Valentine's Day, Micah's Birthday and life...

Last week we celebrated Micah's birthday with my side of the family. Hence I did not get the weekly update done. So this will probably be long—or if I can not remember much it may be short.

Monday I mostly remember Gwen had dance, and I had the kids do their Valentines for school. I also got stuff for Izak's class party I was in charge of the next day. For FHE we made Valentines for Taran and a lady in our ward. We anonymously put them on her door that night. The kids seemed to enjoy it. Tim put the Valentines on Taran's door the next day—he loved it.

Tuesday was Valentines Day and I still went to the temple. It wasn't very busy. We had the Valentines party right after lunch. At noon. They did an exchange then a mom did Minute To Win It. She did a great job and I did the prizes. Another mom brought cookies for them to decorate. Easy yet fun. I had a little less than an hour when I got home before I picked up Gwen from Luke's. Once I picked her up the day just got busier! Luckily we canceled piano for the day. Emily had planned a Space Mission with her friends. I had to get her and a couple of friends there but I was watching my niece and nephews so my brother and his wife could go to dinner with my parents. I was totally happy to help but had forgotten about Emily's thing so I had to take them with! They were great and it wasn't too far away. My mom appreciated the dinner and that my dad made the effort to go since he usually doesn't go anywhere very often. We had a pizza dinner, pink lemonade, Costco Red Velvet cake, bar sugar cookies (a fluke I hadn't meant to make) and ice cream. The kids had a lot of fun with their cousins. It was a fun night then Tim went and got Emily and her friends and I took Zane to his Jr Jazz game while Timo babysat. Emily's friends hung out and ate the rest of our pizza. That was fine, I kind of thought that might happen. Tim and I tried to watch a movie I gave him for Valentines Day but we kept getting interrupted! Owell.

Wednesday I watched June and then took Timo to his check up on his ankle. They gave him a fancy brace for his ankle. He has started to use it more and the boot less. That night we had New Beginnings Prep, the girls practiced skits and helped make decorations. We had them sign a large banner that said.” NOW is our time to SHINE” which goes with the theme Arise and Shine Forth. We also practiced launching the paper lanterns—we did 2 so the girls would know how it would work. They worked really well and everyone was excited to do it the next week! After YW a bunch of us went over to our friend's to wish her well before her mastectomy the next day. We all cried and hugged.

Thursday I had Luke here and he and Gwen played a bit outside since the weather was sunny. We have had a lot of unusual warm and sunny days. It has been a very pleasant February! Micah had Jr Jazz practice that night so it was a mild afternoon for me!

Friday I went Visiting Teaching that morning. I picked Emily up from school just before. She went to take a quiz (which the teacher decided not to do!) and then came home to get ready to go to Idaho. Tim's brother Erick and his wife Liz were in the musical Fiddler on the Roof. They had the parts Tevye and Golda. Tim's parents, his sister Amy and her daughter Maddie were going so they invited Emily to go with. My mom had called the night before and they are doing construction on her street and so they weren't going to be having any power Friday morning. She wondered if they could hang out until it was back on. This was a blessing to me because she said she could get Emily over to Amy's so I could visit teach. She also watched Gwen so I didn't need to take her with or find someone to take her. My mom ate lunch with us—my dad went back to bed and didn't get up until my mom got home. He said that the power was back on by then. BTW Emily had a great time. That night Tim and I went to visit our friend who had the mastectomy in the hospital. She looked pretty good considering major surgery. Izak was babysitting so we couldn't do much more! I was working on my craft room reorganization project. It isn't totally done but I got a lot done and the stuff I had moved to the Family Room while I worked I was able to get put back in an organized way by Saturday night.

