The past two months have really gotten away from me... But my one-liner status updates on Facebook have been fairly frequent, seeing as how those are so much easier.
Mid-October found me preparing for Halloween, as well as a visit from my parents at the end of the month. We took our annual trip to the pumpkin patch down the street, even indulging in a an evening hayride. My parents arrived the day before Halloween, in just enough time to come with us to our ward's Trunk-or-Treat. We had decided that this year, we wouldn't take part in Trick-
or-Treating, since Halloween fell on a Sunday, so the
ward activity was their main time to dress up in their costumes. Allie had decided months earlier that she wanted to be Tinkerbell, her heroine of choice (I don't think Disney had any idea
at all-- a-hem-- how to market to little girls...). Sami wavered between costumes until the week-of, finally settling on an angel, after we found some wings on clearance at Jo-Ann's. Drew was Murray, the red Wiggle. And I also found some discounted
butterfly wings at Jo-Ann's. I was a butterfly, and Kevin was a butterfly catcher-- wandering around with a butterfly net we
borrowed from friends. Later in the week we braved the rain and took an afternoon shopping trip with Grandma in Downtown Melbourne, and then went to the zoo the following day. Grandpa spent the week battling some kind of flu virus...
The day before my parents went home, we received a call from our Stake President asking to meet with us the next afternoon. When the Stake President showed up the following day, he called Kevin to be the bishop in our ward. Kevin was shocked and overwhelmed. For the next week, he felt the effects of a looming heavy burden he couldn't shake. Kevin's parents drove down from Utah that week in order to be here for Kevin's dad to ordain him a High Priest. Once Kevin was set-apart as the bishop the following Sunday, he was greatly calmed and comforted. The past month has been okay. The Lord has strengthened and prepared me to cope with Kevin's frequent absence. Being "Scoutmaster widow" (as my grandma called it-- her own mother had been one for many, many years) gave me an idea of the time commitment. And I had felt months earlier that this would happen-- although, at frustrating or discouraging times I would doubt the idea had come from the Lord. But He has been with us...
The kids had a blast having both sets of grandparents visiting within a week of each other. And Kevin noted how having parents here makes
us so much more efficient-- it was nice being able to leave some kids behind while I took one to school or needed to run an errand. One of the highlights of their Grandma and Grandpa Smith's visit, though, was taking a ride on the Christmas train at the mall. They waved and shouted hello to every person we passed. Very cool.
We spent Tha
nksgiving with the same crew we've seen for the past five years-- Grandpa's sisters Mary and Ecee, Mom's cousin (Ecee's daughter) Peggy and her husband Chris and daughter Cailey, Peggy's sister Pati and her husband John, and Chris's mom Jackie. We usually head to Peggy's house, but this year we trekked a little farther and met at Ecee's house in the Villages. Uncle Ken, Mary's husband, had broken his back several weeks earlier and was hospitalized, so all wanted to stay close to him. While he couldn't make it to the meal, we were able to stop in and see him before we drove home. We pray he gets his mobility back soon!
The following week Allie had her Winter Concert at school, where
she read a piece I wrote on a memory of snow to the audience (I had won the parent essay contest), and then that Saturday, the girls and I went on a special outing to see the Space Coast Ballet perform The Nutcracker. Just being in the theater was exciting enough for them, but once the curtains opened and they
caught a glimpse of the colorful sets, the elaborate costumes, and the artificial falling snow they were hooked-- mesmerized. I had prepped them in the car on the way on proper theater etiquette, and they did not sway from protocol in the least. I barely heard a peep out of either one of them through the entire show.
The following Sunday, Allie's ballet class performed their Christmas dances at the Children's Christmas Program at the Baptist church. I
love to watch Allie perform her dances, because
she loves it. The excitement on her face in in her movements is sincere-- not just for show. She did great!
And I can't miss our little Drew's 2nd birthday! We stuck to just a family
party this year... two days late since Kevin had tithing settlement interviews on the actual day. We gave him a drum, and he thought that was the coolest thing ever. So did I, since it only cost, like six bucks. And he sure loved that cake!
This past weekend I came down with a horrible head cold, which started with a burning sore throat on Friday-- the day of the first of my three choir concerts. Kevin gave me a Priesthood blessing that morning at my request. My throat was raw the entire day-- I couldn't get down any water, only herbal tea. But Kevin's blessing assured me I would be able to sing. I didn't know how, because I could barely talk. So I went to the concert... and sound actually came out... and it wasn't half-bad! A littl
e softer, but not horrible. Blessing #1.
