Week of 11-18-18

MOLLY'S OFF WEEK

This Sunday was an off day for Molly.  She had had a cough in the morning, and been pretty grumpy most of the day, so I knew it was going to take extra patience getting through church with her.  Well, she fell asleep in Sacrament meeting, pretty early on, after my suggestion that if she just takes a little nap on me, she could wake up and go to her class!  Who knew that would work so well.  I didn't want to wake her up so I just held her all through primary.  She woke up near the end of Junior Primary when the moonbeams (sunbeams in training) were visiting.  I thought she might try sitting with them, but it was a no go.  She was not interested in going back to Nursery and I knew she wasn't feeling 100%, so I didn't fight her on it.  She stayed in Primary with me.  Probably not anyone's favorite thing I've done in there.  Hopefully it was a one time thing.  11-18-18
Barbara had the kids write a card to their parents.  I loved the ones Noah wrote us!

MONDAY MONDAY

I had a very productive day today!  Laundry, Music Makers, groceries, cleaned my kitchen, a few loads of dishes, felt pretty good.  I was super tired though.  If Molly had stayed in her bed when we got home, I may have taken a nap.  Oh well.  Good day though.  Lots on my mind.  11-19-18

FHE

Luke taught our lesson tonight.  He did a great job!  He talked about how Heavenly Father's plan for us is basically spelled out and it's not like we have to try to guess what it is.  I loved his take on this, having us draw "something simple" not having a whole lot of direction, then showing us a picture of a simple house and letting us copy it.  Just like we follow the example of the Savior.  I love that he understands that Heavenly Father has a plan for him.  He has said this a few times and it makes me happy to hear his testimony of it.  He did a great job.  We played Red Light Green Light which really didn't go so well.  Too much fighting around here.  Then we watched some of the Jazz game while Nate had to go to his coaching meeting and then came home with the FHE treat- Erika's choice- Dippin Dots!  It was a nice evening.  I wish we could get rid of some of the contention we have laying around though.  It's not my favorite.  11-19-18

APPLES TO APPLES
One night last week, Erika was feeling especially bored/lonely, probably because Kate had been sick for a few days.  So we all agreed to play a game with her.  She chose Apples to Apples.  This was the funniest/funnest game of Apples to Apples I have played in a long time!  Everyone was so funny.  My favorite part was Jack's reaction every time his card was chosen and then at the end when he won the whole thing!  He was so cute!  Squealing and jumping up and down... "YES! YES! YES!!"  We need to have more time like this.  Made me feel like we're a good family for a minute :).  11-20-18

DENTIST ROUND 2
So the younger three got to have their turn at the dentist today!  WAHOO!  Well, not really, but it was nice to get it done.  Erika and Jack did so well!  I was shocked that Jack didn't have any cavities :).  Good for him!  Dr. Chris was super impressed with his loose tooth!  I had been so worried about how Molly would do and she ended up doing SO WELL!!  Took quite a bit of convincing but once we had her on board, she was game for whatever!  Pretty awesome!  I'm so glad she got to have her teeth cleaned.  She was happy to get a lizard (lithuhd) and Dr. Chris found a bracelet in her mouth.  I couldn't help but think that we had had a little extra help with Erika today.  Felt a little too much like a miracle.  I'm taking it as a blessing from Heavenly Father.  We have a whole slew of appointments for the next couple weeks so round 2 wasn't the end, but hey, we're done with the free part... ugh.  11-20-18

PIZZA AND FIIZ

Charity and Kelly let me take them and some friends to Fiiz to eat the pizzas I had picked up for them today :).  They got an extra long lunch because they met their goal on food can donations, so we had to do something extra special to celebrate.  (Unlike Kelly's math teacher who thought this reward meant she should have them come in early on late start day so that they would have enough time to take a test... lame!)  I loved watching them, I loved playing with and talking to Molly, it was a nice afternoon.  And I got to chat with Annie for a bit and tell her all my deepest, but not darkest secrets.  I miss her.  I hope she doesn't really stay in Texas, I hope it's in The Plan for her to come home!  11-20-18

