• The magical charm that water possesses as it drips out of the faucet, keeping Zachary occupied for those precious minutes while trying to throw dinner together.
• Enjoying the warm sun at the park for hours- while the kids play contentedly for hours.
• Finally getting crown molding up in the kitchen- though the joy was not quite there when we were trying to get it up ( that stuff is quite difficult to get the angles just right)
• Caulk- it covers the flaws of the above mentioned molding beautifully.
• Having a picnic and baseball game with the boys for FHE.
• A washer and dryer. Honestly for the amount of clothes that need to get washed- it seems like that is all I do- what would it be like if it all had to be done by hand??
• Going on a field trip with Brandon. The third grade classes went to hear Peter and the Wolf. They loved riding on the buses and they all yelled and cheered when the bus started moving- you would have thought they were going to Disneyland.
• Parent Teacher Conference Week- the kids were home an hour early- we seemed to be able to get homework/piano/sports fit in so much better with an extra hour in the afternoon. And truth be told, I kind of like my kids around.
• The M & D Management struck again.... this time with a note in the bathroom indicating if their was anymore toothpaste squirted out on the counter the boys woould be charged .50 for each offense. The counter has been clean for 10 days. Hallelujah.

The moments x2

Sunday slipped by me last week...hence x2.

• We drove to church today together as a family and drove home. This hasn't happened in two years. Maybe we will have to arrange for the Bishop to be gone a little more frequently.


• It was a rough morning waking up and getting everyone ready for church. " didn't you go get me new shoes.. I can't squeeze into these one more time mom!" " I am NOT wearing the blue pants!" " I can't seem to tie my shoes this morning, mom" ( just to name a few of the comments heard) Then Brian walks in ( what!!!) when is he ever home to help us get ready for church? All he says is, " go take care of getting yourself ready, I'll work with the boys." Joy. Yes, joy.
  
  
• We may loose a few battles with the road ( see Andrew's face), but we ultimately win the war.




• Cheesecake. Dawn made the most divine Toffee Carmel Cheesecake for Brian's birthday.



• The boys dogpiling Brian at the end of the birthday day.






• Celebrating a dear friends birthday this week. She has defied all medical history of a very rare disease- she should not be here and nor should she have a healthy baby. She has taught us of miracles and tender mercies, shown us of a mothers strength, taught us to find humor where it sometimes doesn't show its face, we have also seen a husbands tender quiet love and devotion in taking care of his wife. Our days stop briefly to savor the joy in our children and everyday moments because she has taught us this must be.




• Taking walks/runs with my two littlest. I had a few "Alameda moments" these last few weeks as we have been out. Andrew and Zachary are starting to interact more and having them both in the stroller takes me back a few years ago, when it was Brandon and Matthew sitting in the stroller and we were headed to Krusi or Lincoln park, or a walk along Shoreline, or around Bayfarm as the sun was setting over San Francisco, or through the Gold Coast. Life has changed a lot in the last few years, but I am grateful to still have these moments with my kids as we walk and go to the park- it makes it seems like life has just stood still.