Pumpkin Carving and Bike Rides

We carved pumpkins today - I was very impressed with the children's work - Lily's sick pumpkin ~

Wesley's cannibal pumpkin and Daniel's Superman symbol pumpkin.

Wesley's is very impressive. (Now back to work! and go make your grades look that good!)

Owen is very proud of his Owen Pumpkin. It has his name and number carved in it - Owen 22!

Mel and Hyrum worked together on this "Elmo burning in El Infierno" creation

And Abi's and Natalie. Abi made me laugh so hard when I saw hers. She took FOREVER deciding what to do, and then it actually took her like 2 minutes, so funny, a little face with a carrot nose! Ha!

I helped Natalie draw on hers with our plan of a cat, and she is going to wait to carve it until next week, that way it will last until Halloween. So here's how the day went today - Corey and Mel were going to go to the store and run her errands, but the little boys were following, so we took them for a ride in the car instead. We drove up the canyon and dropped Corey, Sophi, Lily, and Mel off so they could ride down the canyon.

That was at like 11:30. But then I had a car full of little boys that were sad that they didn't go on a bike ride, so I told them I'd take them to the store. I needed help to take 3 boys though. Natalie and Abi came with me and ODP to Costco. We saw a Trump parade driving down state street as we went, Abi thought that was funny. When we got home at 1, our bike riders weren't back yet! But the arrived as we were unloading the groceries from the car. It was Sophi's first time down the mountain, and she did great!

Then it was time to carve.

Everyone working hard.

Owen, a very intense student of pumpkin art.

Hyrum and Mel working on their beautiful Elmo creation. 

Testing their work in the bathroom with the candle behind. He like it, but might try to cut the pumpkin thickness a little thinner around the eyes to lighten them up somehow.

While they were doing htat, Corey ran an errand to the music store to pick up instruments that we dropped off for repair. I ran to Kid to Kid to buy Halloween costumes cause they were 50% off today - it worked out good cause Sophi needed some vampire attire. I also found this cute Sulley one for Peter for $3 bucks! (He's so cute!)

Then Corey said he'd take Mel and I up and drop us off. Ok!

That was really fun and beautiful ride, but very bumpy! 

I kept thinking of a how President Nelson said recently: “the road ahead may be bumpy, but our destination is serene and secure. So, fasten your seatbelt, hang on through the bumps, and do what’s right. Your reward will be eternal.” Bumpy rides aren't scary or bad, and neither are the last days. Hang on! Do what is right! Be prepared, and it will be ok! Maybe it will even be wonderful. We stopped by the quarry to pick up some rocks for Mel to take on her mission (like Joseph got for his mission)

The granite rocks from the temple quarry, to me, represent: Work, Home, Family, Sacrifice, Commitment, Determination, Covenants, Truth, Eternity, and most obviously Temples!

After we arrived back at home, Corey said Wes had been working hard and they were going to take a quick biking break. I drove them up the canyon. 

They made it back home in 20 minutes! "One more time?" Corey asked. "Want to come with us?" It was almost dark, but I said sure, and sure, so Hyrum took us up.

Wes sped home so he could get back at his chemistry homework. Corey went slow with me (but I went decently fast I think!) We were home in 30 minutes. And I didn't crash or fall, yay. The trees were so beautiful, and the sunset was amazing. My heart is full, life is just beautiful. Corey went to pick up Joseph at the Frontrunner Train Station. We are happy to have join us for Mel's "last" day tomorrow. Life is so good.

Post Op

Joseph timed his wisdom tooth appointment really well. He was wiser than Mel by scheduling it after the term was over. It's also spring break for him now, so he has a few days without school to mend. With the bonus that he won't get behind on homework and doesn't have to be around friends with a swollen face. He went in for the extraction yesterday morning. Today at 10:45 he was done with the 24 hour evaluation or whatever and I picked him up. Poor guy, he looked a lot like Mel did a week ago.

But he seemed to be taking the unflattering look better than Mel did and came into the store with me and even went to the temple today. That pic is Joseph smiling by the way. It doesn't look like it cause his cheeks aren't working at the moment. And this is him smiling and blinking.

So we went to the store on the way home to get his prescriptions filled and while we waited for that we bought pudding, jello, and lots of ice cream. So this was really good timing on Joseph's part because the night before his appointment (Wednesday night) he was singing with the Skyline Madrigals for some famous people - it was a party celebrating Orrin Hatch's years of service - so Joseph and his friends got a pic with Orrin - 

And some other people that were at the party, like the Utah Governor and MITT ROMNEY! Isn't that fun! Joseph just hanging out at a party with his BFFs -

Mitt really would have been such a great President for this country. My worries and lamentation over his loss to Obama and Trumps election are not out of control right now. I don't worry about it. But I also haven't followed most of the new for over a year, except for a few things that might go viral on facebook or things that Corey tells me. And life goes on. After 8 years of Obama and a year of Trump and we are still united under the US flag, so that's good. 

