SPRING BREAK CONTINUED
Thursday we had to pass on our Seabase idea because they would not return Nate's call to make an appointment. Stupid COVID has ruined all chances of spontaneity. But we just barrowed some of Friday's plans and went up to Syracuse for some Rush Funplex fun :). This was a little blast to the past, the last time we went there as a family was for Sadie's BIRTHday party. During the day before having her, we took the kids there. So much fun! I must say that it felt like our kids were either tired or just lacking in energy... I don't know what it was. Maybe comparing it to July 11th a year and a half ago was a bad idea- everyone was pretty excited about getting their new little sister that day, so maybe I just need to get back to 2021. Although I will say that it has felt a little different this spring break. There's less energy or something. I wish I knew what it was. Could just be that Charity is not here? I don't know. I am worried that everyone is feeling stressed or anxious or even depressed with all that is going on right now. I wish I was better at not bringing the outside world into our home. They don't need to hear or know about it all. I've pretty much spread doom and gloom for the future to everyone. I wish I could take that back. Maybe I can fix it. ANYWAY! Back to our fun at the Funplex- we did the go carts- Noah was happy he was tall enough to drive- Erika was slightly nervous that she was. Jack loved it and noticed his voice crack :) while he was on it. Sadie was a bit of a handful here- not much for her to enjoy unfortunately. Molly kept wishing she was doing something else. Kinda funny. We did the laser tag, the foam pit with rock walls- it was fun to watch everyone climbing the rock wall. I don't think they enjoyed this area as much as last time. There wasn't anyone regulating the swings so that was a bummer. We bowled and then topped it off with some mini golf! It was a great time. We came home and rested some more. Luke went over to Jaxx's house, Brad and Kelly left for work, Noah, Erika, Molly and I went over to the field to play frisbee for a while- this was fun. I loved Molly accusing me of lying to Terrie when I said that, "Sadie has Nate wrapped around her little finger, so he's staying pretty busy with her right now." We had a little talk about what that means and ultimately Molly agreed that Sadie does. Funny conversation on the walk over to the park. After some dinner we hopped in the car and went and got some Menchies :). This is when Nate gave me the idea to create a facebook page devoted to the inconsistencies of COVID response because Menchies has half of their toppings (the dry ones) packaged into tiny cups in predetermined amounts (which HELLO! Take out all the fun of putting how much you want on your ice cream and make me pay for the dumb little cup and lid as well) and then the wet toppings are still self serve, open and available to touch and breathe on- HA! So weird. What is the point seriously. I mean besides sucking more money out of the customers. Whatever though. See, I wish I had just thought all these things, but I made them the topic of conversation of course. So dumb. I need to stop talking about COVID. I WANT to stop talking about COVID. The kids froze while we ate outside because they only had like two tables inside. I wonder if we will ever be able to get back to how it was. Where we weren't afraid to be around people. They are now saying that three feet is okay. Why can't we take down all the six feet signs then? So weird. Whatever. Okay- see- I go off. We tried to meet up with Brad and Kelly, thinking Brad was picking her up, but that wasn't the case so we headed home. Tonight's movie night- Ever After- love that movie! Good times. I hope Molly is enjoying all these sleepovers. Enough that she doesn't die when Spring break is over. Can you believe there was only one prank pulled on me the entire day!! Bradley unscrewed all the lightbulbs he could while we were getting ice cream. I totally thought the breaker had tripped or something (ever since Heidi plugged in that fridge we've had problems with the breaker so seemed possible) But super funny! I was glad at least someone did something. But I was also glad I didn't have to clean up a bunch of water spills and toilet paper messes everywhere like usual. I was a little sad that they didn't feel motivated to do anything- see what I mean- they just aren't themselves right now. How do we fix that? I also loved the sweet card Erika left on my pillow that night. Such a sweet girl. 4-1-21
