Resist Holiday Stress

Hello. I guess I'm feeling all the build up of the holiday stress come to the surface today a bit. I want to surrender to God like Jonathan Roumie did - great article in the Deseret News here. He was broke, prayed, and literally surrender to God. 

"Roumie also described an instance where he was transformed by prayer. When Roumie was broke, he prayed and his life changed. “I was literally on my knees and I said, ‘Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything.’ ... And then three months later, I got called to do ‘The Chosen.’ It was a point that I think my life was building to when that happened — and I realized that trying to micromanage God was not something that was working in my favor..." 

That's where we're at and what I need to do. Not just during times of holiday stress, but always. Deep breath. So we're having our Wride Christmas Eve Party tomorrow. Everyone is in charge of different stuff, as I said, and tonight Jordyn took Sophi and Natalie out to buy supplies for the treats that they've planned for dessert. They came home and started to make a cake, then they mashed it up with frosting...

then they mashed it up with frosting...

and turned it into Santa cake ball pops, I think? And some snowman cake pops. Kinda messy, but they didn't mind that part! (Licking off their fingers...)

So they are down doing that right now. I venmo'd Jordyn to help pay for the supplies (that is way too much for desserts... but THAT'S OK! We're giving them experiences and they're creating memories together). Today we had a rehearsal at church for our ward Christmas concert/program on Sunday. We did it at the stake center because our ward building is getting new carpet. Abi and Lily were very unready for their piece, it was quite embarrassing a the rehearsal. They smiled through it there but they are finally feeling the panic and getting serious, ugh. So many people in the ward have put so much into this, I'd had for the Wride Family Number to be so bad. I'm sure they'll pull through. They did good practicing tonight and I'm sure will do a little more in the morning. Sophi Natalie and I are playing "Joy to the World" with the ward violin choir. We need to be at church at 8am, so hopefully they'll all be wrapping up baking and practicing soon so we can go to bed early. We're all meeting at 8 to do another one through of program before church starts.

After the rehearsal this morning, I went out shopping cause I still needed a present for Owen. Corey went off to Scheels. I went to the Lego store at fashion place. I ended up getting him the Lego Rebel Base, which was over the budgeted price per child we had set, but hopefully he'll share it with his brothers. Done with that at 2 PM, then I went bouldering for a few. I did 9 V2 sends and a few attempts, I did a purple V2 that I hadn't done before, the one in the OG sector on the northeast corner of the boulder, I did it! I also did a blue V2 in the OG sector that I hadn't been able to do before, yay. I like just getting further on a climb than I've gotten the time before. On a green V2 I got to the almost last hold, yay. I only have a few V2s to do, but some of them seem a bit impossible

What else... Joseph had Zeb over for lunch today. Having them in the kitchen sent Corey into a slight panic about not having enough food for people, making him become worried about food tomorrow, and I ended up taking it the wrong way when he said he was going to go out and pick up a few groceries.  I was able to express myself, and learned once again that it's well intentioned and he just wants to be helpful. He's not trying to give me stress. I did tell him that it made me want to give up. He asked about buying ski helmets cause they are on sale, but I said no, we have enough. We are prepared, I have prepared for Christmas (mostly on my own), and we have food to feed them, no need for him to panic, but when I do think that he's scrambling for last minute food or gifts, I get a feeling that any prep I've done is not enough, so I guess that makes me feel pressure/anxiety/restlessness. We were able to talk it through over the phone as we were at our different stores (me at Fashion Place, him at Scheels). We'll get through this, Christmas is almost here and almost over. I want to not get burnt out by the holidays. Deep breath. Tomorrow we'll be having a fancy feast, but tonight I just microwaved potatoes for dinner. Before they ate though, I want kids to clean and get out of their "just standing around wondering what to do" mode. We don't need to always shovel food at them when they are standing around bored. There is stuff to do! Get to work (the house is currently a total wreck). Those are my thoughts. Corey told me he is always feeling swelling pressure, that kids wear him out and talk his ear off. Corey's day went like this: wake up, went to the bank, o crap, talking to kids, wants to help Lily practice but she was asleep. Katharine hanging on him constantly, Mel's got drama with school (a teacher claim she cheated on a final) and he just feels pecked at all day long. Corey apologized for not thinking about or recognizing all the work I've done. We both are trying our best. He would like us to beat the kids to it (hunger/food). It was also nice that Corey recognized that he's abandoned me this whole Christmas prep season. But all the stuff he does is for me, (except for when he's trying to get kids to leave him alone) haha. We're almost there, we're gonna make it. 

