Sledding at Fox Hill

The snow melted really fast but the girls really wanted to go sledding so we headed over.  Despite the lack of snow on the top of the hill they had some really great runs.  Ansley's first pass was incredible.  She went all the way down to the street and just giggled the entire way down. 

Trying to be like Jesus

So lately the girls have been less than amicable.  Really all they have done is fight.  So last night I decided to tailor family home evening to this problem and we had a lesson on being Christlike.  We discussed the attributes of Christ and how he went about dealing with people throughout his life, even the ones who treated him poorly.  We talked about ways in which we could all be more like Jesus, especially within our family by treating each other with respect and love and patience.   The girls seemed to enjoy the lesson and even gave examples of how they could try to be more like Christ.  We finished the evening with games and some books. 

Fast forward to Tuesday morning.   The girls made it downstairs before I did and managed in 15 minutes to destroy the living room I had spent several hours cleaning.  So I admit it.  I got a little upset.  I raised my voice and told them I wasn't a maid and to clean it UP!  To which Ansley replied, "Mommy, you are not trying to be like Jesus!"  I wanted to cry but all I could do was laugh. 

Another Oral

So after spending the week trying to unwind from the comprehensive exam we found out today that Jerry has another oral defense.  He is totally bummed.  I can tell it has devastated him and I have to say I am a little disappointed at their timing.  The day before Thanksgiving really stinks.  But it is what it is and I know he will do fine.  He always does. 

A great Sacrament Service

Today was one of those great Sacrament Services when I just felt totally uplifted and spritually fed.  Our talks  were by the Smiths, who are fairly new to our ward and I enjoyed them both immensely. 

Bringing rest to our souls by T. Smith

1. Repent, follow the commandments and be obiedent.
2. Be still and know that He is God.  Take part in personal scripture study and personal prayer everyday.
3. Accept the blessings we get.  Trust that they are what we need. 

We can have peace when we are obedient.

Spiritual Darkness Brother Smith

Personal conversion is the key to fully understanding the gospel and it's blessings.  We cannot ride soley on the testimony of others.  We must keep the light of the gospel alive in our lives. 

We can do this through daily scripture study, daily prayer and refraining from getting caught up in trivial distractions. 
We will feel pain in this life but we can find light in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Comps are done!!

Today as of 4:30 pm Comps are officially over, baring he passed of course.  He feels pretty good about his answers and I am sure he did fine.  So were are in the home stretch!!  To celebrate we went out for pizza and wings at Wooster street Pizza with some other students.  Not before I told Jerry our news though.  I wrapped up the pregnancy test and gave it to him like a gift.  I don't know if it was that he his brain was fried after an all day exam or what, but I don't think it completely sank in at first.  He just kind of starred at it for a moment and then it hit him.  He was super excited and it was great to finally have that news off my chest.  Yeah!! Now we have two things to celebrate!

We're Pregnant!

So I couldn't take it anymore and decided not to wait and take another pregnancy test.  It was positive.  I was thrilled and nervous all at the same time.  I can't believe it happened so quickly and we will officially be a family of five next year.  Unfortunately Jerry is in the last few days before his comprehensive exam and I cannot possible distract him with this news right now so I am going to have to hold it in until next week!  I think I can, I think I can!!

So they do listen

Tonight during scripture study we were talking about Satan and how he wants us to make bad choices and be unhappy like he is.  At which point Ansley blurts out, "Oh, the devil was a Laminite!"  Not quite, but glad to see she is really listening. 

More candy bar wrappers

Today while changing the sheets on the bunk beds I found a stash of granola bar wrappers behind the bed.  Ansley swears they are old from before the last talk and they may very well be.  I haven't move the bed in a while.  Either way it makes me nuts.  There were crumbs everywhere and I'm left wondering why we don't have a rodent problem.  Makes me wonder where else I may find random wrappers.

Daddy can fix it!

