How Did This Happen?

I remember before school started, I was thinking, "maybe when some of the kids go back to school, and things calm down, maybe we'll try potty training with Bridget." Ha. Ha ha ha. Since school started, my days have gotten SO busy. It's true that sometimes things are quieter at home, with the girls both in regular school and Reilly at Prenda from 8-12 every weekday, but things have not calmed down. I feel like I spend SO much time in the car. Even though Jeremy takes and picks Reilly up maybe half of the time, that is a 10-15 minute drive twice a day some days, plus Jaina has to go early (7:30) on Tuesdays and Thursdays for orchestra, and stays after for an hour+ on those same days because of band. Jaina and Katy both have Activity Days twice a month, as well as musical theater on Thursday evenings. Reilly has piano lessons once a week. I have scouts Wednesday nights. Shawn is going to pre-school M-W, (which he LOVES) and until very recently, it's been too warm to want to walk him over, so that's two more car trips. Bridget is getting slightly better at riding around in her seat, but she's still not a fan. On top of all that, Reilly just turned 12 (what???) and went to Mutual for the first time Wednesday. He didn't get home until like 9 o'clock! (He's usually in bed before then) He had a great time, of course. I don't feel like anyone is over-scheduled (except maybe Jaina with her double music involvement) but that is a whole lot of stuff! How did this happen? It's just a little crazy...

Since I last wrote, lots of fun things have gone on. Most notably, I went to Hawaii for just over a week, and spent time with my parents, and Phil and Emily and their spouses. That was amazing, and Jeremy is completely awesome for pushing me to do it and keeping all the kids (as well as trying to work some) as I was gone. Jeremy took Reilly (and then also Jaina and Katy the next day, after they'd been at Bearizona for a cousin's birthday) to the Grand Canyon. They had a great time doing that! I forgot to mention that earlier, in July, we went to the cabin for the 4th of July, which was crazy. It was so nice to be up there again though, and see it safe with my own eyes after all the crazy fires last summer. Also, Jaina and I just got back from a really fun mother/daughter trip to Disneyland for Mickey's Halloween Party.

Jeremy and Katy are currently gone to Utah, where they will be attending two sessions of conference. Katy has been pretty excited for this trip! They won't be back until Monday or Tuesday. October Break starts on Monday, and we don't have any plans... I guess we'll see what happens! (My kids aren't very impressed with my lack of activities lined up for them, or whatever they think I should have done...) Here's a picture of Bridget, just because she's super cute, and talking like crazy these days, just a few months over 2. :)