Run For the Money

The twins' elementary school only does one fundraiser these days, called Run For the Money. Kids ask for donations and then they run. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to the school. I much prefer that to buying cookie dough or candy bars, where I buy an overpriced, unwanted item where only a small portion benefits the schoool. The kids raised over $20,000 this year!

In addition to running the kids could hula hoop, jump rope, and get sprayed with color. Next year I think I'll run with them.

Cameron loves to jump rope lately.

The boys joined up for a brotherly hug.

Peace out, Harrison!

My First Bonus Time

I've made it through the busy season at work, the busiest I've been in a long time. I worked 45 hours for two weeks, 7 days on, one day off. Two cycles of that was killer. It was like I lived at the store.

My second home.

I loved helping people find the best products for their skin and the most flattering colors for their faces. It was great to be able to pass out gifts; that was the highlight of the event for me. I did get a little annoyed by people who hemmed and hawed about the color of gift (and there were a few grumpy folks) but other than that the experience was pleasant.

Nice free gift.

In the midst of this craziness I was also awarded employee of the week! 

How nice is that?

Me on the first day of bonus time.

My co-workers say that the fall gift is the easier one. The gift in spring is the really busy one--glad I got some experience in before that!

Headlines from my Life

I made banana bread. It was dry because I made a double batch and only used 5 instead of 6 bananas. Should have frozen the fruit for smoothies.

Dinner menu this week has been going well. Last night: fish tacos.

I was employee of the week. Key word for me was "conscientious."

Mary has been very happy back at home.

I accidentally threw my keys away at lunch and they got destroyed in the industrial trash compactor at Macy's.

Harrison dressed up as a soldier for career day. Cameron is a lawyer.

All three younger kids have their Halloween costumes set. Watch out for Attack on Titan member, a Creeper from Minecraft, and a hot dog.

Tyce transferred his church records over to the singles ward.

I had a stake training planned for tonight but it has been postponed due to a regional training the next day. Hello.

I chose honesty over keeping quiet and I think I lost a friend.

Our boys are Webelos at Scouts now.

I got up to see the sun rise.

Life is going pretty well.

And that's about all I have to say for now.

Changes

Just when you think you know what's up, things change. Here's the big one: Mary is done with public school. She was doing so incredibly well and then suddenly she crashed, overwhelmed by her anxiety and depression. Her misery level went through the roof. The crowds, the people, and the noise were just too much. Her once straight-As started to slip into Bs and Cs and she couldn't find the strength to catch up. The darkness closed in. We recognized this as the beginning of the end--one of the main reasons we didn't want her to go to public school in the first place.

I guess part of me viewed her success though in public school as evidence that she could live a "normal" life and have "normal" experiences. But if you know Mary you know that she is not your average girl. Why would I want her to live an average life? 

Albert Einstein said: 

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

My unease comes from the fact that I'm working a million hours lately for Clinique bonus time and I'm not ready for homeschool. I thought she'd at least make it through the semester. I don't have anything prepared. I am completely exhausted by my job and overwhelmed by my guilt that I'm not available and on top of things. Bryce reminded me that even if I were home people would be falling apart. Comforting thought or sad realization?

Anyway, you know how much we love our Mary. She's a fish who can't climb a tree but she can swim better than anyone else I know. Homeschool is the river she needs--and so we will find one.

Things the Twins Say

At Food 4 Less for an after-school snack.

Cameron: I can't wait till I'm 20. No, 40. Then I'll have lots of money for an awesome car.

Me:  I'm 40 and *I* don't have money for an awesome car.

Cam:  That's because you spend all your money on makeup, and food that we obviously don't need.

Me:  Like these cheese puffs?

Cam:  No. Well. Ah, that's hard.

****

Later that afternoon they ate pomegranates. They had to choose a fruit before they could eat their junk food.

Cam: I'm really glad you got us these pocket knives, Mom!

Me:  Oh good. Why's that?

Cam:  They come with tweezers and that's how Harrison and I are getting those little seeds out.

****

Before bed with Harrison.

Me:  Do you know who's speaking at General Conference in this picture?

Harrison:  Oh! It's that one guy . . . hm. The 12th Apostle?

Me: He's AN apostle. President Uchtdorf.

Harrison:  That picture was too tiny. If I'd have seen his hair I would have known.

****

Me:  We need to make sure we say our prayers. Do you pray on your own?

Harrison:  Yes, every day. When I'm scared, or need help. Guess how many blessings I have. Billions. Because I have faith. That's how I found the Roku remote that one time under a pile of clothes.

(Bryce said that Harrison also tells him he can tell which packs of baseball cards have Giants in them because he has faith.)

****

Harrison:  You know who I like? Cole Hardy. He is always smiling. He was so happy to do his part in the Primary program. If I were a little kid I would ask Cole to be my best friend.