Week 26, June 25-July1

Sunday, June 25th-

Sunday nap

Ryan and Cleod stayed home today. Ryan doesn't feel well at all and Cleod has started his weird cough thing again. So frustrating. But church was fine otherwise.

Tonight Silas and I attended a devotional for a new Self-Reliance program that the church has created and I think it will be a great thing for the members who attend the classes. I'm going to attend one of the Personal Finance classes.

Monday, June 26th-

It seems like whenever we sit down for a real lesson and a “real” home evening, we end up having a horrible experience. This has been more apparent since Silas has been Bishop. I guess it is just a one of our trials.

Earlier in the day the kids got along really well. They younger 4 had a tea party after we took Cleod to his first day of Code Camp (which he REALLY enjoyed). In the afternoon we had the Huff boys over so Megan could do some packing (they are moving in one month).

Tea party

Playing with Huff boys

Tuesday, June 27th-

Playing with my phone while waiting during piano lessons

Today I got ambitious (and crazy) and started planning a party for the Butterworths (who are going on a mission in August) and the Huffs (who are moving in a month). I think it will be good and I need to do things I used to do (like being involved in general) because I think it will help me, even if at times it will be stressful. I am turning into a little bit of a hermit and just want to be home. It is ok sometimes but when I feel discouraged it just makes things worse to have no excuse to get out.

Showing the kids videos from 80s computer games

Wednesday, June 28th-

• Playgroup at Ridge Road park
• Pack meeting
• YM- Cleod played ultimate frisbee

Crafting at Pack Meeting

Thursday, June 29th-

• Last day of summer band!!! No more waking up to get Cleod somewhere at 8am this summer.
• Also last day of Code camp
• Molly and Grant had their dentist appointments and again NO CAVITIES!
• Got Ryan new scout shirt (he lost his cub scout shirt months ago)
• Code camp presentation (saw Brandon Mull, author of Fablehaven, while waiting for the presentation to start. He was at SUU for a writing conference for kids and he was getting a drink of water at the same time as Molly was walking to get water but she got scared and ran back to us. When he was done he said something to her about ebing able to get water now. I was pretty sure it was him but had to look it up on my phone after he left. We were bummed that Cleod didn't see him because he's read lots of his books.)
• Canyon Park with Stonelys
• Ryan to play practice
• Silas and Ryan to racquetball for reading calendar reward

End Code Camp

Ryan's new shirt

Molly and Cora at dentist

Playing in the water and dirt at
Canyon park

24 weeks

Friday, June 30th-

The night ended with us putting over 2 garbage bags of clothes, books and other random stuff from the boy's room into bags to throw away or make them earn back. We are getting frustrated with their lack of care for their belongings. It often translates over into their bad treatment of the belongings of others as well which bugs me even more. So I lost my patience and started throwing things out their room.

Before this time we had a good day. Evenings are hard because the kids and I are all tired but we are still staying up later because it's summer. We need to work on that.

Saturday, July 1st-

Cora at DQ on our date

• Happy for a new month to start because it feels that much closer to the baby coming!
• Silas went to the temple with Brother Bush this morning. I mostly rested due to waking up with a headache. The kids slowly did chores and played together.
• In the evening I took Cora shopping and then to get a treat for her date. Silas left with Molly after that for a short date. Molly has seemed to be missing the extra attention she was used to when the kids were in school so she enjoyed being out with Silas.
• I got to work on genealogy for a short time today which made me happy.
• Cleod earned back some of his things today. Hopefully he will learn something from his crazy mom.
• Had a good talk after scriptures and prayer about fasting. Hopefully the boys will make it longer tomorrow than they have in the past.