SPRING BREAK
Friday was our fishing and Retrocade day. I got a lot of work done on my blog while everyone was fishing and then we all had fun at the retrocade, playing games and moving from arcade game to arcade game. This wasn't Sadie's favorite place, but I think we still had a great time. Kelly had to leave to go to work, but the rest of us got some food and headed home. I think we went to a park that night. Lots of fun. 4-2-21
GENERAL CONFERENCE
I LOVED conference this time. I know, I always do, but it was SO AWESOME! It was a COVID conference, so no audience, but I think we were more used to it this time. I enjoyed so many of the talks and am re-enjoying them while folding laundry :). Everyone did really well. We did our egg coloring during the second break, that was fun. Everyone gets into this still. We missed Charity, but we had a lot of fun. Kelly went all out, took her all day to come up with an idea, but she pulled it off. Disney themed. I loved that we chose to stay home for the Priesthood session this year, I got to watch it with the boys :). Nate had to work so it wasn't feasible to go up to Grandma Ruthie's. We missed everyone, but it was nice and relaxing and the littles got to play in the yard and with their friends. Kinda nice. Sunday's sessions were great as well. 20 NEW TEMPLES announced!! Kinda cool especially considering they are all shut down right now! Although, they also made the announcement that they will be opening up the baptistries in some temples for appointments only. We are really excited for that. Gives us hope!! 4-3-21--4-4-21
EASTER
Easter was on conference this year! Kinda fun! The Easter Bunny decided to shake things up a little and didn't use the old baskets. Some of them are MIA with all the craziness downstairs, I wasn't in the mood to find them. But it was fun to hunt for giant plastic eggs with fun gifts inside. The older kids got gift cards and treats and the little ones got toys. Along with the candy filled eggs. Pretty fun! So everyone hunted, we ate our Creamed Eggs on Toast and then watched some conference. It was fun to have our egg hunt in the middle and everyone had plenty of treats for the next session, we barely touched the mountain of snacks Nate had brought home from Costco! It was a nice day. 4-4-21
KELLY TEAM DINNER
We ended up being able to host a team dinner after all! Which ended up being really low-key this time. I was glad about that. Kelly wanted Tangy Meatballs and little cheesecakes (I probably said those in the wrong order). Kelly had gotten a count from the team and said there would be about 25 girls. So I made a double batch of my meatballs (usually feeds us plus a day of leftovers back in the days when we ate these a lot, nobody likes them anymore), Nate made his delicious mashed potatoes, and his cheesecakes. We had some salad and fruit. It was going to be so great and then as the dinner went on, more and more girls started showing up!! Like lots! almost double what we had planned on and they LOVED the meatballs. I had approved seconds before knowing there were more girls coming, so of course we ran out! I was SO BUMMED!! There was plenty of potatoes, but even the salad didn't stretch far enough. It was so sad!! I mean, the girls were having a blast, completely FILLED our family room, it was insane how many of them they fit in there, talking and laughing- we loved it!- but not enough food!! Such a bummer! The cheesecakes were of course a HUGE hit and thankfully, Nate had made plenty of those, even some for the coaches and our kids... they were delcious! They loved those and they made it all better. It was a fun night overall. I can't believe this is our last year of Lacrosse!! 4-5-21
ERIKA BRACES
She did it! She took the plunge! Even though they told us she would have five years before getting them, Dr. Defay put braces on Erika's top teeth! Kinda crazy! Brad and I enjoyed watching her get them on. She looks so grown up! She's not loving the pain level, but I think she'll adjust. Straight teeth here we come! 4-6-21
POOR BRAD!
