MIA

Wow this week has been a -Ka-RAY-Zee- one!

SUNDAY right before church (our worship starts early at 9:00 am), #3 gets another never ending bloody nose. Which luckily, only dripped on his tie and not on his white shirt or dress pants. 

PHEW!

We ended up walking in late (which I hate) without #3. He came later after his nose stopped bleeding and he reshowered (let's pretend that's a word.)

MONDAY started out awesome with the best, sweetest, most thoughtful text from my oldest daughter- just out of the blue for no reason at all.

It made my day!!!

The next conversation I had was with Gram

This is how that conversation went down:

ME:  Hi Gram!  How was you weekend?

GRAM: Rachael? I can't hear you.  My hearing aids are broken and I was wondering if you could come take me to the doctor today at 4:30.

ME: Sure Gram, I can take you.

GRAM: What?  I can't hear you

ME:  (louder this time) YES

GRAM: What?  I can't hear you.

ME: (Screaming) YES! YES!

GRAM: I can't hear you

ME: YES! I CAN! YES! YES!

(By this point I'm racking my brain trying to figure out how I can let her know I can take her since she can't hear a word I'm saying.)

GRAM: If you can take me, be here a little after 4:00, and I'll meet you in the lobby.

When we hung up I was dying laughing.  Gram needs to learn how to text, so the next time her hearing aids go out, we can communicate.

HAHA .I just love her.

The next call I received was a text from #3 a little after 11:00 am. 

It said, "Will you come get me? I have had a bloody nose for over a half an hour and it still won't stop."

You know I did.  That sucker bled and bled like nobody's business.  We tried everything - ice, nose spray, pressure. He was so afraid they would have to shove a painful pack up it like they did the last time. It finally stopped right before our appointment with the ENT at 2:45.  He cauterized it, and sent him on his way.

However, we were a work-in appointment and had to wait quite a long time.  Remember I'm suppose to pick up Gram for her appointment around 4. It would take me a little over half an hour to get to her. AND #5 and #6 needed to be picked up from school at 3:15.  Luckily I have an awesome husband who always rushes in to save the day.  He left work early enough to pick up the girls. Then he brought them to the ENT's office where we switched places.  He stayed with #3 while the little girls and I picked up Gram and took her to her appointment.

Everything worked out.  Gram can now hear again, and #3 hasn't had another bloody nose yet.

HAPPY DAY!

Movie at Gram's

 Last week in between Christmas and New Year's we went to the movies at Gram's new place.

Yes, you read that right.  Gram's assisted living center has a movie theater right there, on site.

It has lots of nice comfy seats, a huge screen, and the best part, they provide free candy (theater box size) and popcorn (from a theater popcorn machine).

We had such a good time.  My kids beg me everyday to take them to watch a movie at Gram's.

(By the way, you'll never guess which movie we're watching, so I'll just tell you. It's a Deseret Book film called The Miracle Maker).

Did I mention Gram's place also has a billiards room?

The boys ended the night with a friendly game of pool.

Thanks Gram for moving to such a fun, family-friendly place!

Holiday Peak

Last week was rough on my nerves, and I can honestly say that I'm glad to be done with it.

The kids were out of school the entire week, which was great and awesome except for the fact that they were ALL "jacked up on Holiday Dew".  They were bouncing off the walls with Christmas excitement - even my teens.  Combine that with a husband who was very busy working super long hours being Santa's helper at work all week- Saturdays and Christmas Eve included.

It's a wonder I made it.

All week long I was like the 4th Destiny's Child chanting:

I'm a survivor

I'm gonna make it

I will survive

Keep on survivin'

Last week we had a jolly-holly good time at our local water-park turned North Pole.

Here we are riding along on the lazy river.  We went sledding down a waterslide and saw Santa.

It was really weird being at the water-park at night in the middle of winter wearing our snow gear instead of our swim suits.

We also went to Temple Square with my parents, Gram, and my sister and her boys.

I love Christmas at Temple Square. It's beautiful and the Christmas Spirit can be felt everywhere.

"The spirit of Christmas is something I hope all of us would have in our hearts and lives—not only at this particular season but also throughout the year."

-President Thomas S. Monson

I'm Alive!

It's true!  I'm alive.  I wish I could say the reason I haven't blogged all week is because I've been glued to my couch, unable to do anything except to relax, read, and eat Bon-Bons. The truth is I've been running around like a turkey with it's head cut off (pun intended). 

So just in case you missed me and have been suffering withdraws from lack of super interesting informative post this past week, let me recap.

I. Last week was Sadie Hawkins.  

Just look at this adorable group of guys and girls!

They came to our house for a "Make-Your-Own-Pizza" date before the dance.

(more on this later)

II. Last week we also moved Gram again.  

She moved from HERE to a brand-spankin' new place 2 blocks down the street.  It's super nice.  The staff is incredible, and she's getting more bang for her buck!

It was very fortunate for us that the night we moved her stuff in was PIE NIGHT at the assisted living center.

 

When #3 was little, he used to always write, say, type, sing, sign: "I like pie."  

Needless to say, he likes pie, and was very happy to be rewarded for his service with pie.