Siblings' Screens

Abi, Lily, and Sophi had their last day of school today before the winter break. Yay, we're done for the rest of the year. The little kids like have been out of school for a few days and have been enjoying their older siblings home, because they love them and love spending time with them obviously! ...and because it means a little bit more opportunity for screen time! 

Watching stuff on Hyrum's phone. I took four pictures of them, and Peter was picking his nose in all of them. Oh well. I am still trying out to figure out a few gifts. I went to Costco... Ethan said he wants a razor, but I don't know which kind... I don't shave my face, I don't have knowledge or an opinion on that. Corey wants more ski helmets. I think we have enough. Oh - guess what! We've been missing our spare van key since like March/April... I thought it must have been left in the ski pants or a ski coat, cause I knew we had them both last ski season - cause I remember having Abi run back to the car with one key and another person had the other. But it's been missing, so when I thought it must have been left in the ski clothes last winter, I decided to go check all the pockets and NOTHING. Didn't find it. Then what do you know - today, lo and behold - both keys are there! I asked Hyrum and Abi if they put a key up, they said they didn't, so I have no idea where it came from, but we have both keys again after months of one key.

Usually something goes missing and no one will fess up to it. This time something appears and no one knows how or where it came from! I guess it shall remain a mystery, but I'll happily take the "things appearing without explanation" over things disappearing! I'm grateful, yay, it's a Christmas miracle.

Joseph and Mel arrived today, coming up for the holiday, he brought up my bike, thanks Joseph. Corey's is still getting a tune up, Josh bringing it by tomorrow morning. I took Lily and Sophi to go hang out with her BFF Liesel and her little sister. They are out there until 9pm. Abi and Mel are making a dessert. I tried to resist so that I would be hungry for date night. Corey and I went to Aubergine and then Costco for another attempt at getting enough food and gifts for Christmas break. 

Corey is going to try and recruit some BYU students to help him with his project - he made this video to explain it to them so that they could know if they want to help. I don't totally understand everything Corey says here, even though I know it's all in English, but I thought I'd share this incase anyone wants to watch it so they know a little bit more about what his project is about. BYU Capstone project - password is narx

Party Plans

We've been working at planning the Wride Christmas party with extended family. We are hosting it here, but I have not been in charge of anything. Corey's been texting his brother and sister and he suggested they do something different so it's not too much for us adults, and thus they have assigned all the details out to the grandkids! So we've got: 

• Icaac, Melodie & Abigail are in charge of the dinner main course
• Jordyn, Sophi & Natalie are in charge of desserts and drinks
• Alix & Wes in charge of Activity 1
• Joseph & Hyrum over activity 2
• Rhyan & Lily doing Activity 3

So this will be good and a new experience. Not that we haven't enjoyed the traditions of years past (like the saran wrap game or music performances) but yeah, we'll try something new this year. It's been good having the kids home. Hyrum has done a good job helping Peter with Legos. 

That has been good because it eases Wesley's "play with my little brother" guilt and is giving Wes needed time to try and crank out the rest of his BYU high school classes before he leaves for his mission in one month and one day! He starts Jan 22, yikes! Go go go Wes. Get those classes done. He's been working hard. He's been borrowing Mark's jeep, and yesterday he got up and left to work (at Wayne's house) all on his own since he has that freedom (didn't have to wait for Corey and Corey didn't need to wait for him).

My little butterfly Lucky is still alive. I think he's gonna make it through Christmas! Way to go Lucky. I bet he's the only monarch butterfly spending Christmas with a family in Utah this year. He likes getting a little time in the sunshine, and here's how I've been feeding him - honey water that pools up in the grooves of my fingernails.

Corey and the college kids have been talking a lot about the temple and insights that they've been getting. I have been reading a book by President Oaks "Life's Lessons Learned" that I got from Savers by Momentum after climbing on Monday (yay, I love thrifting for books) and I was glad to have something to share in the temple discussions: from page 16: "Everything that occurs in the temple fits into one of three categories: 1) teachings 2) covenants or 3) promised blessings." I liked that. 