JACK LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH!!
Jack told us about his loose tooth maybe a week ago.  He was almost crying about it because of how worried he was to lose it.  I tried to play it cool and told him it would just fall out on it's own and just to keep wiggling it.  I told him if it comes out on it's own it won't hurt at all.  He kept having mini panic attacks any time we asked him about it, but also announced to me that there was a tooth coming in behind it.  This was when I told him the dentist might have to pull it since it might not come out on his own and he hated me for saying that.  SO anyway.  Dr. Chris was super impressed with it, but didn't seem to think it needed pulling, so we just went on our way.  Then a few hours later, Jack came over to me, tooth in hand, and said, "Look mom!"  It totally just fell out!  I thought for sure he had been eating something to make it pop out, but nope, it actually just fell out!  He felt so awesome with everyone's attention and cheering, we got pictures, it was a very exciting moment!  So fun!  And it didn't hurt at all!  Mom was right!  (pretty lucky there :) ) 11-20-18

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
I just wanted to document all of Nate's hard work today on the Christmas lights!  Nate had a really long to do list at the beginning of this week and already he's tackled so much of it!  I'm really proud of him.  And grateful for his motivation.  He did awesome today getting the lights up way ahead of schedule so that he's not left doing it in the snow and ice- smart boy.  They are going to look awesome, I'm sure.  We have to wait til after Thanksgiving to turn them on though :).  Rules is rules.  Thanks, Nate!  11-20-18

THANKSGIVING BREAK!
We had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving break this year!  On Wednesday we went over to the church for some crazy playing with all the friends from playgroup.  We had to section off the gym for the big kids to play basketball after a few near misses with babies and toddlers.  It was a nice time.  I enjoyed sitting there with Charity and Kelly and my friends and having some fun conversations.  It was nice to go home to Nate.  The kids were dying to use the new basketball court so we did that a little.  We had a movie night with treats and were able to relax our evening away.  Thursday we played some games in the morning, the kids played basketball, we got our part of the meal ready to go, played some more games, and then headed up to Grandpa's for a beautiful dinner created by Dawn!  It was so thoughtful of her to do so many vegetables for Nate and I!  And all the food at the table was sugar free!  So nice.  I had been planning on cheating all day.  I knew I wanted stuffing, my dad's rolls, and the pie I made.  I had made these decisions before sitting at the table so it was easy to stick with it!  The stuffing was the fancy kind, which while it is still really good, is not the kind I love :).  So I stuck with just a small scoop!  I was pretty proud of myself.  If it had been Stovetop, I may not have done so well.  My dad's rolls were not as good as I remember them.  Might be that he made them differently, might be my new weird dislike for bread.  It's so dry!  So that was slightly disappointing, but also not because I only ate a quarter of a roll.  I had a lot of veggies, a whole plate full, to be exact, and a bunch of turkey smothered in gravy, and of course, after we sat and talked for quite a while, I had some of my delicious Chocolate Cheesecake (pie) with the Oreo crust!!  SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO delicious!!!  It was SO worth the cheat!  And SO worth the stomach age I had the next morning... maybe.  But really, it was good :).  I loved it.  It was the same one I had had at Ward Pie night.  One of the few desserts I still like now.  So anyway- that was a lengthy discussion about the food!  The company was also amazing!  I loved being with Steve!  He is one of my favorites.  My dad was fun and we all sat around reminiscing, talking about Nana, and all the fun shenanigans with her.  I love that my dad brought her up.  I hope he doesn't really have regrets- he was a great son!  Dawn and her kids were great company as well.  I really don't mind that we have to share our family events with them.  They are very nice.  It was a good time.  I even got to squirt my dad with whipped cream :).  Doesn't get better than that.  I think there was another movie night that night as well.  And "leepovers".  Molly is addicted to "moovie nites" and "leepovers".  Friday we played around most of the morning and then went to see the new Wreck It Ralph movie that we'd all been dying to see and it was somewhat of a disappointment.  Not as cute as we wanted it to be.  We all loved it, but it didn't deliver is all.  So that was a little bit of a bummer.  Not a huge deal.  When we got home, Nate came home.  Brad went around the neighborhood and got all his friends to come play basketball on our court- that was fun to watch!  I loved it.  Friday night, for dinner, as per Lukey's request, we did our little alphabet dinner thing- we drew letters and parts of a meal and then went shopping at Bowman's in our two person teams and picked out our part of dinner.  This ended up being a lot of fun again.  I liked it.  Erika and I had appetizer and the letter N, so we got stuff for Nachos.  Luke and Brad had the main dish and S, so they got stuff for breakfast sandwiches, Sarah Lee bagels, Sharp cheddar cheese, Something with an S Ham, and made Sunny Side up eggs.  So they went over the top with the S.  Kelly and Noah had the side and the letter P.  They got some canned potatoes, canned Peaches, canned Pears, and some Pepperoni and Parmesan cheese.  They mixed the fruit together and then cooked the potatoes with some Parmesan cheese and Pepperoni, which I didn't get to have, but looked really yummy!  Then for dessert, Nate, Jack and Molly made "Candy Marfaits" that's Parfait with an M.  Milk duds, Mike and Ikes, M&Ms mixed together in little Mason jars.  Pretty cool!  I think Erika and I were the only ones who didn't overachieve on this project :).  But our nachos were delicious thanks to Erika.  SO anyway.  Fun dinner, and of course another movie night :).  I think that was the night of the Jazz game too?  There were a couple of them during the break.  We watched them all and they lost every one.  Such a bummer.  Saturday felt a little like we were all dreading going back to school in a couple days.  But it was still a nice day.  Nate had the kids help in the yard a little, Kelly and I finished painting the girls' room, then cleaned it up really well.  We're still not done with that huge project, but we're closer.  So that was nice.  I forgot to mention that on Wednesday I got the toy room kind of cleaned up a little.  Not entirely since we're just planning on moving things out of there, but it looks better and we removed a huge tote full of stuff along with two big garbage bags and a DI box.  So that was nice too.  I need to tackle my closet again and the storage and game rooms.  And the boys' room... not looking forward to that one really.  So anyway.  The kids made good use of the snow, two snowmans!  One in front and one in back!  Erika and Noah did the one in the back, Luke did the one in the front.  I wish I'd gotten a picture of him next to it doing the same pose, because it kind of looked just like him!!  Saturday night, Brad made dinner for everyone, and babysat while I ran around getting prescriptions that forgotten about getting for three days (oops), took Kelly to Boondocks and picked up Charity from work. The break was great!  I loved it!  11-23-18

