Sept 16-18

Friday, September 16th-

Dad and Molly at Lupita's

Silas and I went on a lunch date today with Molly. She is crazy and funny. We had a good time together though.

Cleod and I went to the eye doctor today. Cleod's eyesight has only gotten slightly worse. Mine is better! Weird. We had a good time together picking out glasses. Later in the evening Cleod and I went grocery shopping and then put for dessert for a Mom/Cleod date. We had a really good time together. Poor guy gets a lot of negative attention from us because we expect so much from him. He is honestly such a great kid. I hope we don't screw him up too badly.

Cleod and I getting dessert at Applebee's

Saturday, September 17th

This morning during Ryan and Grant's football games, Molly and Cora had this conversation:

Molly: Is the temple done? Him shining with the sun. (We can see Moroni shining from our side of town.)

Cora (before I could answer): He's Angel Moroni. He's an angel!

Molly: No, him has a trumpet.

Haha. And then they went on playing. I am seriously so happy to have the experience of being here while the temple is being built! It is so good for our family to see it and be excited. Molly talks about the temple almost EVERY day!

This morning Silas had a meeting for several hours with all the Bishops in town, as well as Stake Presidencies and Elders Quorum Presidents with Elder Ballard from the Quorum of the Twelve. He said it was amazing. He was so happy and tired from it when he was done.

He actually came to the main street park when he was done to join us at the Bank party. The kids had a fabulous time singing karaoke, jumping in the bouncy house, eating cotton candy and more!

Molly singing

Party goodies

Jumping!

Ryan and Grant singing "Hello"

This evening Silas and I went with the youth to the devotional with Elder Ballard at the Centrum. It was so great to be there. When he walked out with his wife, I didn't feel any wash of emotion, like I have other times around General Authorities or what I was kind of expecting. Instead I just felt calm and comfortable. When he spoke it was normal and familiar, like watching Conference. I was surprised but also so happy to feel this way. I felt like I was listening to my grandpa, like he was someone I knew and loved and trusted.

Elder Ballard talked about prayer, the Holy Ghost and the sacrament being 3 things to focus on. I really enjoyed his words. All the talks were good! What a blessing to go. The only thing I regret is not taking Cleod. He's so close to 12 and we should have just brought him with us. Hopefully he will have some great experiences as a youth with other Church leaders.

Elder M. Russell Ballard!!!

Sunday, September 18th

Today was a great day (minus a little frustration I had during Primary). During the fireside last night I realized that we weren't doing good enough on our Sabbath day observance. Part of the reason is that I like to do family history on Sundays, but usually I need the kids to watch a Sunday show during this time. The kids watching something isn't necessarily bad, but sometimes they watch several things in a row. It's just so easy to me them do that! But I realized that I should be spending more quality time with them on Sundays. So today I tried a lot harder to guide their activities and to include myself where needed. I didn't even tell the kids what I was doing. Grant got a game out so I encouraged Ryan and Cora to play with him. Cleod made chocolate chip cookies for us to deliver later. I spent my time getting dinner prepped, helping Cleod and getting little talks ready for the kids to say for the Primary program. Cleod typed the talks up while I straighten the cookie mess in the kitchen. Once Grant asked to watch a movie and I just said something about how they were playing a game and didn't need to watch anything right then. And that was that.

Molly pretending to sleep on her booster which is in the
house because we used the van last night for the devotional

Church was hard for me, but I realized when we got home that I was feeling shame because I want my kids to behave at church...and I think I have some high and often unrealistic expectations. That's all we'll say about that.

After church I made jambalaya and Frank came over to home teach. Afterward we took cookies to a few friends which was super fun! Silas is always really tired once he's home but he came along for the ride. He had a hard day and I'm sure he would have liked to lie down early or at least just be home, but he came. He's a nice guy!

Molly actually asleep on the stairs after dinner

Angel Moroni!!!

Thursday, September 15th-

Watching and waiting

Cora's selfies while we waited

Angel Moroni was put up on the temple today! We were there for over 3 hours waiting, Cora was an hour late for school, we were super hungry...but it was worth it! We were on the north side of the temple down from Christine's house so we had a great view and not many people around. The streets around the temple we PACKED. It was so exciting!

Moroni is still in the trailer

Christine and Natalie hung out with us and the girls played with each other, bothered Dad (who left work to watch with us!) and messed with my phone a little. We had camp chairs in the van from football so that was nice.

Hanging out

Going up!

After stopping for a quick lunch we rushed Cora to school and Molly and I got home in time to do a couple of things before Cleod got home from school. He was a little sad that we hadn't gotten him out of school to watch Moroni but I promised to take him later on.

