and observe the girls doing the job I would do. Beautiful office, super great customer service, but all that kept coming to me was... "I have more to give than this". I could do the job and be the most cheerful insurance rep, but I just wouldn't be satisfied in this job.
Friday I interviewed for a nanny position in Seattle, why not, right? While I was interviewing the coordinator girl told me about another family in LA that is looking for a nanny. The LA family sounded more like a good fit than the one in Seattle, but we will see how it pans out.
Saturday was my CHILL OUT day. I went to the temple, prepared my sunday school lesson, took a nap, and just cleared out the stress of the week. I don't sleep as soundly at night with Phil moaning and groaning next door and Mei snoring on the bunk above me.
Saturday night I tended Taylor while the Halls went to their ward summer party. We had a great time. We watched a movie for a bit while I ran on the tredmill, then we had dinner and got in the hot tub. It's a rough job, I tell ya! Taylor was so happy all night!
I went home and finished preparing my lesson and went on a midnight run for toilet paper, we were completely out! I got a chance to talk with Mom on the ride and found out that her first week up in Ogden was hard, but good.
Today was a very heavy duty calling kind of day. I taught sunday school on D&C 131-132 about the Sealing power and marriage covenant. It went great, I asked Aunt Karen to share a few thoughts on the difference that being married in the temple has made in her life and she was fabulous. Many people commented on their appreciation of my lesson and her thoughts. This is what I learned in terms of teaching and teaching with the spirit: I just get to be clear, to allow the inspiration to flow. I noticed that my time spent just clearing out the stress, tiredness, and anxiety of the week through rest and meditation was the most effective in my preparation because the spirit and revelation could have room to flow though my vessel because it was clear. So I am creating clarity once again in my life on a regular basis! My new motto: Clarity is key!
We had a combined EQ and RS and witness the change in our EQ presidency. I have secretly wished to be able to sit in on one of these occasions. Our stake president came and explained the process, then called and set apart the new president. The high council rep set apart he first counselor and the new EQ pres set apart his new secretary. Then testimony mania from newly called and released brethren. It was really awesome!
After church I did some VT interviews to meet the new sisters and talk about VT, then gathered some VT reports, then I was home taught, then visit taught, so I am well taken care of.
I came home and just chilled, been chilling ever since. Except for I have one more streak of productivity in me, hence the blog. It feels good to go through the mental checklist to find everything for the month checked off... for two days until a new one begins. Ah, life is good, isn't it!

Pretty regular life

Wow, the last 2 weeks have been packed full so I will do my best to summarize briefly. This entry is about the week of August 16-23.
Last, last sunday I went to my dear friend Ian's "Otter Pop farewell party" and met the most darling girls. Ian is off to Stanford this fall and had a get together with friends and otter pops for the refreshment...mmmm... otter pops...perfect treat for blogging...mmm...I think grape, the new found favorite flavor!
At this party I met Ian's girlfriend Julia, stellar, and her roommate Chel, equally as fantastic. We hit it right off and had the most stimulating, refreshing time together.
That night I shared my 'link' insight at ward prayer from my sunday school preparation.
Monday we moved all the stuff from downstairs to the upstairs and cleaned up in preparation for Curt and Mand to move in that night. We now had 11 people sharing 4 bedrooms in addition to all the stuff that was just piled everywhere, needless to say, I felt a litle squished.
Tuesday I spent the day with the Halls while Heather went to education week. I went with Jeremy to pick up his motorcycle at the shop and got to drive their truck home, pretty fun! That night I went up to teach ballet classesat a studio in Centerville. The girls were DARLING! They said thank you after I gave them the combination, not quite ballet etiquette, but too sweet of a gesture to reprimand. These girls worked hard, smiled, paid attention, they were great. I interviewed with the owner of the studio after the classes and we ended up chatting for an hour. She had 100 questions that she selected from and I found that our teaching philosophies and everything lined up, so I was so excited when she emailed me two days later offering me the job to teach tuesday nights. The only thing... the drive.
That night I went and stayed over at Marg and Nate's. We chatted and Nate showed me his Guatemala pictures and the PIP pictures, until about 1:30 in the morning.
Wednesday I ran errands for Rachel, the girl I visit teach, and then taught some ballet classes at Dance Showcase that afternoon.
Saturday morning I went to the Halls to watch Taylor while the rest of the crew went to cheer Heather on at the finish line for her half marathon, have I mentioned how inspiring this woman is? incredible.
Saturday night I went to Lexie Anderson's bridal shower up in Sandy at this beautiful home in a gated community. I had to report where I was going, the reason, and my last name, to get through the guard house. So before I exited, I drove around with my mouth open looking at all the gorgeous homes up there.
The shower was great, I made a broom lady and got a little nighty goodie for Lexie and it was so good to see her. Her best friend who threw the shower greeted me at the front door. She had multiple piercings on her ears, tongue, and nose, so I hesitated as I asked if I was at the right place. Come to find out, she is a very tasteful, refined, talented, smart woman. Qualities that I usually don't associate with people with piercings and tatoos, so it was something for me to take a look at and empty out some judgement I have stored.
Staurday night Curt came up to play Barnyard with Rose, Dad, and me. Mom was sewing on the other end of the table making her motherly comments every now and then. I lost miserably and forgot how much of Curtis's life is about strategy!
We all stayed up way too late on Saturday night and then rose early for the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication at 9 am. Everyone was dozing during the program and a bit crabby in the morning, but we made it. Beautiful service.