Today Corey went to gym, and when I saw he was there, then I went there too. Walked for 22 min on treadmill while I watched a few Dr. Berg videos while he did his treadmill run then cycling on the bike. I did a 3 min plank (30 sec on hands, then slid/lowered to elbows for 30, them was able to bring myself back up to hands (without having to do one arm at a time!) and did that two more times, total 3 min, then 100 second superman. Then a few climbs - 4 attempts (a cute little boy, prob 8 years old, was with me and we both tried that purple V3 twice, we're both too short though! He is so good though, I saw him do an orange V6 on the north boulder, I was so impressed) 5 sends (black V2 3 times and two purple V2s).

Yesterday I spent time reading the Oaks book in my room. Trying a little bit to do something and get out of my slight zombie/indifferent state of mind. I'm a bit tired. I should probably stop nursing Katharine. She wakes me up a lot during the night. I'm already looking forward to a good night sleep next Tuesday when Corey and I take a little post-Christmas recovery trip to St. George. Corey took my bike in to get the fork fixed, whatever that is. I was going to go get it, but since Joseph has a bike rack we're going to have him pick it up later. I ran a few more Christmas errands today. Mel came up and she had received some anonymous gift from someone who dropped stuff off at her apartment - food for her and a white ceramic nativity thing for us with a gift card. I'm not telling Corey this (and I'm blogging this is May 2024 so he probably won't see this post to find this out, haha) but the RS president came by also and gave us a gift of cash and a Smith's gift card. We are in need I guess, mostly cause of the large number of children we have, but also cause $ has been tight all this year with Corey's project, which cut their budget in half, so it was ok before then, but it's been really bad this year. Trying to make due, but mostly digging a pit for ourselves with debt. (Shh, Corey you didn't see this, or if you did just know that me saying this does not mean you are not a good provider. You are!) Corey and I went climbing yesterday at 2pm - did a few new V1s and V2s. Total 18 sends - just working up our strength again. Then stretched my legs for 20 minutes. Exercise and stretch, then work and rest. That's the formula for life. 

Santa Visit

We got a surprise visit by Santa tonight! Peter telling Santa what he wants for Christmas ~

Peter seemed to take this very seriously. This is his big chance!! Natalie was a bit more silly. 

With knitting in hand, gets a turn and got a candy cane. Owen - playing it cool - 

And Daniel ~

This Santa has visited our house before, sometimes as Santa and sometimes as our ministering brother (Dave K). I actually didn't hear what any of them wanted. Oh well, that's ok cause we're having a simple Christmas again with no apologies by me. I'm almost done with it all, but still have a little bit more to do that I think I'll be able to finish up tomorrow. I told the kids I thought it would be good if they all went down in the basement and made each other lego sets from ALL THE LEGOS we already have down there, rather than us buying more. But, I predict that we most likely will buy more legos. 

Ethan and his girlfriend are talking marriage, apparent by a text he sent me letting me know that they've scheduled a sealing appointment for Friday, March 1 at 3pm at the Payson Temple. So things are apparently getting serious. I also forwarded him the phone numbers for some friends in our neighborhood who likely have the phone number for our neighbor, who Ethan wanted to see if he'd be available to perform their sealing ordinance. So we'll see how this goes. I guess we're gonna have a wedding on our hands soon!

Katharine's feet photography is getting more diverse - She still have some of her usual work - 

and some pieces that are more complicated - 

 

Wow, Katharine's got 11 toes! I heard this quote today on the Lili Anderson Choosing Glory podcast - made me laugh and also want to cry a little - Found it online - 

"Long before December 25th everyone is worn out—physically worn out by weeks of daily struggle in overcrowded shops, mentally worn out by the effort to remember all the right recipients and to think out suitable gifts for them. They are in no mood for merry-making; much less (if they should want to) to take part in a religious act. They look far more as if there had been a long illness in the house."

I am feeling like that a little bit, as I said last week. Still trying to keep moving though. I'm glad we're going climbing again. I went yesterday afternoon by myself and had a goal to get to 30. Today it was a fairly warm afternoon (50 degrees!) so I took a quick ride along the fish tail. Silver bike, I was working hard and thought I was going pretty fast, but received no achievements. :( sad. Abi had a Christmas concert last night (I think GMS... I can't keep track). We're anticipating have the kids all home over Christmas, trying to find a place for the college kids to all sleep. Looking at the classifieds for mattresses. I thought it might be more fun to do the Wride Christmas eve dinner at the church, where there is room to play games in the gym, rather than here, but I don't know if that's gonna fly, so anticipating that party here at our house is also weighing on me a little bit, but I'll try to handle it more like the our neighbors did on Saturday than like I usual do. Usually I'm all stressed before hand and grumpy but do ok when the moment is here, and then just need to withdraw and have quiet time after. Ahh we'll see. One week until Christmas.

