Phew!

October 15, 2007

What a week since I last posted. Most of the time was spent getting ready for Stitches, making samples, printing handouts and viewgraphs, packing visual aids and example sweaters, plus my own stuff, then the rest of the week from Thursday to Sunday was spent at Stitches. I am happy to report that before I left, every item of clothing in this house was washed, folded and put away. It was my main goal. Then no one could blame it on me if they didn't have socks or church clothes.
The conference was right in Baltimore at the Convention Center, but I went and stayed at the hotel anyway-it just makes it easier on the fam and on me. I taught 18 hours of classes over the course of the 4 days, and it was quite fun. I went back today and picked up several of my fellow instructors at the hotel to take them to the airport. We ate lunch at a wonderful tapas bar called La Tasca in Harborplace. It was delicious. I am still physically tired, but teaching energizes me mentally so I am pretty well back in the saddle of everyday life. Seminary went well today and it was fun to have day to relax with friends that I don't see very often. I still have a little unpacking to do and the laundry piled up while I was gone, but as usual, Eric and the kids did well without me. That used to bother me until I realized that them doing well was evidence I'd done my job-to teach them how to survive without me. So now it makes me proud that they can run the house pretty much on their own if I'm gone.

Today's letter from Jeff was, as usual, full of faith, good news and humility. He sent along this photo, which now takes it's place as my second favorite photo from his mission.
I think I will frame this one right along with my most favorite. You can see that one here.

I have missed reading everyone's blogs. Now that seminary has started, when I am good and try to sleep, I either do well at posting regularly or reading others' blogs regularly, but don't seem to do well at both. So, I will get around to making those connections a little at a time because I have come to treasure them, but please don't anyone think I've stopped reading or being interested.

I've discovered some challenges that my children are having and while it's hard, I'm trying to be solution oriented and not wallow in blame or self-doubt. In the meantime, the thing I feel I most need to do is take better care of myself so I can be more available to them. So there it is. Choices, choices.

10 comments

  1. I always love your posts, and look forward to reading them. I absolutly LOVE that photo on picasa site. What an amazing immage. The shoes are wonderful too. You must be a proud proud mommy! I hear you on the choices thing.... me too.

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  2. Sounds like a great conference! I bet you are tired. That is a great picture. Don't worry about catching up on blogs! It happens to the best of us. And good luck with your teenagers. Oh, how I'm not looking forward to those years. But at least you'll be able to give me pointers.

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  3. I go in cycles myself--for a while I post like crazy, then for a while I barely manage to keep up on reading everyone else's blogs, much lest post to my own! so don't worry, we're here when you need us!

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  4. So glad you had a fun week. How nice for you. It amazes me that you do all you do and then teach seminary. I think the youth would have to see me in my pj's every morning. I think you have the most demanding calling! (You can tell your hubby I said so:)

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  5. Great pictures! :) The one on the beach makes me want to go on a vacation.
    Glad your conference was good. Sounds like it was a fun time!

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  6. WAHOO for a good conference!! I love that you do that - I find myself blogging about my "professional knitter friend" :)

    I wish we'd had more time to chat today. I know we all do our best with reading and writing etc with the blogs. That's the great thing about it - they're there when we're ready :)

    Always love to hear from you

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  7. Talk about a picture that tells a story! Perfect. :)

    All I can say is "ditto" about the blogging situation. I treasure the connections, but time is so limited. I'm happy to wait my turn for your comments, if you don't mind waiting for mine. ;)

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  8. You know how I am about keeping up with blogs, even mine...
    I feel the same way sometimes when my family does fine without me! I just want to say, "didn't you need me at all?" But it's not because I taught them yet, it's mostly because they have a good dad.
    I'm glad your conference went well (:

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  9. So glad your conference went well!! It's so cool to think I have knitting super star friend!!:) That is an awesome shot of your missionary's shoes! Oh, and I'm the same way with blogging - it's either I post or comment regularly, but I can't seem to figure out how to do them both. Maybe some day:)

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  10. I am glad your conference was a success. I love looking at the things you have made from afar. What a wonderful talent.

    I love the shoe picture. LOVE IT.

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