Saturday we had no basketball or indoor soccer games so I asked Tim to let me get the stuff organized and put away. He consented and took care of the kids helped them get their chores done. He took Micah and couple of friends to Orange Leaf. No party this year but we let them do something fun with a couple of friends. We had a coupon and rewards so it was relatively inexpensive. One thing Tim has been working on over the past few weeks and he has put an antennae on our roof. We had the digital converter already but our antennae we had in the attic didn't get any reception. Now we are cable free! We really only watch sports and BYUtv so we didn't need to pay for cable. We don't get ESPN but Tim can visit his parents and see what he wants on ESPN. He got an amplifier he is going to add soon. By 9:30 PM I had all my stuff back in the craft room now I need to still work on it but I can get to my stuff better because half the room is organized and lots of stuff has been thrown out or sent to goodwill. Timo went down to the BYU Library and had Taran get some books for him to use for a report he his going to do in English. He brought Taran back with him—he was coming to celebrate Micah's birthday. We found out that night when he opened a letter that came to our house for him that he needs his passport within a month of receiving his call—so we made plans to get that rolling Monday and Tuesday.

Sunday we went to church and then went to my parents right after to celebrate Micah and Tate's birthdays. We brought some of the dinner and pies for dessert—Micah's choice. My mom tries to fix a special meal for family members' birthdays, we had already given Tate his presents but Micah got his from my family. He only wanted a watch or money. He got money which he used later to buy some new orange athletic shoes! I thought he was saving up for some big Lego set. Funny he wanted shoes! Tim is always surprised that our boys want athletic clothing or shoes for their birthdays. But in a family our size with our budget they understand the limitations of buying more than one pair of athletic shoes a year.

Monday was Micah's birthday. He wanted breakfast burritos for breakfast and juices. He was going snowshoeing with the scouts so I got up early and got him a special sandwich at the deli at Walmart. Tim took him and Izak it was an 11yr old/Webelos outdoor activity. I had planned to go the first 2 times but it got postponed because of no snow. Sunday we got some so it was perfect! Except a little windy! I had to do some things for Micah's birthday and I also took Taran to get his passport photos done and shopping for some missionary clothing since I had a Kohl's 30% off and they had their dress shirts and dress pants on sale. I needed him to try them on. He is so busy he just doesn't have a lot of time to do that right now and I know if we don't work on it here and there we'll miss some good deals we could have had! After Taran, Gwen and I ran around I brought him home. Meanwhile Timo had gone to Mc Donald's with his quorum and then played ping pong. Emily was traveling home. Gwen finally found a friend to play with. Gwen did help me wrap Micah's presents. When Micah got home from snowshoeing he wanted to open his presents. Normally our kids open them first thing but since snowshoeing was rather 'early' we just postponed it. He called Emily to make sure it was okay with her to do it. She was a good sport and let him open them. Taran got him a BYU soccer ball he loved. We got him the new Jimmer DVD, money and a Broncos Division Champ shirt and a Broncos' beanie with a bill. Actually he just got the picture of them since I forgot to order them early enough to get here by his birthday! Lame, I know. I had warned him so he was prepared. Later Taran worked on a recording he and his friends are doing to audition for an acoustic concert at BYU. Micah wanted Panda Express for dinner so that's what we had and Tim went and got it for us—he's a gem! Then he wanted Pecan Pie that night for his actual birthday! (He had banana cream and keylime at my parents) There was enough leftover of the other pies I had made so we had lots of choices! For FHE we watched old videos of him as a baby and toddler and shared what we like about him and he filled out his likes and we guessed. It was a fun evening.

Tuesday I took Taran early to go to the Utah County office where they send out the passport stuff. Unfortunately online they don't tell you have to pay with a check, cashiers check or money order--it says you can pay with a credit card. Well, that is ONLY at the regional offices that actually process the Passport! So we went by Taran's apartment and dropped off his stuff since the bank didn't open until 9 AM. I don't usually carry my checkbook around to lose:/ Then we went back and I dropped Taran off and he turned it all in. Over $200 when you add the expedition fee and the overnight shipping fee! But if he doesn't get it in time he may not get his VISA approved in time and it will delay his MTC arrival date 6 weeks! So I dropped him off at work and went to the Provo Temple from there. It was nice for a change of pace. I went to Costco after in Orem and called Tim to let him know I was nearby-- he took me out to lunch! It was fun to see him and have a little date! I got back in time to unload the car and get Gwen. The kids had piano that afternoon. Zane had scouts too. Izak took around his birthday party invitations--yep another birthday 2 weeks from Micah's! (We go in spurts 2 October a day apart, 2 in November 5 days apart, February and then 2 in March 4 days apart and then another in April! My birthday is the only one by itself!) Zane had his last basketball game and I had actually woke up at 4:30 AM and debated going to the temple right then but thought I'll go back to sleep but I didn't! So I was ready for bed after dinner! Tim tried to video it but I don't think he did much--he hates that! Zane had a great season and I think he learned a lot and had fun! Timo had his last Jr Jazz game and was bummed his team lost and Tim let him play the last minute but no sooner. The doctor said a MONTH at least! Timo wasn't too happy he didn't get to come back. They consoled themselves at McDonalds!