Anyway, back to Joseph's teeth. He's doing good. My mother brought over pizza tonight for us and my sister and her kids that were hanging out at our house. Joseph decided to put a slice of pizza in the blender so he could partake of it's goodness, even with his inability to open his mouth wide or chew.

 

 It blended very well. Will it blend? Yes, pizza blends.

 Joseph was pretty excited and gets a bowl. His siblings are laughing and gagging at it. Hyrum, our vegan "Gross! Little Ceasars is already disgusting enough, but blending it?!?!" He opened the blender lid and shrugs off their comments as he matter of factly states - "Smells like pizza...." Mel laughed at Joseph's excitement.

Even Ethan was repulsed. That's just not right Joseph!

Getting the last of it out of the pitcher -

Moment of truth...

And he proclaimed it totally satisfactory, it was just what he was going for - pizza that he wouldn't have to chew. Day 1 of wisdom tooth post surgery done! Good job Joseph, looks like you're gonna make it through.

Here's Hoping

I like living in my bubble. Life is happy here in my bubble, in our little corner of heaven in this neighborhood with wonderful neighbors and children for my children to play with. I am most happy when I have all my children at home with me. I feel like we are safe. But then I read the news. And then my heart starts to fail me. I really don't want to know very much about what's going on in the outside world. I have pretty much been avoiding it until Corey shared with me lots of garbage about how horrible Donald Trump is on our date last Friday night.

I am shaking my head so much right now as I think about the 2016 election.  It's not even fun for me, cause I don't have a team to cheer on. I still wish Mitt had won. 2008 or 2012, either one would have been great, I guess it would have given me faith that our country isn't going to hell. But after the 2012 loss, I decided I just can't care, I can't control it, I can't make a difference other than casting my vote. If Mitt would have won, I probably would have put my faith in the government and in who our President is. So maybe the Lord is letting this happen so I will not put my faith in any man or in the arm of the flesh, I need to put my faith in Christ.

While we were living in Brazil, I read the Old Testament from cover to cover for the first time. That was the first time I read the book of Daniel from front to finish, and when I discovered Daniel 4. Two verses from that chapter impressed me to trust that God knows who the Presidents and kings of each nation are, and HE is in control and HE puts even the basest of men there for his own purposes. In verse 17, Nebuchadnezzar tells of a dream that he had of a great tree with much fruit that a holy one came and cut down ~ for "the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men."

Daniel interprets the dream and says Nebuchadnezzer is the tree and that (verse 25) "they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will."

Then in verse 30, Nebuchadnezzer is admiring his great Babylon, his great kingdom that he thinks he has built up: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While those words were still in his mouth, a voice came from heaven declaring (verse 31-32): "O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will."

My take away - our country is in God's hands. God rules in this nation and he giveth it to whomsoever he will. Why he willed Obama to be president, I do not know, but his ways are higher than my ways and his thoughts than my thoughts. And I trust that HE ultimately is in charge of this next election. (God help us!)

So, I've been in a bit of despair this morning. Obama and the current election isn't the sole purpose for these thoughts, but the corruption and evil things in this country have (and I tend to pin those on Obama and liberals like him). I was awakened today to how bad things are when I read today that Dave Daleiden, the man behind making those Planned Parenthood videos, has been indicted by a Grand Jury in Texas for attempting to buy baby parts. Yet Planned Parenthood is not guilty of selling them. Again: Planned Parenthood is innocent of selling baby parts to Dave Daleiden, but Dave Daleiden is guilty of buying baby parts from Planned Parenthood. But how could the buyer be guilty of buying but the seller not guilty of selling?

To quote Matt Walsh: "The only way these charges could look even remotely honest is if Planned Parenthood had been brought up on them as well. In that case it still would have egregiously unfair considering Daleiden didn’t actually intend on purchasing any human tissue, while Planned Parenthood did intend on selling it, but at least they would be making a minimal effort to give off the appearance of impartiality. Even that, apparently, was too much to ask."

I just feel sick for our country, that abortions are performed and celebrated, that there is such disregard for chastity and that 50 Shades of Grey and Game of Thrones are enjoyed as entertainment. I'm sick about Human trafficking, gosh I feel like things are so bad. Yet, here I am in my little bubble and my children are safe and we are happy (unless I read the news) so I'll avoid it and I'll just keep watching BYUtv and will "see the good in the world." In my home I'll teach my children to read the scriptures and to believe in God, and they are already becoming great people. I know there are lots of great people out there, and that brings me back to hope. There are people out there like Timothy Ballard who really have seen how bad it is, they've been on the front lines. If he still can go about doing good and fighting evil and if he still believes in America, then I guess I can believe too. And there is lots of work to do.

