Ashley graduated from High School early in June, Jacob is now dating, Aimee had her much anticipated performance at Disneyland last month, Sarah is currently at Girl's Camp for the first time ever, and Sam comes and goes like life is his for the taking. How did I get to this point in my life? It seems like yesterday that Ashley was nine and Sam was a new baby. I thought at this point in my life, that I would be less scheduled and pretty much just come and go and do as I please... I guess to some extent, I do, but I certainly don't have less on my mind and less to worry about. Having four teenagers is different, but can just as demanding (and stressful) as it was to have little ones. Each phase of life has it's rewards and challenges. I guess the important thing is that we learn to enjoy the journey!
As you can see, Jon and I enjoyed a fabulous and very exciting 20th Anniversary vacation to Hungary and Switzerland at the end of April. We were gone for 10 or 11 days, which is twice as long as we have ever left the kids before! I hope the pictures are worth a thousand words, because I am not going to type a lot of details about the trip. Jon was scheduled to be at a Convention for work the day of our Anniversary, so I planned our vacation around his work commitments. I wouldn't do anything differently if I had to plan it all over again! We enjoyed each other and the beautiful countryside so much. I did keep a daily journal for my family to have, as part of my scrapbook album, but the rest of you can just enjoy some of the photos that I took. Budapest, Hungary was a very romantic city to visit and I was so grateful we had the opportunity to go there! I loved Switzerland when I visited as a BYU student and have always wanted to return, so that is why we spent the remainder of our time there. (These times are definitely when we get the payback for all of Jon's trips away from home, several weeks out of every year!)
The summer is speeding by, I have been registering the kids for school this week! Yikes! Not only is it expensive to have three kids in Jr. High and High School this year, but moving one off to College adds a whole new dimension.... Not to mention, our washing machine is about ready to need replacing and our car has been having troubles! I know things must be stressful and demanding for Jon at work, because for the first time in our twenty-year marriage, we are paying for someone else to work on the van! Ouch! The first oil change not done in our garage happened yesterday, along with getting the battery replaced (a story in itself) and another related sensor. Today I had to take it back to the Honda dealership to see why my back doors are not opening as they should, likely another sensor or computer glitch related to the battery problems we've been having. Jon didn't know when he would get around to looking at it, since we are schedule to leave on our family vacation in 6 days and he will go to Wyoming right after we get back, for at least two weeks.
We took all the kids, except Ashley who had a friend's birthday party, to the Open House of the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We meet Jon at his work in West Jordan, then went together from there. It was neat to see. It is smaller than any of the other Utah Temples and unique because it has less carpet, most of the flooring is limestone tile imported from Egypt and Morrocco. It was beautiful. The main lobby, behind the recommend desk, has open balconies up to the second floor, where the Celestial room and Ordinance rooms are located. The third floor is where the sealing rooms are located. The chandeliers are amazing, shaped like stars cascading down from large to small. The murals and framed artwork is beautiful. They only have a lunchroom, not a full-serve cafeteria, and the small laundry only serves the baptismal area. I would love to go again and serve there, once it is dedicated. The only bummer part of the evening was that our car battery had to be jumped in Centerville, at the Temple, and again at Village Inn where we stopped for dinner on the way home. That added alot of delay time to the evening and added stress for Jon, not to mention his car had two flat tires so he had to bring his bosses small Toyota truck home from work. The car didn't easily start even with jumper cables and another vehicle, Jon thinks that is why we are having a cascade of problems with some of the sensors and the car's computer system. What a pain! At least some of the work has been covered under warranty.
I am excited to get to take the family on a vacation to Palmyra, NY and Kirtland, OH. I have always wanted to go see those historical sites where the restoration of the gospel took place! Even though Ashley thought it would be a lot more fun to take a vacation to Disneyland before she starts College, we have talked about doing this trip for a long time and wanted to take everyone. It should be really neat. I can't believe it is getting so close! We still don't have car rental lined up and I still want to call the Palmyra Temple, to arrange for Jon and I to take our four oldest kids there to do Baptisms for the dead while we are there. My mom will be with us and has consented to be with Sam at the hotel, while we are gone.
