Miscellaneous and random, for sure ...

We have nothing big going on right now, but here are some random updates:

We have yet to finish our addition. All the stuff that is left is ours, and we just haven't gotten into gear to do it. We're tired of construction. We're going to con a neighbor (okay, his wife volunteered him - thanks, Heidi!) to come help w/the baseboards, and then Hilary will force me into doing touch-up painting. Once Paul and I finally get back on our knees and seal the grout we'll be done with that and can rip out the annoying plastic hanging around between the kitchen and living room. Then I will be able to officially enjoy the new space (although I am very much unofficially enjoying it now! :).

Tyler starts piano lessons Monday. I am so excited! He's been on the waiting list of my neighbor for a year, and I finally called her to say if he wasn't in yet I was going to give in and go elsewhere. It's time for him to start, but I love that she's close (he can walk) and cheap. Fortunately she had an opening and got him in. I'm putting Zachary on the waiting list right away ...

I'm not sure how we'll fit in piano lessons, actually. School seems to suck away so much of the day! Once the boys do homework and chores, it makes for short afternoons/evenings. Right now we're also doing soccer, which is only twice a week, but it means my boys don't get nearly as much play time as they'd like. Mind you, they LOVE soccer, but they have a hard adjustment back to school every year as it cuts into playtime, which they love, love, love.

Totally random thing: I was glad to see 8 comments on Tyler's post. Call it a Hilary thing, but I thought 8 comments would be cool for him turning 8. :)

BYU football starts on Saturday, and we couldn't be happier. Really, how do we live the rest of the year without having such a fun thing to look forward to on Saturdays. :) We'll sure miss the Gillins this year watching the games ... but you're welcome to make the trip from Virginia any week you feel up to it. :)

I haven't scrapbooked once since my mom left in June. Is that possible?!? The house addition has sucked away my scrapbooking time, and I'm more disorganized now than I have ever been. Mom, I need you to come help me organize my stuff! ;) We joke about doing that as much as we scrapbook. In any case, I'm hoping our new office will be put together next week, which means I can get back into it, especially since I'll have my own desk in the new office. Hooray! I also will have my own computer (thanks to one of Paul's co-workers who needed a new computer, even though her "old" one is great!), so I can also delve into digital scrapbooking. I am excited about it and can't wait to post some of my digital pages once I finally get to it ...

Shayla is loving being home alone with me and plays very well alone. I thought she'd follow me around all day, but she quite enjoys having reign of the toy room. She keeps insisting that I give her Dora crackers, and I keep forgetting to buy them. What kind of mother am I?!? Not one who's ready to potty-train. She is ready, I just have to get up my courage ...

Becca still doesn't have her learner's permit, which is a HUGE relief to me. Call me crazy, but I'm SO NERVOUS to think about her driving. If we had money to fix dented-up cars, it may be different, but I just don't think she's ready. Sigh. Fortunately she's a little scared to drive and therefore hasn't pushed the issue. In other news, she's working on a monologue for a Shakespeare competition try-out. She is really good at Shakespeare, but she's going to have to make herself cry for the monologue. If she can do it, then she'll nail it. That's in a couple of weeks, and I'll definitely let you know if she makes it onto the team.

I started my fitness challenge Monday and so far have only missed one point (for not exercising yesterday). If I can keep this up, I'll lose weight, feel healthier, and be $100 richer! :)

Other than that I think things are "normal" with homework, chores, school routines and new crushes for Becca. ;) I hope your "normal" is as peaceful, rewarding and sometimes-crazy as mine. :)