candid and composed

I could say a lot of things about today... but I think I'm gonna pull a virgin Mary and ponder these things in my heart. 

here are the basics:

We made it to church at 9am by the skin of my teeth. The kids were ready by 8. I, however, took forever. 

church was really nice. the testimonies were poignant and I felt grateful. my heart was full and I thought of several things I could say if I shared my testimony, but I never did go up. 

the second hour was a circus. SHOCKINGLY Richard went to sunbeams and sat there like an angel. it was a New Year's miracle. but Ebenezer has been so weird the last two Sundays and will not go to nursery. He won't even calm down if I stay with him. it's psycho. so I tried to calm him down but he would not calm down. I tried everything. I also tried to go to James' 'Great to be 8' meeting but only made it for five minutes. finally got Ebenezer to go to nursery for the last ten minutes of church, then booked it to the parenting class. poignant things shared there, too. 

and then... more chaos ensued. I tried to get a family photo because it was a special day and we all matched. BUT IT WAS A DISASTER. Here is a candid shot that my brother-in-law took.

check out my face. I am mad at Roger because he was hiding. right after this, Leena pushed Richard and then Sally said, "It's all your fault" to Leena and she threw a massive tantrum and I gave up.

then I hustled my little people to my ministering sister who took them to her house.

and then I gathered with Walter's support group:

Bro Proskine, Bishop Casaras, Mindy and Ben Noble, Evelynn, Sally, Eric Jarvis and Elder John Jarvis, Merik Stewart, Dane Jacobson, Brigham Noble, Brenna Jarvis, Bro and Sis Goettl, Me, Gladys, WALTER, Roger, and Grammy

Walter was ordained. it was a lovely prayer. and I felt grateful. my heart was full. and I snapped a shot of these incredible humans, who wore matching ties in honor of Charles.

Here is when they matched Charles for his ordination:

And then I hurried and picked up my littles, and we went home to eat a feast made by Grammy and then attempted some board/card games for a bit before they had to go. Sally won killer bunnies. Brenna won Feed the Woozle, and who knows who won Labyrinth.

When everyone left, I called Jeff and then loaded up a few kids and the dog to go hiking.

it was rainy and lovely and everything my soul needed.

James was the ultimate hiker. I think my dad (his namesake) would be proud.

When we got home, we tidied up and had leftovers for dinner. then the big kids left for Bishop's night while the rest of us had family church. We acted out 'how God gave us the Book of Mormon" and it was awesome. then we finished the night with my all-time favorite Book of Mormon movie: How Rare a Possession. I LOVE IT SO MUCH!! every time I watch it, I wish I named a kid Vincenzo. 

anyway, now the kids are in bed and I had a calendar meeting with my mom and I am overwhelmed to the max and feeling great anxieties about all the things. so... it should be pretty fun to try and sleep!

ciao.