Peek-a-BOO

Paige the Lamanite

Summer to-do list

At the start of the summer we made a list of things we wanted to do and taped it to our wall. Now its time to look back and see how we did...




X - 4th of July activities



X - River Trail



X - Hiking



X - Trip to AZ



X - Museum




X - Waterpark



X - Park



X - other fun things, not listed

Not pictured:
X - Trip to the pet store
X - Canyon picnic
X - Movie theater

Things on the list we haven't gotten around to yet:
0 - Barnyard
0 - Mini Golf
0 - Visit to Tasha's house (will be remedied soon)

Rumor is I'll stick with Swiffer

Today was deep clean day.

I am starting classes at UVU this week and I know I will have very little time to get things done around the house now. I can usually keep the house tidy and picked up, but I would never call it clean. So I took some time today to actually do something about all the things that I notice needing to be done. One of those things was to mop the floor.

I have never been very good at mopping, or about mopping. Growing up my mom had carpet everywhere in the house, so we just vacuumed everything. My husband had to teach me how to mop, but I don't get it. How does mopping get anything clean? Sure the big spots disappear, but mostly all the dirt just gets spread around. It doesn't make sense to me. To help me with my aversion to mopping I have been using the Swiffer mop with the wet cleaning pads. I knew it was the only way I would actually be getting my floors clean, because Brian is the only one that pulls out the big mop and bucket. I've always felt like I was cheating, but at least the Swiffer is something.

This time, however, I got on my hands and knees with special cleaner and a big wet towel - guess I was feeling ambitious today. I scrubbed and scrubbed, but all I have to show for it is red knees. My floor still looks as dirty as it does when I use the Swiffer (maybe its just the color of the tile). Therefore, I will be sticking with my Swiffer method - who cares if its cheating. At least its easy.

we live here

Whenever someone comes over, the first thing I want to say is, "Sorry for the mess". But I usually stop myself. Brian has told me to never say that. He says a messy house means we actually live there. That's a good attitude and I'm glad that's how he feels, but it is hard for me to not apologize. So, if you come to my house, know that I wish it were cleaner, but Hey, we live here.

Rumor is I'm a baker

I recently learned how to bake bread. It started out as a personal progress goal and I provided homemade bread for the sacrament for a month. That was something I remember a girl in my ward growing up did for her personal progress and I thought it was the most awesomest thing. I had since tried, unsuccessfully, to convince some of our young women to do it, and then realized I could do it. I was pretty nervous to commit to something like that because I've never even attempted to bake bread, and I'd heard about all kinds trouble with bread-making, so I didn't think I could do it. But my friend gave me a fool-proof recipe and I had perfectly delicious bread from the very first batch. I've continued to bake bread, but it never lasts. I usually bake three loaves at a time. My family and I eat almost an entire loaf fresh out of the oven, and I give away the other two to friends and neighbors for different reasons while the bread is still warm. After all, homemade bread just isn't the same if its not fresh from the oven.

11-5

11am - 5pm. 6 consecutive hours. This is nap time at our house. That's a big chunk of time for me to give up. If I want to run any errands or do anything I have to do it first thing in the morning, or later at night. Its okay though, I'd rather not do things with kids anyway.

Levi naps from 11-1, then Ashby naps from about 1-4, and Levi naps again from 3-5.

I am looking forward to the day when Levi is happy taking just one nap - and everyone's naps overlap - and then I can take a nap too.

So, if its the middle of the day and you are looking for me. Come on over - chances are I am home.

I went to Girls Camp

So, I got to go to Girls Camp this year.

Of the four years I have been in young women's this is the second time I've gone to camp - the other two I had new babies. But this was the first time I've gone as a stake leader. Things are a little different at the stake level. I am very glad that I am not in charge of camp - that is really a lot of work, but it was fun to be able to help. I was put in charge of music and photography, and helped out with the 4th year hike and certification.

One thing I did in preparation for camp was learn how to play the harmonica. This was my Knowledge Personal Progress goal and I was very excited to get to contribute to the camp atmosphere by playing. It was interesting to learn the harmonica. I wanted Brian to teach me, because he is good at it, but he does everything by ear, and I had a hard time learning like that. So I looked at some books and learned how to read music and play that way. I still want to keep practicing so that I can play by ear soon, but it was really fun to play at all the flag ceremonies and camp firesides and DEAR times - Oh, and a whole lot of prelude (its amazing how long it takes the girls to be where they're supposed to be, and do what they're supposed to do).

The fourth year hike was fun. I bought a backpack at a yard sale this summer just for this moment. And I borrowed other necessary supplies from neighbors. We hiked up a little ways and set up camp for the night. We cooked our dinner on "buddy burners" (I've never heard of them, have you?) and had a fireside (where I was the main speaker - yah, that's scary). I had one of my better night sleeps there while camping and we woke up before the sun the next morning to hike to the top of the mountain. It got pretty steep, but I'm glad the hike wasn't too far. Its nice to know I did it, even when there were a few times I wanted to pull off the trail for a minute to catch my breath and rest, I just kept going. The devotional at the top of the mountain and view looking down were the best part. I'm glad I got to participate in this hike.

Overall, it was a wonderful week at Girls Camp. I'm so glad I got to go. It took a lot of preparation to get the family ready for me to be gone. I rounded up 6 different helpers for the week, prepared many lists and schedules, stocked the pantry, wrapped up surprises for the kids - and a special surprise for Brian since I would be away on our anniversary (I was really excited about all the goodies I left for him), made my secret sister present, got my church calling stuff taken care of, paid the bills, and packed. I missed my family while I was gone, but luckily I was kept pretty busy so I couldn't dwell on anything too much. Mostly though, I found myself missing my mom for most of the week. I guess there's something about Girls Camp that makes you feel closer to heaven. I really had a great experience, and can't wait to do it again next year!