Three Painted Faces

Today Sophi and I played our violins at church for a musical number "Be Thou My Vision" - an arrangement by Cindy Blevins. Marlo on the viola, Marylyn on cello, Diane on piano. We practiced last Sunday and then this morning at 9:30 before the meeting. As I mentioned in posts this week, I practiced a lot, more than I have the past 4 years since Katharine was born, and it was really fun. I'm not great, I can't do vibrato, and I didn't always his the high A, but I was willing and I tried my best. Sophi did great and she wasn't nervous. I was a little earlier this week but didn't get too many performance jitters today. I just feel a little silly cause my tone isn't great, but it's fine. I'm only a few years into it, so I did good if you think I'm like at a 2nd or 3rd grader level. 

Natalie painted kids faces after church. Katharine is some kind of fairy -

In this pic below is Nicole's daughter Lily stayed here last night (I picked her up last night at 11pm) before she starts FSY this week in Provo!

And Peter... I don't know what you are, but you look a bit scary/concerning, which is what I think you're going for with your face tilted down like that in both pictures. I'll have to ask him what he is - maybe the hulk? A frog or troll?

So after getting creative painting her siblings faces, Natalie continued her creativity tonight AFTER we told them to go to bed and be quiet. I just heard a big scream and laugh, which is not uncommon after we've told the kids to go to bed. But I guess Abi had a legit reason to scream... I just got an 11:30 text from Abi "Natalie just walked into my dark room looking like this:"

"She was trying to do that reel where you're completely black and then scare someone while they're trying to sleep. ...and she succeeded" Natalie, I think you just made the next Wride What Do You Meme with that photo! That didn't really look like Natalie to me, but then I recognized the shirt and her hair, and yes that is inside our house... I guess that is my child.

Wayne came over for dinner tonight - we has some loaves and fishes magic going on and were able to get a meal for him, despite me not having gone grocery shopping yesterday. And we watched the 2019 movie "Harriett" about Harriett Tubman with him. We've seen it once before about two years ago, but Wayne hadn't seen it. Good movie. I think I see/feel some parallels in their story and that of our country today. I trust that God is working with us despite our wickedness and weakness, and that he is helping our country, despite the follies of so many of it's citizens (Gideon) and leaders (Fugitive Slave Act). I hope to be a Harriett. "I'm not going to stop saving slaves just cause it's far." Keep doing what's right, keep serving, and keep helping your family and others. I pray to have faith and maybe such a powerful spiritual gift like Harriett had. Here's a cool documentary of a lady who tried to retrace Harriett's journey from Maryland to Canada - cool, I want to watch it., 

Summer Calendar

I had plans to go to Walmart today to get a big desk calendar, so I could cut it up and put it on the wall as our summer calendar. I did that for the first time in summer 2023, and kept it up until December 2025, when I decided to just do a monthly paper calendar on the wall instead of making that poster every other month. But I liked having the whole summer in one glance, so it would be worth it to get the desk calendar just for that. But then I decided to save the $, save the gas, save the time of the trip and instead spend time being creative. I got out the permanent markers and went to work.  

Corey and I went over our calendars and wrote down everything we had in there for everyone to see. We've got a week in Park City, ALSN have a few days in Lake Powell with the youth in our neighborhood, Abi has a senior trip, L&S have FSY, a vacation to Newport, another trip to Park City, and birthdays birthdays birthdays! These kids are not deprived. And school will start on August 12!! That's sounds so early. It's for the high school and jr high crew. Peter and Daniel will start on Aug 17. Our week at Park City is a week later than it has been in the past, so school will start on that Wednesday after Park City is done. 

So Corey and I were there on the top landing so we could talk with the kids, who were in their rooms, about their calendars. Lily esp had been nagging us to go over the summer calendar, so we did it and she was a mild participant. Katharine was being real cute and chatting away about everything. She said to Corey "Let me tell you what an opinion is. You can only have ONE."

Katharine to Wes "Wes... do you want to cuddle on my bunk bed? Cuddle means snuggle." 

