Michelle's Birthday and Technology

Michelle turned 5 on Friday. How did my sweet little girl grow up so quickly?
Standing in front of the birthday sign we hung on her bedroom door.
Some of our fun decorations. Doesn't that paper lamp look neat next to my mother-in-laws tile print?

Michelle was so excited for her birthday. She woke up at 6am, came into our room to tell us it was her Birthday. We hugged her and talked to her about the day she was born and other fun memories we have. At 6:30am the rest of the kids came into bed with us and we all told fun Michelle stories. Did you know she loves to play puppies?

Michelle had preschool, but Abby and Peter did not have school, it was grade preparation day (?), so they went wild with the balloons and crepe paper. When I arrived home from work, we quickly made a cake, ate dinner and celebrated Michelle's special day.

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My cell phone decided that yesterday should have been the start of daylight savings. This morning, I use it as my alarm clock, it woke me up at 5am. I didn't realize what time it actually was until after I woke everyone up and went downstairs to start breakfast. I finally looked at the clock on the stove, then looked at the clock on the microwave. I went back upstairs and told everyone to get back in bed. We then slept for 2 hours and I drove everyone to school, which then made me late for work. At 11am as a co-worker clocked in, I told her that she didn't start until 11am. I then realized it was 11am and not 10am as I thought. I still am very confused as to what time it is today. I should be serving dinner, it's 5:30pm, but I haven't started it yet.

Rick asked why I didn't notice how dark it was outside, I told him I don't open my eyes until I shower. He also said I shouldn't be so dependant on technology, but without it, I would sleep until 8am. Hopefully technology worked better for you today!

28 Days of Fun! UPDATED

Michelle told me this morning that we are all human beans. Because we are all human and from way up high we look like beans, kind of pink.

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Preparations are in high gear as we get ready for our 28 Days of Celebration.
I was going to link the pink letters to my post last April, but that seems too much for me this morning, so just imagine lots of shopping and gift wrapping.

Today Michelle and I are going to have a Mommy and Me date. My plan is to take her to a fun toy store in town, giving her a $5 limit, and let her pick something out. For dessert we plan to see if Mike's Ice Cream is open (Please be open, she's been wanting to go there for months).

-Mike's Ice Cream was not open. Rats! They did not have a sign on the door saying if they were just closed for the day, or still closed since the road in front of it is torn up. We improvised by going to Dairy Queen instead. Yummy, but lacking the fun atmosphere of Mike's.

Tomorrow night Rick's sister, Marianne and her family will be coming to watch Conference and Party.

Happy Birthday to everyone whose birthday's are coming up: Michelle, Abby, Peter, Mom, Erin, Brady, Stevie, Katie, Iris, Emily and anyone I may have missed!

UPDATE -Mike's Ice Cream was not open. RATS! Not sure if they just closed for the day or still closed for the winter since the road is torn up. We improvised by going to Dairy Queen, yummy but lacking the fun atmosphere.

Spring Break in Oregon

While my little sister Wendy and her family got to go to warm beaches and water slides on their spring break. Ours wasn't as exciting and much colder. This is what the last several days have looked like. Thank you Rick for taking the pictures for me!

Our Easter Experience

Easter this year had extra meaning. Rick's aunt, Chiyoko passed away last Tuesday, March 18th. We were sad to see her go, but know that she is finally free from the intense pain she was having. We were able to share our testimonies of Christ and the Resurrection with our kids as we talked about being able to see auntie Chiyoko once again. The Easter Bunny came with all his fun goodies to remind us that life does go on.
Fun cracker carrots the Easter Bunny added to the baskets.

Recreating our Easter Egg Hunt-ours actually took place Sunday inside. These photos were taken yesterday before Chiyoko's funeral.

Need to remember not to take pictures with such bad shadows.

Quick Thoughts

I returned to work about a month ago. My mother-in-laws home, which we are now residing in, has suffered. I find that I am a great housekeeper when that is my only job. But once I returned to work, things have gone downhill. My laundry, which was once about nonexistent has exploded. I vacuum only once a week, without the same zest I previously had. Dusting has been left for another time, please don't look at the mantle or the ceiling fan. I've only been spot mopping the kitchen, and sweeping only when necessary. Kids toys seem to be everywhere except the boxes they should be in.

Super-mom-cook-housekeeper I am not. Staying afloat is my new goal. Maybe I'll try to get to that dusting today. Tending to the needs of my family, keeping peace with my mother-in-law and watching Rick's aunt Chiyoko slowly decline occupies much of my day. Adding a part-time job seems almost overwhelming, but it is nice to have a break from some of those I spend time with.

I was going to post a picture of Chiyoko and Hana, but blogger won't let me today. Maybe in a couple of weeks I'll get around to it, probably about the same time I decide to dust.

Finally New Flooring!

I've been waiting a couple of years for this. Ahh, excitement. Too bad we're not living in our house to enjoy our new floors.