III.  Last but not least, basketball has begun.

#4 is playing on an accelerated league, and the season is in full swing!

I've also been busy helping with Thanksgiving activities at the elementary school, trying not to go crazy figuring out this years Christmas gifts, and cleaning -always cleaning.

Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!  I'll post more about ours next week.  I'm so grateful for all my blessings, and the God who gives them all.

This is Halloween

 This past weekend was a fun one!

We, like everyone else, wore Halloween out by celebrating both on Friday and Saturday!

 Saturday was reserved for trick-or-treats and mummy dogs.

Friday day was full of school parties, costume parades, and Halloween crafting. 

 After school we hurried over to a Halloween party at Gram's retirement center.

 They had all sorts of fun games and activities for the little kids to do. . .

(My older kids are such good sports.)

Bowling, ring-toss, face painting, bean bag toss, crafts, and even palm reading.

After the party with Gram we hurried over to another party hosted by our friends, The Carman's.

Did you notice Clint had a different look for each event!  

Way to keep it fresh and exciting -Babe.

Weekend Happenings

In no particular order. . . .

 Clint's little cousin Samantha got married Saturday in the Mesa, AZ temple!  I was so very sad I could not be there.  She looks beautiful!

 Today (technically not part of the weekend, but . . . .), I began another Bikini Body Mommy challenge.  This will be my 3rd.  My goals this time around are:

1.  Gain more muscle

2. Lose more body fat. 

I'm not sure exactly where I am, but I think I want to lose about 3-5% more.  In order to accomplish this I'm going to have to really work on goals 3 and 4.

3. Eat more veggies, less fruit, and increase my healthy fats.

4. Move more!  Sometimes I think I eat out of boredom.  I think I'm hungry, but really I'm just looking for something to do.  To combat this, I'm going to try going for a walk whenever I think I this might be the case. 

 Yesterday, Sunday, we had a good two hour visit with Gram.  She seems to be doing much better acclimating to her new life in a retirement center. We went for a walk around the grounds, visiting the duck pond, and floating leaf boats down the stream along our way.

Friday afternoon this was mysteriously dropped off at our door.

It was a invite for #2 to Homecoming.  The dance is a week from Saturday. EEK! We're going shopping today.  Wish us luck!

Gram

Last weekend we moved Gram into an Assisted Living Home.

(There are actually 9 of us plus a large luggage cart in this elevator.  Thank goodness no one suffers from Claustrophobia.)

She'll be living in this lovely one bedroom apartment.

(This is a itty bitty photo.  Click on it and it should enlarge.) 

 Gram told us which of her things she would like from her house, and it was our job to load them up, move them over, and decided where everything should go.

For not having a degree in interior decorating, I think we did a pretty awesome job.

 There is a small fishing pond on the property where the kids spent most of their time fishing. 

Grandma spent most of her time trying out Gram's new bed.

Where to Begin

Last week was a whirlwind of activities, people, and emotions.

We had summer vacation begin, a son leave for a summer job, a family wedding, a Temple Celebration, and our long- awaited for Payson Temple was finally dedicated yesterday.

This past week I've experiences many mixed emotions -  I've felt overwhelmed, happy, spiritually-high, stressed, mad, sad, excited, anxious, left-out, loved- you name it, I felt it.

It was a FULL week!  Let me explain:

Monday, as you know, began bright and early with a trip up the canyon to drop my 3rd child off at Camp Maple Dell (you can read about that here).  He's working there for the summer in the commissary. All week long, I noticed his absence (as did the rest of his siblings).  It was an awesome reunion when I picked him up Friday night - but more about that later.

Monday was also the first day of summer break.  I think by 10:00 am, my two youngest were thoroughly bored!  (Why is it that my kids complain about having to get up and have structure to their day, but then when summer comes and they are able to do whatever they want, they want structure and someone to plan out their day? - Scientist may never discover the answer!) I'm sure your little angels don't do this, but when my kids (especially my two youngest) are bored they fight.  I think by bedtime, Monday night, I had broken up at least 17 arguments, tease-sessions, 'she's looking at me' moments, etc.

For FHE on Monday, we went and helped my nephew finish his Pinewood Derby car (I use the term 'We' very loosely.  When I say We I really mean Clint.)  He proudly won 3rd place overall and the award for Best Paint Job.

We also visited Gram.  Poor Gram.  She fell and broke her ankle a few weeks ago. 

She was on her patio overseeing a friend plant her flowers.  She can't really remember how it happened, but somehow, her leg went out from under her and she was on the ground.  Her leg was straight, but her foot was lying on the ground.  She thought she had just sprained it.  Luckily there were two other women there who insisted on taking her to the ER for x-rays.  It was definitely broken.  The next morning she had surgery.  The surgeon did his best to repair it.  A few metal plates, and several boxes of screws later her ankle is now facing the right way.  

 She is currently working on healing and adjusting in a rehab center.  She will be there until Aug.  (We will have to wait and see what happens after that.)

Farewell FHE

Today, my parents are officially Elder and Sister again.

