Spring Break 2021 -- Moab

Austin titled our Spring Break, "The Southwest Adventure of a Life Time."  He was right.  (The Bliss family shared in our adventure.)  

Goosenecks State Park was the perfect picnic destination.

We spent the afternoon at Natural Bridge State Park.  Of course Andy and Riley climbed on top of that arch.

Tuesday morning was Goblin Valley.  Every child was in heaven.

They all climbed higher and higher.

Ryan and Eddie kept up with all everyone older.  They expertly climbed with all their might and their souls were refreshed and renewed by the exercise and the exploration.

This time the weather didn't turn until the afternoon.  We risked the rain and hiked Little Wild Horse.

More scrambling = the norm.

Wednesday we spent the morning repelling and rock climbing -- another winning activity.

Nick found a pet lizard.

Near the end, our instructor lowered Ryan over a ledge then helped me.  When I got to the bottom, Ryan said, "Hi, guys!"  He had climbed back up that sticky route and was standing beside the instructor.  Sean did not think it was funny, I laughed hysterically under my breath as Sean had to relower Ryan. 

We stayed down town right across from this sign.

Thursday everyone went mountain biking, except Molly and me.  We stayed home for eight hours and did "everything wonderful" as Molly put it.  We spent hours on the deck reading books, playing card games, coloring, eating doughnuts (we went shopping), having a tea party, singing ukulele songs and of course exercising and watching a show.  She commented, "Remember before Corona-virus when it was just you and me and home?"  

Twinners and best friends.

Friday morning we hiked the arches at Arches National Park.  We we up and loaded early, but we didn't make the sunrise over Delicate arch.

Once again, the children scrambled all over the rocks.

Look at Maddie go!

Molly stopped to pray -- she must have felt a stong connection to our Creator.  I let her.

Here is this nice boy who plans and makes adventures happen.

I've never noticed the La Sur mountains that frame Moab.  Living away from the Rockies finally gives me reverence for their beauty and grandeur.  Thank you, Mr. John Denver, for singing about nature.  Don't worry, we listened to all his songs.

We drove to Highland to go wedding dress shopping.

This whole wedding idea is becoming very real very fast.

Maisie came along: I would zip up dresses, Meg would model dresses, and Maisie would hang dresses.  What a sweet exerience.  How pleased I was when Meg chose a dress that is modest in coverage and price and reflects her desire to make the temple the focus and not the party.  What a girl!  What a dream!

We hopped into a photo booth, but it was broken, so we took our own.

Austin farmed out the children at cousins' houses while he shopped.  Maddie and Becca make peg people at Grandma Kim's.  (Thank you to mother for hostling.)

Here a just a few cousins -- I didn't take too many pictures, my heart was in a new place: a place where I am begining the phase of extended family among my own children and where I have to let her go and cleave to Elijah.  I know this is exactly what needs to happen, but it means that I have to grow again in a way that is brand new.  I am so proud of her.

Sunday we left Highland early and headed to John's house for church via ZOOM.

John's cute family was so reverent.

This is the first time, ever, that I didn't pack church clothes for Sunday.  The weight of not having to tote a "church" bag was way lighter than the weight of not being appropriately dressed to partake of the emblems of the sacrament.  I tried it once, never again.

Jared was with us in Moab -- here he is on ZOOM.

John explained all his big plans.  His world is a magical farm.

Spring Break this year was different without Meg.  We are not getting used to her being with us, because we still miss her every second.  But, we are learning how to live with the emptiness she leaves behind.  One more conclusion is this: We had just as much fun scrambling over rocks as we do in an amusement park.  I prefer the rocks.

Slow Down, but Don't Stop

I was really sad to be done with my ponytail Sunday night.  I only curl my hair once a week, so I took a long last look.

I followed a prompting and bought Molly a pack of 100 3x5 cards, a box of envelopes and Easter stickers.  She makes cards and notes for hours by the hundreds everyday.  This was just the morning collection.  

I found this picture on my phone -- just a glimpse of the morning.

Nick went to MUHS for his ninth grade day of tours and orientation.  He's going to high school.

Our home school group played dodgeball.  Look at this group of fun kids.  We are blessed to have such wonderful friends.

