{For 18 months – Jan ’17 to Jul ’18 – I’m posting our letter to Miranda while she's on her mission to Cochabamba, Bolivia. Our letter titles are taken from a list of family sayings & catchphrases we recorded onto a pillowcase she has with her. You can read her adventures on her mission blog: www.hermanamadsen.blogspot.com!}
We were just talking about Show Me Lucinda!! today, and realized that somehow it didn't end up on the pillowcase. We'll have to fix that when you get home! Or go write it right now - those were good times!!!
So New Year's Day, Grandma had her cousin teen party - their Christmas present from G&G. They went to Johnny Rocket's, played games (including Game of Phones - we'll have to check that one out), giggled, laughed, and went to The Greatest Showman. Another movie to add TO THE TOP of your viewing list... of course, Dad & I haven't even seen it yet, but everyone is obsessed with it, about the beginning of Barnum & Bailey's Circus/ musical/ Hugh Jackman, what else is there to say? Oh yeah, Zac Efron, so top of your list. =) =)
While they were gone, Halle & Kierste made their own dinners: Halle made a bacon, (soft! She likes it when the yolk runs out) fried egg, & cheese sandwich, and Kierste gathered blueberries, bananas, and oranges. And Connor played video games with James in the theater.
Tuesday, President Monson died, as you know. My friend posted the moment of silence they had at the Jazz game for him... so touching the response from the state and national and world leaders, across religions and lands. He touched so many people of all walks of life.
Going to miss him.
So Tuesday, Jeff, Alex, Tyler & Mark went shooting, grabbed some BBQ, and watched the Jazz game with Grandpa, who was sick, to celebrate being together one more time before Tyler went back to his dental school dungeon. =)
The next day, we ladies went out to lunch to celebrate the same thing with Bethany. Mad Greens. Another place you'll need to go. =)
Thursday night, the kids were scheming to try to upgrade their phones, and brought out their piggy banks to see what change they could bank on. See how I did that. Here's Morgan's count:
That got the little kids counting their money, and I realized I'd been meaning to take them to the store for weeks, to buy some stuff with their allowance... so we got in the car and left, even though it was right before their bed time. =) Connor invested in this $3 light saber.
He really is very cautious with his money, and decides when he hears the price of things, that he'd rather save it than have that immediate gratification... Halle & Kierste ended up doing the same thing. I'm so proud.
Friday night, Connor got to capitalize on his purchase. He & his friends played for hours with the light saber. Nathan is unconscious here (probably because Connor slayed him), and James is trying to revive him.
While they were playing, H&K went to Talia's birthday party... "pile of chocolate" themed. No kidding. Everything was "pile of chocolate" emoji. Don't miss the cake. hahahaha!!
Another great thing that happened this week. The hilarious uproar of the citizens of Oregon when their state passed a law this week ALLOWING SELF-SERVICE GAS STATIONS. They were literally posting concerns, like, I can't get out of the car with all the transients that hang around gas stations - I'll be in so much danger! And, I absolutely can't go to work smelling of gasoline all the time - this is outrageous! And, I don't even know HOW to pump the gas and there will be no one to show me how. It was so awesome. So, especially with Whitney & Malorie from Oregon, Natalie - I mean Lucy - posted this picture in response:
Saturday, it RAINED almost the whole day. So we had one of those lazy days where the kids slept WAY IN, did their jobs, and then played video games & watched movies. Then when Daddy left for work, I had the kids get Julianna out - poor girl never comes out of her cage - and I started making food for Lucy’s baby blessing the next day. I had seen this festive tutorial video on these shiny sugar cookies online, so after the frog-eyed salad was made, I decided it was the perfect time to try them out. Here's the inspiration:
SEVEN HOURS later (including dinner & taking care of the kids, but minimally: Mommy's got a project!!!), this is the finished product.
Well, after they were decorated with flowers & beads:
I was thinking of little Kate & Markianny the whole time, and how they would be mesmerized by the candy beads & colors. TOTAL SUCCESS. They couldn't take their eyes off them. Yes!!!
At some point of the blessing day, every cast member made an appearance to support & love Natalex, except James, who had his brother's baby blessing. What a fun day all around. Do not miss Kate, who is standing BEHIND Natalie because... picture time. Hahaha!!
Ok, our memes are Pres. Monson & New Year's fitness resolutions, but first, one I found after Christmas:
And my own post about this ad meant for microblading... can't remember if you knew microblading, where they basically tatoo your eyebrows on. It's pretty striking when people have it done. Almost comical sometimes for the first few weeks until it fades, but this ad:
Be like Miranda:
And this posted by your friend Corali:
And these are rich:
Ok, and a couple from the files:
I have been thinking about you so much this week. I've been thinking about how close you feel, now that we got to see you and talk to you... It keeps me going, thinking my daughter is dedicating her life to the Savior right now; like there are ways I can be better at doing that in my own life right now. Thank you so much for your light and example. The work you're doing is so important: your hands, feet, smile, and words are the Savior's hands, feet, smile, and words to people around you.
And remember that you're a Madsen... actually, you're helping us define what a Madsen is right now... GOOD WORK on that. =) Love you so much!! ~Mom
