Weston's birthday week and baptism

Sometime back in December I had a moment where I was completely overwhelmed with emotion, realizing that Weston would soon be turning 8.  I was strongly impressed that I needed to begin preparing for and thinking about his baptism, and I suspect this was largely to give me time to process the deluge of emotion attached to such a significant occasion!  As every parent knows, a milestone in your child's life is also a milestone in yours.  This is definitely the most important event to take place in our family since my mom's death, which certainly added to the emotion of it all.  Because there were so many special things going on the weekend of his baptism, I hadn't really planned anything for Weston's birthday (which was the Tuesday before).  

Suddenly, on Monday morning, I realized that I had darn well better figure out a way to make his day feel special!  I called Carrie (my sister in law, who always has great ideas) who suggested doing a scavenger hunt.  Although it seemed like way more work than I was interested in doing (because I had just come off a long, exhausting weekend), I decided to give it a try.  I was so proud of myself for being creative!  I made a fun scavenger hunt leading Weston all over the house and back yard until he finally came to his first birthday gift, which was hidden in the piano bench.  I also did a little decorating (thanks to my friend, Katie, who bailed me out last minute with a banner)!  Jason was out of town on business, so I couldn't very well run down to the store and grab a few decorations with Weston in tow.  I also wrote happy birthday all over the mirror in his bathroom, and had another small gift sitting on his seat in the car waiting for him.  I was amazed at how thrilled he was at each small thing I did, and even more amazed at the way he thanked me over and over again!  He also got chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, and Sophie decorated his eating area with little blue and gold flowers (fake - from the craft closet), which was very thoughtful since those are his favorite colors.  He won't admit it, but I actually think he sort of liked the flowers. 

Brighton and I came to lunch that day at school, both to bring cookies to Weston's class in honor of his big day, but also to see Sophie, who had been chosen the Queen of Lunch!  She had been chosen because of her excellent behavior.

I couldn't seem to get a real smile out of Weston until one of the cute little girls in his class suggested that he give his best "Indiana Jones" smile.  It worked!  Of course, his arm is also awkwardly positioned behind his head because of pretending to use a bull whip, but other than that, it's a pretty good one:

After I picked the kids up from school, we came home to quickly grab a snack and head for the park.  It was so exciting to realized that we had been heart attacked!  At first I thought it was just for Weston, but it seemed to be for the entire family, which was certainly heart-warming.  It is amazing how such a small act of kindness can lift your burdens and make you feel better about life.  I was feeling so burdened that day, even though it was a happy one!  Sometimes being mom means making the special occasions special no matter how stressed or worried or overwhelmed you are feeling personally.

Next, we made our way over to the fun HUGE park on Craig.  I thought it would be miserably crowded, but it totally wasn't! I had surprised the kids with bubbles, including this little battery operated bubble blower, which of course they couldn't wait to try out.  It is amazing how much anticipation and fun can be purchased for $4! It was a beautiful, perfect day for the park.

My kids could spend ALL DAY on these slides!

After the park, we headed straight to the church for Weston's first day of cub scouts.  He loved it!  I was so happy that he loved it.  He's been looking forward to that for a long time.  After scouts, we had In-N-Out for dinner, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thrilled to not have to make food that night!! It really was a great birthday.

The next day, Jason came home from his business trip. We had arranged for Grandpa to come and hang out with Sophie and Brighton so that we could take Weston out for a special dinner alone with mom and dad. Sophie and Brighton didn't feel left out because they got to eat pizza and watch a movie with Grandpa, so it was a win-win. Weston had never been out for sushi, and that is what he wanted to do.  We were more than happy to oblige!

After a truly delicious dinner, we headed over to Deseret Book for Weston to pick out his very own scriptures (something he had been anticipating for years)!  He picked out the hard-cover kind, and was extremely happy with his choice.  We had his name put on the front, and he was downright thrilled.  He was so excited to read from his new scriptures, that the next night he began reading in Matthew 25 for his homework (he has to read 30 minutes a night).  Amusingly, that particular chapter also led to a discussion about the meaning of the word "virgin."  At this moment, Weston understands a virgin to be an unmarried woman, which is certainly a sufficient definition for now. I know it is only a matter of time before his probing, scientific mind demands more answers about the birds and the bees.  But thankfully, for now we are good!

On Friday, family and friends from out of state began to arrive!  Grandma Laurie came over Friday evening bearing belated Valentine's gifts for the kids. It was sweet, and they loved it!

