Positive

I'm dealing with things, my mom is doing ok, and I'm trying to stay positive. So I'm going to update with good things.

We got to visit Ben's parents this weekend and we had a nice visit. The 3 1/2 hour drive there went as well as could be expected. There was only one quick potty break off the side of the road because she couldn't tell us BEFORE we passed the last rest stop for 30 miles! And the drive back was ok with only minor issues. Miranda dumped a half full water bottle on her lap (on accident of course -- "I was TRYING to be really careful!") but we were only five minutes from home, so we all had a good laugh about that. :) So typical travel with kids, I guess.

Ben's sister is moving to Minnesota and stopped by Texas on her way, so it was fun to see her and her three boys too. Ben's brother in Vegas called home while we were there to let us know he's bringing his girlfriend home for Christmas, so we're all excited to meet her!

Jill is still loving school. She started Girl Scouts and her first activity was last week at the roller skating rink. She was so good! No pro of course but, being my kid, I really thought she'd be on her bum most of the night. She wanted me to help at first but then she kept pulling her hand from mine saying, "I think I got it Mom." So she went around the whole thing twice with no help and no falls. Then she wanted some company, so I just walked around with her but she really only fell a few times and we were there for over an hour. I was so proud of her for wanting to try something new (I was always such a 'fraidy cat when learning anything new and if I didn't do it perfectly the first time, I wanted to give up!) and she really did a great job. She is such a sweet and sensitive girl and I can always count on her to cheer me up when I feel like crying. :)

Miranda is as adorable as she is aggravating. I love her like crazy but she sure pushes my buttons every single day. Today I took dinner to a VERY pregnant friend of mine who is on bedrest. I had the girls with me and they wanted to come in. I told the girls I was just going to give her the food at the door and come back. But when I got there, she invited me in to see the baby's room (it is SO beautiful and everything is handmade and looks like it's from a posh baby boutique!). I really wanted to see it and I didn't want to hurt her feelings by NOT going to look at it, so I took a quick 1 minute tour and then told her I had to get back to my kids. The entire ride back Miranda told me that I had lied and she was so upset! :( I faded the speakers to the front of the van and turned the volume up on a great Phil Collins song and blared it the whole way home trying to remember the days when I could listen to something other than Dora or Primary songs. She of course was repeating her, "But you lied!" mantra the whole time. Ugh. She started to tell the horrible betrayal story to Daddy at dinner but I nipped that in the bud! I do love her and she was amazingly well behaved at the grocery store today, so I should give her credit for that. She also asked me why Daddy and Jill weren't home yet over and over again. Starting around 11 a.m. Ugh. :)

Natalie is on the verge of being more verbal. She's telling me exactly what she wants and needs and I just am not bright enough to get it. That's how I feel anyway! She grunts, points, screeches, etc. I can't wait until I can understand her better! She's been saying shoes, socks, ball, and lots of other stuff in French and Chinese, I think. :) She insists on removing her diaper several times a day and I'm getting really tired of that. She is a snuggle bunny and I love to hug her. She and Miranda love to fight and she definitely knows how to let Miranda know to leave her alone! We're working on the no hitting thing. :(

Ben got two new suits over the weekend while we were in Dallas, so he's set to look more like a High Councilman and a Planning Division Manager. :) I'm really busy trying to get the little kids some enrichment, Jill to her piano lessons and Girl Scouts and school activities (field trip this week!), and myself some "Brandi time." I'm going on a temple trip with the RS (morning) and youth (afternoon) this weekend in Lubbock and I'm going to the Time Out For Women conference in San Antonio in two weeks. Lots of baby showers, play groups, and PTA work inbetween. Yikes, I'm tired and I may go to bed now. It's only 8:30. If only... :) Thanks for all the people who commented with nice thoughts for me. Love y'all!