It seems like no matter what the girls break they take it over to their dad and he fixes it (at least temporarily).  So today Ally's new remote control car was sitting on the edge of the counter when Brenna bumped into it and sent it crashing to the ground.  Being that it's plastic it smashed into several pieces.  This was not it's first accident but definitely a bit more fatal.  So Ansley looks up at Brenna and says, "Don't worry, my daddy can fix it!"  I love how kids think their dads are super hero's capable of anything and everything.  Sorry Ansley, this one is even beyond daddy.

WWF at the Rice's

Lately the girls have been fighting like crazy.  Ally has been especially nasty to Ansley.  She dictates all play.  Manipulates her and yells at her daily.  For the most part she puts up with it.  Not today though.  While I was at work, Ally did something to Ansley that upset her and was laughing at her.  That was apparently enough for Ansley.  She took off from the other side of the room, jumped on top of Ally and started slapping her in the face over and over.  Jerry thought it was hilarious.  I obviously don't condone this but in a small way felt good that Ansley finally stood up for herself.  Ally wasn't hurt but she was definitely stunned.  I foresee them getting along a little better, at least for a little while.  I guess we just needed a little WWF action to get there.

Pictures!

No one was able to come to Ally's family birthday party.  She was a little bummed but we had a good day anyway.  A new and great friend Megan called me and asked if she could take pictures of us.  We went over to Valley Falls and got some great shots.  She is an amazing photographer.  After wards we went back to our place for dinner and birthday cake.

I think I broke my butt!

Today our adult karate class was intense.  Thankfully Brenna was at the house with the girls because class went long and was extremely tough.  It was one of the first classes where I really broke into a good sweat.  We spent most of the class running at one anther full force and then doing moves on each other.  I think I hit my head at least 10 times.  It was crazy.  At the end of class Sensi was showing us how to take people down very little force.  He used me to demonstrate and I went down straight on my tailbone.  I didn't slap out, although to be fair I haven't had too much experience doing it.  So down I went.  The pain was intense.  It hit hard with my butt and then with my head.  Class was over quickly after that but it wasn't until we got to the van and I tried to sit down that I realized that I had probably broken my tailbone.  I have no idea how I am going to get through work tomorrow. Ouch!!

Lutz field trip

Ansley's preschool has been having some issues with enrollment over the past couple of years so they cancelled the fall field trip and chose to have the Lutz museum come to the school with several animals instead.  The 3's and 4's all gathered in the cultural hall and Sarah from the Lutz did her scales, fur and feathers presentation.  The kids seemed to enjoy it.  Ansley loved being able to touch the animals, even the snake.  She also brought a rooster and a bunny.  When I asked Ansley which one was her favorite she said, "all of them!"

Ansley, Ansley, Ansley

For those of you who don't know, I have my children tricked into thinking that granola bars are candy bars.  They both actually call them such.  Lately, Ansley, my little junk monster has been refusing lunch.  She prefers to just snack most of the day.  I don't allow her do this and most days wonder if she is surviving on merely air.  Today Jerry informed me of what has really been happening.  It started early this morning when she asked if she could have a candy bar.  Jerry told her no.  He was taking Ally to the bus stop and then they would have breakfast.  When he got back from the bus stop he found Ansley hiding in her room finishing up a candy bar.  He explained to her that she was disobedient and that she wouldn't be able to have another candy bar for a week because of her bad choice.  Fast forward to the end of the day when I get home.  Jerry tells me what happened.  Ansley is clearly sorry and tells me she can't have any candy bars for a week.  I put the girls to bed and then begin my nightly ritual of cleaning up the days mess when I find not one but two tops to candy bars.  She cuts them off with scissors and let the tops on the kitchen floor.  I might have mistaken them for a top and bottom except for the fact that she ate two different flavors.  Oh my Ansley, now we know its not air you have been surviving on, but candy bars!

So much to do, so little time to do it all!

