Saturday Synopsis

Childhood is for tree climbing.  I took this photo about a month ago when the trees were beginning to bloom.  Now we live in the Emerald City once again, as summer has returned.

Brynlie had her last dance competition and went out with a BANG!  She and Siara were awarded FIRST PLACE IN THE MUSICAL THEATER CATEGORY!  Siara slept at our house the night before and I took the girls (and the rest of the kids) to the movie theater.  These cute girls saw Divergent, while the rest of us enjoyed the new Amazing Spiderman 2 movie, complete with dinner at Freddy's.

We took Bella to a leash-off dog park.  Her outgoing, assertive personality was put to the test when some Goliath dogs wanted to play.  Our peppy, cheerleader puppy ran to us for comfort when she realized one of the larger dogs could drop-kick her.  After a while, some smaller dogs joined the fun and Bella pranced around like a princess with her new friends.

Since the dog park experience, Bella has been trying to get this stuffed animal to play.  She even searches for the dog when she wants a nap.  She's trying to convince us to buy her a playmate, but it aint happenin'.

I realize my husband has CANCER, so any complaining I do here about my own ailments pales in comparison.  But my allergies have been TERRIBLE.  DREADFUL.  DEPRESSING.  HORRENDOUS.  And any other synonym for "wanting to die".  I strongly considered putting my head inside a guillotine.  All the symptoms are debilitating, causing me to become a homebody in the past couple weeks.  I have an appointment with my allergist on Monday, where I'm going to beg, plead and bribe him for help.  Besides my itchy, stuffy, watery, runny mess of a face, I haven't been able to sleep well in weeks.   Have I properly conveyed my discomfort?  I look and feel like poop.

Last week, Lindsey's 3rd grade teacher held a Mothers Day Tea.  I had prayed for days that I would be able to attend, because I literally hadn't been able to open my eyes or get off the couch due to the-allergies-from-hell.  The program was adorable, complete with a slideshow, gifts, and stories that praised Moms.  Lindsey was so excited to have me attend, and even made me wear a maxi skirt to match hers.

These three girls are BFFs: Madeleine, Lindsey and Abby.

The kids spoiled me with gifts on Mothers Day, and even made me breakfast in bed.  I was trying hard to survive the morning, since my allergies were at an all-time high.  The frustration with allergies, combined with the other recent stress in our lives, spun me into a mess.  I faked my way through the morning, and made it to church a few minutes late.  While sitting in Sacrament, I almost burst into tears because I felt so awful.  I decided to go home early and re-medicate before the kids got home.  Lindsey was interviewed at church, and told the leader that her mom is happiest "when she's sleeping."  My kids must think I'm so lazy.

At least Logan still thinks I'm gorgeous.

Lindsey is the best gift-giver in the house!  She researches, plans and shops for items that will bring a smile to our faces.  While looking online, she found this $3 necklace at Walmart.  I wore my inexpensive necklace with pride several times this week.  "Mom" is my favorite title.

Brevan gave me perfume, and Brynlie gave me a cute scarf.  Logan bought me a vase of roses, as well as 4 small marigolds to plant in the yard.  We worked together to plant them in the perfect spot where they will get plenty of sunshine.  

Brynlie put this sweet post on Instagram on the evening of Mothers Day.  The picture of Logan was taken when we were at Goodwill looking for an ugly Hawaiian shirt (which Brevan needed for a dance).

Brevan and his Freshman buddies skipped school one day last week to play games and canoe at Ethan's house.  We are so happy that Brevan has developed great friendships this past year.  He's even talking about staying home to finish High School, rather than leaving early for college. When the school called to ask why he wasn't in school, I told them he was playing hooky.  They told me the absence would not be excused.  I told them my son has a 4.0, so he deserves a day off here and there. 

I spent yesterday at the KC zoo with these two cuties.  I woke up Lindsey early in the morning to tell her I would not be able to attend the field trip because Ryan was feeling so nauseated from chemo.  She burst into tears and said, "I know Dad needs you, but I do too!" I immediately jumped in the shower because we want the kid's lives to remain as normal as possible.  Another day this past week, Brynlie had a mini-meltdown where she screamed, "I hate cancer!  I never want to hear the word cancer again!"  Me neither, poor kid.

This weekend has included a guest staying at the house (Brett Webb, while he interviews for a job), a birthday party for the two youngest kids, a song practice for three of the family members who are singing at a baptism tomorrow, a sleepover at Brynlie's dance studio, a drug test (for Brevan, who is finishing the paperwork for an intern position at Ryan's work), proofreading and re-writing school papers (for both my Creative Writing class and the Teaching of the Living Prophets class), and a whole lot of relaxing because Ryan is feeling crummy.  Just another day in paradise.