Sunday, July 5, 2009









I had a good week. Last Sunday, I committed myself to being a better mom this week. Specifically, I decided that I was going to try harder to not yell at my kids and to chill out and stop obsessing so much about selling the house. I had been concentrating too much of my efforts on keeping the house clean in case I had to show it, and too little effort on enjoying my kids and on controlling my temper. Dumb. So this week I did much better. I was reminded that if I have been praying for it, the house will sell when the time is right, and I've no reason to stress about it. So anyway, I'm cool, the family's cool, and this weekend was SUPER cool. On Friday, after the kids and I left the library, we met Brian (and practically every other young family in town) over at the bank that was serving free hot dogs and ice cream. We all just sat out there on the lawn enjoying the food and the perfect 70 degree weather. Does life get any better than that? Oh, yes it does. It gets better when you realize that your bank is giving out free ice cream too (AND they have triple brownie fudge), and you just happen to have a check to deposit. I only felt sheepish for a minute when I saw a couple I know from the gym in the ice cream line and it occurred to me that they had just seen me eating free ice cream at the other bank a few minutes earlier. My confidence returned, however, when I realized that I had also seen them.
And THEN when I drove through the tunnel on my way to Eugene to do some grocery shopping, I kept honking my horn at Janey's request and the semi in front of me honked in reply. And THEN I withstood the temptation to buy everyone a 4th of July tee shirt AND I put back the five pound tub of licorice that made it all the way to the register with me at Costco. And I didn't even hit traffic on the way home. And Jim and Deena called just minutes after I got back into town to invite us to go up the coast a little to build a bon fire and watch fireworks at the water's edge. SO AMAZING. And then yesterday, on our way to the ward picnic where I actually participated in the relay races, Brian pulled over at the scene of an accident and was able to offer his help. And to top it all off, we watched the fireworks AGAIN last night down at the river and the family sitting nearest to us gave each of the kids a glow necklace thing to play with. It was just one of those weekends when I felt like all that was missing was everyone holding hands across America singing Heal the World. You know what I mean?!
Other than that--we bought a previously-bank-owned lot just north of town (in the neighborhood where we built the spec house) on which to build our dream home when this house DOES sell. (By dream home I actually just mean a house with a side-facing garage) Brian ran about 8 1/2 miles on Monday. (Did I already mention that he got in to the St. George Marathon this year? Did I mention that he is NOT a runner? I'm so excited for him!) Me and the kids are loving going to the lake several times a week. Camp has been assigned Mrs. Griffiths as his kindergarten teacher for the fall, Danin goes around squealing "I see your bum," and I believe that some of Jane's fits have lasted an impressive 45 minutes or so. What a life.

10 comments:

Audge said...

You forgot to mention that another highlight of your week was that you had a good conversation on the phone with your sister Audrey. Haha JK. So Danin runs around saying "I see your bum" huh? Seeing as that fits Mitchell humor, I find that fetching funny. So that is cool that Brian ran 8 1/2 miles. Props to him. Your week sounds like it was really fun...oh and I AM STOKED TO SEE YOU AND BRIAN AND YOUR KIDS FOR THE FAMILY REUNION!

Sarah Collett said...

So! We're happy too! Rigg's stop beating Weslie with that fire truck...

Topsy and Havoc said...

sounds like a dream! i can't wait to see you guys in a couple weeks. the 4th of july has finally become a good holiday for all of us in the fam. it's about time because it used to be our family in the dirt backyard doing sparklers and hitting the sack by 8pm while all our rich ward friends were barbequing at their pool parties.

does brian ever participate in the blog? if so, hey brian, remember when miss california in the miss america pagaent raised the roof 80 times in 10 seconds? wow that was halarious.

McLeod Clan said...

Amazing week Annie! Awesome pictures too

Audge said...

Ahaha. Miss California. That right there lost her the whole competition.

Jen said...

Sounds like fun! I wish we could have been there.

Ryan & Brooke said...

Wow Ann that was an even better week than you told me over the phone. And now I think I shall have an equally glorious week because of one of your posts. Yes I finally got the net today. You are a very kind friend. In fact you made me sound so cool I want to hang out with myself! And lucky for me I am stranded in the cheese state for awhile all by myself. Lucky day! In reality thank you for all your kind words. You make me out to be someone with a lot of attributes I aspire to. I miss you!

Danalin said...

Great weekend - love free food. Go Brian on the marathon! Cute, cute kiddos.

Her Royal Highness said...

Love it! That is seriously the most awesome weekend evuh!

Adventures in Healing said...

It sounds dreamy. (minus the house part- which I SOOOO get)
I want to come up there.