Wednesday when I woke up I couldn't move, my lower back was in terrible pain. I knew it was partially caused by my 'monthly visitor' which brings really bad cramps. I felt them like labor. I think it just triggered my back into spasms. After 2 Aleve, the heat pad, hot shower and blessing I was able to do some errands later that day. I had misread how many shirts Taran needed and decided to go back and get some more at Kohl's. We were having New Beginnings that night so I had to go then or miss using the 30% off. My mom met us at Kohl's she was looking at athletic shoes but ended up not getting anything. She took us to lunch. Two days in a row! I am spoiled! Then Gwen and I hurried back to get home before the kids. Her friend Sophie came by just after we got home so she left to play with her. Timo had his 2nd Physical Therapy (PT) appointment that afternoon. I got to finish my book Midnight in Austenland. I really enjoyed it. His appointment is an hour. Then I took him to work then picked up Emily and took her to basketball practice. It was her last one. Tim brought her home and I picked up Timo from work. We had New Beginnings that night so I needed to be a little early. The ladies did a great job on the decorations--I should have taken pictures! Theme for the night was Now is our time to SHINE. Lots of yellow and lanterns! We had the girls each hold a battery operated candle for part of it and we had a skit that talked about how they can shine. The youth camp leaders did a skit too introducing the theme Modern Girls Vintage Values for our stake camp. The girls introduced how they can shine through Personal Progress, Honor Bee, Sports, Temple Trips...The bishop closed with remarks and then I shared why we were doing the paper lanterns, the symbolism and then how to light them. It was going to be awesome EXCEPT the wind made it not so! So only a few got off and the rest burned out before the air got hot enough to lift them. Crazy wind! We had refreshments after that so at least they could console themselves with yummy food:) Owell, we may try again in the fall at Evening in Excellence! It was late by the time we had it all cleaned up.

Thursday I woke up with more pain up my back but not as intense I could move a little. I had Tim use the massager on me after the heat pad and I took the Aleve earlier than Wednesday. Thank heavens it worked faster so I was able to drive to the preschool field trip to Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur movie and museum visit! Gwen cut herself some bangs, I was not happy. If you look close you can see her in the Dinosaur Museum pics--her friend said that her bangs looked like a boy. I caught her in her room doing it so I trimmed them best I could! I got to know a couple of moms that I see coming and going so that was nice and the kids had a blast. I have to admit I fell asleep in the movie for a little bit! It was interesting but I was so tired. Luke came over after and they were tired and watched the rest of Kung Fu Panda 2 that they had started the week before. I made the kids play with each other because we had had too much fighting. I took Emily to the temple that afternoon. Izak and Zane went to the BYU women's last home basketball game that night with Teresa--they had a ton of fun and came home with lots of spiffs. Emily was suppose to go but didn't get done in time from the temple. That night Micah had basketball practice. After Tim picked him up he took Emily and her friend to their guy friends' Jr Jazz game. Then Tim took his dad back his Nook that he had fixed something on it for him. Then picked up the girls. He listened to BYU play Gonzaga, not a good shooting night!