I have been in a purging kind of mood lately.  I don't know if its the winter coming or what but I have just wanted to get my house organized and simplified.  The problem is there just isn't enough time in the day to get it all done.  The regular daily stuff keeps me busy enough and just when I get into a good groove I get called away.  It has resulted in a lot of late nights after the girls go to bed but we are making amazing progress.  Last night as I finally finished what I had planned for the day and sat down I told Jerry I needed about 4 more hours in my day.  His response surprised me, "No you don't!  You need less hours, you do too much already!"  It totally made my day.  Thanks babe!  I love you!

Happy 7th Birthday Allyson!

I say it every year but I can't believe Ally is already another year older.  She is so grown up to me all of a sudden.  She is reading so well and is so mature.  (Well most of the time :)) And she is so tall.  She is finally starting to adjust to her new school schedule too.  We celebrated after school by surprising her with a new bike.  She was super excited.  It's a little big but she rode it well.  After wards we went over to golf land to try to play mini golf.  The course was closed for the week though so we played in the arcade and then went over to the Vernon lanes to bowl.  Ally has been asking for forever and whenever we try to go, there are leagues playing.  Today they let us play but only one game because of leagues.  We had to play on two lanes so we could finish up quickly.  It was rather irritating and much more expensive than playing on one, but she had fun and that was all we cared about.  Ally thought the shoes were awful and old.  Ansley looked adorable in hers.  Jerry and I couldn't bowl to save our lives and ended up being beat by both girls.  Ansley was the highest scorer and Ally wasn't too far behind.  To be fair they were using bumpers and ramps.  After bowling we let her choose where she wanted to eat.  She choose McDonald's so we took her out to the Manchester McDonald's for a happy meal and to play on the playground.  They had a blast and Jerry I enjoyed just sitting and talking while they played.  I am so grateful for my amazing family.  Thank you Heavenly Father for a wonderful husband and two great girls.  Happy Birthday Ally!  We love you and are so happy you are a part of our family.

Friend Birthday Party

We celebrated Ally's birthday with a friend party today because the kids had the day off from school. She had some school and church friends over and we played pin the nose on the pumpkin, and musical chairs and even bobbed for apples.  We also made a Halloween craft.  The girls were all great.  We had wacky cake and ice cream to celebrate and then Ally opened her gifts.  She got lots of great gifts and had a wonderful time.  We owe a huge thank you to Brenna who took me to the store to get everything we needed for the party and who also brought her a great gift, one she has wanted for a while now, a remote control car!

Goodbye Elder Farmer

Today after school we loaded up the van and headed down to Waterbury to say good-bye to one of our favorite missionaries, Elda Farma (as Ansley would say it).  We took him and his companion out for dinner and spent some time hanging out.  He goes home in a couple of weeks and we couldn't let the chance to see him just one more time pass us by.  Good Luck with the next phase of your life Farmer!  The Rice's will miss you!

Sunday Session

Today was another great day of conference talks.  There is nothing better than being uplifted while in your PJ's.  Between sessions were enjoyed some of the beautiful New England weather.  The sun was shining and it was warm enough to be out in jeans and sweatshirts.  During the second Sunday session Ansley accidentally cut her own bangs.  I was devastated.  She had just gotten a super cute haircut and now a huge chunk of her bangs was missing.  She was upset too so I couldn't get too mad.

General Conference

General conference weekend has started off on a high note.  We are getting a temple in..........HARTFORD!!  We could barely believe our ears.  Jerry and I were just talking about how we would probably never get a temple in Hartford because Boston is so close.  We are ecstatic.  Ally asked us what we were so excited about so we told her we were getting a temple close to Vernon and how great that was going to be.  I don't think they understood how great this information was but we were excited and as a result so were they.  The talks today were wonderful.  I always enjoy hearing from the apostles.  It is such an uplifting experience.  The theme for today seems to have been heading the words of the prophet and all General authorities.  It's amazing to me that they aren't assigned any topics and that somehow there always seem to be underlying themes.  Saturday night while the men went to the tailgate for the Priesthood session, Brenna, Megan and I hung out at our place and watched the Relief Society broadcast that we had missed the weekend before while we were at the Big E.  President Monson was great and the guys came back uplifted too!  I am so grateful for the church, the restored gospel and for a prophet on the earth today.  A truly uplifting day.

