Couldn't really say where I've been

I know I get antsy when I check other people's blogs and they haven't updated them in a while. And then here I go, not updating my blog forever. And I don't really know where the time has gone and what I've been doing while I haven't been writing. I think part of the problem is that the weather has been mostly beautiful lately, and I just want to be outside so badly. Technically, I guess I could take the computer outside with me, but it would get in the way of digging and planting and stuff.

So, since I can't remember enough to do a blow by blow recap of the last two weeks, and no one really wants to read that anyway, I'll just list some things that make me happy. They are in no particular order, and the list is by no means all inclusive, but just a sampling of things that have made me smile lately.

1. My backyard. I've got all sorts of bulbs coming up, many of which I didn't plant, so that's exciting to see what else is growing back there. We also put in a berry patch the other day, so we'll look forward to the fruits of that labor next year. And then I cut back a rose bush and am trying to get the cuttings to root. So far so good. It just makes me so happy to be outside and see things growing. I just wish there were more time in the day.

2. The upcoming time change, because it will give me more daylight time in the day. And it will actually allow a positive change in our children's bedtimes since then Addie will go down at 7 instead of 6.

3. The Miracle Swimsuit. And that's a brand, not just my own adjective. I'm so excited to go to Cabo this week, but the swimsuit thing has been a bit of a hindrance. I actually found a suit that sucks it all in and holds it there, so despite the hefty price tag, I'm happy. I figure since the last non maternity suit I bought, which was never that great, I've had for 5 years, I can justify the purchase of a suit that hopefully I will enjoy wearing for the next 5 years.

4. Free kids workshops at Lowe's. I was at the store last week, and Chloe wasn't with me, but they let me take a bird feeder kit home with me for her to do. It was so easy to put together, and she got a pair of safety goggles, which was darn cute. We had a lot of fun, and just yesterday got to watch a squirrel have a party emptying it. At one point he was hanging upside down eating out of it. So much better than having him dig up my bulbs and eat them.

5. Being done with Young Women New Beginnings. It's been a full week of church activities. I was in charge of the New Beginnings program for the ward this year, and did it as a Price is Right game show. It went really well, but boy am I glad not to have that looming over me. And then I taught the combined YW meeting today, so now I'm off the hook for teaching assignments for a few more months. Now all I have to do is get the fleece together for the girls to make blankets this week. They're donating them to projectlinus.org. I highly recommend you check them out.

6. Welcoming a new niece to the family. Congratulations Matt and Lindsay! And Welcome Elizabeth. She arrived on March 1st, and our house full of girls is so excited to have another girl in the family. The Geilman family grandchild totals now stand at 4 girls and 7 boys. And for the first time in over 2 years, no one in the family is pregnant right now. At least as far as I know.

7. The funny things that Chloe does. Like dressing herself. Or feeding all of her stuffed animals on the kitchen floor. Or playing laundry basket monsters with her cousin Syrus. Or dyeing her fingers green while making St. Patrick's Day cards for Family Home Evening. Or wandering the house calling, "Oh Mama, where are you?" in the cutest little voice. Or moving on from worms to ladybugs. They are all over the back yard right now, and are usually fortunate enough to fly away before she gets too affectionate with them. Though she has stashed a couple in her pockets and brought them into the house.

8. Our little (big) Addie. I can't believe she just had her 6 month appointment. She is the same length as Chloe was at 6 months, (27.5", 95th percentile) but is about a pound heavier (17lbs 4 oz, 75th percentile). Which means I am just so excited for this warmer weather so I can dress her in clothes that show off her chunky legs. Mmm, squishy.

9. Having a house I can entertain in and family nearby. I was able to have my aunt Donna, and her daughters Angie and Tiffany and all of their families over for dinner last week, which was so fun. And Angie is engaged, and I'm so happy for her! I sure do miss all of my immediate family so much, but it's nice to have some of my family here, as well as Bracken's family. We are really blessed.

10. My sister Katie getting a diagnosis for the voice problem she's been having since she got home from her mission. She has had intermittent laryngitis for the last year or so, and they finally discovered that it stems from a dislocated voice box. It should be correctible without surgery. I'm just so glad she doesn't have to wonder any more.

11. Ben's missing package finally showed up. Hooray! I'm still very curious, though, about what those month old cookies looked like when the package finally arrived.

12. Homemade bread. I've got a great starter and a really simple recipe, and we've been having the best artisanal loaves of bread all the time lately. I just love eating delicious, warm, simple to make bread. If anyone is interested, let me know and I'll share the recipe, and some of the starter if you're so inclined.

13. Getting the grout in my kitchen (mostly) clean. Lots of scrubbing, but the payoff is still making me smile.

14. Budding trees and bushes. I ran out in the pouring rain the other day to clip some blossoming branches off a tree in the greenbelt behind our house, just because they were so beautiful. And then the next day I pulled the car over to clip some other branches off another flowering bush. Yes, I had pruners in my diaper bag for just such an occasion. Now I'm trying to get those branches to root, too.

15. And everything else. I know this is getting long, but there are just so many things I'm grateful for right now. And I'm pretty sure I'm grateful for everyone who may be reading this, so have a fantastic day!