Luke's Reflections Photo

This is the photo Luke chose to turn in to represent "My Story".  He talked about how sunsets remind him of camping and he loves to go camping :).  Very cool.

I thought he did such a great job on all of the other pictures he took, I wanted to share them and put them in the book.  We were up at Heidi and John's and he took one look at the view and wanted to take some pictures of it.  He just kept taking them all evening :).  It was really cool to see him get into it.

Gailey Park

I kind of forgot about these pictures until I was uploading them, but they are so fun!  I think this was the last day of Fall Break and Bradley had loved Gailey park so much the day before on our bike ride, he insisted that we go again.  I left the kids all there, all by themselves while I went home to get my camera because it was going so well :).   It was a lot of fun!

These two are such buds!  It's so much fun to see how much Molly loves Charity.  They've really created a strong bond.  Charity is so much help with her.  Always swooping in to bounce her when Mom has met her match.  Molly snuggles right up to her and just loves when she walks her around and looks at things.  They cuddle, she falls asleep with her... it's just so sweet!  I hope it lasts!!

Jack Jack had a lot of fun on this bar!  You should have seen the look of accomplishment in his face when he was able to flip around this bar and land on his feet!  He was so proud of himself!  So cute!!  

Things to Remember 10-23-16

I've gotten behind!  It's time to catch up- hoping I don't leave anything out!

REFLECTIONS

Every year I have this wrestle with myself about reflections.  Should we or shouldn't we.  I absolutely LOVE that my kids are ambitious enough to do extra-curricular things and that they enjoy them.  I love what that can do for them, and I love them having experiences to succeed at.  On the other hand- I hate things that are more work for me.  So for the last couple of years, I've done very little as far as reflections goes.  I tell the kids about it, talk about what they could do, tell them when it's due, etc.  Then I sit back and let them decide if it's for them and let them motivate themselves.  For the past two years nobody has done anything and that was fine.  Kind of bummed me out (do you see the struggle here), but I've also been glad there was less work for me.  Well, this year a couple of them wanted to do it- they motivated themselves, but also waited til the last minute to finish things up!  It was a tad bit annoying.  It was a frantic mess trying to get them all finalized and forms filled out- seriuosly, someone needs to simplify the whole process if you ask me- but Erika's drawing and Luke's photo are off and on their way to be judged!  Bring on the participation ribbons! (or trophies if that's what they do this year :).  No idea.) 10-24-16

VISITING TEACHING

I got my new visiting teaching route this month- Alana, Kathie, and Mary- I was pretty excited about the first two.  I don't really know Mary, I'm sure I will soon, but it was fun to get a couple I know.  So far Shelly is a great partner- we went on two visits this week and it was great.  I was really happy to bring back a prayer to our visit, that's been missing.  But anyway- good times.  10-25-16

OPEN HEART SURGERY

I don't know if I've even posted about Grandpa Russ's crazy month yet! Back on like the 11th or 12th of October Grandpa Russ went to the ER because he'd been vomiting for 2 days.  It turned out to be an infection in his blood which has just spiraled into a three week stay at IMC.  On the 21st that he was going to need surgery on his heart to either clean infection from the valve in his left ventricle or replace it.  When they got in there on the 26th (how crazy that it was on the 2 year anniversary of Jared's liver transplant surgery!!!) they discovered that his aorta was severely enlarged!  To the point that it could have hemorrhaged and bled out within a very short period of time, without any warning.  What a blessing that was to find that!  We were all changing our prayers and thanking Heavenly Father for letting him have the infection that took him there.  His aorta was seriously huge- according to the surgeon- we saw a model of how large it was and how it was supposed to be- kinda crazy!  So for the last week he has been in the ICU recovering from yet another surgery.  It's been a VERY bumpy road.  It's been really hard to be patient and not worry about him.  I've worried a lot about Nate too.  The few times I've let myself think about how it would be if this was his time to go were not bearable.  The blessing Nate received from Rob on Saturday was very comforting though.  For me even.  I'm so grateful for the Priesthood and the things we are able to know because of it.  It's been hard to watch Nate's mom through all of this too.  She's been so incredible!  The doctors have said that he will get worse before he gets better, so we are all anxiously awaiting the better.  10-27-16

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

I feel a little more qualified to be in the Primary Presidency after our training.  Especially the part about scouts.  That night I came home and cried for a half hour because of how overwhelming it felt, and the fact that I "hate scouts" (or have, that's going to change) and feel like The Church should abandon the program, but I'm feeling a lot more informed.  I think I can do it!  I think it's going to be okay!  I did a lot of work on it and reading up after the training and I am starting to feel like it's doable.  10-28-16

