Snowmageddon

 The pictures this week posted in reversed chronilogical order.  We spent the Sabbath wrestling and throwing each other around.

Eddie and Ryan are in the same weight class, so they go and go and go.

Meg faced timed us, and Nick kept in her in the loop with the matches.  I totally schooled Maisie and Nick.  I think they were afraid to break me.

Saturday Andy wrestled at 132.  He was pinned.  Rats!

Friday I took pictures of my lovely Christmas cactus.  I think she is so lovely.  Every single leaf has a bud.  I suppose I would be blooming from every leaf if I sat in the sun, rested when necessary, listened to my care taker coo at me, and drank lots of fortified water.  Hmmmm.  I should make that happen for myself.  You just watch my growth.

We bought our valentines and promptly came home to make them.  Ryan ripped all of his in half, after he had carefully written names.  He misunderstood how to use those little hearts; we'll have to try again.

Wednesday Andy wrestled very well.  He lost in the last few seconds.

Tuesday was our first field trip -- The Clarkdale Copper Art Museum.

We learned all about copper and it's importance to our city's history.

Austin fixed the fireplace, so the children pulled up their tables and chairs and studied in the cozy atmosphere of true winter.

See!  It snowed!  Molly was the first one out both days and the last one in.  She mostly ate the snow, but she isn't sick, so that's a bonus.

Monday morning Molly begged for crepes; I was nice; she ate tons of cream.

Rain!  Our dearth is real.  The monsoons didn't come this summer, which left our dessert even more parched than ever.  We've been praying for rain, and our local leaders have even asked that we fast for more.  We will; we will combine our faith to make rain come.  

I have faith that it will.  Let's just say that all my prayers are answered.  One time a family member was complaining about his job and location.  I asked him what his ideal move would be.  He told me, I told him that I would pray for his miracle and it would happen, and he belly laughed in my face.  I did pray for his dream location, and in less than a year he was headed right to that spot.  Clearly it was all God's plan, and clearly He listens to the small and big details, so it really wasn't my faith that made this miracle come about, but it was God's timing (To be sure, I wanted to call him and remind him about our conversation and that all my prayers are answered, but it really wasn't my doing.  And just between you and me, I'm always right and he's always wrong.  Always.).  Still, rain will come.  Especially if I start toting an umbrella wherever I go.  (I really want a pink one like Hagrid's, so I can inconspiculously use my hidden magic tendancies.  More on those later.) 

Yeet

Matthew H. is visiting us this week.  Here we are posing in 70* weather.

Our worship was outside.  Together. 

Grandma made us fresh brownies with ice cream and whipped cream.

Monday -- MLK day -- we gathered for an outdoor BBQ with friends.  It was cold.

Matthew wanted to fit in the laundry basket.

Grandma invited the kids for two days of sugar cookie baking and decorating.

They were just so happy.  I stayed home to work through my lists and make lunch.

Eddie and Ryan decided to make a home from mud.  Matthew irrigation proved too strong for their under-engineered structure.

Andy weighs 120 pounds this week.  He won one match and lost the second in the last few seconds.

Our Sedona hike to Cathedral Rock was pretty perfect.

Maisie planned and orchestrated New Beginnings this year.

Maddie was very happy to participate.

Maddie went to Cera's party for horse back riding and lunch out.

Thursday evening we played some Switch.

Austin reconfigured the grow boxes, and Nick worked along side him.  They are now working through an electric fence to keep the animals out.  For good.

It was still cold Friday -- impromptu marshmallow roasting and hot chocolate.

Andy's match.  They wrestled all six minutes.  The other kid won by three points.

Sunday mornings Austin helps Molly get dresses.  Look at her red tights and red shoes.  

I asked this booma to take some pictures with Honey Bun -- so I could blog her and him -- proof that she hasn't disappeared from the family.  

I guess she climbed into the freezer at Costco.  That's funny.  

Sunday night Grandma had more treats for us -- her mother's favorite, ice cream smashed between graham crackers.

 Maisie was here.  Mostly doing school and dishes.  Nick climbed into a cave on the hike and says the best one liners.  He often speaks with a British accent.  He's hysterical.

Neep

Sunday Nick was ordained to the office of a teacher.  He's a good little neep, and he's quick to tenderly love and endlessly tease.  Maddie is a young woman now.  She will fit right in learning and living values and virtue.

After church is a whole bunch of ZOOM meetings.  YW right here.

Primary via ZOOM

I spoke at the youth stake fireside.  These four were in attendance. They were nice about my talk.

Monday Molly told us it was Baby's birthday.  Baby, the build-a-bear, needed cookies, candles and presents.

Intense.

There is a sacred space between when Austin walks out the door and 7:45 -- MUHS online classes -- in which my littles, that are growing very quickly, bring me loads of book and we read, everyday.  I can't get enough.  I suppose this routine is very natural, it's the same space in which I nursed babies and read books.  Although I no longer make milk, I am literate.  Phew.

Austin is reworking all our growboxes.  Our winter garden is very sad this year -- the animals chomp it up.

We spent four hours at the office to receive seven cleanings.  Yes, there were cavities dianosed.  Yes, I am a failure.  What can I say?  I am intentional, but that is no matter.

These two boys waited it out under the table in the staff room.  Ryan was way happier than this.

I have a new book, A Daughter of the Land, and so I find little spaces to read a bit.  Austin found me, turned on Bob Ross and proved his love of "happy little trees" by his socks.  

I planned a group date, and it was fun!  We bowled and ate ice cream and felt a little less middle aged.

Saturday Eddie, Ryan and Nick all had flad football games.  I picked up Matthew for the wee, and he came along for the games.  The boys played well, and the 70* was heavenly.

I am putting much of my faith in that space of trying to be a lovely mother and a good person to my fellowmen and actually being one.  I am really hoping the merits and mercy of the Savior will be mine, because I really need Him.  I try to be nice, but I'm often overwhelmed, under paid and sleep deprived.  I suppose there just might be a little corner in heaven, there just has to be, for this little mother who prays every second for her teens, yearns all the moments for her scholars, and pour out her soul to meet the needs of the preschooler will be a gap that He can also fill.