Some Major Catch up!

So, Jeff made it home from being gone for 10 days. That week in February is always my worst week of the year. (one of his annual conference's) I don't know how I survived so many years of him working so much and never being around because 24 hours without him and I turn into mush.
We opted for a Staycation for President's weekend and started it off with a dinner at the "diner". They have smiley face french fries, thank goodness I think they are gross, so I never eat them. But I loved this photo taken with my iphone (love that thing by the way) you can see Jeff's eye coming through the hole.
On a recent Goodwill trip Annie Kate found this dress and screamed, "Mom you have got to buy this, it has Caroline's monogram on it" I laughed and told her that I brought that to Goodwill a few days before and hoped someone else would have those initials. She asked me if you are bringing things here then why do you keep buying more junk - "it is the circle of life, my dear Annie Kate"
Sunday was an absolutely miserable day. I am sure the fact that Jeff had been gone and I was coming off of a week of sick kids had something to do with it, but I was a mess. I had another early 7:15 am meeting for Young Women's and the group voted to even start earlier next time. (yea! thanks Shauna for your Elaine Dalton 6:00 am suggestion) We are in the thick of getting girls camp stuff on the move and already planning events for the seniors. I think I have started to feel myself getting spread thin.
I sat in Sunday School and just cried, seriously alligator tear drops going down my face. I wanted to get up and run out of the room. I gave myself the self talk that the next time someone asks me to do something I am going to say No - no matter what it was. (note to self: don't ever do that again)
I walk out of the chapel to go into YW's and get a happy face on and run into the YM president who tells me the Bishop has asked us to coordinate a temple night for the youth soon. I looked at him and said, "No, not going to do it" The Young Men's president looked at me with a little bit of shock and then I think could tell I was not budging. His very kind words of "don't worry it is no big deal, I will do all the planning" still did not seem to change my stubborn mind. I could feel the tears coming back to the surface and knew I had to make a mad dash for the bathroom but then turned and there was the Bishop asking, "Did you get the message about youth temple night?" I felt like there was a million people in the foyer and talking everywhere and I wanted to lay down on the floor right there and curl into fetal position.
The YM president made me laugh so hard because he told the Bishop I needed to go back to bed, which was so true. I then had the guts (or should I say nerve) to look at my Bishop and say I was too tired to plan that and with all that was going on with camp it was not going to happen.
*** Oh my what has happened to me? I know that he knows that I know that temple is incredibly important and I was looking my Bishop in the eyes and saying no! I was in a sad state of affairs***
Because my Bishop is so awesome he looked at me and pretty much said, "ok lets get that planned" and then was off to do a million other things that I am sure he had on his plate. He knew that what I needed was just a hard "press on" type of comment.
I then went into the YW room and opening exercises was beginning. This is the blessing of teaching the girls to do everything on their own - it wouldn't matter if any leader showed up those girls run the show and do a great job. So as the opening song began the tears came back like a faucet had been turned on. I quietly excused myself and went into the bathroom to clean any remaining make up off my face. ( I need to pick a new day of the week to wear makeup because I do most of my crying on Sunday's) I looked in the mirror and thought "What do I do?" do I go back into YW and have everyone think, What is up with Kristi or do I just not come back- ARGH! I decided to go get Jeff and get some more "get over it advice" He has a way with listening but then not letting me hide under the covers.
Jeff was substituting in Primary so I went down to Sharing time and asked for someone to send him to the hall. He then followed me outside and I lost it. Poor Jeff who I am sure is thinking, "are you hurt? did someone die?" I just cried on his shoulder for a few minutes and then he asked what was wrong. I no great reason other than I felt like world war 3 was going on inside my heart. He walked me through the normal calm down steps he usually does and I felt a ton better. I seriously considered getting in my car to drive the three blocks home (way too cold to walk to church for my New Mexican blood) but deiced instead to suck it up and go into Laurels.
The lesson was on how to make ourselves happy. It was awesome and just what I needed. The teacher (who is amazing) had us make a list which all of us girls said we were going to post on our blog (yep all my Laurels now have blogs). Too bad I lost my list because it was fun to make and would have been great to write down.
After church I went straight home, fed the family and then crawled into bed and took a 4 hour nap! What is so amazing to me is that some of my best days of the week are on Sunday and most of my worst days of the week are on Sunday. It seems to be such an emotional day for me and I feel the need to learn how to even this out some bit. At church I feel motivated and guilty all at the same time.
But the beauty of Sunday (thus the photo above this long story) was taking the time to read the Senior Missionary Opportunities for our church. Jeff and I really hope of going on a mission together some day when our kids are grown and I am realizing more and more this is just not going to happen on it's own. Reading this list sure does make me rethink some of the financial choices we will be making pretty soon. It makes me want to take Spanish lessons, really prepare for the future and stay in good shape. Here were my top two favorite that I would pick if we were going now.