A PULL TO THE TEMPLE
So Friday night it occurred to me that we had missed White Friday.  Ruth is not in town so we didn't plan it with her, but we had still wanted to but then forgotten.  So that was a bummer, but it also occurred to me that we had a whole day ahead of us that we could go.  I contemplated going in the morning, but decided the kids needed to sleep in, so I put that thought away and hoped we would find a time for it during the day.  When I woke up Saturday morning at my new usual 5:00 (this was after waking up at 4:00 and deciding that was too early), I had this uncontrollable urge to go to the temple right then!  I didn't even have time to talk myself out of it!  And I kept thinking of reasons why this was such a great idea.  This way the kids could just go with Nate, I wouldn't have to feel left out, but the younger kids wouldn't have to be babysat either.  I was happy I was going to get it in because I've been wanting to go weekly.  Lots of great ideas.  So anyway.  I got dressed and ready to go, grabbed my temple bag and hugged Nate goodbye- telling him my bright idea and getting his support on the matter- and then out to the car.  This was the first time this idea didn't seem so great.  It had been really cold all night and was now snowing.  The car was covered but it was slushy, so not a big deal.  I was driving Nate's car which I had decided to do before noticing the weather.  As I drove off, I thought maybe I shouldn't go since the snow might keep me from getting up to the temple?  I decided it was worth the risk, I could always come home.  Then I got the feeling that maybe the temple was closed or didn't have sessions that early?  So I pulled over and checked my phone.  They were starting at 6:00 so that was no big deal.  THEN I wondered if I should go to the Ogden temple and maybe that would be easier to get to??  But I talked myself out of that since I don't know how to get there and their sessions start later.  SO anyway- I was on my way!  Through the snow and cold.  I was determined to get there!  I prayed a lot!  I distinctly remember saying that I wasn't ready to die, so hopefully Heavenly Father wasn't :).  Then I prayed my little heart out as I trudged up 400 North.  It was a battle, but I made it!  First thing I came to at the temple was a closed gate!  I panicked for just a second thinking "I knew this was going to happen!" but luckily there was a big sign that said, "Temple open, please use lower level parking".  Phew!  So I went around and under the parking lot.  This was when I felt like I'd been inspired to take the Prius and not the van.  I would have had to park out on the street and trudge through snow to get in!  Which wouldn't have been the end of the world, but I'm glad I didn't have to do it.  So anyway.  I got there and had names to do and everything.  It was really nice to get in and out of initiatory in pretty good time, I didn't feel like I'd abandoned my family on Saturday morning when I got home at 7:30!  And that was after the scariest drive home from the temple I've ever experienced!  The whole time I kept trying to pump myself up with, "You can do this!" "You used to drive this EVERY MORNING in high school for seminary! You can do this!"  But man, it was scary!  The Prius handles differently than the Z did back then for sure, but I think it's my inexperience that got me this time.  So anyway- I felt pretty relieved that I didn't die or crash into any brick mailboxes!  And like I said, I got home before most people had even gotten out of bed :).  So that made it perfect!  I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple and that going there can feel so good.  It was a nice little piece of heaven.  11-24-18

