Nov 11-13

Friday, November 11th-

• Silas had day off for Veteran's day. Yea!
• I decided randomly to paint the girls’ room with leftover paint from the main level remodeling.
• Silas played racquetball for a couple hours in the morning.
• Molly seemed better this morning and ate a little breakfast. The girls played together and watched a movie in our room while I painted.
• I helped in Cora's class.

• 

  Tired, bored, and silly!

  We ate at Brick House for lunch. Molly ate a little but was really exhausted by the time we were done.
• I worked on painting room again until evening, before taking Molly to the InstaCare and then ER...she had another “episode” with severe stomach pain and we were really worried. We realized later that if it was something really bad like her appendix, she would be in pain for a lot longer. The doctors were really helpful and I feel OK about just watching her. She has some weird virus but because she has shown improvement it shouldn't be long before she's better. By the time we were at the ER she had a boost in her energy and was really hyper and happy but as we left the hospital she was exhausted again.
• Finished painting ceiling and walls so just need to do baseboards and trim.

Molly wrote her name for the first time at lunch today!

Meticulously blowing her nose at the InstaCare

Miserable girl after giving a urine sample.

Being silly at the ER

Saturday, November 12th-

Today I ran my first 10K! It was really great. Megan and I started at a really quick pace, faster than I had trained for so I couldn't keep it up. I finally had to stop and walk for about 30 seconds because I had the WORST side cramp. I prayed and prayed that it would subside so I could finish. Within a few minutes it was gone and I got into my groove. I ran the rest of the race at my normal pace and ended up finishing 1:00:57, so just 57 seconds over an hour for 6.2 miles. My pace was 9:37 min/mile average according to my running app. I am very happy with that time. The race was from Springdale to Graffton, UT and was so beautiful! I definitely want to do this race again. Megan got 2nd place in our age group so we stayed a little longer than planned so she could get her medal, which was so great.

Graffton, UT after the race

Megan got 2nd place in our age group!! 

We got home a little before 1pm. My cute family had finished their chores and their computer time and were playing outside with neighbors.

Molly was doing so much better this morning so we decided it was OK to go to the temple together. We were thinking last night about having Silas go alone but changed our minds. Plus, Natalie is super capable. Molly was fine but did start feeling tired and yucky again while we were gone.

After the temple, which was wonderful, we had dinner at Cracker Barrel with Clint & Elisha and Frank. We enjoyed their company a lot.

While we were still in St. George we found out that Danny Bedard had another stroke and was at the hospital on St. George so we stopped by there to see him for a little while before heading home.

Sunday, November 13th-

Cleod's last day of Primary

Molly has been on today but not great. Her eyes are super bloodshot tonight and she isn't close to her normal self. I am hoping we can get into the Dr tomorrow. I am sort of wishing we had done some tests while we were at the hospital on Friday...but I just figured that if it wasn't something serious it would go away soon. She hasn't had a fever yesterday or today so that is an improvement but she isn't eating well and is so irritable. It's frustrating because she acts like she gets whatever she wants...because she usually does, plus we've been babying her this week. She's getting a little beastly.

Today was a little harder day for the Bishop's family. Because he isn't available to be Dad during church I was stressing a little this morning about what to do. I didn't want to miss Cleod's last day of primary but I didn't know if we should have Molly in nursery….or at church at all. I was wishing that I didn't have a Sunday calling or that my mom lived closer. I finally decided just to keep her with me in Primary. It worked out but wasn't ideal.

This evening Silas was home way later than normal so I had to leave for choir practice before he even got home. When I got back, he was sleeping on the couch with Molly and when he woke up, he was grumpy. He finally explained that a couple of people are mad at him so he was feeling badly about that. It is truly hard to be the Bishop and people sometimes don't realize that he is just a regular guy who is doing his best to serve the Lord. He comes home drained every Sunday but to come home discouraged too just makes me sad and mad. The kids really had no positive interaction with their dad today and that frustrates me.

