Week or so in Review - Nov. 3 - Nov. 14

Wow, it's been over a week since I last posted. Here's a snapshot of what has happened since my last post...I'm actually going to backtrack a little further.

Monday

My baby girl is "Star of the Week" at school. That's right, I know what you are thinking, she is so awesome!

Tuesday

Emerald went on a school field trip to a farm. That evening, we did some pumpkin carving.

Thursday

I went to enrichment night and made some cute little crafts for the upcoming holiday season.

Saturday

Ben & I went to the San Antonio Temple to do baptisms. It was the 1st time either of us had ever been inside of a temple. It was a beautiful and rewarding experience.



Sunday

The family and I went to church. I taught a lesson on how change is inevitable and how to work through it positively.


Monday

BTW, did I mention that it is a four day weekend! Yippee! We had the dad all to ourselves! Sumi and I went to the library and saw her halloween picture displayed on the bulletin board. She looked so cute.


Tuesday

Our family and Emerald's friend went to Wazoo's (an indoor inflatable playground). They had so much fun....3 hours, that is. I forgot the camera...why is it that I never think to bring it. I have to get one just to keep in the car. Later, that evening, I made some desserts for tomorrows YW in Excellence at church. Also, to my dismay, Samson (one of our dogs) must have gotten into something because he came in all swollen...I totally freaked out and called people at like midnight for advice...Sorry! He's ok now.


Wednesday

YW in Excellence food display. Red, White, & Blue.



So, it wasn't displayed for long. Once it was time to eat, it went very quickly. And boy, was it good! I received tons of compliments :P


Thursday

One of Sumi's friends came over to play. We also went out to eat for dinner. Ben and I reminisced about all of the funny, cute things that our kids have done that we will never, ever forget. Afterwards, the girls tried to win stuffed animals out of one of those crane machines but didn't have any luck. I guess they'll just have to wait until they get to FL, so that Uncle Tim can show them his technique.


Friday

Ouch...my tummy hurts...I definitely ate too much last night. I am definitely paying for it today.

Things that I have learned

Yesterday was a great day. I did something I had never done before. I voted...I know, don't all gasp at once. I always seemed to be registered somewhere else and never kept up with where. This time was different. I registered in the right place and went out there and made a difference.

I have learned the value of taking a stand.

Yesterday, I realized who cares what your kid wears to the store. Summer dressed herself and I was like, wow, that doesn't even match. But you know, she didn't care. She liked what she had on. I wished she had a button that said "I dressed myself." Later, I took her with me to the store and totally forgot myself. I didn't even think to change her before we left. No one stopped and stared because she didn't match. No one pointed fingers. And if anyone did, I wasn't even paying attention and I didn't care. All people did was smile and talk to her.

I have learned that being perfect isn't everything, but being happy is.

Last night, we had a friend over for dinner. He was desperately missing his family and we were able to open up our home to him for the evening. Summer did something that she has never done before. She sat near him. He mentioned this to me; it was something I had never noticed before. You could just tell he missed his family and this small act helped.

I have learned that small acts of kindness can make a huge difference.

Last night, Barack Obama was named President-elect. This morning, I woke up with a sense of accomplishment. I helped make that possible. I woke up thinking of all the boundaries that had been crossed by him winning. I realized that our nation had progressed so much, that color did not keep this great man behind. This will yet again be a great day that will be written about in our history books.

I have learned that nothing is impossible.

This morning, I told my daughter of this great feat. I told her that this will pave the way for future successes. I also threw in that she would have to keep getting good grades and make good choices. And that maybe one day, she could be the 1st woman president, if that is what she wanted to do. Her face lit up.

I have learned that encouragement can lead to greatness.

a little mayhem and a little nostalgia at the precinct

So Emerald and I went to vote this morning. A wise woman told me to arrive early, but of course I didn't. The parking lot was absolutely crazy. Cars were parked every which way, including mine which I ended having to move because I blocked someone in. Inside, the lines were set up like this A-K and L-Z; only there were no signs until you made it to the table so the person in front of you was responsible for letting you know...what? Who hired them for this job? No cellphones passed the inside doors...again, no signs.

What a great experience for Emerald! I hope. When I was little I was able to go into the booth with my grandparents and watch them vote (ok, so they let me press it once...don't tell anyone). No such luck this time around. You got either paper or the computer terminal (which was only semi-private). So I chose the computer terminal and it wasn't too complicated. In the end, Emerald got a "I voted" sticker. Exciting for me, just ok to her; the sticker, I mean.

Finally, the chaos was over once the american flag on the screen waved at me. We rushed to school so Emerald didn't miss her bus for her school trip. Luckily, for me, I was able to keep in contact with her teacher to see when the bus was going to leave. Did you ever notice that when you are in a rush, you get delayed by all of these extra things? Like the police car that is parked in a school zone that you can only drive 20 mph in, like the school secretary that is on the phone when you are trying to check in...AAHH, How frustrating! We were late but actually right on time.

Early voting started 2 weeks ago and everyday I kept saying I'll go tomorrow and tomorrow came and went. I didn't go, not because I kept trying to put it off but because I kept forgetting. I actually tried to go yesterday and would you believe that early voting had ended on Friday. Next time, I will definitely take advantage of early voting. So to anyone out there that still needs to cast a ballot, remember this quote by Benjamin Franklin: "You may delay, but time will not."

7 Years Today

Today is our 7 year anniversary! Congrats to us! I just want to pat us on the back!

A day in the life of the Wendlands

As I write this, I am so tired so, please excuse any errors in grammar and spelling...I doubt there will many but just in case. I've included some pics of our family outings for today...and I do want to emphasis...OUTINGS! We started off our day at Emerald's school carnival, moved on to the book fair, went to Chuck e Cheese (Emerald's friend's birthday party), came home and played outside, hung out inside for awhile, went to MCDs at Walmart, browsed through Walmart, and then finally returned home...Boy, are we tired! Enjoy the pics of our busy day. We had tons of fun!

Proud to be an American

I just posted two more songs. One is very patriotic and the other just appropriate at this time...plus I heart Pink. Is there anyone else out there, besides me, that just can't help but burst out into tears when they hear God Bless the USA? What a beautiful, heart-wrenching song! I am so proud and fortunate to be an American. I am so lucky to be born into the land of freedom and opportunity and I will never forget those that made all of this possible for me and my family. God Bless them all! And God Bless all those that are trying to maintain these freedoms. They are truly "angels in disguise."

A Nation Divided

I can't wait until this election is over. I've never been so fired up about one before. There are so many issues on the table. I can tell you that I don't totally agree with either candidate, but after doing my research, I have narrowed it down to one. I am going to pick the candidate that I feel will work best for our nation, not just for my individual needs or beliefs. This nation is far greater than just piddly little me. I take issue with people who vote blindly. You know those people who vote for another candidate just because of one issue and not looking at the whole picture, those who vote based on color alone, those who vote based on religion alone, and those who choose to not do the research and vote on someone just because someone else tells them to. I am so sick of the comments that are going around, they are very disheartening. Vote for who you want to, believe what you want to believe. I don't knock anyone for their beliefs, so don't knock me for mine. I am member of our church, a member of society, an american hopeful, and most of all an individual with my own mind that has the right to my own opinion. I am not taking aim at anyone in particular, I just feel that I need to express my opinion in somewhat of a tactful manner. I could easily just blurt out and attack others, but that would be too easy and not very thoughtful.

I can say this: I stand in a house divided. My husband and I will be voting for 2 different candidates this election and there is no contention in my home. This is all because he has stated on numerous occasions that I should do my own research and vote for whoever I think will best represent our nation. I love him, he's the best!