Week 25, June 18-24

Sunday, June 18th-

Goals to be help live within our means and to become less materialistic:

• Say no to kids when the ask to eat out or get a treat.
• Expect them to do their part- chores, instruments, etc.
• Talk about needs vs. wants with each other and the kids.
• Less electronic time
• Declutter things we don't need

Monday, June 19th-

Van just went over 100,000 miles

Silas came home from work tonight looking like a zombie. He is so sick. He went to the instacare and tested positive for strep. I went in later because I haven't been feeling great either. They gave me medicine too but weren't sure if I had strep or not.

When I got home Silas was fevery and under several blankets on our bed. I had to force him to take some Tylenol before he drifted back to sleep. Luckily the kids had been super calm for him while I was gone and Cleod even read to him a little.

Tuesday, June 20th-

Molly's turn. She complained this morning about her tummy hurting and then had a random nap with Silas (who stayed home today to recover since he has to go up to girls camp tomorrow….he isn't as miserable as yesterday but is still pretty sick). When she woke up it was clear she wasn't her normal happy self and soon she had a fever. I took her into the instacare and they figured she had strep too although they didn't test her. She was miserable and lethargic. Oh and she threw up in the van on the way to the doctor. Because of that, the doctor chose to give her a shot instead of the 10-day antibiotic. She was super mad about that but I was relieved and hoped it will help her to recover more quickly.

Within a few hours Molly wasn't whining and even ate a little bit of food (she had only Gatorade before that except for a little breakfast). She is still complaining about her bottom where they have her the shot. Poor thing.

Number 1- in waiting room

Number 2

Number 3

Number 4- totally asleep on my lap

Number 5- screaming after her shot

Number 6- almost totally asleep the
minute we got to the car. She did not
want to sit in her car seat, but I made
her eventually

Number 7- A few hours later
she was our happy girl again!

Wednesday, June 21st-

Grant made a rope at Patriot Camp

Tonight I had a really panic moment. Ryan was supposed to be home from scouts at 8:30pm. They were fishing at Woods Ranch so I wasn't surprised that he was a little late but when it was 9:30pm I started getting a little worried. I hate how my mind goes right to the worst case scenario. I was thinking how I should have given him a hug when he left because I might not see him again. Ugh. About 9:45pm he got home and his leader apologized to me. I was totally fine once he was home and was happy that he got to have such a good experience. He had even caught some fish that he ended up giving away. I wish I could have more faith in those types of situations.

Thursday, June 22nd-

• Summer band
• Patriot camp
• Groceries
• Big O for oils change on van
• Walked to DQ for lunch while van was at Big O
• Chores
• Natalie came over to watch kids so I could drive up to Girl's camp for the evening. Bethany Allen came up with me and I enjoyed being with Silas and the devotional that Pres. Rau gave.

Lunch at DQ

Girls practicing skit

Silas testing the hot potatoes

Devotional with Pres. Rau

Friday, June 23rd-

• Patriot camp program
• Lunch
• Silas home- both of us napped
• Tiki shack for evening treat- it's soooooo hot!

Waiting for the program to start

COra playing with my phone during program

Sister selfies

Molly playing with my phone

Patriot Camp Program

Saturday, June 24th-

• Ryan and Silas to Webelos Daycamp at Woods Ranch
• Cora to birthday party for Addi Allen
• Molly and me to babysat at the gym
• Cora to Sammie’s for fake school
• Ryan and Silas home early from daycamp because Ryan had everything they were doing there
• Silas, Molly and I to Big-O because oil has been leaking ever since the oil change
• Computer time

Week 24, June 11-17

Sunday, June 11th-

Today was so nice. I got a sub for primary so I was able to go to Relief Society, which was so nice. I even got to meet few ladies that to didn't know which I miss so much.

Silas had a super busy day and had a headache through most of the day. Poor guy. He fell asleep at about 8:30pm after he got home with Cleod from a Priesthood meeting.

I was going to make goodies for some friends today but didn't have the energy. But I did make dinner, which hasn't really happened a ton lately, so that was a good thing.