ERIKA'S HALLOWEEN PARTY

I got to go do the treat for Erika's Halloween Party.  It was so much fun!  We did Ding Dong Spiders- not my (or Erika's) first choice, but they were fun and the kids liked them.  And it actually went really well.  I was grateful my mom was available to tend Jack and Molly- they were both konked out when it was time to go.  So I got to go by myself.  Erika was so sweet to me and seemed to enjoy having me there :).  I love class parties :).  10-28-16

HAUNTING OF THE CASTLE

Kelly got to work on a big section of the school Haunted house.  She was really excited about it beforehand and seemed to have a good time there!  Nate, Bradley and Noah got to go see the Haunted house, but it wasn't during Kelly's shift.  They loved it though.  We think the school should invite the community.  10-28-16

PIANO LESSONS

Erika and Noah have really been getting into the piano lately with their new lessons from Grandma.  I am glad that they are self motivated and that it isn't something I'm having to fight them on.  I never want it to be like that with piano.  They are loving the prizes Grandma lets them earn and are really enjoying it.  I'm happy about that!  10-28-16

LETTERS

Jack's big thing lately has been "writing letters" for people.  He gets a piece of paper (his favorite has been this little steno notepad with lines), scribbles some wavy lines all down the front of it, and then gives it away!  It's really adorable to me.  He's not into drawing pictures.  When I ask him what something says he reads it to me :).  I love that part.  It's been really cute.  10-29-16

TEASE

Molly has been THE BIGGEST TEASE lately!  She is so much fun!  All you have to do is make a joking/teasing face at her and she just goes nuts :).  So cute!  She especially loves to tease and play with Nate!  They are total buds!  I love watching her light up when he comes in the room.  She really can't get enough of him.  They have a lot of fun together!  10-29-16

FLAG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Bradley was REALLY anxious for his flag football tournament this Saturday.  He couldn't talk about anything else for days!  We dropped him off on our way up to Ivy's baptism and got to hear all about it on the way to Kelly's Lacrosse.  The first game they had to forfeit so that was "boring" and then they lost the second game by 2 points.  So big bummer there too.  And I'm pretty sure the biggest let down for Bradley was that Bro. Noriega wasn't there... he really loves having him coach!  But I think he still had a good time.  I was happy for him :).  10-29-16

STICK OR TREAT TOURNAMENT

Kelly signed up and paid for her first optional tournament.  They had practices all week and then Saturday was the big day.  Two games only an hour apart and Kelly rocked it!  She really played well!  I was so proud of her!  So many ground balls and steals!  Even took it down the field a couple of times herself!!  They didn't score too well, and lost both games- the first one by a lot, second one only a little, but seriously, Kelly was a winner!  I really enjoyed watching her play!!  She did great! We had had to divide and conquer that day, leaving Nate, Charity, Luke, Noah, Jack at Ivy's baptism and then just Kelly, Erika, Molly, Brad and I going down to the tournament, so it was fun when Dad and everyone showed up.  Grandma Hatch even came to the second game as well!  Fun stuff.  I think we will have more of these in the future. 10-29-16

NATE HOME ON SATURDAY EVENING

Because of Grandpa Russ's condition during the baptism, the Idaho Mayneses cancelled their photo shoot so we were all able to go up to the hospital and spend some time with Grandma.  I think she has been really needing that time.  It was fun to be with the Idaho Mayneses too.  We hurried home for dinner and the Haunted Forest at the Maughans!!  This is a highlight of our Halloween season.  The kids LOVE it!  I love being able to see and visit with so many people in such a comfortable atmosphere.  Especially this time with the old Shadowbrook ward!  I'm so glad they open up their backyard to everyone!  Good times.  10-29-16

Clark Family Photos

My neighbor Lisa who is also a self-proclaimed photographer asked me to take her family picture.  We met up over at the ponds and found THE perfect spot!  I really wish I'd gotten over there with our family and used the same spot.  It was perfect.  

We struggled a lot (understatement) to keep her kids focused, but I think we came away with a few good ones.  I wish she'd been happier with them, but I think we're all a little more critical of ourselves than someone else would be.  For how difficult it was- these were great :). 

She wanted to do the editing herself, so I didn't do much with them, but Kelly sat down by me while I was looking at them and wanting to try a few looks out- she's definitely got an eye herself!  I can't wait to teach her how to do Lightroom!

