Isaac's lucky day

Isaac has been reading like a maniac lately.  I think he read over 3,000 minutes.  At his school they have a "It pays to read" program.  For every 20 minutes they read they get to fill in a square and they fill up tickets with their times.  The last day of the program they have an assembly where kids are drawn to come and shoot baskets for money.  One spot is $1, $5, $10, and $20.  At the end of the assembly they draw one child from 3-6 and one child from K-2 and they give them a kindle fire.

Isaac wanted to win the kindle so bad.  The night before we had the "we are all winners and we can't be poor sports if we loose" talk.  The next day I get a text from one of my friends with a photo of Isaac at the assembly telling me he had won the Kindle.  I was so happy for him!  He worked so hard.  It's great that his hard work paid off.

Museum of Natural Curiosity

Friday I watched my friends little girl.  Adeline also had the day off from school so I had Eleanor, Claire, and Adaline.  I didn't want to just stay home and we have a pass to Thanksgiving Point so we went out to the Museum of Natural Curiosity.  It was a very fun day!  We had lunch out there at a new restaurant.  Then we stopped by Christina's to drop off another load of stuff and headed home.

Later that night Gordon and I went up Hobble creek canyon with a picnic in a back pack.  We hiked up a few miles, had a picnic and hiked down.  The weather was perfect.  No jacket.  Not too cold or warm- just perfect.  It was a really fun date night.

Packing

This week we started packing up closets and other storage items and moving them out to the garage.  Both garage bays are full.  One of food storage and one with storage items (holiday decorations, toys, and who knows what).  I have enjoyed cleaning things out and going through everything.  This week we will move the things that are in the garage into the new house.  I am really nervous about moving- saying goodbye, making new friends, moving all our stuff, closing on our old house, moving into a fixer upper, how the kids will handle the move, and everything else.  I have decided to have a great attitude about all of it.  I have decided I will only say positive things about our house and our move.  Gordon has been great about helping get "the list" done".  The kids have also been great.  They are really good kids!  The younger kids are growing and up and taking on more challenging responsibilities.  That is wonderful to see.

Eleanor with our basement "staging area".  Another load ready to be taken up to the garage.

Julia's house

Yesterday Isaac and I drove up to Julia's house to help her paint.  It is a long way up and back but it was so much fun to paint some rooms.  Isaac and Aiden played together.  It was fun to spend time with Julia.  I love to paint because it changes a room instantly.  Here are some pictures of Isaac and Aiden I found on my phone.  Isaac and i came home so we could have dinner with Gills.  Gills are our backyard neighbors.  They are so great.  We love them.  We will miss them.

Pirate chicken

One of our chickens had a foot that died.  It was grey and dead.  The other day the kids went out and the foot had fallen off and the chicken was hobbling along on a stump of a leg.  Like a pirate.  Then the kids wanted to take pictures of the chicken and the dead foot for James.  Here it is....

Happy St. Patty's day

We hauled wheat like crazy Monday night and we were all pooped.  I went to bed completely forgetting that the next day was St. Patrick's day.  Adeline pulled through.  She got up extra early (about 5:30) to make a sign from the leprechauns and sparkly shamrocks hanging all over the kitchen.  She is going to be such a great mother!  The girls loved it but wondered why the leprechauns didn't take their leprechauns gold and leave money instead (I was out of this loop.  I didn't know they did this at our house.).  So the "leprechaun" exchanged Eleanor's Leprechauns gold for real money.  She was thrilled.

It was a crazy day because we also had our home inspection for our house.  Since our house is no longer on the market we have gone back to our lazy ways.  Shoes and socks all over the place, dishes in the sink, counters not wiped off, bathrooms not wiped up, etc.  So I was frantically getting the house in shape before school.  I help out in Jacob and Bridies classes.  Jacob is Thursday, Bridie is Tuesday- and the dogs had come sit in the car.  I helped from 9-10.  I wanted to return some things that I had around so I stopped by my aunt Rillas to return the vases from Eliza's reception.  Eleanor and I stayed there until noon and then got some lunch at Costco.  We still had 2 hours to kill so we went to the park, went to Reams to use the bathroom  and then parked at another park but Eleanor didn't want to play at that park so I took a nap and she played on the iPad.  All with the dogs in the car the whole time.  That is such a pain!!

I was a ble to get home around 2 and start on our Saint Patricks dinner- corned beef and cabbage.  So Yummy!  We only eat it once a year.  The kids got out the hats and beards and took pictures.  They were so cute.

 

Missing James

So the other day, out of the blue Eleanor starts taking about James and how much she misses him.  I'm kind of surprised she still remembers him.  He's been gone a long time.  So later that day Jacob, Bridie, and Eleanor got out the sidewalk chalk and drew James- right as you walk out onto the patio.  It wouldn't have been such a problem except we had our home inspection the next day and I wanted everything to look nice.  Oh well.  I am glad that they wanted to remember James...