Birthday & Messy House

Today was my dad's happy birthday. 

We usually don't go visit my parent's at their home, but this seemed like a good excuse to go raid Hibbert headquarters. Older kids were quiet and respectable...

Younger kids were younger kids...

And I recognize that my parent's home isn't really made for the young people to gather in, but we didn't break anything and hopefully we didn't stress them out too much?? Me, Neil, and Beka and Matt were able to go by, and Joseph, Mel, Hyrum's (got back from Idaho on Friday), Wes, Abi, Sophi, Natalie Owen Daniel and Peter...

I don't know that we've ever all gone over to my parents' house like this? Joseph and Matt talking school stuff - 

It was nice to go over there and visit. I hope we do it again soon. We don't get together with the Hibberts as much as we'd all like. Back at home, I was hoping that Corey had enjoyed a little bit of quiet. I got K a drink and she sipped up some water and then spit it out on the floor. Why???

I take her upstairs, get her in something dry, left my phone within reach (she likes to take pictures) and it looks like she tried to enter the passcode a few too many times - it's unavailable for 43 minutes, yay.

Things have been feeling a bit messy and crazy around here. I took photos of all the chaos earlier today so I could have evidence for when I gave the kids a lecture later this week. These are all from this morning:

Almost every spoon, fork, and knife is used and dirty - aaaand has not been cleaned - 

I bought cups recently (again!) to try to solve the water problem I think we have going around here - like dirtying a cup every time they need a sip of water is just nuts. Maybe these will help? 

Kids ALWAYS leave their shoes all over the floor. Like how do we fix this?

Shoes on the floor in the kitchen as well -

Someone (Lily?) made an omelet yesterday, left the thing out, I move it, underneath it there is egg nice and hardened on the counter...

Dirty pan from eggs on the stove top...

Natalie has been knitting hats - and it's either left within Katharine's reach or Natalie lost interest?? Either way it's been discarded and unraveling from it's loom and becoming a tangled mess... do we throw it away? are we done with this or going to try and fix it?

Someone took a chair from my desk into the bathroom, and just left it 

Everyone is contributing to this mess. A pile in my room, so probably mostly mine - Laundry, towels, everything...

Someone got into the thread in the laundry room - 

Lily's desk - she has thread out, tape, scissors... she's currently making something, who knows, but she gets the stuff out and doesn't put it away...

And then as she was getting the thread out, apparently knocked over a little box of hooks and clasps...

Katharine! NO eating food out of the kitchen! Katharine with a stapler - pulling it apart and watching the spring get taut and letting it pull itself back together. Katharine, are you the culprit of these messes?

Ugh, it's all too much. I wish I could hit pause life and get ahead just a little bit... 

But kids keep growing and life is not slowing. Maybe someday I'll have a clean house and then I'll miss all the mess. I know I'll miss having little ones around. And if you can't have kids without the mess, then I'll suck it up and keep them both. I love these kids. I wish I was better at teaching them to help around here. Sigh - ok, done venting. Going to go to bed and I'll go clean up in the morning.

Christmas Spirit

Some neighbors of ours invited us to their home for dinner and a Christmas party, and I was impressed and took mental notes. Cute Christmas decorations everywhere - They had a large live tree which was so pretty. Natalie sitting by the mantel covered with little Santa figurines ~

The meal was delicious - we were late so most of the main course was gone, it had been served kinda buffet style, everyone took a plate loaded with goodness and sat anywhere in the house. Natalie has peoples discarded hot chocolate and water in front of her. I was slightly distracted thinking of all the mess that was being left for them everywhere to clean up (they used their nice china plates!) Had I been the hostess, I would have probably been starting to scramble in trying to get a jump on the chaos to put it at bay. But they didn't do any cleaning at all. After the meal, our hosts invited everyone to join them in the front room to sing Christmas Carols!

