Do you want the good news or the bad news?

So I called the temple to schedule our sealing.  They only had 3 time slots left for June 9th, 8am, 6pm, or 7pm.  Kimi is trying to come, but needs to leave that evening so she can be home for a farewell of some good friends.  So I chose 8AM.  Little did I know that I need to be at the temple at 6:45AM!  I am barely opening my eyes at 6:30, and you all know I am not a morning person.  But I hope I will be excited, and it will counter out any orneriness I might have.  When the lady sent me the e-mail with the information, I found out Sarah could be there.  I didn't even think that was possible.  I am so excited she can be apart of this special day. We had stake conference this weekend, and Mark even ran into her bishop.  He was able to tell the bishop that we need to get Sarah in for an interview so she can come to the ceremony.  What timing is that.
Now for the kicker.  Apparently because I never canceled my sealing with Brandon (which I was always counseled not to do unless I was being sealed again), Annadele and Alexandra were born under the covenant to me and Brandon.  Whatcha you talkin' about Willis?  I am still a little dumb founded over this.  I have such mixed emotions.  Yeah! my girls are sealed to me, but with my ex not good.  So apparently, we need another letter from the first presidency to get a cancellation for them.  It all sounds crazy to me.  And of course our bishop chose this week to go out of town.  It has taken so long to get to this point.  Now I don't know if we will be able to be sealed on June 9th.  Please say prayers for us.  It just seems there are always obstacles in the way. 

Something good that happened this week.  Alexandra gave us an honest to goodness kiss on the cheek.  She only did it once, but it was so great.  She usually just leans in her head so you can kiss her, and that is how she gives love.  So to have her actually have her kiss us was a special treat. 
Other than that my kids have been home all week just trying to get over colds and sicknesses.  Annadele woke up Saturday morning with diarea.  Leaked it all over the carpet in our room, in the hall til she was in the bathroom and we could change her.  Gotta love being a parent.  But I still love it.  And I have been cleaning like crazy.  Just trying to spring clean and get organized.  That and mom is coming to visit.  Not that she would care, but it is an extra incentive.

It is finally happening!!!

I have really good news.  We got our letters of clearance and cancellation.  I am so excited.  I never dreamed it would be this fast.  I was even contemplating trying to have our sealing earlier, but I think it will be best if we just keep June 9th as the date.  How cool will this be that I get to be sealed on the same day we were married.  At least I don't have to try to remember two different dates. 
We have been having some crazy weather here.  Last Saturday we were supposed to go to a birthday party for a boy in our ward Brenner.  It got moved to this Saturday because it ended up being cold and rainy in the 60's.  Well this Saturday we had total opposite weather.  It was sunny and 95 degrees.  This is too much of a jump for my body to handle.  I think too much for my girls too because they both have colds now.  We had a good time at the party but I tried to stay in the shade as much as possible.
Back at Christmas time, I was asked if I wouldn't join the ward choir.  They are always looking for people to come sing, and support them.  Of course I said I would, so Mark stays home with the girls so I can go.  Our Stake President has decided this year that he doesn't want any rest hymns in our sacrament programs.  He wants the wards to have musical numbers from the ward to perform.  So the choir is performing about once a month to help with this.  We have also had all of the different programs like primary, young women's,  young men's, all of the men, and soloist.  We have even had some amazing instrument pieces.   I think our ward music director is getting desperate because she has asked me to sing a solo.  She twisted my arm, but I said yes.  I tried to tell her I have a choir voice not a soloist voice.  But she prevailed.  I told her I don't have music so to pick a song for me.  So we will see.  I don't even know when they want me to do this.  I hope it is not too soon because I will need to practice it to death.  I know I will be nervous.  Being in front of people is not my cup of tea, but we are not supposed to hide our talents under a bushel.  I hope I am not sorry I said yes.
I have these knots in my shoulder blades, and on my left side it was throbbing.  So much so that it woke me up in the middle of the night on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Mark tried to message me, and it helped a little.  He was a real sweet heart and got me an appointment with the message school that is close to our house.  Oh how I wished I lived in Utah so I could call Manda.  The session was good, but when she was working on my shoulders, I was clamping my teeth because it hurt so bad.  It was a good hurt but it still hurt.  When she realized she was hurting me she backed off her pressure.  I just wanted her to get at those knots.  I can't remember the last time I had a message.  It was so good.  I think more than once a year is in order. 

