Friday already! Today was a great day though-the kids didn’t have school because it was one of those teacher professional development days, but just after the busy weekends, we’ve had the last few weeks it was nice to feel like a Saturday and we still have a Saturday tomorrow! 

 I think we’re staying busy around here because the weeks are flying by!! 

The only soccer pic I have—he took of himself! 

Saturday morning  the plan was I was going to  coach Soccer then we’re gonna come home and head straight to the temple… But it was so muggy and hot and I was dripping with sweat so I had to squeeze a shower in there, But I got home and Isaac was nowhere to be found… The horses had got out. 🤯 

But really everything worked out-I got showered we loaded up (I had done most of it ahead of time) and we were on the road in time for me to make an endowment session. It was awesome. 

Oh, but when I packed up, I forgot my temple bag so I had to rent clothes…not a big deal and it was really great to be in the temple! 

I got done and then the youth were headed in and I was the assigned babysitter because that’s what they had planned long before I was serving in young women’s, but it all worked out fine and really the only people that needed me at all were thr Hiltons so it felt like a temple trip from years ago when we would just go with one family and trade-off anyways we had a lot of fun with those kids. 

Oh wait I better mention that I fell asleep on the drive over to Nauvoo (Which was perfect because then I wasn’t quite so sleepy during my session) 

But when we were driving, they had seen this doom buggy for sale so the plan was to stop on the way back…We did…And when we pulled in I said “this is Sister Krauss’s house” We double checked the address on LDS tools, but it totally was! I knew she lived out there, but Isaac didn’t, Anyway, her husband was selling the dune buggy. We looked at it and then Isaac and her husband  talked and talked….I don’t know how interested Isaac is in the dune buggy but while he talked to Brian I got to chat with Karen-she’s fantastic! (We’re kinda ward council buddies since we both have to go to both -she’s the primary president- she has to drive a lot farther than me so…remind me if I ever start complaining!) It was good to visit! 

But it was already a later than normal temple trip and  we didn’t get home till well after dark—The plan was La Fuente and we went for it! 

The Sunday hit, had that early ward council, taught the builders of Faith class-those girls are great! Cann had friends over again.

Tried out the blender we traded Grama for (we got the better of the trade the one for her Bosch didn’t even fit it. I guess it would only fit mine, but I never used it on mine.) These kids love a slushie! 

And a friend at church gave these guys a “ 30 days lost in space” kits, I honestly have no idea what it is but they’re enthralled and Tanner loves learning that kind of stuff and he enjoys doing it with Isaac so —it’s a win… And no wonder he tells me school is boring, It probably is compared to that! 

 I had a meeting with the Stake YW presidency…let’s just say that over Zoom…Was painful!  My poor counselor that works nights was falling asleep and I don’t work nights and was falling asleep too!!! 

Monday was soccer practice and Cann had football. Bro Hilton (one of Cann’s seminary teachers…oh actually, that was so cool about the temple trip. It wasn’t a very well attended youth trip because just the kids have a lot of things going on right now, One family went a little earlier in the day, but the two other people that were there with the youth in the temple Besides Isaac were Cannon’s seminary teachers, I just thought that was awesome!!) Anyway, Baydon brought his boys and came to part of Cannon’s football game…

Pic 1 Cannon blocking I know it’s not great, but I had soccer practice so it was late and that’s what I got…

Pic 2  Seth and Porter running around the track… they went  right through the cheerleaders😳 Whose kids are those anyway?

We always do the intro to come follow me and missionary letters for CFM on Mondays, we’re loving hearing from the missionaries!!

Tuesday I ended up doing a little podcast thing our ward is testing out. I had said no way would I  want to do that but then when they asked, it’s really a simple thing —not a big deal and I would hope that in those situations my kids would say “Sure, I’d be happy to” So that’s what I went with. I was pretty nervous about it but it was just visiting with Bishop back-and-forth, no he asked the questions but he didn’t talk much, but it was fine, just telling stories and such …  I’m a storyteller!!— so I probably said too much 🤷🏻‍♀️

Wednesday Colt raced again and did awesome. (Thankfully my friend took pics) They’re running about a 2 mile race but he cut two minutes off his time. I thought that was unbelievable. The weather conditions definitely helped and the course wasn’t as brutal, but I was totally impressed. I think he’s in a really fun spot where when he works hard, he sees significant improvement. I didn’t go down to it because I wouldn’t have been able to get back in time for young women’s.  Our activity was supposed to be a spiritual one, so I confess that I was a little bit nervous about us not having as much “fun” But it was a blast we played Kahoot and Blooker and focused on the For the Strength  of Youth guide and I thought everybody was super engaged and that it went great! I’ve got to figure out Wednesdays though because I get a little wound up in that setting like hoping that it’ll go well and then have a hard time getting to bed. It’s a late night!! 

