What a Weekend!!

Whew!! Is it Monday yet?? I'm ready for Monday so I can reLAX!!

Yesterday was Jillise's 7th Birthday. Happy Birthday, sweetie!! I know it sounds cliche, but I cannot believe that I am the mother of a seven year old. In a year she will be getting baptized. Ack!!

Here are seven things about Jillise:

1. Jillise is VERY loving and kind. She has lots of friends and is a good friend in return.


2. Jillise loves working on her computer (like her mama!).
   
3. Jillise is a very creative person. She enjoys writing stories and illustrating them. She says she might want to be an author when she grows up.
   
4. Jillise is honest. I remember having our first issue with honesty when she was about three and we really havent' had to worry about it since then. It's wonderful.
   
5. Jillise has only missed ONE spelling word on a test all year. It was a bonus word and she is SO frustrated with herself that she ruined her perfect record (and it was only two weeks ago). The word was library.


6. She likes organization but often lacks the motivation to bring it all about (like her mama!). She is often coming up up with new ways to set up chores or jobs.
   
7. She has the biggest, most beautiful smile. I love to see it.

So, Friday was Jillise's "friend" party. She had four friends over from school and ballet. They arrived at 5:00 and we made lipgloss, colored Shrinky Dinks, had pizza, played upstairs and outside, and I painted all of their toenails while watching "Annie." I had purchased some new bright fun colors and some nail jewels just for this party. They sure came up with some crazy patterns and color combination for this party!! We then ate "king sized cupcakes." I got the tin at Michaels and they were a hit. No one could eat all of one (except for the grown ups). But that's okay. They looked good and made quite the impression! Despite the party being 2 1/2 hours long, we could have actually used more time. The girls got along well and were so sweet. It is nice that they are old enough to entertain themselves and play nicely. I didn't feel like a circus leader and I could actually enjoy the party myself.

Late Friday my mom arrived. My Dad wasn't able to get off of work, so he had to stay home. :( It was so nice to have her here. Saturday morning we loaded up the car and drove down to Build a Bear. We met my sister Megan there. Jillise picked a new friend -- a soft rabbit named Rachael. Joelle was a good helper on Friday when I was a cleaning fool, so she got to pick some new clothes for her cat that she made a few years ago. Then we all headed to Red Robin for lunch (where I had my new favorite drink -- a Blueberry Pomegranate Limeade that I am going to buy the syrups for because it is SO GOOD).

When we got home it was time to get the girls ready for ballet pictures. Hair in buns (which meant LOTS of gel for Jillise and her short hair), makeup, and costumes. Crazy. It's a little scary how grownup some mascara and lipstick make them look. Fortunately for me, it was Bonnie's turn to drive, so she took them to pictures (and fixed Joelle's raccoon face -- she was playing baby in the car and rubbed her eyes. Eeek. Luckily she was prepared with makeup wipes so the pictures were saved.

After they got back we had a BBQ. Yum. And a Dairy Queen icecream cake. And then we opened more presents. The big hits were the Razr scooter, the charm bracelet set, and the digital money jar.

Saturday night Brian got a call from the Stake Executive Secretary. That's never good. So at 8:30 a.m. on Mother's Day our life as we know it changed for at least a while: Brian is the new ward Elder's Quorum President. You know how I have been saying for months that I felt prompted to get my spiritual act together??? I think I know why. Brian will be wonderful. He has such a strong testimony and desire to do right. The Stake President told him that he felt inspired to tell Brian to open his mouth more: that he has been taught by great people his whole life and has learned much. That this is his time to know teach and share that knowledge. He referred to this calling as Brian's new mission. I found that to be an interesting statement. Brian loved his mission and he was a great leader and he accomplished great things. He talks about his mission fondly. I think that statement helped Brian *and* I realize the magnitude of this calling and the amount of work that will have to be put into this calling (by him AND by me -- by supporting him and not complaining) in order for him to be successful. The German Pancakes made by him for my Mother's Day breakfast took on new significance. It will probably be the last Sunday breakfast we share for quite a while. My Dad has been in leadership positions for as long as I can remember and my mom always got us five kids up and ready and fed and to church on time -- often times just to sit and wrestle with us for sacrament meeting. I feel lucky that at least I don't have to do THAT part by myself.

After church, my mom headed home and I took a much needed NAP. I love my role as mother, but boy does it wipe me out. :) It was a weekend full of great memories and it was nice to be with my mom on Mother's Day and to celebrate the girl who MADE me a mom seven years ago. :)