ERIKA
Erika pulled another tooth!  It was almost all on her own!  I just pulled it the last little stretch.  It bled a ton, but didn't seem to bother her too much once it was out.  Cute girl.  Now she just needs to get that crown out of there.  12-24-18

Week of 11-11-18

COME FOLLOW ME IMPLEMENTATION

We had an awesome Implementation meeting for Primary leaders and while I loved it, it felt like we were not the right people to be hearing it all.  I was really wishing our teachers had been there!  We are now supposed to go back to our wards and teach it all to our teachers, but I feel like we're going to lose some of the power in the translation... I don't know.  I'm getting really excited for the new program though!  I can't wait to start!  11-11-18

STAKE CONFERENCE
Stake conference was really good but I had had a really strange experience the night before, while praying and then had a blessing from Nate that morning.  What a crazy rollercoaster that was!  So I was a little distracted to say the least.  But I did love a lot of the talks.  Not as many notes of course because I was juggling little people, but a great spirit.  I'm so grateful for Stake leaders and so many righteous examples in our stake.  And as always, I was very grateful that I didn't have to speak at this one :).  11-11-18

TASTERS TABLE AKA: HUGE BUFFET!
Nate's mom wanted to have a light dinner-ish thing that she kept saying wasn't meant to be a full meal.  Well, I had planned on feeding everyone before we went, but with my Sunday nap, completely failed!  Luckily for all of us there was MORE than enough food!  There was TONS of food actually!  I left there feeling stuffed to the brim!  And everything I ate was totally keto friendly.  Nate's poppers were AMAZING!!  He tried sprinkling some pastrami seasoning on them and seriously, I'm sold!  Mark did some delicious stuffed mushrooms, Jen did some yummy brussel sprouts and bacon stuff... SO GOOD!  And of course Nate's pastrami!  Among other things!  It was so good!  I loved it really.  I wish we could do that every family meeting.  So we ate and then had the meeting and then visited.  It was a nice time.  We were so glad Nate took work off and came with us :).  11-11-18

MARATHON DENTIST DAY
Wednesday was my marathon dentist day.  I had to take Bradley at 9:40, leave him while I checked out Charity, then listen to the verdict on Brad, then take him back to school.  Then go back to the dentist to be there with Charity (no cavities! wahoo!).  Then leave to check out Kelly, and then go back and pick up Charity to take her back, go back to the dentist to be with Kelly (no cavities! wahoo!).  Then go take Kelly back to the school, check out Luke, take him to the dentist, then take Luke back, go get Nate, and then get Noah and head back to the dentist for one more round!  Pretty nuts!  And really it's because my kids hate missing school- they're a little crazy in that way.  But we made it all work with everyone's schedules and all was well.  Minus all the cavities!!  The boys had more than enough for everyone!  Next week will be the younger three- hopefully they fare better.  11-14-18

YOUNG WOMEN IN EXCELLENCE- BE NOT "MOO"VED
As always we had a nice time at YWIE.  The leaders did a great job coming up with a cute theme and decorating (although, I think it's way cooler when the young women do it... in my ever so humble opinion, I wish they were still doing that, but whatever).  Charity was conducting which was cool.  It's fun to see her in that role now and how much she's grown and matured.  I felt like she did a great job at moving the night along.  I loved hearing her project again and Kelly's as well.  Kelly is a veteran at these things- but she talked about her honor bee which is so awesome!  I'm so proud of her!  I had fun visiting with Marjorie afterwards.  Fun night.  11-14-18

