Sunday Six - 10/19/08

1) i wanted to say a special thank you to those who were responsible for my kids while i was gone. being so far away from family, it is nice to know that i have people i can depend on - if i didn't, i'd never go anywhere or do anything. since we left the west over 6 years ago, i have had wonderful people placed in my life. i'm so thankful for all of you!

2) it's good for moms to go away from time to time. my husband was a total rockstar while i was gone. it was fun to have a bit of a role reversal - he would call and give me the updates on the kids, while i was off globetrotting. i came home to two happy, healthy babies - whom i know loved spending that time alone with their dad (he bought them a new video game!). he even fed the missionaries while i was gone - and i don't mean taking them to Five Guys for burgers. he cooked. at home. and served the elders a delicious meal. i know it was good because i got the leftovers. babe - i'm your #1 fan!

3) i hate goodbyes. i can't ever seem to say goodbye to my family without shedding a tear or two. it's like all of my longing to be with them bubbles over and makes me so sad. i have my short little cry and then i'm ok until the next reunion. it was amazing to see my mom and dad in NYC - to see the thrill they were feeling in the Big Apple for the first time, guided expertly by my aunt pat. i especially enjoyed the few hours that i was able to spend with my brother thomas and his family - amy, bronwyn, audrey and ira - the girls were especially sweet and little ira *sigh* is so handsome. my brother is definitely blessed to have amy in his life.

4) this tip is for all you lds angietalk readers... when it is your turn to go and help clean the church, please do me a favor. wipe down the keyboards on the pianos and organ. don't use any cleaner that will leave a film or greasy residue, just a damp cloth will do. saturday night i accompanied the choir at the stake center for stake conference. as i began to play, i could feel how dusty the piano was. in the middle of the first number, i got a piece of lint or something stuck to my finger. it was extremely distracting (not to mention gross). so please, do me and all other accompanists a favor and wipe those keys!

5) dylan refuses to buy a halloween costume. if you ask him what he wants to be, he'll say something like, "spiderman" or "darth vader" or "batman." but when we actually go to buy the costume, he throws a fit. the other day when we were at the store, he refused to pick one out and so i said, "ok kids, let's go." mari, who tends to be a bit emotional (she's my kid what can i say?) was getting so upset, telling D, "you won't get any candy! you have to have a costume or you won't get to go trick o' treating!" she was so worried about his Halloween-ing well being. it was very tender and sweet. but i seriously don't have to force the kid to wear something right?

6) i woke this morning to the sound of tap, tap, tap on my rooftop. i wasn't sure what it was, but didn't really give it another thought. as i sit here blogging, there is a gang of crows in my front yard. i saw one fly up towards the roof and am now hearing that familiar tap, tap, tap on the rooftop. i'm not even sure what they eat, but i think i'll request my hubby grab the ladder and have a gander up there. hope it's nothing spooky!