I had the opportunity to sing in a Regional Choir on the morning of the 24th of July, in celebrating Pioneer Day. We had 4 rehearsals at a Stake Center in Bountiful leading up to that day, and one dress rehearsal at the Tabernacle on Temple Square where we were priveleged to perform. It was a really neat experience to be in the choir seats of that amazing building and be able to join voices and share talents with some very talented members of the church. It was an especially touching experience for me, because I was able to rub shoulders again with a friend of mine from 23 years ago (whom I haven't talked to since that time.) We had kind of an awkward and unplanned parting all those years ago, so it was a chapter in my life that I always felt was left without closure and peaceful understanding. What a relief it was, and a comfort, to know that all was well with him and that he is strong in the gospel, very successful in his musical career, and happily married with six children. . . .
I'm not sure how much detail of the past relationship to go into, but the dating relationship ended at BYU, after a year of dating, because my father felt that he was not the person I should marry. He knew that this young man (who was about 23 at the time and I was 18) was getting closer to me and wanting to spend more time with me (probably considering marriage), so he and mom (and Uncle Glen) arrived at my apartment at BYU one evening, as I was just getting ready to leave on a date with this young man to a Tabernacle Choir Concert. To attempt to make a long story shorter, dad confronted him on a few things that evening that he had heard through the grapevine of acquaintances that he didn't approve of and he brought Uncle Glen to be the mediator, in case things got ugly (which to me, having dad come to my apartment at College and stop me from going on a date with anyone was a bit ugly). . . . . When all was said and done, after crying my eyes out in my room for some time, trying to listen to my father's concerns and come to terms with my own feelings, I made the decision (at my dad's request) to tell him that I never wanted to see him or hear from him again! Wow! I can't even believe now that I had enough faith and trust in my parents' broader perspective, understanding, and love for me to tell such a thing to someone that I cared about! Kim and my other roommates were instruments in helping me to keep that commitment, by intercepting letters and phone calls, etc. It was a very difficult and confusing time in my life. I knew deep down inside that we were not meant to be together forever, yet I did care a great deal about him and it was very difficult to not continue any type of relationship. I knew when I married Jon in the Salt Lake Temple on April 27, 1989, without any doubt, that I was with the right person, in the right place, at the right time. The Spirit bore a very powerful witness to me in the Temple that morning! But, I have often wondered about this former friend and the path that his life took once we parted. He is an amazingly talented musician! When I found out that he was to be the choir director for this Pioneer Sunrise Service, I almost decided I couldn't possibly participate... I knew it would be awkward, ... but no one else in the Ward Choir would commit to do it and I am the choir director and was asked by the High Council to get four people from our choir to participate. It ended up being me and Kaede Paten, an alto who's husband was recently converted and baptized. We had such a great experience! The rest is history... maybe I'll share a few of lines from the e-mails that were exchanged between Michael Huff and I during the time we worked together preparing for the concert.
Michael,
Thanks so much for the fun times with the Sunrise Choir and for sharing your thoughts, after all of these years. I really did enjoy the experience on many levels. It brought back many fond memories of good times past and touched my heart to see you (and your lovely wife), and to know for certain that "all is well!" . . . .
I was happy to meet your wife tonight! It is so nice for me to see you happily married and successful in your career! I know that everything worked out the way it should have. This is good for me to have some closure to a chapter in my life that never felt properly closed, if that makes any sense... I think you understand. You have such amazing talents! It is a pleasure to work with you again. I would love to see your family photo sometime.
Best wishes in the years ahead. I hope we might have the opportunity to work together again someday. It was a wonderful experience!
Your Friend,
Kerri
Dear Kerri --
Thanks so much for this note! I hope that you sensed how genuinely pleased I was to see you at the end of that first rehearsal. The years have been good to you, and you're as lovely as ever. And there was no mistaking the eyes and smile!