WARD PIE NIGHT
We had to go without Nate again this year (stupid under-staffing at work! when are they ever going to fix this!!), so that was a bummer, but we still went and had a good time.  I ate the most delicious pie I have had in a very long time!  Oreo crust, chocolate cheesecake-ish stuff in the middle with whip cream on top.  So good!!  I need to find out how to make this and do it for Thanksgiving.  It was a total cheat, not keto in the least, but I didn't care.  Nate wasn't there to keep me in line :).  Just kidding, I'm pretty sure he would have caved too.  The kids all had a good time, wandering around and playing in the nursery.  I'm glad I've finally gotten through to my kids about the no running around in the hallways, but now they just come and tattle to me the whole time about everyone else who is doing it.  How do I say, "I don't care if anyone else is doing it, I just don't want you to."  I guess like that.  It was fun to visit with Emily for a few minutes before we were interrupted.  And it was fun to look at the relatives thing and see who we are related to.  Funny that Charity is my 1st cousin once removed :).  11-15-18

COLONIAL DAY
I got to go help with candle-making for colonial day in Noah's class!  That was a blast!  I was working with Lisa Wright, Janeen Sanders, who were so much fun to chat with the whole time, and this other crazy lady who I didn't catch her name.  She was so busy yelling at the kids.  But we had a blast!  Candle making is the best.  I was pleasantly surprised with Noah's reaction to me being there, I got a big hello and a hug!  Fun times.  11-16-18

GRIZZLIES GAME- GOD BLESS AMERICA
Brad's Choraliers choir got to sing God Bless America during the second break of the Grizzlies game on Friday!  This was such a fun experience for our family!  We decided to just take everyone who wasn't busy that night.  Charity was working and Kelly was babysitting for Maughan's.  So we brought Josh with us too.  It ended up being a lot of fun even though we lost.  I loved watching Brad interacting with his friends the whole time, he was sitting about 8 rows in front of us.  The whole choir was in front of us and just kept us smiling the whole time- they were so much fun!  I loved watching them.  They were up in the rafters almost when they were singing which was interesting, but made for some pretty cool acoustics.  They sounded SO AMAZING!!  I was so impressed!  I love that he got to have this opportunity!  And this is one of the things I love about having a big family.  All the different things we all get to experience because of each other.  Makes me smile.  11-16-18

TURKEY TROT
We had to get up bright and early Saturday morning!  Almost didn't actually because I missed my alarm!  But we dragged all the kids out of the bed at 6:30 and headed out by 7:00 to get up to Grandma Ruthie's for Jen's 2nd annual Turkey Trot!  (well the second one we've been invited to :) )  We remembered Jack this time, so that was good.  Jen did shirts this time!  We all got suited up, took a picture and then headed out into the freezing cold!  It was actually 10 degrees warmer than it had been the day before at the same time, so I was glad about that, but it was still pretty cold.  I was pushing the stroller with Molly, following closely behind Charity in the beginning and then walking most of it with her.  Jack and I were able to run for a good half mile which I thought was pretty impressive for Jack.  He ended up being pretty done when there was a half mile or so left and complained a lot.  But I couldn't blame him.  It was pretty cold.  Molly too- during the last quarter mile.  She was freezing because she wouldn't wear her coat!  The little stinker!  But it was a nice refreshing walk.  I wish I didn't feel so sick now after it, but I did love it in the process.  Noah, Erika and Luke came in first, second and third in our family, awesome!  And Nate was right there with them the whole way, which is just so cool!  He's been training in the gym at work and we're all so proud of the progress he's making!  I could totally see him running marathons one day.  We went back to Grandma's for breakfast courtesy of Jen.  It was delicious.  We were all pretty wasted for the rest of the day.  Did a lot of sitting around when we got home :).  But I loved it!  Good times.  11-17-18

Week of 11-4-18

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TESTIMONY
When I realized it was Fast Sunday the night before, I was reminded that it was also Testimony Sunday, and for some reason thought about possibly bearing my testimony.  I always try to put that feeling away because I want it to be a prompting to stand up and bear my testimony, not just something I want to do.  Although, as I'm typing this I'm remembering what I learned about what I "want" and how it works with Heavenly Father's plan.  I should try to remember that more often I guess.  Anyway- then again, during the Sacrament I started wondering if it would even be possible for me to bear my testimony since Nate was going to go to work.  Then I pushed the idea away again because of how crazy Molly was being.  Then again, during testimonies, after breaking up a fight with Jack and Molly, I got that burning!  I almost felt lightheaded!  It was the feeling I was needing.  I couldn't fight it, I had to get up.  It wasn't til I stepped up to the stand that it occurred to me I was bearing my testimony.  I was glad I had had a few thoughts run through my head today about my testimony and areas that have grown recently.  I hope what I said was okay.  I hope Heavenly Father was pleased.  I have been so grateful for the blessings I have received from following the words of our Prophets and the things I've learned in the conference talks.  It's been really cool.  11-4-18

