Pioneering.

Pioneer Day - an exclusive UT holiday. Mostly we enjoy a day off of work, and some fireworks. But this year I got to perform in Saints and Pioneers (basically beautiful music and readings of pioneer accounts).

I haven't done any sort of vocal solo since high school. It was terrifying (at least the soprano notes were). I'm pretty satisfied with my performance. It was worth getting out of my mom comfort zone. But I will say that I was more stoked on my outfit. Thanks mom for the collar, Amber for the apron, and Katelyn for the ringlets.

D is such a glory hog.

lessons learned.

• Harry Potter. I'm sad I have to postpone our date. I never meant to hurt you - I just have a different life now.
• Nothing has ever been more stressful than picking out paint for my bedroom.
• Totally forgot to style my hair, and accessorize my swimmy suit with earrings and a necklace yesterday at the pool. How embarrassing. Please tell me this is just an insane Utah mom thing (yes it was moms....)
• Air conditioning guy was here for 5 hours installing our new unit. So I fed him dinner. Weird?
• Why must mailing items be so discombobulating? Seriously. It always takes at least 3 trips to the post office. If you receive anything from us in the mail - count your blessings.
• When the double stroller was delivered, it was like Christmas morning. This is what my life has become.
• Had an end of the world dream - but it was actually quite pleasant. So, good news if you're stressed out it.

today.

Today? Not so good. Woke up at 4 am and couldn't go back to sleep. Mama is grummmmmpy. I'll admit it. Then the power went out, and we figured out it was the air conditioning unit that was tripping the breaker. But.....the problem wasn't electrical. The compressor had died - 13 days post warranty on our AC unit. Anyone out there had to replace an air conditioning unit? You know how much it costs. Sick.

Its days like today that not even a coconut bra can help. Well - maybe a little.

a few notes.

Things not to say to your daughter as she is frantically trying to get herself and household ready for sister in law's wedding.

• Me (to my mother): How's this? (motioning to my hair)
• Mother: Good, but we must do something about those dark circles under your eyes.
• Me: I know. I was referring to my hair. I don't have any make up on yet.
• Mother: oh! The hair is good then. Good.

Things not to say to your wife as you are gathered with your family, waiting for the bride and groom to enter before a said wedding ceremony begins....

• Me: Sitting there with my hair and make up freshly and very nicely done. (yes. that's an accomplishment.....)
• D: "Are you wearing a Bump It?"
• Me: "Wow." (and no I was not, nor would I ever.....)

FREEDOM.....

Apparently freedom =......

Tie Dyeing shirts

Balloon launching with grandparents.

Parade watching.

More parade watching....

Uncle Jake tethering a large Uncle Sam balloon in said parade.

Explosives.

Nana cooking delicious food.

And this......

1.21 Gigawatts!!!! Seriously. Best. Firework. Ever. Worth the wait.

(I had to close my eyes because the flash on my brother's phone was brighter than the sun .)

lessons learned.

• New heights of impatience reached this week. BEST. MOM. EVER.
• THE GRILL CAUGHT ON FIRE (and not in the normal way, there's no salvaging it). "So much fire!!!!"
• Everyone knows my feelings about how Utah just moves a holiday if it falls on a Sunday so the festivities won't be missed due to Sabbath observing. But I didn't think I had to worry about it this year - guess again. Stadium on Fire (or our family's 4th of July fireworks - cuz we ain't never actually been inside the Stadium) is on Saturday, not Monday. What the what? My guess is the "outrageous" entertainment they have lined up was A) too expensive or B) not available on the actual 4th. LAME. I guess we'll do our own fireworks this year.
• PG is into this weird claymation penguin show on Netflix, Pingu. It will blow your mine. Thanks Sweden.
• Found my retainer. Hallelujah.
• Its amazing the amount of restraint it takes to keep my mouth shut sometimes. Seriously.
• Apparently "leaving at the crack of dawn" means leaving at 11:30am to my parents (sounds about right actually). But DUDE mom, will you ever get here?

corduroy

Shopping for a bridesmaid dress on Amazon (don't ask). Found this beauty under "Blue" and "Special Occasion" search topics. I think I'm sold - turtleneck and all.

Also - what the?