Art and Easter

I keep thinking we haven't done any thing or there is nothing new going on, but then I remember little things that have happened. A couple of weeks ago Sarah's school had an art night. It said to dress to impress. The girls thought it was fun to get all dressed up in their Sunday clothes. They had the students art displayed up and down all of the halls. Sarah had a special place since one of her art pieces was chosen as artist of the month. They had students serving hors d'oeuvre. One thing that I thought was cute, they had students dressed up as characters from history. They had pretend buttons to push, and then they would tell you a little bit about their character. It was supposed to be like a museum. Like Night at the museum. I think the art was being used as a fund raiser for the school. But we never found out what they wanted for it. I guess we are to cheap, or to poor, or maybe a little of both. They even had live music going on in different parts of the school. One of Sarah's friend was playing the harp. We had a good time.









Sarah had spring break this last week. I had forgotten that she would be with us during the day. I didn't really plan anything. But we did go to In-N-Out for lunch on Wednesday. While we were there Alex had to wave and say hi to everyone, and Annadele said "Hi boys whatcha doin?" to a group of men having lunch there. Thank heaven they didn't hear her, but I thought I am in trouble if she is flirting already. We spent Thursday on the hunt for a dress for Sarah. Adele had bought the girls some Easter dresses, and Sarah's was a size too small. She could fit into it, but the problem is that I need it to fit her in June when we go to Canada for Mark's cousins wedding. She is growing so fast that I know I needed to try and fix it. We ended up going to two different Burlington Coat Factory's. The first store was a mess. We couldn't find the right sizes, or colors. I had brought all of the girls dresses in case I needed to trade them all out. The first store didn't have the right color. We ended up switching it to yellow, but at least it was the right size. Then we went to another store, and I couldn't find any dresses of the style we were looking for. I was about ready to change all of the girls dresses to a completely different dress. Just as we are leaving, I found the right dress in the right size and color. Hallelujah!! The only problem is that it was lunch time, and I had three hungry, tired girls. So I splurged again and we ate lunch at Pei Wei. But then the little ones were able to come home and take a nap. As did mommy, and I think Sarah read and watched TV. Then we colored Easter eggs that night at a family. It was the first time for Annadele and Alex. Annadele had fun with it, and I don't think Alex cared one way or another.
Friday, Mark decided to take Sarah with him for some daddy daughter time. The girls and I had been invited to Katherine Mellot's, a lady in our ward, house to color eggs with her and a few moms. It was a little crazy with all of the toddlers, but it was fun. The funny thing was watching Brenner try to eat the die. He kept wanting to put the spoon in his mouth, or try to drink from the cup.

Saturday, we went to an Easter Egg hunt that a church was doing at the school that is just down from our house. Although when we got there, there was no hunting for eggs. They had a face painting, and someone making balloon figures. They had a relay race going on for the older kids. There was a lot of people, and the lines were really long. We didn't stay to long. But we did try to get their picture taken with a bunny. Just like Santa, they were scared of the Easter Bunny, but at least we got Alex to say cheese. We left with Annadele wanting to get her face painted. I had remembered that Ethel M was having something at the cactus garden, so we decided to check it out. It was heaven sent. We got there at 11:40, and the event didn't start til 12 noon. So we took a tour, walking down their hall, and got a free sample of chocolate, and walked around the garden. I even saw a lizard run away. The good news is that they had some one making balloon figures, and face painting for free. And because we were there early, we didn't have to wait in line. The girls thought it was great, and so did mom and dad.