Friday my back was sore but MUCH better. Gwen and I had June over later. We went to my friend who had surgery the week before and was now home. I took her a note and some DVDS. She answered the door and was looking pretty good all things considered! I had tried to find the Healthy Choice Fudge Bars they sell at Costco that have fiber but they didn't have them at our Walmart. We walked back and June was pretty tired by then I got her to sleep. Anna came just as the boys got home from school. They like seeing June. I took Emily to her volunteering at the Ashford Alzheimer's place. She walked home because I had to take Izak to his last indoor soccer game. I made Gwen and Zane come with since no one was home to watch them--they were at friends. Izak played well and scored but I don't think I got it on video even though I tried--I don't always notice where he is in the camera! Meanwhile Emily had her game at 5 PM and Tim barely got home in time to take her. They won so they had another game the next day. Timo went to a friend's to watch the NBA All Star Stuff. I was so exhausted I didn't do much and actually slept a bit after dinner. We had the kids work on their chores. Izak and Emily ended up gone with friends which made Micah mad and totally robbed. Not fun.

Saturday morning I had our Stake Womens Conference. We had a great opening speaker, RoseAnn Gunther. She does tons of humanitarian stuff. She shared some amazing stories with us then we did humanitarian stuff! I helped tie 2 quilts using the International Stitch. They had yummy croissant chicken salad sandwiches for lunch for us too. After that was over (around 1 PM) I ran to get a thank you for Emily's coach. Her game was at 1 PM--they lost. After I dropped that off at the game I ran to Walmart to get Timo some special pens for his Chemistry Periodic Table Shrinky Dink! Don't ask-- it cost me $20 for those pens! Then I ran to Costco and got my friend those Fudge bars. I just remember how my digestive process slowed down because of the pain meds and she shared that she knew what I meant! Bless her! I got home in time to get ready to leave with Tim for our date. Taran gave him tickets to the last BYU Men's Home game. It was at 4 PM. We had a blast but I got a little emotional when I first got there because the players had pink high tops and the cheerleaders had pink ribbons and pink pom poms and some of the students had pink head sweatbands and wristbands in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness! Thinking of my friends who have gone through it and my friend now made it tender. We saw Taran's roommate on the JUMBOTRON and Taran was next to him, that was fun! We didn't see Taran up close which I was bummed about but that's okay. Emily and Timo were going to be gone at 6:30 PM so I don't think Tim wanted to hang around. I forgot to mention how blasted cold the wind was and it was super strong even with the sun shining it was harsh and it didn't let up. Emily is on our stake dance committee this year so she helped set up. Then she came home and dressed and went back to the dance, she had a lot of fun. Timo's friends don't go to stake dances esp. now that they can date. He was watching the All Star stuff at a friend's. We were all happy to hear that Jeremy Evans of the Utah Jazz won the Slam Dunk competition! Cool. Sometime during the day Timo got asked to the next girl's choice dance Spring Fling. Pretty fun! She is the younger sister of one of his friends. She just turned 16 on Halloween. She is a darling girl! He'll have a lot of fun.

Today was church and the YW sang it was so amazing! The talks were great as well. And all the meetings. Tim was busy hometeaching since he didn't have bishopric meetings today. He did have ward choir and then stake choir after church. It's all good. Yeah, now I am caught up!

Have a great week! I am in charge of our Personal Progress Night Wednesday so I will probably not do anything fun for Leap Day! owell! We have only one Jr Jazz game left--Micah's Saturday. But we have a few kids starting swimming lessons this week. That should be quite entertaining--sarcasm ;p

A mission call and what not...

So the big news was Taran's mission call. I already posted that but I will go on to the rest of the week.

Monday I went out to my parents'. My mom was getting her haircut so I needed to be there. Dad was still asleep when I got there. The aide who bathes him came shortly after that. Gwen had dance so we headed home at noon. Dad wasn't into talking much that day. It seems like mornings are his worse times. He is usually wiped out after his shower so I didn't get to visit much. Maybe tomorrow. I drove to dance then after dance I had to take Timo to the dentist to get his cavity filled. Then I dropped him off at work. Fun times for him! I ran errands and then went home until he called me about picking him up. Micah had scouts. For family night we made Valentines for our nephew on a mission and for one of Taran's friends who went into the MTC a couple of weeks ago. Tim interviewed the kids in between. He is too busy on Sundays now to interview them. He is the assistant executive Secretary but the Executive Secretary's wife was just diagnosed with breast cancer. So Tim has been covering while he's been helping her/spending time with her. She has her surgery this week and then they'll really know what stage she is at etc. She is one of my friends so I am very sad to hear this. Once the kids finished their interviews or cards we had a family movie going. They chose our San Diego Trip then our Disneyland Trip both were awhile ago. Now the kids (except for maybe Timo who is going to Disneyland on choir tour) want to go to Disneyland before Taran goes into the MTC. I admit I would love to do that but it's just not been a good financial time for us so it would take a miracle to get us there but most of the kids are willing to give up their birthday and Christmas to go so who knows...

