CADEN's BASKETBALL GAME

My boys love Caden. He is their best friend. They really wanted to go and support him today by watching his game. The game was close and Caden's team won. They were enthralled. They also loved purchasing snacks from the concession stand. Ashton bought a gatorade and gave it to Caden. It was his idea. I was proud of his thoughtfulness.

FAST SUNDAY

 

Logan bore his testimony for the first time today. He stood up and said, "I know that Jesus died on the cross. There were Lamanites. The good ones prayed. The bad ones died. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen." Nate bore a beautiful testimony about learning lessons of humility. He cried through it. He ran over to water hydrants at the farm and was unable to fix it on his own. Simon Weber and Kay Warner helped us until the project was done. He testified about how much we need each other. While we were singing the closing song, It is well with my Soul we sang the words, "My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord..." I wept unable to sing the words. How blessed I am to know my beloved Redeemer. 

LAKE DAY

Lake Days are the best days. I told my kids this morning that they had to pick a social goal, an intellectual goal, a physical goal, and a spiritual goal for the day. They have been spending too much time watching television. We read about the resurrection of the Savior and prayed as a family. Then the kids suggested, let's go to the lake and invite friends. Then we will get our social and physical goal at the same time. We did. We had a blast.

CREATION

 I love this kids imagination. I love how he uses it to create all the time. He creates stories and pictures and lego people. I love seeing his little mind work. 

WALKING

James, Ashton, Logan and I went for a walked mid-day. It was our first day back to school after our sick break and we needed sunshine to warm our hearts and calm our souls. We didn't walk that far because they are really behind on their schooling. I don't know if we will ever get caught up or if it is even worth our efforts to try. We work really hard every day and there is just not enough hours in the day to do all we want to do.

I made James a scarf so he doesn't have to wear his sister's purple scarf again. I woke up early every morning last week and journaled and read my scriptures. I love reading the Book of Mormon and I feel blessed of have the word of God in my life. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and I know that my life is less when I don't spend time in its pages. 

 

SUGAR COOKIES

James begged me to make sugar cookies. We may have made a dozen or two too many. No one wants to eat the cookies, they are just bored. I guess my freezer will be filled for lunches. Last night my muscles started to ache, my nose started to run, my head started to throb, and my ear was pulsing. I am thankful to my Heavenly Father that this virus didn't take me out until the weekend. Sierra is out of school and can run errands and help. She is willing which I am also grateful for.

It snowed today. The boys couldn't resist. I said, "You can go out and breathe in the sunshine and touch the snow but you have to have triple layers. I supervised them readying for the snow, which is something I rarely do.  They are all still sick. I couldn't deny them. James lasted the longest he was outside for thirty minutes. He is also the most well. The other two lasted about ten. They got to touch the snow and make a snow cone out of fresh fallen snow. Then back inside. 
 

READING THROUGH A VIRUS

I can say the greatest blessing that has come out of my children being sick is the fact that we have read so many books in the last few days while cuddled up on my bed. We read the Christmas Pig by JK Rowling in two days. We have read the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. We finished the Wing Feather Saga. All of these stories have types of Christ in them. I have had my throat catch multiple times. 

COUGH 'TILL YA PUKE

The title of this blog post says it all and that is what we have been doing all week folks. Logan has been busily begging to make cookies. The boredom is overwhelming as we wait for this virus to leave. We made molasses cookies a few days ago and today we are making pumpkin chocolate chip. Tomorrow will probably be sugar cookies. I took some molasses cookies to our neighbor Joann Brennan. She left them on her entry table and stood six feet away the whole time. I am not sick but I am certain she doesn't want what my kids have. It was nice visiting with her and she is always so kind to me. 

Pray we are better before Christmas. 

Sick

They are all sick again. There has been a chorus of coughing throughout the house for the last week. It started with Sierra she missed a week of school. Then James, Ashton, and finally Madison. They have little patience with each other. I need to go for a walk. I just need to get out of this house. 

 

She was our dog for a minute. Her name was Mona. Sierra slept with her every night. My friend Stacey signed her over to Sierra on Sierra's birthday. She got all the things she need to care for her on her birthday. We went to Utah to help care for baby Navy and to attend my Grandma Hair's funeral. It was fall break. Stacey was headed to Yellowstone so she boarded her at a boarding place called Pet Particulars. When we got home on a Saturday Sierra wanted her dog back. She freaked out at me and begged me to go get her. I didn't know where the boarding place was or the name of it. She wanted to just drive around Fruita and find her. I was sick and I didn't know where to start. I tried calling Stacey multiple times but she didn't have service. 

Then we got a call Monday morning from Aaron, Stacey's husband. The boarding place burnt down. Mona inhaled a lot of smoke. They said she was at the Vet ER. We could go and see her. She was still alive. I was afraid at what we would see. I thought she would be covered in burns. She wasn't. I was relieved, but Sierra wasn't. She cried and told me Mona looked worse than she thought. We visited her a few more times but ultimately they had to put her down a week later. Sierra's heart was broken. It still is. 

Things I want to remember about Mona; she was such an obedient dog, she loved Sierra fiercely, she loved raw eggs. I would give her one when no one was looking. Everyone thought I hated her, she was scared of me, but I kinda miss her too. 

GRANDMA HAIR's FUNERAL

My cousin Anjanelle Harold Kendrick wrote the following. I could not have written it better, so I stole it.