Randomness: Today Ryan lost a tooth. Earlier this week Cleod and Grant each lost a tooth on Thursday. We have never lost this many teeth within a few days. Cleod lost his messing with it at school and Grant pulled it out right in front of Silas and I, literally twisting and pulling. It made me proud. Haha

Nov 8-10

Tuesday, November 8th-

Mom & Deni’s kids were in a accident yesterday but are fine. Scary stuff, though. Molly is still sick and super miserable. I am finding myself being overly sensitive and feeling offended by others tonight so I want to write about things that made me a proud Mom today.

• Ryan was invited to a party tonight. I helped him pick out a modest gift and he didn't complain. He also didn't ask for anything for himself. When I picked him up from the party at 7pm, he told me he hadn't eaten because they ran out of hot dogs but he didn't want to say anything. Although I think he maybe should have told them, I was happy that he didn't make a big deal about it and just waited to eat when he got home.
• I thanked Cora for being a good example to Molly and Cora started talking about all the things she liked about Molly. It was really sweet.
• Cleod was super helpful when he got home from school. He really enjoys the hour we have before the 3 elementary school kids get home. He heated himself and me some leftovers and then a small bowl of ice cream. He also was really helpful with our sick Molly while I took Ryan to the store and to his party.

Fell asleep while I was drying and
rocking her after her bath

Fell asleep again after getting dressed

Had a little energy and was happy for a little while

Miserable again

Wednesday, November 9th-

Waiting at the InstaCare

Cora occupying herself while we waited at the InstaCare

We are quitting the paper route. In some ways I am way bummed but it is time. The last few weeks have been harder for the kids to get moving and it has turned into another thing to nag them about...a I already nag them too much. I am also getting nervous about delivering in the winter. Doesn't sound as fun as watching the boys cruise up and down driveways on their scooters.

The boys have learned some valuable lessons. They have learned to work together and to follow instructions. They are learning about saving and spending money. They have learned that sometimes we have to still do hard work when we don't feel like it.

But I don't miss losing a couple hours of my day, hours I willingly sacrificed to help my kids but will gladly take back to use otherwise. I don't miss getting a sub when we are out of town. The kids will once again be able to have a breather after school on Wed since they get out early. They can enjoy more play time before getting ready for scouts.

Fell asleep waking Cora to school

Molly is still really sick. We took her to the InstaCare this morning and they tested her for strep. Luckily it's not that although I sort of wish it was because we could put her on meds and she would start feeling better. The Dr thinks it's a virus and we need to wait it out. She is tired and weak. She complains about a pain in her neck and one in her stomach. She has fevers on and off but they don't get too high. Her eyes are bloodshot and sad.

Thursday, November 10th-

Feeling yucky

New outfit from shopping with Amber

Today I have some blood work done again and my white blood cell count was back to normal. I wasn't really worried but I was relieved to get that news. Now we can move on with life.

Today was my last training run before the 10K on Saturday. It was a good run but my left knee started feeling funny toward the end. I hope that doesn't mean it will be acting up on me Saturday.

Cleod is a champ at the bass clarinet. Lately he has been playing whatever he can find. Today he played a bunch of Christmas songs. He just sight reads it and it sounds awesome!

Ryan was playing and singing with his guitar and Silas commented on how crazy, talented the kids are. I joked that they are going to be poor, depressed artists someday. That's really not true though. All our kids are smart and will hopefully be engineers, teachers...whatever...as well as musicians and athletes. (The second I use loosely because we are not the most athletic people. Maybe I just want them to be healthy.)

Feeling OK but still looks so sad!

Speaking of healthy….Molly is improving tonight. As of early afternoon I wasn't so sure but as the evening as progressed she seems to have more energy and seems happier. No one else has gotten sick so hopefully we are about done. We are still going to lay low tomorrow but are hoping to be back to normal Saturday.

