Valentines Day

I love holidays. I also love to have little parties for each one. I'm a sucker for all the little cheesy decorations, like this vinyl table cloth. Yeah, vinyl. I actually buy the vinyl, because I can't find holiday ones in cloth,and the kids usually do crafts or cookie decorating. I might just have to make my own... Anyway, the day before Valentines we had a little lunch with friends. Maisey plastered the wall with about 30 hearts she traced with cookie cutters, cut out, and hung on the wall. She's going to out due me someday soon.

The following day things were pretty low key around here. We went out for awhile during the day but we actually relaxed some. We've never been big date night people, but this year I really wanted to go out. We knew Ryley wouldn't like that idea so we put the kids to bed at their usual early time (7pm), and had a date night at home. We don't like to exchange gift either, except Chad got me three roses like last year, to represent him and the kids. My gift to him was chocolate strawberries, cider, and a hot pink bath, all to himself!I don't know what I was thinking when I bought heart shaped floating candles. It was a total joke. By the time I beckoned him the way was melting and he couldn't exactly bath with fire floating around him. However, it looked cool.

Maisey loved her school party and has since forgotten about the candy I hid away. We didn't do the candy monster this go round but she's use to it disappearing two or so days later.

I sure love my family.

{Random}

First and foremost I have to say how much I miss blogging. I am so consumed by other things right now (and no- I'm not on Facebook), that I never even know where my camera is. That little number representing my posts in my sidebar is pathetic!

Update: Lately things around here have been 'mellow' or uneventful.

Maisey:

Has school five days a week, several play date swaps, dance and girl scouts (BTW, she sold 100+ boxes), along with other random things we don't have scheduled. After last weeks sun she is ready for summer... Just come on by and you will catch her in summer skirts, swimsuits (a little over-eager) and flip flops. She thinks she can bring summer on sooner if she dresses accordingly.

Ryley:

Applauds all the time, army crawling his way into trouble, and trying to give up the bottle- despite our advice. You never know depending on the day if he wants a bottle, a cup, or nothing all together. Since he's pretty much always happy it's hard to tell when he's hungry. All he wants are solids and we are wasting tons of formula offering him bottles left and right.

Chad:

Played his first basketball game for our ward and enjoyed it. Had to miss Saturday's game for a long standing swimming day at the aquatic park, but "took one for the team." Has been working on Elders Quarum stuff and is excited to serve in a different area of the church for t he first time (outside of primary).

Me:

Last week (and the four before that), I was so consumed with my classes that I didn't even wear make-up or get "dressed" (like really dressed for the public eye) for several days in a row! I've forgone many social opportunities and my neighbors haven't seen me come and go 8x's a day as usual; however, don't get worried now. I am simply busy earning A's with my 16 credit load. I did manage to take the kids for many walks last week, and to a couple playground/parks. I got enough Vitamin D to recharge my battery for a couple days.

About school, I think I'm going to miss school when I'm done. I know it sounds crazy. Before college I only went to school to socialize (big surprise, huh?) and I didn't care about getting the very best grades I could. I was "average." However, a heck of a lot has changed since those days and somewhere over time I became this "Type A" overachiever. It's funny how when other people call us names we don't like it but when we say it, it isn't so bad...

I just hope my career is as rewarding as the quarter grades I receive because it's validation that all the sacrifice has payed off and it is worth it. I just took a midterm tonight, I have another tomorrow, and I'm so glad I only halve 5 weeks left until spring break.

It is that time of year when all I think about is Nursing school. This year will be the first year I am 'qualified' to but won't apply. I actually had a small interest in a couple schools but it was so small I missed the deadlines. Obviously, my interest wasn't big because I would never "miss" something like that. I have to say I am very discouraged with the level of education I do have at this time. All I ever wanted to do in life was be a CNM (Midwife). I am still amazed that I spent 4 years in school, only to apply with good grades, and not get in. I think it "knocked me off my rocker." I know everything happens for a reason and that reason will be one year old in April. That was what I really wanted. But, I thought after having him I would apply again and the truth of the matter is, I am just burned out with all the juggling. Yes, I am contradicting myself.

I will miss school deadlines, the acquisition of new knowledge, and long vacations, but I won't miss the juggling! Six years, and two babies later, I don't think I will ever want to go back to those science classes again. I know I will need grad school to get further, but I need at little break first.

{Baptism}

Two weekends ago (I know I'm really behind), we went to Hood River and The Dalles for Paige Sorenson's baptism. Paige is the first of of Maisey's close friends to get baptised and afterwards she couldn't stop talking about it. I'm glad the weather permitted us to go (you never know this time of year) and I'm thankful for the wonderful example she sets for Maisey who just idolizes her.

It was an emotional event because I felt many of the same feelings from my own baptism. I also think that was one indication it's been way too long since we've been to one. We were spoiled in our old ward since we had a font and we were able to attend them regularly. This time I hope we don't have to go another 18 months before we attend one.

I also couldn't get over how quickly she grew! Jenny and I get scared more and more each day with our girls and lucky for me Paige is first,and then Madeline. Madeline is 9 months older than Maisey and she has 2 boys under 3 so I've got my built in crisis line when and if I need it.

Someday these two girls will be as big as these girls.

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Paige after her baptism.
Everything was sweet- just like this cake.