The Renaissance Dance

Our Stake hosted a Renaissance Dance, where the youth were shown how to dance the "old-fashioned" dances. There was a caller, all the girls had a dance card, and we danced dances like the Virginia Reel, and Scottish Polka. The youth practiced for months on Saturdays and Wednesday nights so that they could learn what to do. I was lucky as a YW leader to get to be a part of this fun night.
I originally thought that I wouldn't be able to attend, and it broke my heart that I wouldn't get to be there. I spent most of the week before helping my friend sew her dress, and the green eyed little monster drove me crazy with jealousy because I really wanted to go. Well, Brian decided that I was going, and in a hurculean effort, we sewed a dress in 5 hours, and went to the dance. He will be forever my hero, because in one day he sewed and danced for me. Brian is not a dancer, despite his wife trying to talk him into it. Well, I figured I would be watching from the seats, but Brian drug me out there and we danced all but 3 of the 12 dances. I loved every minute of it. Thank you Brian - I love you!

The Gillette 2nd ward girls and leaders that were there.

My friend Erin - I helped her with her dress.

Abby's 12th Birthday!

My Abby-girl turned 12 this year. If I didn't already have a 13 year old, I wouldn't think I was old enough to have a 12 year old. She is growing up to be a beautiful girl and I love her more everyday. I am excited that she gets to come to YW with me every week, and it is fun to see her blossom in class with the other YW. She is not the wall flower her mom was, and I love it. She recently had the whole class laughing at something, and surprised them all.

For her birthday we skipped school, went on a make-up buying spree (only a few things), and went out to a fun lunch. I loved having this time with Abby, while being with Mom is not just awful. We had a great time, and had great food. We ordered our favorite fried pickles and hamburgers. Then we came home and cut out a dress for Abby, as I am completely disgusted with most of the styles for girls these days. So trying to continue on with my goal for this year, here is 12 reasons that I love this girl!

1. Abby is my best helper, and rarely complains about anything that I ask her to do.

2. She is such a good sister to the little girls - they love it when she sits and reads to them.

3. Abby is a good friend - she loves to have her friends over, and can usually be found teaching them to cook, feed the animals, or anything else they are interested in.

4. Abby is very ambitious, and can be found doing her homework as soon as she gets home, so that she can get it done. I always laugh when she is doing "extra-credit" with her straight A's.

5. Abby still is willing to let me play with her hair - most of the time.

6. She has an infectious laugh that makes people want to laugh with her.

7. She is a good example to her friends and family.

8. Abby has a tender heart and is loving to any and all around her.

9. She is responsible, and I don't have to worry that she won't do what needs to be done. She does it all on her own.

10. She is beautiful inside and out.

11. She still thinks her Mom is fun.

12. I love Abby because it is hard to stop at 12 things to say about how wonderful she is.

I LOVE YOU, ABIGAIL!

Here are a few pictures I took with my phone on our "girls day out."

Brian

Well, as I can't seem to keep this up on a regular basis, I will try to get caught up all in one day. I have been thinking about things to blog, and I talk about it with my family, so much, that if I take a picture, I get asked, "You aren't going to blog this are you?" Brian is one who asks whenever I want a picture of him, and I literally have to chase him around the house to get a picture. But as he is one of my favorite people, I wanted to have a post just about him.

January was our 16th anniversary, and common as the bad weather is, we got snowed in for one day of our anniversary, but got to go on our second night. Brian took me to Deadwood, SD and we stayed in a suite with a hot tub in it. We didn't really go anywhere while we were there, as we arrived later at night in the dark. We did go to a restaurant dedicated to Harrison Ford and all of his movies. It was fun to see just how many of them we had seen - and the food was good too.

March brought on Brian's 37th birthday. We have decided that as we get older, we don't do alot for the big day anymore. But, we did have a little party for him and invited a few families over for cake and games. It was a fun time and I think that it was a great way to celebrate his birthday. Since I am trying to really pack in a few extra posts tonight (and being lazy) I am only going to post a few reasons I truly love this man.

1. Brian works really hard to take care of our family. He does many things for us that he doesn't really like, but knows it will be good for us.

2. I love that Brian can build things. He builds beautiful things that I enjoy having in my home. This is also a hate thing, as I don't get all his attention when he is deep into a project.

3. I appreciate that Brian gets heart and soul into his callings. It is all or nothing for him, and I know that others benefit from the hard work that he does.

4. Brian loves others, and is always mindful of those around him. He is considerate of the needs of others, and like me, tries to lessen their problems and make it better.

5. I could go on forever, but I love Brian because I know he would turn heaven and earth for me if there was something I truly wanted. He recently spent a whole day helping me sew a ball gown so that we could go to a dance. He truly is my prince.

I love you!

Isabella is 4!!

Yesterday was Isabella's birthday, and I had every intention of putting her on here yesterday, but I have lost my adapter to put pictures on my computer, so I will have to add pictures later. I am going to borrow an idea from a friend (thanks Viki) and give 4 reasons that I love and appreciate Izzy.

1. Isabella approaches everything in life like a cheerleader. She is a little dingy(no offense to those cheerleaders), but she just loves everyone and everything. Everything is "her favorite", and everyone is her "best friend."

2. Isabella is very appreciative of things that she gets. She always says thank you. Usually followed by "I love it."

3. I love Isabella, because she has helped to heal my heart just a little.

4. I love Isabella, because she gives the best hugs, and is always ready to say "I love you".

We had a little family party for her last night - she had a princess cake, and got training wheels, a horn for her bike, some tinkerbell toys, a backpack, and a purse and a dolly from her grandma.
My present for her birthday, was that she came to me and said "I am too big to wear Pull-Ups." She went to bed in big girl underpants, and woke up dry. Whoo, hoo!

Merry Christmas from the Weinands!

We are sending cards out this year, but they don't seem to be in a big hurry to get done. Hopefully everyone is healthy, happy, and doing good things. We are doing our usual, busy, busy, busy. All of us are healthy, and hopefully are doing a few good things. Here's hoping everyone has a great Christmas.

Letter to EmmaLee

My dearest little girl,

Tomorrow you would be eight. As I envision what might have been, I see us excitedly getting ready for your big day. Your grandmas are here, and your beautiful white dress is all ready and waiting. You are beautiful and full of fun, a joy to all who know you. We are all happy and enjoying our time together.

Instead, today, I got the chance to attend someone else's baptism, and I couldn't go. I was filled with sadness as I knew that this is just one more thing that I don't get to do with you. Everywhere I look, I seem to see children that would be your age, and wonder what you would be like; what you are like now. Are you happy, do you see your grandpas, and do they take care of you or is it the other way around? Did you get to know your sisters before they were born, or is that just one more thing that we won't get to do on this side? Do you get to look in on us from time to time - do you think of me? And one more thing, why doesn't heaven have facebook? ;)

We have tried every year to make your birthday a celebration of you. We do something fun as a family, and remember the fun things we did with you for the short time you were with us. Tomorrow is Sunday, so this year it is going to be a quiet day doing our usual Sunday things. I am eternally grateful for the gospel, because of it, I still have you, no matter what. I just wish, well, I wish a lot of things that aren't to be at this time. Just know that I think of you so often, my beautiful girl. I am trying to teach your sisters about you, so that they will know you like I know you when we are all together again. I love you so much, and miss all the things that we should be doing together. My one wish for you this year is that you are happy, as you always were.

Love, Mom

Pictures with Izzy

Izzy was a good sport and let Mom pretend to be a photographer. She was so cooperative and had a great big smile despite the cold wind.

Rachel, however, was not as tolerant.

She was much better with Izzy to keep her warm, so we moved into the house.