Things to Remember Week of 10-16-16

PASSING THE SACRAMENT
Today was Bradley's first time passing the sacrament!  What a cool experience that was!  I watched him walk the route he had played out in his mind (number 1) so many times the night before, and I tried so hard to hold back my tears.  I have this vivid memory from about 8 or 9 years ago, of Brad and I sitting together during Sacrament meeting and in an attempt to help him be quiet or distract him from something, I pointed out the Deacons passing the Sacrament.  I remember telling him that someday when he turned 12 he would get to pass the Sacrament just like those boys.  Who knew that day could come so fast!  Feels like yesterday.  But what a special day it was!  I'm so proud of him!  He did so good too!  He had been hoping to get route 1, and got to pass to the Bishopric and the stand and then following the Sacrament got to sit up there, right next to the Bishopric as their little helper :).  He looked so comfortable up there.  Not like a new Deacon on his first day at all.  So cool.  I really am just so proud to be his Mom.  Special stuff.  10-16-16

CONTENTION
As I'm typing this, following my last entry about Bradley passing the Sacrament, it occurs to me that Satan is working extra hard on our family because of the things we are experiencing lately with Bradley getting the Priesthood.  He's working extra hard on him and therefore extra hard on our family.  It's crappy.  Today was the worst in a while with all the fighting and bad feelings.  I hate it when my kids don't want to spend time with each other, but it's even worse when all they can do is fight when they are.  Sundays are tricky.  It's like forced time together so somehow it becomes less meaningful for some reason.  I wish it didn't, but in our house, I think it does.  Maybe we could work on that.  Today was no exception.  It was horrible!  I finally lost it on everyone as we were getting ready for scriptures.  (timing)  I sat and singled each kid out telling them all the horrible things they had done this afternoon and that they needed to be accountable for their actions.  I made them feel like garbage.  After tearing them all down we read our chapter in the Book of Mormon and talked about it and actually learned some really neat things.  And then it hit me what I had done.  I felt awful!  As soon as we were done reading I told the kids I had been humbled and apologized to each one of them, naming all the things they had done right today and all the things they had done to make my day better and things I love about them.  I told each one of them how much I love them and that I was sorry I had been so rude.  It was wrong for me to let their bad behavior effect my mood.  I need to work on this.  I have to maintain the good feeling if I want them to be able to grasp onto it.  I let them all down.  I repented and explained that that was not okay.  Then we had our nighttime prayer and all seemed to be well.  I hate it when I screw up.  I hate feeling like a failure of a mom.  I am glad I made it right right away, but I wish I hadn't made it wrong to begin with!  I'm so grateful for the forgiveness they continue to offer me.  10-16-16

MORE WALKING
Molly keeps trying out her walking feet.  Anytime a few of us are sitting around bored, this is what we usually do to entertain ourselves.  Have Molly walk between us :).  She seems to love the attention and cheers it gets her, but she still doesn't seem like she really grasps what it is, or has the control to keep herself up and going.  It's a lot of fun though, to watch her get excited and tense up so that she kind of launches into our arms :).  She's such a wiggle worm, it's really surprising she hasn't wanted to be more mobile.  I'm not complaining though :).  I love my cuddly little baby.  10-16-16

AAAAHHHH
I got my cleaning day this week!!!!!  It's been too long since I had a full Monday at home to do all my catching up on laundry, dishes, and bathrooms!  Today I got it!  It felt so good to get everything done.  Minus picking up groceries of course, I got to be home all day!  Unfortunately, so was Erika (only unfortunate for her- she had a sore throat- I took full advantage of all the cuddles and time with her :)).  She and Jack totally bonded today- felt like last year when they were buds.  It's nice that they get sick once in a while to be able to enjoy their cute company all day again :).  I think she is already feeling better and is pumped for school tomorrow!  Even more pumped for her Field Trip Wednesday though.  I don't know if I've ever seen a kid THIS excited for a field trip!  It's adorable!  Nice day.  10-17-16

FHE

For FHE Bradley taught about good sportsmanship and the we went out and played four square in the driveway ツ. We made fh'zookies in my new mini skillets for the treat- they were amazing!!

