Week of 5-26-19

MEMORIAL DAY

We had a great Memorial Day this year!  Went to our ward breakfast, which was also rained out (are you sensing a theme this month?) at the church, and other than Jack tripping and getting a bloody nose, was pretty uneventful and enjoyable.  I liked it.  I only wish they could do those things a little later in the morning- 8:00 felt early.  We came home got our groceries then stopped and picked up a cute balance bike for Molly- 25 BUCKS from someone on KSL!  Pretty amazing right!  It is even pink and was right here in Farmington, totally on the way home from Walmart!  Talk about a blessing!  She loves her new bike.  We let the kids roam around for a while and then headed out to Nana's grave.  It was fun to meet up with my Dad there.  He was being cute about the flowers he brought and making them look nice on the graves and stuff.  We don't get to see him like that all that often.  I liked it.  We ate M&Ms, got stood up by Steve, and then had to take off to get up to Grandma Ruthie's for a BBQ.  Nate met us up there.  This was a lot of fun too.  The kids had a blast with their cousins.  I'm especially loving the teenagers these days- they have a lot of fun together.  Charity wasn't feeling well and kind of crashed on the swing outside and on the rocking chair in the living room.  Poor girl and her allergies.  5-27-19

NOAH'S ARROW OF LIGHT

He did it!  Not a moment too soon!  But we were able to see Noah get his Arrow of Light this week.  It was such a relief that we were able to have Brad and Luke there to help as well as Greg and Logan.  Pretty fun stuff.  Congrats Noah!  5-28-19

SHAMPOO

Much to Jack's dismay, I was making him take a shower in the kids' shower to save time since someone else was in my shower, and it was new to him so he was asking Erika for help.  I just really loved hearing Erika call out, over the sound of the water, "Shampoo is the one with the S-H- see?"  She totally knew how to help him, was willing, and was making my job easier.  Such a cool big sister.  I love it when my kids help each other out.  Not condescendingly, but really help.  Meant a lot and was super cute.  5-28-19

FINISHED THE BOOK OF MORMON

I had another awesome morning of reading the last chapter of the Book of Mormon.  It feels so good to finish it, and feel that accomplishment.  I have really grown to love the Book of Mormon through all my reading.  I think this was another time within six months, which makes me happy.  Even with all my Come Follow Me studying too!  Pretty proud of myself.  But I must say, it really is my favorite thing to study in the morning and probably the one I miss the most when it's been a while- even if I've been working on other things.  I have to read it every couple of days or else I notice a drastic difference in the way my day feels.  Kinda crazy.  But anyway.  I love that book!  I know it's true!  I feel it!  5-29-19

FIELD DAY!
I love field day!  Molly and I had a lot of fun this year, running the obstacle course with Emily and Jonah for the first half.  Molly took full advantage of being one of the sibs this year.  She butted in line every chance she got and went on the course- she actually got REALLY good at climbing up the "ladder" though!  I was impressed.  She really had a blast.  Then we went and got some Cafe Rio- tradition- although this year, it was just Nate, Molly and I, not the entire Field day staff :). Then went back to the school to chaperone Jack's class.  This was a lot of fun as well.  Although, the good weather didn't hold out for these guys.  We got rained on pretty hard by the time they called it and sent us inside.  Jack wasn't a big fan of the rain.  I think he had fun up until then though!  I loved his response when I told him he was the strongest in his class... "No! Pierce is!" BAH!  I love his humility :).  We checked everyone out and headed home!  It was a fun day though!  5-29-19

Nate and Brad wrestling on the couch.  Don't hurt the little guy.

Kelly's signs that she slaved over all day, the last day of school!  They looked amazing!

JACK'S LAST GAME
We had Jack's last baseball game this week.  Jackie got a hit but it went right to first base and he got  out. That was a bummer, but I have to say how much I loved watching him play this season!  He really got into it and loved it!  I was so proud of him!  I love picturing him in his ready for the ball stance out in short stop!  So cute!  I think this was a great sport for him.  He enjoys the skill required and that there's not stealing the ball from people or having to be super aggressive.  5-29-19

ERIKA'S LAST GAME
Erika completely outdid herself at this last game!  It was SO MUCH FUN to watch!!  Kelly, Nate, Molly and I were her crowd, and we spent most of the game cheering!  She did so awesome!  She was goalie for the first half and did amazing!  Blocking SEVERAL shots!  She just looked so good out there!  Then for the second half she was forward and she just totally dominated the field!  She was EVERYWHERE!  We keep reminiscing about her awesome kick-while-you're-falling-to-get-the-ball-in-the-one-foot-gap-between-the-pole-and-the-goalie shot!!!  It was AWESOME!!  Not to mention the stop she put to their attempt at a goal!  She came out of nowhere and just put her food right in front of the other team's kick!  Nobody could believe it!  The crowd sounded so funny!!  It was amazing!  She did really good.  We won 5-2!!!  I can't wait for next season!  6-1-19