Easter morning was a bit of a rush. We have church at 9:00AM. I was in charge of the nursery snack, so I was cutting up strawberries and cheese. When Annadele woke up, we showed the kids their Easter baskets. It had a couple of trinkets, and candy I had bought the year before, but never gave them, and some puzzles I bought at Christmas time. I thought I had to be to church early because the choir was performing even though it was fast Sunday for us. We ended up only getting there 10 min. early. We had a nice day. The girls looked cute in their dresses. We had steak for dinner with some rice, and I made deviled eggs for my self. Oh I forgot to hide the eggs, but with Sarah not here, Annadele and Alex don't even know that I didn't do it. I am so grateful for my Savior, and his sacrifice. I am so grateful for my family. I can't wait for the day when we can be sealed together. I am so grateful for scriptures. I love the stories and the strength of our prophets of old. I enjoyed listening to conference. Unfortunately, I got sick Sunday and slept through most of it, but I have been trying to listen to a talk a day. I am so grateful for a living prophet and apostles. I feel so blessed to be a part of his church today.

Moving forward

We listen to this kids nursery songs in the car all of the time. So much so, that Annadele knows many of the songs by heart. I think she is adorable singing Daisy Daisy. What surprised me is that when she sings this in the car she for some unknown reason she will usually say "a bicycle built for Wally". I don't know why but when I recorded her she actually said two, and now corrects her dad when he says Wally.
We finally had our interview with the Stake President regarding my cancellation and Mark's clearance. It seemed to go really well. He asked if we supported each other, and loved each other. He even asked me if Mark was abusive, but I guess in this day in age he has to ask. He said the last one he did took 40 days. So if we don't hear from him, or receive our own letters in the mail, we are supposed to follow up mid May. If all goes well, we are tentatively planning to do it on our anniversary which is June 9Th. How cool would that be to be able to get sealed on our wedding day in the Las Vegas temple. It is even a Saturday. All I can say is it is in the Lords hands, but I really, really hope it can happen. If we are denied, then we have to wait another year before we can apply again. I am praying we don't have to wait, but again it is in the Lord's hands. I have to trust that he is in control.
Other than that we had a uneventful week, or at least I don't remember much going on.
Sarah was trying to use the blanket as a turban. She said she doesn't know how the Arabs do it. But I suspect they don't use a thick blanket. Alex is crying. She was crying on and off all night driving her mother crazy. I don't know what Mark is trying to do. We will leave it at that. I love my funny family.

Van, and reminice

Our van has been leaking some fluid since we had it repaired back in November. I decided since I needed to have a lube and oil done on it that I would have them look at the leaks also. Apparently, we had some hoses going from the transmission to the radiator that were bad. So $330 later it is now fixed. I am glad it is not leaking any more, but the car still has a check engine light on. It seems like it is always on so I don't know if I should be concerned or not. The van seems to be more of a money pit than I care for, but I am not the one in control of the money so I do what I have to to get by. I guess you can say at least I don't have a car payment on top of all the repairs, but I wonder if I had a car payment instead of paying repairs if it would equal out? I guess for now I will never know.
Our progress with our cancellations and sealing are inching along. Mark had to do some work at church, and was able to talk with the Bishop. So we found out he forgot to give us the name and number of the Stake clerk. Aaaahhhh!!! Mark was able to talk to the guy and get us an appointment. The soonest he could see us is March 25Th at 2:00pm. But at least it is a step in the right direction.
Mark just reminded me that it was 6 years ago today, March 18Th, that we met on that fateful hike. I still remember hiking in Red Rock talking to him as we are heading back to our cars, and it starts snowing. A rarity for Las Vegas. We had a great conversation, but I couldn't tell what he looked liked. He was wearing a hat, sunglasses, a long sleeve shirt, and shorts. He was carrying a staff that I thought was for hiking. Later to find out, it is a martial arts staff. I was wearing a plain white T-shirt, and a pair of jeans. He thought I was the best looking woman there, but he tried not to show it. He was too nervous to ask me out on a date, but got a group of us together to go try different ethnic foods. I think it was a week later I got to see him for the first time over Indian food. I was not interested. So it took a little while but here we are 6 years later married with 2 beautiful daughters.

