This Week at Our House # 7

1. John took me out on a lovely date for Valentine's Day. We chose to go to Outback Steak House. We used to order their cheese fries and watch a movie together for date night when our kids were all little. There isn't an Outback very near us where we live now, so we hardly go there at all anymore. Being Friday and Valentine's Day the wait was around 40 to 50 minutes even after 9pm. We didn't mind. We got a cushioned seat in the waiting area and had a lovely time chatting. By the time we ate, I wouldn't have been able to say the food was anything less than amazing, we were so hungry. The food was amazing and we had plenty to talk about. John bought me a new faucet for the kitchen sink-- which has been broken since we moved in. It will come in the mail on Tuesday. I really look forward to having a new faucet. John also fixed and recocked the sink in preparation for the final repair. I have a wonderful husband to be my Valentine.
2. My dear friend Natalie Larson lost her baby boy at 20 weeks gestation on Valentine's Day. My heart is broken for her. She is the mother of 6 little children. This was her 7th little baby. Her faith and patience have always been a strength to me. We have had our last two babies together and these two were due just about a week apart. My heart goes out to her and her family. If you don't mind, please prayer for my dear friend Natalie. 
3. Ruth is an amazing girl! I can hardly say more. She does so much and keeps up with it all. She wanted to make cream puffs for her friends for Valentine's Day. After school on Thursday she made the shells, but didn't have time to make the filling before she had to leave for her friend's play. She had a lot of fun at the play and even went to dinner with her friends afterwards. She didn't get home until nearly midnight, but still wanted to get her treat made. I went to bed. Ruth woke us up about the time the bus left telling us she had slept in. I got up to get the middle school kids off and John took Ruth to school. That is when I found out that Ruth could not get the cream to work. After I got all the kids to school, I decided to finish the cream puffs for Ruth and get them to her right away. She had already had a tough, tired morning. Instead of cleaning the bathrooms, I made the cream puffs and brought them to the high school. Then I had to rush around and get up to the Capitol building for an important committee meeting. I got home from the committee meeting at around 5pm. Ruth had picked up,washed the dishes and cleaned one bathroom as a thank you. She didn't even know that I had skipped cleaning bathrooms to get her cream puffs finished. I am in love with this teenage daughter of mine. She will make one amazing wife and mother someday! 
4. Kate finally had her first dance since she turned 14 in August. She has had two other opportunities, but they have not worked out. Worried that she would sit out by the snack table the whole time, I said she could not make a chocolate cheese cake unless she danced with a boy. Well, she danced with 5 boys and had an amazingly fun time. Some of her friend's from her performance in Annie a year ago were there, which made everything better. When they got home, Ruth, Kate, Johnny, John, and I all sat around our kitchen island with little donuts and orange juice and listened to Ruth and Kate's stories about the dance. I love my teenagers!! They can be so much fun.
5. Johnny had a good week. He was so helpful everyday! Ruth and Kate have been busy and away a lot more and Johnny has really taken up their slack with chores. Johnny went ice skating with the youth on Wednesday night, and while he fell the most, he skated the fasted and hardest. I think that is kind of fun because his favorite part of the Winter Olympics has been the speed skating.
6. We've had a warm week, at least for February, and the kids have been able to play outside every single day. Adam had a much happier week with more energy and more boy adventure in his little self. I was able to get in contact with his teacher. Apparently, she had been sick. She said that Adam's is happy all the day and gets along with the other children. I will have a parent/teacher conference on Thursday, so we will get to discuss more in detail. Though, I realized the problem seems to be a case of the "Februaries" or winter blues and he is just tired of getting up and going to school every day. Well, I am tired of getting up and taking them to school every day too. We just need some spring warmth, growth, and renewal.
7. Rachel had school off all week and will for the next two weeks. I enjoyed having her home. She has really grown up a lot this last year and is starting to be more like a big kid. She makes huge messes with her play, but is now picking them up by herself. She has been really helpful with the younger kids and the daily chores while she has been home. In fact, yesterday, I had everyone but Rachel pick up a few times because Rachel has been the main one keeping the living room cleaned up all week. In our family that is a big deal because it does not take long for our living room to be strewn with toys, papers, books, shoes, backpacks, coats, and more.
8. Anya had her first Valentine's school party. She did an awesome job filling out her Valentine cards all by herself while laying next to me in bed and came home with all sorts of goodies. Valentine's Day has in a way become the new Halloween for treats that come home. That's alright with me. February is a tough month, and a little candy can't hurt.
9. Joseph played outside in the mud and on the trampoline everyday. He's been a much happier, smiley boy. I wish we had a bigger yard with some big trees for him to explore in, alas... Yesterday, I took down our computers and declared that all of the little kids are off computer games until I feel like bringing them back. They've just played as much as they can get away with and fought over whose turn it is. Since my rules have not been followed, it was time to remove the computers. 
10. Josh was his normal little cute little self. Potty training is going a little better because while he still does not choose to go to the bathroom when he has too, he is now taking himself when I tell him too.
11. Arwen is our little sweety. Rachel asked me to rub her belly while I was typing and I said no. Arwen crawled over me and started gently rubbing Rachel's belly. One of the best things about a big family is the sibling love. They may have their little fights and disagreements, but they truly love and look out for each other.
12. Baby Susan is moving around so I can conclude that she is just fine. I realized that if I ate a big salad everyday for lunch, I have a lot more energy. So I have eaten a salad everyday for lunch. Some days I am really sick of salad, but it is worth it to have more energy in the evenings.

This Week's Pictures

Joseph's ship

Valentine's carnation from Johnny

When mom forgets to put the baby down for a nap

pajamas are so comfy