Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Week 7, February 12-18

Sunday, February 12th-

Church was good day. Molly was good in primary. The kids were good this afternoon and just hung out. I read a little and had a short nap while Silas was home between interviews.

Our home teachers came tonight, which was nice. Then I went to a choir practice for the adult session of Stake Conference. It was nice to sing in a choir.


Monday, February 13th-

Today my Valentine's gift from Silas came. He ordered me chocolate-covered strawberries. They are fancy and it was kind of fun to get them in the mail.

For home evening we took the kids to the Batman Lego movie. It was pretty funny. The kids loved it...Cora even cried for a minute.


Tuesday, February 14th-

Molly and Gideon holding hands on the
way home from school
This afternoon I was able to help in Ryan's class during their Valentine's Day party. He has wanted me to come and help all year so he was pretty excited. I'm glad he wants me to come to his class. Cleod got home from school while Molly and I were helping in class so he road his bike up and hung out with us for a few minutes. I am glad that he wanted to come be with us. I'm glad my kids like each other!

Our family is so blessed to have Silas. He is so nice. He works hard for us all day, serves the ward constantly and then comes home and helps out.
Yummy Valentine's dinner
Today he picked up a couple of heart-shaped pizzas for the kids and made he and I fillet mignon and asparagus for dinner. It was delicious...plus, I didn't have to worry about dinner! I had picked up some sparkling cider last week so it felt super fancy. I felt loved...and I think the big boys noticed how dad was making a special dinner for me for Valentine's and I love that they are that.

After we ate we spent some time with the kids. After they were in bed we watched a movie and ate the rest of the chocolate strawberries.


Wednesday, February 15th-

Today was a lovely day. It felt like Spring!

Sunday Cleod volunteered to make brownies for the combined YM/YW activity tonight. He is pretty serious about brownies these days. haha. Amber sent me a text at the end of mutual asking for the recipe.


Thursday, February 16th-

Ryan stayed home from school today because he was coughing bad when he woke up but luckily he is totally fine. It was nice to have him around though. We woke up Grandma Warby, exchanged some garments at Deseret Book and got some lunch. After taking Cora to school he stayed home with Molly so Silas and I could have a hot cocoa/lunch date at Brick House.

We spent the night doing chores, laundry and getting our things ready to go to Vegas tomorrow. Yea!


Friday, February 17th-

Made it to Vegas tonight for what will hopefully by a relaxing weekend at Mom and Dad’s. Silas missed church once in January when we were sick but hasn't been gone over the weekend since we went to Nashville in October so it will be nice to have a weekend away.

We stopped in St. George before coming to Vegas and I did some initiatory. Silas was going to but it took me longer than we thought so he's going to try to go sometime next week.


Saturday, February 18th-

  • Enjoyed a yummy Sourdough Pancake breakfast this morning!
  • Drove in the rain to get Bundt Cake.
  • Date with Mom, Dad, Deni and Jeff at Claim Jumper.
Sour dough pancakes!!!
Molly found my phone. I love her faces.
Cleod and Cora playing Uno
Molly fell asleep while we went out for cake

Week 6, February 5-11

Sunday, February 5th-

It felt so good to go back to church today. There are so many people in our ward who are so wonderful and such good friends.

After church Grant and I worked on some scouts and passed something off, which was great!

We did watch the Super Bowl and I didn't enjoy watching it as much as I normally enjoy watching football so I think we really need to keep with our normal habit of NOT watching football on Sundays.


Monday, February 6th-

Eating treats during intermission
It felt so good to go to the gym today and work out hard. It has been forever! The girls and I even walked Cora to school even though it was a little cold.

Ryan had guitar today. He gets so into singing with his guitar...it's super cute.

Tonight for home evening Silas read us Always Room for One More and we had some ice cream. Then I took the boys to the city's theater company's production of Oliver. It was amazing! I enjoyed it and the boys did too!


Tuesday, February 7th-

Temple shining this morning on the way to Wal--Mart
The last few days have been so much better with Cleod. We have been struggling with him more than normal but I can tell that he is really trying not to argue with us as much and I have been working on not making his stuff as big of a deal as I sometimes do. It has made the home so much more peaceful.