Monday, June 12th

• Summer band
• Gym with Cleod
• Piano with Peggy
• Cora tumbling
• Me to appt with Laurie (22 weeks today and everything looks good)

Tuesday, June 13th-

I'm grateful for summer band but it sure makes being lazy in the summer hard. haha. Luckily this week Silas doesn't go to work until 9am so he's mostly been getting the boys to and from the middle school. I'm glad it only goes through June and we can sleep in a little in July if we want. :)

Cora had tumbling and later the boys had piano lessons. When we got home I checked with the gym and had to go right in and babysit (I'm doing Tuesday nights now instead of Friday mornings). Silas got home with just a few minutes before going to visit a family in the ward and thought I had fed the kids. I thought he was going to feed the kids. SOOOO, the kids ended up feeding themselves. This isn't abnormal except we are trying to limit their cereal intake so as Cleod and I were texting each other I told him to make Ramen Noodles. He's never made it without me home but he did great. Ryan and Cleod even handwashed the bowls afterward so they would have bowls for ice cream. haha.

Wednesday, June 14th-

After the boys had summer band we went over to the playground by the soccer fields and had playgroup. I had a nice visit with the ladies and the kids had tons of fun. We have had lots of people showing up to playgroup so there are tons of kids to play with when we go. I'm grateful that my big boys haven't complained about going to playgroup. I wonder if next year Cleod won't be as excited about. I vaguely remember thinking the same thing last year and feeling like we didn't have much time with just little kids, but he is still pretty good at playing with the little ones and he even still will watch little kid shows with the girls. That makes me happy.

Cora had tumbling again, which she is really enjoying. Tomorrow is the last day which I'm happy about because the next 2 weeks Grant and Cleod have their "camps" and it already feels hectic. But I'm glad all the kids (but Molly) have had their own things to do this summer. And all the kids (but Cleod) will have swimming lessons in July.

Cleod had some separators this afternoon at the orthodontist to get his teeth ready for an expander which he gets next Tuesday...one step closer to getting braces.

This evening was crazy: Ryan had play practice from 5:30-6:30 and then I took him straight to cub scouts (late). Then he went home with Brady and hung out at their house until 9:30pm or so. Cleod had an appointment with Pres. Rau at 6pm (just to have a Priesthood leader to talk to that isn't his dad) and got him in time to change and meet up with some of the scouts who were collecting flags before going to Three Peaks to mountain bike with the Young Men. He came home tired (and with sore teeth) around 9pm. Grant had cubs from 6-7pm but luckily the Redhouses drove him there and back. When he got home he and Topher and Gabe were immediately outside playing with each other.

I did Family history for about an hour and a half while they played outside and then I called them in and the girls had baths and I worked on the computer while they were all getting ready for bed.

Thursday, June 15th-

Molly drawing for me

Silas and Molly at Panda

Today was a more relaxing day. Cleod slept in so we only have Ryan to run to band and the Cora’s last day of tumbling. Besides that, we read, did chores (slowly throughout the day) and the little kids played lots of games. Ryan broke the doorknob this morning so Silas and I (and Molly) ended up going out to lunch and then to Home Depot to get a new one. In the evening Silas replaced the doorknob and I but Ryan and Grant's hair.

New hair cuts

Doorknob issues

Friday, June 16th-

• Cherry picking with Tonia
• Grabbed quick lunch
• Chores
• Braxton came over to hang out with Cleod
• Swimming with kids at Aquatic Center
• Grabbed pizza
• Rested with Silas- peaceful moment where all the kids slowly ended up in our room reading while we were resting.
• Silas and I left for a late “date” of running errands and getting snow cones.

Saturday, June 17th-

We had a good and very hot morning/afternoon today in St. George. Silas took Cleod to do baptisms while I took the other kids to Target for some Father’s Day shopping. When they were done at the temple we went to Costco for lunch and for some shopping.

When we got back to Cedar Silas headed to a convert baptism of a boy in our ward and the kids spent most of the evening in and out of the house.