WHAT A DAY!!!
I feel the need to list everything I did today!!  But I won't.  It was just go go go!!!  There was no let up!!  The hardest part was ALL. OF. MY. SCREW-UPS!!!!!  I seriously messed up SO many things!  It was of course produce.  That was probably assumed.  I screwed up BIG TIME!!!  As usual.  It was SO very frustrating!!  Part of it was more frustrating because it wasn't ENTIRELY my fault, but of course since it was my week- it was.  But whatever!  Luckily I did do a few things right and I was able to have a lot of fun today.  I LOVED picking up Nate's mom from the hospital to take her home to freshen up a little.  She's so amazing- she's been at the hospital with Russ for a week and only gone home once to shower!!  I got to talk to her on the way there and back and that is always a privilege!  I just love Ruth.  She is so awesome.  I loved listening to her and Jack playing I Spy and "The Flag Game".  He really warmed up to her quickly and had a LOT of fun!  "GRANDMA!!!  GRANDMA!!!  YOUR TURN!!!"  hahaha.  He loved her attention.  Ate it up.  Then while Ruth showered and stuff, the kids and I met up with Annie and her kids for a fun little hour and a half at the park!!  SO awesome!  I just love that girl.  She amazes me.  I'm SO impressed with her and the life she is living.  She has so many great ideas and such an awesome perspective on life.  I feel like we see eye to eye on a LOT of things.  It's fun that way :).  Her kids are adorable.  I can't believe how much they're growing.  It's so fun to have her in my life.  The rest of the evening was a bust.  I really don't know how I survived most of this day.  It felt like it was trying to crush me.  Yes, the day was trying to crush me.  I'm glad I didn't crumble, but MAN!  I need a rest!  We'll see how tomorrow goes!  10-18-16

BEAUTIFUL
This was the cutest thing I've heard in a very long time-  WHile Jack and I were driving through Day Break trying to find the park, we drove past the temple.
Jack: Mom!  I just sawed a really pretty church!
Me: Was it maybe the Temple?
Jack: YEAH!  A really pretty temple!  SO BEAUTIFUL!
(does that not melt your heart!)  10-18-16

FLAG FOOTBALL
I loved hearing about Bradley's first time playing flag football with the Young Men last week.  This week they decided to actually practice a little too, so that was a lot of fun as well.  I love how he tells me play by play of each moment of the game.  Sounds like it was a lot of fun.  Also sounds like they need to give Bradley the ball more often because he's sure to score lots of points for the team.  If only they gave him the chance!  10-18-16

FIRE STATION FOR ERIKA AND NATE
Erika has been VERY excited for this field trip!  I think she may have even made herself a little sick waiting for it.  She had a pretty crappy little cold for a couple days before.  Luckily that didn't get in the way of the coolest day ever!  Nate won the chance to go with her :).  They walked up to the Fire Station, got to hear about all the cool stuff there, and then walked home :).  I'll have to have them write about it I think.  She seemed very pleased with how it went.  I was so happy for her :).  10-19-16

KUNG FU PANDA II
We watched Kung Fu Panda II during Fall Break and the cutest thing EVER happened.  The part where they show the back story of how Po lost his parents came on.  Cute little Jack had this disturbed look on his face and then out of nowhere (and I had been indexing, so not completely focused on the movie), he calls over to me, "Mom!  I have something sad to say."  And he's is totally choked up!  Holding back the tears and crying!  I was a little shocked, but said, "What's up, buddy?" and he said, "I sad because the panda don't have a Mommy!" and sort of lost it!  Oh my heck it still melts my heart, just typing about it!  He feels very strongly about moms :).  And how babies and kids need moms.  Does this make me feel like a million dollars?.... TIME TEN!!
Then again, the next day when we were deciding which movie to go see and I was showing him the trailers for Storks, his big question afterwards was, "Where's dem moms?"  10-19-16

GRANDPA RUSS
After going to the movie Storks as part of our Fall Break fun, we decided to go crash Grandpa Russ's hospital party!  We stopped by and visited for at least an hour.  It was fun to see them.  The kids were really good, stayed quiet and not too restless.  It was good to see that he was coherent and even cracking some jokes.  It was the day that they found out he will need surgery afterall, so things felt a little tense.  I don't think Ruth was really prepared to have to stay so much longer.  They were able to schedule him for the 26th, but that is almost a week away.  So big bummer for her.  I think she is getting worn out.  We had wanted to help her out, let her go home and shower again, but she wasn't up for it.  I was glad to hear that she went home and slept in her own bed for Friday night.  I hope she can carry this burden.  I hope we can do something to lighten it as well.  And we're all going to fast for Grandpa this Sunday so that things can go well during the surgery.  Nate and his brothers are going to stop by Sunday and give him a blessing.  I hope that goes well too.  10-20-16