PRIMARY
Primary felt a little weird today, probably just because the program was over.  It was Bro. Pederson's last Sharing time.  We got to sing I Will Be What I Believe, and Molly got to come in and experience Primary a little.  It was too bad the other little boys were there with her, she was with her mommy and testing her limits.  I think she will do better next time, or maybe in a few times :).  We'll see how it goes.  Last year when they were bringing her in, she was an angel :).  So who knows.  I'm so anxious to get on with the new meeting schedule, it's hard to pretend like I think what we're doing right now is okay.  But whatever :).  11-4-18

SAINTS
We started on chapter 12 tonight, and read a few.  We got to the part where Joseph was tarred and feathered and I couldn't keep myself together.  That just BREAKS my heart!  I am in awe at how tough Joseph was.  How much perseverance he had!  So much FAITH!!  I don't think I could withstand such trials and stay strong.  It's amazing really.  And yet, what I told the kids, he needed those trials to make him what he was, and because he was who he was, he was able to make it through those trials!  They go hand in hand of course.  I am loving this book!  I keep hoping it's not too much for my kids.  But I think it's better for them to hear these things in this setting than in others.  I'm hoping this is good educational time to be having together.  And I love it!  11-4-18

FHE
We went to the STEM Family Night at the Layton Convention center before Family Night tonight.  It was a lot of fun.  Pretty busy, but everyone seemed entertained.  We should really try going sooner I think.  When we got home Noah taught our lesson about lifting one another's burdens.  He had a bag with weights that we all gave ideas of things that weigh us down, then we talked about how to carry someone's burdens.  Then he had us listen to part of Pres. Uchtdorf's talk from 2008 called Lift Where You Stand.  Noah did such a good job!  I was so impressed!  We watched the Jazz game for Charity's activity and went and got Bowman's donuts for the treat.  Fun stuff.  11-5-18

MIMI'S CAFE
Molly and I met up with Ruth and Becky for brunch today.  Molly cracked me up when she grabbed my menu and started pointing to the food she wanted :).  Granted she hadn't been given a kids menu, so she did the next best thing.  She was so cute, "I waaaant.... waffles! and bagels! (she was pointing to fried eggs when she said bagels :) )..... aaaaaand BACON!"  So that's what she got- because she's hilarious :).  Becky gave us some clothes she had found for way cheap at Sear's closing sale.  Then we all went to Costco together!  That was fun :).  We bought way too much stuff and then found ourselves at the cars.  I don't know why I don't just think of these things on my own, but Becky sweetly asked if I could help put Ruth's stuff in the car and then if I could do hers... luckily I did think of following them home to take their stuff in their houses.  Which took a little longer with some errands too, but I am always more than happy to help with that stuff!  Molly fell asleep.  It was a lot of fun to spend time with them today.  11-6-18

JAZZ TIP-OFF PARTY, AKA: STARS GAME
So we were pretty misled into thinking this was going to be a really cool, free stuff night at the Vivint Arena.  I was slightly disappointed to be honest.  It was the Junior Jazz night thing but they combined it with a Stars game, which was fine, but basically they bribed us to watch the Stars game with prizes and "Jazz tickets to a future game".  Which I never saw!  Kind of irritated me that they so falsely advertised the thing, but whatever- we had a pretty good time.  The Stars are actually very entertaining to watch!  There was so much energy on the court!  Noah and Erika tried to stand in line to win prizes, but I don't think they actually got to.  Nate bounced around with Molly, waiting in line with Charity and Kelly, and getting popcorn for everyone.  Jack was pretty cheerful, wearing his little Junior Jazz jersey, until we got further into the game.  He was "SOOOOOO tired!"  This daylight savings has been rough on him I think.  He did have a pretty rough night last night, with his knee bugging him, but anyway- not a happy camper by the end of the game.  I sat there, trying to remain cheerful even though Molly was being a pill half the time, Jack was whining at me and Brad was pretend whining at me.  Charity had one goal for the night and that was to get a picture with a Jazz player and get their autograph.  She succeeded!  Dante Exum was the one they had there, she got a picture with her, Kelly and Nate with him, and then got his autograph not once (like they had ruled), but twice because Kelly gave her hers :).  That was fun to witness.  Kelly was fun to hang out with Charity and then remained very involved in the game.  Brad and Luke seemed less than interested in this game.  They eventually got into it, when the score was close and we were almost to the end.  They did love shooting free throws at the end and making it.  Along with Noah and Charity.  It was a fun night.  I can't say I would do it again (unless we want to go watch Noah's choir sing), but lots of fun.  We all said goodnight to Nate as we parted ways for him to go to work.  As we were walking back to our car we ran into the big guy who had been working at the table with all the official people and found out he was the scoreboard guy tonight :).  Which was funny because I kept commenting on how fast the score was changing.  He was really nice and talkative and told us all about the D-Leagues.  Interesting.  I loved the Stars- they were so full of energy!  More so than the NBA players are.  It was lacking just because we didn't know all the players, but anyway.  Molly convinced me that we needed to stop for Frosty's on the way home.  Fun stuff.  11-6-18