Funny you should mention "closure", because that was always one of my regrets -- that we didn't have the chance to properly part. And so I'm really glad that our paths crossed again, that we were able to share music again, and that we're still friends after all these years. I always knew that your life would develop in beautiful ways. And so it has! Your children are gorgeous! You're doing the kind of work for which you were made -- helping others in need; your soul is as refined, and your countenance as lovely as ever. I'm so very happy for you for all of this!!
I'm so glad that you have found ways to express yourself in musical and artistic ways! Where there's a will there's a way. And I remember how important music was to you then, as it obviously continues to be. I admire your pluck and courage, and your determination to keep singing, and to do the things you love!
I've attached a family picture --- We've been fortunate that music has given us plenty of rich experiences to share (though it hasn't made us rich!). And we've been even more richly blessed for having the Gospel to knit us together, and to give us such a marvelous framework on which to build our lives. Like you, Susan and I have had some great opportunities to serve in the church -- she was just released as our ward's Primary President, and I'm in my sixth year on the High Council. It's all good work, and we love it!
So, Kerri Trump Erickson, thanks for sharing a bit of you with me, for sharing some musical and spiritual moments with us and our friends in the choir, and for renewing our association after so many years!
Also, it was great seeing your mother again -- she was one of my favorites way back when -- and to see a few of your beautiful children! You've done so well!!
Blessings to you and yours,
:-)
michael
It is interesting that we never really know where different paths and choices will lead us, we certainly never understand why we have to go through hard times and make very difficult decisions, but one thing is for certain.... If we are doing our best to live the principles of the gospel and make choices that feel right, all will work out as they should and at some point we will gain understanding!
We sure enjoyed having Zoe and Emily visit Utah from Maine this past week and a half. It definitely makes us want to plan our next visit to see the rest of the family in Maine. We have some wonderful memories of our family vacations there! I hope they made a lot of fun memories while they were in Utah and that they enjoyed a safe journey home!
We also enjoyed spending some time with Bryan, Erin, Hyrum, and Ivy who were here at that same time from Virginia! Family times are such rewarding times! They grow up so much in between each visit. Sarah and Hyrum have a special bond, because Sarah went to Virginia with mom and I a year ago, when Ivy was blessed, and he has felt close to her ever since. I look forward to visiting the East Coast again. Next time mom needs an escort, you know I will be there to volunteer!
We had a good time setting up tents in the field the evening of the 24th of July, watching fireworks, and a "big screen movie" from our tents (thanks to Jon and Brad.) The rain and lightning storm dampened the fun a little, but by that time (after midnight) we were all ready to call it a night. Kim and I shared a tent with Sarah and Katie, who were quite nervous about the lightning storm around our tent, but we managed to comfort them with reassuring words and we all fell to sleep. Susan and her kids shared a tent East of us and Sam, Grant, and Carson were in a tent West of us. At 2:30am, Kim and I and the girls woke up with the winding blowing our tenting fiercely back and forth. I was sure a pole was going to break or the tent would rip. At that point we were surprised to see another tent blowing past our door to the South, it was Susan's tent with a few sleeping bags and such still inside, caught on the volleyball pole... With the winds like they were, we knew we probably couldn't hold out for the night. So, after getting Susan's tent loaded in the back of Kim's vehicle, we proceeded to try and decide what to do with our tent... It was a little frightening, we knew if we unloaded our bags and mats that it would likely blow away, so I called Jon and asked him what we should do! He told us to use picnic benches to hold the tent there until morning. Heather Gutke was in a tent in her neighboring yard, with her two youngest boys, we suddenly heard her calling for help! I guess her tent rolled so that the door was above them and they were trying to figure out how to get out! They managed to roll the tent back and climb out before any of us could get over to her yard, ... I sent Sarah to help them while I held onto our tent. We woke up Sam, Grant, and Carson, who were still sleeping through the crisis, and we all headed into Grandma's house and then Kim and I took the girls home to sleep! What an adventure! I told Sarah when we got home at 3:30am that we could be glad that at least we had a safe place to go out of the storm, unlike the Pioneers who had to deal with whatever wheather conditions they face 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
Happy summer! Love to all of you!
