Dear Family

I know I haven't been good about keeping up this blog. Wish I was - that would be way funner than dusting baby powder out of every crevice in Jayson's room. But I have been trying to get some pics on Flickr, some will make it here eventually. Remember that the family pics are marked family only so you need to be logged in. If you need an invite, send me an email.

Go see Family Home Evening pics HERE.

Also, you may not know but I've been trying to post nicer pics of the kids each Monday HERE.

And Cyrus I hope you have a super great birthday this week!!!!!

Love,

Jennifer

Deal or No Deal

I like to take the deal. Most of my purchases are logical or can be justified. I rarely "just have to have" something that costs way too much. I also don't dress fashionably or have a nice handbag, which I often regret when I see myself in the mirror or need to grab a few items to take with me on the run.

When I bought my gym membership, it was a DEAL. Going 2-3 days per week meant that I got 10 workouts - plus all their hot water for my shower, and almost 20 hours of babysitting all for $30. Not bad.

So I figured out how much my gym membership cost me the last payment cycle. I did NOT get a good deal. I think I made it to class once and had to leave halfway through because I was so dizzy. I took some personal sick days and then my kids required me to take a week or two more because they needed constant nose wiping. Then I wasn't in the groove and one excuse lead to another and to another.

I returned to the gym today. So I thought I needed to write a list of reminders to myself of why I should keep on going:

1- The more you go the less it costs per visit.

2- Now that Jayson doesn't nap regularly, it may be your only time away from him.

3- The kitchen doesn't get any messier when nobody is in it.

4- Feeling a pulsing beat makes me feel alive.

5- Long, hot shower with no children running around the bathroom.

6- A stranger walked into the locker room and complimented my freshly blown hair (at home my hair often hang dries because who has time to use a dryer with a toddler pumping soap, opening make up, or dumping feminine hygiene products underfoot).

7- Eventually the body is going to have to surrender and give up a few pounds.

Celebrating Scouting

Each boy decorated a birthday cake celebrating scouting. Jacob's favorite part of scouting was the recent Pinewood Derby. We had already purchased a car mold and he knows how to melt colored chocolates. Mom stacked a cake and trimmed it down to slope like the derby race track.

Gracious

Today is the day that the elementary school announces which players made the 5th Grade Basketball Team. Over 25 boys tried out to win one of only twelve spots.

James came home a little disappointed after the first day of try outs. He felt that he messed up some of the drills. He also saw his competition and was intimidated by their success.

The second day of try outs was postponed due to rain and was rescheduled for another day. This try out was scrimmage play. Dad wanted to come and watch but got stuck on a business call. This worked out nicely for me since Jayson was still napping. I watched my boy give his best. He seemed really focused and giving a 110% effort. I too saw lots of boys with talent.

That was last Wednesday. The boys would go with the 5th grade on a field trip on Thursday, have Friday through Monday off of school (to sweat it out), and then be invited to a gathering on Tuesday. Each kid that tried out was invited to the quad for an icy treat and that was where the list of team members would be read aloud. Coach reminded the boys that most of them wouldn't make the cut and it would be a hard day for all of them. He gave them good advice to help them manage the situation.

This morning I had a little chat with James about being gracious. If he made the team, we all would be so happy and excited for him but there would be friends sitting around him that wouldn't receive the same news. If he didn't make the team, he could know that he tried his best. He'd have to find a way to be happy for his friends that get a spot on the team. You wouldn't want to blurt out and say anything that you'd regret later.

I didn't get to school early to meet James at the gates to receive the news. I met him at the curb where we loaded six kids into the car. I didn't get a good read on him (partly because I couldn't see him with all the other heads bobbing in the car) so once we weren't blocking traffic I looked at him and asked....

HE MADE THE TEAM!!!!!!

I'm SOOOOOOOOOO excited for him.

I remained really calm in the car - even teared up a little - trying to do my part to be gracious. But here on my personal blog I'm BEAMING WITH EXCITEMENT. I hope this will be a wonderful experience for him.

Happy Valentines Day