My week

My parents were here for about 5 minutes this week. It was so fun and way too fast. We went to the Acadian Village, the Tabasco Factory and then on a great Swamp tour. My camera batteries dies, so I did not get many pictures and I have to wait for my parents to email me with the ones they took so I may never get them published. We went out to eat a lot, we went with the Waihi's to a fun Cajun place called Randol's and had some great food. My dad couldn't get enough crawfish. We were able to catch one Mardi Gras parade while they were here, but I think dads was disappointed that he missed out on that. Lorelai did great with Grandma and Grandpa and would love to tickle Grandma's feet. But was a little freaked out when she saw Grandpa take off his leg. She literally gasped! It was very funny. I probably wasn't the best hostess since my head has been in a vice for the past 3 weeks. I did get a CT Scan and an MRI. So those of you who are concerned I am hoping to have some answers by the end of next week. Today will consist of cleaning the house. It has been an entire week since I have cleaned the toilets and the floors. It is pretty disgusting. Justin's play is in Production Week, so we will not be seeing much of him and I will not be working until next Sat. That means I will have missed work for like 2 weeks in a row!!! I will be glad to get back to a regular work schedule. So that is all that is going on here. I have not been blogging because my head hurts too much to go on the computer for too long. Sorry! I will try to get better!

Mardi Gras 2009

My friend, Kari took these pictures at the Children's Parade on Saturday. She has an amazing talent! I wish I could put her in my purse and keep her as my personal photographer! We had a really great time at the Children's Parade. Caroline was with a friend and we did not catch up with her until the end of the parade. We went to another parade today. Mom and Justin and all 3 kids were there today! Dad couldn't make it and was totally bummed. We had a lot of fun catching beads, but the Children's Parade is definitely the best one and the only one we will go to from now on.

Hilton is 6

My little boy turned 6 years old last week. I have not been able to post because I have a killer headache that just won't go away, so I better post now before he turns 7... I will have to put up the pictures from his party later. Hilton is in kindergarten and is the perfect picture of a little boy at this age. He likes to play with Hot Wheels and ride his bike and scooter. He prefers to be outside to being inside. He would love to have a video game, but we won't allow them in the house... So he improvises by playing on the computer with Webkins. He has 2, Taco the Chihuahua and Wavy the Elephant. He comes up with cute names for his toys. He also likes to play with his Papa's old GI Joes. Hilton has a great imagination. He is constantly talking and singing. Unfortunately his imagination contributes to some pretty interesting stories that he tells me. He is quite the actor when he is trying to get me to believe something. I just don't know when he is telling the truth! I don't know where he gets that acting gene... Hilton is a very vocal kid. He wakes us up early in the morning with his yelling and laughing and singing... but at school and church, everyone thinks he is the perfect little angel! Did I tell you he was a good actor? He loves to give hugs and kisses and is great at sharing. He is also great at pushing his sisters' buttons. He know exactly what to do to make both of them scream or cry. He loves to lay on me because I am "squishy like a pillow." Lately Hilton has been talking with a Southern accent. He likes to sound like his friends. It just cracks me up. Hilton's favorite foods are hot cheese sandwiches and apples. He also loves candy but is great at brushing his teeth. My baby boy is growing up! He wants to be a missionary and to pass the sacrament. He insists on wearing a tie every Sunday to church. He told me that when he grows up he is going to just love with me forever, because he does not want a wife and he wants me to drive him around because I am a good driver and he doesn't want to get into an accident. He does not want to be a firefighter because it is too dangerous and he wants to be a professor like his Papa when he grows up. The minute he walks in the door, his shoes come off and the crocs go on. He prefers Crocs or flip flops and would wear shorts every day of the week if I let him. He loves to sing High School Musical songs and Hannah Montana... he got the High School Musical 3 CD for his birthday. But he is just as content to sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. I can't believe my baby boy is not a baby any more!

VT message this month

So, I actually went visiting teaching this week. This was a great accomplishment for me because living out her in the old nission field you kind of get a free pass and are able to count your VT if you call someone or send them a note or something. I tend to do that a lot because sometimes I feel rather overwhelmed when I have to work most nights. I feel like during the day I don't have a lot of time... even thought that is totally not true, so some things get put to the side so that I can get in my nap and make sure dinner is on the table and the house is clean before I go to work in the evening. Anyway... I actually did my calling and went to people I visit teach and gave them a message. Mostly with Jill Stewart I just end up gabbing, and instead of spending the 20 minutes that I plan, I am there for 2 hours! We talk about books and kids and everything else, and sometimes I forget to give the message. She and I just have a lot in common and it is hard to limit myself to just a few minutes. But she plans for that and doesn't mind that I am there for an entire morning. Or at least she doesn't seem to mind... hmmm... anyway, the point of this entry is to talk about the message for this month. It was so good and really struch a chord with me. The message for the month is about the Divine Roles of women. I think that it pertains not just to women in the church, but in society as well. We are bombarded daily by individuals telling us to take care of ourselves. That we need to watch out for #1. We are the most important. And as women in the church, sometimes we feel that this might be selfish. I know I always have. I know that we have been taught that it is ok to take care of ourselves, that when we take better care of ourselves we can better take care of others. I know this, but I have never really bought it. Our role is to take care of others, be selfless, charity.. and all that, right? But as I get older I have been realizing that it is ok to take a little time for me. Sister Beck says that if we don not ttake care of the feminine part of us, noone else will. This just hit me like a ton of bricks when I read it. No one else will!!! So I really need to make sure that I am not only taking care of my family and their well-being but that I am also making sure I am ok. The last quote was from something Spencer W. Kimball said. He was a prophet of the church when I was really little. He said that now, more than ever, in these last days before the Second Coming of Christ, we need righteous examples. Women who are righteous are going to be the biggest influence in this world. This was what, 25 years ago? I think now, it is even more relevent. I think of Michelle Obama, whom I love by the way... she has made it very clear that her "agenda" takes a back seat to her children and her family. As First Lady I am sure she has things she would like to accomplish! She is one of the most powerful women in the world right now... but she has said that her family comes first. She wants to be the wife and mother to her husband and children before she is the First Lady. I think this is a great example of being a righteous example. So, I encourage all of us to think, not only about others, but ourselves, and what kind of influence we can be. We can all be a great influence on our families, and on our children, but what kind of influence are we being on our society?