Silas is gone being the Bishop tonight. It’s funny how it hits me sometimes still. It’s part of our life now but every once in awhile it seems super weird that he is it Bishop. Haha. But holy cow am I grateful for that man and for the simple fact that he is in the position spiritually to be the Bishop of our ward at all. So grateful!

Nov 5-7

Saturday, November 5th-

Busy, wonderful day!

Molly "reading" with the music stand this morning

It started out with cleaning the church. I signed us up for a couple more times because I want the kids to learn to serve. Last time they were a little more negative about it but today they were kind and helpful. A lot of people showed up so we were able to finish quickly.

Silas took the kids home and I left for my 5.5 mile run. It was so GOOD! I was surprised. My time was good and I felt good the whole time. I am excited for the race next Saturday.

At noon the kids and I headed to the SUU football game. It is the last home game of the season and I wanted to take the kids since it would be warmer than the evening games. Silas got tickets from work for all of us but he had to go to a teacher training broadcast. We were hoping he would be able to meet up with us at the game but he finished about the same time as we did so he met us at Bulloch Drug where we stopped to get some ice cream after the game. He even brought his SUU tie and changed into it when he was done with his meeting.

The game was GREAT! SUU won and the kids were good so we all got to enjoy the game. Ryan gets really into it, which I love because I get really into it too.

Molly "drumming" on the blanket bag during
 halftime while the band was playing

Sunday, November 6th-

Blessings....

• Good kids who don't mind going to Grandma Warby's Sunday mornings so I can wake her up.
• Kids who like each other
• Chicken that is individually frozen! (Silas bought a 40 lb. box a while back and this morning was the first time I opened it. I was so grateful they were individually frozen instead of a big frozen mass.)
• New, comfy shirt that made me think about wearing my Grandma Rowley's earrings today.
• Finding a random file on the computer that is a certificate 
• Totally enjoying playing the piano in Primary today!
• First ward choir practice since last Christmas. I LOVE singing in choirs!

Monday, November 7th-

Feeling yucky

Napping with Daddy during his lunch break

After being home from the gym this morning for just a few minutes, Molly had a fever of 101.8 F. By evening she was miserable. Poor thing. I feel so badly for her. I am also sad that someone is sick and sad for the possibility of everyone getting sick. The last 2 winters we have been sick so much….I really hope that pattern doesn't continue this year.

Sad girl!

Playing with my phone during intermission

Ryan and I went to the high school's play alone tonight and had a great time. The play was Thoroughly Modern Millie and it was hilarious.

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Nov 1-4

Tuesday, November 1st-

• Let the kids sleep in a little today. Cleod was a few minutes late for school but Ryan and Grant were on time.
• Took the girls to Emma Slade's and met Silas at the Stake Center for Ryan Shakespear's viewing and funeral. It was so hard but the family gave amazing talks about the Plan on Salvation and the Atonement.
• Silas picked up the girls, took Cora to school and hung out with Molly until Cleod got home from school.
• I stayed at the church and helped with the luncheon for the family. It is the first time I have helped so I learned a lot from all the wonderful ladies that were there. Deruchette was there too, as well as Allison Maxwell, Trish Topham, Tammy Greener, Kathy Engman and Suzi Gatherum who are some women I admire. It was a blessing for me to serve with them today.
• Tonight I went over to Amber's for a while and visited with her. It's her birthday and we are going shopping on Friday night!

Wednesday, November 2nd-

Today was one of those days that I wondered why we are doing the paper route. They don't really make a ton of money and some days they are weird and don't seem to be working as hard as other times. But we are going to stick with it a little longer because I think they are learning some skills and they do really enjoy having some money to spend.

We left early for Cleod's piano lesson so we drove up to look at the temple for a few minutes. Molly always asks if it is done yet. I wish, Molly! We need to be patient. But we could see some progress in the landscaping as well as the new windows in the steeple, so that was exciting!