I'm 3 in March

So we have been telling Annadele she will turn 3 in March. March is here and she finally turned three. She is such a sweet heart. She didn't care about a big party or anything. Of course I have already decided she will not have a friend party until she is 5. I don't think it is necessary, and after last years fiasco I just am not up for it. But I think she had a nice day. Adele flew in from New York Thursday evening. She asked me if I wanted to go shopping, and of course I said yes. I don't get many opportunities to get out of the house and especially with out any kids. We were looking for somethings for her new house, and I was able to get a couple of stools to use in the bathroom to help Annadele in the potty training process (so hopefully I won't have to be there every time.) I had looked in Walmart and hadn't found anything, so I was pretty happy to find them all cutiesed up and everything at Home goods. We also got a few balloons just because I know Annadele and Alex would like them.
We started the day at IHOP. We had brought in the presents for Annadele to unwrap while we waited for our food. She loved everything she got. She got a Tiana dress up from Sarah. A collection of princess barbie dolls from me and Mark, and dress up ballerina skirt from Alex. She loved everything she got, and was very good when we told her she had to wait to go home to open the barbies and try on her dress up stuff. The staff even sang Happy Birthday to her. I wasn't expecting that. I know they do that at other restaurants, but it was a nice surprise at IHOP. She even got a bowl of ice cream that I think she took one bite of. Oh well, it was the thought that counts. It was a pretty low key day. Dad and Mom were trying to clean and organize their new place since mom was only going to be here a few days. We took Sarah out of school so she could be around and enjoy the day. Mark had a meeting that night so we decided to have an early dinner at Red Robin so he could be there. It was a little crazy with my two little ones. With Alex not feeling well, she didn't even want to eat which isn't like her. The table in front of us had two kids who got balloons, and that is all she cared about. The funny thing is that Annadele had said she wanted a hamburger for dinner, thus Red Robin, and when we got there she ordered Mac n' Cheese. Got a love it.
Mark went to his meeting, and the rest of us went to the park for a little bit. It was great to move around after a heavy meal. The kids always love the slides, and if they get an opportunity the swings. We got home, and I put Alex to bed. We sang Happy Birthday to her, and had some cookie cake. Sarah had promised Annadele she would paint her face. So Annadele put on her Tiana costume, and got her face painted. It was a great end to a good day.








So now that her birthday is over Annadele keeps telling me it is someone elses birthday now. I think she is worried we still have all of this cookie cake, and it is not her birthday any more. And what are we going to do about it. Slowly it is getting eaten. The bad part is that is mainly me. I think it will go in the garbage sooner than later. Then she asks me who's birthday it is today. I keep telling her Breanna's is on the 30Th.
Our new find this week is that they just opened up a WinCo foods here. Mark went on Monday, and then he took me grocery shopping on Tuesday night while dad watched the kids. It was like a kid in a candy store. I couldn't believe all of the bins of food they had. The cool find for us is that they had dutch process cocoa. We have been looking for it in the stores, and can't find it. We were thinking we might have to special order it over the internet or make a trip to Hersey Penn. to find it. We even went back on Saturday to show his mom the store and pick up some steaks for Sunday dinner. I don't think it is a store I will go to every week, but some of the deals are worth a trip once a month.