They are returning for their second year as service missionaries at Heber Valley Camp (HVC)- a camp created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for young women, families, and church groups.  It is a beautiful, peaceful, and really fun place. (More Posts about HVC HERE)

 

Last week, we had a family FHE hosted by my sister, Kimberlee.

My dad taught a lesson on family unity which reminded me of this Vietnamese folktale.  (He used toothpicks instead of chopsticks.)  

CHOPSTICKS

Once there was an old man who lived with his three young sons in a small village in Vietnam. Though they all loved each other very much, the boys seemed to always be fighting and quarreling.

One day the father called them to him. “My sons,” he said, “I want each of you to bring me a chopstick.”

“Yes, Father,” they said, and each ran to get a chopstick.

When they stood before him again, he said to his oldest son, Ta, “Can you break your chopstick?”

“Yes, Father. That’s easy.” He snapped his chopstick in two.

The father asked his middle son, Hai, “Can you break your chopstick?”

“Yes, Father. That’s easy.” Hai snapped his chopstick in two.

“Can you break your chopstick?” the father asked his youngest son, Thu.

“Yes, Father. That’s easy.” It was harder for him, but he was able to break his chopstick in two.

“Now,” the father said to his youngest son, “bring me three unbroken chopsticks.”

Thu ran to get them.

“When you hold them together, can you break them?” asked the father.

Thu tried as hard as he could, but he could not break the three together. Hai also tried, but he couldn’t break them.

Ta, being the oldest, thought he might break the three, but try as he would, he could not do it.

“I hope you have learned from the chopsticks,” said their father.

One day soon after that, Thu was taking his new ball to a friend’s house to play. At the end of his street, a bully, much bigger than Thu, jumped out and took the ball away from him.

“Please give it back,” Thu begged. But the bully would not. Thu went home and told his brothers what had happened.

Ta and Hai looked at each other. “Chopsticks?” they said, and they went to find the bully. “What are you doing with our brother’s ball?” they asked.

“Aw, I just borrowed it,” said the bully, looking nervously at the brothers. He gave it back at once and didn’t borrow it again.

Some time later, Hai got sick and had to stay in bed for a while. He became cross and restless. “My sons,” said the father. “Have you noticed that Hai is getting very tired of having to stay in bed day and night? I wonder what can be done about that.”

“Chopsticks,” said Ta and Thu, and they began bringing things to their brother and entertaining him while he was sick. Soon he was feeling much better.

Years passed, and the boys had grown into fine young men. Each had a farm and a family of his own.

One spring a terrible rain lasted so long that the river flooded. Hai and Thu lived on high ground, but Ta lived near the river, and his entire rice field was swept away by the flood.

Hai and Thu got together to talk about their brother’s loss.

“Chopsticks?” asked Hai.

“Chopsticks,” answered Thu. And until the next rice harvest, a bag of rice appeared on Ta’s doorstep every week so that he and his family never went hungry.

When the old father, who was very old by this time, heard of it, he was sitting in front of his house in the sun. “Chopsticks,” he said, and he smiled a very happy smile.

The moral of the lesson being that if we all stick together as a family, we will be stronger and unbreakable.

  We also sang songs, had treats, and played games.

Clint and I were in charge of games.  We played Boo-lah, which is basically a fancy way of playing the Hot and Cold game (No idea where the name came from.  This is something Clint played with his family growing up).  One person leaves the room while another hides a designated object.  Once the "It" person returns, you says Boo-lah loudly or softly to lead them to the object.  The closer they are, the loud you get.

During the lesson, this little girl (#6) got the back-scratch of a lifetime by Gram.  She was in heaven!  

Smell-mories

Do you ever smell a certain smell and immediately you're transported to another time or place?

This morning we had cantaloupe with breakfast.  One whiff of that fruity smell and I was 10 years old again on summer vacation eating breakfast with Gram out on her patio on a warm fresh morning.  For some reason, I only remember having cantaloupe at Gram's house- cantaloupe with bacon.  YUM!

I have other smell-mories as well.

For instance, I can't smell Red Vines or greasy fast food without thinking of my other sweet grandma - G.G., who used to eat licorice by the handful while flipping burgers at her ma and pop fast food diner - The Timpfreeze.

For my dad, the smell of manure reminds him of home and his childhood.  Lucky for him, since I live just up from a dairy, he gets to smell that every time he comes to my house.

Ahhh smell-mories like the corner of my nose?

What Smell-mories do you have?

The SELFIE Stick

Grandma + Selfie Stick =

Wordless Wednesday:

 

 

 

Sing Choirs of Angels

Last Saturday, we went Temple Square in Salt Lake City,  UT.

It was a family affair.  We were so grateful to have my parents, my Gram, and my sister and her family there with us.

 #2 performed in a beautiful Christmas concert with her school choir in the Joseph Smith Memorial building, and also the Assembly Hall.

Can you spy her?  She spies you.

 Have you ever been inside the Assembly Hall on Temple Square?  It is one of the most gorgeous buildings ever.  Built by the Mormon pioneers in the late 1800's, the craftsmanship is to die for.  

Look at that spiral staircase and all the handcrafted molding. 

Including this on the center of the ceiling.

Not to mention the organ, and all the stained-glass windows.

It's definitely a must see.