Con-tent on the Roof

Remember how Benson doesn't leave for college until NEXT JANUARY?

I think he's getting the "ITCH".  For Independence.

On the roof.

Two nights.

Serio.

OK, to be fair, this isn't exactly where he perched his tent.  He was "MUCH SAFER" in the low "V" of the roof where he couldn't fall off.  The picture you see above was of some wind action during the day taking charge.  He said his Calculus book was holding the tent down during the day.  Right.

Really?  Do you send this kind of logic into the world with your money for college?  Really?

NO PICS of me working out FO SHO

Guess what?  Workout #51 this morning.  I know you didn't think I'd make it past 3 workouts, but neither did I.

Every morning, scene:  me, face down in my pillow, my phone alarming.  Michael already up getting ready. 

Michael:  "You getting up?"

(Mind you it's 4:45 in the middle of the night!!!)

Me:  (GROAN) "Maybe."
I like to keep a little bit of personal choice in the matter. 

It takes me a few minutes to drag out, and I hate that part more than anything.  But if I didn't have his support, encouragement, and willingness to let me choose.... I'd be out of this running-even-though-there-is-no-emergency business. 

I swear we could power the whole city working those machines like we do.  Not Michael and I alone, of course... :-) (I'm not much of a runner, I tried a 5k and almost died a few weeks ago, but if anyone ever hears of an elliptical race I will SO take it on, yo!)  Anyway, you'd swear it was Black Friday at the Rec Center every day...  5 am, packed parking lot, people running toward the front doors, giddy with adrenalin highs...

Since I'm turning a big number that rhymes with porty, my goal is to get to 100 workouts before my portyeth birthday.  Then?  Then I quit.

OK, maybe I won't quit, but I'll be old and have an excuse for my ridiculous looking lack-o-lunges.  Seriously?  Who does those?! 

Coming This Summer

Ever been to Nauvoo?  Raise your hand.

Ok, if you raised your hand I would like to speak with you.  Not because you raised your hand in front of your computer, but because you've been there and I need DETAILS.

We are going to Nauvoo.
Correction:  We are going to Nauvoo to be in the pageant this summer.  Our family.  All 8 of us.

We've known a couple of families who've gone and participated and L-O-V-E-D it, actually saying it changed their lives as a family.  Pretty cool.  So we sent in an application and were selected and we are thick in the process of sending in measurements for costumes, learning music (some of us will be performing in a band), having family nights outlined to prepare for the pageant, etc.

Don't be surprised if you see us walking around with our hands raised high.  We are just practicing.

I've arranged housing, and we'll be staying in a real, authentic log cabin.  The original size of the pioneers.  HOW COOL IS THAT?  Speaking of cool, I admit it has AC.  A girl has to survive.

Here is an invitation link from our Rice family to yours to come join us at The Nauvoo Pageant:  http://www.invite.nauvoopageant.net/2012/Invitations/Gold/Rice.htm

(wait, what?  you didn't click?  It has our picture and everything! plus it shows all the COOLNESS of the Pageant.  I get it, you are getting jealous.)

We'll be there the final week of the pageant, only participating for one week instead of two.  There are some great church history sights we'll take in on the way there and the way back.  We might even pull a handcart and check out Carthage.

Trip of a lifetime.  And... last big family trip before Benson takes flight out of our roost.  A mother's wish is coming true, folks. 

NO, not that Benson is leaving. (tongue sticking out)

I wish wish wish for this experience to tie us all together in one final tight family knot.  One last good cinch.  You know?

Don't Want To Go To School?

Best excuse ever, by Jack- our 1st grader.

"Mom, I can't go to school."
"Why?"
"You're not allowed to fart at school, and I've already farted like 16 times today."

Well.  Hopefully he got them all out in time.