Busy, Mostly-Happy (: /) Wednesday and Thursday

Yesterday was such a fun day!  We had Josh and Bethany and Linda over in the late a.m., while Mark steered their truck that Bro. Arnoldsen towed for them; then Emme joined us for a ham and yogurt lunch (provided by Linda) with orange slices from us.  We got outside for part of a walk with Leto, and Bethany got to touch Tut almost the whole time. After Josh and Bethany left, Emme and I laid on the bed together and watched Ponyo and ate Mark's big chocolate chip cookies.  We both got really sleepy-snoozy.  She seemed very pleased with her visit.

We'd gone to Kattie and Ben and baby Ava's the evening before, for a potluck with Mary and Alan and baby Eva!  Melinda and Danny and Phillip and Ben and Linda and all the grandkids were there, too.  It was fairly cold outside, but nice and warm and cozy inside.  Mark made his pork and beans, banana cake, and homemade chocolate w/chocolate shavings ice cream (so rich, made from cream, half and half, and 36 egg yolks!).  We also had chips and cheetos, jello salad, strawberries and chocolate, hot dogs and elk steak, and potato salad.  Doesn't that sound like fun?

I got to see the baby's nursery, too.  Kattie made it so cute!  Both babies were happy and cute.  Eva has red hair!  And big blue eyes, of course.  She's a little doll.  Alan looked just like a Howald to me, and he just fit right in.  I look forward to seeing more of them down the line.  It is sooo good to have more Howalds out here!

After we took Emme home yesterday, we mailed a letter (with 2 packets of cocoa) to Mrs. Cannon, and then went to D.I. to look for this month's book that we are hosting at Melinda's, Enemy at the Gates.  We didn't find it, but it was fun, after I got over being mad at Mark.  His back was hurting him (from sciatica) and he didn't tell me; he just acted really weird, and I accused him of not wanting to be married to me (I always go straight to the worst-case. catastrophic scenario).  He then explained, and I got over it.  Sorry, Mark...  I must have been dehydrated..yes, I'm an ingrate.  "I don't deserve to live!"  ; )
He found a dutch oven-type pot that will be a good addition to our emergency supplies, and I found a few good books.  Then we came home and watched the American Idol results.  They have four left now, all super-talented girls.  Amber is my favorite.  She reminds me of Natalie Cole.

I'm also happy about Megan and Brooks keeping their saddle and blanket and bridle for me, to come out with someone later on.  Thank you!!  That means so much to me!  Also, I got my last two blog books in the mail!  That makes five, and I'm all caught up now, with 2008-2012.  Can you believe it?  I hope to keep up now, maybe getting each year's book for Christmas from now on?  I can hope, can't I?  I'd just have to buy it after the new year, when it would be complete.  

There's nothing like have those journals with pictures, made over time like that.  I told Mark that at least I've accomplished that, and talking on the phone to kids, with a little letter writing and some jewelry-making (I still owe the Campbell kids their Christmas Land, and Tamathy her book - I have everything to finish them off, and I'm anxious to do so).  So that's something, at least!

Today Mark goes to do the Soup Kitchen here in town.  That sounds fun.  He went to a mtg. yesterday to learn more about it.  He's always doing things to help or teach others.  He applied to an Assted. Living facility here in town.  Hope he gets a call.  That's really in God's hands.

Speaking of jobs, Phillip has started working at Target!  Isn't that exciting?  It seems like they have a great atmosphere there and that that would be a cool place to work.  And Ben has a job, too, while he does his studies for a Mortician's license.  Ben, you'd better stick to your schoolwork!  I know it's hard to do with a family - Megan and Melinda are facing the same difficulties - but you've got to make that a priority right now (good thing he doesn't read this, or he'd do just the opposite...you know, it's the mother's advice thing that makes you feel like doing that. ; )

Linda went to the dr. Thurs. a.m., and she said their baby's doing well and they believe it's another girl.  Woo hoo!  I love having new granddaughters - there have been such a slew of them born the last few years, haven't there?  Melinda's 3, Megan's 3, and Linda's almost-2, and Haley's 1.  That's 9 of them!   Not to mention Ava and Eva being here now.  Wow!  We could have great tea parties someday.  : )

 Josh and Hunter and Alex and Tristan and Aiden are the cool big brothers now.  Awesome.

So that's what's happening around here lately (pictures coming), and on May 4th, Alex and Tristan are getting baptized!  I feel very blessed.

Thanks for reading!  We love you, and your comments are appreciated sooo much!

xoxoxo