Cleod and Peggy

Ryan had his first piano lesson with Peggy today (I forgot to take a picture) and since he's taking Cleod's stop Cleod won't be going to Peggy anymore. We gave her some flowers and chocolate. She is excited to see how far he goes. She's so great!

After dinner we took the kids up to the temple to see the Angel Moroni. The sun was setting and it was a beautiful sight! We parked near Christine's house again and walked the trail to the temple. The kids enjoyed running and racing around the juniper trees.

Excited kids!

On our way back, the kids decided to race. Cleod went on one trail and Ryan, Grant and Cora went another way. I thought we were closer to the car and that the trails would meet up but soon realized that we were still only about half way there and the little kids were running somewhere away from us. Then we heard Cora crying. Silas ran in their direction and Molly and I went to find Cleod. After just a minute or two, Silas and the kids came back up to the main trail. Cora had cried when they realized that they were lost. Poor thing. There are lots of junipers around so they really couldn't see us. In fact, Silas pointed out to the kids that once they went on the wrong path they couldn't see the temple anymore. He told Ryan that if they had looked for the temple they would have been able to find the right path back to us.

The temple is a beacon for us. If we stay on the path that leads to the temple, we will be safer. If we get off the path and lose our way, which we all do at some point or another, we need to work to get back on the right trail as quickly as possible.

I am so grateful for temples! I am especially grateful for this beautiful building in our own town!

Sunset view of Cedar Mountain area from temple

Sept 11-14

Sunday, September 11th-

Stake Conference today was AWESOME. We were taught about temples today. There were testimonies given about how the temple has blessed lives and we were challenged to find ways to sacrifice for the temple. There was a talk on family history and Pres. Rau gave a talk about some of the major issues we are dealing with in the world right now and how we will be stronger when we are faithfully attending the temple. I believe that is true. Pres. Maxwell said that the temple will help us see clearly in a blurry world. There has been so much confusion in the last year with members of the church and the decisions of the Brethren. I am so grateful that I have seen clearly how the Lord is guiding the leaders of the Church to do His will. I believe that.

Molly brought Silas a blanket and pillow when she saw him
sit down on the couch and say he was tired. He ended up sleeping
there for an hour and a half.

Because we got out of Stake Conference an hour before we would have even gone to church, we were able to have a lot more time to make a big, yummy dinner and to do some family history! I even taught Cleod how to index today and he did it for over 2 hours! He has wanted to start doing some type of family history for a long time and I think indexing is a great start!

Silas had a few appointments as well as a meeting but he was home a lot more than he normally is on Sundays. We all enjoyed that a lot, but probably Molly enjoyed it the most.

Ryan read a ton today, which made me happy, and Grant, Cora and Molly played together a lot. I am already seeing the benefits of decluttering the toys. It still makes a mess but there is so much more room in the playroom and the kids stay in there and actually play. Before it was crowded once they started getting toys out and they wouldn't go back in. More room and less toys equals happy kids. Who knew?

Cleod indexing on the laptop while I did
my family history stuff on the desktop

Monday, September 12th-

After-the-gym photo

Let's just be real...Mondays can be tough. Today had the makings of being a horrible day, but it wasn't. Yea! I think the great spiritual weekend helped me personally get through this day without freaking out.

Cleod practicing bass clarinet

Cleod is a champ at the bass clarinet already. I really enjoy listening to him practice, and he is still super excited about it so it's not a fight. haha.

After school Grant and Cora went outside to do "make-overs" for the neighbors. I normally don't let them charge money for stuff but they were asking 6 cents for a make-over and even some of the parents got into it including Linda, Megan, Scott and James. It was pretty cute. Grant was REALLY serious about it too. He cracks me up.They even had the toy cash register outside with them.

Neighborhood "make-overs"

Silas came home with a bad headache, probably a migraine, so he was out for the night. Instead of watching a movie or feeling badly for myself, we went on with Home Evening like we had planned. Cleod taught us about the Armor of God and had some things for the kids to color and a game to play. He also had a scripture ready to help us.

For the treat we went to DQ to support the elementary. A portion of the money earned today was donated back to the school.

FHE

Today Cora lost her first tooth at bedtime! She was so excited. We had tried to pull it out last night which was pretty traumatizing so I was happy that she ended up getting it out with just a few wiggles.

First tooth gone!!

Tuesday, September 13th-

Today choir started at the elementary. Ryan and Grant are both going to participate again and they are super excited. With Cleod leaving early for middle school, it didn't even seem like a pain to get them to the elementary school early for choir, which was a pleasant surprise.