My grandmother, Mary Weller Hair passed away last month. I've neglected to post it ignoring the reality that she really is gone. I don't want to really accept that she's not going to be there when I swing by in Orem to say hello, stop for a late-night sleepover on our trek through the state. Her home was my home away from home anytime I needed it. I don't want to face the reality that I no longer have grandparents on this earth to cheer me on, hug me and tell me I'm loved and am doing enough. I have been so fortunate to have grandparents for so long that always did just that. My grandma was the kind of person I could relate to, she always had great things to be engaged in! I knew if I wanted to spend time with her I may as well grab a cloth and start cleaning the windows alongside her. Some of my favorite memories are working alongside Grandma, whether it was gathering nuts or flowers, or cleaning up the flowerbed or house I loved it! She never expected it, and she was always sure to show her gratitude with some token of appreciation. As hard of a worker as she was she knew how to have a good time too. She knew how to throw a party and everyone would be invited. She made sure to have one before her and Grandpa left this earth too - she didn't want everyone just coming for a funeral - she wanted to see them and be there! She loved any invitation to do something fun but could also enjoy in a quiet evening watching something on KBYU or Hallmark and some homemade treat she'd let me make in her kitchen with Aunt Ruth.

She'd exclaim, "Oh my heart!" with any amount of thought or generosity shown her. She was extremely appreciative! She'd get excited, absolutely thrilled over the smallest of things. That's what made it so fun to give to her - you knew she just loved it and you! However, she'd return the kindness 10-fold each time. But as much as you felt she loved the item you gave her if you knew my grandma you knew that material possession had no real worth she'd part with it without any thought if she knew someone else could find joy in it. I remember visiting her home when I was young, I complimented some Easter decor she had on her shelf. Within a few minutes, she had gathered and wrapped each glass figurine for me and told me to take them home to decorate my room. She had no problem parting with anything. She'd offer you a warm plate of food no matter how short your visit. I always knew where my grandmother stood in her faith. She was stalwart, unmoveable. She sacrificed, she served, and she trusted that the Lord would provide in time of need, whatever those may be. She never feared that He wouldn't. She bore testimony to me that a bountiful basket was provided to your family each time a new baby was born - and I saw that was true. She had 17 children! She would know. They never had a lot of money growing up, but they never went without. They had each other and still do - those 17 kids have been a rock to me my whole life. The Hair family provided me with a huge family of love, good times and musical memories. I consider it a huge honor and privilege to be counted among the posterity of this noble woman. I love you Grandma - thank you for always being there for me, for your continual faith in me, for always opening your home and arms to me and my family. You are dearly missed already but you'll always be a part of who I am and how I live.

FSY

Both of my girls got to go to FSY this year. Sierra loved the classes. However, the rooming situation was less than ideal. Madison couldn't select a fun roommate from the girls in the ward, because all her friends are a year younger than her. The older girls in our ward just have never been able to find common ground and connect with each other, so Sierra rolled the dice too. Sierra ended up not having a roommate at all and spent all of FSY alone, which was good and bad. She enjoyed her alone time but she was never really able to meld with the group of kids. Madison just was happy to be there. She usually is just happy to be alive and participating in anything different from the everyday.  These are the kinds of pictures I get from my Sierra lately but I will take what I can get. 

 

Highline Lake

 

We spent a lot of time this summer at Highline Lake. We were there almost once a week. The kids needed to feel the cool water and absorb the sunshine. It was so good for our souls. I got to just sit on the beach and read a book. I wore my black swimsuit romper and my wide brimmed hat and relaxed in the shade. It would add to our joy when on occasion we would  run into friends during our weekly sojourns.

ROCKETS

Nate taught James how to build a rocket. He spent several days building it with him and then they went and launched the rocket in the park. He has been spending a lot of time lately with his two oldest boys.

 

YW CAMP

I can't believe this is the only picture I got of girl's camp. I did take a lot of film and I will compile it into a video some day. I was invited up to girl's camp about a week and half before it was scheduled. They needed someone to cook for the girls and the lot fell to me. It was the hardest I have worked, and the longest hours I have worked in a very long time. It was exhausting. However, the spirit was so strong and I knew I was where the Lord wanted me to be. I could barely contain the tears from flowing down my cheeks as I listened to the girls sing. Their voices would lift over the hill and flood the campsite. Tears would roll down my cheeks or a know would catch in my throat as I finished washing dishes from the evening's meal. Also, I felt the spirit visiting with Sister Yeager while we hiked. She would lose her son just a month later in a motorcycle accident. Also, I the spirit was present as I watched Kaylee Weber evolve over the week. She started the week with her hoody down over her face and her earbuds in and ended it fully participating. It filled my soul to watch her as the spirit changed her energy, her     countenance, and her joy. 

Despite the exhaustion serving the girls was one of the choicest experiences of my life. I especially enjoyed being with Sierra who spent the whole time near my side serving me. Kaitlin Gladden was melting near the end of the week. I encouraged Sierra to wash her feet with the other girls. She was the only one that was willing to lead out. She ended up washing her feet alone. Tears streamed down Kaitlin's face. I know it touched Sierra deeply. 

EASTER EGG HUNT

Nate invited I and the children out for a literal Easter Egg hunt. He set up colored eggs and colorful soda cans and gave candy or money as prizes for hitting the target. The children had a blast. Sierra earned the most money. She is the oldest but she is also a pretty good shot.

The Boat

Nate took the whole family out on the boat to Highland Lake. The evening was so peaceful and happy. We were together as a family. It was such a magical moment. 

 

LAKE DAY

 

We went to the lake today. We cleaned the house and mowed the lawns. I told the kids if they got all their chores done we we would go. They are always more easy and willing when they are rewarded at the end but it sure makes for a long day for mom.