Kill 'em with kindness

My brother Mark had a boss that told him that if you are dealing with a difficult person you "Kill 'em with kindness."  Friday afternoon after picking up the 3 kids from school (Isaac, Jacob, and Bridie) I was ready to strangle Jacob.  He was being difficult and very defiant.  I wanted to ground him for the weekend but instead I dropped off Bridie and Isaac at home and told Jacob we were going somewhere.  He was scared.  I was laughing inside. We went to the gas station to get treats.  As I got out of the car I looked him in the eye and said "Jacob sometimes we overlook you because you are a middle child.  I wanted to take you to get a treat because I want you to know that you are special."  He almost started to cry.  He said that he had been so bad he did't deserve a treat.  Kill 'em with kindness I tell you.  Works every time.  If I would have grounded him he would have been in a worse mood and ruined my weekend and his, but with one act of kindness all his walls came down and he has been great all weekend (except for him kicking Isaac for locking him out of the house yesterday, but that's another story).

 

Reminds me of a time when James was little and he and Matthew were fighting before school.  James kicked Matthew and I had had it.  I told James to get dressed and not eat breakfast.  He told me he thought that was going to be his punishment- to go to school without breakfast.  But instead I took him out to breakfast.  I didn't even mention the incident at breakfast we just had a nice breakfast at IHOP talking about school and stuff.

Another time I was having a hard time meeting eye to eye with Matthew.  Gordon had a conference in San diego and we took Matthew.  That resolved any problems we were having.  I read a quote the other day that said "the people who need love the most are the ones that are hardest to love."  That is so true.  I need to remember that more often.    

Down to 4 kids

This weekend we only had four kids.  Matthew had the priest/Laurel retreat and Adaline went to Goblin Valley with David's family.  It was really fun to have just the four.  Friday night Gordon and I went out to dinner.  Isaac babysat and nobody killed each other.  I count that a huge step in the right direction.  Throughout the weekend Gordon and both were able to spend one on one time with each of the kids.  I't so much fun to take the kids out alone.  Isaac and I ran a trip up to Provo and ate lunch at Ripples.  Jacob and Gordon went on a bike ride.  Gordon took Bridie and Eleanor to get ice cream.  Matthew and Adaline had a great time at their activities.  Matthew didn't report anyone being too much of a jerk and Adaline got a sunburn.  I'm sure it was beautiful in Goblin Valley.  I'm so glad to be back to the 6 kids.  We miss all the kids when they are gone (even James still).

How do you eat an elephant?

So our focus has changed to moving.  Last week Adaline and I were driving up to Provo.  I could feel the anxiety raising and I became more and more worried about our move.  Then the thought came to me... How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.  That has given me a lot of perspective on this move.  Some rooms are so daunting that I just knew they would take all my will power not to loose it.  But as I started to break up the rooms they seemed actually manageable.
The other day I came up with a list of rooms listing their difficulty and when we would be able to move them.  Then I figured I could take two trips to our new house a day- one with the kids in school and one with them home.  But the storage rooms still haunted me.  I bought boxes of various sizes at Home depot  just to see how many number 10 cans I could fit into each box.  I figured if I take 3 boxes of number 10 cans each trip I'll have them done in no time.  The wheat (all 3,000 pounds of it) scares me to death.  We moved it last thanksgiving from one storage room to the other and it nearly killed us- and we had James helping!  I will have the movers move the wheat but they said it would save me a ton of money if I moved it to the garage.  So I came up with a plan.  Up the slide.  Yesterday I wanted to try it.  I bought some rope and I hauled up 2 buckets via the slide.  It wasn't too bad.  Then the kids thought it looked cool so Jacob and Isaac hauled up buckets.  They loved it even better when I told them I would pay them 20 cents for each bucket.  They now have a tally list of the buckets they have hauled.  I think they are both at about a dollar.  I feel a little guilty about the slave labor that is going on over here- actually really bad about it, but not bad enough to stop it.  If they haul up all 3,00 pounds I will owe them 20 dollars.
Yesterday I was telling my parents about my plans when my mom says "You are just like your dad!"  She explained that every time they went to Fountain Green to move stuff my dad would get 6 bags of sugar.  He had figured out how many bags he had to take each time.  Cracks me up.  I will do the same thing.  3 boxes of number 10 cans, 5 cases of canned goods each time along with the other stuff I'm hauling.  I'm going to eat this elephant one bite at a time.  And when I can't take it any longer I'll just pay the movers to finish up.  I'll let you know in 6 weeks how it goes.