Tonight I taught about indexing and how that helps us find information on individuals at Relief Society. It was so great! I enjoyed every minute and it made me super excited to do more family history. I hope the ladies got something good from my presentation.

Wednesday, September 14th-

Wednesdays are super busy with late start, early out, paper route, scouts and football (although football is only for a couple more weeks) but of course we had to add more to our crazy Wednesdays. Cleod started piano lessons with a new teacher today. Her name is Clarica Stocks and I think she is going to be great. I am super excited to see how far he can go with her. The hard part is that she lives out by Iron Springs, by Steven and Katie, so we had to make sure we give ourselves 15 minutes to get there. With everything else going on I was a little nervous to commit but today it worked out pretty well. We picked Cleod up near the school, all ready with papers folded and scooters and snacks in the van. We did papers a little differently and did it in less than 40 minutes which is the fastest we've ever done it. We even had time to run home and unload scooters before heading out to lessons. We took books and homework to do during Cleod's lesson so by the time we got home we could eat a quick bite before heading to football.

Tonight only Ryan had a game tonight so Grant got to hang with us and I was able to watch Ryan's game without splitting up with Silas or Cleod. The lost but played pretty well. Ryan loves it anyway and that makes me happy.

Sept 4-10

Sunday, September 4th-

This morning I woke up feeling AWFUL. I literally stayed in bed until after 10am. Cleod feels worse today too and has even thrown up a couple of times. Poor guy. And poor Ryan. He's had to take care of the little ones this morning. I'm glad he was willing.

As the day went on I got a little more energy and was able to make lunch and blog for a while. The boys played The Farming Game and the girls colored for a while. (I still am amazed at how long girls can sit at the table and just color!) We also watched some Sunday movies. I am bummed the other kids couldn't go to church since they were feeling fine, but it's just something we have to deal with now that Silas is the bishop.

Finally fell asleep after throwing up for the
second time today

Molly's "babies"

Monday, September 5th-

Tried to declutter more today but wasn't feeling very good so we didn't get a ton done. We also have no room in the garbage cans, the garage is packed and we are waiting for the VW to be towed. I did vacuum out the back of the dryer, which I haven't done for over a year. There was a TON of lint and hair everywhere...a fire waiting to happen! I'm relieved that it is done.

Silas was a champ today. He honestly wanted a lazy day and ended up going on errands for me and for the house. He also went to the Warby’s to help lay sod for a couple hours. He didn't really get a break at all. I'm grateful for him.

Dryer cleaning

Tuesday, September 6th-

Silas has psoriatic arthritis. It is similar to rheumatoid arthritis and is treated with the same medications. Silas has a shot he gives himself every other week and he takes some pills once a week. He's done this forever.

Recently he has had more symptoms returning in between his shots so he has been taking an extra pill on Mondays. This medicine has always kind of made him feel nauseated but it has been a lot worse lately. His doctor just talked to him about splitting the pills between two days a week so he only took 4 yesterday (he usually takes 7). Today he felt awful! It makes his stomach hurt and it makes him feel down.

When he was home for lunch I could tell it was bad. I asked if he wanted a blessing (something he never asks for himself) and he brushed it off saying that he would see how he felt. So of course I immediately send a text to Jim asking if he had time to come over and give him a blessing. He replied right away and said he would head over. He picked up Clint on the way and together they have Silas a blessing.

I think it helped Silas to see that he has such good support. He KNOWS that because he works with Jim and Clint in the bishopric and they are an awesome team, but that is with Church stuff. This was a personal matter that they were willing to help with as well as sacrifice a little work time for.

Also, the blessing talked about how the Lord was thankful for the work Silas does for Him and that he was loved. It also talked about the Atonement and right after the blessing Silas talked about how he was grateful for that because he knows that there is no limit to the power of the Atonement but that for him, he has seen it work more on a spiritual level and he's just dealt with his physical trials. So this was a good insight on how Silas might be able to get the strength he needs to endure his physical trials and at some point have relief from them.

I am so grateful for the power of the Priesthood and how it blesses our family!

Kids playing The Farming Game today

Molly playing during Cleod's chiropractic appointment today

Wednesday, September 7th-

Tiki Shack!!

Today Ryan and Grant had their first flag football games. Their games were at the same time so Cleod watched Ryan's game and I watched Grant's game. Cleod had the "home phone" cell with him so we could check on each other and all the games are at Bicentennial Park so we are close. Payson Slade's team played against Ryan's so Cleod sat by Emma.

Grant and Ryan both snagged a flag or two off the other team and they both had a good time. After the game I took them to Tiki Shack for snow cones. The weather is so perfect in the evenings right now and no one else was there so we took our time.

