Playing Catch-Up












Wow - it's been almost a month since I posted last. I don't expect that anyone is too upset by that (except my mom), but it shows how lame I've been at posting. Part of the trouble is that every time I download pictures from my camera, the program downloads ALL of my pictures, including ones I've already saved on our computer like 10 times. So that is frustrating and takes forever. Also, I guess part of me feels like updating my blog is like writing in my journal: it should be fun but often ends up feeling like a chore.


So, to take a short-cut, I'm going to post what I wrote as our latest entry for the Simpson Family Quarterly Newsletter (the "I Declare"). I'll post some pictures to make it a little more exciting.


Cletus and Alice and family:
I usually start out by saying that things have been busy at our house. I really mean it this time! Cletus’ new dental practice seems to be the background music to which we are marching lately. He is in a constant state of finishing and then making a new to-do list. We are looking forward to his opening date of July 7 (Happy Birthday to him!), not necessarily because we think it will get easier, but because it will mean that we have completed this part of our adventure and we are ready to move on to the next phase. I realize that we have all been spoiled in the past with Cletus’ schedule. He used to arrive home at 5 to eat dinner and spend time with us as a family. After all, that’s one of the reasons we chose dentistry – the family- friendly schedule. Well, dinner with Cletus at home has turned into a treat instead of the everyday “norm”. He often has people to meet with after work, then goes straight to either more meetings or church responsibilities. A few days in the past weeks he has been gone from home from 6:15 am to 10 pm. However, through it all, he is learning to make decisions quickly and confidently. (And if you have time, stop by and see his great crown molding project in progress). So, if he has not returned phone calls or emails, or if we seem more protective of our family time, just know that it is the chaos of our lives right now.
Hayden is about to finish second grade! He is very excited about summer break and is going to be involved with swimming lessons, a short outdoor day camp, camping and beach excursions, and according to him: his favorite, “hanging out with mom and dad”. He is a great big brother to Kate and I think that they will have a fun time playing together this summer. We are thinking about starting Hayden on the “Rosetta Stone” language program in Latin. He is still progressing in his piano lessons and loves to play. We are looking forward to his piano recital on June 20.
Kate is still the sunshine of our family. We all race to be the one to get her out of bed in the morning. Whoever wins is usually rewarded with a kiss, a hug, and a big smile. She loves laughing at Hayden, nursery, reading books, playing in the sandbox, dancing, singing songs, coloring, and running outside. It is easy for me to tell that she is a 2-year old by her tantrums and screeches, but she turns into an angel the minute that Cletus walks in the door. We are worried that she is getting quite vain about her hair. She gets compliments on it wherever we go and she has started telling me that her hair is “pretty”.
I am just trying to keep up with everyone else! I am trying to happily hold down the fort so that Cletus can accomplish his goals with the practice. Although we only have 2 children, I have to admit that between our garden and yard, housework, church callings, and other daily tasks, I often feel overwhelmed. However, I am learning to take care of myself so that I can better take care of my family. Sometimes I just need a break and I’m learning that it’s okay to take one sometimes. I am looking forward to an online photography class starting in the fall. I will need some practice, so if you’d like some pictures taken of your family, then let me know!
Despite our challenges, and maybe through them, we feel the love and the guiding hand of the Lord in our lives. We are so thankful for the blessings of the gospel. As we look at others in the world, we are increasingly grateful for the piece of heaven that is in our home. We enjoy happiness and peace and we know that these are fruits of living the standards of the gospel.
We love you! Cletus and Alice

7 comments:

chris said...

thank you thank you thank you

Unknown said...

Yeay for you taking some breaks and a fun online class and Kate's hair IS SO fantastic!! Glad everyone is doing well!

probably a silly question...Have you tried going into the camera menu and clearing the out the pictures that you have downloaded? I know on my camera, I have to go in and manually do that.

There is also a little check box on our program that says delete pictures from camera after downloading but not all programs have that and it makes me nervous (I like to make sure they REALLY all download.) I know...a little OCD..:)

Mary said...

I liked your post! I love hearing about Katie.

You can take pictures of us anytime (when you took our engagement pictures, there was a much higher percentage of good pictures than we usually get. I've said it before, but as good-looking as we both are in person, we are just not photogenic. Christian thinks most pictures of him make him look fat. I just end up with a wonky face).

An online photography class is exciting! You have an awesome camera, which should make it more fun.

Mary said...

P.S. I'm trying to do better with posting comments on your blog posts. I hope you'll return the favor, when I finally decide to blog again. :)

Troy and Sherrie said...

Thanks for the update Alice. We love hearing about you and your family. We're glad that things are going well for you! I like the idea of taking a photography class. It sounds like a fun one, and useful too. Can't wait to hear how it goes!
Love,
Sherrie

RACHEL said...

thanks for the update, it is fun to know what you guys are up to! i love the pictures, i can't believe how grown hayden looks in the one with the life jacket on! glad things are going good!

Elizabeth said...

Wow-that was a great post! Glad to hear lots of good things are happening in your family. I still remember when Hayden was just little and Cletus taught Jeremy the "football hold" in the hallway in Apple Chill. They are such cute kids--you're doing a great job, Alice! Hang in there!

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