First of the First

I finally can connect to the internet! And it's even kind of a secure connection.

A lot has happened in the last few weeks. Don't worry, I'm not going to subject you to an epic post. Instead, I'll subject you to several small posts over the next few weeks.

For now, I will share with you Peter's big accomplishment: he's a first grader.

First day of first grade

His jungle-themed classroom

He likes his teacher and LOVES that they're learning about space. He came home one day this week and told me all about the Mars Rover (and he was shocked that I knew it was called Curiosity) and then he built one of his own out of Legos. He spent a large part of the afternoon driving it around his Mars themed Lego mat. That was a good day.

Destination Achieved

We're here, and we've been here for a week. Unfortunately I'm having computer issues and can't get on a secure internet connection. So, I'm risking my online security just long enough to get up a post this week.

We're glad to be back.

On the Road Again

Guess who's on their way back to Provo?

We Believe

On Sunday, after the lesson was over in Young Women, we had a testimony meeting. This one was a little different than others I've been to. It was unspoken. The Young Women President played church music and she instructed us that we were to take turns, each writing one thing on the board that we were thankful for. After everyone had had a turn, then we could go up for seconds, thirds, fourths, etc.

I scoffed internally at first. After all, a testimony is not what you are thankful for, it is what you believe or know to be true. But as the meeting went on, it occurred to me that for these Young Women, their beliefs and testimonies begin with the things that are important to them, the things they are thankful for. So while these were more "thankamonies", the Spirit was strong. And not having anyone talk added to it. It was a lovely meeting.

Radio Silence

Remember when I had strep throat a few weeks ago? Well, I guess we didn't get rid of the germs and they found a new host.

Bryan struggled with feeling lousy for a few days before being steamrolled by bacteria on Sunday night. Neither he nor I slept much that night. I finally convinced him to go to the doctor on Monday afternoon. He texted me with the two possible diagnoses: strep throat or mono.

Bryan has been working extremely hard to finish his projects for his internship. His immune system noticed and decided it was tired and wanted to take a little break. The good news is that the illness is indeed strep throat. The bad news is that he's still at risk for mono.

And so, instead of blogging, I've been on duty all day and all night for the last week. I'm pretty worn out. And he's on doctor's orders to do as little as possible. He was told to stay home from work for a few days and we had to cancel a weekend trip to Minneapolis (which made me really sad).

I think he's on the mend. He's spent the evening explaining things to me like the mars rover and political attack ads and FCC rulings, and Bryan explaining things is generally a good sign that he's feeling better.

A Sign You Have Big Brothers

We were driving tonight when Phoebe called from the backseat, "Mommy, you don't eat my brain, okay?"

Guess who was playing zombies with her big brothers this morning?

And in honor of Phoebe's request, go listen to this. Warning: it's not for the squeamish.

I, Robot

Phoebe likes to play pretend. Sometimes she's a cat, sometimes she's a puppy. Tonight while getting ready for bed, she told me about being other people.

Phoebe: Mommy, I Peter.
Me: (smiling) No, you're Phoebe.
Phoebe: (smiling, too) No... I Mommy.
Me: You're Phoebe.
Phoebe: (suddenly serious) No, I robot.
Me: (laughing) What?!
Phoebe: (nodding pensively) Yeah, I robot.

Stress Reliever

Last Wednesday I wrote a post about how this summer has been. The last two months have been hard. Very, very hard. I detailed some of the reasons in that post.

And I didn't publish it.

I realized that no one would benefit by my complaining. Perhaps I'll email the post to myself, just so I have it in my records. Let it suffice that we have had a rough time with tempers and tantrums and a general lack of kindness.

Here are a few things I've done to deal with the stress:

1. I've prayed a lot. A LOT. 
2. Bryan has given me a blessing. 
3. We've listened to music from General Conference.
4. I've run. And walked. And lifted weights. And run.
5. We've made friends and spent lots of time at their houses.
6. We've watched a ridiculous amount of TV.
7. And I've prayed some more.

I do like Wisconsin, and I'll miss the friends that we've made here, but I'm ready to be done. Two more weeks...