It continually baffles me how different our lives are in this apartment in Salt Lake relative to our lives in Auburn, California. Back then Geoff wasn't working, the girls were homeschooled so there weren't any school time commitments or demands, and we didn't have cell phones. Adding those elements back into our lives, with the addition of kids growing and having independent interests and commitments, has caused some upheaval in our family life. I'm not sure it is possible to recreate the pace of the girl's childhood in this urban environment, but I'm trying to see how close I can take it.
First, we're trying to eat more healthy. I used to spend at least five hours a day in the kitchen back then. Not only do I not want to spend that much time in the kitchen anymore, but I'm not even home for that much time these days. So one goal is to eat simply and well. This is the thing that gets knocked off first in our busy lives, and we all can feel the difference. Not only do we not feel as good, but we're getting sick more often. We've tried a few breakfast bowls and smoothies:
Due to a nasty cold that inflicted us all (some still fighting it) I have been making a strong lemon tea at least once a day. It has lemon, garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar, honey and warm water. We all love it.
Geoff got me a membership to a nearby yoga studio, which I LOVE. It feels so good to be doing yoga again. All of us feel cooped up with the nasty air outside, but when we can we get out and move our bodies. We all need to be more active get outside more. One step at a time...
Tennie has her first official job at Zuppas. A friend of hers works there and told her boss, who was looking for new hires, she knew someone who would be great. They invited her in for an interview over dinner and offered her a job on the spot. She works two shifts a week and is learning to balance this new responsibility.
Tennie also joined her first protest for women's rights. Geoff walked with her to the capitol in the snow. It is an interesting political climate right now, and I admire Tennie's desire to be involved and to form her own ideas and opinions. Simultaneously, Geoff and I are trying to teach the girls how to discern truth and acknowledge the adversary's role in deception, confusion and chaos.
Adele turned 15! She opted to keep the $100 birthday party budget in hopes of a humanitarian trip in her near future, and asked for cash birthday presents for the same goal. This girl has her heart, might and mind on doing good in the world, and she wants to start today! She is always looking up Mother Theresa volunteer trips, Global Leadership trips and family service opportunities. There is a recently-formed Rotary Club at her school and she is so excited for the local community service opportunities.
I picked her up from school and we went to a tea house near Ceci's school, before picking her up. Adele loves her warm beverages and coffee cups! And I love having her all to myself.
We went to Aubergine for her birthday dinner. Thumbs up all around.
We pulled out her baby book and looked up old photos of her childhood. Here are a few that surfaced.
We had Geoff's dad and Nikki over for everything-free cupcakes the following Sunday.
One morning Adele was frustrated with her hair. Geoff and I tried to lighten things up by putting on some wigs while she was in the bathroom, hoping that she would come out and laugh. Turns out we thought we were more funny than she did.
We met our friends, the Serafins, in Park City to go sledding one Saturday. The kids lasted about 30 minutes before wanting to head home to hang out. It was a nice effort to get fresh air and exercise!
Geoff, Tennie and Ceci went skiing one day.
Ceci learned how to bake bread at YWs. (I think I actually ate most of the loaf...)
Geoff took a week-long trip to the Dominican Republic for business and then came home in time to co-host a YGL event in Salt Lake City during the Sundance Festival with fellow YGL and friend, Dave Hanley. Eight guests came and stayed in a friend's mountain home; they skied and snowshoed and saw a few Sundance screenings.
Meanwhile Ceci had a sleepover at school, which she talked about for hours/days. Have I mentioned how much I love Waldorf? Unfortunately, the cold she had fought off a few days before came back and turned into mono. As of me writing this she has missed two weeks of school and isn't showing any sign of improvement. Poor thing is so bored of laying on the couch. Amazing that this little ball of energy has no energy! Thank goodness for the Harry Potter audio series!
And lastly, Tennie had to have another oral surgery. The attachment on the tooth they are trying to pull down into place came off, which required another surgery, AND it has delayed her braces coming off by about six months! Seriously, this kid has some trials! She is tough, though, and maintains a pretty darn good attitude.
And that's a wrap!