Wickedness is all around us, evil is called good and good is called evil, but my trust is in God, not the world around me. He is in control, he is at work, Zion is growing stronger as are the forces of evil that oppose her. I will look to the prophets for guidance and keep my family close and take care of them. That is the most important thing I can do with my time. God will make all things right in the end. Which makes me want to sing the song from the Savior of the World play "Come in glory to the earth, come to us to rule and reign. Ready us to be thy people. Come, Lord Jesus, come!" I pray and yearn for the day when he will come again, and I know he will come. I will immerse myself in the scriptures and listen to General Conference. I read Alma 58 today, before I read about Dave Daleiden, and that kind of prepped me for that news. There are so many stories in the Book of Mormon that can help us and that show us how the righteous live when they are surrounded by evil and corruption. Verses 9-10 - Like Helaman and his army, I am "grieved and also filled with fear, lest by any means the judgments of God should come upon our land, to our overthrow and utter destruction. Therefore (I will) pour out (my soul) in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us." And I trust that he will, as in verse 11: "...it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him." Here's hoping! So there is my rant for today. Back to my bubble! I'm going to go kiss my beautiful baby.

Seagulls

On Saturday evening, Ethan showed us this video. ...and we've been singing it ever since...

Hilarious if I do say so myself. We watched Bad Lip Reading things during the 2012 campaign (of course Mitt was our favorite "They're a bunch of punks!") and watched a few of them this election cycle too - my favorite starts at :52 with Trump doing "Five Favorites". (Time to Act at 3:10 is funny too) Every now and then Hyrum will be walking around the house and will say "Raaaaw". Funny stuff - humor is the best way to cope with elections anyway. But we hadn't seen the Star Wars stuff. Very very clever, and pretty catchy tunes too! I really like "Not the Future" too - makes me feel a bit nostalgic. I liked one of the comments there "What do they put in these videos? so addicting..." The lyrics are all posted in the description. Yeah, were on a BLR binge right now.

Yeah, I was big in Japan
I was king of Ping Pong
Yeah I was bad at tuba
And I’m sure you’d like me to bounce

I did a bit of googling to try to find out about the mastermind behind these. Found this article - he wants to remain anonymous but glad he still does interviews. His story is an great example of how the trials of life can turn into opportunities! He says in this that he started lip reading after his mother lost her hearing - he'd watch tv and push mute to see what her world was like and he started lip reading too. And that article also says that he does all the voices! Whoever BLR man is, he's got serious talent and we like his stuff.

New Basement and Guest

Today's been an exciting day. We got new carpet in the basement. The basement that got flooded on Christmas eve 2012. So over 3 years later, yeah, it's about time. It looks really good now. Sophi and Natalie loved playing in a big open empty room. They played "Throw a ball" Sophi said so cutely "We're playing throw the ball, that is what we are playing" and she and Natalie squealed and giggled as they threw the ball against the walls over and over.

Right after we signed off the papers for the carpet installation, Corey left for the airport to pick up Kiran. Kiran has been Corey's best programmer for many years of Movie Mouth software coding. Kiran is from India. While Corey went to the airport, I hurried and set up a bed and small living space in the new basement area for our guest. The kids are sad they don't get to set up their new lego space yet, but it's good to practice patience. It will be really nice to have the rest of the basement finished someday. Patience is good for me to practice too.

It was great to meet Kiran. The kids were home when they arrived and they all came to say hello. Now that Owen is almost 8 month old, he has fully developed stranger danger awareness. Kiran said hello to Owen, and Owen just started at him in concern, with an occasional glance at us for an "are we safe?" assuring smile. Kiran reached over to gently touch Owen's little cheek and he wimpered and recoiled into Ethan's arms. We thought it was pretty funny. Later Kiran said hello more closely as he leaned in to tap his forehead with Owens, to which Owen totally freaked which again made everyone laugh, since this is a newly developed part of his personality that has just emerged. Natalie was a little hesitant. Sophi was good.

She likes Kiran. She sat on his lap tonight and jibber jabbered all the things she knows, including "Donald Trump is a bad guy." (I guess Corey and I are getting a little passionately political this election season again if Sophi's picking up on it?) Kiran had 30 hours of travel to recover from so he went to bed pretty early, a 12 hour time difference will do that to ya. We look forward to seeing him tomorrow. He's going to be here for two weeks. :)

Little Bit Sick

Hey there. Kids have been a little bit sick - sore throats and some coughs. Abi missed most of this week but went today. I haven't gotten them tested for covid. I think it's a lingering bug from the cough that their cousin Isaac had during Abi's car ride back from Nauvoo. 