Perpetual Education Fund
(click here if you don't know what the PEF is, it is really amazing)

PEF Full-time missionary couples are needed in many areas of the world to help accomplish the purpose of the Perpetual Education Fund. Couples will worth with and under the direction of area priesthood leaders and administrators. In addition to program administration, assignments may include conducting firesides, attending institute activities and one on one visits with PEF participants and their leaders. Prospective couples should have an interest in the welfare and success of young adults. Basic computer skills are needed. The PEF is moving forward with great success and missionary couples are an essential part of the work and organization of PEF. Both Computer skills and Spanish are required for this assignment.

Omaha, Nebraska (Winter Quarters)

This is a wonderful opportunity for a missionary couple to provide much needed assistance to the Facilities Management Group in maintaining Historic Winter Quarters sites and area meeting houses. Work includes mainly flower care and grounds care, but also some building maintenance. Trade and mechanical skill are helpful but not necessary.

Do you want to see where you could serve someday check it out here.



I have officially retired my Turkey Artichoke Sandwich from Panera and couldn't even eat it this week after ordering it. I am looking for a new favorite as new one is opening just walking distance from my house. Any suggestions?
( I must add that I did bring home a trail mix bagel that was amazing!)

I got this very timely Valentines gift from my friend that I serve with in Young Women's. It is her grandmothers fudge recipe that we have all been dying for along with three hearts made out of fudge. Good thing I had my phone with me to take a photo because they didn't last even to my car.

I tried to return some DVD's to the red box the other day and it was too full and could not accept them. I was sad because I didn't have a chance to go back for 2 more days which means they made four more dollars off of me, those stinkers. Yet, Red Box I still love you.

I loved this t-shirt I saw in a store window the other day and snatched a shotSo for our staycation for President's day we went to the newly reopened National Museum of American History. It was only open a few months when we first moved here and has been totally redone.


On the drive there Jeff handed me a map of the United States (it is sitting on the dash in this photo) He asked me to mark every state that I would like to live in. We are on the mad beginnings of deciding where to live the rest of our life. So for the drive downtown we talked about each state in the entire US and where do we want to live. We feel incredibly blessed that we actually have a choice to do some state hoping. I feel some stressful/exciting months coming on but unfortunately will have to keep most of it to myself until we decide. Feel free to call me if you want the nitty, gritty scoop.
Don't you just love this photo of the Lincoln and Washington monument on President's day with our map making decisions on the dash?

Picking President's day to go visit the newly redone museum was not the best choice we have ever made. We opted to not fight any crowds. So we just saw a few things.
The Steven Colbert print
This has a hilarious story if you don't know it.


Oscar the grouch
Sally Jane the grouch
(photo taken in November but it could have been taken on Monday)
The power of wind
and each girl got some new marbles to take home from the gift shop.
I loved this photo I took while we were searching 26 minutes for a parking spot on the mall. Look how cool all those people posing for a group shot.good thing we went back and decided to find a spot by the museum because we found one right across the street and for free - yea!
We have this family tradition of getting good luck to find a parking spot. Feel free to try it I swear it works. (but I do have good parking Karma)

1. the entire family slaps their hands together like Mr. Miaggi in Karate Kid
2. Then you rub your hands together as fast as you can
3. do this until you find a magic parking spot that opens up right before your eyes.
   

Yesterday I got to have lunch with one of my best friends here in Maryland. (of course she doesn't know she is one of my best friends but she is) Her name is Lisa and she is my cousin Elisa's sister in law. Lisa has the most soothing voice of anyone I know. She makes me feel like a winner and is all knowing of everything cool in Maryland (she is my ribbon outlet source)
We met at this great BBQ place that was so yummy and this was our own personal drink. Yes it is a mini pitcher that is not that mini! Oh my, my new favorite place.
I of course gave her some of my Sunday woes and she listened and then gave me great advice. I need to go to lunch more often with friends. This makes a great regular spot because next door is a clothing and furniture consignment shop.
I got my hair cut and colored the day before I went to lunch but felt it looked weird so I wore a hat. How crazy is that to spend so much money to get your hair done and then to wear a hat! I fear I will never be happy with my hair until I find someone to give me a perm.

Whew! all done from my week.

Feel free to comment on any of the above or in case you need a recap

• is it hard for you when your husband is out of town?
• have you ever eaten smiley face french fries
• what did you do for your last staycation?
• have you ever seen something at Goodwill that you donated?
• Do you have plans to do community service with your spouse when you get old and wrinkly?
• Can Sunday's be hard for you too?
• any good thoughts for my next trip to Panera Bread
• Do you use Redbox?
• Do you love where you live and any suggestions on picking a place to live?
• Did you know Steven Colbert had a Portrait in the Smithsonian?
• Could you drink a mug of Diet Coke like me?
• Any lucky tricks you have as a family to find a good parking spot?
• Is wearing a hat after a hair appointment a bad sign?