Relaxing evening reading


Wednesday, February 8th-

  • Girls fell asleep on my bed while I was
    doing family history and Dad was at the
    church.
    Felt so good at spin/yoga today! Even had a “spiritual moment.” I realized how grateful I am for our general health. Cora and Molly both went through some scary health issues this past year but they are both fine. Silas's arthritis is not always under complete control but most of the time the meds make it so we don't even remember he has arthritis. I'm grateful for the wonderful bodies the Lord has given us!
  • We went over to Amie’s house after the gym. The girls played outside with her kids and Amie and I did some cleaning she had been overwhelmed with. It was fun!
  • After taking Cora to school, I picked up smoothies for Amie and I.
  • Ryan had an orthodontist appointment and we got sundaes after. (I really need to get out of this habit but I like ice cream too. Haha)
  • It was a lovely, sunny day! The kids played outside and I visited with moms.
  • Got a  little bit of family history done.
  • Boys had scouts tonight.


Thursday, February 9th-

I babysat at the gym for an hour this evening. Grant came with the girls and I and had a good time. It was fun watching Cora and Grant play today. They don't pair off to play much lately but they used to be constant playmates. It made me happy but also sad that they have to grow up.

When we got home Silas and the 2 big boys were playing a computer game together on the desktop and 2 laptops. It was super silly but kind of a fun thing to do with their Dad. That is one of the fun parts of growing children.

Flowers from Amie

Friday, February 10th-
Playdough with friends!

  • Grant had my phone during the meet
    Watched Jack and Lilly for a couple hours.
  • Got some family history done while they played.
  • Helped in Cora's class
  • Ran to Wal-Mart for a few gifts
  • Grant went to birthday party at aquatic center and Ryan had Kai over to play.
  • Excited for the gymnastics meet
    Picked up Grant, dropped off Kai and we went to an SUU gymnastics meet. They did so awesome and even beat the school record with their overall score.

Mom and Grant


















Saturday, February 11th-

I have the best husband. A lot of Saturdays he mans the house. Today I went to the gym for an hour and later had a baby shower so he oversaw chore time and computer time. He even played a game with the big boys.

In the afternoon he and I headed to St. George for ward temple night and had dinner with the Butterworths at Five Guys. We had a lovely visit and YUMMY burgers.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Week 5, January 29-February 4

Last day with Tamina
Sunday, January 29th


  • We are all home from church, even Silas. Ryan, Cora and Molly are still well though.
  • Tamina was not quite as happy this morning but after her morning nap she seemed more herself.
  • Both Silas and I are a tiny bit better although Silas slept most of the day.
  • We felt lots of love from friends today. Ina brought fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, both our home teachers call Silas at different times to see if we needed blessings, and Ruth called to see if we needed meals brought in. Plus Kari said she missed us at church, Megan played the piano for me in Primary, Amber gave me the lowdown from church, and Jim and Clint took over for Silas without any issues.
  • Late in the evening Brett and Deruchette came to get Tamina. She was super tired and not feeling great. Poor girl.


Monday, January 30th-


Cleod finally went to school today! He seems to be doing well. Grant stayed home but was a lot better so I might send him to school tomorrow. I was super tired and Silas wasn't feeling great but he was well enough to go to work. I tried to rest, but did finally make dinner tonight. Sarah Hopkinson brought us some rolls and Emma Slade sent a message asking how we were.


Tuesday, January 31st-


  • Woke up Grandma Warby
  • Lunch with Amber- feeling well just tired
  • Kids played outside- it almost feels like Spring today (at least until the sun went down)
  • Cleod had piano
Sunny day!

Wednesday, February 1st-


  • Trained 2 new girls at the gym
  • 3 CCRs for Cleod, and SEPs for Grant and Ryan. All the boys are doing awesome! Seriously!
  • Ryan and Grant had Cub Scouts and Cleod went swimming for Young Men's


Thursday, February 2nd-

  • Walked with Megan today, which felt good but I was exhausted the rest of the day.
  • Cora's SEP went really well!
  • Ryan piano
  • Tina’s baby shower- I met Mr. Shirley's wife, Lori, and we got along so great! We were chatting at Tina's until almost 11pm!


Friday, February 3rd-


  • Molly pushing Grandma Rowley
    Horrible morning with Cleod
  • Watched Holman kids in the morning
  • Helped in Cora's class
  • Mom and Dad came in the afternoon
  • Went to DQ for ice cream because Ryan earned his Patriot Award today!!!
  • Wal-Mart trip for house stuff, good for mom and Valentine's for the kids to pass out at school on the 14th
  • Date night with Mom and Dad to Chili's- we had a great time chatting with them!