KELLY'S FRIEND PARTY
Well, the big day came and went!  All of our planning and nit-picking paid off :).  Kelly's friend party happened!  They came, had pizza, went on the Farmington Canyon hike, came back and did nothing that we had planned!  HA!  Teenagers!  But they seemed to be having fun, so that's all that mattered!  Even if Nate did slave over a fire in the rain for nothing :).  HAHA!!  I'm kidding- it really was fun to spoil Kelly and see her being spoiled by some of her friends.  It was a neat surprise to have the Taylor's show up with Sierra and Evan!  So fun!  Happy Birthday Kelz!  6-1-19

Week of 5-19-19

MUSIC MAKERS LAST TIME

Music Makers has been so much fun with Molly.  I hope we can make it work again next year, with Molly's little sister coming as well.  We had a fun last time- I was doing singing time and let Molly pick most of the songs.  She picked Old MacDonald which she LOVES, so that was fun.  Such a bummer that it's over, but also wonderful that summer is coming!  5-20-19

PANTRY PACK
The PTA did something new this year as a service for the food bank.  They put together pantry packs and had the kids help.  I had signed up to help and took Molly with me thinking she might enjoy helping.  I didn't think it through too well though, because when we walked in the room and saw all the snacks there- she immediately got "hungry".  She started crying for food and did not stop the entire hour that we were there!  Well, that's not true- someone gave her a bag of fruit snacks and she stopped while she ate that and then noticed the drink boxes and chocolate milk and suddenly she was thirsty!  Not for the drinking fountain of course, but for one of those drinks.  It was awful!  I haven't had an experience like that for quite a while.  We were in the tiny portable and her crying just about pushed me over the edge.  When it was time to go we had a LOOOOONG talk.  I doubt it did much besides make me feel like I'd been able to get some feelings out, but SHEESH!  Crazy little girl.  This was a cool activity to have the kids participate in- I love what the PTA is doing lately.  Seems cool.  I wish I was the one doing it :).  5-20-19

MADS
We got to go see Charity sing her "inaugural" song kind of promoting her to Madrigals.  That was cool!  Erika and I just snuck in a few songs before Charity's and then left before the slide show.  They did have some really fun/cute songs before.  It's so neat that Charity is a Madrigal!  I'm so proud of her!  This will be so much fun for her next year, I'm really excited for her.  5-20-19

FIELD TRIP TO THE ZOO WITH JACK
Nate, Molly and I met up with Jack's class up at the zoo!  If only our passes hadn't expired last month... enough about that!  His zoo field trip ended up being the same day as Noah's Decathlon which was such a bummer, but we tried to make it work.  We got to see a lot of the animals and then sat down to watch the bird show which ended up being a major highlight for Jack (and Molly for that matter)- Jack was chosen to go up and "be a bird trainer" by holding out his hand with food and letting a dove (not a California Condor like the trainer had joked!) fly out and eat out of his hand!  He was so brave!  It was so cute to watch!  He told me after that he had been a little bit nervous, but mostly not :).  He sure didn't show it!  I had to leave shortly after that, but I was glad I got to see him do that!  So fun!  One of the blessings I have noticed in my life was that he got to have that experience while I was there.  Nate and Molly stayed til the field trip was over.  They got to put a dollar in the donation box and get a picture with a bald eagle!  And they saw the rest of the zoo in POURING RAIN!!  I couldn't believe how much it was coming down on my way back to Kaysville!  I couldn't get the wipers to wipe fast enough!  So I wasn't sad I missed that :).  It was a fun field trip!  I think Jackie enjoyed it too.  5-21-19

DECATHLON
Noah made his way to the decathlon this year!  We were so proud of him!  He holds the score for the fastest cup stacking in the school right now which is totally cool.  I picked him and Erika up (Erika wanted to come see what the hype was all about :) ), after leaving the zoo, and since I had left later than planned and gotten stuck in crummy weather, we RUSHED home, quickly threw together some lunches, and then RUSHED off to Farmington High.  It was a mad dash, but we totally made it in time and were able to just sit there for a half hour before it officially started.  Noah was pretty nervous, but was totally pumped!  He did a great job, but feels like he could have done better.  We were all a little bummed when his team didn't place, but seriously- talk about pressure!  It was fun watching him go from event to event, and seeing his determination.  He really did great and we were so proud of him for even competing!  5-21-19

JACK'S NEW SHOES
I grabbed some new shoes for Jack while we were out getting clothes for Charity and Brad and you would think I had just given him a million dollars!  The kid was BEAMING!!  BEAMING I tell you!!  I loved it:).  He's so stinkin' cute!  5-21-19

MINISTERING INTERVIEW
So, I feel a little better after this interview.  I feel like I am doing okay with Ministering.  I still wish I was doing better, but the things Shelly said really put it into perspective.  I feel motivated to do better though, in a good way.  5-21-19

ERIKA'S PENCIL PETS

We had so much fun making these together!  Got everyone involved.  She sold out too!!

