What would a holy woman do?

Good question.

It's a question that has been running through my mind this week especially when little decisions pop up or as I analyze a situation afterwards.

Thursday night I found myself at the Bountiful Temple on one of thee craziest nights. I sat in the chapel waiting room for a good hour just to get into the session. Instead of the 7pm session it was the 8pm which meant getting home much later than I anticipated. Anyone who knows me well, knows I am not a late night person.

But I sat patiently and took the time to read scripture and meditate. A holy woman would take advantage of those quiet moments.

Friday I subbed at the elementary school. It was a day Ash was participating in the Book Battle. I had already accepted this job and didn't feel like I could back out. Tyler went and supported her. I could have let myself get irritated for not having it on my calendar and double scheduling, but I chose instead to catch her on my lunch break and talk to her about how she did. For a girl who has never participated until this year, who had to be talked into it, and who hadn't read all the books until a day ago, she did well, taking second place.

A holy woman does not allow herself to get irritated or frustrated.

After a day of subbing I was ready to go home but needed to stop at the credit union first to deposit some checks. We ended up behind a car that seemed to take forever. I had kids in the car, one being Ashlyn's friend who didn't have a lot of time to play at our house. I thought, "How would a holy woman behave in this situation?" Again, I remained calm and didn't get uptight that things were taking longer than I thought they should.

This morning we needed to be to the church at 8:30 to practice a song for our sacrament meeting program. Alex couldn't find his Sunday clothes in a room he shares with Erik and I got frustrated that we were going to be late. I got annoyed with Erik and his clothes that never seem to make it into drawers after I've spent the day washing and folding them.

My UNHOLY woman came out and I proceeded to take all his clothes that were half in drawers and on the ground and throw them into one big heap. That would certainly teach him to take care of his clothes. By darn, he was going to understand how much time it took me to wash and fold them, and that I certainly didn't appreciate him just letting them float around his room.

Would a holy woman throw her son's clothes around the room? Definitely not.

Our Relief Society has challenged us to think and act like a holy woman this year. This won't be easy for me. There are many weaknesses that hinder my ability to be more than I can be. But in all honesty, this week has been different for me. Maybe not so much in my actions but I have thought differently. And if I continue to think differently, my actions will soon come in alignment.

Snowballin'

Second dance date for Kiersten and she got to hang with her cousin Scott on this one. How fun. I'm so excited for the day Erik gets to join them in a couple of months.

This Snowball Dance was a girls preference. Kiersten and her friend Cambree swapped dates from homecoming, and Kiersten convinced our neighbor Hannah to join them by asking Scott. And then her friend Rachel needed a group to join. Kiersten always has fun people to hang with and they're always doing crazy things. I am just so grateful that she feels comfortable bringing her friends to our home. I love it and hope they feel comfortable in our home.

No dress shopping was involved with this dance. We had a hand-me-down that's been hanging in her closet for several years, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to reveal itself.

This particular group of girls have been driving for a little over a year. Kiersten's six-month probation was up on Saturday, giving her free legal license to be the chauffeur. No biggie, right? Except this dance was at the University of Utah. Oh my mother heart skipped a beat when that little bit of trivial information was relayed to me. I knew all I could do was just pray and put it in the Lord's hands that they would make it there and back safely. It was only several weeks ago that Kiersten drove to the temple by herself, with no adult supervision. And now she was going to have seven other passengers to be responsible for through downtown Salt Lake. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. And many thanks for cell phones that allowed her to text me when she was leaving so I could count the minutes until they arrived home. No mishaps. Or at least none that they are willing to divulge to me.

The date began with a trip to the DI to find the craziest, wackiest outfit for $10.

Oh, I'm afraid Kiersten and Cameron took first prize on that one. Kiersten even scored a pink bra out of the deal.

Dinner was hosted by Hannah's mom, Kathie, in her dance studio and then off to the dance to return several hours later to our home to finish up with a movie. Those girls had their dates home before they turned back into pumpkins at the stroke of midnight.

I am loving these dating years and we've only just begun.

Wisdom teeth and braces

It's been a week for teeth. Actually maybe two.

Nate got braces the first day back from Christmas break.

And Erik lost his wisdom teeth the first day of a 4-day weekend.

The other option is to get them out in the summer. I personally think hanging out inside when the weather outside is frightful is much more to be desired than the alternative.

He was so nervous going in. Everyone he talked to about it said it was the worst experience. Twenty minutes after taking him away, the nurse came to get me. He was done. Seriously, wisdom teeth out in twenty minutes just doesn't seem right. Erik had no need to be nervous; he kept repeating, "That was great!" I think he meant the drugs were great. All he recalls is the needle they stuck him with and then he was out.

Mr. Funny doesn't remember any of our conversations or the video I took even though he insisted he was awake.

So far he's been subsisting on ice cream and jello and smoothies. A few days of discomfort is certainly better now than having to deal with them when you are 50 and the roots have entwined themselves in the nerve that runs along the bottom jaw. The nurse was telling me of how much worse they are to get out the older the patient is. Plus missionaries are advised to have them removed before going on a mission, especially if you might go to a third-world country. You certainly don't want to get there and have dental issues that can't be taken care of easily. Erik's x-rays showed the top coming in somewhat straight but the bottom were coming in sideways. Getting them out now means less to do for mission preparation.

We are two for two. Three more to go. Both Kiersten and Erik had all four. I only had one that my Uncle Russell pulled like a normal tooth when I was in college. No anesthesia for me. Tyler had all four. Time will tell if any of the others inherit my good fortune.

Christmas wrap up

It's a new year. A new sacrament meeting time. I love our 9am start time; not sure how the rest of the ward feels. My kids weren't especially thrilled about having to get up earlier this morning.

Christmas break is one of my favorites. No schedule. No real meal time. Sleep in. Stay up late. Watch a ton of movies (like Star Wars; seriously who hasn't seen the new Star Wars yet. Oh ya. Me. I went to The Good Dinosaur with Alex and Ash and fell asleep only a few times). Board games. Reading. No yard work calling to me (other than shoveling snow). I love it and use the time to catch up on some organizing and getting ready for a new year.

This Christmas was a pretty low key. That boy that asked for a calculator just to scratch it out and say never mind . . . well, he got one anyway. Turns out the one he found wasn't working.

Ash spent a few days coloring the annual Tooele Transcript coloring book in hopes of winning various prizes at the local stores. One day we got a call from Mountain West pediatrics. Ash had won first prize in the older age group. That coloring paid off to the tune of $30.

I worked feverishly for 2 days finishing up another blog book. That 40% off was quite alluring. But I did it and didn't even let myself peak at the finished product until Christmas morning.

For one of our family home evening activities we did a love language quiz. Erik's language of love is predominately gifts. So when his bottom retainer finally showed up in the mail a few days before Christmas, I took the liberty of showering him with love and wrapped it up. He may be smiling but I don't think he found it that hilarious.


Kiersten helped her friend Hannah ask cousin Scott to the "Snow Ball" coming up in a few weeks.

We caught up with our old friends the Goldens at both of our favorite: Texas Roadhouse. It was even Sharon's birthday and she was such a good sport to ride the saddle. Carroll is a big time scouter and made Erik promise him that he would get his eagle. I don't know why I haven't sicced Carroll on Erik before now.

And tomorrow starts a whole 'nother round of school and work.