This year I volunteered to be in charge of the Reflections art competition at the kids' school. They hadn't had it in the past, because they didn't have anyone who was willing to run it. My kids loved participating at their old school, and there's not a lot of art going on in their current classrooms, so I wanted to give them the chance to do it. Looking back, it was so much work. Like, a ton. And I didn't have any volunteer helpers, so it was really just me, and the poor, poor, wonderful office secretary, and Nate on tech support. But it was really a success! We had fifty-something entries, gave out tons of awards, and actually have two kids from the school who have made it to state. Additionally, I now know where the district offices are, where every classroom is, where every teacher's box is, and I can call the principal and vice principal and pta staff by their first names, and they recognize my face, if not my name. That said, one year was enough for me...

In October, I got the chance to go to Ohio with all my sisters and my Mom for a conference of our own making. Beck hosted this time, and did a fabulous job. Each of us did a presentation, some of which included cooking, growth mindsets, communication, parenting, makeup tips, exercise, etc. We even learned a choreographed dance! It was a really, really great time. It was wonderful to reconnect and realize that we're all in a pretty similar boat, just trying to do our best. And I've got to say, these girls are hilarious and so much fun to be around. They're all positive, kind, upbeat, and willing to do anything, as long as we could do it together. We had fun shopping, doing puzzles, playing games, singing and playing the piano, and just sitting around talking. I, for one, came away from it feeling refreshed and like I just might make it. You think going to Target is dangerous alone? Try it with your 8 besties. That's us taking up every single self-checkou...

Having lunch at Dad's work was something we really wanted to do this summer. When we got down to the final week before school, we decided it was now or never, so down to Salt Lake City we went. Bri was with us and had been for a while, and it was fun to take her down to see temple square. It's so beautiful there. And it's always a treat to see Nate in the middle of the day. Outside the Church History Library Our lunching spot. The children and their father were scandalized that our normal spot was closed off because they were in there hanging Christmas lights! Addison found this dead dragonfly. It's wings were amazing. The clan. These guys LOVE their Aunt Bri. When we were done with lunch and had walked around a little, Nate took Bri to the train so she could head back to her neck of the woods. I took the kids over to City Creek Center. We saw the fish and almost got Bryn's ears pierced on a whim and visited the Disney store, which in...