Silas took Grant out for a treat and they got some groceries for dinner tomorrow. I'm grateful that Silas is fine with making himself dinner on Father’s Day. He is so kind to me.

Week 23, June 4-10

Sunday, June 4th-

"I will tell you all that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the Celestial Kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains. And attend strictly to those things which we call temporal, or temporal duties. Otherwise, your faith will be in vain." -Brigham Young
Today I shared in church part of the the story of Brigham Young asking the Saints in... Salt Lake City to aid the handcart companies who were dying and without food in Wyoming. I shared this story in part because we have those around us who need help and we (including myself) can get so wrapped up in our lives and problems that we forget to look outaide ourselves and serve.

Today our good Bishop asked our ward (congregation) to consider increasing our Fast Offerings to help members of our ward who are struggling. This is one way we can help and there are so many other ways.
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).

Monday, June 5th-

Molly is happy about her Moanna necklace

• Summer band
• Ryan piano with Peggy
• Cora tumbling with Lauren Barrick (for the next 2 weeks)
• Molly got necklace in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma Rowley for a late birthday present
• Got a lot done around the house
• Babysat at gym (next Monday another girl starts Monday night thankfully! Now I just need a Tuesday evening girl.)

Tuesday, June 6th-

• Summer band
• Boys piano with Clarica
• Babysat at gym

Molly's selfie plus Cleod

Catch Molly "reading" her favorite book "Oops" with a tiger friend

Wednesday, June 7th-

• 

  Molly woke up with a RED eye!

  Summer band
• Mopped the floor
• Missed playgroup because Molly has pink eye
• Took Molly to Dr. Corry for eye drops
• Cora tumbling
• Ryan scouts and Cleod mutual

Molly playing hard at the doctor's office

Silly Molly girl at the Dr office

Smile from Grant, just for fun

Thursday, June 8th-

• Summer band
• Tumbling
• Other than that we just hung out at home

Happy girl- except when it's
time for eye drops

Friday, June 9-

For the last 6 months or so, Fridays have been my “rest” day. Since school got out it hasn't been quite as restful as I'd like but today was a good, restful day.

First of all, we didn't have any activities to get to today so the morning was more easy-going. After breakfast the big boys and I caught up on some of our summer Book of Mormon reading by listening to a few chapters. We've listened to a lot of the Isaiah chapters together since they are a little hard to understand.

In the afternoon we were supposed to go swimming but Molly’s pink eye isn't quite cleared up so we had to postpone it. Besides wanted to take the kids swimming more while school is out, Grant has also earned swimming on his summer reading chart. Maybe we'll try to go tomorrow.

Instead, we did a few errands and got snow cones in the crazy wind.

Tonight was the Priesthood Commemoration overnighter but Silas and I also had a dinner for Bishops and their wives that the Stake was putting together so Jim took the boys and Silas met up with them after the sinner portion of the night.

The wives went into another room after dinner and talked about some of the blessings and issues of being a Bishop’s wife. It was a good meeting overall, but I felt a little left out. Most of the positive things the sisters shared about themselves and their experiences are not things I feel I can relate with right now. That's a whole different story though.

I picked up the girls and we went and got some ice cream and watched part of Anne of Avonlea in my bed. :)

Saturday, June 10th-

Busy morning. Silas and the boys got home from the campout at 8:30am or so. I felt badly that they had to leave so quickly.

Silas throwing a ball up to get another ball out of a tree...
he ended up getting the second ball stuck up there too.

I had a Visiting Teaching Brunch at 9am at our building and then went straight to Jana Jackson’s funeral. Her parents wanted it at their building and had their Bishop officiate but Silas sat on the stand with him. Amber and I went together and stayed afterward to help with the luncheon. We didn't get home until 3:30pm. At that point I just sat and read, I was so tired.

We did take the kids out in evening to play at the park for 30 minutes or so. They were troopers this morning and got their chores done while Silas and I were gone and there weren't any fights or anything.