Sunday Morning Trials!

My heavens! What a morning! I woke up late, of course, and was hurrying around the house to prep for church. I drop off Etni at my home ward about 10:10am for nursery and then head to my Singles Branch in town at 11am. I got Etni all fed, dressed, and ready to go. Buckled her in, hopped in the front seat and turned the key. Nothing. Dead as a door nail. ARG! The only vehicle I can use to jump start my battery is Kirby's pick up. I hopped into the pick up and in a matter of seconds, had to re-teach myself how to drive stick shift! By the grace of God, I managed to get the pick up moved over to where my car was parked. Now I just needed to pop the hood and grab the jumper cables. BUT WHERE THE HECK IS THE LATCH TO POP THE HOOD?! I searched for about 3 minutes, but found nothing. I had to call the church, ask them to find Kirby, and THAT took about 2 or 3 minutes. While waiting, I was pathetic enough to pull out the manual to try and find where the latch is located, but it's not very helpful when Kirby's dashboard has been ripped out and nothing is intact! He eventually found his way to the phone and told me how to get the hood popped. I went as fast as I could while hooking the cables to the right posts on each battery...all while in a white skirt and 4 inch heels! Etni was waiting so patiently in the back seat, bless her heart!

Ok...so I got on the road and was almost to the church. I was trying my best to get my daughter to nursery on time, so despite it being against the law AND on a Sunday morning, I was speeding my butt off! I passed one car and was about to pass another but that little punk decided he was going to go faster. So, in an attempt to achieve my "get to nursery on time" plan, I sped up as well. I was almost over 80 mph but that blasted car wouldn't let me pass him. As a result, we were practically racing each other down Eltopia West! I would have passed him, but a car came so I had to give up and slow down and get back in the other lane behind the "not so nice" car.

So...in the end...I was righteous, right? I might have had a few trials on the way to church and may have broken the laws of the land, but dang it, my daughter got to nursery just in time to go outside and look for bugs with all her little friends! Oh, and don't worry, I made it to my ward, too. I was about ten minutes late, but I stayed after wards and recruited some much needed people to add to our choir!

All in all, it's been a great day!

Toooootles!

I am having so much fun with Etni lately. It's entertaining to watch her grow up right before my eyes. She LOVES watching kids cartoons. As of now, she prefers Dora, Go Diego Go, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Spongebob Squarepants! My favorite thing to see and hear is Etni singing along with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! She'll sing, "tooootles" along with Mickey. So dang cute!

Volleyball!

Every Tuesday night is Volleyball night for me. It's my release from the world of chaos and a chance to feel like I once did in high school...or at least TRY! The women I play with are so much fun and always make me feel welcome. I love it! I'm meeting new friends and catching up with old friends from years past. Some nights, I even get a few good kills in! I miss playing volleyball on an official team. If only I could get my high school years back! I'm so grateful for sports!

Future Big Sister!

I had a fun few hours in town today with my close friend, Beth. It was nice to get out of the house and be social! We headed to Plato's Closet with 2 kids! Etni is just loving babies right now. She insisted on feeding Beth's son, Caleb. She will be such a loving big sister...whenever that day comes!

Family- Isn't It About...Time?

I had a wonderful time in Oakley, as I stated before, but I failed to express all my feelings about being there. I never spent much time with the Hale side of my family while growing up and that's something that I now regret. I was lucky enough to stay with Alan and Lynette for a few nights. I love the feeling in their home. While be around their family, I got to see a different side of the Alan Hale family and Alan himself. I'd have to say that Lynette is one lucky lady to have that man as her eternal companion. He sure seems to be a great guy, wonderful husband, and a fun dad.

I also worried about being around all my new "cousin-in-laws" during that weekend. When you have so much fun with your cousins, you worry about who they'll marry and if they'll become BORING! (he he) BUT! I am very happy to say that I LOVE who my cousins have decided to marry. Every girl fits perfectly in the Hale family and I'm so happy to have them be part of my life now.

The last thing I am so grateful for, when it comes to visiting Oakley, is seeing the happy marriages between my aunts and uncles and cousins. I have realized how badly I want to have a happy temple marriage to a great Mormon guy who will give my daughter and I the best life possible. Being a single mom is beyond difficult and knowing that someday, I'll get to marry someone hopefully like my cousins, makes me look to the future with high hopes!

Thank you to all my male cousins who let me run around with you while growing up. You're all my heroes!

Another Generation of Cousins!

I had so much fun over the Pioneer Days weekend in Oakley. I missed my relatives so much! It's interesting getting older and seeing new babies every time we get together the next year or so. It's still amazing to think that I have a 2 year old and Barry has 2 kids! Etni was playing with Clara and trying to wipe her nose. She's a very "clean" toddler. I hope Etni and Clara can have as much fun as Barry and I had in our younger years!

All Smiles!

Not sure what is happening here to cause such excitement, but I love the expression on Etni's face! She had so much fun at the Hale reunion with all her little cousins!

Gretchen's Shadow

Etni was reunited with her cousin, Gretchen, over the Pioneer Days weekend. She loved every minute with her! In this picture, Etni is doing Gretchen's hair and talking jibberish to her while styling!