Dear Blog, Remember me?

I haven't blogged in quite a while.  Part of the reason is I feel like I have the same things that I write about over and over because they are the same issues that are on my mind.  I cant seem to shake this Im-a-mom-and-I-worry thing.  On top of this I feel like my days recently have been so jam packed that there are times that I realize the next day that I didn't even get a chance to tell Andrew something cool or important that happened to me the day before.

Last week I had the opportunity to plan the spiritual program for the Relief Society birthday celebration.  I was assigned a month or so ago and even though I am not on the enrichment committee, they put me in charge of it. I admit, for several weeks I didn't worry too much about it but as the time grew near and I began to put things together, I had such a surge of ideas that it made it so that I was quite busy the two weeks before the event.  Then I woke up on the day of and panicked, worried that I had not really done enough to make it a good program.  Part of the program featured a gentleman from our ward dressing as Joseph Smith (complete with cravat, waist and tail coat) and saying a small speech.  Throughout the process of looking for a quote for him to say, I had to read many many different things Joseph Smith wrote.  His letters to Emma and Journal entries were my favorite.  He had such a tender love for his wife and a passionate testimony and love for the people of the church.  It was a really neat experience for me to feel like I got to know him a bit better as a person.

My life has been so blessed recently even though I feel like my days are speeding by so quickly I haven't a chance to breathe.  Charlotte is doing so well and is such a wonderful addition to our family.  We love her so much.  She is such a testament to the good parenting of her Mom and Dad.  Really.  I mean there are too many kids these days with lousy parents and the kids turn out to be wasteful sloths with no good judgement.  Charlotte has none of that.  We feel so lucky to have her in our home.

Lyman is Lyman.  ::sigh:: That kid seriously burns my brain cells.  He tries my patience, purposely disregards what he is told and then does something completely redeeming like giving me a surprise snuggle so that in the end I cant get myself to place him on the top of the driveway with a note "Free child" like I sometimes feel like doing.

Corilynn is also occasionally a brain cell burner.  She is the big kid at home these days with Ruby and so sometimes I find myself surprised with how much that means they get into things they shouldn't.  Corilynn should know better but Ruby does not.  But they are best buddies and I love that she takes great care of her little sister.  Ruby has learned to talk in a high pitched voice for her animals like Corilynn does and is happily her little companion for most of the day.  The other night Corilynn woke up from a bad dream and woke up Ruby too and together at 2:30 am they came skipping to my bedside.  When I asked Corilynn why they were awake she said it was because she had a bad dream.  So I asked why did she wake up Ruby then.  She said, "because I didn't want her to cry and be afraid when I left the room."  Errrrggggh.  I tried to explain that in all likelihood Ruby would have slept right through and not noticed her absence one bit.  Then I trotted them both back to bed.

Ruby...well, Ruby, I am afraid is likely going to be one I blog about a lot in the coming years.  I have never encountered a kid so sweet, so adorable and so exasperating (!!!) as Ruby.  I am afraid for what the years will bring.  She has a temper like no other and so it seems her name fits her quite well.  It takes a lot of heat and pressure to make a Ruby and they are red and so is her temper - ruby red hot!

My book-  ohh man!  We are almost finished with the cover and when that is done, it is only a matter of a few weeks, I think.  It looks so good and I am so stoked for it.  Unfortunately, being 90% done and having your graphic design artist move states at this point means 90% stays at 90% until she can get settled again.  I am having fun though because my sister has decided to re-read my two books (Did I ever mention I wrote another variation?) and she has called me every time she hit a favorite part which must about makes my day. We have a good laugh and romantic giggle together and it makes me happy.

Well, today is supposed to be sunny (the sun does occasionally visit Ohio) and near 70 and I have promised the kids a trip to the park so I better toddle off to shower.  Freaking out does not even begin to describe their excitement.  Ohhh grey Ohio skies - please go away so we can have spring soon!