S
aturday, I was silent through our dress rehearsal with the flute orchestra. And in the afternoon, we went to the annual Harris Holiday Children's program, where the kids saw Santa, took a hayride, and rode ponies. Just like every year. And they love it!
Sunday I had two concerts. By then the cold had gone into my head and out of my throat. No more pain, but a lot of fatigue and hoarseness (which I still have). I tried to remember the blessing. I left church early, roping one of the Young Women to come with me and sit with my kids until Kevin got home. I was able to sing through both of those (back-to-back!) concerts as well, with my voice actually doing
better for the second concert! Blessing #2.
Immediately after the last concert, Jessica and I had to book-it to the church for our ward's fireside, for which out family was asked to sing "Away in a Manger." The girls sang beautifully, and so did Kevin. And I actually still had a voice left... after performing in two back-to-back concerts with an illness! Blessing #3.
And here's my blessing #4, or my "Christmas miracle," as I like to call it. As I arrived at the first concert, I looked down to see my gas light was on, which I didn't anticipate. I checked the gauge above, for it to tell me I had 19 miles left in my tank. I had thought maybe we would have time after our concert and before the next to run back to Jessica's house and switch cars, but we didn't. So I drove to the second concert praying for a miracle, and ending with less than two miles worth of gas on the gauge. The needle was low. While we were singing, our husbands arranged to switch our van with our Camry so that he could get to the fireside with the kids in car seats on time, since we would have to go straight to the church if we were going to make it on time. I asked Kevin how he made it to the church without getting gas, and he said he thought the meter was off, because while the gauge said the miles left were "0" the meter showed nearly a quarter tank. The next morning, I noticed the meter seemed to be at a higher level than I remembered it being when I had driven to the last concert. It took me all day to realize I had been blessed with the miracle I was praying for.
I hope you all have a peaceful and blessed Christmas!
or-Treating, since Halloween fell on a Sunday, so the 
ward activity was their main time to dress up in their costumes. Allie had decided months earlier that she wanted to be Tinkerbell, her heroine of choice (I don't think Disney had any idea at all-- a-hem-- how to market to little girls...). Sami wavered between costumes until the week-of, finally settling on an angel, after we found some wings on clearance at Jo-Ann's. Drew was Murray, the red Wiggle. And I also found some discounted 
butterfly wings at Jo-Ann's. I was a butterfly, and Kevin was a butterfly catcher-- wandering around with a butterfly net we 
borrowed from friends. Later in the week we braved the rain and took an afternoon shopping trip with Grandma in Downtown Melbourne, and then went to the zoo the following day. Grandpa spent the week battling some kind of flu virus...
nksgiving with the same crew we've seen for the past five years-- Grandpa's sisters Mary and Ecee, Mom's cousin (Ecee's daughter) Peggy and her husband Chris and daughter Cailey, Peggy's sister Pati and her husband John, and Chris's mom Jackie. We usually head to Peggy's house, but this year we trekked a little farther and met at Ecee's house in the Villages. Uncle Ken, Mary's husband, had broken his back several weeks earlier and was hospitalized, so all wanted to stay close to him. While he couldn't make it to the meal, we were able to stop in and see him before we drove home. We pray he gets his mobility back soon!
she read a piece I wrote on a memory of snow to the audience (I had won the parent essay contest), and then that Saturday, the girls and I went on a special outing to see the Space Coast Ballet perform The Nutcracker. Just being in the theater was exciting enough for them, but once the curtains opened and they 
caught a glimpse of the colorful sets, the elaborate costumes, and the artificial falling snow they were hooked-- mesmerized. I had prepped them in the car on the way on proper theater etiquette, and they did not sway from protocol in the least. I barely heard a peep out of either one of them through the entire show.
The following Sunday, Allie's ballet class performed their Christmas dances at the Children's Christmas Program at the Baptist church. I love to watch Allie perform her dances, because she loves it. The excitement on her face in in her movements is sincere-- not just for show. She did great!
party this year... two days late since Kevin had tithing settlement interviews on the actual day. We gave him a drum, and he thought that was the coolest thing ever. So did I, since it only cost, like six bucks. And he sure loved that cake!
e softer, but not horrible. Blessing #1.
aturday, I was silent through our dress rehearsal with the flute orchestra. And in the afternoon, we went to the annual Harris Holiday Children's program, where the kids saw Santa, took a hayride, and rode ponies. Just like every year. And they love it!
keep it as I continue to post. It has been like my mini-journal when I have a lapse in my official journal.
e boss, which led to a discussion with Mrs. Kohlstedt. But still... she's a good kid. A bi
t scattered and distracted, with her mind almost always anywhere but where it needs to be, but she's very bright and creative. The best word I can come up with is eccentric.
ds a bit like her mama...