LUKE'S PHONE STAND

Made this at school and we were so proud of it, we had to send a pic to Uncle Steve.  Pretty sweet!

THEATER FIELD TRIP WITH ERIKA
I got to go with Erika and her class to walk to the Kaysville Theater to watch How to Train Your Dragon 3.  While these field trips seem less than educational and kind of redundant over the years, it was SO MUCH FUN being with Erika!  She held my hand the entire time and we just walked and talked together!  With hardly a break in conversation!  I loved it!  She is such a sweet friend to me.  I'm so lucky to have her.  We both had not seen the movie because when the family saw it, she, Kelly and I were in Nevada, so it was fun to see it- we loved it!  Especially the baby toothlesses :).  I am happy to report also that I survived the SECOND ROW seats we were in!  Luckily it had been cloudy so I had a jacket with me and was able to wad that up and lay it behind my head!  Not the most comfortable hour and a half of my life, but I SURVIVED!  When we got back to the school, we saw one of the Resource teachers being rolled out on a stretcher into an ambulance!  Pretty crazy and brought a lot of questions from the kids... very thrilling really... but glad everyone was okay.  Good times.  5-23-19

KELLY VS. BOYS
I didn't get to watch any of it, but Kelly's team got together to have a playful scrimmage with the Boys Lacrosse Team.  Pretty fun I guess.  They did better when they had switched sticks- for obvious reasons :).  I sure hope everything is okay with Kelly's team.  I hate thinking about all the drama and division right now.  5-23-19

PICNIC ON THE PLAYGROUND... OR NOT
Picnic on the playground was different this year.  We got rained out and after talking it over with the kids we decided if it was rainy we would just go somewhere to get food and not mess around with eating IN the school.  And it was PACKED!!!  People and smells every inch of the humid/stuffy school!  I may have died if I'd had to be there any longer than it took to check everyone out.  Unfortunately, Jack did not get the message that we were going to do that and was slightly bummed when I told him we were leaving.  I wish I'd been more aware of his feelings beforehand.  But we did let Jack choose where we went for lunch!  He chose Wendy's because he thought they had a play place, and then when we got there, he realized they didn't so we headed on down to Centerville for some Carls Jr. instead.  This was a fun little lunch with everyone.  We would have loved having lunch outside at the school, but this was a close second for me.  5-24-19

80'S NIGHT- BRAD AND LUKE CHOIR CONCERT
Well, this concert was one of a kind!  I don't think I've ever seen anything like it!  They had an 80's theme so everyone was dressed in 80's.  Then all the songs they sang were from the 80's, lots of really fun ones!  And they had neon colored scarves to swing around and their flash lights... it was amazing!  It felt more like a dance party!  They all just got into the music and were all over the place!  I loved it!  Such a nice change of pace!  Brad and Luke seemed to have fun too!  This was much better to keep the littles entertained!  5-24-19

We found this nest in the yard, so cool!!

I started on our bike garage this week, needs a little more support and covering, but getting there!

For Josh's birthday Noah got to go to Escape Room!  Pretty fun stuff!

Week of 5-12-19

MOTHER'S DAY
My favorite day came and went!  I loved it!  I was spoiled rotten and then it was over :).  Some of the highlights:
Waking up, showering, then climbing back into bed to read my scriptures :), not having to think about making dinner.
Yummy Cold Stone cereal and breakfast burritos for breakfast!
Seeing my cute littles come walking into my room, singing their usual, "Happy Mother's Day to you!"
The adorable pictures on the cards Kelly made for everyone to use.  So fun!  I think I got a picture.
My cool paddle board!  I can't wait to use it!
Getting ready for church on time!  Even a few minutes earlier than usual and getting our usual bench in the chapel.
Not having to wrestle Molly too much during Sacrament meeting.
Getting loves/hugs from Molly and Jack all through Junior Primary.
Watching the kids choose which their mom would rather during the fun singing time game.  I love that Jack picked the princess gown for me rather than yoga pants- maybe he doesn't think I'm a big lazy blob yet :).
Hours and hours of Bananagrams :).  My kids love me!
Brad's "Is P-O-B-A a word? Pohba?" Pfft!  He's hilarious to play that game with.
Kelly making dinner for us.
My funny conversation with Jack.  Me: Jack, does it feel like Sunday when you're out riding your bike? (I was trying to help him come to the conclusion that maybe bike riding isn't a Sunday activity) Jack: No! [big smile] Not at all! [very pleased with himself].  Me: Then maybe it's not something you should be doing?  Jack: [slightly disappointed] oh.  Okay.  Then a few minutes later, the look on his face as he slowly opened the door and guiltily walked out to go ride some more.  Funny boy.  He'll get there, I'm sure :).
Being able to relax most of the evening even taking a little nap on the couch.
Pictures and notes constantly throughout the evening from all my littles.