Brad ended up getting about 15 shots at the dentist this time! Poor guy! Nothing was working, not sure why. The only place that wasn't numb was the place he needed to be numb! So he ended up with a very numb face. This was not his favorite trip to the dentist. 4-6-21
SOCCER
We started practices this week!! Can't wait for another great season! 4-6-21
BRADLEY
We've been catching all of Bradley's track meets watching him compete in his 110 Hurdles, the 400M and the 300 Hurdles a few times. He's been doing great! On the 7th, I watched him hit some PR's at the Syracuse meet. He did such a great job! I was so proud of him. You can imagine my surprise when he called, handed his phone to his coach and his coach proceeded to tell me how he had just injured himself doing the long jump and that his knee was swelling up pretty quickly and would need to be taken to the ER. SO SAD!! He just got over his broken ankle and missing out on half of his basketball season! I was hoping things would be better than his coach made it sound, but preparing myself for the worst at the same time. When I pulled up to the high school, there was a big mob of girls sitting/standing around in a big huddle and when they saw me, they all got up and spread out a little and then I could see them helping Brad up and then helped him come over to the van. I could see how swollen his knee was from 50 feet away. It did not look good. It was painful to touch too. I started formulating a plan for what to do with the little people I had in tow- it was youth activity night so Nate and all my babysitters were unavailable. I was able to go to the church and get Nate. He agreed that it looked bad and needed to be seen, so we swapped vehicles/the kids and Brad and I headed to the Layton Hospital. There was an hour and 40 minute wait. We waited for a long time but I don't think it was that long. Not much came of that visit. Just an x-ray to rule out fracture and an ultrasound that showed lots of fluid around the joint. We had plans to see a sports medicine doctor in a couple weeks (once the swelling goes down). He was told he could use crutches and should be okay to walk on it. So the next day I bought him some crutches. Once we got into the sports medicine it was more nothing. He couldn't rule out a torn ligament and thought an MRI could do that, but didn't want to tell me how to spend my money. He suggested that we could wait six weeks and see how he felt then, possibly not needing the MRI, but he obviously doesn't know Brad and I. We wanted answers and we wanted them ASAP! So we scheduled the MRI. This was another adventure. Bradley was very anxious and I wasn't able to calm his nerves with my lack of knowledge of MRI's and the whole process. But it all went very smoothly. He did great and it was virtually painless. By now he was walking on his knee, not using the brace or the crutches and only really having pain in his calves, so I was really hopeful. The next day, I was able to get through to the doctor's office, they said they were waiting on the MRI place, so I called the MRI place and they said it had already been sent to the doctor, so I called the doctor again and this time they transferred me to the doctor! He was "just about to call me with results!" so that worked out. Major eye roll. I mean, weird. But he was really nice and informed us that the ligaments all looked really good except his PCL which was only effected a little (Brent had called it a grade 1 tear on the phone the night before), so we weren't concerned or needing to do anything about the ligaments, but then he said that they did find a fracture in his tibia! After all that- a fracture! He said he needed to be non weight bearing for the next three weeks. So he's back on the crutches! Kinda nuts. I was prepared for it to be way worse though, so this was actually somewhat good news. Not for Brad of course, but we both decided it was better than the 6-9 month recovery from surgery! It's hard to watch him suffer this way and not be able to run or do any of his normal activities. He's a go go go kind of kid. This is torture. I wish I knew what to do for him. I would kind of love an excuse to sit around and do nothing, so I can't really relate, but I have been super impressed with his ability to cope. He's getting tired and frustrated, but staying strong for the most part. I think he'll make it out of this one alive. Hopefully his armpits last three weeks. 4-7-21--4-22-21
CHARITY
Charity was home this weekend and worked on the railings some more. She's been trying to earn some extra money. It's been fun to have her around more often! We miss her! I've enjoyed the long drives to pick her up and take her back. We will probably get to see more of her this summer because she and Isaac bought Lagoon passes! 4-9-21
TRACK MEET