Yesterday wasn’t that long  ago, but I can’t remember what we did-I guess Tanner had soccer practice and I watched some of my young women play volleyball while he was there. Addi  and I Have been playing around in the T-shirt shop upstairs… We’re gonna have company next week though, so I better get it cleaned up

Then just today, Colton and I ran over to the cemetery, but Colt can run… And I’m a really slow old lady jog! Thankfully, my shoe came untied, and I stopped at the stop sign just at the end of the gravel road to tie it and convinced him to just go off ahead of me! Look close he’s in the pic but clear up there! 

That was way better. He got a better workout and I didn’t die.🤣

Oh, I know what else we did yesterday and today it was make caramel apples!  We bought a couple over in Nauvoo and they were delicious but of course I thought I could make some for way cheaper —that’s just my style— and Colt held me to it, we made a couple yesterday and a few more today. And  I made cookies for Cannon‘s football team for their little sack lunches so the kitchens been hop’n. Tonight  we went to brother Gannon‘s volleyball game! 

I was hooting annd hollaring and they threw us a free shirt! Twice! 🤣 And they won a really tight match so it was dang fun, Cannon‘s (varsity) Team also won! 

So good night —it was a good, night! 

We play hard,  but not last Saturday! We worked!  We had soccer in the morning and then the plan was for Cannon,  Colton and Isaac to go strip the concrete forms, but there was some confusion (read frustration 😜) and Colt did not go. When I got home from soccer  about 11:30,  Isaac called and said I need you to bring everybody- grab hammers! 

Well we better back up for pics. 

I handed Addi my phone…when Seth subbed out he “helped” her. Lots of pics of me. And we’ll have weeks and weeks of soccer pics coming…

Now about that Family work project! I got dinner in the crock pot and we were on the road by just after noon. But I had to swing into Home Depot and buy a special bit for his impact. The job site was 45 min away so we got there just before 1:00 and I told Isaac we had 2 hours-put us to work! He did! 

When Add told me she “had a bleed” I said “me too” (dumb it was a clumsy poor decision on mine) not sure how she got hers but of course we took a pic! 

They were good workers but the older boys and I  had to be gone by 3:00 to make it home, shower, and meet at the church to drive down to the stake activity in Moberly. But when 3 rolled around, I left and the boys stayed to help. Which is a bummer but I’d rather them miss the temple activity than miss the actual temple which is where we’re headed tomorrow.

Tuckered out! Actually that’s how we all felt…but I still had to drive to Moberly. 

It was good to all be out there working as a family though. I liked that and it reminded me of Pres Oaks talk, not the last one but the one before that called The Family—centered gospel of Jesus Christ. Where he talked about working together. Anyway it definitely helped that’s dad was paying them! I drove the youth down to the activity which was fine but swung by the ATM on my way home. Dad had to pay up day up! Tanner really struggles when he doesn’t get to choose whether he helps or not and he’s not very motivated by money so he wanted to be done! He came home with me and then he made a little extra money tending Addi while I was gone…a pretty good deal to just have to sit and watch Paw Patrol 😉

I think we actually got home around the same time…around 10:00! …and they didn’t quite get done Isaac had to go back early Monday morning. Yikes. 

Sunday ??? Was probably good but I can’t remember-ha

These guys had fun! 

Monday Isaac found out he had to pay the ticket. I wish he would have paid it in Feb—would have saved me a lot of stress. We still think it was wrong, they didn’t “attempt to take wildlife on or across a road way” we are still confident with a lawyer he could have won, and talked about what he should have done differently, but a lawyer would have cost more than the ticket so…its dumb. Seems a little rigged but whatever. Cannon had told me they had a chance but when he found out Isaac lost he said “oh yeah mom, dad against that lawyer was like me playing basketball against Steph Curry-no chance.”  We’ll call it a learning experience—that I hope we don’t have to ever have to use the knowledge we gained OR learn more of! 

Cannon had football—I watched what I could on huddle but I had soccer practice with Seth and it was a long way…almost to St Louis…I think. I got all excited as I saw this play develop so I took a screen shot. By time I got the video back going I just heard the crowd sigh, So when I talked to Cannon, I was like “Did you drop a touchdown pass?” 🙁 he said yes it was a bummer. The guy just made a good defensive play ripped his arm away—bummer. 

He did have a catch for a first down though. 