We are practicing a song for church on Sunday.  I was surprised that they could sing their part without help.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/T5KqSCnKnZmfn3Pd6

Maddie has a new trick!  Watch this!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gStFWDs7RZSWKLvv5

Wednesday we spent the afternoon cooking.  Molly moved her "workshop" to the middle of the kitchen floor -- no problem.

The youth competed in minute-to-win-it games.  Delightful!

I found these boomers on their devices later that evening.

He was pretending to do homework on the bed opposite.

We have 100 pages left in the 3rd Potter book.  Eddie fits perfectly recumbantly on my back.

Morning reader.

The trees of our community are in full bloom!  The rebirth of spring breaths new life into my soul.

Andy competed at sectionals.  He worked so hard this year -- trying a new sport and learning that wins fall along side losses.  I love my very big newborn baby boy.

Austin's best comment, "Wrestling tournaments are way more entertaining than track meets." AHAHAH.  We were there five hours.  Three matches were simultaneously going.  It really was enjoyable.

Saturday night the garage became a bike shop.  Maisie and I worked together in the kitchen.  Maddie bathed Molly.  Eddie and Ryan were hooligans per usual.

To remember (but not pictoral documentaion): I ate $15 in Easter candy by myself.  Whoops.  Eddie spent hours talking of serpentine powers and their games of snakes.  Ryan calmly announced at breakfast, "Maisie has the cheese touch; I gave it to her last night."  I laughed so hard.  Grandma delivered fresh cookies to our home this evening.  I heart her so much.  Elijah proposed to MEG!  They are engaged!!!  Pictures are deep within my phone.  Please bless I remember to add some.....remind me.   

March Madness

I didn't blog last week.  Whoops.  I'll make up for it here.

This is the aftermath of our lessons -- the children ran for hills, because they recognize that their instructor was through.

Our new coucn arrived, after waiting for four months.  I love that the children gather and pile onto two cushions.

I made Mel's Asian meatballs.  Make them. https://www.melskitchencafe.com/asian-meatballs-with-chili-sauce/

Here is the progress on our new flooring after the first four nights of working together.

I spend four hours watching football on Saturdays, plus four hours traveling and pretending that I get stuff done for the ten minutes I'm home between each game.  Grandma and Grandpa come, and I love watching Ryan hike the ball, and Eddie pulling lots of flags.

Tuesday this week was grout time.

Nick and Maddie were really lovely helpers.

This is what my family room looked like mid-afternoon on Wednesday.  Once again the children ran for the hills.

Now that I serve in YW, Wednesday nights are spent ministering the lovely young women of the ward.  

Austin is home with the three littles.  He took them to Sonic for their first "combined" activity.  They are all so lucky.

This girl is reading.  I can't get enough.  Clearly, I put aside all the world and just read.  My soul feels so good.

They impromptu play games often throughout the day.  I try not to referee too often; they know how to play fairly and show mercy.

Here is the room progress on Thursday night.  It needed a sealant, and we did it wrong.  We spent Friday morning scrubbing it off.  

Andy, Maisie, Nick and Maddie all have practice in the afternoon.   I use the time to do chores and prep dinner.  They use their time guilting me into treats and playing devices.  But 4pm everyday, I do need a bit a space, and that's okay.

Golden Dragon for dinner Friday nigth.  It was so good.  

Saturday finished our last round of FF games this season.

These boys improved.  Nick's team cancelled their last game.

Saturday was all about baseboards and crown moldings.  LOOK!  Nick has been the best helper during this process.  Shout out to him!

Sunday Andy took the three boys to church early -- Nick prepares the sacrament each week as a a teacher.  Austin and I walked in with these three.  They were holding hands, and I wish I had captured that, but they turned around.  They are still cute friends.

Sunday we fasted and feasted, prayed and played.

It's permit time for Maisie!  There she goes on her first adventure with Austin.  I potty train, he drive trains.

I found Molly and Andy having the most darling conversation, but it turned sour fast.  Here is the link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uxt4YYB1i6ugBe819

We went to Grandma's for chicken, checker and cheap conversation.

Grandma listens and enjoys.

We love them.  Austin and Grandpa spend many conversations figuring a way to build garden boxes that keep the pests out.

This week I feel better prepared to continue to do it all.