This is Great-Grandma Rosemary, who shares a special bond with Brighton since they have the same birthday (82 years apart)!

The next day began bright and early! Jason and Weston had to be at the church by 8:30 to get ready.

The program was beautiful, and afterwards, I was able to snap some pictures with a few of the people that had come to support Weston on his special day.  This is Weston's teacher, who has been such a great influence on him this year.  He also gave him some Indiana Jones books as a gift, and I have to say that Weston has never been so excited to read!

Here are Alayna Abbott and Lisa Phillips, who did a lovely musical number.  Lisa plays guitar and they both sing like angels.  It was perfect!  Esther and Hope decided to hop in the photo at the last minute...

I realized that I didn't want this to be an occasion where I was mysteriously missing from all the photos, so the very talented Rebecca Mathews helped me out with pics!

3 generations of Glass men...

So proud of my boy!

Cousins: we attempted to get Brighton in this picture, but he was too wild to be entreated at that moment...

Weston looks up so much to his Uncle Mike.  He really wanted him to give a talk at his baptism, and Mike was happy to oblige. 

Grandmas and uncle Chris...

After, we headed back to the house for some food    

(because what is a special occasion without yummy food)!?

Apparently, Esther and Sophie headed straight for the piano...

Waiting to eat...

Jason with David Shinost and Alayna Abbott.  He loves these guys (and so do I)!

I didn't actually realize that this balloon from grandpa was personalized for Weston until downloading pictures to the computer!  I think it looks pretty awesome.

Brighton agreed!  We ended up having to let it float up near the ceiling where he could no longer reach the string.

I had a lot of help getting the food quickly put out on platters and looking lovely!

Nicole Hafen is in the primary presidency, and we were thrilled to have her with us that day!  And of course, what would I do without Carrie?  Words cannot express how thankful I was for everyone that came to be with us that weekend.  Our joy was magnified by being able to share the special occasion with so many we love!

YUM!

Hope and Emma Olsen - such sweet girls!  I am so glad they were able to spend a little time with us that day.

Brothers

How I love my friend Stephanie!

Weston and Hope in the play house...

Eating outside is SO much more fun! 

 I never cease to be amazed by the frenzy of excitement among children who are waiting for someone to open a present!  Although Weston's birthday had been well celebrated, we decided to have birthday cake and open presents while everyone was there on Saturday.

Cute kiddos!

I find it amazing that these two actually looked at the camera at the same time and smiled!  What a darling picture of my precious nieces.

Brighton was pretty happy chilling with grandpa...

Snuggling with Grandma (and simultaneously posing)...because that is the Sophie way!

A look of pure contentment!  Then again, who isn't happy while opening a pile of gifts!?

Much to Weston's delight, it turned out to be an Indiana Jones kind of birthday! He was so excited about the fedora that he took it to show and tell the next week.  He was surprised and a bit disappointment that none of the other second graders in his class seemed interested in it. Most kids aren't interested in fashions older than their grandparents, I guess. Weston always has had different interests than the other kids his age.  I have always liked that about him!

 Weston and I got a complete (gluten free) cake all to ourselves...no complaints here!

Grandma Laurie, enjoying that super chocolatey cake!

Sometimes Aunt Carrie has all the right tricks up her sleeve...or maybe just a cool app on her phone.  Either way, it was a pleasant surprise to discover that Brighton's silence (in this one instance) was not actually a sign of mischief! 

There are few things that warm the soul like a house full of happy guests and a ton of good food!  After a few hours, everyone had left besides Mike, Carrie and their girls.  Carrie and I decided it was a good time to go through mom's jewelry to find some gifts from Grandma Ruth to Lily, Ester and Sophie over the next few years.  It was relaxing and always makes me happy to look at mom's things...especially when I get to see them being enjoyed by her grand kids!  We decided to let the girls play with some of the more indestructible pieces.  They loved it!

These two were devastated to say good-bye to each other the next day!

Early Saturday evening, we got a surprise knock at the door. Imagine how overjoyed we were to see Jaime Wolff!  She had spent more than twelve hours in airports trying to make it to Vegas! She wasn't able to make it for the actual baptism, but it meant the world to us that she had come to see us just the same.  We had such a great time visiting, as though no time had passed at all since she moved to Florida. We wished we could have seen Jeff, too, but he was with us in spirit. :)

It was so hard to say good-bye, and Jaime was last person we had to say good-bye to.  Sophie told me after she left, through her many tears, that it just wasn't fair that she had to say good-bye to Lily AND Sister Wolff on the same day!  To her, it was an out-right crime!  Sophie has such a tender heart, but fortunately this little super-hero is usually around to make us all laugh (and keep us on our toes)! These jammies from Grandma Laurie were a big hit!

