Category: school

Hodge Podge Wednesday

This morning we woke up to discover our house had been “heart attacked” by my friend, Kristin! Before she left for the airport, she did this to several parts of the house. She is amazing. I feel like the hearts are little blessings, and I’m not too eager to take them down.

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sep10pic3sep10pic5At 11 am I went to Institute. Tad Callister, author of The Infinite Atonement, was the speaker. I derived a lot of comfort from his presentation.

Afterward, I took the girls outside to pick grapes:

sep10Then we came home and had a play date with Sophia and Max. Misty had to take that icky glucose test you take when pregnant, so I watched the kids while she endured that. I love her kids, so it was a win-win situation.

IMG_9421Then we had quiet time, and Lydia actually took a nap! Lalitha and Eden stopped by during her nap, but since Lydia was sleeping, they just picked apples instead.

I read to the girls for hours today, and my throat really hurts, despite the six hour rest I gave it at school tonight (I don’t talk there unless I absolutely have to). Tonight was Austria night at school:

red snapper and a corn chowder.
red snapper and a corn chowder.
German apple pancake
German apple pancake
meats in puff pastry
meats in puff pastry
duck, endives, and rosti
duck, endives, and rosti

While I was at school, Abe took the girls out to the park and to Isabella’s house. Lydia was disappointed none of her friends were at the park, but she decided to make a friend with a girl named Azalea. Abe said that the two were inseparable all evening. However, he only took pictures of Mary and Lydia.

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Take-it-easy Wednesday

I took it easy today because my ankle is pretty swollen from all of Monday’s activities. Lydia and I did go outside and play for a bit during Mary’s nap, though:

IMG_9358 IMG_9357Then Lydia, Mary and I all squeezed into Lydia’s bed and rented 101 Dalmations (the live version) on Amazon. After that, it was practically time for cooking school. While I was at school, Isabella took some great pictures of the girls at her house (after Abe walked the girls and Isabella to her home):

sep3pic3 sep3pic2 sep3pic1 sep3 sep3pic4I did the best plating of my whole life in class tonight, but sadly, I didn’t get a picture! One of my classmates promised to send me his pictures (which, I think, show my plating), but those haven’t come to my inbox yet.

Our guests are staying one more night. Tomorrow will be a massive clean-up day. I better get to bed!

park and lots of time with Lydia

It’s almost midnight, and I just got back from school. Abe has his eye mask on and ear plugs in, so I can blog and he won’t even wake up!

This morning I had a play date with Jen and her three kids at the park. They’ve been in Canada most of the summer, so it was nice to see them again.

IMG_9184 IMG_9185 IMG_9188 IMG_9190…and those were all the pictures I took today. Mostly we just hung around the house, cooked, read books, and spent time together. I felt good because during quiet time, which is usually my time to myself, I actually missed Lydia and voluntarily interrupted her movie so we could spend time together. That doesn’t happen as often as it should, and I was glad it happened today.

Then Isabella came and babysat the girls while I went to school. OH! I have one more picture I took! It’s of the food we made tonight:

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An ideal morning (and class again)

This morning was PERFECT. If every morning could be like this one, I’d have it made! The kids slept in, so before I got them for breakfast, I had a chance to read scriptures, write in my scripture journal, run two miles (on the treadmill in the basement), and take a shower. It was wonderful.

Then I fed the kids breakfast, after which Mary asked for a nap and Lydia asked for quiet time. Um, sure? I put them down and practiced for an hour before I got them up to go to Lydia’s swimming lesson. I spent the entire lesson chasing Mary outside. She loves being chased. Then it was lunch and more quiet time. I got another two hours of piano in, plus folded a load of laundry AND tidied/cleaned the house.

Then Lydia and I went outside for a nail painting party.

IMG_9059 IMG_9060 IMG_9061Then I fed the girls a snack before leaving for school.

I have so much anxiety before class these days. I basically spiritually crawl to the feet of Jesus the whole car ride to school and beg for help/strength to make it through class. So far, that tactic has served me well. Tonight went great. I made ratatouille, a fish dish, a sauce, escargot, and some vinaigrette.