Events

This week has/will be spent getting ready for this move.  We haven't moved in 12 years- I am more than a little nervous about it.  I have met with moving companies and gotten bids but I think we are going to box things up ourselves.  Some things we will move ourselves.  Last night the I told the kids we have saved a certain amount of money for the move and a certain amount of money to go to Disneyland.  If our move is too expensive we will not be going to Disneyland.  They all seem very motivated to make this as cheap as possible.  They also are excited and see it as a game.  Move more, have more money for Disneyland.  It's a win, win.

We talked to the man who owns the house we are buying and he said we could start moving into our new home April 1.  A month before we close.  Yea!  I will be able to take loads up through out the month.  The movers will move all the furniture and anything else that will save my sanity at that point.  That's what money is for- to hire someone to save your sanity.

I have also been going through things.  Yesterday was the boys clothes and the baby things I have kept for grandkids (It's going to be here before I know it).  Today was camping stuff and girls clothes.  This weekend is the barn.  I'm excited and nervous.  I just need to pace myself and it'll all be good.

We met Adaline's Young women's leader and have kept in touch through Facebook.  She let us know about the stake trek meeting that was last night.  Adaline and I went.  It was nice to meet several people that are in our new ward.  They were all so kind and excited for us to move into their ward.  It was hard sitting in a stake meeting and really not knowing nearly everyone there.  In our stake now Gordon and I have both served in stake callings and know a lot of people.  It's going to be hard to start over and it's just going to take time.

Adaline and Jasmine curled up together.

Tender mercies

Today as I opened my email I got one from a woman who's son is in the same mission as James.  We have corresponded back and forth a few times.  Today she sent pictures that her son had sent her that had James in them.  What a treat it was to see James in pictures I hadn't seen before.  So much fun!

 

Service=Love

Today we got our weekly email from James.  He has left his first area.  He was there 3 transfers.  He grew to love the people there so much.  It was so hard for him to leave.  He was talking about saying goodbye to those people and the gifts they gave to him and my heart broke.

I know how he feels.  It is going to be so hard to leave Mapleton.  I have grown to love these people so much.  Mostly because I have served them and you love the people you serve.  The other night I was thinking about how hard it is going to be to say goodbye when the thought came to me, "If you move expecting it to be perfect, it won't be.  But if you go with the intention to serve them then everything will be ok."

I have thought about James eventually coming home from his mission.  I know it will be hard for him.  I now have empathy for the situation of leaving those that you have spent so much time and effort serving and loving.   It's interesting how many of James' missionary experiences correlate with experiences I am also having/going through.  It has been a great experience seeing James spread his adult wings and soar.  He is awesome and I am so proud of him.

Eliza's wedding

Eliza and Logan were married in the Logan temple.  We had a showing that day so we got up and got the place straightened up and left with specific instructions on what time to not be home because of the house showing.  We left at 9 and got there just in time.  The waiting room of the chapel filled up with people who love Eliza and Logan.  What a great way to start a marriage- surrounded by those who love you.

The sealer did an incredible job.  He talked about "falling into love".  He is in the presidency of the Seventies and is in charge of temple sealing cancelations.  He talked about how he has to read through every person's reason on why they are seeking a temple divorce.  He said he has read the phrase "Fell out of love" thousands of times.  He talked about love being something in your heart and your head and that love is something you learn and have to act on.  It was so good.

After the sealing was pictures but Gordon was gone most of the time on the phone with the realtor talking about the offers.  We were both stressed out.  One of the group pictures I have the phone up to my ear as I'm trying to figure out a time when one of the prospective buyers could go back through the house.  It was really stressful.  By the time pictures were over everything was settled with the house so we could enjoy the rest of the day.  It was fun to spend the day with just Gordon.  That just never happens.

The wedding luch was at an old train depot.  It was cool and the food was really good.  We sat by Terry and Julia and Malinda (Mark didn't make it down).  It was so nice to sit and talk to them without kid distractions.  It was a great afternoon.  Then we were all going over to Julia's new house to look around.  Rilla wanted to come so she tagged along with us.
Julia's house is a total labor of love.  It is beautiful!  She has done such a good job!  Everywhere you look is beautiful things.  I wish I would have gotten pictures.  Then we headed to Spanish Fork to drop Rilla off and home to the kids.

When I got home Matthew needed a break.  He had watched the kids all day and tried to do mountains of homework.  We went to Sonic and talked.  I love spending time one on one with Matthew.  He is such a great kid.

