Glimpses from last week til tonight...

I completed a new post with all the details of my week last week and something happened when I edited and I lost the whole thing! Bummer! Just so I don't forget here's a quick round-up of last week:

• Addison was sick with strep throat but began feeling much better Friday night after 2 days on antibiotics (miraculous how teenagers recover on Friday nights after an invite to Sandhills, huh?)
• We got a clothes dryer!! Yippee, soft towels again!!!
• Exercising at Curves with Jackie has been a blast! She's so fun and such a great friend!
• Ethan spent the week in Pigeon Forge with his college buddies for Spring Break and then surprised me at home early Friday evening and we had the evening all to ourselves - he's such a great son!
• Becky and I attended the memorial service for the husband of a dear friend of ours, Jean Long, nurse in the ER on Friday afternoon. Jean and her husband were truly lifelong soulmates and had spent a wonderful day together doing things they really enjoyed the day he left this life. It really made me think about appreciating the time we have with our loved ones and not taking time for granted. We love you, Jean, and my heart goes out to you.
• Joey surprised me with lunch at work and then had dinner cooked at my house when I got home from work and Curves before he left for work. He's so sweet and full of surprises!
• Carpooling with Addison was really neat this week - the curb side drop-off and pick-up really has me spoiled! Thanks, Addi! You're a great chauffeur!
• Erika and Jack enjoyed a trip down to Salt Lake City visiting friends visiting from South Carolina--movies, Chic Fil-A (there are none in Idaho and this is Erika's favorite!), and good friends -- what a formula for fun!
• Thank goodness we didn't have damage from the storm Saturday. It was really bad for a little bit and at one point Chloe and I stayed in the bathroom in the center of the house when the wind was blowing so hard. Yes, it made me think twice about emergency preparedness and where our family stands as far as supplies, food storage, our 72-hour kits and the like. I have alot of work to do.
• Saturday night after the storm I had a blast going to the Motorcross at the Colonial Center with Joey and his children, Alex and Abby. It was really cool. Addison stayed with Ginger to help prepare things for the Stake Relief Society Fireside. Thanks, Joseph, for such a fun evening! We all enjoyed it!
• Sunday was just a great day altogether. The talks in Sacrament Meeting I felt were just for me. All three given by Tony, Ruth, and Joe were so inspirational and each of them spoke about something I've either had on my mind this week or answered a question I've been pondering about certain situations. It's really incredible how that happens sometimes. The lesson in Relief Society was just as nice on "Repentance" and not procastinating our repentance. This is always an excellent topic. Channel is a great teacher and I enjoy her lessons. After church we enjoyed lunch at Mom's. It was delicious and she even prepared cabbage and corn beef for St. Patty's Day. It's always fun catching up with everyone at their house on Sundays and spending time with my family. Ginger and Shaun's boys are growing so fast and it's fun to be entertained by them. Joey, Abby, and Alex also joined us this week and made for a very special lunch at Grandmother's house! The Stake Fireside Sunday night was so uplifting from start to finish. We have such a special Stake Presidency and they are so in tune. Again, each one of them said something that touched me, and I am so thankful I was able to attend. I appreciate also President Giles's comments and reminding us of the Young Women's theme and that we as women should remember and apply this to our lives as well: "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and we love him. We will stand as witnesses of God at all times, in all things, and in all places as we strive to live the Young Women's Values which are Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, and Integrity. We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred coventants, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation. " It was a great reminder and something I'd not thought about much since working with the Young Women several years ago. It was such a great meeting and the refreshments were fabulous! Great job, Ginger and your counselors! You're amazing!!!
• Today it was Monday and it surely felt like it - no denying Monday mornings! Ha! It was a good day, though, saw all my buddies at work and that's a good feeling. After work I took Addi to work and came home to get dinner together. We had the Swails' family, the missionaries, and Joey over for dinner and Family Home Evening and it was so fun. Pizza (Domino's), salad, and Hershey bar brownies were on the menu and then a great spiritual thought by Elder Jacobsen. It was very nice. Then Joey and Derek picked Addison up from work and then we had a great game of "Match" compliments of Michelle and Haley. Haley is such a brilliant little girl and is so full of expression! (She could take Hollywood or the Disney channel by storm!) First she won against me and Michelle while we waited for the guys, then she tied against Derek and Joey. Sorry, Addison, better luck next time! I forgot to take pictures, though, so I'm a little bummed about it. Next time...

Hope everyone has a great week and I'm so thankful we were all protected in the storm. Some of my friends were really close to the worst part of it and I'm grateful all is well. Lots of happenings lately for so many close to me and I pray for much safety, good health, and comfort to you all. Happy St. Patrick's Day and good night...