Kerri
P.S. Be sure to check out the new photos I added at the bottom of the page!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Making a Difference
The past two days I went to work for a few hours each day, at Primary Children's Emergency room, each time for another nurse who needed a few hours off for something important. It was surprisingly slow both mornings, getting steadily busier as it got closer to mid-day, but nothing like it can be many days. I really like it when I can really spend the time with each patient to provide quality care, rather than just run around crazy to just meet the basic needs, wondering if I made any difference at all. Today was one of those days at work that I knew I made a difference being there and I had a great time doing it. It was a good feeling to know that I could help a couple of children and their parents who were in need, because I had the skills and I had chosen to sacrifice time away from home and my concerns to be there.
I was anxious to get through the day, knowing how many things I had committed to do, but I prayed as I went to bed last night that if I had made the right choices in the things I had committed myself to do, that there would be a way to meet all of those committments and feel good about what I had accomplished. I got up an extra hour earlier than I needed to in order to just get showered and ready for work, so that I could be organized and get as much done as I could before I left for the first half of the day. The charge nurse, Cindy Royall, called me about 15 minutes before I was to leave home and asked if I would like to come in to work an hour late. I was so happy to say, "yes, I would love to come in a little later!" I was trying to give Sam a quick haircut at that time and was then able to relax and do a better job. (Not only was he going to audition for the "Wizard of Oz" at Roger's Memorial Theatre in the afternoon, but tomorrow is the Primary Program in Sacrament Meeting.) His hair was looking pretty bad. I think it turned out pretty good, considering it is the first time I've tried to cut it really short with the spiked bangs, since he started wearing it that way. Anyways, I also had the time to help Sarah and Sam practice the songs that they had chosen to sing for the audition and to take and print the "headshots" that the theatre requested of each person auditioning. I got all that done because Cindy called a second time and told me they were still slow and I could come in at 11:00am. I was so happy. I felt like maybe our decision to audition together; me, Aimee, Sarah, and Sam, for the "Wizard of Oz" was the right thing to do, if we could indeed have a little time to prepare and squeeze it into the schedule... before Sarah had to be at Layton High School for her Grand Suzuki Concert.
I was able to enjoy being at work for a couple of hours, giving quality nursing care, leave at my appointed time, and get home in time to review the songs with the kids and print the last of the pictures to take. We got there at our appointed time, with our applications ready to go and waited about 10-15 minutes for our turn to audition. It was me, Aimee, Sarah, Sam, and one other young girl that were grouped to go in together. Aimee was first. She did a great job. I was so proud of her. Sam was next, of course they loved him! He sang a Primary song, "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus," right in tune, and did a great job as well. Next it was my turn. I was definitely nervous enough for all four of us. You would think because I knew all three of the people I was auditioning for, that I could relax. I was very intimidated, I guess really wanting to do well, but I drew a complete blank on the words I was supposed to sing about half way through the sixteen measures. I asked the pianist for the words, but wasn't able to really hear her, which made me even more nervous and embarrassed. I asked if I could start again, which I did, but I didn't do any better the second time through. I should've just hummed the notes, so they could hear my voice, but I choked. Oh well, I ended with a smile. Sarah sang her song beautifully, which made me very proud. They all did so much better than I did! I decided, if I get in the show it will probably be because they want at least one of my kids to be in it. The only other reason would be becasue those who are directing know that I can do better than I did at that time. I have a easier time singing for an auditorium full of strangers than I do singing in an audition setting. Aimee even told me my legs were shaking!
