Happy Thanksgiving!

Okay, so Thanksgiving this year I think was a first.  I made all the food I planned, right on a schedule that allowed time for a few other things (I did PT & a stop at the dentist to have a mold for a nightguard made on Wednesday before I got started).  I was ready to go on time with hot food hot and cold food cold.  I left minimal mess and I yelled at no one (didn't even get irritated with Derek).  My therapist has asked if there is any change since I've been doing EMDR...prime evidence right there.  Cool in the face of 3 pies, pretzel jello, stuffing, sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes.  Nailed it. 

I also won one game of Rummikub.  So it was most excellent.  I played some decent hands of Bananagrams and got off of Phase 1 in Phase 10.  It was great to spend time with the Nortons.  Love them.

We didn't do the what we're thankful for at the table.  So we did it in the car on the way home:

Libby: Andrew

Mom: Therapy (see above)

Sarah: Her bio test score (17/20)

Ben: Family and friends

Dad: 

The rest of the weekend I got the house all decorated, including checking one thing off my bucket list--I got a strand of lights across the top of the house!  I hired one of Derek's former wrestlers to help me (instead of doing it from a ladder, we got on the roof and did it from above--mostly him, but I provided support from the lower roof).  It looks amazing!  I got new clips that help the lights sit just right.  It was expensive (I had to buy clips, new strands of lights, an extension cord, and pay Isaac), but it brings me huge joy every drive home when it's dark.  Which is a lot. 

I got the calendar done for both families.  I got the Christmas cards addressed and in the mail (mostly).  

Oh, and I gave myself a concussion on Friday by charging out of the attic door without ducking low enough.  Still have low grade headache and some difficulty thinking.  So don't judge this post and watch where you're walking. 

Bring on the holidays! 

Libby and Sarah did a photoshoot around Maren's house after Thanksgiving dinner.  So lovely! 

The kids went out Black Friday Shopping while I decorated.  It was fun for them to come home to a more decorated house. 

Meeting Baylor Elizabeth

 Last weekend I went to Phoenix with my parents to meet Rachel's grandbaby.  Lots of tears were shed as we felt so enveloped by the love of the Smith/Dorrett family.  It felt like Rachel was there with us...and she was just a few weeks ago up there in the Spirit World with baby Baylor E. We also got to hang out with my dad's mission companion, Mike McLaws . He's a gem!  (You all wish you had someone like him doing the cooking for your Youth camping trips/ward campouts, etc.) 

It was just so lovely to be there in the warm weather and spending time with my parents.  I'm trying to cherish all the moments with them! 

This cool "Hole in the Rock" was right by our hotel. 

Dad with an alien at this fun mall thing we went to. 

My mom posted this for their anniversary saying they have an "Eggsellent" marriage.  I couldn't agree more! 

Between the Seasons...

Oops.  It's been a month!  And, sort of a chill one, as we finished swimming/football, had a week off and then started wrestling.  We had some fun! 

I took the girls on a mommy daughter date before wrestling.  Disney on Ice.  It was awesome.  I love this kind of thing, some group ice dance, singing, etc.  

I almost sprang for the more expensive seats, but I'm glad I didn't.  Our seats were great :)

I took Sarah for her first drive, in anticipation of starting Drivers Ed in a few weeks.  It was---okay.  I've learned (I chose a better parking lot) and I'm calmer (Libby never killed us, so yeah...it's going to be okay.)  I also know better how much advance notice to give and that remaining calmer is more helpful.  Poor first children.  

Swim certificates! 

Libby won one of the 3 coach's awards. 

Lots of Husky games!  (I didn't go to a SINGLE one this year.  But the kids had a great time.) 

Derek also missed one Husky game to go see Hunter play in his college game. 

Libby cleaned her room.  Seriously a noteworthy accomplishment. 

She cleaned her room so she could go to a Seahawks game.  Carrots with this girl.  Very critical for motivation. 

Where's Waldo at the mall...so fun.  

They found this scientist working away on her calendar project.  

I won the Golden Cheetah Award at school this week, for a staff member who's doing a good job.  I got it for the school wide gratitude chain I usually do.  This year I would have forgotten but another teacher reminded me.  Not sure I should have gotten credit.  But I did send the email.  Haha. 

 Now wrestling is in full swing, (matches start this week) and Ben is a basketball manager for the Einstein team.  I'm teaching yoga to the wrestlers on Fridays and helping manage the schedule. We did squeak in a musical number in church today.  It took lots of practicing, but we almost nailed it (it sounded pretty good, but not perfect.) So busy busy! 

Happy Halloween!

 When Ben announced his desire to be a cowboy for Halloween, I was ON BOARD!  I got some free cowboy boots from a friend who works at the clothing donation shop for the district (I'm going to re-donate them).  Ben borrowed a cowboy hat from Maren.  Score.  Basically free costume!

I could use Sarah's cow costume from a few years back.  That costume fits my every need (to be warm and comfy).  We tried to buy Buddy a cow costume too.  But Amazon didn't deliver correctly.  So the costume didn't fit.  So I had to use my limited crafting skills to make him a cowboy too.  It worked out.  

Derek already had cowboy boots.  But I neglected to get him a hat.  He wasn't happy with me.  I feel like this happens every year.  I think he's going to be at a husky game or whatever, so I don't buy him the full on costume.  Then he's there and sad he's not decked out.  Oh well.  I'll remember next year?

Sarah cowboyed up with us for the trunk or treat.  She was Derek Norton at school on Halloween.  Then she was the Kill from the game Kiss, Marry, Kill with her friends (I think?) on Halloween.  I never saw an actual group shot, so not sure if they deviated from their original plan.

Libby also devised a cheap costume.  She reused a dress and with an inexpensive Lady Liberty headband became the statue of Liberty.  With Andrew as the adoring tourist.  (I guess I also bought his shirt...). But still--a pretty good deal for the whole family to suit up for Halloween.  

It's important not to spend too much on costumes, since the CANDY has gotten INSANELY expensive.  Seriously? 

Also, I taught seminary on Halloween.  I spent more time on that lesson that on any other lesson so far.  Bought a set of Doctrinal Mastery tombstones.  Then realized they were for the old scripture masteries.  Made updates to my plan.  About 12 of the 24 current ones were represented by the old ones. So for the ones that weren't--I had the kids make up their own.  So fun.  I set up a graveyard in the hall and die cut little ghosts with the reference for the teams to place at each grave.