My ratatouille and my teammate's mousse.
My ratatouille and my teammate’s mousse.
My escargot. The culinary genius in the class was the mastermind behind the plating.
My escargot. The culinary genius in the class was the mastermind behind the plating.
My sloppy plating of my teammate's pork tenderloin. I found out all about plating spoons today, and I want to buy one before the next class. A plating spoon would help me control the lines of the sauce so much better.
My sloppy plating of my teammate’s pork tenderloin. I found out all about plating spoons today, and I want to buy one before the next class. A plating spoon would help me control the lines of the sauce so much better.
The culinary genius, Jon, told me afterward that a good trick is to simply spoon the sauce around the fish, or spoon it in two random spots right next to the fish (so it looks like the fish is sitting on top of the sauce). I will try that next time. I was happy with the way the veggies on top looked, though.
The culinary genius, Jon, told me afterward that a good trick is to simply spoon the sauce around the fish, or spoon it in two random spots right next to the fish (so it looks like the fish is sitting on top of the sauce). I will try that next time. I was happy with the way the veggies on top looked, though.

Wednesday :)

Today was very busy and very fast.  Work is going very well.  I got credit again for a deal that was routed to me after the person who did all the work left the company.  I’ll get commission and quota and I’m very happy, but I’m also highly aware that so far most of my success has had little to do with me.  Still, I’ll take it.  Any day that I bill is a great day at work.  I’m still loving the train!

I take it that Lily also had a super busy day because she didn’t get a chance to take pictures so I snapped some over dinner.  I’m actually not too sure what Lily did today because the first time we connected during the day, Lily had to go because she was simultaneously doing homework and trying to prevent Lydia from melting down while fielding a conversation with me on the phone.  The second time we connected, it was all about me (Lily is a really good listener, I’m so jealous), so I still don’t know much about her day.  Tomorrow when she blogs, perhaps she can mention a few highlights, especially some information on how her class went tonight.  If you remember, last week was a very horrible experience for her and I’ve had her on my mind today, praying that tonight goes better.

When I got home from work, a haircut and an informational meeting with the previous Elder’s quorum president, I walked our babysitter/cousin home with the girls, visited with my aunts and then returned home.  At home we had what I think was “second dinner” as hobbits would call it, and hustled to bed.  Of course the girls were in their princess PJs!

Dinner pics!

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One of the best days ever!!!!! (and no pictures to show it ): )

Hi, it’s me, Abe.  Lily’s new cooking school semester started so she is there tonight.  I do miss her when she is gone, but on the bright side, it is only twice per week this semester (if you count Saturday’s competition team), and also I get tons of joy envisioning Lily doing something she loves so much.  I also have become a little more of a foodie since she started and I find myself genuinely interested in what she is cooking at what things she is learning.  What fun! I didn’t talk to Lily much today, but I know that she went to the gym, had a play date with Misty and did homework…..I wish I knew more!

As far as my day, I was blessed to have one of the best work days I think I have ever had in my entire life.  Everything today seemed to turn my way.  Today I learned that I will get credit and commission for a deal that another salesman closed, because he quit and left, and the business got passed to me.  I also had an amazing meeting that could very well turn into a deal that was passed to me by a friend who was in a different region.  I also had another fantastic meeting that seems very promising.  I’m now feeling like I’m poised to have a very good quarter.  I know God led me to Qualtrics, and today felt like evidence as to why He led me to start my career over at an entry level position at Qualtrics. It was amazing and fun.

But that isn’t all.  During work, one of my friends informed me that for all residents living in Salt Lake proper (not Sandy, West Valley, North Salt Lake etc) there is a HUGE discount for the Frontrunner train to Orem and Provo.  I’ve thought about taking the train many times, but I just haven’t had quite the incentive to switch.  Well, with this new discount, I will save about $2000 per year in gas money.  Also, we wont need to save up to buy a new car soon since the commute was wearing our cars down so fast.  Also, the train has wireless internet, so I can be productive.  I was so excited.  After meeting Lily at school and picking up the girls, I went straight to the Sorenson Unity Center and bought my pass.  Hooray!

Which reminds me….the train does take longer, meaning my new wake time is 5:30 AM.  It’s 10:30 now.  I better sleep!

A truly special day

Today was truly special in the Darais household.

First of all, our friends, Ben and Candice, are staying with us for a few nights and we absolutely love seeing them whenever we can.

Secondly, Lily got to see her idol, Martha Stewart, speak at a blogging convention and have the best buffet of her life. Candice planned to see Martha Stewart and had bought a ticket, but when Lily tried to buy a ticket, it was sold out.  Since what I do for a living is track down important people and get things from them, I thought I would try to intervene.  I eventually tracked someone important down who was super sweet and said they still had a few tickets.  Lily got to go and had an AMAZING TIME.  The buffet at the Grand America was the best she has ever had, and Martha Stewart was outstanding as always.  Martha gave tips about when she uses butter, lard and vinegar for different pie crusts.

