A Day in the Life...

About a month ago Amber asked me to take a drive to Heber with her to get a permit for a Christmas tree.  So we went to the Silver Eagle gas station. Side note about the Silver Eagle: once like five or six years ago we went camping and I forgot a jacket and sweatshirt so I stopped at the Silver Eagle and paid something like $45 for one.  I did not see the Walmart half a mile behind us- they would likely have had one for maybe $15.  But I wear my Silver Eagle sweatshirt all the time and it's held up. So I wore my Silver Eagle sweatshirt in hopes they had not one but two permits left.  They had none but the cashier there told us to head to Kamas in the morning because they'd have more.  So we drove straight to Kamas in hopes they would let us pre-purchase them and just pick them up later.  Kamas is a ways away but Amber chatted and I tried to stay awake because my bedtime is 8:30.  The cashier at the Chevron said he wasn't supposed to pre-sell t...

We love autumn and especially Thanksgiving.  I feel like it came and went in a second and we barely enjoyed it.  Life has been too busy lately! Odd numbered years are with my family.  Here are the best pictures I could get!  Blessed are we for family, good food, laughter, and a sneak peak of Christmas.

The other night we watched a Face to Face with some of the gospel leaders who announced the new youth programs for next year.  We got pretty excited.  I'm so grateful our church organizes programs, services, and activities for our family.  This coming year they have encouraged us to help our children develop goals in four areas: social, intellectual, physical, and spiritual.  So a few days later we cut up our Friend  magazines and made vision boards.  We're excited start! It was HellWeek at OT a month ago; five out of eight grueling workouts and I got this shirt for free.  Tim pointed out that prorated with what I pay monthly, it actually cost me $40.  I don't care; I still feel like I earned it!   For a family night the other week we talked about what we want to be known for, then plastered them all over us and walked a runway like a fashion shows.  Aren't these girls beauties. I bought a letterboard. I ...

Things we've tried to help Micah sleep through the night: Essential Oils Chriopractic work Melatonin Benadryl Double dosing said Melatonin and Bendadryl Priesthood blessings Energy healing Bribing Rewarding Locking the door Music Aromatherapy lamps Running laps before bedtime Sleeping by her sisters (which they hate) Things that work: Sleeping next to me. How I feel about it:

It has been ONE ROUGH WEEK. It started early Monday morning when Micah threw up from 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. every 30 minutes.  That was fun. It continued onto Tuesday when my last 90 minutes of a 10.5 hour workday was spent getting punched in the stomach and side from a very strong and very disregulated nine year old.  I've never been punched at work before, and even though he wasn't targeting me (I was the only freaking one in 12 adults that was trying to prevent him from continuing to trash the room), it didn't feel good.  I wish I would have walked out for a minute, but I didn't even think to go out and take a breather.  I felt a whole bunch of pressure to just carry on.  The emotions of all of it- the frustration of a really hard family (that I really, really like), the confusion, feeling hopeless, feeling alone, not having answers, some humiliation, all of it didn't hit me until the 40 minute drive home.  I cried and cried and cried, and prayed, t...

For a long time I've been telling the kids, "Just try your best," about everything they do.  Copper has taken it to heart-- A cup of flour dumped on the floor: "Sorry mom, tried my best." After making glitter slime on her carpet  and staining it: "Sorry mom, tried my best." Everything shoved under her bed while cleaning her room: "Sorry mom, tried my best." Micah: Mom, you know who's a goner? Me: Who? Micah: Great-grandma. Me: Yep, you're right, she is... Micah: You know how I'm going to make Taryn feel better? Me: How? Micah:  I'm going to sell her my love notes. Me: Dakota, go brush your teeth. *returns before I finish one graham cracker* Me: Go try some more. Dakota: BUT I DID! *while wailing* Me: I'm thinking it wasn't long enough, let me see your toothbrush... *wailing increases and strengthens in volume* Me: I'm also thinking you better stop... Dakota: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I...

Dakota was a witch for Halloween this year, Copper a butterfly, and Micah a raccoon.  I'm super happy they don't ask for expensive costumes and they're happy with the little things! Red was a lion this year.  He was very scary and had fun trick or treating.