Thursday, November 3rd-

I spent the day today cleaning and cooking. It was a great day! I hosted Book Club tonight so I prepared some goodies for that, including little pumpkin pies.

It is nice to have a deadline for cleaning at least part of my house. The main level looked great by afternoon. I even mopped! That is rare lately. 

Book Club was really good. We discussed the book Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. I had picked it and enjoy the story but didn't realize until tonight that it is a Brothers' Grimm fairy tale. I always learn something at Book Club! :)

Silas was a good sport and watched our kids and the Huff boys in the basement during Book Club. He's so great!

Friday, November 4th-

I love Fridays so much! I'm sure I have written about this before but Fridays just feel super relaxed. I don't worry about doing as much housework as other days so I am personally more laid back.

Today I worked on my planner for next year. I really like planners and NEED them to survive. I have been thinking for a few months about making my own planner so that the space is used wisely for what I need. Today it really started coming together. I think I have everything I need. I am going to print it out on nice paper and put it in a 3-ring binders. I'm excited.

After taking Cora to school at 12:30pm, I dropped off Molly at Mary Armour's and picked up Amber for our shopping extravaganza! We stopped for gas and a smoothie before heading to St. George.

It was an amazing night! We tried on things we never would have tried before and had fun showing off to each other. Because we had no time limit and no kids with us the normal pressure to hurry was gone. It really was a different experience and was so much fun! We stopped at Habit Burger for dinner, which was delicious. Between us we came home with lots of new clothes, a couple pairs of shoes, a purse, and a necklace from our six store shopping spree!

Kids' adventures while we were in Nashville

Here are some pictures that my mom sent from her time with the kids.

Toy at the Family Dollar

On at walk while Cleod was at piano

Grant's first day of Cub Scouts!

Cora on Pajama Day!

Cora had the bucket and took at water bottle

Molly dressing up in one of my old
costumes in Vegas

Ready for Aunt Deni's ward's Trunk-or-Treat in Vegas

Oct 30 & 31

Sunday, October 30th-

• Wake up Grandma (kids played Monopoly again)
• Church was good- felt really good about playing the piano in Primary
• Amber and Bethany came visiting teaching 
• Silas had a High Priest Quorum Meeting this evening
• Still adjusting to being home from our GREAT trip

Monday, October 31st-

Today I was thinking about how we thought we were having a boy when we got pregnant with Molly. We were SURE of it. At the ultrasound we were shocked and the first thing that Silas said was, "I guess we are having 6 kids!" haha. We were just sure we were having another cute, Aitchison boy. Even though we were surprised, we have always been happy to have Molly in our family. 

Today I looked at her as she was reading on my bed with sunglasses on and a weird, miss-matched outfit on and I had an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude for her. I can't imagine what we would do without her. She is bright and happy and makes every day better for me.

                             *      *      *      *

Grant and Molly eating snacks on the rug

This afternoon Molly and I went to Grant's class to help his class during their Halloween Party. Grant got Molly to come to him right away and he took her around to the different stations with him. He is such a nice brother. I went outside and did the Monster Tag station. It was really fun! We also played Monster Simon Says and when we got tired we laid on the grass and looked at clouds. It was a nice Fall day with fluffy, white clouds!

Cookie making station

We went trick-or-treating this evening with the Stonelys. We meant to only be out for an hour or so but the kids were having so much fun that we stayed out until after 7pm. Cleod trick-or-treated with us for a few minutes and then Silas came and got him so that he could go to the school's party at the middle school. At first I didn't want him to go because I wanted us to be together as a family, but I decided that part of the night with his friends would be OK. When we finished with the Stonelys, we picked up Cleod. We had visited Grandma Warby and Kathy at the bank after school but we still needed to visit Kathleen and LaNor. We stayed and visited for a few minutes and then got home and ate a super late dinner. 

Heather, Cleod and others

Halloween isn't my favorite holiday but today was fun, mostly because we got to spend time with friends!

Trick-or-treating