Also, Lily got her present today from my parents which was a pressure cooker.  I hear she was very excited about that.  (She just got home and I haven’t had a chance to ask).

After work, I drove to meet my Lily, my dad and Suzanne, my cousins Isabella and Henry, and my girls.  We were all going to go to the new aquarium while Lily was at school.  Unfortunately the aquarium closed at six (oops!), but we all went to Wendy’s and then went to Thanksgiving point for the petting zoo.  Everyone had a great time!  Highlights were: The turkey that puffed itself bigger than I’ve ever seen a turkey go in order to impress a female. Lydia rode on a pony for one minute and then decided she was done and tried to jump off (I caught her fortunately). Baby goats (only two weeks old), butting heads with each other to play and playing king of the rock.  It was all very fun and the weather was perfect.

Pictures!

 

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Gym, hugs, and sky

I went to the gym today, and Mary stayed in the child care the whole time! I can’t say how liberating that is–I can actually work out now! It’s an option!

Other than that, it was a rainy day so we stayed inside a lot. I had a lot of work to do for school because tonight was the last night for Garde Manger. All we did was clean the kitchen, but I had a bunch of stuff due.

Abe had fun with the girls tonight. Lydia has been an angel these past couple days, and we can’t get over how easy and delightful she’s been. This morning she got dressed, brushed her teeth, used the potty and washed her hands all by herself–without me asking! I couldn’t believe it. She’d actually gotten half way through that routine before I woke up, so she woke me by saying, “Mommy! I got dressed all by myself and now I’m going to go brush my teeth and use the potty!” I was both dumbfounded and delighted.

Lydia and Mary got in a hug fest while Abe was watching them, so he ran to get the camera. By the time he got back, Mary wanted out, but Lydia wanted to keep posing for the camera. The following pictures document Mary’s attempt to escape Lydia’s death-grip pose:

IMG_8295 IMG_8293 IMG_8294In other news, it was really cold today–and it snowed in the mountains! The sky was unbelievably beautiful; I almost drove off the road on my way home because it was so distracting. I didn’t take a picture, but I thought it was notable enough to mention. There was even a full rainbow at one point. I missed Lake Michigan when I first moved here, but the Utah sky feels like it performs a similar function in my life as the lake did in Illinois.

bath and fruit day

Today was pretty uneventful. Abe and I were even more exhausted than usual, and neither of us has any idea why. At least, I don’t know why I am so exhausted–I get plenty of down time these days, and I definitely sleep more than Abe.

This morning I gave the girls a bath, and aside from doing their hair, feeding them, playing with them, and reading to them, I really didn’t do much else. I had big plans to go work out, but a big nap edged those out…

Lydia loved making Mary's hair white with bubbles.
Lydia loved making Mary’s hair white with bubbles.

IMG_8291Then at school tonight my class made a fruit platter:

IMG_8257 IMG_8258We got out hours early, which was especially nice since I had made myself practically sick from gorging on fruit and dip. I came home and had a long chat with Abe. Usually we just have five minutes of interaction on my school days, so it was nice to talk so much–it felt like a luxury.

Saturday in June, and thank-you, Grandma!

Pretty much a typical Saturday here. I went to cooking school in the morning and made up one of the classes I missed. I’m failing my Latin class because I’ve missed so many classes, so I think after today at least I will pass.

Then Abe and I recovered from the week while both girls took marathon naps. When everyone woke up, we headed to the pool.

After we came home, we ate dinner and then I did some errands while Abe put the girls to bed. I think we’re going to try to watch The Book Thief right now, so I’ll post the only two pictures we took today. Mom, remember how Lydia has always hated the sun in her eyes? I think one of her first sentences involved communicating to us that the sun was in her eyes while we were all on a walk on 12th avenue together. Anyway, she is very attached to her sunglasses because they solve this problem for her. This is before and after our swim:

lydia in glasses lydia in glasses2Oh, and I forgot to mention to Grandma how the girls love their pillows and blankets she made for them. Lydia loves her pillow and blankets so much that she won’t even allow us to put any other blanket or comforter on her bed. She has also dismissed her former pillow. Mary loves her blanket and pillow just as much. She moves around in her sleep, but she always seems to bring her pillow with her–her head is usually on it when she wakes up. They also play with the pillows and blankets during the day. Usually the pillows and blankets make it all around the house before ending up back upstairs on their beds. Thank-you, Grandma, for those gifts! They are very loved–just like you!!