I can't believe it's already the middle of October! Where does time go? We've been busy with all kinds of fun things. Isaac started preschool last month. A group of us friends organized a mini-preschool. We have it once a week for an hour and a half, and it's at a different house each week. Isaac LOVES it!! He gets to learn cool things and play with his favorite people. Today was our day to host. We had five rambunctious toddlers running around. I have to say it was quite fun! We learned about autumn by singing songs and reading books - we even went outside to gather leaves to use for our crayon rubbings. We ended with playtime in our new basement! It's so nice to have a huge area for kids to run around in and play.
Meili and Isaac have both been busy with growing up, too!
Isaac says funny things all day long. Here are a few examples:
"I'm sorry, mom...I won't do it again, I promise." (Thank you to whoever it was that taught him that!)
"Mom, I want to be naked for Halloween!"
"Dad, it's time to wake up. It's over!" (i.e., General Conference)
"Can I have french fries and a large frosty for lunch?" Of course, I said "No." "Well, can I have Meili for lunch?"
Meili is extra cute. She loves to follow Isaac around and play with whatever he's playing with. Isaac calls her Godzilla (sometimes Meizilla) when she's being especially destructive with his toys. And she cringes and closes her eyes whenever Isaac has something in his hand that he's swinging around. Why she doesn't just get out of the way, I have no idea. Her new thing is to climb up onto Isaac's toddler table. You can tell by her grin that it's something she's super proud of!
Marshall's school is going well. He's working hard to get a paper done by December, and he spends his spare time tutoring MBA students for a pretty penny. When he's at home, he and Isaac are usually in the basement laying down on the floor building scenes from Star Wars. They recently completed the Hoth Base and a snow speeder.
My life is pretty much consumed by the two little ones. I recently got called to our stake's Young Women Presidency (as secretary). I am working with some amazing women. Brenda Hymas is the President, Connie Thorneloe and Joy Wawrzyniak are the 1st and 2nd counselors, respectively. I'm already enjoying meeting all of the YW leaders and girls in the stake and seeing how things are done at a stake level.
We're enjoying a lazy day at home. Although Marshall's getting a little anxious since he hasn't done any Christmas shopping. So, what does he do when he's anxious - he plays with the Legos. Here are a few pics of the fam around the house.
This is Meili's new model face when you tell her to smile or say 'cheese'. It kind of reminds me of the monsters from 'Where the Wild Things Are' - gnashing her terrible teeth.
This last weekend we had a huge snowstorm that left us with 23 inches of beautiful, white Winter Wonderland. We took the opportunity to go sledding with the family. There's a hill behind some houses down the street that the neighborhood uses for a sledding. Meili wore Isaac's old snowsuit, since she didn't have one of her own. We had a blast!! The kids did pretty well and enjoyed the new experience.
The only present that Isaac has asked for for Christmas is a 1988 Lego set: Black Monarch's Castle (he pronounces it "Monax"). So what better gift to get mom than a white one. Unfortunately, it doesn't come in white.
We recently took a trip to Texas to visit family and to also be in the wedding of one of my best friends from high school - Tiana. We were there for about 10 days and had lots of fun visiting old friends and hanging with Grandma Leslie, Uncle Dan, and Grandpa Lynn. We also got to see my grandparents and some aunts and uncles. Daniel earned his Eagle Scout award a couple of years, and we finally held a Court of Honor for him. All in all, we had a great time and can't wait to visit Texas again soon.
Me and the kids with my mom, Charles and Brenda (I love these guys!)
The kids with Brittany and Sandy
Me and the kids with Granddaddy Jim and Grandma Carol
Meili and Uncle Daniel
Sister Elaine Dalton, General President of the Young Women for the Church, lead our Stake Auxiliary Leadership Training in November. Being in the Stake YW's presidency, I had the opportunity to have dinner with her, Brother Dalton, and their daughter-in-law (as well as Sister Cheryl Lant and a member of the General RS Board). After dinner, we had a training for the Stake YW Leaders over six stakes, where she talked to us about being 'in front' (i.e., completing personal progress, having regular scripture study and prayer, etc.), and she challenged us to make a difference in the life of at least one YW (whether in the Church or not) every single day. Then we had a training with the Ward and Stake YW Leaders of the six stakes. It was truly amazing. I was impressed by her humility and sense of service. Her love for us, the YW and the Lord was apparent in everything she said. She talked about being 100% in three things everyday: Pray morning and night; have at least 5 minutes of scripture study; and smile. I also had the chance to chat with her husband, who served his mission in Fort Worth and spent some time in Denton. He and his wife recently visited there for the Denton Jubilee, to celebrate 50 years of the Church being in Denton. It was a wonderful, magical evening!
Meili was in the hospital again. She got another cold, and the breathing problems came along with it. The doctor thinks it's Respiratory Inflammation Disease (a.k.a. asthma that's triggered by a virus). Because she had a virus, the nurses and doctors had to wear masks, gloves, and robes, and Meili wasn't allowed to leave to room. So she entertained herself by putting on my shoes and wearing them around the room.
Meili had a really cute outfit on today... photo shoot!! (if only I had a professional camera and a good editing program).
If Marshall hadn't passed his Comps, he would probably quit his day job and go into construction. He and my dad are currently finishing the basement - the electrical and building inspectors just approved the electrical (done by Marshall) and framing (done by my dad), so now it's time for the drywall!
Isaac wanted to be just like his daddy, so I loaded up a nail apron with his plastic tools and he went around the basement 'marking' the studs.
I helped my dad frame the nook/bookcase wall area. I did a lot of the cutting and some of the drilling. Maybe I should quit my day job. (This picture was taken last night at 4am).
