Decorating with Kas

Tomorrow after school we will be having a friend party for Kassidy's 11th birthday.  It's crazy to me that my baby is growing up so quickly.  Her favorite color these days is orange so our walls and ceiling are covered with orange balloons and streamers.  She wanted to help me decorate tonight before her friends came home from school with her tomorrow.  I was going to surprise her but if she wants to help me I thought why not?  Less work for me.  I love parties.  I get just as excited as they do.  I am happy I have girls who love to celebrate. 

I lied

Late in the afternoon I pooped out and didn't clean up the main floor yesterday so I woke up this morning with a total mind set to really clean the house.  I haven't cleaned like this for a long time.  The house has really needed some attention that I just haven't wanted to give it.  I still have a bit to do but I think my hubby will be shocked to find the house so clean.  I used to be such a clean freak.  I still am to some degree but having medical issues has humbled me a bit.  I have to ration out my energy more so other things get ignored.  I am finally getting to the point where I am okay with that.  If anyone wants to visit me this evening would be great so you can see a clean house. :)

Kassidy has turned out to be quite the little runner.  Michael took her running again at the Olympic oval.  She ran three miles and he admitted that she was just as fast as he was if not a bit faster.  She actually got into the zone and ran effortlessly.  I am so excited and proud of her.  I was so not athletic and such a wimp when it came to sports and exercise at her age.  I still hate to play sports but I would be thrilled to see one of my children get into any sport and would proudly support them at any race/game/activity they want to participate in.

Karly is still struggling with her little health issues.  We have her on a good plan and are hoping to see improvements over the next few months.  She is preparing herself to get baptized in Aug.  I have never seen a child so excited about it.  She has set up little goals to pray and read scriptures every day.  She is also becoming quite the little know it all.  Yesterday she reminded me how to curl ribbon (Yes Mom I forgot what you showed me.)  Karly figured it all out by herself and proceeded to show me how to do it.  She told me it should feel like peeling a potato.  :)

Michael has submitted his first bid with his new business.  We have no idea whether or not he will get it but I can see the light in his eyes at having his own business.  I can tell he will pursue it regardless of the outcome of this first bid.  It's fun seeing him so happy.  I have to admit I will be happy too if the business is a success because he promised to by me a winter home somewhere warm. :)  I may be the youngest snow bird yet. :)

Okay, I think I have rested enough now to go finish my cleaning.  That's all for now.

Krystal

Lucky Me

I am wearing red today.  As most of you know red is my favorite color and not only is it the color of love, passion and power but it is a color I look GREAT in! :)  Anyway, I have had a productive day.  I exercised, ran errands, worked a little, and now I am going to work on my Spanish.  Yes my friends, I have a few goals this year and speaking spanish is one of them.  I also plan on cleaning up this main floor before Michael gets home so he can walk into a clean house just because I love him and I know it makes him happy.  I better get going if it's all going to get done.  Also having fish tacos for dinner.  YUMMY!

Enjoying Michael's time off.

Michael took this whole week between Christmas and New Years off.  It's so nice having him relaxed and not stressed out.  I wish he could do this more often.

I have to say this was the best Christmas yet.  We stayed in our PJ's all day, played with the girls, watched movies and relaxed.  No stress.  I didn't clean anything up until Monday.

One more day!

One more day of school.  Tonight I have to make gingerbread men for Karly's class party and chili for the employee luncheon.  I have got a very busy evening ahead of me and then it's smooth sailing through the holidays. 

Kassidy's teacher announced that she wasn't going to come back after the break.  She wants to be a stay at home to her new baby.  Kassidy took it pretty hard.  I am not sure how the rest of the year will turn out but I am praying Kas will be okay.

I got to teach art in Karly's class today.  I think I managed to spread glitter throughout the whole school.  I am sure the janitor loves me.  Karly did a great job.  It was a difficult project but she was one of the first kids done and it looked pretty good.

Getting old and making Christmas

The other day I sat down cross legged for about 2 hours while I watched movies and wrapped presents.  By the time I got up I thought I might need a double hip replacement.  My hips have been cracking, popping, and a bit painful ever since.  The next day I did Pilate's hoping to get back some of the flexibility from my youth.  I decided then and there I need to stretch more.  I do not want to come stiff and sore every time I sit down.
The Christmas count down is on.  Hyper mode has already set in.  The girls are getting wound up more and more every day.  They are already having a hard time falling asleep.  The amount of candy they are bringing home from school and every other function is frightening.  They talk non stop about presents, parties, candy and more presents.  I remember getting so excited that I would make myself sick.  I still get sick but only from eating too much indulgent food. 
I can proudly say that I am just about ready for Christmas to happen.  Only a few more things to wrap and lots of yummy goodies to make.  We have a few more parties and then we will be celebrating a new year.  I really do love this time of year.

A night of culture.

We took the girls to see the lights on temple square this evening.  The weather was very nice and we went early enough so it wasn't crowded.  My favorite tree wasn't covered in red lights this year.  Oh, well.  It was still amazing.  I think my second favorite are the trees covered in orange lights.

After walking around a bit we went to Hatches for their famous hot chocolate.  I swear I have never tasted any better in my life. 

To finish up the evening we attended a Gospel Choir Concert in the Grand Theater in Salt Lake.  They sang the Messiah like I have never heard it before.  A very soulful jazzed up version.  Kassidy was bored but Karly couldn't get enough.  She was singing, dancing and clapping with the best of them.  She was actually sad when it ended.  I have to say my hands hurt when it was over.  I think if I ever went to a church that had that kind of music I would have to develop callouses on my hands from all the clapping.  My friend Michelle is in the choir and she did a great job.  She is in two different choirs.  I asked her what she was going to join next so I could continue my cultural education in the performing arts.

All for now,

Krystal J. Anderson