Tuesday, May 31, 2011

This is the hospital where Pepper has been getting the care for his broken hand.  I wanted to get a photo of how stark it is.  I miss the warm, comfortable hospitals I've been to in the States.  I know most people don't get warm fuzzy feelings in any hospital, but at least in America some effort is made to make it seem
comfy - you know, art on the walls, cushioned chairs, that sort of thing.  This hospital has none of that.  Even in the doctor's office waiting room, the walls are all white, as are the metal chairs that are attached to the floor.  There is a potted plant in one corner, so maybe I shouldn't complain.

I must add, however, that aside from the institutional decor, I have no complaints with the care Pepper has gotten.  The doctors are so nice and accommodating, using their English when it is clearly not easy for them.  And, Pepper never leaves a doctor's visit without a "sweet".

Monday, May 30, 2011

Tonight, Adam did the lesson for FHE.  His lesson was a game of Simon Says, except that he changed it to Jesus Says.  I'm pretty sure that Jesus never said
for us to hop on one foot, close our eyes, and look up at the ceiling, but
what do I know?  

I haven't decided if this is sacrilegious or not. . .

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Today I was sustained and set apart as the first councilor in our ward Relief Society presidency.  

No, I don't speak German.  

Yes, I am freaking out.

Years ago, when I was called to serve as a RS president in Michigan, I thought that would be the scariest calling I'd ever have. I was wrong.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Pepper really wanted me to take a picture of this new avatar goalie 

he created on his soccer video game, and I really wanted to take a picture 

of his new haircut. 

You can decide what subject of this photo is:

Let me remind you that yesterday Pepper looked like this:

Yeah, the haircut wins.

Friday, May 27, 2011

I have mentioned before that we've had a young woman from Italy staying with us for the last month.  Silvia is leaving early tomorrow morning, and to celebrate her last night here, she made us tiramisu.  She called it "Mormon Tiramisu" because she used a coffee substitute instead of the real thing.  We all felt very lucky enjoying tiramisu made by a real, live Italian.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Every Thursday night, I hurriedly wolf down dinner, and leave in a rush for institute while the rest of my family is still finishing their meal.  When I leave, the kitchen is a mess of dishes and food.

And, every Thursday night, I return home around 9:00 p.m. to a kitchen that looks like this.  Thursday is Jessica's dish night, and she always does an awesome job cleaning up the kitchen.  Often, Brad is away for work, so she also has the job of seeing that Adam and Luke are bathed and in bed.  

She is truly my favorite daughter.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

I am so proud of myself!  

This morning, I was bemoaning my lack of summer clothes and surfing the web in search of some cute denim shorts.  I found some I liked, but then I reminded myself of my vow from last year to ALWAYS TRY ON PANTS BEFORE YOU BUY!  But, since I won't be in America until July, I was worried that all the summer stuff would be picked over (this happened last year) and I wouldn't find what I wanted.  What to do, what to do. . .?

Well, in a weak moment, I decided to just purchase something from Buckle.  I really like their styles, and about two years ago, I bought a pair of jeans that fit really well.  So, I went into my room to see the size.  When I pulled out the jeans, I thought to myself, "Jill, you never wear these.  They are so cute - if only they weren't boot cut!"  (they are super flarey).  As I stood there contemplating the sadness of the boot cut legs, I had a startling thought - what if I cut them off?  They are perfect until they reach my knees. . .could I do it? 

Buckle jeans are not cheap, so I nearly hyperventilated as I went for the scissors.  But, I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and made the first cut.  Once that was done, there was no turning back.  

Wah Lah!  I "made" my own shorts!

PS - you know I must be excited about this, as I allowed a photo of myself with no make-up and glaringly white legs to be published on my blog.