Tuesday I went to the temple in the morning with Julie. Then I did all my grocery shopping--Walmart and Costco. I finished just in time to pick up Gwen from Luke's. The kids had piano and Zane had scouts as well. Luckily no Jr Jazz game for once on Tuesday so it didn't interfere with Taran's call. I made 2 recipes from Pinterest: ham and cheese sliders and Snickers salad. Both were DELICIOUS! Mostly easy. I ended up not having poppy seeds--for the slider sauce but they still turned out great and I noticed the Snicker recipe she used cool whip and I used real whipping cream (healthier of the 2 evils) and she has added some milk to make it smoother. The slider recipe made 24 rolls and I think Timo had 6! He is very picky so you know it's good! Tim went to the church right after dinner to help out the bishop. He came home a little late--we were all in the car ready to go to Taran's apartment. Our neighbor brought the call by at 5:30 PM so we could have peeked. Taran's roommate Scott was working until 8 PM so we had time to be late. One of his friends got lost on the way so another friend helped her out so we waited for them. It was fun to see so many of Taran's new college friends and some of his old high school friends all there to support him besides some family members who braved the late night! Tim had his parents on his phone ready to hear. I really thought he'd go to Finland--where Tim went but so glad he is going to Guadalajara. It sounds like an amazing place! We had brought down 6 bottles of Martinellis and plastic wine cups to cheer Taran and luckily enough of his friends left that there was enough for family, roommates and closer friends that we could all have some! Tim and I briefly read through his clothing requirements and other stuff. He wanted to keep the booklet and his call so we left them there--I hope he takes good care of them! When we got home I wrote my nephew about Taran's call and his friend in the MTC so we could mail their packages the next day. His friend already wrote back thanking us and telling us to tell Taran congrats and that only 63% of the missionaries that go to Mexico come back alive! He's a funny kid!


Wednesday I had YW Presidency Meeting during it I had to get Gwen then after I returned we just had a few more things to talk about then we picked up June. Anna had been super sick the day before and was still not right that day. We kept June until Buck could get her around 3:15 PM. We sure love that little cutie! Timo played with her after school until he went to work! It is just darling to watch them with her! I'll need to video it someday! I took Emily to basketball practice after June left. Micah had scouts again--he's doing Bears and WEBELOS since he is coming in the middle. I ran to Walmart and got stuff to make treats for Mutual that night. It was the combined activity and we had 10 groups of 8 or so random kids (we purposely try to mix up ages and sexes). They each had a table with materials (Legos to blocks, pretzels, sugar cubes, marshmallows...)on it to build a temple. They could choose whatever temple they wanted. The Mia Maids came up with this activity. Each table had a question that related to the temple that they had to discuss and have someone share later when they showed their group's temple. We had pasta materials and it went slow but in the end it turned out pretty sweet--I got to get that on our YW blog soon! We had a reflection that went with the questions about preparing for the temple. Our stake focus is the temple and it goes with Arise and Shine Forth the theme if you've seen it on the church website here, check it out! It was a fun activity and purposeful! Zane had basketball practice, Izak had scouts that night too so Tim had to take the other kids to Timo's basketball game that he coaches even though Timo isn't playing in because of his foot. Timo still supports the team. It's tournament so it was nice that they won. They made to Mutual just as it was starting so I was glad they made it.