LATE LATE START
Kelly didn't need to go to school til 10:00 because of the Junior taking the Practice ACT (poor Charity), so she, Molly and I went to Kneaders for breakfast :).  It was really nice until about five minutes in when Molly decided to throw the world's hugest tantrum.  It was so bad all we could do was laugh!  Poor Kelly, the place was full of high school-ers most of whom she is friends with.  Probably kind of embarrassing.  She laughed with me though.  Oh Molly.  But we ate our yummy food and chatted a little and then went over to Bennion Craft for a few minutes of browsing.  It was fun to spend some time with Kelly.  11-7-18

HEAVENLY
It is temple week this week, for Stake Conference so they cancel all meetings- this means no mutual!  I know I shouldn't be too excited about it because Mutual is a great thing and my kids love it!  As do I when I am in YW callings :).  I know it is a great thing for the Youth and their leaders.  But can I just say- it was HEAVENLY not having them leave last night!  We had an early dinner thanks to our clocks that haven't been set back yet, and Nate took Brad to run a few errands we've been needing to run for him, as well as Charity got to go to Fiiz with Denise, and then everyone was here at 7:00 for us to read scriptures and then watch the Jazz game together!  It was so incredible!!  I LOVED IT!!  It was a free night to spend together!  11-7-18

THE CEMENT LAY-ERS CAME!!!
Today was the big day!!  Much to my surprise, they finally came and laid our cement!  It was Nate's overtime shift today, so it was just me and the cement guys/girls all day, which is always interesting, but it's been so fun to keep up on the progress!  The kids would have loved this.  It's been very exciting.  Especially when I accidentally let Buddy outside!!  I don't know if I've ever been so anxious to get him inside!  And to keep him from going on the cement!  One of the guys was just as anxious as I was!  It was almost funny with the two of us chasing him around, but not really because I was so stressed about what would happen if he stepped on it!!  OH MAN!!  My heart was racing!  At least I thought to go get him a treat and bribe him with that.  It was very thrilling!  And not at the same time.  I consider it a miracle that he came back in without wrecking everything!  I spent most of the day cleaning the family room. I got it SO CLEAN and yet it really doesn't look or feel all that clean.  Kind of a bummer, but whatever.  It's going to be so fun to see the kids' reaction to the backyard!!  I hope it's still wet and they can put their hand prints in it.  11-8-18

CARLEIGH
So on Thursday I had the feeling that I should do something for Carleigh (Holden's mom- that's what we all call her).  It was completely out of the blue, so I decided to act on it right away.  I made some cookies- which I totally caved and ate one at the VERY END, no snitching during the making process which is of course, nothing short of a miracle.  Anyway- I decided to take some cookies to Carleigh, just so that I had a reason to knock on her door and see how she was doing.  It's been YEARS since we talked.  Well, maybe only one, but the last time we talked was just for a few minutes in the hallway at the school.  So anyway- this was out of the blue for sure.  Okay, so Nate and I walked them over there and she answered and was very flattered that I had thought of her, then when I said I would love to hang out some time she was more than happy to oblige!  I was so surprised!  We thought of the idea of going on a walk sometime and that morphed into picking up the kids from school Friday afternoon!  How cool is that!  So anyway- Friday came and Nate and I had to race back from Costco- it was a MAD DASH for sure!  But I made it back in time and we actually went on the walk together and picked up the kids!  We had a great conversation.  It was a lot of fun to talk with her actually.  I think I needed it as much as she did (if she in fact did :) ).  She was telling me all that she had learned about cholesterol!  What are the odds that we are both into that right now?  Kinda cool.  So anyway.  We decided we would do it again next week!  I'm excited.  11-9-18

