Here I Am!

Okay, I think for this post, in order to save time and my sanity, I'm just going to post pictures and comments regarding them. Pictures and videos will not be in chronological order.

Today at church Meg got a few pictures with her best buddy. When we got home from church last week Meg was telling me about something that happened in her Primary class. Apparently, and I've seen pictures of this, the kids in their class (on their own) set out their chairs when they get to class. The boys always sit on one side, and the girls always sit on the other side. Then there's Meg and KK who do sit right next to each other on the girl's side of the room. Well, last week the kids set up the chairs, and then KK needed to use the restroom. Ellie, a little girls in the class, sat in KK's chair next to Meg. Meg very kindly told her that that was KK's seat. I was told by KK's mom that Meg had all the girls scoot down a chair so that KK could have his seat when he came back, and then Meg set up another seat on the other side of KK so that she could still sit by him. These two just make my heart smile so much!! 

 Just Molly and Me hanging out in my blue heaven after a long day

 Myles has been busy taking care of his flower garden and adding more flowers. He just bought gladiola bulbs. He also purchased an orchid and another succulent.

 



 




Chris surprised me with flowers (on Wednesday) at the end of a very stressful day. It was stressful all for a good reason. He got word that he starts Boeing on April 12th. Now I'm just trying to figure a new budget and trying to get doctor appointments and medications coordinated before insurance switches. We are super excited for this new and exciting opportunity that Heavenly Father has given Chris and our family.

We took a nice walk while Elsa was at her violin lesson. Meg got tired, and Myles volunteered to give her a piggy back ride.

 

 The weather has been so funny this month. It's been warm, then snowy, then warm, then snowy again, and then sunny but windy. Myles was cat sitting for a couple in our ward. They live just around the corner, and we decided to go for a walk after he fed the cats. The wind gusts were up to 35 mph. It was funny watching the kids jump up and down but get pushed backwards.

 
 Myles enjoying the falling snow.

 

 We had this gorgeous sunset only to have a snow storm the very next day.
 
 We were gorcery shoping in Vancouver. As we approached Battle Ground there was snow all over the road and it was coming down really heavy. Cars were at a crawl and some were spinning out. It was so weird because I had no idea we were supposed to get snow and it was nice and clear just 15 minute south where I had come from.

 

For family game night we played Monopoly. We ended up saving everything so that we could play the next Sunday too. Myles chose to use his own tokens.

 
 
 Myles took time out to play a hand clapping game with Meg; it was so sweet.

 

 

 Molly got green bows in her hair so she could properly celebrate St. Patrick's day. We watched Darby O'Gill and the Little People and listened to a rendition of "Oh Danny Boy' to celebrate the occasion.

 

 We cleaned out the garage as a family. Here is one of our happy helpers.

While cleaning out the garage Myles came across Christopher's old messenger bag and asked to have it. He is now using it as his Sunday bag. Last Sunday he came to me and  said "I imagine this is similar to what I'll look like in a few years on my mission."

 I've been getting a feel for when the kids will be finishing up their schoolwork for the year, and I decided to go ahead order books for next year. The plan is just to continue math during the summer to keep it all fresh in their brains. I had come across an idea to help Meg with her phonics. Rather than spend the money I made my own picture cards. I wish I had my artists here. At least I drew well enough for Meg to recognize what everything is.

 Aeva said she was homesick and wanted some pictures of Molly. This is one that I sent her.

 

 Elsa decided to embroider some Kleenex:

 Myles building with pretzel sticks:

 I tried a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies. This has got to be my most favorite recipe I've ever tried. Let me know if you want the recipe. I used refined coconut oil in them. They are so delicious!!

 I made this yummy soup. I loosely based it off of the Zuppa Toscana soup at Olive Garden. There are no potatoes in it or sausage. I did put kale and cauliflower in it, as well as diced ham and some bacon crumbles. It was so yummy. I've been trying some new recipes, tweaking some old ones, and I've eliminated all oils except for avocado, coconut, and olive. I'm trying to be more healthy in that department. I may have already posted about this soup. If I have, I apologize for the repeat.

 Elsa is just flourishing with her new violin teacher. It usually only takes her a day to memorize her one or two pieces that she is given to learn each week. She loves being able to play along with the audio clips her teacher sends.

 First day learning "Classical Sounds" 
 

 Day #2 with "Classical Sounds"

It's been a crazy month for Elsa's dance lessons. Her teacher is trying to find a new place to give lessons up here in Vancouver. Last week we had to cancel last minute because Elsa had a crazy allergic reaction to something. We think possibly to avocado. I ended up having to run her to Urgent Care where they gave her a steroid to stop the reaction more quickly because the medicine I had given her at home was not helping at all. Thankfully she was not having trouble breathing. Although she's only had one lesson this month she is working hard on her Lilt and Seann Triubhas. She'll miss the next competition in April, but she is planning to attend the June competition in Tacoma. She is also applying for two scholarships to help with her dance lessons and costumes. We are really praying that she can receive at least one scholarship.

