Happy 14th Birthday Conner

It's Conner's birthday today.  He wanted sausage biscuits for breakfast and sloppy joes for dinner with a fruit pizza for his "cake".  He decorated it himself.

 I couldn't ask for a better son.  He has always been very obedient and has a positive attitude and looks for the best in situations.  The past year he has been the deacon's quorum president and has just blossomed as he took on this new responsibility.  He came to love the boys as the Savior would and prayed for them and helped as much as he could.  He is sad to move on up to teacher's quorum.  As a last hurrah, he had all the deacon's over for a game night last night.  He didn't want to have a birthday party, just a get together.  

Conner really enjoys biking and asked for a camel bak and some bike lights.  He's taking 2 AP classes so he spent 4 hours reading and taking notes on his birthday. He did have time to fit in a boisterous game of Avalon.

He's matured so much this past year.  His voice has deepened and he's got a "mustache".  He's 5'6" so he's the tallest member of our family now.  He enjoys cooking.  He reads his scriptures every day and writes in his journal.  He's such a good example to our family.  I just love him so much and can't get over how good he is.

Back to School 2018

School snuck up on this year.  We were so busy trying to squeeze the last bit of fun out of summer, I just wasn't ready but ready or not they went.  The kids, as always were so excited to go back and be with their friends and start learning.

 MIkey is in 5th and Mrs. Warren in his teacher.  We were looking forward to having Ms. Appleby but she took another job opportunity a couple weeks before school started.

Sam in entering Jr. High as a 7th grader.  Sam definitely has his own style and likes to stand out just a little.

 Eliza is is in kindergarten and couldn't be happier.  She just skipped all the way to class.

Lucy is in 3rd grade.

 Junior Highers

Conner is in 9th grade at North Layton Junior High.  He was happy to help all the new 7th graders on their first day.

Elementary Schoolers.  Eliza got a variance so they all attend Mountain View.

Now that all my kids are in school most of the day what am I going to do with my time?  Plenty.  I'm the treasurer of the PTA at NLJH and will be volunteering there most Mondays for lunch and Wednesdays for Long Horn Pride.  I'll be volunteering at Mt. View Monday mornings and as needed.  I started sewing from home for a minky blanket company called "Sew Sweet" that keeps me busy and it's nice to earn a little extra fun money for the family.  I'm also serving in my ward Primary Presidency.  Between the 5 kids, so far they have 14 after school activities so from 4-7 I'll basically be a chauffeur.  I'm not a fan of being ultra busy we we'll have to see how it goes and may have to cut back in a couple months.

Eating My Way to 40!

This year I turned the big 4-0!  I had plans to celebrate at the Utah Olympic Park with tubing, bobsledding and ziplining but with my feet not healed I just had to stay home and make the most of it.  Each year for my birthday, I get a ton of free meals and treats but often don't use them but this year I decided to take advantage of them all and eat my way to my forties!  I took each of the kids out out on a special date using all the free/discounted meals.  

Neil and I ate at Cafe Rio and went to Lagoon.  We borrowed a wheel chair, which was awesome.  We usually got to go to the front of the line and then got to ride twice in row.  We rode all the rides we wanted in less than two hours.  We also got whoopie pies at Sweet Tooth Fairy and a Dole Whip to share.  We later went to Tucanos.  I just love their mashed potatoes and bacon wrapped turkey.

Conner and I went to Golden Corral.  I am usually not a fan of this place because everything is fried but they've changed their offerings.  They had all you can eat hot wings are a weakness.  It really hit the spot and Conner was a great date.

Sam and I went to Pizza Pie Cafe.  We both tried really hard not to over eat.

Mikey and I went to Dairy Queen and got blizzards.  I was so disappointed because mine was like soup.  Half of it was melted but I wasn't in the mood to complain and took it home for the rest of the munchkins to drink.

Lucy and I went to Moe's where we shared a burrito and got a cup of queso and the chili con queso to share.  

Last but not least Eliza and I went to Cold Stone and got some yummy ice cream.  

It was fun to spend some one on one time with the kids eating yummy food.

When my brother, Ryan was here visiting we went out for a birthday dinner at Texas Roadhouse and of course they had to sing to me.

I requested a brownie and ice cream cake.  I had been eating so many treats we ended up not eating it for a couple days when we could really enjoy it. 

My brother sent me 40 black balloons with the request that my kids suck the helium and sing Happy Birthday.  They thought that was hilarious.

 My siblings sent me some money and a Whitman's Sampler which I just had to eat for breakfast.

Neil had the kids help decorate.  They spent 2 hours blowing up balloons and hanging streamers.  They were so excited.  The girls tied balloons to my chair and I had to eat with a fork that had a balloon tied to it.

It has been a fun couple weeks celebrating turning 40.  It's been a reflective time.  I'm now middle aged.  I may have lived half my life.  Have I accomplished all that I wished?  Am I the person I want to be?  I'm hoping to make the next 40 years even better. 

2 Sprained Feet

On Tuesday, I took the Webelos frisbee golfing.  The course was unkept with high weeds and brush.  One of the boys frisbees landed on a mound along with mine so I went to retrieve them.  With so many weeds I did not see the hole and tripped and fell.  I was shaken up and my feet were sore so I sat there awhile to compose my self.  Neil was with me and helped me up and my feet hurt but I was able to walk.  I shook it off and we finished the course as I walked with a limp.  When I got home I put my feet up and iced them and took some Ibuprofen.  As the night progresses the pain got worse to the point I could not put weight on either foot and had to crawl to the bathroom.  I was bedridden for two days.  Kids brought me my meals and got me water.  I watched Poldark.  We had crutches but being as I couldn't put weight on either foot they were no help.  I just have to laugh because it's so ridiculous.  A month and a half ago, I was washing the outside windows and fell off a ladder and hurt my foot then as well and had to use crutches.

There was a tender mercy in all of this.  On Monday, Conner said he wanted to make dinner this week.  Score!  I told him he could make whatever he wanted and I'd buy the ingredients so he made his list and I went shopping Tuesday morning while the kids were at the dentist.  Then I fell but we didn't need meals or anything because Conner took care of it.  He made bread bowls and baked potato soup, sloppy joes, chicken alfredo and pizza.  I'm so thankful my kids were able to serve me this week.  They are the best.

I also learned that in my old age it will be Conner and Eliza who will take the best care of me.