Dance, dance, tv

So I didn't post last week mainly because I was so exhausted. I think from Monday night to Friday night I had a week of insomnia. I know on Tuesday morning I had agreed to watch Alisa Jenkins kids while she went to a doctors appointment. I don't know why I worry about these things, but I do. It worried me a little to be watching her 8 month old and 3 year old on top of having my two little ones. Her 3 year old is a little bit of a handful and I feel like I have to watch her like a hawk. She likes to get into things she isn't supposed to, and she can be a little aggressive toward Annadele. I know while they were playing on the bunk bed she pulled Annadele off the ladder, and hurt her. So some of my worry is justified. All in all they are pretty good, but I have already forgotten how grabby little ones can be. Ethan the 8 month old was pulling mail off the table, and even managed to get the lid off of a water bottle and spill most of its contents on the carpet. Thank heaven it was only water. But Alisa is pregnant again, and it looks like there are some complications. The doctor had her go to a specialist the next day to get some testing done. Her husband is out of town, and she needed some help. I was glad to help out, but I defiantly am in no hurry to have any more kids.
I don't know if worrying about taking the extra kids spurred insomnia, but basically I didn't get much sleep all week. I would go to bed, and just lay there. My mind wouldn't turn off. I think the earliest I got to bed was 2:30AM. I watched a couple of movies. I played way too much spider solitaire. I listened to a couple of general conference talks. The only thing that makes me mad is that I didn't spend my time better. Why couldn't I start organizing the office, or clean the kitchen. I did think about cleaning the kitchen but then I was worried I would wake up Tony (my father-in-law). I am just glad it is over, and now I am just dealing with restless leg. Although I think because of last week, it has been bad this week. One good night of sleep in a week is not a good thing.
So I got the crazy idea that I wanted to go dancing. When your old and married there aren't a lot of good options out there. So I heard them announce the Singles conference going on, and I talked Mark into crashing the dance. I figured it would be safe enough since there are always lots of people who attend and even people from out of state. It has been almost 5 years, so I figured we could attend with out a lot of attention. The only bad thing is that I didn't have any of the information. I tried to look for it on line and found nothing. Even the singles hot line number just rang and rang. But I knew which stake was hosting the event, and so we drove there because usually it is held at the stake center. We get there and no one is there. We chance on someone going into the church who was able to direct us to the high school near by. So we didn't get there til 10:45 pm. We go down this hall where we see lights and music. I don't think much of it until I look around and only see a bunch of old people. The music was bad, and I just told Mark thank you for taking me from this. But I was thinking, "where are all of the people are age?" This just doesn't seem right. There weren't a lot of people, and it just seemed odd. So at 11pm we decided to walk around a little bit, and found a hall way with some people hanging out. We walk down the hall, and there is a gym with a door. This is where the majority of the people are and the good music. But we get in the room and they announce they will have a closing pray and then one more song for the night. What!?! I just got here. I haven't even taken off my jacket, or started working up a sweat. Are you kidding me. Needless to say it would have been nice of the people taking our money to let us know it was almost over. That and I didn't exercise because I was planning on getting some at the dance. Aaaaahhhh! I guess you can say at least I got slow dance with my hubby, and have some time with him. But I am still annoyed.
Saturday, Sarah had a dance recital. She has been taking classes at the YMCA near her house. Annadele loved it. She can't wait to go to dance classes for her now. In fact on Sunday, she asked me if she could go to dance class now. Jen and her mom thought it was the worst dance recital Sarah has ever been in. Which is partly true. I just look at it this way that a lot of these kids have probably never had dance before, and this was there chance. I was shocked by how many of them were obese, but glad that at least they are taking dance. It just brought back so many memories of dance recitals in our home. I just sympathised with the teacher, but I couldn't tell if it was the dancers or the teacher. Maybe a combination of both, but I know on one part of the dance they added solos on Monday and performed on Saturday. Not a lot of time to have something down. Sarah is dropping dance, and now will start gymnastics and piano lessons.
I finally crashed Saturday night, and went to bed at 9 pm. I woke up at 2 am to kick a couple of magic players out of our house and order Mark to bed. And Sunday I went to bed early again. I think I just dragged all week because of the lack of sleep from the week before. What a vicious cycle this is.
Not a lot happened this week. I did finally start cleaning the office, but that was because we changed cable companies. I knew they needed to do some work in the office, and it was a pig stye. It is like my junk drawer that you just throw everything in and then walk away. The room still needs a lot of work but at least you can see wood on both desk. Mark needs to go through a lot of papers so who knows if that will ever happen. At least when the Century Link guy was here it wasn't so embarrassing.