 

 

Chris has been busy cleaning out his desk at work, preparing for his last day, and he brought home the bike he has been building at work. It's not quite finished.

The girls are doing well. They've been busy with classes and homework, quizzes, papers, and exams. They've been going to see some foreign films there at BYU and counting down the days that they get to come home. Rhaevyn wrote and hosted a murder mystery. Aeva got to play a character in the murder mystery. Rhaevyn also went out on a date. That was pretty exciting news 😃 She has also become a pen pal to her roommate's boyfriend's mission companion. Apparently, he is from the state of Washington also, and he thought it would be nice to write someone from his home state. Turns out he is from Vancouve, and we know a couple people in his home ward. Small world!! I'm trying to psyche myself up for the trip I get to take without Chris to go pick them up. I'm trying to have positive happy thoughts and praying that all will go smoothly and there won't be any snags. The other three children had been praying so hard that Chris would be able to come, but now that he has an actual start date they are having to face the reality that he won't be coming along with us. They are trying not to be too disappointed.
With all that news I'll leave you with the latest art that Aeva sent to us last night.

Happy March Everyone!

 It has been a roller coaster of a week to say the least with the weather, job interview, emotions, etc.
Although it has been a roller coaster, it has been a really good week. One where there has just been a  lot to be thankful for.
Today was Elsa's very first Scottish Highland Dance competition. She prayed really  hard for the competition in February to be canceled, and it was due to snow. This time she was ready. She was feeling more confident and excited. We had an early day as check in time was at 9am in Portland. We got her hair all done (yay for big buns!), dressed, and in the car on time! She remembered, as we were pulling out of the driveway, that she had forgotten to have Chris give her a blessing. When we parked the car at the competition we got out, but Chris and Elsa stayed in the car because she was determined to have a blessing. It was exciting to pin on her very first number. It's going in her scrapbook. She had such a good experience, and she can't wait for the next competition. It was good for her to see that everyone forgets steps, everyone messes up, and yet they keep going and keep competing. She competed as a beginner in the Highland Fling and the Sword. The Sword proved a bit difficult only because the floor was slippery, and her shoes kept slipping. She said she lightly touched the sword too. Her teacher said she'd teach her some tricks that they use to help combat slippery floors for next time.
There was a pretty good turn out to the competition and quite a few beginner dancers. She managed to get her very first stamp on her FUSTA card. She placed second in the Fling and third in the Sword. It was so fun, so exciting, and we are so proud of her for overcoming her fear and anxiety and trying her best.

 Not great quality, but a few of my favs:

 Showing her ribbons for second and third place:

Elsa and her teacher, Miss Jocelyn:

These are not the best quality. It is hard to get good quality while only filming "our" dancer from where we were sitting.

 
 
 This was our scenery on the drive home. It was absolutely gorgeous out!

 Myles and Chris entertained themselves before the start of the competition and during lunch playing with their new magnetic chessboard.

 My beautiful tulips that Myles gave me for Mother's Day are blooming.
 

 Myles made us special blueberry muffins this week made with almond flour. He didn't care for them, but the rest of us loved them:

As always, February tends to be a rather melancholy month for me until we pass March 2nd. My absolute best friend was so sweet to check in on me, on her birthday, as she has for the past three years. Both girls let me know they were thinking of me today and how much they loved me. I also got a sweet text, that I won't post, but it was just what I needed. It was very heartfelt and buoyed my spirits. 

As I posted in the last post, Chris had a job interview with Boeing. While I, for the most part, felt very calm about it, I had to keep working on my worry of the $5.25 an hour pay cut that he would receive if the job offer was made and accepted. I kept running into scriptures this past week during my morning reading of how nothing is impossible with God, to lean not unto my own understanding, to have faith because God takes care of even the birds and lilies of the field, and submitting to his will. I know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us, and it is always so much better than our own plans. I also believe he is well aware of our worries and our needs, that he is a God of miracles, and he blesses us with tender mercies. 

Chris received a job offer from Boeing yesterday. To say he is on cloud nine is putting it mildly. We both have seen too many non coincidences, as I call them, to know that accepting was the right thing. So many things fell right in to place at the right time. This past week we have had affirmation that this is where he is supposed to be. This is what he's been prepared for. So, the job offer was accepted, and by exhorting our faith we are already seeing blessings. Chris will only have a two dollar pay cut, which he can make up fairly quickly with raises and OT. 

Life is going to get a bit interesting with Chris's new job. He will be working night shift to start, but they aren't crazy hours. Chris will get to help with home school. That will be fun!!! He doesn't have a start date yet. Once he does we will see how our already planned trip to get the girls at the end of April will pan out. I'm really hoping I don't have to make the trip alone, as in without Chris. I have faith that it will all work out :)

With that, we've come to the end of our week.

PS: Don't forget to check out Aeva's blog post for the week.