Fun with the kids at Tiki Shack after football

Thursday, September 8th-

This weekend is Stake Conference so tonight was the Stake Leadership Session at the Temple. We had a chapel session with one of the Temple Presidency members and then did an endowment session. There were SO many people from our stake. It was wonderful! This is the third ward in this stake we've been of, spanning over 11 years, so there are so many people that we know and love! Silas and I took a van load from our ward which was really fun.

Friday, September 9th-

Tonight was the Homecoming football game for Canyon View so after school, the kids and I went down the road to watch the HS parade. Cleod had walked home with Braxton Baker and left a few minutes before us with Braxton to hang out at his grandparents' (Gublers) house to watch the parade. I had him take the home phone and gave him very specific instructions, but I wasn't nervous at all to let him go. For one, Braxton is a really good boy and doesn't seem to be one to get into trouble. Also, having the cell phone to be able to communicate with him is a really weight off my shoulders.

Ryan was also able to play with a friend (Kai) after dinner for a while which he was super excited about. They have a great time and haven't been able to play much lately.

Cleod stayed with the Bakers for dinner and went with them to the football game. He had such a great time and I am grateful that the Bakers were willing to let him tag along. He gets a lot of flack from us AND a lot of responsiblities. Poor guy. I was happy to be able to let him do something super fun tonight.

Silas and I went to a late movie with Brett and Chette tonight. We haven't gone on a date with them for months and we haven't really hung out recently either. They are so great!

Saturday, September 10th-

Chores, football and hanging out. Good Saturday. I even got to go on a walk with Amber in the afternoon.

Ryan (in Lime shorts) blocking and Cora with sour Skittles

Ryan's team lost again but today he was so much happier. On Wednesday they didn't score at all and lost by quite a bit. Today they lost by a lot again, but toward the end of the game, they made a touchdown. He smiled so big for the rest of the game. Even a grandma of one of his teammates mentioned that he had a great smile and it made her day that he was happy even though they lost.
Ryan has always had such a great smile. I love that about him!

Ice cream after games

In the evening, Silas and I went to the Adult Session of Stake Conference. The theme for the night was Mental Illness and it was a wonderful meeting. It started out with Pres. Potter from the Stake Presidency sharing a personal experience about a time when his father was depressed, although no one knew that's what is was until recently. Then a member of our stake talked about the Fall and how we are human and all of us are subject to trials and sickness just because we are here. We watched a video that the church put out about mental and emotional disorders, and a counselor from LDS Family Services gave a GREAT talk on not having shame over our different issues. One of the things I likes was that she talked about balancing ourselves with positive words when we feel negative. When we think so much on the negative side it becomes heavy...and when things are heavy we think it's true. I love the way she described that and the visual I can imagine of a set of scales, one side negative and one side positive. Whether it's feelings about ourselves or our situations, the more negative things we think and feel, the more negative things become our reality, even if they honestly aren't true. Such an interesting and tue concept for me.

Molly's Ms

Pres. Rau ended with a wonderful talk on the difference between sin and mistakes. This concept also amazes me. Especially with my kids, I think I feel like anything that is bad or wrong is a sin. Not that I tell my kids they are sinning, but I think I make them feel badly for things they do, like hurting their siblings, because I want them to know it is wrong so they won't do it again. It's like I want them to feel bad for their sin and repent of it so they can be happy. In reality, most of the things that young children do are mearly mistakes. I want my kids to recognize their mistakes but I don't want them to feel AWFUL because of their mistakes. They will NEVER be happy if they feel so bad for every little thing they do...because we always make mistakes. This is something I am going to try to think about and talk more with the kids about. Pres. Rau also talked about how the Atonement redeems, strengthens and perfects us. He talked about how the temple is the best place to fully understand the Atonement.

Molly moment: On Thursday, I showed Molly how to write an M. She struggled a little but wrote a few that day. Today I found a paper covered in Ms, some of which were pretty great! Sometimes I think I should be sad that she's growing up but mostly I am super excited. She is so fun and happy and is going to just continue to be a joy to our family!

Found pictures from Ryan's flag football
team from last year

Aug 29-Sept 3

Monday, August 29th-

Rough day at our house. Mondays are often hard with Silas being so drained from Sunday and me trying to get the house back together after the weekend (how in the world does it explode after not cleaning for one day?!) plus we had a couple of kids home from school.

So we're going to try to be grateful...

