I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE!!!!!

My little brother (and only brother) got his mission call on Friday to.....drum role please!

MADRID, SPAIN!!!!!!!

He will be viewing things like this...

and this...

and this....

and considering Gary went there on his mission (to Bilbao),

and Diana did a study abroad there one year ago

and I visited Gary's mission with him

Spain is near and dear my family's heart.

He will be an amazing missionary, because he is brilliant, humble, and worthy. I am SO proud of him and excited for him.

Look out July 11th... Here comes Elder D.....

My girl is OFFICIALLY a girl!

Oh yes. It is true. Look at the proof:

She was so interested while I painted my toenails, that we painted hers...and we only had to redo two fingers. Very impressive.



This reminds me of all the things I want to teach her but haven't yet.... Like how to kick the soccer ball, and put on eyeliner, and how to play Clare de Lune on the piano, and how to have confidence in yourself, and how very important a education is, and how to mow the lawn, but still let a guy open your car door...stuff like that.

Sorry for the delay....I am back to blogging. After spending a wonderful week with my mother-in-law. We had a very relaxed time, and still had a lot of fun.
How my life has changed since last week:

1) Lily's curtain project has come along way.
2) Now it hasn't been over a year since Lily had professional photos.
3) My palate has been satisfied with many restaurants I having been dying to eat at. (I love eating out but student budget do not suffice this luxury).
4) Diapers didn't kill our budget this month.
5) I got to know my mother-in-law more and understand the family my husband grew up in. It makes me grateful for people who go through hard things and still believe in God.
6) I have learned the "couple's dialogue" which is sure to improve communication in my marriage.
7) I got two voice lesson and now can sing a high G...(at least in the privacy of my own house).
8) My daughter decided religion was not for her. (Gary spent most of Sunday driving around to calm her down...her eye teeth are coming in).
9) I want to have a WILL when I die that doesn't make any hassle for anyone else.
10) Two of my piano students quit....one was a little unexpected, but given the circumstances perfectly understandable. The other I have been urging and hoping they would quit, but when they did I was a little sad. Both students were not really into piano, and it is not fun see a child forced to come and not progress, but at the same time I got a little attached to both. Makes me a little sad. They are the first to go. Gary reminded me that they will all quit someday.

All in all an eventful week. Thanks for coming:)

Vicious Religion

Vicious Religion- I had my Visiting Teachers over today, one brought her children. I really love them so their names will be kept anonymous. I thought her son was giving Lily a kiss, but nope it was a bite. Lily came out a little a little worse for the wear. After 6 hours, her bite marks are still there. I still love my VT's just gonna put Lily's bicycle helmet on next time.

Relaxing Sunday

So today is pretty good, I had to play the organ today, and going to church(I got to accompany a sacrament special musical number: the bishop warned me they might not have an accompaniest, but gave me the wrong song they were singing. So I was put on the spot. Luckily, the people in church are pretty forgiving when it comes to musical callings, and most of the audience could not tell that I didn't know what I was doing.

Yesterday...I caught Lily getting in my Spanish notecard box. This misfit was too cute to scold. Notice the one sock on/one sock off get up.

This Week....

So here are some pictures from vacation...

The Crew (minus me of course due to the dang boots!@!)One of Gary's "sweet jumps"...
Mike taking the jump too...

The Newlyweds....

:)

So here was our trip. I have decided I am still not on task, and still like to sleep a lot that I need another vacation to motivate me to excercise and get on schedule. Probably just a combination of daylight savings and time change in Utah.

:)

Of interest....I have decided to not to apply for any full time jobs unless they were exactly what I would like to be doing (should I get a full time job), which is preservative microbiology. Sounds boring to all you eloquent/history/non-science people, but I really enjoy it. Anyway, one came along 2 days ago, see company here. So I sent my resume and had a phone interview yesterday. I won't take the job because of location which they understand, but they wanted me to interview anyway. A good step to get some networking down... I feel like I have a field trip scheduled.

:)

We'll see...I think I will only go if I can combine the field trip in a field trip/trip to cannery, which I am desperate need of. Unfortunately, the cannery trips for our church are only scheduled during piano lesson time afternoons, and if I am to come during the day, Lily can't, which makes that a problem too.

:)

Anyway, yesterday I got out my how to a phone interview from my recent career worshop...for those looking for work and very awkward on the phone...aka me. Definately worth a look.

Musings....

Well after a week away, I feel like I have lost my head. My house is a mess, my projects all on the back burner, I didn't brush Lily's hair this morning...and she had one piece that was standing straight up, and I am tired and a little under the weather. But....I still had a great trip. Some highlights:





1) Katie taking us to the edge of a 100 foot rock cliff to "ski"
2) Skiing through perfect powder on the back bowl of Snowbird
3) My dang boots (see the giant scabs on my legs for further info)
4) The porcupine that got fed trail mix on the Alta slopes(by no one I know of course...DIANAYNAY)
5) Enjoying the rides up the ski lift with each of my family members, who I am now updated on life
6) My nephew Anthon and "Puh, Puh, Puh", and "OO-tah" that is my name and Utah of course.
7) Fever of 104.7!@!
8) Watching my little brother learn how to give a priesthood blessing.
9) Temple Square and the Joseph Smith movie ... which I miss
10) Getting to know the Finley's (my sister's husband's family)
11) Gary and his "Sweet" jumps
12) Meeting Kat(Berk's girl) and debating social issues, I think it is always good to think.
13) My dad who graciously funded the expedition...THANK YOU A MILLION.



Some things I learned... I really like my family. I hate having sick babies. I am really glad to have a doctor in the family...(someday that will be 4...Dad, G, K, and J). I think talking about our world and problems in it is a very good thing. It makes me think and helps me to develop my opinions and stance on life. It helps me to see both sides of issues, which maybe I haven't thought about before. And most of all it makes me more open minded.





So that was my week. Pictures to follow....if my sister sends them.

Here is Lily looking at the moon. It is beautiful. So I had this moment last night that I just loved being a mother. Lily discovered the moon again. It was beautiful with the eclipse...she kept pointing to it and saying "Moo" She was excited to find it and see it. It made me appreciate it all that more. I hope my life never gets so busy that I forget those moments.



My friends with kids Lily's age are all getting baby hungry, a few are already pregnant, sometimes I think it is trendy to have a baby, and I really wouldn't want to miss on the fun I have with Lily. I just hope they don't miss out on what they already have. I never want to be the mormon mom who doesn't have enough time for her kids let alone anyone else.




>





And here is my spring time baby. I guess for my grateful sunday, this is it.

Highlights from Lily:


When she sleeps she tucks her hands under her hands under her arms, which makes them look like chicken wings....I do that too


Still jumping...but not getting off the ground.


Spinning around in circles till she gets so dizzy and falls over... I can actually remember doing that when I was little


She said "Moon" yesterday. Now everytime we go outside she looks for it...


































I think she makes me appreciate life a little more.