The Junior High track team was supposedly going to only take four kids per event which seemed ridiculous if you want my opinion, but then the morning of the first meet, we got an email telling the kids to go check a paper in the hallway because they had added a bunch of kids to each event!! We were shocked, but so happy to learn that Noah and Luke would both be going to the track meet!! So cool! We weren't completely aware of how things were going to run and wanted to be sure and be there for both of their events, Luke 110 Hurdles, Noah 1600M, so we loaded up the girls and hurried up to Syracuse High. Noah and Luke were so nervous! You could sense their nervousness from across the field! It was so fun though, watching them interact with their friends, watching them compete, and cheering them on. We had a great time for the most part. We could have done with it not being four hours long, and the last hour being in the rain, but it was a good time! They both did great! You could tell the nervousness played a part as well as the freezing-ness. But they both did really well! It's all downhill from here :) They can only get better! 4-15-21
MOLLY KINDERGARTEN ASSESSMENT
We passed another little milestone with Molly Friday. Her Kindergarten assessment! This was not a huge deal, but just brings us that much closer to her growing up. She got to go back with Mrs. Piper even though we really don't know which teacher she will have. She wrote her name perfectly. She knew almost all of her upper case letters, most of her lower case and even some of the sounds! This is huge compared to everyone else in this house :). She knew most of her shapes, all of her colors, and overall just wowed Mrs. Piper! She wants us to practice beginning word sounds with her between now and when school starts. She also gave her some games she can practice with. It's pretty exciting! 4-16-21
LACROSSE FANS
Kelly has had such a great season this year! It's been so much fun! I just wanted to document the fact that she really has had a lot of support from friends and family for her games. She's had Sierra at a lot of her away games which is pretty cool. And of course Matt! The whole Taylor family came all the way to Roy to watch her play in the cold. Eve has been to a few. Grandpa Hatch is a regular at the home games. Her young women leader Karen Richardson and her daughter Kelsey made it to a game. Brother and Sister Moore came to her game that was on Lake Fiesta across from the high school. That was fun. I'm certain there have been many other friends as well. Pretty fun for Kelly. I am really hopeful that she can finish out this season strong! 4-16-21
GODZILLA VS. KONG
Nate and I went and saw this movie a couple weeks ago and the entire time I kept thinking about Jack. He had mentioned a few things he'd heard from his friends about it so I watched with him in mind, making sure there wasn't anything he shouldn't see (I guess minus the killing/violence). I was so happy there wasn't anything. So Saturday I took him and Noah to see it! Jack was so giddy all day, asking how much longer til we go. Panting :). Then when the moment finally came, he was just in heaven :). It was so awesome! I love that I found something he loves as much as he did. He was so fun to watch. His nerves, the laughter, the questions, the wiggling in his seat. So fun!! Then the ride home-- not sure what to call his funny panting thing. He was so cute! Felt much like Christmas. Noah liked the movie too, just not near as much as Jack :). But it was a fun time with both of my cute boys. 4-17-21
THE TEMPLE!! ERIKA'S FIRST TIME
When we heard the temple would be opening for baptisms for appointments only, I hurried and put a shortcut on my phone to the website used for scheduling. I checked it every five minutes the day that it opened! I am pretty sure I got on there within five minutes of it opening and a LOT of the appointments were already taken! It was nuts! But I was able to find an appointment for Erika during the day on April 21st. The program doesn't let you schedule more than one appointment so for everyone else, I had Nate schedule one on his account. This was so exciting! It was a long week and a half of waiting for this day to come! It has been over a year since we went to the temple. Erika has had her temple recommend since January so a good four month wait for her. So pretty big and special!! Nate checked her out, we got to take her to the Bountiful temple! What a neat experience that was to be back in the temple after so long. And the sweet workers made it that much more exciting! We had to wait in the foyer for a little bit for them to clean from the last patrons, and we did have to wear masks which was a huge bummer, but worth it for something so special. How cool to be the only ones there together. It was so awesome! Erika was able to ask all the questions she had and she had everyone's undivided attention. So in the font Erika got to go first and I got to witness her 10 baptisms. We had brought some of Richelle Pearce's family names. THEN in her freezing, cold, dripping wet state, Erika stood there and witnessed my ten as well :). How cool is that! Nate, Erika and I together in the temple doing the Lord's work. So neat! The whole experience was just so sweet. Such a nice break from life. We were all looking forward to everyone being there together in a month. We loved it. It was a cold walk out to the car in the blustery wind and took a while to get warm, but Wendy's helped :). Good times! What a day! I was in heaven the rest of it. 4-21-21
