We all live in a yellow submarine

Today was Miss Sophie's first day in nursery. She LOVED it! And so did I. I came home from church in the BEST mood and I know it's because for once I wasn't wrestling, chasing, and entertaining a tired 18-month old, while simultaneously trying to get Relief Society attendance rolls in three different places, ask two sisters to give the prayer, photocopy newsletters, and still be spiritually edified. It made such a difference!

When church is over, our whole building turns into a freaking zoo. For some reason, one side of the church is practically vacant, and the other side is jam-packed with a bottle-neck every five paces. It's all that a hungry and cranky Mom can do not to flop on the floor and throw a Franny-style tantrum, circa 2006. Okay, it's not that bad, but some of you who read my blog attend church in my building. Have you noticed this phenomenon? Well, like I said, I was in such a good mood today that I didn't even notice the mass hysteria that usually ensues after the third hour of church. Yahoo for nursery! Here are some cute shots I took of her after church today in her new dress from her Grandpa.




I think Sophie should have been born with naturally curly hair. It suits her. My mom loved our hair in curls. We slept in pink sponge curlers every Saturday night when we were kids. So when I decided to curl the girls' hair for Julia's wedding, I did it for her. Now every time I see their hair in curls, it makes me smile because I know how much my Mom would love it. When Franny was a brand-new baby, my mom tried so hard to "scrunch" her hair with a little product. It was pretty funny watching her try and style a newborn baby's hair.

This afternoon we played Duck, duck goose for like half an hour. Then we played London Bridges for a while, and then Ring Around the Rosy. I'm starting to see why having a lot of kids could be a lot of fun. I love watching my girls interact with each other. It is so much fun to watch them learn and grow and become friends. I feel like this week I've had so many of those "moments" that Elder Ballard described in his talk. Lately, when Sophie (who by the way is uber-clutzy) hurts herself, Franny runs to her side to give her comfort and ask if she is okay. Tonight I feel really happy. I often feel happy, but ever since my Mom died that happy feeling is kind of laced with a sadness that just doesn't go away. I think that's probably normal. It hasn't even been a year yet. But sometimes that layer of sadness is lifted for a little while, and for once it just doesn't hurt as much as it did the night before. I am grateful for nights like tonight.

Is Sophie flipping me off in this picture? What's up with that?