It's Been a While....

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted on my blog! I'm sure the people who read this blog (I think there might be 5 of you, LOL!) are sick of looking at those same pictures by now!

So what are we up to? Well, let's see....DH's basketball team is undefeated! Yea! Unfortunately, the varsity team is not doing quite as well (I think they're 2-11 right now -- not so good). Everyone is back in school and both girls got their report cards. A has a 100 in every single class and B also has really high As in every class. They learn so quickly and academics come very easily to both of them. B is enjoying a winter training camp for soccer, three days each week. She didn't go this morning, though -- I think my sisters who live in cold climates decided to be generous and share their cold weather with us....it was 20 degrees outside at 8 a.m. this morning. No, thank you! A is keeping the scorebook for DH's basketball team and is enjoying that. I asked DH if he ever felt sad that neither of the girls are the slightest bit interested in playing basketball...I was a little surprised that he said he hadn't ever even though about it and it didn't disappoint them at all. I do think he feels a bit smug, though, that they both chose to give up dance and gymnastics in favor of "real" sports (as he puts it).

I can finally make the official announcement -- I have been promoted at work and will be starting my new job on February 1. I found out the week of Thanksgiving that I had been selected for the job but wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Of course, I had to tell my family and a few close friends...but now that it's official, I can tell the world. I'm really excited about this job -- I've wanted it for two years and I'm looking forward to it. I'm especially looking forward to the change of pace. The job I'm in currently is very high-stress, fast-paced, and intense...and I'm ready for a break from that. More money, less stress, and I won't have to work so many extra hours. I love it!

I also started a water aerobics class this week with two coworkers. Wow -- what a workout! I don't remember my water aerobics class in college being that much of a workout. It was so much fun -- it was a definite workout but the nice thing about being in the water is that you don't get sweaty (which is what I hate most about exercise). It was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to making this a regular part of my week. And now that I am starting a new job and will be working in a different building, it will give me a chance to spend time with these two coworkers who are so much fun to be with.

We are in the midst of a project at home...after being in our home for 8 years, we are reclaiming the dining room. Ever since the day we moved into our home, the dining room has been the playroom. A more accurate description would be "Barbie City, USA"! So we are cleaning out, throwing out, giving away, and reclaiming this space so that we'll have a dininh room. I am hoping to find an awesome deal on a dining table and chairs sometime this year...the kitchen table and chairs (which we will be moving out of the kitchen and into the dining room) were bought 17 years ago with wedding gift money. They're rather worn out and it's time to replace them. So I'll be keeping my eyes open for a fabulous deal. In the meantime, I need to figure out what color to paint the walls in the dining room and finish the big move. I'm excited to have a real dining room. I continue to feel the need to declutter and organize our home and this is one project we've been thinking about for a while.

It is a bit sad, though, to accept that our girls have really outgrown the need for a playroom. It appears that the future does not hold more children in store for us and so, in a way, making this change in our home feels like I'm closing the door on that part of my life. After one really disheartening experience (we had hoped to adopt a little boy last summer but it didn't work out), I'm just not sure I have it in me to pursue another adoption. I feel like I'm slowly coming to terms with the fact that this part of my life is over...infertility is not fun fun and I resent its near-constant presence in my life for the past four years...and it's time for me to move on. I think part of the reason I put off the transformation of the playroom into a dining room for so long (because, honestly, the girls haven't used the playroom in FOREVER) is because I just wasn't ready to admit that we weren't going to ever need a playroom anymore. I think DH would still like to puruse a foster care/adoption but I just don't know right now if I have it in me.

I didn't mean to turn this into a "downer" post! Just sharing what's going on in our home (and my head and heart) right now.