BACK TO PRIMARY
Jack and Molly got to go to a weekday primary class this week! Wednesday night, just before mutual. They had a singing time and then broke out for classes! Sounded so fun! This was a highlight and I've loved hearing about Molly's lesson in obedience. It's had a profound influence on her this week. We can't wait to get back to second hour stuff in person! 4-21-21
NOAH AND LUKE TRACK MEET
We had their second meet this week and they seemed so much more relaxed! All the nervousness of how it was going to go was gone thankfully. They both did great! Way better than their first time! Luke's form was amazing! I was so impressed after just a week how much improvement. He was too when he watched the videos. We missed Noah's mile- my plan to get up to Weber High for Kelly's game and hurry back for the end of the track meet did not pan out. This meet was WAY quicker than the one at Syracuse. Such a bummer. But Luke and Brad were there cheering him on and getting videos of him running past them. And the kicker- he made a 6:20 mile! A new PR. 30 seconds better than his first meet! Pretty impressive! So proud of these boys and their hard work. 4-22-21
BLOOD DRIVE
After racing around to watch Lacrosse games and track meets, I went over to the Main street chapel and gave blood :). First time in quite a while. My how things have changed with the Red Cross Blood Services! It's hardly the same place! Even down to the fact that they don't check hematocrit anymore but hemoglobin instead. Who knew! It was quite the experience. I was grateful for Diane Hill to keep me company and distracted because I had worked up some pretty crazy nerves about it all for some reason. Maybe if I do it more often it won't be so traumatic. I didn't squeeze my hand so I took 11 minutes to bleed, but I kind of think that was a good thing. I haven't had too many weird after effects. Just a little nausea that evening. 4-22-21
ICE CREAM
We were taking Porter's bed to grandma's for him and I promised the kids some ice cream even though it was pretty late. Unfortunately the places that were open didn't have ice cream and the places with ice cream were no longer open! We need to make that up to them. 4-22-21
LUKE MADE MENS CHOIR
I'm so proud of Luke trying out for the A capella choir this week. He did such a great job. He will definitely make it next year for sure! 4-23-21
PARTIES
Jack and Molly both had birthday parties on Friday! (Life is really picking back up with things opening and people being more comfortable with things- it's a good thing!) Jack went to Get Air and Barnes Park for Will's party and Molly got to go to Hayden from Music Makers' dinosaur party! They both had so much fun! I was so proud of Molly for going all by herself and sticking it out so well! She's growing up! Jack was totally jealous when he heard all about Molly's dino party-- he's still very obsessed with dinosaurs right now! 4-23-21
DATE NIGHT
We went to Tucanos for dinner- so yummy!! I overdid it on the fried bananas though. And then saw the Courier after. Very interesting movie. I love movies that are true stories. This was kind of sad but also not. Very courageous people out there. 4-23-21
STRESS FRACTURES
We got some bad news today in Dr. May's office. Found out Kelly indeed has stress fractures in both shins and both feet. Such sad news. They started out as shin splints and just got worse and worse. I wish we could go back in time and just be more cautious with them. Unfortunately, she will need to stay off them as much as possible for three weeks. No lacrosse. So sad. We're hopeful that she will be able to heal in time for Senior Night maybe, but at least the playoffs. This is pretty devastating, but hopefully Kelly can pull through. We have two kids on crutches right now. 4-26-21
WHEELCHAIR
At Kelly's practice Monday, her coach told her she should get a wheelchair to keep her off her feet, so I made arrangements (through my post on Facebook) to borrow a wheelchair from Sharalyn Maughan. It was so nice of her to let us borrow it. Kelly hated using it, but she was in so much pain, she did it anyway. She had help from her friends to get it out of the car and get her into the school each morning on the days I couldn't. With Brad on crutches too, they were a funny sight walking in to the school. Such a strange time for us. 4-26-21
LUNCH WITH DAD
We met up with my dad at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch on Thursday. That was a lot of fun. We had the little girls with us. It was a good time with my dad and nice to talk for a bit. Pretty fun that he makes time for us. Nate loved how much my dad loved his latest smoking video :). Fun stuff. 4-29-21