FALL BREAK
So our Fall Break was pretty relaxed.  I kept feeling guilty we didn't plan anything big, but at the same time, I was SO glad we didn't plan anything big!  It wasn't a good time for us to go do anything huge.  We did end up having some fun though.  The kids seemed happy and that's all that matters.  Wednesday night we watched a movie- that's always a special privilege for some reason, no matter how often it happens :).  Then Thursday we went to Storks and visited Grandpa.  Friday we bummed around a lot.  Wishing we'd had something big and important to do.  Then Nate took Bradley and Noah fishing and the rest of us played games at home.  Once Nate went to work, we went on a little bike ride to get Slurpees and Gailey Park.  Then came home, had dinner, and then went and got some Pretzel Bites at Pretzel Maker :).  That was a highlight :).  After that we came home and since we hadn't earned our "movie night" I let the kids watch a movie of my choosing (which is basically a movie night- just minus the treats and popcorn).  I have been dying to show them Chipmunks Adventure Around the World for YEARS!  I finally got it on Google Play!  I was so excited!  Even the whole time we watched it, I think I was smiling and glued to the TV, which rarely happens anymore.  I don't know that the kids liked it all that much- they were of course nice and said they did, but there wasn't a whole lot of enthusiasm involved.  One of my most favorite movies of all time :).  Saturday we spent the morning cleaning out the garage- which only took us an hour- possibly a record for us- (had no idea how fun this was until Bradley thanked me later in the day for "all the fun: cleaning the garage and Pizza Pie Cafe and picking out pumpkins").  We ran to the DI to drop off some stuff we'd had in the car then the garage then the car then the garage (probably a few times more).  We decided that would be the perfect time to look for some of the things we need for Halloween costumes as well!  Which it was- we scored on lots of things!  Pretty happy about that.  Then Nate spoiled us with some Pizza Pie Cafe for lunch.  That was a lot of fun.  Everyone was happy :).  And of course- the thing we really went out for- we went to Smith's and picked out our pumpkins!!  This is probably our strongest, most loved tradition of the year- the kids will never let us NOT carve pumpkins.  I'm glad.  I love it too :).  I love that this year we decided to buy the pumpkins on Saturday so that Monday night carving them doesn't take us well into the night!  This should make it more enjoyable for Nate :).  So after that, Nate had to go to work.  The kids and I finished up the weekend with another trip to Gailey Park (Bradley was really wanting to relive some of the fun from the day before) and then a trip to the store for a bunch of stuff that we didn't end up getting and buying stuff that wasn't on the list... perfect.  I'd say Fall Break was a success.  I hope the kids enjoyed the break, and the rest.  It was a nice time for all of us to recoup.  I think we're all starting to feel better from this cold that we've all been feeling.  So that was nice.  10-22-16

WAVING
Cute Molly caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror at Walmart while Charity was trying on Sunday shoes.  She was so happy to see herself, she leaned in, sat up with a big smile and then gave a slight, casual, little wave :).  I LOVED it :).  Pretty much made my night.  10-22-16

"RUNNING"
I'm proud to say, I am STILL "running" in the mornings!!  We're doing really well still!  Nate is my hero sticking with it, with me.  Everyone else has given up.  I think I'm just too slow for them ;).  It's been SO AWESOME THOUGH!!  I can't express what a miracle this whole thing is.  Every time I get out of bed, every time I run, and then everyday that I am able to carry on, as normal, is just a MIRACLE!!  It is testament to me how important this is for me right now.  We are not able to go on Tuesdays and Wednesdays most weeks, so we've even been doing some Saturdays.  And of course, we've missed other days here and there, but for the most part- we're doing great!  I was even sick for this past week, not too bad, just chills and aches and stuff, but it wasn't until I was feeling better that I realized how sick I had been!  And I was even running while I was sick and still able to do it!!  That's another miracle!  I will admit that there have been two sets that took me two tries because I had to stop in the middle on the 12-1-15, during the 15 part and then again with the 15-1-15, I gave up after 10 on the second one.  But like I said, I was sick!!  So it's awesome that I went at all!  And I did get them both right the second time!  I am a little nervous right now for the 15-1-18 for Monday!  I have never run 15 minutes straight in my whole life!  EVER!!  So this is just too cool to not be worth the attempt though.  I'm anxious to show myself what I can do.  I really am just so proud of myself!