Oh Ally

So today while I was at work Jerry overheard the girls talking downstairs.  Ally was irritated because Ansley wasn't doing exactly what she wanted so they were having an exchange.

Ally: "Ansley you better behave, you don't want to stay down here with the devil instead of going to heaven with God."

Ansley: "Ally the devil isn't down here."

Ally: "Yes he is, he was bad in heaven so God sent him down here."

Ansley: silence.........

I guess we could always scare them into submission.  Too bad it doesn't work for Allyson.

The Primary Program

So today is always my favorite Sunday of the year.  The Primary Program is just amazing even from the alter.  The kids work so hard and they do such an amazing job.  Our Primary is busting at the seams these days with over 90 children so we barely fit on the alter.  The Spirit was amazingly strong as the children got up one by one and spoke and especially when they sang.  I have adored the song I know my Savior Loves Me from the first time I heard it and they sing it so well.   Ally is a primary program professional but this was Ansley's debut year.  She did great!  She got right up and spoke her part with no hesitation.  Ally did great too!  She had a long part and had to learn all the words so she could read it.  She amazed me and did it with very little practice.

Allyson's part was 2 Nephi 27:27 "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles;....and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith." 

Ansley's part was I can follow Jesus' example by loving others.

We spent the rest of the afternoon outside.  The weather has been all over the place this week.  Almost 90 degrees on Friday and Sat and rather cool today but the sun was out and that's all that matters in my book.  We have great neighbors in the building next door and the girls love to play with their boys.  On a sadder note my surrogate grandparents have moved out.  I didn't realize it but Ally did.  She said, "mommy I think Charlotte and Walter are gone.  The shades are closed and the bird feeders are gone."  Such attention to detail.  She was right.  They are officially out of the complex.  I am extremely sad but will definitely be visiting them in their new place.  They can't get rid of me totally. 

We had some friends over for dinner tonight and were discussing the funny things kids say when Ally blurts out, "My middle name is sin!"  I think she meant son as in Ally-son but it was hilarious and proved out point that if they really want good wholesome entertainment they just need children!

Ground breaking

Today Jerry, Brenna and the girls walked over to the office at our condo complex for the ground breaking party for the pool, clubhouse and gym.  They had a great cookout and raffle.  The girls love the cornbread and ate their weight in it.  They enjoyed being out with all of the neighbors.  They were one of the last there so they left with an arm full.  A huge pumpkin, a mum and 8 balloons each.  Ansley's took flight half way home but Ally was a great big sister and shared hers.

Good Listening Ansley!

Today while Jerry was in the shower there was a knock at the door.  Ally was at school and Ansley was watching TV.  She quickly ran upstairs to ask Jerry if she could answer the door.  She failed to mention that it was Brenna on the other end, so of course his answer was no.  So Ansley sat on the floor while Brenna sat on the stoop talking to each other about life through the front door.  It was a priceless Ansley moment.  Great listening Ansley!!  Sorry Brenna!

The Temple

Today Jerry and I were blessed with the ability to spend the day at the Boston Temple.  It was the first time we have actually taken our own names to the temple and it made an already very spiritual experience just so much better.  The Spirit was so strong especially in the baptistry.  I am so grateful for a husband who is worthy to hold the Priesthood and who loves the temple and the blessings it brings as much as I do!  Thank you for an amazing day Jerry!  I love you!!

