I'm free!

Last week I took my final exam, so I feel like a free woman this week.
With all my extra time, Sybil and I painted the town red! We got the oil changed, went to the dentist, took the car in to fix a few recall items, got the pool swimming-ready, and...
attended a showcase for Iris' music and drama class. The drama teacher announced that memorizing a monologue was optional and 3 students had opted in. To my surprise, Iris was one of them. She memorized it without telling me.
Here is her performance:

Sybil and I hung out at the library and the public gardens while the oil got changed:

And a few more notes from Mother's Day. I love how the kids make me feel special.

• There's a candy man in our church and Elijah gave me his candy. He even switched out the flavor when I said I didn't like the flavor.
• Sybil told me a story and the punchline was "I freaked out!" I've never heard her say that before--Loved it!
• Claire made me a plethora of cool stuff: cards, a booklet, a clay pot
• Iris let me tickle her as much as I wanted, even though she didn't really have a choice.
• Iris kept her calm when Sybil said, "My mommy, not your Mommy."

Spiritual Mothers

Yesterday I was thinking of a Mother's Day story about my mom.

I saw about 90% of my R-rated movies before the age of 10 at the house of my friend.
For the most part, they were horror movies.
For the most part, they scared me to death.
For the most part, I haven't been scarred permanently
except that I have never been able to kneel by my bed to pray
because of the bony hand under my bed
which has the sole purpose of grabbing me.

At a sleep over with said friend, we were watching such a movie.
I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the horror.
Soon after, my mom unexpectedly came to get me.
She said that during family prayers that night she had felt impressed to come and get me.
I was relieved.
That's the benefit of mother's who look for and follow revelation.

ON Mother's Day, we went to another ward to listen to this guy give his pre-mission talk.

Sybil loved the attention of all the Schmitt cousins.

Had to work in that pre-mission humble pie.

This is Iris' note to David.
She told me not to show anyone this picture.
But I couldn't resist--her advice is something nobody should never forget:

Never let your fears get in the way of your pride!

"To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle--and all will--I say, "Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are. In fact, you are saviors on Mount Zion, and like the Master you follow, your love never faith." I can pay no higher tribute to anyone.

Elder Jefferey R Holland

Happy Mother's Day!

Sybil painted a flower for me at school and her teachers helped her fill in some blanks about me.

My mom's name is: mommy
My mom's hair is: nice
My mom's eyes are: brown and clean
My mom likes to cook: soup
My mom likes to wear: shirt
My mom likes to: read
My mom likes to buy: babies

At the top there's a #1 MOM.

Sybil showed it to me and then told me she made it for her dad.

Complicated feelings

As mentioned in an earlier post, Iris regularly draws a smile on the back of her neck and then wears her sunglasses on top of her ponytail so that it looks like she has a smily face on the back of her head.
Sybil attempts to imitate her sister's coolness. 

Sometimes the mouth looks more judgmental than smily.

Today, her feelings are complicated.

Acrobatics and High Waters

Claire and Iris had a gymnastics performance yesterday. Iris got a bloody scratch on her arm as she was jumping through a hula hoop. But she was brave and after a bandaid and a hug, she finished strong.
Claire was nervous about her acrobatics performance. She told me afterward that it went so smoothly because she said a prayer before.

This is what my boy wore to church today.

I bought these pants for Claire a year ago.

At least he's covered if there's a flood; high-waters rock!

So does his tie.

What you don't want to hear your husband say when you walk in the door

"You wore THAT in public?!?!?"

Yes, yes I did. 
And guess what, you just chose my outfit for your next client double date.

Go Team!

 Today, Elijah's Junior High soccer team played in the state championship.

I got slightly frustrated because Sybil wanted to go to the bathroom that was located in another galaxy every 2 minutes. She won. She peed on herself twice.

Zoe and Claire saw how frustrated I was and took over, 

treating Sybil like the queen she knows she is.

Melted my heart.

The men are at a baseball game. David has a suite.

I should be studying.

But I think I'll go to sleep now.

I only need a 70% to get an A. So I should be good, right?