We made to Layton High School in just enough time for Sarah to get her violin tuned, use the restroom, and find where she was to sit until her turn to perform. Jon slept part of the time, until Sarah was on stage, then we watched as she performed four of her Suzuki pieces that she has learned over the past year and a half. She did a great job. I was so relieved to breathe a sigh of relief once I got to that point in my day!
I came home and was able to do some dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping, and vaccuuming in preparation for the Sabbath day, and parents coming to dinner, then Jon and I finally went out to dinner and to Lowe's and Dick's after 8:00pm. Tonight we got the table and refridgerator back in their proper places on the newly finished and cured hardwood floor in the kitchen. Jon got a new waterline this evening for the fridge and got that secured in place, so we will have ice and water from the fridge door again. I got ready for bed, which felt good to do, but I still hear Jon upstairs doing some cleaning. I better go see if I can help. Sam is asleep on the couch, Sarah went to bed, Jacob came home from a friends an hour ago, and Aimee just got home from babysitting at the neighbor's. Ashley is out at the VHS Harvest Dance with a group of 15 couples, dressed as "Ninja's." I wish she could've gone with her original idea, to go as Daphne and Shaggy, with her date. I don't understand why they bother to go with a "group theme." I think that is lame and boring, but oh well. Hopefully she will be home by midnight, so we can get to bed. I am exhausted. We have had many late nights this week.
We celebrated Ashley's "18th" Birthday on Wednesday! I can't believe she is that old. I took her on Friday to get registered to vote in the next election! I took her shopping on Monday and we had a few friends over late on her birthday night, as well as Friday night, watching movies. I think she's had a good week. I took a few hours on Wednesday digging up several pictures of her from baby to recent, and did two big collage posters on the wall. It was fun to do and others have enjoyed looking at them, as they have come to visit as well. I can't believe I am old enough to have a child that old! And I can't believe my baby is eight! Wow! I guess we will be doing college, weddings, and grandbabies next. YIKES!!!!
I was anxious to get through the day, knowing how many things I had committed to do, but I prayed as I went to bed last night that if I had made the right choices in the things I had committed myself to do, that there would be a way to meet all of those committments and feel good about what I had accomplished. I got up an extra hour earlier than I needed to in order to just get showered and ready for work, so that I could be organized and get as much done as I could before I left for the first half of the day. The charge nurse, Cindy Royall, called me about 15 minutes before I was to leave home and asked if I would like to come in to work an hour late. I was so happy to say, "yes, I would love to come in a little later!" I was trying to give Sam a quick haircut at that time and was then able to relax and do a better job. (Not only was he going to audition for the "Wizard of Oz" at Roger's Memorial Theatre in the afternoon, but tomorrow is the Primary Program in Sacrament Meeting.) His hair was looking pretty bad. I think it turned out pretty good, considering it is the first time I've tried to cut it really short with the spiked bangs, since he started wearing it that way. Anyways, I also had the time to help Sarah and Sam practice the songs that they had chosen to sing for the audition and to take and print the "headshots" that the theatre requested of each person auditioning. I got all that done because Cindy called a second time and told me they were still slow and I could come in at 11:00am. I was so happy. I felt like maybe our decision to audition together; me, Aimee, Sarah, and Sam, for the "Wizard of Oz" was the right thing to do, if we could indeed have a little time to prepare and squeeze it into the schedule... before Sarah had to be at Layton High School for her Grand Suzuki Concert.
I was able to enjoy being at work for a couple of hours, giving quality nursing care, leave at my appointed time, and get home in time to review the songs with the kids and print the last of the pictures to take. We got there at our appointed time, with our applications ready to go and waited about 10-15 minutes for our turn to audition. It was me, Aimee, Sarah, Sam, and one other young girl that were grouped to go in together. Aimee was first. She did a great job. I was so proud of her. Sam was next, of course they loved him! He sang a Primary song, "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus," right in tune, and did a great job as well. Next it was my turn. I was definitely nervous enough for all four of us. You would think because I knew all three of the people I was auditioning for, that I could relax. I was very intimidated, I guess really wanting to do well, but I drew a complete blank on the words I was supposed to sing about half way through the sixteen measures. I asked the pianist for the words, but wasn't able to really hear her, which made me even more nervous and embarrassed. I asked if I could start again, which I did, but I didn't do any better the second time through. I should've just hummed the notes, so they could hear my voice, but I choked. Oh well, I ended with a smile. Sarah sang her song beautifully, which made me very proud. They all did so much better than I did! I decided, if I get in the show it will probably be because they want at least one of my kids to be in it. The only other reason would be becasue those who are directing know that I can do better than I did at that time. I have a easier time singing for an auditorium full of strangers than I do singing in an audition setting. Aimee even told me my legs were shaking!