For all of my anxiety and stress over Weston's baptism, I can honestly say that it was all rather successful!  It was a special occasion that we will never forget!  I am truly thankful for everyone that shared it with us, and especially for the monumental effort made by everyone who had to travel  (Mike and Carrie, Grandma Laurie, Rosemary & Mark, The Olsens and Jaime).  Our hearts are truly full!

Thoughts for today

Today I am happy that my kids are having so much fun outside in their playhouse.  They are having so much fun, in fact, that when I offered to take them to the park, they said no!  Why did they say no?  They discovered that I would read to them while they ate a snack outside in the playhouse, to which Weston shouted, “Really!?!?  That is my DREAM!!”  I love times like these, when it is so easy to make my kids’ dreams come true.  I love that they are giggling so much, that they have a day off school, and that the weather is so gorgeous in the middle of January!! (See, people, there ARE benefits to living in Las Vegas!)

I am happy that we are healthy.  Health is a gift that I do not take for granted any more.  I am happy that I typed up my official week-day schedule today, one that I have been more or less staying true to for 2 weeks!  That is really sort of a miracle for me. I am sad that I don’t have any time on the schedule for working out or writing, since those are two passions that make me feel fulfilled in life, but I simply do not have room in the schedule, and I am tired of chaos.  Even with the schedule, I still am behind on pretty much everything.  BUT, I am happy to feel a little bit more control over myself and what I need to do.  In the past, I was always so overwhelmed that I didn’t know where to begin.  Now, at least, I know what to expect of myself every day…I know it is less than what I want, but it is more than before! I am now avoiding the constant collision of overly lofty goals with reality that makes me feel like an utter failure.  Expectation management has been a struggle in the past.  At least I am improving a little bit.  Baby steps, right?  

Today I was also thinking that I am bummed I can’t have a break from making dinner, but realize at the same time how blessed I am to live now instead of, say, a hundred or more years ago.  Sure, we’d all be saved from toxic gmo produce, excito-toxins, partially hydrogenated oils, and all the other crap that is so hard to avoid, but then I REALLY wouldn’t have time to pursue personal interests, because I’d spend ALL my energy growing, picking, grinding and making food.  But seriously, I really am sick of planning dinners.  Which again, makes me realized what a painfully selfish person I can be...but I think I’ll blame it on society, because that’s really in fashion right now.  In the U.S., we literally have a higher standard of living than BILLIONS of people who have ever lived, and do currently live, on this earth.  And yet, we constantly complain about every small inconvenience.  Have you noticed that tendency? We are just a bunch of spoiled brats.  Well, I’m sure that YOU aren’t.  But you know, we Americans – generally speaking, of course – are pretty darn spoiled.

What am I even saying?  One of my goals is to not act like a spoiled brat in life.  I am owed nothing, and I refuse to get caught in the trap of entitlement mentality.  I feel like it is something that has to be fought with a vengeance, and since our society is saturated in it, that means training our children against it too!!  I think I will start putting notes around the house for myself that say “No Complaining!” Maybe I should make myself plank every time I utter a complaint…although that would lead to more complaining, so maybe not.  

I sat down to write something, and now I wish I knew what it was.  I’m pretty sure I just can’t take the NOT writing any more. 2014 was one year, but it was filled with at least 10 years worth of unexpressed feelings, deeply probing thoughts and questions, random insights and basic loss-processing that went unrecorded for me.  I literally craved writing.  I have at least 25 unwritten blog posts in my head, several partially written ones on my computer and, sadly, several poignant journal entries that are lost.  I think the losing of them is related to an irresistibly cute little destructor that lives in my house.  I made him.  So why does he destroy my things? I almost cried when I realized the few journal entries that I did make time to write (almost always past midnight), were destroyed.  But then I just got over it. Getting over it so easily was definitely a small miracle.  I love small miracles, don’t you?