• Ryan won a prize at school today and gave it to Cleod.
• Cleod got a bigger candy at piano lessons today so that it would be easier to share with the other kids.
• I did a French braid in Cora's hair (I'm not good at braids) and it stayed in all day!
• Silas brought Brick House home for the 2 of us for dinner because he thought I could use some of my favorite sweet potato fries.
• Silas got approved to go to Nashville in October for a security conference and I get to go too!
• Cleod read 3 books including one of this year’s Battle of the Books books. From now on when they stay home, they read for at least half the day! Grant was home too and didn't love that rule but it will get better.

Tuesday, August 30th-

Girls waiting for Silas and I to get ready this morning

• Cleod and Grant are home again  
• Came across an article about minimalism called, "How getting rid of my stuff saved my motherhood." It describes my feelings so well. I even made Silas read it. He is going to help me SERIOUSLY declutter the house this weekend.

Molly excited to see Ryan and Cora walking home

Wednesday, August 31st-

• Cleod and Grant home sick.
• Cleod chiro
• Grant helped with paper route.
• Webelos at Canyon Park with whole family (minus Dad who was at the church)
• Filled up two big, black garabage cans full of junk and took 5 garbage bags of clothes and stuff to DI.

Hot dogs at Webelos

Thursday, September 1st-

• Cleod home from school again...his throat is mostly better but he has an awful cough.
• I had a chiropractic appt in the late morning. Took the girls and Cleod with me (he needs to get out of the house).
• Took them to DQ for lunch and ice cream.

• 

  At the Instacare

  Cora to school and then Cleod and Molly and I went to the library.
• At home again….Cleod reading time and Molly puzzles while I decluttered (had one of the big garbage cans full within a few hours of the trash truck coming).
• After school the girls did homework and chores and then played outside with neighbors.
• Me to Book Club at Joanne's about Cheaper by the Dozen (Love the book and love book club!).

Friday, September 2nd-

• Decluttered boy’s closet (which is huge because it has been a catch-all place for years.)
• Cleod has viral bronchitis
• Cleod has done a ton of work that I've picked up at school this week. Hopefully he won't be too behind when he gets back.

Molly wearing the same outfit as
Cora in the photo on the laptop

Daddy after work on Friday
Photo by Molly

Saturday, September 3rd-

• Feeling yucky...Silas too (woke up with sore throat but pushed through)
• Cleod seems to be feeling better
• Grant's flag football practice (beautiful weather!)
• More de-junking (filled second black garbage can!)
• DI trip with 2 boxes of books and several garbage bags of clothes and random stuff.
• Our closet has issues (had too much stuff on my self and the screws are coming out of the wall so our closet and room are a mess and I can't put it back together until we get it fixed. Hopefully we can do that Monday.)

• Date night = Sweet Basil (YUM) and Star Trek: Beyond (Super good)

  

  Photos by Cora

  

  The many emotions of girls

  

  Beautiful day for a football practice

Aug 27 & 28

Saturday, August 27th-

Great and busy day! This morning I had a Stake Women's Conference which was really great. It helped me to see some things that I need to work on but mostly it helped me see that the things I have been working on lately are good and I need to keep working. Usually I got to meetings or listen to talks and I feel like I have a long list of TO-DOs that are overwhelming. Today that wasn't the case and I think it is mostly because I am giving myself more realistic expectations. 

While I was gone, Silas had a headache. Of course he did. That's what we do apparently. But the kids managed and he supervised them so they got their chores done and instruments practiced.

This afternoon Cora had a birthday party for her friend Lillie from the gym. Amie sent me a few photos of her from the party and she just cracks me up. She is so happy and silly! I am grateful that she sees life the way she does and pray it will last!

Tonight was Ward Temple Night so we dropped the kids off at Brett and Deruchette's house and were off to St. George. Silas's headache had finally gone away and I actually got one too but was able to rest on the way to the temple so it was gone by the time we got there.

There were 11 people from our ward at the session and most of us went out for burgers after. We had a great time together.

Sunday, August 28th-

Went to church ALL BY MYSELF today. It was lovely.

So, Molly had a runny nose yesterday that we were hoping was nothing, but this morning it was clearly something. So I needed to stay home with her. This is the first time that scenario was presented to us since Silas has been bishop so I quickly tried to make a plan. I asked Ina if the boys could sit with her and Jay and got someone to play piano for me in Primary.

Soon after making these arrangements it became apparent that all the kids had some kind of runny nose or sore throat. SO, I canceled my arrangments and decided to leave them home to watch church videos and I went alone. Sacrament meeting was great...I actually heard the talks. Primary was good and I even snuck into Relief Society for a minute. I'm not glad my kids aren't feeling well or that they missed church, but it was kind of nice to go by myself today.