A Good Day

Do you ever have those days where things just seem to go right? Where patience comes easy, you feel the love, and all the faces around you seem to be smiling? That was my day today! I was thinking it was going to be another doozy when I woke up this morning though. My body was aching and my eyes just did not want to open. I dragged myself out of bed and set about getting Maryn ready for school. I had just ironed her clothes and was urging her to get herself dressed. However, she did not approve of my styling choices. Which was a cute pair of jeans and a blue, striped, button-down shirt with ruffles on the front. She informed me it looked like a boy shirt. I told her it was not a boy shirt, because it had cute ruffles on the front of it, and hastily slid it on her and buttoned it up. To which she replied "Ruffles? Mom, I look ridiculous! I'm not wearing that!" (When she added 'ridiculous' to her vocabulary is beyond me. But now Brynnie also informs me when things look 'ree-dic-ooh-luss' too.) I distracted Maryn by letting her pick out her shoes and promised she would never have to wear it again after today if she really thought it was that ridiculous. Apparently the shoe distraction worked, because she thankfully dropped the boy-shirt issue. Any other morning it very well could have sent the whole house into a tailspin. I quickly french braided some pigtails on her, brushed her teeth, and off she went to school with Justin.

When Brynnie and I picked her up, she'd had a great day and her teacher said her behavior had been great! Big sigh of relief from Mom! (Maryn is a leader by nature, and let's just say lately she'd been leading some of her classmates down the path of unrighteousness! As in, she had a day last week where she kept spitting on other kids. Her buddy decided that was fun and he decided to spit on another kid too. Ahh Maryn, what am I gonna do with that girl?) Anyways, so she had a great day today and kept her salivary glands in check.

So we headed home and had some lunch together. After we had finished eating though, we decided it was too beautiful to be inside. We called up Laura and her boys and met up at the walking trail to ride bikes. Maryn's friend Audrey and her momma, Melysa met us there too. The kids had fun fighting over bikes, sliding down the hills, and throwing rocks in the creek. It was awesome because we all got tuckered out and came home to take a nap.

Brynna was feeling very possessive of her bike, even though she wasn't riding it. Poor Thatch puts up with a lot of drama from his female friends. He just takes it all in stride though!

Maryn and Audrey sliding down the hill on their bellies. Audrey is a much better dare devil, Maryn really had to think about going face first!

In fact, the whole thing made her a little moody!

"I don't want my picture taken!!!"
Umm, nap anyone? Yes, please!

When I woke up from my little snooze on the couch, Justin had brought the mail in. There was a box sitting on the coffee table next to me. I picked it up and saw that it was a package for the girls from Aunt Kristine and cousins Cole and Kade who live in Germany! (I mentioned in my last post how much we LOVE getting unexpected packages! It was like the ol' mailbox was our own international jackpot this week! Sweet!) So I opened it up and my heart just melted! Cole had drawn a big picture for us of his family and made an Easter Bunny face. And, Kristine had gotten the girls some yummy German Easter Candy! Seriously, how spoiled and loved are my kids!? When the girls woke up from their naps, I showed them their surprises! You better believe we were getting some serious grinnage from those two little monkeys! They were elated! Maryn kept saying while I was making dinner "That was SO sweet of them!" I totally agree, we were really feeling the love! Thanks Sis!

Even that bedhead could not dampen the excitement over this fun package! WAHOO!

A little taste of Germany! Mmm, mmm, good!

I had a date with Jody and Tracy Ensign to work on assembling invitations for Megan and Aaron's wedding at 6:30. So I was rushing trying to get dinner made and on the table. While I was mashing the potatoes for the Shepard's Pie my friend, Laura calls me up and tells me she's on the way over. I had been lamenting the day before about how ugly all my maternity clothes were. Since this is my last pregnancy though, I am stubborn and refuse to buy more, since I know I won't use them again. Laura, who always looks so good, had dug out some of her cuter maternity clothes and was bringing them to me to borrow. Seriously, could I ask for a better friend?! Laura, you rule!

What's gonna work? TEAMWORK! Good job on the table girls!

So as I was feeling better about my wardrobe options, I finished up dinner and threw it in the oven. The girls then worked together (without fighting!) and set the table for me and actually did a really good job. We scarfed down dinner together and I raced out the door to Tracy's house. We sat around and yakked with each other, which is always so much fun, while we tied ribbons on the invitations. I was cracking up because of course with newlyweds, the conversation turned to the Birds and the Bees (sorry Megan and Aaron!). I just loved that I was sitting there with two of the coolest women, talking about such a frank subject and it was so not awkward at all. We all just laughed like girlfriends and shared stories about how we were all so unprepared! It was a hoot!

I had to get home by 9:00 so Justin could then race off to go have some much needed guy-time with his friends. I called him on the way home and Justin said he had put the girls to bed, but told me they wanted hugs from me, so they were still awake. When I walked through the door the girls raced out of their rooms and showered me with hugs and loves! They said "We just love it when you come home Mommy!" Ahh, how does that not melt your heart? I must say, this woman has had a very good day!