House Woes

OK so I never thougth it would be so hard to buy a house. Our contingency runs out in 5 days and our offer we have had on a house for 6 months still won't come through. I think something strange is going on in that area of American Fork. Also we did not get the house in Highland. They would not say how much it sold for, just that someone came in with a huge down payment. I hope it wasn't the person who commented on "the landscaping". We love our house, our neighbors...especially our neighbors, so I am deep breathing trying to tell myself that if things were meant to work out they would. I was watching the kids playing in our back yard with the neighbor kids on memorial day and just felt very grateful to live by such great people.
I love a recent article in psychology today about failure. Since I feel that I am often in that state. The article writes, "failing better boils down to controlling our emotions, adjusting our thinking, and recalibrating our beliefs. It states that "adversity, setbacks, and even trauma may actually be necessary for people to be successful and fulfilled."
I also meant Monday and wanted to express my gratitude to my grandpa and all other servicemen for the service to our country. My grandpa passed away a few years ago, but he fought in WWII and we loved him. He would never talk about the war because he said, "it brought up too much". He couldn't even watch a war commercial or movie because it took him back to the war too quickly. He said it changed him in ways no one could ever imagine. He had a hard life even when he returned home...and I think his wife and children struggled due to some of those lasting effects. I cannot imagine the sacrifice of all those servicemen and their families who sacrifice so much to maintain freedom in our world. Probably more important than house stuff.

american idol sort of

If anyone is feeling sad about not being able to vote for american idol anymore...you know having withdrawals...Aubs is in that Mormontimes contest again and could use any votes you used to give to Adam or Kris towards that contest. If you don't want to...tired of voting for anyone...that's good too. I must state Nathan Osmond is pretty good. http://music.mormontimes.com/contest.php?id=757&nocache=1

Happy 10th Birthday Matthew

All of my pictures are stored on my computer which is still.....Dead. So here is Matthew in a picture...being a good big brother. We have no "alone" pictures. But he really is a good big brother most of the time. So fun to have a birthday on a Saturday too. We are so glad to have Matthew in our family. He is our one and only little boy, and we are so lucky he is such a good one. Here are ten things we love about him:
1. He loves loves loves to read and goes through several books a week. He even reads at recess!
2. He comes up with funny stories of his own.
3. He loves babies, little kids and animals. Loves his niece, Evelyn.
4. He has a great smile.
5. He always tries to do the right thing.
6. He is kind to everyone.
7. He loves donuts and pizza more than life.
8. He loves to "win", quite a cometitor.
9. Expert on guitar hero.
10. I think he is very handsome.
Emily wants me to put "the way he screams every morning saying that it really isn't 7:00". Brynna also wants people to know that you jump out of hiding places just to scare her. We love you Matthew and hope you have a great Birthday. Mom

sad night

We regret to post that our small parakeet, Lilly, has died. Brynna got Lilly for her 3rd birthday and has been a joy to all of us, especially Brynna. Brynna would like to state that Lilly was blue and white with a little bit of grey feathers above her eyes. Brynna cried all night and has been expressing significant grief. We have talked about death and heaven, but the consolation is slow to come. She has gathered each and every stray feather to be able to keep and remember Lilly.

Brynna has talked about all the good memories like taking Lilly in her purse around the house, hiding Lilly in her pocket, Lilly sitting on her dad's head, Lilly sneaking out of her cage and flying around, Lilly's lovely early morning chirping, and Lilly sometimes biting her when she would change her water. There will be a brief service this afternoon. Brynna would like to make a "stone" with flowers drawn on it so she can always remember her...and we must dig her up and take her with us if we end up moving. I am sure the new owners would be grateful. I hate to think what they will find with too much digging around our yard.

Opening Night and Hope of America

Aubrey had a fun time in her school play tonight and gets to perform it two more times. Her hair was pretty curly, and though she was a little tall for the big bow in her hair I guess it fits the part. (Their is seriously some footage of her in a pink frilly dress with a HUGE pink bow that will make some good blackmail someday...first date...prom....the possibilities are endless). We got some good hmmm...coverage of the singing but I think it might be illegal or something to post...so family will have to sit through it all during Thanksgiving or Christmas shrouded in darkness and for our own viewing pleasure only.

Emily did some great singing too at the Hope of America program tonight. She wouldn't let me take a picture because she was "too tired" after the big event. She just wanted to "hit the hay", "snooze", "get some ZZZ's", etc...but she did tell me that the flashlight part was a favorite of hers. Matthew also had baseball practice tonight. We are so lucky that Brynna is not yet into any extracurriculars. It was a fun and busy night. Can't wait to see the other young women in the ward in the play tomorrow night!