A Few Reasons to Party

Party news,

We had weather.

A drizzle. 

Actually, is there a word for something that's not quite as intense as a drizzle?

A handful of drops?

That's what we had the other day as we walked to the playground at school.

Definitely not enough to pull out the umbrella, but of course we must seize every opportunity!

When we got into the school line with all the other 3rd graders, Eliza's friend with the thick, bottlenose glasses and long blonde hair ran up to me and said, "Guess WHAT?! My mom? She had to use the wipey things in the car on our drive here! THE WIPEY THINGS! And she's probably going to have to use them ALL DAY!"

Let the party begin!

In other party news, 

Lisa texted me in a bit of a panic. It was Max's birthday, and their themed shirts had not arrived. So, remembering the popcorn shirts I had made for a previous party she asked, "do you have time to print words for me this morning?! We only have two hours!"

Indeed, I do!

I spent the next two hours in my pajamas, racing to produce shirts for their family. Lisa and Jane came to help; measuring, printing, cutting, re-cutting, re-cutting (dang if I would just pay attention the first time), weeding, ironing... and when time had run out we were so close. 

Lisa had to leave to gather her kids from various schools, but just before she got back, Jane and I ironed on the last two decals and bagged up the finished shirts with a high-five. After I waved goodbye (still in my pajamas at 11:30am), I turned around to face the mess we had left behind in my bedroom - scraps of vinyl, plastic cover sheets, ironing materials, Cricut tools - and my heart felt happy, because the mess was a symbol of a morning well spent in the service of a friend. I wish I did more of that.

In other party news,

Brian's parents came down to support him the weekend he was sustained as bishop.

The morning of, his dad gave him the most beautiful blessing full of comfort and specific strengths that will be essential in his new role. Con blessed him with the gift of insight, of compassion, of being able to recognize the direction of the Holy Ghost, and of wisdom. I am grateful to have these two great men in my life. 

Also, these two great women.

If there's one thing that women are generally good at, it's creating. While McKenzie is creating music, Grandma is creating an emotional space between them that they are filling with connection, love, understanding, and growth. Grandma is giving her entire self to McKenzie in this moment, seeing her, supporting her, loving her, cheering her on as she shares her talent, and McKenzie is giving herself to Grandma by sharing her talent, by opening in her vulnerability and letting herself be seen.

All of it creating connection.

I'm grateful to be surrounded by women.

In other party news,

McKenzie went back to college with more of the essentials.

She's has always had a stack of books with her, but this is perhaps going a bit overboard? The amazing thing is, with as busy of a schedule as she has this coming semester, I know she'll find time to read at least that many books by the end of it. And party.

In other party news,

Nertz. We miss our oldest kids around the Nertz table.

Although, fewer decks does make the game more manageable. We don't find a lot of time during our weekdays to play anymore (summer, come back!), but there was a magical 30 minute pocket between dinner and soccer Thursday night that we snatched. And the moral of the night was that you can have a party in 30 minutes or less.

There was a lot of laughter and it felt good.

Partying is a mindset. 

And it's not one that comes very naturally to me. 

Yet.

Challenge accepted.