But right before school started we enjoyed a quick visit from Aunt Mallory, making sure to see the butterfly exhibit at the zoo, as well as take a tour of the police department when the station had an Open House. We also got in an evening Manatees baseball game-- well, a third of one.
cital, which really bums me out. But the girls love it.
Tennessee with her family. We met up at Downtown Disney Thursday evening to hug and talk for ten minutes or so. I almost cried when I saw her face, since we hadn't seen each other in twelve years. After we parted, our family ate dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, and then stayed the night in a hotel on the Disney property. The next morning we got an early start at Epcot. The girls were 
disappointed at first when they realized there was no castle, but quickly forgot about their disappointment when they discovered we could actually go inside that gigantic big ball in the front. They loved touring the different countries, adding a charm and stamp from each land to the 
masks they had colored while in "Mexico." We stayed through the fireworks, went back to the hotel to crash, and then, upon checking out the next morning, took a detour to Green Meadows Petting Farm in Kissimmee on the way home.
his birthday was nearly a month ago, but his present was a trip to Tallahassee to go the FSU football game against BYU. Our good friends the Weatherspoons graciously took Allie and Sami for a couple days, and Kevin and I drove with Drew to the game. Despite having to walk by all the drunks ou
tside the frat houses, the fans were good to us. And despite the sun beating down on us for most of the game (and making we sweat through my shorts), we didn't get sunburned (SPF 100 is awesome...) and had great fun. Yes, the Cougs lost miserably, but at least then we got to leave without anyone wanting to beat us up.
Oh, I forgot to mention Drew's swimming lessons. Once the girls started school, I thought it would be fun to put Drew's in parent/tot lessons. He loved jumping in the pool from the side, hated swimming with the "noodle," loved to splash, and despised the slide (although he had no problem climbing the steps before "chickening out"). His lessons lasted for a month, which was all I could handle, really. We had fun together, but fighting his urge to let go of me and drown himself was exhausting. I think Drew's favorite part, though, was seeing four of his friends from Nursery at church that had all signed up for the same class.
month, the girls had another session of swim lessons, and "aced" it. Seriously, they did really well. I'm not saying they're going to be Olympic athletes or anything, but my definition of "doing well" is being willing and obedient, and they were both. Their teachers absolutely loved having them in their classes because they would actually listen and cooperate.
.. and have fun, to boot! It's nice to know they really do know how to cooperate. I'm hoping someday they apply that skill at home.
James. Bowling isn't too much fun for Drew yet. I spent most of the time keeping him out of other lanes, or watching his little fingers as he played with the other bowling balls on the shelf. The big kids just took their t
urns rolling the ball down the kiddie ramp, the ball bouncing lightly off the bumpers... just to get spare or the rare strike. And aside from the teenager sitting at the stools behind us occasionally blaring out profanity, we had a good time.
Although it is always a long week having him away, all the swim 
and singing lessons help break it up a bit. That Friday I also took the kids to the stake center across from the temple in Orlando to watch Jill's kids so she could attend a session. Both our husbands were gone, as was the other family that's part of our temple group, so I only had to watch my three and her two. We decided to make a day of it, and head over to Downtown Disney afterward with the intention to eat at McDonald's and let the kids play. Too bad McDonald's 
had been closed down for some reason. So instead, we ate at T-Rex, a ridiculously expensive dinosaur-themed restaurant that had a "thunderstorm" every 25-30 minutes where every 
mechanical dinosaur or creature in the place roared and chittered and chattered. After an hour, the kids were finally used to it, and stopped screaming in fear for their lives every time it happened. Oh, and the service was slow. We didn't get out of there till nearly two hours later. Then a quick visit to the Disney Princess store, and then we drove home. Good friends are priceless!
small American flags to wave, and another group of young men sold glow-in-the-dark bands. The girls asked us for the bands, and we said "no." A family near us had bought some for their kids, and Allie and Sami watched them play with their new toys 
happily. Suddenly the mother approached me and asked if she could buy one for each of our girls. She was so sincere, and I thought the offer was kind, so I said it was okay. But the fireworks started not too long after that. They were pretty good, in spite of the rain that had poured down all day long. We endured some sprinkles, but nothing that drenched us.