CHARITY AND KELLY NUTCRACKER WITH JEN AND COUSINS
Charity and Jen planned this fun outing with them and the cousins their ages.  Minus Sydney.  We had decided since we were going out with Dan and Adele and then watching the Jazz game together that Charity was going to have to drive her and Kelly down to Salt Lake to meet up with Jen.  She was not thrilled about that idea and actually dug her heels in pretty good.  So then we came up with the train idea.  This wasn't any better in Charity's eyes, because of the "creepy people" who ride the train, but we were not going to budge on this one.  So we figured out the bus schedule and when they would need to get to the station and made a quick Walmart run to get a few things we needed.  We were definitely pushing it when we pulled up in the station park station with only minutes (like three!) to spare.  At that point I realized that the girls were probably going to miss the train and I started formulating a different plan- one that would involve me driving them no less.  So I started to get a little annoyed, just at the thought of missing out on my fun night.  I could see Nate finishing paying for their tickets and them darting up the three flights of stairs and the two of them racing the arriving train as they ran over to the three flights down, I started to think they might actually make it!  But of course that negative little voice gave way and persuaded me to believe that they might purposely MISS the train so that they could ride in the comfort of their own car with me at the wheel.  I had already planned my lecture for them when they'd return to the car.  But much to my surprise! we saw the train depart and could no longer see the girls!  They had FLOWN down those stairs and onto the train without any hesitation!!  How awesome is THAT!  I was shocked, but very pleased and proud of my girls for doing what they needed to do!  I got the text that they had made it on and Kelly's cute "we want to be headed for Provo right?" text, and I was just overjoyed with their new found mode of transportation :).  I still had to say a little prayer that they would actually make it there okay and not get kidnapped (pfff!), but I knew they were in good hands.  And they met up with Jen okay, then made it to Chick-fil-a and the Nutcracker with Sierra and had a great time!  I loved hearing about all their adventures when they got home.  This was a cool experience for all of us.  Something new.  11-9-18

ADULT SESSION OF STAKE CONFERENCE
I had THE BEST TIME at the adult meeting.  I missed having Nate by my side, but I've gotten pretty used to going to these on my own now.  It was an awesome meeting though.  The first talk was about the Church's addiction recovery program.  An elderly couple talked about what they do as missionaries there. They gave a nice talk.  It was interesting to hear about all their people.  The next talk was a couple who are getting ready to go on a mission.  They rattled off a list of how many of each thing (birthdays, family dinners, baptisms, etc.) they are going to miss while they are gone and that it is a huge sacrifice, but that "now is the time" for them to serve.  So interesting to me.  I am going to need some kind of witness that leaving my family is the best thing to do when that day comes for me.  Otherwise, I will just choose a mission here :).  Just kidding.  I'm sure that day can come.  We'll see.  The next talk was a nice lady who talked about hope.  Which I of course loved!  But my favorite talk of the night was President Taylor's after President Muelstein.  His talk was SUCH an answer to my prayers!  The prayers I had just prayed!  It was so cool.  I had to email him a thank you when it was over to let him know how much it meant to me.  Some of the notes I took there were:
Nothing is too trivial to ask the Lord.
We can expect with confidence to bear all things.
We need to have more confidence in everything that we do.
I want to develop a better habit of daily prayer.
I feel like it's time to step things up as a family.  What can we do?
President Taylor answered my prayer- I need to be patient, I need to pray more earnestly, more sincerely, and write down my thoughts after.
Increased purity, exact obedience (from Pres. Nelson's talk)
I have the power to change.
Such a great meeting! 11-10-18

Race Cats Final Race

RACE CATS FINAL RACE

We headed out to Taylorsville nice and early Saturday morning!  This was our final and big race for Noah and Erika!  They were so excited/nervous!  I think they are a little relieved that this was the last one.  It was pretty cold so they bounced around trying to stay warm until their race.  They did so good!!  

It was so much fun to watch them come around the first loop, they were pushing themselves pretty hard and didn't look too tired.  

And then to see them come through the finish line at the end!  They are such rockstars!  I LOVE that they can do this sport!  I love that they put their hearts into it and really try.  They did awesome!  Out of that huge group of probably 150 Noah came in 19th and Erika was 13th in girls!  Pretty awesome!  

They both improved their times as well!  Noah came in at 14:10 and Erika was 15:24!!  I really couldn't be more proud of them!  It was fun being with all the wardies cheering for each other's kids and watching them all do so well!  Fun stuff!  11-3-18