Since we've kinda been hunkering down with kids not feeling well, I haven't run out for groceries for over 2 weeks. I finally went to Costco yesterday. Sometimes I let too long go by between my Costco runs, and then I get so much food that it amazes me. The Costco checkout employee asked if I was from out of town and this was my monthly grocery run. No, I just skipped a week of shopping and have a large family. I was also impressed that I was able to fit so much in around Katharine in her carseat as I loaded up! We un-buried her at checkout, and I asked for a flat cart and boxes, cause I didn't want to try and tetris everything in all around her again. When I left I got a "God bless you!" from the guy who loaded us up again. The bill was $800+ but I used our rebate and some cash to get it in the $300s, yay. 

I got some stuff for Abi's bday tomorrow, and cause I think college kids are joining us on Sunday for a combination celebration for Abi and Sophi's birthday. I got some presents for Christmas, and a dinosaur lego for Peter to open now, cause that's what happens when I take kids to the store - they see something and want it, and I give in. That's one reason why I try to go sans kids if I can. 

Corey went and got skis for the kids today, time to get ready for the ski season! What else... I haven't talked politics in a while... Corey reads up on the news every morning and will sometimes send me stuff or will share things with the kids when we gather after dinner. We both still think Trump is crazy. Him having the classified files at his home is nuts, and he pretends he's been framed or whatever but then after a photo of the documents is released he says "There seems to be confusion as to the picture where the documents were sloppily thrown on the floor and then released photographically for the world to see, as if that's what the FBI found when they broke into my home. Wrong! They took them out of cartons and spread them around on the carpet..." Um, that this is an admission that he had the documents and knew it. So funny, he just can't help himself. 

For butterflies - yesterday, I had one j-hook --> chrysalis and found 1 egg. Today we had 5 eclose: 4 female and 1 male. They are GORGEOUS!!!!

One enjoying the butterfly bush - 

Lily got to see some of them today after she got home, since it was an early out day for her jr. high. 

I'm glad monarchs are still around. After 2020 and 2021 were no-shows for any butterflies, I thought that perhaps our best days were behind us. I'm glad they're still here and that they've been so plentiful this summer! I'm grateful that there is still magic in the world!

All Together Again

Grant and Steph made it back to Texas last night. Neil and Amy's flight got delayed 4 times then postponed until today. We're hoping they make it! Corey and Abi stayed last night in a hotel close to the airport. They got there nice and early today with plenty of time to spare. It's looking pretty empty.

They arrived here in SL very close to on time, but I wasn't ready and was still at home when they landed. We hurried out to the pick up. Yay we're all together again. On the way home, I dropped Corey off at the store to grab some fresh fruit (five bunches of bananas and two things of strawberries) while Abi ran into her school to get homework out of her locker. Now we're back home again and we all washed our hands. We're ready to hunker down for a while! Ethan and Abi both had their music lessons online - Abi with Hangouts, E with zoom. Pretty cool. After the kids are done with all their music, I'm sure they'll be playing several hours of video games again to help them cope as they adjust to the school and friend withdrawl. Yes, they should probably be doing more studying, but as the kid says in Mark Rober's video, after it was announced that school would be out for 3 weeks... "Fortnite!" (we like Mark Rober)

Update: Here is a March 20th post from Neil and Amy that she shared on Facebook - we were all watching and wondering what would happen, and it tells a little of how crazy things are, so I thought I'd include it here as part of Abi's story:

To say the last 10 days have been a wild and crazy adventure is an understatement. 5 months ago, Neil and I started planning a trip to visit Portugal, where over 20 years ago Neil served a two-year mission for our church. As current events unfolded about coronavirus we questioned if it was the right thing to do but as we prayed we still felt peace about going. As we boarded our flight to Europe, Trump announced the European travel ban and as we were flying home from Europe, Utah had an earthquake and our flight home was cancelled. Our trip was laced with a feeling of uncertainty as our plans changed each day but we made the most of it. It was an extension of his mission. Tender mercies and miracles were plentiful. My faith and testimony of Jesus Christ were strengthened. He loves us and is aware of us at all times and in all places. Our trip was cut short but we experienced all that was needful. I'm thankful to be home with my kiddos and looking forward to hunkering down for the next two weeks and beyond.

The streets were not typically empty. Very rare. It was like a ghost town. The country was shutting down, just like in the states.