Thursday Timo and Tim went to the temple at 5 AM. They took a few family names we found on both our sides and some names for our friend Linda. They got back by 6:30 PM. I went to register Gwen for kindergarten and realized that I had misplaced her birth certificate--I'm losing it! So Tim bailed me out and went to Provo and got a new one for me. We had Luke over and I spent most of the time going through stuff from my craft room--old memorabilia from Taran. I through out tons of stuff after I took pictures of them. Hence the pictures at the beginning of this post! so cute! I have been working on this project awhile and I really feel like I have made a lot of progress but if you look in my craft room wouldn't believe it! Emily went to the temple Thursday, I took her and she called me after an hour! Not as busy as the mornings! She is going to go with some of her friends from now on! Tim and I went on our Valentines date since Valentines Day is super busy. We decided to see this movie the new Mission Impossible. We had heard it was really good. So we ate nearby. We actually split a meal. Which was perfect. Just a fancy hamburger with fries and a milkshake--which turned out to be disappointing Strawberry Freeze with bits of Reeses Peanut Butter cup through out--not much at first but more as it went on! Good thing we aren't allergic! When we got to the theater the movie was canceled! I guess we were the only ones wanting to see it! So we stopped at a Redbox on the way home and got Inception. What a strange movie. It was engaging but I don't think I'll buy it. But I am glad I saw it.

Friday morning I went and registered Gwen. After I was home a bit I started feeling terrible. My stomach had terrible cramps and I felt like I might be getting something terrible. Luckily after drinking some Coke and resting I started feeling better around noon but I had a terrible headache by then. It was horrible and I was afraid to eat but thought I might need to because it might be the source of my headache poor Gwen wanted a friend over or to go to a friend but I was so out of it I couldn't have anyone over and I didn't get her anywhere. Once the kids got home they helped her get to friends. I was cautiously ate dinner, I made another Pinterest meal. The kids loved it. I modified it for me. I was okay but my head still hurt. Tim even rubbed my temples for me for awhile. Emily had a room full of kids here, mostly boys! They were in and out all night.

Saturday Zane had a 8 AM Jr Jazz game and I had a World Wide Leadership Training at 9 AM--which was great, of course. Tim took Zane and then Micah at 10 AM to his game. My mom came and got Micah for his birthday lunch. They went to Walmart first so he could pick out a toy--he got 2 since he kept it all within the budget a ball and a Lego set. Then they went to McDonalds for lunch. The kids love this time with Granny and she likes it too. My dad was okay while she was gone. It was a shorter date than usual, I think he was excited to put together his Lego set and use his basketball. I took Timo to the bank and I went to get some color copies made for our Personal Progress Night on the 29th. I found this cute IHOP idea on Pinterest--Important Hour of Progress. I am in charge. We are having pancakes and lots of toppings! The Camp ladies are coming to teach knitting so if they are done eating and waiting to meet with their leader they can learn to knit! It should be a fun night! I helped Timo work, I did garbages and part of the bathrooms while he did the other part of the garbages and vacuumed. It took us almost 2 hours with both of us. Meanwhile Tim took Emily to her game and he brought Gwen along so she wouldn't be left with Izak and the other 2! Tim took me to run an errand, I was so tired I really wasn't sure I could make it. We stopped for a treat on the way home and had date, fun! I actually did fall asleep on our way. We got back and not too much later I made dinner which was leftovers, easy! The kids watched some of HP1 and some watched some of Trinity an old Spagetti Western. Tim and I think it's funny but some of our kids don't get it. While folding laundry I finished watching North and South a movie based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. I loved it! Timo decided last minute to go to Sweethearts, a casual boy's choice dance. His friends weren't going and he had just hurt his foot when he was thinking of asking someone so with those 2 strikes against it he decided against it. Well, he was shooting hoops outside and some of his friends came by. He ended up going with one of the girls and they got one of Taran's friends to go with her friend. He had a blast. I am just bummed they didn't get a picture!

Today Tim had his usual early morning meetings, I had BYC at 9AM. Tim had choir with Emily and Timo at 10:15. Just about when I got home. I worked on Faith and God and scouts with Micah, Izak and Zane. I also got dinner in the crockpot and made dessert. We had a fireside at 5 PM so I wanted to be able to eat right after the fireside since Emily practice after church we couldn't eat then. We ate raw Almonds! The fireside was the theme Arise and Shine Forth, it was great and done under an hour! They had 7 speakers so it was really good. We ate dinner when we got back. It snowed off and on but it didn't stick. We had beautiful few days last week so it was nice, almost spring like.