They had their children and grandchildren around and some neighbors like us, and we joined in singing. Of the neighbors invited, I think was mostly families that had kids that been in their Trek group - Abi was in "Italy" and part of their family. It was good, but it also didn't feel like the usual parties I attend, which maybe are a bit more superficial? I'm not sure what it was, but I liked it - like what? Relax, enjoy company, and sing? Maybe this is what the season is really supposed to be all about? Should we get together with family to sing songs? (And not just Maria Carey signing "All I want for Chrsitmas" or Wham! going "Last Christmas I gave you my heart")... Like real praise to God and CHRIST CENTERED Christmas songs! I did happen to find the chimes that JeNeal made for us like in 2005 I think - we could do chimes and sacred songs at our party with Wrides! BUT we were missing chime #4. I texted Wayne to see if he could perhaps make another one?

That would be a good and meaningful thing to do for Christmas, especially since they were from Wayne and JeNeal years ago. And we can sing praise to God for our testimonies, belief, and knowledge that we will be with her again some day. I like the fluff stuff too, I guess (although I've been campaigning to Corey and the kids for us to NOT give out neighbor gifts this year, not sure if I'm going to win tho).. we got a neighbor gift of some fruit cake today. Not sure anyone will eat it, but we did put a candle in it and sing to Katharine over and over again. 

She liked that. I have tried to be gospel centered in some of the gifts I've gathered. I'm excited that we will be studying the Book of Mormon next year! I got some bracelets that say "I am a disciple of Christ" on them, 3 Ne 5:6. Also there were lots of cute necklaces at Deseret Book - could use those maybe for my kids stocking stuffers, or to have on hand for them when they are scrambling for Christmas gifts for each other. I liked this necklace. I could use one like this - "Fear not!" Things are still uncertain with Corey's current work project. It's been like this this whole year. I remember going to the temple with Ethan in Dec 2022 and praying for help for him and our family, and here we are back in December once again, not feeling like we've made much progress. I will trust and not be afraid. "Fear not, I am with thee, oh be not dismayed". Everyone needs to feel the uncertainty and have these stresses in life, it's just part of the mortal experience. Joseph's getting his stress with medical school stuff. He  thought it would be over after he took the MCAT, haha nope! Good news; he's been accepted to Noorda, and today got word that he' s been deferred for The Ohio State! Not out of the woods yet, but that's hopeful for him! "At this time, we have decided to defer the final decision on your application until we have had the opportunity to review more applicants. He's made a little spreadsheet for himself: 

Praying for a the best for Joseph and for Corey and for Wes to finish school before he leaves in about 4 weeks! AHHH! and for all of our children. 

Leftovers

Hello. Not much to report today. I spent most of my spare time yesterday and today doing some lesson prep for my 12 year old Sunday school class. Talking about Revelation 6-14 this week! Exciting stuff! Hyrum is done with school at BYUI and will be home tomorrow. I took a selfie with P&K during lunch today - having leftover soup from the get together with Wrides on Sunday. Made myself a side of grilled veggies to go with it. I can't remember why I took this pic.

Probably just cause my kids are cute. Natalie is a good little mother to Katharine. Carrying her around on her shoulders while K trys to read. Impressive. Probably a little dangerous too.

I ordered an orange lobster-looking back thing today. I don't sleep with a pillow, I sometimes have a rice bag under my neck or between my shoulder blades. I think this might help along those same lines. I just feel like I'm so tight in my shoulders, so I'm hoping it helps. Probably just another online gizmo that I prob wasted money on, but it's not wasted if I use it, so I'll use it. It was a little warm and sunny in the afternoon yesterday and so I gave Lucky some time outside. He's a good little butterfly. Cute Katharine was drawing at the table today, SO STINKIN' CUTE!!! LOOK HOW SHE IS HOLDING HER PENCIL!!!

KATHARINE YOU ARE SO SMART!!! I love her. Just another 10 days until Christmas. Life is good.

Melodie is 23!

Happy Birthday Mel!! Corey and I and Wayne all met up with Melodie in Provo at Tucanos for a birthday dinner for her. 

