Hello From The White House

I wasn't sure where to start, but I guess January 10th is as good a day as any. It's been so long. 

This particular Saturday was the Me & My Guy Masquerade Ball for Girl Scouts and their dads. I spent a good portion of the day making masks. I never dreamed it would take me as long as it did. 

Olivia had the most fabulous time dancing and making crafts.

Sunday was Emily's Cheer rehearsal. This past summer she joined a Competitive Cheer Gym where she practices three days a week four hours at a time as she is cross-competing on two teams. This was our first opportunity to see what she has been learning and that day she was so sick. She tried hard, but ended up in the bathroom for most of the show. It's amazing what she has learned through a lot of hard work. She's never danced or tumbled or cheered or really done much of anything. She has learned how to do back hand springs, dance and catch the flyer's. We are so proud of her. This show was three days before she was to leave to Indianapolis for a National Competition. 

Tuesday's I have Scouts. You're all familiar with my Cub Scouts, but this year I am also a Girl Scout leader. (Oh how I love the girls!!). I have six in my Troop. Olivia and her friend (plus Lucas) were the last three in Cookie Twister. I alternate weeks as to which group I meet with, but next year I will have to take it to every week as we just don't have enough time to accomplish everything I want to teach.

Wednesday evening we hung out (in my new craft room) waiting for Emily's flight out. Olivia painted her toenails. :) I was not able to accompany Emily on this trip. The airfare alone was $1100 (it's so expensive to get out of Alaska). We are fortunate that Emily has a sponsor who covers all her expenses at the gym otherwise she would not be able to participate. It is a very expensive sport. 

Friday night we splurged. Emily was on a big trip so we went out to dinner and the movies. Nick joined us to eat. I cut his dreads off not too long ago and he looks so different. They were almost to his waist. I kind of miss them. 

We went to see Hunger Games and personally I wasn't impressed. I thought it was too slow. It seems like they make it into two movies for more money when it easily could have been one. I think the next one will have all the action.

I was sent a few photos from her trip. I haven't even had a chance to look at the ones Emily took. She's still sick and with being sick and the trip she missed 6 days of school. She's been working hard on that when she isn't sleeping. Poor thing. 

This is her Junior II team which is 8-15 year olds. She is on the far left in the warm-up jacket. 

This is her Senior II team competing. This group can have ages 10-18. Emily is in the back second from the left. 

In this lift you can't see her. Her stunt group is on the left and she is the back spot.

This is her Senior II Eclipse team with the coach praying before taking the stage.

Emily is in the center. The team took 2nd out of 13 teams. That says a lot about our little gym in Fairbanks, Alaska. The teams they compete against go to competitions almost every weekend. Our girls go to two a year as the expense is just too great. This is only the 3rd year of this gym and Emily's only been at it 6 months! The next competition is in Hawaii and I will be traveling with her.

While Emily was in Indianapolis, Lucas was playing his first soccer game in over a year. He had a great time and was definitely one of the best. Taking time off didn't hurt him at all. 

After the game we raced over to the Pinewood Derby for Cub Scouts.

That's me working with an Eagle Scout running the bracketing for the races.

 Lucas' car is the one with all the money glued on for weights. We have not done a good job helping him build a quality car and as usual he got last. So did Olivia in the sibling class. They both had a good time though. I don't why it seems to sneak up on us and we aren't prepared.

This is most of the Scout, Sibling and Adult racers (a few had left). It was a good time.

The day to follow was one I was so looking forward to and it ended in a horrible disappointment. In the last 3 minutes of the game my Green Bay Packers blew it and did not advance to the Super Bowl. I'm still sick about it.

My weeks are a whirl wind. I'm getting older and slower, but still have kids on the go. I don't seem to keep up so well.

Elijah has a job now and I get him to work. I'm up at 5am, we leave at 5:30 and I get home at 6:30. The little ones go off on the bus at 8:10am and I go back to bed until noon. Then I have to leave again at 1:30pm to pick Elijah up getting home at 2:30. Before I know it I have to make dinner, do homework, give showers and it's bedtime. I try to do things after everyone is asleep and don't head to bed until 1:00am. This schedule of sleeping in two shifts it taking its toll on me. Elijah's car is a real gas guzzler, but I think a couple days a week he's going to have to drive just so I can have normal rest and attend to my home. It's a disaster and I'm failing as a housewife.

Well, here we are at 1:33am. Tomorrow we have two soccer games and a cheer parent meeting. We just got several inches of snow and now the bottom is supposed to fall out of the temperatures and be -40*F by Monday. We've had such a mild winter this will be strange.

Nice to be back blogging... let's see if I can keep it up. I wonder if I still have anyone out there who will read?