Permit for Ben

Sunday was more General Conference. There was a great talk that morning by Tamara Runia about repentance and our worth. Half way through the last Sunday Session Ben had a driving lesson so Ben and I listened to Conference on the way over and I listened to it while he drove with the instructor. He got a lady as an instructor this time and she was a real character and after his drive she made sure to tell me multiple times what a good young man Ben was(he was the only driver that day). He said he was often confused to what the lady was asking him to do but it didn't seem to affect her opinion of him. He got her again for his next drive and this time there was another driver with him and apparently she just speaks really positive to everyone she works with.

Tuesday Penny had soccer practice and this time I went by myself. I walked over to the library and read a book and then went back to my car for the last half hour and watched a show. It was really nice to have a chill evening. I think my favorite part of going to the kids' practices by myself is that there isn't much I can do while I wait so I don't feel guilty for indulging in some down time.

The boys had a weird schedule this week because they were doing state testing so Ben was home Wednesday morning. I had Ben go with Ruby and me to the library, partially to get him off the computer, and also so he could get some quality time with his sister. There were moments I was grateful he was there to play with his sister and moments where I felt like I brought along a fellow toddler. He likes to push Ruby's buttons- like take a toy she is playing with and run away. He maybe thinks he is being funny but Ruby definitely does not appreciate it. After the library I took Ben to school and was reminded how much I hate parent drop off times- some parents really don't know how to drop off their kids efficiently. Like if your teen drove to school you should not stop at the back of the drop off line to switch drivers and prevent everyone else from being able to let out their kids. I don't understand why people don't all pull up to the front of the drop off area.

Wednesday evening while the kids were all at the church for activities, I went to Grace's house. It's always a nice time when we get together. She is not the friend that I am the silliest or craziest with but she is one I can just "be" with if that makes sense. It's comfortable and the conversation is good. She also offered to help Tyler throw my 40th birthday which is really nice of her. I know her 40th was a bust because she was driving home from a trip on hers so I think she might just want to ensure I don't have an equally lousy one.

Thursday night we had nothing going on and the kids were bored. Grams had given us a little Easter money so we went to Walmart and the kids all picked out a little Easter gift. Steven of course didn't come but he did give me candy requests which I was able to fulfill. I did not give Ruby free reign to pick out things but instead handed her things I thought she might like. In the end she chose 2 dragons and a rubber duck.

Thursday night Ruby had one of her nights where she woke up and refused to sleep. This time she was super fussy and whiney. To top off the fun, I heard a skunk get in a fight outside our door and then got to smell the skunk smell as it came in through the cracks and permeated our house. I don't think Ruby was feeling well and after over an hour pacing with her, I finally decided to give Ruby some Tylenol and Vicks. It was fight to do both but thankfully the fight was worth it and not too long after, she gave in to sleep.

Friday afternoon Ben and I went to the SOS to go get his permit. It is nice that they do appointments so we didn't have to wait too long but we got a hispanic lady with a thick accent and I didn't always understand her questions. I hope I got the right type of permit for him- one that he can use as ID at the airport if needed. I asked her if he could fly with the one I chose for him (because I know there are new regulations) and then she told me I could fly with mine (she had my license too for confirmation purposes). I asked again for HIM and she told ME mine was fine. *sigh* Anyways he has a paper that gives him permission to drive with an adult now and he'll get the real permit in the mail at some point. Unlike Steven, Ben willingly drove me home from the SOS. I may have had some heart palpitations with his braking and turning on curves but we all made it home in one piece, as did the car.

Saturday morning Penny had her first soccer game of the season. As per usual with the first game, it was cold outside. But the sun shining made the 30 degree temps a little less freezing. The triplets were on the team opposing Penny's team so that meant Julie and Asher were there. I found her and Asher at half time and we spent the rest of the time chatting instead of watching the game, while the babies walked around. Penny's team ended up beating the triplets' team 2 to 1. 

That afternoon the girls got to watch "A Minecraft Movie" with Tyler. They tried to leave super early to go to it because they were so excited, so I had to convince them to wait a little longer. They ended up really enjoying the movie. From what I hear it sounds like it's a great movie for people who play Minecraft so I am not sure it would be one I love. 

That morning we found out we had to clean the curch so after the movie, and after a plumbing job for someone in the ward, Tyler took all the kids to the church to clean. Sometimes I wish they would just use my tithing money to pay for cleaning. It always feels like such an ordeal. When they got back from cleaning, Tyler took me to our favorite burger joing- The Filling Station. It was a delicious way to end the day.