Mile Markers

Last weekend, we celebrated Erin's 26th birthday...tacos and cake and ice cream, Uno, the Fresno Zoo, and all the tender madness of family. It was wonderful!

Since then, Johnny has been counting down the days until he's out of primary. Last Sunday he gave his last talk (EVAR!!) in primary, and he's furiously checking and double checking his Articles of Faith so he can get his Faith in God award before he graduates from primary on March 7th. He will become a deacon then, and he's already asking me if there's some kind of training that he can go to that will teach him how to pass the sacrament. It touches my heart! I need to get him some ties, church shoes, and white shirts for this next stage of his life. He's outgrown everything we have already.

Laine and I are working on the Virtue project, which entails reading the Book of Mormon from beginning to end, for the Young Women's Medallion. She needed some encouragement there, so I volunteered to do it with her. I think it will be very cool!

Today I took Kelly with me to do visiting teaching for the first time. She was bored and anxious for it to be over. Still, I think she may remember it when she is old enough to do visiting teaching on her own.

I spent a great deal of these last two weeks struggling to keep an upbeat attitude. It has been a very trying time to be a mom of teenagers, and I have felt completely inadequate and very much alone. Not that others don't have similar problems, but it's just that most of the time when the crises happen, I have no one around to back me up or for me to get encouragement from. Still, I'm counting my blessings and trying to remember that this part of the journey won't last forever.

I'm having anxiety about starting a full-time position and leaving the kids to fend for themselves for those few hours after school. The job search is a daily trial, but I'm grateful that the Lord has kept his promise to watch over our family during this time. He is faithful and always keeps his promises!

Valentine's Day Was a Bust - Mostly.

Just saying.

I made bacon and pancakes for the kids for breakfast. Big hit. I also bought the kids each a giant sized candy bar and gave them a second little treat.

I brought the kids to school, during which Kelly and I had a discussion about her plans that turned into an argument because she wanted to spend all day with someone special and I asked her to be back by 4. Then I went to help prepare the room for the Central Valley Professionals seminar. Everyone was running late, so I was scrambling on my own to get everything ready on time.

I then revamped my resume and spent time preparing for a practice interview, which turned out to be the highlight of my day. The two interviewers gave me high marks and told me they were very excited about my prospects. I felt like I was floating for a while.

When I arrived back at the seminar, I discovered that one of our speakers for Friday was unable to make it, and I had to prepare a presentation to make in her place. I left CVP and picked up the kids and drove home.

Just before four, Laine told me that her sister had texted her to pack some things on her behalf for her dad's house (the kids were scheduled to be with their dad). I tried to reach Kelly for the next hour by text and with phone calls. She refused to answer her phone. Her dad came to pick up the kids, and Kelly still wasn't home. When I checked the voicemail on my home phone, I discovered that the school had left a message that Kelly had not been in 5th period that day either. I began to freak out a bit. Kelly didn't respond to my texts until five fifteen. She claimed she hadn't missed any school and that her phone hadn't been working. Naturally.

A friend I invited over for BLT's and a movie never showed up and never called, so I spent the evening alone, ate all the bacon myself, and about two cups of chocolate pudding. Is that what you call stress eating? I was upset because I'm trying to eat healthier, and I really blew it.

So my day left a lot to be desired. Thank God today is a new day.

Red Letter Day

We had a red letter day here in the Cavanaugh household! I received my official transcripts in the mail, reflecting my degree. I was especially pleased to see the summa cum laude designation. :)

Tonight during mutual, Joe was running for his physical fitness badge and managed to crash into a cactus, injuring his shoulder and chest, poor guy.

And I ensured my status as my kids' favorite valentine by using WD40 on all the door jambs in the house. The happiness level is high and the noise level (well, squeakiness level) is low. I also bought bacon for breakfast tomorrow as well as a chocolate treat, so I should earn a few hugs, at least.

Two Right Feet

I wanted to mention something funny that happened on my trip to Omaha.

I pack light for plane trips these days because the airlines charge $25 or more each way for checked luggage, so I bring one carry on instead. This means I have to limit the number of shoes that I bring. On this trip, I brought my dress boots (black and short) for my slacks outfit, and black flats for my dressy outfit at the Corporate office on Wednesday.

Let me explain Home Instead culture at the corporate office. Lori is very meticulous about her appearance, and everyone in the office follows her lead. They are dressed to the hilt and perfectly coordinated, the women always wear hose, the men always wear ties.

When I dressed Wednesday morning, I discovered I couldn't use the hose I had. Well, I was wearing a long skirt, so perhaps no one would notice, right? So I went to put on my flats and discovered that I had two right shoes!! What??!! My boots weren't appropriate for the outfit, and I couldn't go to the store before our meeting since it was starting early. So I put both right shoes on, and tried to hide my feet all day. Fortunately, no one noticed or at least, were kind enough not to say anything.

At least it wasn't two left feet, right?

Foundation Board Meeting

I flew to Omaha February 5th for the Foundation Board Meeting. I arrived late afternoon and took a nap before dinner with Judith, Kathy, Mary, Roger and Ellen. We ate at Bravo, and the food was delicious! We caught up on one another's lives and chatted about business matters.

Wednesday we had meetings all day. We decided on some grants, discussed the future of the Foundation and thoroughly enjoyed one another's company. I even saw some old friends around the Home Instead Office, even a franchise owner I hadn't seen in ages. In the evening, we went as a group out to dinner again, and once again, the chatter and teasing was non-stop. By the time I arrived back at the hotel, I was completely exhausted, but I couldn't get settled to sleep, so I woke up on Thursday feeling groggy. Fortunately, our meeting was at the hotel, so I didn't have to go far. After the meetings, Judith and Kathy and I went to lunch. On our way there, an SUV turned right in front of us without seeing us. Not only that, but he turned into our lane and we were about to have a head on collision when Judith navigated around the car (fortunately avoiding oncoming traffic) and our lives were preserved by guardian angels. Since we were going about 35 mph and there was NO time to stop, it would have been a serious accident. Thank heavens we were blessed to avoid the accident!