Colt ran on Tuesday this week and I didn’t go to that either. Maybe I should’ve,  but I didn’t. He said he didn’t care one way or the other and it was causing me a lot of stress so I just didn’t. But the good news is my friend took pictures and the other good news is he had a great race! He said it was brutal. He had to run by the finish line so it’s like he thought he was done but he still had another loop. He did end up with a negative split though (That’s when your 2nd mile is faster than your first) It was a longer race than last week, but he ended up in front of some guys he was behind last week on his team, maybe only one. Anyway,  I think he’s having fun. It was a hard, brutal race, I’m not really sure how he feels about pushing that hard.🤣 But I thought he did great even if I wasn’t there to watch! 

Wednesday we were going to mow at the cemetery but we got rained out. (He did it for me today instead) but Mr Has to have a project found something. I’m so glad he did this though! I was sure the tiles were gonna fall…. So he just rigged up these boards to hold it up and nailed it. I kind of thought maybe we should’ve Squirted glue in there too I don’t know how maybe with a syringe of some sort or something, but I’m not gonna complain— And it’s not like I know anything about fixing things! 

Thursday, my phone blew up all day with birthday wishes!! I have awesome family and friends!! It’s started early-continued all throughout the day and didn’t end until after I was in bed! And we’ve been celebrating the heck out of it! (Maybe we’re make’n up for years gone by ??? Who cares? It’s been great!) Isaac had to teach on Thursday, but we went to lunch Wednesday for my birthday. He told the kids we’d go out to eat tomorrow,  for my birthday (that one’s kind of gotta be partly to make the temple trip Fun too.)  We went to the lake today, for my birthday. Just every little fun thing “for my birthday” and there’s been lots!  I can’t even remember what else but while I was at Young women’s Wednesday night he and the little kids hit the chocolate aisle at Walmart. And that’s always a win! Two of my friends both gave me little vases of flowers and chocolate. Today I went to lunch, for my birthday, with a friend whose birthday is on Sunday. Wednesday nights get so late and are so rough I let Tanner and Seth sleep in “for my birthday” and for the sake of  my own sanity as well as anyone who was going to have to interact with them.  They were both mad about being late (it was only 1/2 hour and it bought them 1.5 hours of sleep) but when I picked him up that day, they both seemed to think it actually was a good deal, they didn’t miss much. 

After we dropped them off, Addi and I went shopping just for fun! We bought a new water bottle and some bulbs to plant-nothing too exciting but we had fun! 

I had made cinnamon swirl cake for breakfast and we called it birthday cake! 

Today we’ve just kept the good times rolling! 

I am sure there’s more to write,  other stories to tell, but we have soccer and the temple tomorrow, after last week of soccer and the concrete wall project and the stake youth activity —it is just busy. I’m ready for a nice,  slow, nothing to do Saturday, but I think at this point, I’ll settle for a not too many things Saturday 😂

Lake pics! 

It was  a fun trip. It was so hot today and the water has cooled off a little bit so it just felt nice. It was really good water to ski on too. Cannon traveled with the varsity football over to Hannibal (they got killed) but he wasn’t there and that’s really my only complaint because then I had to drive the boat why Tanner tried to ski and I’m terrible at it. I hate driving the boat!! 

You might have to get a magnifying glass out to see, but I was trying to get a picture of Tanner surfing with the birds behind him. They’re barely in the top left of this picture, but it  so cool when  they fly behind us and fish in the wake. This picture really doesn’t do it justice! 

Seth had a great run! 

Colts getting pretty good going either way! 

I got to ski -Until I was too tired, But I also jumped on the surfboard too! 

It was just a fun lake trip. It’s been a fun couple of days. Now we just gotta survive all the busyness and the messes and the dishes and  the laundry….Whatever my grandma used to always say “it’ll wait for ya”… And it will.

See ya next week

We never go to the lake on Saturday because it’s just too busy, but we’re too busy…so last Saturday we went even though it was Labor Day weekend… We still out lasted all the other boats😉

(No pics of Colt —that’s a fail—he’s our lake dog!) 

And Seth and Addi (which talk to texts picks up as Cincinati—haha) got tons of beach time in that was fun but no pics cuz my phone is on the boat)  

We got back pretty late and Isaac and I both had an early morning meetings, but whatever we pulled it off! Sunday was the first week of the new schedule, but I kinda like it cause it kind of just reminds me of the primary schedule so, so far so good on that! 

Cannon had his church buddies over that night, I made cookies and popcorn to try to be a good hostess, but Cannon was the cleaning tyrant…it was kindof great. 

Monday we had off but Cannon had football practice in the morning and a football game in the evening so we weren’t quite free. We didn’t hear back to the lake but it was tempting. 

