The past three weeks have been some of the busiest in my recent history. There was the aforementioned science fair on Valentine's Day-- which went remarkably well, and was, by all charter school measures, a success, but was exhausting! I learned so much and I would love to do it again, which really says something, right? But I would do some things differently, and I would do more of the prep work in the weeks before the science fair, so that on Valentine's Night (and I wouldn't do it on Valentine's) I would not be up until 1 or 2 filling out certificates and ribbons with my sweet husband.
After the science fair everything felt relatively easy for a day. Thursday was great. I stayed in my sweats all day. I got take-out for every meal. I watched Ninjago with James. I rested. Then Friday was back to crazy-town. I knew my sister in law and her four high-energy, darling kiddos were coming that night, and I had a much anticipated date night at Taggart Grill with my aforementioned sweet husband. I worked all day to get the laundry done so we could have some clean blankets and sleeping bags and towels for our guests and ourselves. And maybe some clean underwear too. It took hours and hours. And it was expensive. We're talking $120. I took the laundry to the laundromat so we could do it faster. And it was faster than waiting for each of 20 loads to wash at home. But it was not cheap. The boys and Ryan helped me and cleaned the house and then with great relief we left Ogden and drove to Salt Lake City to drop off the boys at Grampy's house.
They were thrilled. We were thrilled. Grampy was generous and welcoming, as always. Ryan and I traveled through the snowy canyon to dinner with friends and had a lovely evening. We picked up the boys, drove home and then the crazy began. The problem was not the kids, nor my sister-in-law. The problem was simply that she needed to do so many things while she was here: cut hair, visit family, use gift cards, buy a new car. It was hard for her to do that with her kids, so we watched them, and that got long and hard. We watched them for 13 hours one day, and just about the same another day. If we had gone about our lives as usual (which I did on Tuesday and it was just fine) we would not have felt exhausted and frustrated. But we wanted to help, and she used the help she could get.
In between those two 13 hour baby-sitting days, Ryan was called and sustained and set-apart to be a member of the bishopric. Another answer for our family to my question, "What's next?" The bishop is wonderful and I love their family so much. They are down-to-earth and funny and kind. They genuinely care about others. Their girls have babysat our boys for years. The wife is the funniest lady in the ward, but really strong and kind too. The bishop is the kind of man you could trust with your life after knowing him for ten minutes. Great guy. I am glad that Ryan is having the chance to work with him. Right now, in fact. They are out on visits. It's pretty fabulous. And Ryan is amazing and good and will be such a good first counselor. The other counselor is great too-- his wife is the other Young Women's counselor that I work with and so we have lots of chances to get to be good friends. She is kind and smart and works in salt lake and they don't have any kids yet. He is an attorney in town and very kind and rather soft spoken. They love to travel. Cool people and kind.
So that's all good, and I have had some great experiences already with Ryan's new calling. I have been given a blessing to help me understand things and have strength and comfort. The days are more busy, but very good. We are at a good point in our lives for this calling, and I am grateful for it.
But in the midst of house guests and hours of babysitting we had his calling and setting apart and the whole family up to our house for a roast dinner. And my sister in law sat next to Ryan in the chapel while we were waiting for him to get set apart. I was busy getting her kids to the right primary classes. I was busy getting my kids in to the chapel so we could listen and watch their father get made a high priest. And I didn't get to sit by my husband. And we were two minutes late getting into the chapel. Because I was taking care of her kids. I was so frustrated I could have spit. And I vowed it wouldn't happen again. I would make sure I was there next to him. And after talking to Ryan he (who was totally overwhelmed that morning, and didn't really know what was going on) decided that he would be sure I was always next to him too!
It was hard, and they stayed an extra day and a half. But I love them. And they went home eventually. And life went on. And Ryan and I are growing and learning. And last week I finished up science club. We had the pinewood derby. We had a lot going on again--good stuff.
And now it is March. I love a new month. And for one day this month I want to try and do all the "dailies" I planned to do this year, including meditation and practicing an instrument and exercising. I want to read to my boys. I want to do one act of kindness and do it with a kind heart. I want to stop complaining and start being more genuine. I want to clarify with good communication. I can do this. I love my family. I love my life. I want to be healthy and to rejoice. I can do it, and I love spring!
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