What We're Doing Without Dad - Part 1

We've had a busy few days. PHEW! I've purposly been trying to fill up my schedule so that we don't have so much time here at the empty house, but then I remember how much I hate having a full schedule and I get grumpy.

On Tuesday before school, we let the praying mantis go. I just love those bugs, they are so interesting to me for some reason. Plus, they eat spiders, so bonus! Natalee decided that the mum would be the best place to set him free. Thanks to Grandpa for catching it for us!

Then a mere 3 hours after Nathan left, I had my first really grumpy moment of the week. This burger place near our house does hamburgers for $.69 on Tuesdays so I grabbed the opportunity to get Nat a cheap lunch. I ordered at the drive through (I hate the drive through) and said, "I need one regular hamburger with no lettuce and a cup of water." (Natalee is very into water at the moment....hydration rocks!) She gave me my total, which was $3.59 or something and I called back...no response....called again....no response....sat there.....sat there some more....people behind me started leaving....came to the conclusion that she wasn't going to answer me and I'd have to fix this at the window. When I got to the window I said, "I think you misunderstood what I wanted. I wanted one of your $.69 hamburgers." She said, "Well, you ordered a regular hamburger, which is a Stopper." I said, "If I'd wanted a Stopper I'd have ordered a Stopper, I just want the basic hamburger." She said, "Well you need to be more specific." Yes, I'd love a lecture on how to properly order a hamburger at the drive through. Sheesh!

Tuesday we died darling T-shirts with some neighborhood kids. It's the pumpkin ones from the Family Fun Magazine. I need to put their faces on because Natalee wants to wear it tomorrow. Once I get the faces on I'll take a picture. She told me, "I need the t-shirt because it's Fall now." I see...she's going to grow up to be a diva, needing a new wardrobe for every season. Also on Tuesday we had a very productive (HA!) presidency meeting. We mostly talked about The Office and how excited we are for the premier (TONIGHT!) I'm so blessed to work with such great women in my calling. It makes it bearable!

Wednesday we went to IMED to take part in Parent Support Group. There were some people there with tiny ones, so it was good to talk to them. It was also good to remember that I never want to go back! Natalee was so good and we ran into one of our favorite nurses, which was awesome!

Today we went to see Kari in the hospital. She's doing so good and not hardly hurting at all. When we got to the desk to get her room number I asked for her by name and Natalee added, "It's my Aunt Kari!"

Then we went here:

Where are we daddy?

While on the blessed college campus we witnessed a group of Christians trying to save everyone.On one hand, I wonder why they bother, especially being that it's a college campus in Utah where there are lots of returned missionaries. Plus, those of you that know this particular campus know where this statue is in relation to the Institute and that you practically have to walk right by in on the way to anywhere else you are going. Anyway, when I got to campus, I needed quarters (yes, only quarters) for the parking meter. I only had nickels and dimes, but I had $.50 worth, so I was walking around the religious revival trying to find someone to trade me two quarters for all my random change. I had one kid try to just give me $2 and then another lady who had two quarters just gave them to me and wouldn't take my change in trade. So I am thinking this stay at home mom could make quite a killing if I needed to turn to panhandling. Anyway, back to the preachers...as we are standing on the square (begging for change) we heard a guy talking to the guy in the sports coat in the photo above and he said, "I've read all the Christian dogma and I just think it's a bunch of garbage." and the preacher kid said, "It's not dogma, Jesus is real and he died for you." Natalee said, "Oh, he is talking about Gee-zus...that's so nice, isn't it mommy?" So, in my annoyance and wondering why they bother, my child taught me that it's still nice. It's good that they so strongly believe in something and they are doing what they think is right with the amout of information they have. Children are so great.

Then we stopped at McDonald's for lunch where I learned that Micky D's has gotten so high tech that they can't get you a cup of water unless you order it in the beginning due to a new computerized drink dispenser. Hooray for Technology!!! (Did I mention that I hate the drive through?)

Now I have to go deliver my Primary Party invitations because I told Kristin I would. Tonight Natalee and I are going to play with Annie and Spencer's kids because it's her birthday and they need a date.

I know Nathan is so bummed he's missing all of this. It's good times....good times