Have a great week! Happy Valentines Day Tuesday!

Being George Washington....

So last month's challenge was diligence. This month is faith check it out here. I think this is such a great idea!

Taran's Mission Call...do you hear maracas?

Tonight Taran opened his mission call. Our neighbor works in the Missionary Department so he was able to get it to us TODAY! So...he opened it at his apartment since he has made a lot of friends there and thought it would be easier for them to be there. So we drove down. Some family were able to come besides US, my parents, my sister Teresa and our niece Erin. We know more family would have come if they could but we understand and appreciate the support of everyone! He will be serving in the Mexico Guadalajara Mission. He goes into the MTC June 13th! He is super excited! See him with his Martinellis after we opened it? We are so excited for him! Funny thing is only one friend guessed he was going to Mexico! He is the 5th of his roommates to go Spanish speaking! The last one has a few more weeks before he can turn in his papers. Good times!

February has begun...

So here we are in February! Crazy year is FLYING by! I was a bit under the weather this week because of a cold but I think I have turned the corner. That is why there aren't a whole lot of photos!

Monday I was still hung over from the Nyquil so I didn't dare drive out to my mom's. I slept until 10 AM. Thanks to PBS Kids Gwen mostly was self sufficient. I got my friend Stephanie to take Gwen to dance because I was still a little off. Gwen ended up playing over at her house after so that was good! I was able to help the kids with their stuff. That night for FHE Tim took the boys to Timo's Jr Jazz game that he didn't play in but since Tim is the coach he still needed to go. Timo wanted to go anyway. By that night I was feeling better enough to drive to the play Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the other Jr high in the area. Emily's friend, a girl from our neighborhood was in it. She did a great job and it was a really fun play. We are glad we went! It was a little late for Gwen but she handled it well.

Tuesday Timo woke up sick, a cold with a fever. Luckily I was going to be home that day because he needed medicine and help. I had Gwen and Luke--Tricia was driving for the field trip Thursday so I had them Tuesday. They didn't bother Timo much. I went grocery shopping and got back before I had to pick them up from preschool. I pumped Timo full of Vitamin C (Emergen C) and water. He slept a lot and his foot was better than it had been. He did some homework but had some to catch up on later. The kids had piano. Emily had found out that a lady at the Alzheimer's place she volunteers at died so she was upset--she really liked her. She stayed home from piano and basketball practice. Zane had a Jr Jazz that night. That night Taran came home to go to the mission call opening of his friend Chad. He got his call to Richmond, Virginia. He came home after and spent the night so he could go to the temple with Emily in the early morning.

Wednesday they got back in time for family scriptures. I went to the temple with my friend Julie as soon as the kids left the house. It wasn't busy so I was back before 9:15 AM before Gwen got home! Timo was well enough to go to school. June came over just after we had lunch. We had fun. Gwen wanted me to take their picture unfortunately I am still learning my camera so I didn't as many good ones as I had hoped but they are still cute! Micah and Zane had a birthday party and I had forgotten to get a present so I ran to Walmart after Anna left. Timo's foot is still bothering him so he is having a hard time going to work. He had to take his friend's brother with him Thursday to help out. He has been really miserable after school--he really needs to have it up all the time when he is sitting but I understand that it's hard to do at school. I offered to wheelchair him around but he declined the offer! Emily had Musical Theater Call Backs and she got the reporter part in the musical Willy Wonka. She is excited! She went from that to basketball practice. Timo was able to go to Young Mens and they went to the temple that's why he didn't go with Taran and Emily. He didn't take the names we found on Family Search last week--hopefully this week. I went to Hot Soup Hot Topics and we had 2 guys from our ward come (one full-time Seminary guy and a guy who used to be a seminary guy) and answer questions the Laurel's had written down a few weeks before. It was fun and a great evening. Emily's group played Capture the Flag. It was snowing/raining so she was very cold when it was over.

