Michael's HOME!!!!

I felt so blessed on Monday! I was able to wake up with the kids and have energy and go exercise with all three, while Jeff slept in a bit more. Then we all got ready and headed to Kelly's house for sewing. Max took a nap again and slept the whole time and the kids played well. I had so much fun visiting with Cara, Kelly, and Emily while I cut little strips and made my very first 9-patch! I'm so excited! I keep telling Kelly over and over how thrilled I am to be quilting. I think it's so fun to have a hobby where you can see the end product and it doesn't get undone, like many of the chores I have to do each day. I have such a feeling of accomplishment and it's so fun to learn a new skill. I truly feel blessed for my friends and for Kelly's willingness to teach.

Sewing my long strips together before I cut them. 

Now I get to piece them together for a patch. 

A 9-patch, hooray!

After sewing we went home for lunch and naps. I read scriptures, studied my lesson for Mia Maids, then worked on sewing four more patches (I have to sew 31 total so I'm trying for five a day), then Lily and I did an art project, then the boys woke up. Actually Max woke up early, but I changed his diaper, gave him some more bottle and he went back to sleep. We then got gas, washed the car, went grocery shopping, mailed a package at Mail n' Copy, returned books to the library, ate dinner, took baths, cleaned up, read scriptures, had the kids help me fold and put their clothes away, said prayers, the bedtime! I felt so good all day and had such  positive attitude that I know Heavenly Father was helping me. The sun was shining and it was just a wonderful day!

Tuesday was a day we had been so excited about for so long! We have been talking about it for so long that the kids just shouted with excitement every time I brought up our trip to the airport. I put the kids down for naps early so I wouldn't have to wake them up to go and we got their just in time. I was so worried we'd miss seeing him come out and it would ruin this image we had been talking about, but we got there and the kids weren't shy and Michael looked great. He was glowing and seemed to happy and there was just a wonderful spirit about him. We talked with him for a bit then headed back home. The drive is an hour each way and the kids did awesome. Jeff stayed at his parents so I was grateful that they did as well as they did so I wasn't completely exhausted putting them to bed.

Lily didn't have school and we kept ourselves busy. On Friday we had 3 play dates (one here, one at the park, and Lily went to Taryn's house) and then dinner at the Chadwick's. Jan was so nice to invite us over for dinner when she found out Jeff was gone and they were having the missionaries over too. They don't have any young kids, but Lily and Ryan could have stayed there all day, they didn't want to leave! Jan's teenage boys were great with them and enjoyed holding Max so it was a very pleasant night. Sometimes eating at other's homes with kids can be stressful, but it was very pleasant.

It was one of the elder's birthdays. The kids liked the party hats. 

Ryan was crying one day and I couldn't understand what he was crying about. I finally begged him to speak clearly so I would know what was wrong. He said there was something on his face. I looked back at him and all I could see were tears. I told him as much and he said, "oh." I told him you have to stop crying so the tears will stop falling. That seemed to satisfy him and he was able to stop.

Lily's wart is off her face, but she still has some on her hand and ankle. She has a new little wart and said to me, "look at my little bitty wart, it's so cute." I'm glad she has taken a liking to them.

Saturday we went to Westminster where I had breakfast with my friend Glenda, whom I met working in  D.C., and then went to see the new movie Cinderella with Lily, Sarah, Diana, and Michael. The movie was good and we enjoyed it, I just couldn't believe there were so many previews and with the Frozen short I think it was 30 minutes before the movie started!

These kids love their Michael, uncles are the best!

Jeff and I headed back home and then came back on Sunday for Michael's talk. It was absolutely wonderful, really such a great talk. He shared some great scriptures, insights, mission experiences, and how he grew. He had three friends who also attended and I was so impressed they came and happy for them to see how changed Michael was. It was a very nice day.