a few items of business

after a very inspiring coupon-clipping enrichment class, i found myself at the delta sonic (the least expensive gas station that also sells a salmon salad i'm dying to try, seriously) filling up the rodeo. i had a coupon for 3 cents off per gallon. so, i took my receipt and marched right inside that delta sonic and asked if i could use the coupon. the clerk said yes and took my receipt and promptly handed me my 0.39. i couldn't even buy a drink with my savings. (by the way, ryan has never laughed so hard.)

i just have to share how much i love my cute little nursery chickies, all 30+ of them. i am the newly called nursery leader. the kiddos are split into a jr and a sr nursery. today got a little crazy, but it's mostly pretty good. they are all so funny and such individuals! it's so much fun to see them out of the nursery setting. they usually light up, but get a little shy until i give them a hug and then we're good. i love love love my nursery co-workers! they are all so loving and reliable and wonderful. i'm naturally a teeny-tiny bit crazy/stressed/sweaty in chaotic situations, but they make me feel much less frantic. so hooray for amazing people.

also, in the news...ella is hysterically funny. she and her friend, kira, have all the words memorized (not so much the tune) to all of the barbie & the diamond castle songs. in case you aren't up to date on the barbie movies, this is the latest and greatest. they love this movie and especially the "i feel connected" song. apparently kira loves to annoy her brother by singing this over and over! they are very serious about all of it and even have 'magical heart' necklaces that we had to make last week. then they held hands and repeated in unison, "today, tomorrow and forever" (regarding their friendship, apparently), just like leanna and teresa do in the movie. it is difficult not to laugh out loud.

afton is doing great in 2nd grade! hooray for a new school year. she loves her teacher and is making new friends in her class. she is feeling pretty pleased with her newly acquired math skills taught to her by dr. hulse. he taught her a different way to add, and the very next day her teacher taught the same thing. afton said "ms. butenschoen had to teach everyone, but i already knew how to do it!" she was so excited because math is not her favorite subject. way to go aftie and dad.

ryan is off to a meeting tomorrow for the week. he is just thrilled to be going. (read with a sarcastic tone) he's had a few weeks of frustration, but that just makes us appreciate the good stuff even more. he's been golfing on saturday mornings with a few friends and having a great time. i am so glad he can go out and have some fun. sometimes those 5 work days can seem like they'll never end. sometimes saturday morning never looked so good.

i am just wishing for a million or so dollars because i finally feel like doing something with this place we call home. so, while ry's gone this week i just may do something crazy, like paint the door, or hang a picture or two. you just never know...