Photo bombing
Smarty pants!
Waiting for ice cream
Saturday, February 4th-


Today was a wonderful day! Mom and Dad helped us to get so much done! Dad fixed the front door (now we can lock it without lifting the door!), helped Silas patch holes in the wall Silas made at least a year ago, put the kick board back up under the kitchen sink (it's been over a year since it was removed because of a big spill), fixed the knobs on my laundry room door, cleaned and vacuumed the family room, replaced put broken towel rack and hand towel ring, fixed the towel rack in the boys’ bathroom and tightened all the toilet roll and towel holders in the other bathrooms.
Grandpa Rowley and Dad working on the front door
Mom helped clean all the bathrooms, swept the garage and the main level (twice). She played with and read to the kids and picked up pizza and donuts for lunch. I was able to go through the totes of clothes and shoes for the kids (which I've been wanting to do forever) as well as my normal kitchen cleaning and a couple loads of laundry.


The kids did their chores and got their computer time and had showers. They also played outside for several hours in the afternoon because it was warmer again today. Cleod caught up in more homework and is really close to being back on track.
Some tights we found today for Molly...
which she decided to take a photo of...

Grandma Rowley playing chess with Ryan
In the evening Silas and I went to the church for a High Priest dinner which was held to say goodbye to the Brienholts who will be leaving for their mission next week. There were a lot of people there and we had a great time.

Week 4, January 22-28

Sunday, January 22nd-


Happy girl
Bummed not to go to church today. Part of me wanted to see who I would do with 6 kids on my own in sacrament. Haha
4 kids on the landing. They are SUPER
excited to have Tamina here.
The kids and I hung out and watched movies. Tamina is pretty comfortable at our house. In fact, she woke up singing this morning.
Watching movies together


Cleod and Molly seem more sick today. They are both achy and feverish.


Monday, January 23rd-


Almost 2am, finally sleeping soundly with
a sock of onion on her chest
Molly is still really sick. Last night She came into our room around 11pm because coughing woke her up. She then coughed most of the next 2 hours. She gagged and coughed and tried to fall asleep. It was horrible. We had given her ibuprofen and rubbed baby Vicks on her feet and chest but it didn't help. I finally went down and heated some sliced onion, put some on a plate on the nightstand and some in a sick and put it on her chest. I also knelt down to pray. I had prayed while half asleep when she was coughing but I finally got out of bed and knelt to pray for her. Almost immediately she got settled into a good sleep and only coughed a few more times until morning. I'm grateful for the onion and for the Lord answering my prayer.


With a mask on at the doctor's office
Broke into the Nashville candy
stash. It was a long night. :)
We woke up Grandma and then we're able to get Molly in to see Dr. Corry. He found that she has an ear infection...which is not what I was expecting. It is probably and secondary illness. He also prescribed a steroid to help with her cough.


Cleod stayed home and was achy most of the day. He's going to have a hard time getting all of his work made up. Poor guy.


Tamina is getting used to us and whining a little more. Haha. But we are having a good time with her. I have to ask the kids to leave her alone A LOT. They want to be right next to her and they comment on every noise she makes. She's adorable but the kids are driving me crazy following her around.


Tonight we had dinner courtesy of Ina. I had asked her Saturday night if she would take the boys to church with her and then again Sunday morning to say never mind. So this morning she was checking on us and then showed up with some chicken pot pies and a big bag of clementines. It was so nice to not worry about dinner tonight.
Molly tracing the letters on the Home
Evening board
For home evening we just sat together and watched an episode of Planet Earth. It is amazing all the things that the Lord created for us.



Tuesday, January 24th
Eating breakfast at Grandma's
  • Woke up Grandma
  • Cleod home sick still but Grant and Cora are back to school
  • Remembered that Cleod had a band concert so we gave him some pain meds and cough drops and I went to watch him
Beginning band finishing



Wednesday, January 25th


Silas brought donuts home for the kids after
racquetball this morning
God knows me and loves me. I know this is real and true. I have known this my whole life. I was blessed with a gift to know truth without having to really seek for it, so as a youth I knew. As a young adult, I still knew and I have had experiences that have reaffirmed this knowledge.


The last year has been a roller coaster for me emotionally and there were times when I was so confused as to why God wasn't helping me. I never doubted Him or His love for me, but I felt alone. I have waited for blessings and had my expectations. They were good things I wanted but it didn't seem like anything was happening.


But it was. So much was happening. I feel like I battled some lows and have come out even higher than before.