The roller coaster

Friday morning came and I knew it was going to be a big day for our house.  We had 2 showings and and offer coming in and Eliza's open house all in one day.  I just laughed all day.  It was hilarious!  In the morning Suzy and I straightened up from 9-10.  First showing 10-11.  I sat in the car with the dogs at the church reading.  11-1 go back and clean the house with Suzy.  1-2 next showing.  I went to lunch and got our first offer and another showing scheduled.  I was on cloud 9.  So exciting.  The offer wasn't great but we thought we could counter.  2:30 I could finally go home and start setting up for the open house.  Then we found out the first people to see it in the morning were going to make an offer too.  Two offers!!!  It was just too much.  So Happy.  Marilyn, Adaline, and I set up for the open house.  That was so much fun.  I love having a party.  It is so much fun.  6-8 was the open house.  We had wall to wall people.  I felt bad it was so crowded.  I had not idea our house could fit so many people.  Christina, Malinda and I were busy with the food.  At one point we knew we were going to run out of food so we sent Gordon and Stuart to the store to get more cake.  All they could find was birthday cake.  So that's what we served.  Everyone started to leave around 9:30 and by 10 the place was back to normal.  It was a great day and I am so glad that I was able to have a place for them to create another wonderful memory.

Roller coaster of emotions

The whole process of buying our new house and selling this house has been one a thousand emotions.  Everything from despair to joy.  Today my realtor called me to tell me that we should be getting an offer on our house from the people from Ohio.  The man looked at the house twice.  The wife never made it out here.

How do I even begin to explain how I feel?  I cannot even imagine not coming home to this home.  Severing all ties to Mapleton and the people I love here.  Frustration- Why could I never feel settled here?  I love my house.  It's perfect.  Panic- Moving all my things into a new house.  Excitement- Trying to not get too excited because "the fat lady isn't singing yet" and there are still so many things that can go wrong.  I am kind of expecting something to go wrong.  It can't all go smoothly.

I don't really think I have begun to process the grief I will feel at leaving Mapleton.  I hope I never have to because the feelings are so deep.  Sunday was Fast and Testimony meeting.  I did NOT want to get up and bawl and tell everyone how much they mean to us.  Every single one of them.  But I felt like I should.  I thought "I just won't even bring up the fact that we are moving and just bear my testimony of the scriptures."  Everything went according to plan except for at the end when I looked down at my friends.  And then I knew I had to thank them for what they have done for me and my family.  Everything from my kids teachers to my friends.  I am so grateful to have had them in my life.  I have become a better person by their example.

I'm sure there is still a lot of water that has to go under the moving bridge, but we are moving right along.

6 month mark

Yesterday James hit his 6 month mark on his mission.  Most of the time people will say "That went fast" and you think "I've been suffering through this!  It feels like an eternity."  (most of the time it applies to pregnancy.)  But I must say the time has flown by.  The first little bit went so slow.  It felt like 2 years would never pass.  I'd never see my son again but then we started to hit milestones- one out of two Christmases down, one of 2 birthdays done.  And then just normal life makes life pass so quickly.   Here we are 1/4 the way through James' mission.  He has grown so much and I love getting his emails and voice recordings and sharing his emails on Facebook and hearing others responses.  I feel like he is being a missionary in so many other ways.  The kids miss him but are proud to have a brother on a mission.  It's wonderful to hear them pray for him and the other missionaries.  Before we know it he'll be out a year!

Seeing this picture makes it all worth it!!!!

Bridie's Great Brain

Bridie had to do a research project on any subject and present it to her class.  She chose medicine.  Like the kind that you eat.  I tired to talk her into doing something less controversial (illegal, drug abuse, etc.)  and more kid like but she wanted to do medicine.  We printed out pictures of medicine related topics and typed up some information.  She did a great job presenting it and the kids had some good questions.  I'm glad to have that over with.

I'm going to need some Valium

Yesterday we had a man come back for a second showing (the first showing was while we were at the reception with the dogs in the car).  Later that night my realtor called to say that the man was flying his wife in the next day to see our house.  Yikes!  Some things are so painful to go through!  This morning we got another call from our realtor saying that the wife couldn't get a flight so she'll be here in another day or two.  The up and down of all of this is totally nerve-wracking!  I would really like to be put to sleep for the next couple of months and just wake up in our new house with everything already done.  Instead I'm going to have to sweat through all of this.  I just hope I don't gain 20 pounds, that I can keep the house clean while still having a life, and get this house sold so we can move on with life.  That's not too much to ask, right?  Time will tell.

Eliza's wedding reception

Yesterday was Eliza's wedding reception.  It was held in a cool barn in Kaysville.  The barn had a main floor and two staircases at the end of the barn that went up into two lofts.  One had the food and seating and the other was just seating.  The lights that were there hanging made for a really fun atmosphere.  Marilyn did a great job decorating and everything looked beautiful!  They brought in sofas and tables and decorations that were made for Eliza and Logan.  The reception was fun.  There was music, dancing, great food (cookies and bars), and it was so much fun to be around family.  It was fun to see cousins, aunts, uncles, and marlins family the Cannons.  The kids all had a great time.  We stayed to help clean up and that wasn't bad.  Everyone pitched in and it went quickly.  Before we cleaned up David and Marilyn bought pizzas for dinner.  It was a really fun night.  Next week is at our house and then Saturday is the sealing in the Logan temple.