Thursday I couldn't talk. My cold felt like it had moved down to my chest. By ten I was feeling a bit better after showering. I was able to go to Timo's planning with his counselor at the high school. He is doing well and I am excited about some opportunities that he may have. I have research to do! I ran to Ross and Costco afterward. I got Gwen from Luke's and we came home and read books. She had fun at the Bean Museum and she got to go to J Dawg's and the Creamery while she was there! She told them how Taran lived by the Creamery and is waiting to hear about his mission call. Cute! Thursday afternoon was a nice one no running around. Micah had basketball practice but that was it. I was still feeling not 100 percent but was busy working on this dang craft room organizing etc! Owell, slow but sure right? I did find the rest of my Valentines Day decor so I put them out.

Friday I went to my mom's to watch my dad while she went to Salt Lake City for a funeral. Her good friend Connie from Chico, her mother passed away. My dad and I snoozed some and then I also read. I actually finished Crossed (#2 in the Matched series, 4 stars) and had started on the Help. I am loving it! I am so amazed at the prejudice, it's just crazy! But I love the characters, they are so endearing. I think I am about half way! I got home just as the kids did from school. I made some spice sugar cookies for them--heart shaped of course. I have been trying not to buy store bought stuff as much. I know cookies aren't healthy but if I make them they are healthier! That night Emily went to her friend Ashley's to watch a movie. I rented Zookeeper for the littler kids and Tim to watch. I worked on my craft room some more. They liked the movie--we watched it on Clearplay so I am not sure how clean it is but the parts I saw were funny. After the kids got to bed I started Jane Eyre the new one that just came out last year. Mom had lent it to me. It was better than I thought it would be. I had tried to read the book and never got into it. I also tried watching an older version of it and it was too depressing. If you like that time period then you would probably like it.

Saturday was the day to get my eyebrows waxed. So my mom came and got me. We were 2nd and 3rd so we got in and out fast enough I hadn't missed Micah playing in his Jr Jazz game at 10 AM. He played well and scored a couple of times.Tim left at half-time and went to Izak's indoor soccer game. I went shopping after Micah's game. I got Tate's birthday present and some stuff for Valentine's Day. Then when I got home Tim was on the roof trying to hook up the antennae we got for Christmas so we can go off cable. I helped kids with chores and watched Emily in her game they did well. That evening we went to Charl and Katie's to celebrate Tate's (nephew) 2nd birthday. We had some delicious pizza Katie made chicken BBQ and Canadian Bacon with pineapple and BBQ sauce too. The kids had Little Caesars. Katie had made a cute Pirate cake for him. It was yummy. We had fun and he seemed to enjoy the presents. My dad even made it! We got home in time for Tim to iron. We were happy to hear that Jazz beat the Lakers (we listened on the way home) and then BYU beat Portland a good night at our house. Timo and Emily did not come they were busy with friends. Timo actually watched the Jazz game at his friend's.


Today was Fast Sunday. We were fasting for some family members in our own house this week. It was one of the easiest fasts I've had. I just want my family members to feel supported and feel the spirit strengthen them in their challenges. Hopefully it helped our family feel more united. Some kids had a harder time than others. Today we had a special RS for all the women they had us in the chapel. It was 2 parts about Pornography. One was about how we as moms need to be approachable so our kids can talk to us when they encounter it and we can be a source of help and support. The other was the growing trend in women and pornography. A guy in our ward is a Marriage and Family Therapist and he is seeing more and more for that reason. Not visual but chattroom stuff, texts and other media it's the emotional/relationship fantasy they are getting drawn into. So we had a little lesson on what I learned today for our devotional. He talked about how children are being exposed at younger ages and you want them to talk to you about it if they see it so you need to talk openly about it. So we did. We have some new rules that he uses in his family: collect all media (phones, Ipod etc) at 10 PM. No internet use when parents are gone--he disables it. We will do the same. He also warned against computers and TV in bedrooms and sleepovers. Sorry this is not a fun post but a necessary thing that needs to be shared. Pornography is destroying families and our society. People are so addicted they are losing their jobs etc because of it. Please safeguard your children and family.

On that happy note! Have a fabulous week!