We made to Layton High School in just enough time for Sarah to get her violin tuned, use the restroom, and find where she was to sit until her turn to perform. Jon slept part of the time, until Sarah was on stage, then we watched as she performed four of her Suzuki pieces that she has learned over the past year and a half. She did a great job. I was so relieved to breathe a sigh of relief once I got to that point in my day!
I came home and was able to do some dishes, laundry, sweeping, mopping, and vaccuuming in preparation for the Sabbath day, and parents coming to dinner, then Jon and I finally went out to dinner and to Lowe's and Dick's after 8:00pm. Tonight we got the table and refridgerator back in their proper places on the newly finished and cured hardwood floor in the kitchen. Jon got a new waterline this evening for the fridge and got that secured in place, so we will have ice and water from the fridge door again. I got ready for bed, which felt good to do, but I still hear Jon upstairs doing some cleaning. I better go see if I can help. Sam is asleep on the couch, Sarah went to bed, Jacob came home from a friends an hour ago, and Aimee just got home from babysitting at the neighbor's. Ashley is out at the VHS Harvest Dance with a group of 15 couples, dressed as "Ninja's." I wish she could've gone with her original idea, to go as Daphne and Shaggy, with her date. I don't understand why they bother to go with a "group theme." I think that is lame and boring, but oh well. Hopefully she will be home by midnight, so we can get to bed. I am exhausted. We have had many late nights this week.
We celebrated Ashley's "18th" Birthday on Wednesday! I can't believe she is that old. I took her on Friday to get registered to vote in the next election! I took her shopping on Monday and we had a few friends over late on her birthday night, as well as Friday night, watching movies. I think she's had a good week. I took a few hours on Wednesday digging up several pictures of her from baby to recent, and did two big collage posters on the wall. It was fun to do and others have enjoyed looking at them, as they have come to visit as well. I can't believe I am old enough to have a child that old! And I can't believe my baby is eight! Wow! I guess we will be doing college, weddings, and grandbabies next. YIKES!!!!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Who's idea was this anyway?!
Have you ever heard of Modbe? I hadn't until about 2 weeks ago, when Aimee was invited to an open house at her friend's house. She insisted that she had to go, because she heard there would be cute, modest tankinis there to try on and buy. Next thing I know, I am commiting to have people over to my house to host a Modbe fiesta . . . which meant 8 hours of house cleaning and a $50 trip to Costco for refreshments, not to mention also a $16 trip to the "Dogroom" (because I wouldn't want a guest to have to smell our stinky Beagle.) I decided it was worth paying for the dog to be bathed when after I had the family room floor all vacuumed, the dog went in and starting rolling around and rubbing his hairy back all over my carpet, which seems to always happen instinctively within an hour or so of the carpet being vacuumed. Paying the dog groomer is always money well spent.
Well, I started cleaning house as soon as the kids left for school. I never did get my bath/shower for the day before it was time for the Modbe consultant to arrive. . . . I managed to throw a little make-up and perfume on instead.