The kids ended up building a “ Castle” And then they dug a mote around it with the mini! They were just living the dream, they had a blast. They were filthy. They stayed outside most of the day. I feel like that’s a win all the way around. They tried to make drawbridges, but the only one that wasn’t too heavy to pull up, wasn’t strong enough— so only Seth and Addi could go on it.

Tues has been a soccer night for us for years but they switched this season so now Tanners practice is Thursday. I don’t know what we did, but we were free! 

Wednesdays are stressful cause I still don’t have young women’s figured out. The kids decided they wanted to make rice bags, but that was as far as we got so I guess that kind of left me in charge of it….So I had that going on and Isaac was going to do concrete stuff after office hours but it got rained out…so we got a lunch date instead. Total win. He ordered a whole bunch of parts to fix the air conditioning in our van. Then found out the shop rate for some guy that I think he would’ve trusted to do it… The guys rate was $80 an hour so he asked AI about how many hours it usually takes to do all these things and it said between 8 and 14 hours…Of course we didn’t wanna pay that so he decided to just do it himself but…starting such a project at 5:30 at night probably wasn’t his best move. I text him at 11… He replied closer to 12 that he was getting close… But I don’t think he went to bed until 4:00??. I don’t know. I know it was after 3:00 and I got up at 4:25. Luckily, this time his alarm wasn’t set for 5:00, But holy cow—last week then this week. I don’t know how he does it… And I don’t know why it stresses me out that he does it… But it does!

But I can’t complain. Have air conditioning again is really nice— so Isaac for the win! 

Thursday we went to Colts cross country meet, It was awesome! He was pretty nervous but he did great. I had signed up to take snacks for after the race and I had my t-shirt shop hop’n that morning,  so it was a busy day but it was fun! And I don’t even have a pic but the t-shirts were a hit. 

And today I made 5 doz cookies for Cannons football team before 7:00AM. Cann was annoyed and embarrassed I went to take pictures of the football team high five’n the kids as they got to school. Overall I said “too bad buddy you win some you lose some!” 

Today was a lot less stress—the house is a wreck but I’ll get to it eventually. We went to Truman Volleyball tonight then the football game. 

Tomorrow’s busy too so I better call it good. 

What a week! Grampa said it was dang hot in Utah last week…and we got it here this week! 🥵 not the best week to have the air-conditioning go out on the van!  Isaac was working on it for me Wednesday night at 6:45… But young women starts at 7:00 and I really don’t do late! Hopefully, he finds some time this weekend or…The kids are already all for a new vehicle…I’m all for making this one last as long as it can—until we don’t have air-conditioning and it’s 95° with whatever the humidity was! 

Saturday I took Colt down to cross country practice and jogged the loop myself then waited for him, I came back to this…oh brother! 

It was quite the classic Isaac project day. He decided he wanted to put this ground cloth that he’d got for free on our driveway. Oh and start to make another driveway turnaround spot. 

They tried to have some fun…I don’t know if they thought the 4 wheeler was going to fly or what? But they chased it around and around. 

Mr. Bad back…still!!! Ug! Guess what he’s going today? Concrete! But I’ll get to that.  Oh and the animals were in on the family project too😂

He says his back is getting better…I’m not so sure! On this project, we helped but it was an ALL DAY project for Isaac. (But he loves a project) Tanner -my genetics- was about to lose his mind and Isaac’s just out there having a good time. When he finally came in that night, I said “if you’re outside by yourself puttering and there’s no kids in sight… They are in the house fighting!!! It’s every  time!” 🤯 Ugh! 

This time they had sticks. 

But we survived. 

Sunday was such a good day!!!! My friend Sal had told me Andrew was going to talk in church here, but things went quick with his mission call and I was afraid we ran out of weeks. 

Until I saw 6’8” Elder Williams walking down the hall!!! Yes!!!! We love this kid! And have since he was a kid! (And I’m totally putting him on the missionary blog spam list) 

But I’m so happy he chose to serve! We have sister Barker (also on our spam list) but as far as a young man that grew up in our ward and then served a mission…it’s been a long time! The last one I can remember was a senior in high school the year we moved here so now he is probably 28, and has  2 kids. We have cousins serving, I feel like there’s a strong missionary culture in my parents ward and we visit there a couple times a year but…I confess I was getting a little nervous. I’ve always (so far) felt good about this place and raising our kids here but…well…missionary service is a priesthood responsibility and the prophet has made it clear and… we’re going getting into some critical years here right? Anyway…we need this example!!! 

We love Andrew, and for him to walk away from college football (which is a dang lot of money these days!! Along with being these kids dreams) and put the Lord first! I’m not going to lie-we’ve prayed for this! And it’s huge!!! We’re excited! 