Today I'm sick. I was sick last week and was able to rest all day because my kids are bigger. Today I have something else (achy all over!) but I have Tamina to watch who needs more attention.


Let me back up. This morning was crazy.


Tamina lying
on the floor next to me
When we got home from waking up Grandma Warby I realized Tamina had a fever. Cleod brought me the thermometer and her diaper bag because I was feeling weak. I gave her meds and we just sat on the floor in the upstairs hallway for a while. After an hour we were both lying down almost asleep. Molly was just reading books next to us and being a nice, quiet girl. I was alternatively crying and dozing off. I was feeling physically yucky but also just sad about the situation. I have things to do and don't want to be sick! I just want to take care of my kids, Silas and Tamina. I was feeling badly that Silas wasn't home taking care of me, which was impossible at the moment because he was in an important work meeting and then had to go to a meeting at the elementary school for me. I knew he couldn't be with me right then but I was still sad about it. I was upset that I was sick and upset that no one was taking care of me. (It sounds ridiculous but it is really how I felt.)


At one point I prayed for strength. I am not the best at dealing with pain. I didn't want to spend the rest of the day being sad or mad. My body was screaming at me and so was Tamina.


Then I got a phone call. I almost didn't answer. It was my sweet friend Amie. She wanted to check on me because I wasn't at spin/yoga class this morning and she knows it's my favorite. She also wanted to see if I wanted to work out early tomorrow with her. I told her I couldn't and why. Then she thanked me for a text I sent her yesterday.


We've both been doing yoga from a YouTube channel called Yoga with Adriene. I'm a few days behind on this 31-day thing and I knew she was just doing it here and there so I wanted to tell her that Day 20 and Day 21 were so great!


So she told me about how she was grateful for my text because that encouraged her to do those two workouts and then she used something from the video in today’s yoga, specifically some ideas on self-love. We talked about it for a while and I felt lighter. It was like my spirit was sad so I felt worse and then I was cheered up and my body, although still not well, felt better.

I felt like Amie's call was not only an answer to my prayer today and the immediate needs I had, but also a tender mercy from the Lord telling me that He knows me and what I need. He knows that I needed a friend to lift my soul. He wants me to be happy and sends blessings in many different ways. I have received so many blessings over the last year, even though they may not have been the exact things I have looked for. I have wonderful friends and a family that brings me joy.


After hanging up with Amie, I got off the floor and got Tamina into her bed. I felt like I could do this hard thing, being sick and still taking care of the kids. I could handle other hard things too.


I can see as I look back on the lows and highs of the last year that the Lord has been holding me and pushing me to the point I'm at right now. I still have a long way to go, but I feel like I have a new understanding of the reality that is this life. We have opposition to deal with...in every single part of life. Parenting is a joy and a hardship. Added knowledge, especially spiritual knowledge, brings added trials and responsibilities.

I don't understand everything, but I know that my Father in Heaven loves me. And I'm not the exception...He loves all of us.



Thursday, January 26th-

Making the kids take Emergen-C
  • Cleod home again and Grant is feeling sick AGAIN!
  • Katie did grandma for us this morning because I feel gross too.
  • Silas doesn't feel well either but is a trooper and not only went to work but also got some groceries for me on his lunch break.
  • Sickos (except Ryan and Cora) being lazy
    Tamina seems to be feeling better and has been happier.
  • I got Cleod more school work and turned in some of the work he has done.
  • Watched Studio C with the kids in the evening.
Molly getting some
Daddy time after he had Tamina
(she's not really jealous but likes
to cuddle with us after we've had Tamina)
Happy girl
Finally hanging out with Silas
(she mostly just likes me)
Couldn't have planned these two pictures better

Friday, January 27th
Tamina is finally liking Cleod to hold her


  • Molly trying to cheer Grant up
    Feeling totally horrible. Luckily Cleod and Grant are helpful even though they aren't feeling well either.
  • I wish Silas could have stayed home from work, but he did take a quick lunch so he could get off early and rest.
  • I think we have something like influenza. It is a cold, runny nose, deep sore throat, dry, deep cough and body aches. It is miserable.

Saturday, January 28th
  • Silas is a lot worse today. I feel like the horrible edge is off but still feel super sick. I don't even have the energy to sit at the computer and do family history. That's serious.
  • The kids seemed to be ok with just hanging out. Ryan did get some time at the Huffs which was nice for him.
  • Amber got us a gallon of milk and a tub of ice cream this afternoon. Love her!