A and I are going to a youth dance at church tonight -- the theme is the 80s. It was so funny to watch the reaction from A and some of the other young women when I was describing 80s fashion to them. ROTFLOL! They were laughing and couldn't believe some of the trends (neon, anyone?). They could believe that we used to layer our socks and scrunch them down...peg our jeans...wear layered polos and t-shirts and turn up the collars and role the sleeves...they really got a laugh out of the fact that neon was popular at one point in time (I think that trend lasted about a week, LOL)...big, huge shoulder pads, and big, colorful earrings. It will be interesting to see if any of them dress up for the 80s theme tonight.

I'm glad Monday is a holiday -- more time to work on the dining room transformation!

The Weekend....

It was busy but not terrible. I stayed home with the girls Friday night since DH had a basketball tournament (his freshman team placed 3rd in the freshman region -- not bad!). Poor B was still pretty sick but was on the upswing...she even ate, which made me feel a lot better. She was very upset at having to be quarantined and kept away from everybody. She is so social! Saturday morning my Mom kept the girls and my Dad and I went to the temple sealing of a friend of ours in Atlanta. An almost 2-hour drive up there...for a 15 minute ceremony...and an almost 2-hour drive home. But it was worth it. Congratulations to Shanna and Tracy!!

Saturday DH more two more basketball games, so as soon as I got home from Atlanta I barricaded myself into the house with the girls. Well, not really...B was feeling much better Saturday and was going stir crazy, so we ran over to Target quickly to get Valentine's Day stuff. It was a quick trip and it kept her happy for a while. When DH got home that afternoon we had dinner and then A and I ran errands and got home around 9 p.m. Sunday morning was church. B stayed home with my Mom (who has a sinus infection). B was definitely feeling better yesterday and was almost completely back to her normal self (aside from the coughing and congestion).

Last night one of DH's brothers stopped by for a couple of hours. He's in Georgia for a couple of days for work. It was wonderful to see him. We're hoping he can stop by again tonight or tomorrow night. We only get to see DH's family once each year so it was great to get to see him. He asked if we were definitely settled in Georgia, or if we think about moving...mentioned off-hand that his company has a division of contracting people who specialize in Government contraccting...also dropped passing references to Hill AFB. Hmmmmmm...I know DH's family wishes we would move to Utah (or at least closer than we are now). I just don't think the timing is right. But then again, will it ever be right?

Last night I started feeling sick and I was worried that I might be coming down with the flu. I'm feeling better today, but my sister E is now feeling sick. I am really hoping that we all escape the flu...especially A, who is so excited for her trip to Massachusetts that she can hardly stand it. She started packing her carry-on bag and suitcase yesterday!! LOL

So today it's back to the grind...it's only 1:15 on Monday and I already want this week to be over!

Who Said Weekends are Supposed to be Relaxing?

Busy, busy, busy. That's the story of my life.

I've worked late several nights this week, and that will continue for the next few months. I'm working this weekend...and that will also continue for the next few months. Such fun for me!

Our weekend in a nutshell, starting this afternoon:

Me -- physical therapy from 4:00 to 5:30, then home to feed the kids, then grocery shopping (my Mom is going to do a freezer cooking session for us tomorrow -- yea Mom! I just have to provide the groceries and cook and shred 15 pounds of chicken tonight), sign B up for soccer
DH -- basketball game...home around midnight
B -- sleepover with a friend
A -- hanging out with Mama (she has a bad cold)

Saturday:
A and me -- science fair at the Museum of Aviation (send some positive vibes her way, please -- she really wants to go to State!)
M -- basketball game in the morning...home around 1:00
Me -- go to work after science fair, prepare a YW lesson sometime tomorrow night, finish shopping, do laundry, clean the house....yeah, like all of that is going to happen!

Sunday:
All -- church, then choir after church for me, then make dessert for Sunday dinner, then Sunday dinner with my family

I really should work on Sunday but I have a personal policy about that. I do not work Sundays unless it is absolutely, absolutely, absolutely necessary. I am hoping it doesn't become absolutely necessary this weekend. I have no doubt that over the next few months there will be a few Sundays I have to work. *Sigh*

So busy. I really need some down time!