Anyway he and a kid who (didn’t really grow up here) but just got home from his mission both spoke. It was a great meeting—and Andrew was great to chat and take pics after but Paul told us to just come to their house. (We totally screwed up their Sunday naps by showing up when we did -we blame Seth and Addi for not just eating their stink’n lunch-and we just missed Teagan) but it was so fun to visit and truth be told it’s a toss up whether Cannon or I had more fun! Andrew hooked him up with some BYU gloves and  stuff and signed it all—It was so fun! 

Monday Cann had a game. With the heat wave they canceled soccer, since soccer conflicts with every single one of Cannons games I busted it at the chance to go and watch a whole game even if it was a couple hours away. It was so fun. Cann played more in 1 quarter than all last year combined. He had a catch and run that was about 30 yards! Then the second half he didn’t play as much but I’m great with them getting other guys in, last year was beyond miserable (from a parents perspective.) 

No great pics but I tried. Oh bottom right you can tell Cann is with him step for step but then (middle bottom) the guy just tosses  poor Cann like a rag doll and then goes back to the ball…that was a bummer—because they converted on 4th down. 

Anyway it was fun to watch him and chat on the way home. 

Then Tuesday! Ugh! Tuesday was Isaac’s court date for that stupid ticket he got back in January. It took forever-Cann was late for practice and when he walked by to change his clothes and I asked how it went he said “not good” but later when he wasn’t mad about being late for practice he said “we have a chance, dad made some good points” but I guess it was awful mostly the procedural stuff  and the prosecutor making “objections” constantly. Isaac only wanted to point out 3 little parts on the body cam footage but the prosecutor made them watch the whole thing. Cannon said it was  “the most embarrassing day of his life”  the judge told Isaac “the man who represents himself has a fool for a client” but it was in a nice way and the judge was really cool. We’re thankful for that, and we wouldn’t have had him if the mess in June didn’t happen. Also just thankful for the chance to have his case heard. Although it’s still not over—the judge won’t rule on it until the next time he’s back in our county. What a nightmare though-Isaac asked the officer why he didn’t just pull him over for spotlighting -the thing he’d actually done wrong- and give him a ticket. I don’t know what the guy said (it’s such a good thing I didn’t go) but the judge asked if the prosecutor would just amend the charge, he looked up the ticket (Isaac didn’t know how much it would be) but it was significantly less and the prosecutor wouldn’t do it. Isaac is so good, he doesn’t take any of it personally. Me on the other hand—….. But I also remember Pres Oaks talk about loving our adversaries and Jesus himself asking pray for those who persecute you…so I have a lot to  work on. Some days are better than others. But I am anxious for the whole dumb thing to be over with! 

Oh but speaking of Tickets, Addi told me she wanted us to  get a ticket, I was like what?  why? no way! —but she said “because then we could go to Puerto Rico on an airplane” ha sorry sis, not that kind of ticket! 

Wednesday was Young Women’s, Isaac was going to load his forms onto the knuckleboom truck but instead he played Uno with the kids. Super dad. But …“I’ll just do it Thursday night” turned into 2:30 in the morning Friday!!! I’d long since gone to bed  but woke up at 1:00 to his noise. So I finally got up and helped him. He got out of the shower at 2:30 and set his alarm for 5 to go work in the heat all day building concrete walls. Someday maybe we really will balance each other out in respect to time. 🙏🏻 ! As for now he’s just at his extreme and I’m at mine!! 

Some random pics…she said she was skiing 

Trying  to put an elephant ear in a vase…didn’t work. 

I just found Jesus shoved in Seth’s wallet while Addi and I were cleaning their room. I thought it was funny. 

Jesus, guard the money…or it’s all the Lords anyway…not sure what he was thinking. 

Colt’s  Cross country meet got canceled because of the heat. 

Missionaries for dinner tonight. I made it easy on myself but Isaac called for me to come get him from that concrete job sight 45 min away an hour and a half before they got here. I pushed the time back 15 minutes and gave the kids instructions and we pulled it off.  🤯

Then we went down to the Varsity game tonight while Isaac slept! 

KV football (and maybe all athletics) needs cultural shift upward…but that’s just my opinion. 

Oh wait I almost forgot one of the best parts of  having the Missionaries over, They were like “wait why were you doing concrete today?”  Because they know he’s a professor And he answered with “Midlife crisis, some people buy fancy cars I bought a knuckle boom truck. ” 

Hmm I finally have an explanation… but what about the rest of the stuff around here… I guess midlife is kind of a long time🤣

Bout it!