With all of my longing to write, 2014 ended up being the year unwritten.  I’m afraid it is all a rambly mess today, but the flood gates had to burst.  And now it is a new year, and I am still, even on this 19^th day of January, determined to turn over a new leaf (as my dad would say, leaf #486).  So off I go to read to the creative, silly, good looking kiddos in the play house.  My fervent daily desire is that I will strengthen my weaknesses so that they can avoid the unnecessary struggles that I have gone through. I’m sure life will dole out plenty of struggles for them, but I never want them to suffer because of one of my failures! I’m sure every decent mom feels that way, too. On days when I just want to be a sloth, that is what I hang on to.  I am happy for kids that make me want to push myself to be better.  Because frankly, they deserve the best.

Halloween week...

Is it just me, or do all holidays last at least a week now?  Our Halloween started with the trunk-or-treat on Saturday night.  This is a tradition that we always look forward to.  It was a different experience this year since Jason wasn't running the show, but we still had a great time!

I love this

Sophie was excited to put flowers in her hair...

Sophie is Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and I am Maleficent here...from the recent movie which expands on the story and emphasizes the complex character of the "bad" witch, who in this version of the story isn't really bad after all.  It was fun even though most people had no idea who we were. Plus, having Sophie and I dress up together as these characters made her forget about being Elsa, which was kind of a relief.  I don't know about you, but I am *slightly* burnt out on Frozen at this point!

Jason outdid himself again, with a little nudging from me.  I used to dread the long hours he put into his costumes, but this year I encouraged it because it just didn't seem like October around here without his costume fanaticism!  He built this awesome boom box/ghetto blaster in 3 days...it is just perfect, and he had it playing a few 80's favorites like Ghost busters (of course), Ice Ice Baby, What is Love, Rappers Delight, and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song.

Mommy/daughter selfie...because you just can't have too many of those!

On Monday we went to an awesome FHE activity (Halloween carnival) with the single's ward...I was so impressed with all the amazing costumes everyone was wearing!  They were all pretty awesome.  The kids had a blast, and so did we. I would have taken more pictures, but I spent a lot of time making sure the kids were being safe while throwing darts...they liked it so much that they told me it was their new favorite "sport" on their way home!  Here is a cute pic of Megan McGhie (Cheshire cat) holding Bri Bri:

 On Tuesday, Weston's class got to go to the shark reef for a field trip, and Jason went as a chaperon.  They had lots of fun, but Sophie and I were kind of jealous!  Here is a picture that morning before they left...

On Wednesday we did pumpkin painting, which the kids loved...

 

Brighton really wanted to get in on the action, but I couldn't very well let him loose with a paintbrush, so I helped him paint on some huge paper...eventually Weston got involved and turned it into this masterpiece. He wasn't finished at this point, but once he did he signed it with Brighton's name and put in on the wall in Sophie's room as a poster...I have a feeling it won't be there for long though!

Of course, Weston did a Ghostbusters themed pumpkin.

Thursday we went to the Fall Festival at school.  Jason dressed up in his Ghostbuster uniform and we spent a good hour or so playing carnival games and collecting candy.

Jaime came and spent some time with us at the carnival too, which was great because she makes everything more fun!

Sophie spent the evening hugging every teacher she recognized at the school...it was really sweet.  This is her teacher this year for kindergarten, Miss Lee.

Brighton won a game and got these little goggle glasses.

Sophie got to have her face painted, too, which she was pretty excited about...

That night, Grandma Laurie rolled into town.  She came over the next day with great-grandma, and we got to spend the entire day together!  Weston was super excited because she helped him put up spider webs and other decorations, which he had been trying to get me to do all month.

We went out to lunch and then let the kids play at the park for awhile

It was a perfect, lovely day!

That night Jason and the kids got dressed up and we went trick-or-treating.  Jason got a LOT of attention as usual, and there were kids yelling, "Who you gonna call!?!? GHOST BUSTERS!!"  Brighton got a lot of attention, too, mostly because he is so darn cute.  When he runs, his little fish tale wiggle-waggles with his bum. He just melts hearts where ever he goes (that is, when he's not breaking things)!!

Weston was pretty thrilled with his cowboy cap gun, which I'm sure you hadn't noticed!

Pooped after a fun evening...

The next day (today) is November 1. It is the first post-summer chilly day, and we are all excited!  It is so chilly, in fact, that I made sure the baby was wearing a jacket before going outside, which obviously did a lot of good...

After re-dressing him, I took one more pic before completely ignoring everything else I need to be doing right now to put together this blog post! Priorities, people.  Since there are always so many high priorities, I have found that haphazardly juggling them is the best I can do sometimes. 

At least I have a smile on my face, right!?