Labor Day Weekend

So Hurricane Earl was all hype.  I don't even think we got a drop of rain.  Jerry had planned on working all day Saturday but last minute we decided we would have a small cookout so we spent the day getting ready for it.  Jerry has been wanting a fire pit for forever so we bought one.  We had Brenna and TJ and his wife Chrissy and Cony and his wife Megan over.  We hadn't met Cony and his wife yet.  They too moved to CT for grad school.  Jerry had spoken to Cony over the phone several times (as the dept mascot) and found out that they were moving from Georgia.  We later found out that they are LDS and that we have mutual friends from the Commerce Ward.  They were literally here minutes when I knew that I absolutely love them!  They are a great couple and very laid back.  We all had a great time hanging out by the fire pit and laughing and talking.  It was after 1 am before we packed it up.  They don't have any kids yet but they didn't seem bothered by ours so I am hoping they will want to hang out again.

Despite the lack of sleep (I think we got into bed around 3 am) we had a fantastic Sunday!  It was an amazing fasting testimony meeting.  I know it was because even Jerry left feeling uplifted and it isn't usually one of his favorite meetings.  To top it off we found out that they are going to offer baptisms early in the am at the temple tomorrow so we should be able to do the work for 8 people tomorrow.  We were just on cloud nine.  Lately we have felt so disconnected from most people.  Joining the church has changed us and our priorities and changed a lot of our relationships.  We are in such a better place though and are so excited for the connections we will make and have with those whose work we will do tomorrow.  After church we headed down to Hamden for Stephanie and Jason's housewarming party.  The weather was beautiful and the food and company was fantastic!  It was nice to hang out with other adults while the girls played.  They love hanging out with Kelly's boys and we hardly knew they were there.  Ansley absolutely adores Joshua and followed him around all day.  It was a great weekend!

Day 2

So this morning I had to wake Ally for school.  She wasn't miserable but she definitely wasn't as excited either.  I think the quote was, "I don't want to go.  It's too long.  I just want to come home."  I have to say I agree it is too long to be gone.  It's bitter sweet not having my baby home all day but I know she needs to go so I coaxed her out of bed and we got ready for the day. I got a much overdue haircut and then Ansley, Brenna and I went to Easy Picken's in Enfield and picked a ton of blueberries, apples and fresh veggies.  The okra was amazing and took us right back to Georgia.  After dinner we ate the beautiful birthday cake Brenna decorated in her cake decorating class.  Ansley decided since her birthday was the last one we'd celebrated it was her birthday cake and demanded a hat and candles to boot!

 I love the flower the okra plant produces

My beautiful gerber daisy

First Day of First Grade!

We have been putting the girls to bed early all week in preparation for Ally's first day and it worked.  I got up at 6:30 am to be up before her and had planned on waking her up around 7 am.  Just as I was getting dressed she work up and came running into my room, "Mommy, Mommy today is the day I go to school!"  She was super excited and to my surprise got ready with very little prompting.  Jerry made us all a great breakfast and we were out the door by 7:55 am.  At the bus stop we realized we hadn't reminded Ally which teacher she had or what  room number.  I also sent her to school with a fruit cup for snack time and no spoon.  Day one and already I have messed up severely.  She survived though mostly thanks to Miss Tanjua who saw her asking the librarian to help her find her room and then brought her to class.  Thanks Tanjua!  You are the BEST!  When I asked Ansley if she was going to miss Ally today she said, "No way, not at all!  I am going to play with all of her toys.  I think she did miss her though.  There wasn't a whole lot of playing today and there was a whole lot of whining.   When she got home I could tell that she was totally exhausted so we had a snack and took a rest before Karate.  At Karate Ansley stole the show when Master Fuller asked the class to do their best 8 point blocking with the strikes with their most mean face on.  While they are doing it he stops the class and asks Ansley to please do hers in the mirror.  It's a one way mirror so she was really doing it for all of the parents but all she could see was herself.  She had a great mean face on and gave everyone a great laugh!