I haven't been to Tucano's before. It was delicious and we all ate too much and finished it off with some maracuja pudding and a big honkin' slice of chocolate cake. Mel took the cake home. It will probably take her three days to finish it. Ethan and Joseph were having a party for her at 9:30 pm, but that is too late for us, so we didn't go back down for that. Wes wanted to, but we were glad that he stayed home to do math instead. He is almost right on track to finish by Jan 22. He got a late start today because we took care of a mission prep item - we went at 10 am to get him suited up at Mr. Macs. 

He's never been attended to like that. "This is great! I feel like a celebrity!" There were two employees standing close by saying "Wow, that looks great! Fits like a glove! That color is perfect" etc etc. Wes opted for the slim shirts, a very trim jacket and pants, so this young man does not have any room to gain weight on his mission. He doesn't want to gain weight anyway, so hopefully knowing his clothes won't fit if he does will keep him focused to not go crazy. 

Ethan gained 40 pounds when he was state side in Missouri, but Ethan had always been a hungry boy. It went to his hollow leg through high school, then caught up with him on his mission. He was lucky to go to the DR to lose it. Wes is going to Texas. Southern cooking and TexMex might catch up with him, but maybe he'll sweat it all off. 

He got a gray suit with two pants and a nice Texas blue suit with two pants as well. 

Corey got new shoes in 2018 when Joseph was getting ready for his mission, and Corey has been in need of a new pair for a while, so he and Wes will find shoes at another time. Today it was just the suits, and it took two hours (like I said, Wes was enjoying himself). After we got home, Wes had to get crackin' on his classes. It was good to get something mission done today though. His suits will be done next Tuesday. He's excited. 

Tired

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm kinda exhausted from all the Christmas cheer that's been going on this month. I don't want to go to any parties or eat any more treats, do any more service or wrap any more gifts... bah humbug. My scrooge is here. Maybe if I do enjoy this few hour break though, I'll be able to face another week. I am here alone because Corey insisted I take a break. We have the gathering with the Stokers tonight. I was planning on going and having Corey stay home so HE could have a break, but at church today, as he took Peter and Katharine home cause they were both coughing, he saw my defeated face, and he said I should stay home. I stayed at church with the kids, helped out in Primary (singing the obligato with Natalie to "Christmas Bells") then went to RS, stayed after for tithing settlement with the kids, then a violin choir practice of Joy to the World (I need to practice getting the bowing right! We're in a violin choir that is playing Joy to the World for the Christmas Eve sacrament meeting program in two weeks) then I came home and made a delicious Thai sweet potato soup, for an hour, then made two salads as our contribution to tonight's meal. I signed up for a soup AND two salads AND DESSERT cause I was trying to prove that I participate and contribute! I'm not just a drag on family functions. I signed up for more food this year than anyone else. On Friday I had made two yogurt pies for the dessert, but since I was staying home, I only sent one and sent down a neighbor gift we just got, some chocolate piroulines instead of pie #2. (cause I wanted some pie.) Ugh, what did I just say? I just said I don't want any more treats, but then I go and eat half a pie. So let's see what is really going on in my head and heart at the moment: I think my raw emotions are: I'm tired of concerts, I'm tired of rehearsals, I'm tired of being on the go, so I might just be tired. Maybe it was just a crazy busy exhausting week, and so it's totally normal and expected that I would be spent and need a little bit of a real day of rest. 

So here I am. Relief Society today we talked about joy, and how Jesus Christ is our Treasure. I listened to this talk by Elder Renlund three times yesterday "Jesus Christ is The Treasure" as I cleaned and as I drove to the temple (initiatories). I'm holding on for joy.

Well, it's 5:20 now. I just woke up from a nap. Part of me hates that when I do actually have time to get something done, I usually just collapse from exhaustion and don't get ahead on life. 

7PM - the family is on their way back. Last year's party was Hawaiian themed. This year it was candy cane. I don't have pics. Maybe I'll get some from Corey later. Almost 7pm now. I don't have any pictures for today. Maybe I'll wait to post this until tomorrow.

Monday - Hello. Violin today, and an IEP meeting this morning for Owen for his speech therapy at school. He needs help pronouncing his Rs, so that's what he's working on there. Picture of Peter eating his PB&J today. So here's the pic for this post - 

For as long as I can remember, I have written the kid's name initial into their jelly. Not sure why I started that, but it's a tradition that has stayed. Peter won't eat it unless it has a "P". Cute. Tomorrow is Mel's birthday. I didn't go buy her anything, but we're going down to Provo to take her out to eat. Might slip her some cash too.