Aimee and Sam each brought a cousin home from school with them and Sarah called to see if she could bring a friend home, which I said "no" to, reminding her that she had a mess in her room to clean up, a violin lesson at 4:00pm, and two softball games at 5:30pm and 6:45pm. After her trying to convince me that her friend could help her clean her room, go with her to her lesson, and then go together to the game (being on the same team) . . . I finally won out and she came home alone. We picked up her friend right after her lesson. I ran four kids to the ball park at 5:15pm, where Jon would go straight from work, and then I hurried home to greet the guests. Aimee did get her room cleaned, so it could be used as a dressing room, I think Ashley did a little picking up, and they both finally helped in the kitchen when I was in panic mode, running out the door to the ball park. Jacob was smart to not come home until the "party" was ending.
The open house was supposed to go from 6 to 8pm, but most of the guests arrived at 8:00pm or later. (Several people came that I didn't know, but had heard about the open house at Mutual night, where they looked through a catalog that someome took with them from my house earlier in the evening.) It was a busy evening with swimsuits and catalogs flying. Two bathrooms and four bedrooms were used as changing rooms!
The good thing I guess that comes from doing something like this, is that it saves having to take myself and three daughters to find modest swimsuits (we like) and go through the torture of trying them on in various store dressing rooms. Or else, order something on-line and wonder if it will fit right. We did earn about $80 credit toward what we want to buy . . . and it turned out to be quite the gathering of young women and their mother's (a "girl's night out" of sorts.) I do think it will be a long time before I commit to do anything like this again!
I am glad I got my house cleaner than it has been in a while, although my kitchen floor needs a re-mopping.
Janae came with four of her girls. The little ones, were quite entertained by the hamster and the cat. The dog was mostly outside or in his room, occassionally circling the kitchen table and playing vacuum cleaner. Jon brought Lily home with Sarah and her friend Mikayla at the end of their softball game, about 8:15pm. They and several others tried on suits for a while longer. The party didn't really end until after to 10:oopm. I think the consultant finally left about 10:50pm.
Well, I started cleaning house as soon as the kids left for school. I never did get my bath/shower for the day before it was time for the Modbe consultant to arrive. . . . I managed to throw a little make-up and perfume on instead.
Aimee and Sam each brought a cousin home from school with them and Sarah called to see if she could bring a friend home, which I said "no" to, reminding her that she had a mess in her room to clean up, a violin lesson at 4:00pm, and two softball games at 5:30pm and 6:45pm. After her trying to convince me that her friend could help her clean her room, go with her to her lesson, and then go together to the game (being on the same team) . . . I finally won out and she came home alone. We picked up her friend right after her lesson. I ran four kids to the ball park at 5:15pm, where Jon would go straight from work, and then I hurried home to greet the guests. Aimee did get her room cleaned, so it could be used as a dressing room, I think Ashley did a little picking up, and they both finally helped in the kitchen when I was in panic mode, running out the door to the ball park. Jacob was smart to not come home until the "party" was ending.
The open house was supposed to go from 6 to 8pm, but most of the guests arrived at 8:00pm or later. (Several people came that I didn't know, but had heard about the open house at Mutual night, where they looked through a catalog that someome took with them from my house earlier in the evening.) It was a busy evening with swimsuits and catalogs flying. Two bathrooms and four bedrooms were used as changing rooms!
The good thing I guess that comes from doing something like this, is that it saves having to take myself and three daughters to find modest swimsuits (we like) and go through the torture of trying them on in various store dressing rooms. Or else, order something on-line and wonder if it will fit right. We did earn about $80 credit toward what we want to buy . . . and it turned out to be quite the gathering of young women and their mother's (a "girl's night out" of sorts.) I do think it will be a long time before I commit to do anything like this again!
I am glad I got my house cleaner than it has been in a while, although my kitchen floor needs a re-mopping.
Janae came with four of her girls. The little ones, were quite entertained by the hamster and the cat. The dog was mostly outside or in his room, occassionally circling the kitchen table and playing vacuum cleaner. Jon brought Lily home with Sarah and her friend Mikayla at the end of their softball game, about 8:15pm. They and several others tried on suits for a while longer. The party didn't really end until after to 10:oopm. I think the consultant finally left about 10:50pm.
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