5-12-19

Jack totally conked out in this box during the afternoon!  Made me laugh.  Unfortunately we woke him up with my taking a picture.

My cute cards from the kids- Kelly made them all!

ABOUND WITH BLESSINGS
I listened to this talk by Elder Renlund today while doing the laundry and loved it so much, I had to listen to it a second time.  It was amazing!  It answered so many of my questions I've had in my head for the past year-ish.  It was so strange considering this is probably the fourth or fifth exposure I've had to this talk, watching it, reading it and listening.  And yet it was the first time these answers stood out!  I have been struggling with prayer and why and how to do it.  I was feeling weird praying for things that I wanted "Thy will to be done", so why pray for it if we just want what He wants to have happen?  But this talk really cleared it up for me.  It is the action of praying for it that equates to our effort!  Our part!  It is turning our head and looking at the brass serpent.  It is the work for our faith.  And I learned that some blessings are really predicated on our asking!  If we don't ask we won't get those blessings.  Not in a sense that we "earn" blessings, but that we are striking the match and making the move to light the blessings and trigger that reaction!  So cool!!  I loved it.  And I loved feeling my Heavenly Father's love when this all clicked.  He wanted me to hear it and learn this that day.  Made me happy.  5-13-19

FHE
Jack taught us about the Atonement with a video and his testimony.  I love that he said that thinking about these things makes it so he can feel like Jesus is here with him.  What a sweetheart.  We had to break up FHE with dinner and Jack's game, but when we got home we played hide and seek for Molly's activity and then grabbed some donuts at Bowman's for Nate's treat that he let Jack pick in order to celebrate his awesome hit!  5-13-19

GUILT FREE FAMILY HISTORY NIGHT
The Relief Society put on a Family History night where they showed us some of the cool features on the Family Search app.  It was really cool!  I am really excited to show some of the fun things to my kids.  There's a facial recognition thing, there's a way to record stories and memories... it's really cool!  It will be a fun activity for Sundays I think!  5-14-19

In between things at the church, we went over to McColley's to see Aubrey get her mission call!  Canada Winnepeg mission!  Go Aubrey!! 5-14-19

LACROSSE BOARD MEMBERS ONLY MEETING
Boy was this a meeting I should not have missed!  All heck broke loose after this meeting.  I'm still waiting to see the flames die down a little.  Makes me sick really.  They voted to remove our coaches.  I am not sure what they were thinking!  I am hoping we can put a stop to it though!  We'll see.  5-14-19

HAPPY 18TH ANNIVERSARY!
Our anniversary came and went.  With almost no celebration.  We were both a little bummed about that, but hey, it's just another day right?  Molly and I picked up two Japanese Maples to give him as a gift, while he was sleeping.  It was fun to surprise him with those.  Then we did end up going out to Red Lobster for lunch as well.  It was a pretty packed evening so there wasn't much chance of celebrating then.  It was fun to think about us and our day though!  Here's to another 18!  5-15-19

CHARITY'S SPRING CHOIR CONCERT
We all (well, not Brad because he was rehearsing for his play) went to Charity's choir concert on Wednesday night.  Charity looked so cute up there, front and center and they sounded so amazing!  It is so neat that she has magnified that talent of hers and shares it so willingly.  Can't wait to have a Madrigal next year!  5-15-19

BRAD IN ADDAM'S FAMILY THE MUSICAL
We finally got to see Brad's Musical!  It was so much fun!  He did such a great job!  They all did!  The kids absolutely loved it- even chose to see it twice, some of them.  It seemed like such a fun one to do.  I'm so glad Brad branches out of his comfort zone and does these.  He really loves the social aspect of it and would love to have a bigger part, but I know it's not his comfort zone for the most part so I'm really proud of him!  5-17-19

DEACON OVERNIGHTER
With all the rain in the forecast, it seemed like a good idea to find a new location for the overnighter, so the Deacons ended up going to the Clemens's house up in Randolph.  Not exactly what Luke and Noah and Nate had had in mind, but they had a great time!  The rest of us went to Panda Express the night before and saw Brad's play.  So everyone partied :).  The boys got to do some shooting and some fishing!  Even with the rain.  I was glad to hear it wasn't a complete wash.  5-17-19--5-18-19