We went through every day and I wrote it all down. Now to tape it up. We are going with the outside of the pantry door this time, in hopes that that will encourage the children to keep the pantry closed. 

Seeing it on the wall here, you can see that I measured it by mostly eyeballing the lines, hence there is a slightly too far to the left vertical line between Monday and Tuesday. That one is the most noticeable to me but it's fine. I'm glad it's up and all before our eyes. Children, this is your summer, and now Corey and I have part 1 of our summer plan of attack: THE mostly overall CALENAR OF EVENTS

Part 2 is for me to get a good "system" in place. Wes is borrowing my "Atomic Habits" book and during the few weeks that he was with us, he talked to us about systems, and it became apparent that we have a lot of poor systems, like drop your backpack on the floor wherever you want and take off your shoes as soon as you come inside and leave them there. I've been working on some good "systems" in my head and am slightly basing it on what I saw when we cleaned the Draper Temple on the night of May 7. I noticed that they clean some things by area (like the bathrooms) but a lot of things they organize by task! Like dusting or vacuuming - you dust/vacuum everything everywhere until it's all done. So for us here at home that would be good, cause then kids vacuum or sweep all the rooms, not just the one area they were "assigned" so yeah, I'm working on a new approach. It's gonna be good! I'm also going to order some lanyards like they had - all organized by color for what chores need to be done on that day of the week. 

I had planned/hoped for today to be a big clean up day, cause bulk clean up is coming on Tuesday. We did a little bit but not as much as needs to be done. I'm glad we have one more day on Monday to do some more. It helped to have Wes here this weekend. He finished his FSY training and is off next week, so he and Hyrum have something fun planned up in Rexburg with their cousin Seth (and possibly Owen!), and then Wes will be back next week before he starts his first week as a counselor. It's great having him at home, he's a great helper and is good at getting his siblings to help too. Natalie was his best worker in the backyard this evening.

Last thing to record for today - Corey and I both woke up really early today for some reason (4:30!)? We talked for a moment, each of us wondering why the other was up, and then we went on an early ride in corner canyon. We did the corner Canyon Loop, and we did it correctly in the neighborhood (so it counted this time) and guess what - I got a cup! 

Hooray for an emoji trophy! I feel so validated, thank you thank you! I got 3rd place overall when compared to all women who have ever done that route (and recorded it on Strava). Not bad!

In case you didn't know, the Corner Canyon loop is a pretty big loop. 

It's not as bad/intense as doing Pinecone from Park City, but it's pretty long. We even started from the cycle park today (not by the temple at coyote hollow). So yeah that made me even more impressed with us. It was good, I'm glad we woke up early and started our day off doing that! That was a big win!

Peter's First Grade Program

Peter had his first grade program today - "The Day The Crayons Quit!"

Daniel and now Peter have been the only kids that did this new "Crayon" themed program, and I like it - it's very visually nice to look at with all the colors. The rest of the kids did "First Grade Magic" - ( Lily, Sophi, not Natalie cause of covid, Owen). Peter was one of the yellow crayons.

Sophi and Natalie wanted to sleep in after a long day yesterday with their ballroom concert, so they slept in, came to the first part of Peter's program, then Corey took them and Abi to school after about half way through.

Peter's speaking part was for a pink crayon.

It was cute. Peter did great. He was really jammin' out on his guitar at the end of the "Purple People Eater" song - I'll try to post the video of that. Katharine was the last sibling here at the end of the program - went to get a pic with Peter, but she didn't want to smile.

Not sure why?

She was ok to do a crazy face though!

Peter thinks green is the best color.

So, Lily took the van to school this morning, then Corey left with his car when he took ASN to school, so Katharine and I walked home. I let her watch Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. I have been in a bit of a fun, not sure why, I didn't ever really get going today, didn't exercise, was just a bit dead and flat all day. I took Abi to work at 2, went straight from there to pick up Lily. A tender mercy here - Abi was going to bike to work, but then her bike didn't work, so she asked for my bike, I didn't really want her to use mine, so then I said I'd take her, which was when we found out she almost biked to work with the van key. Lily had the other key at school, so I was almost left with a van without a key to it, which would have been a problem when I needed to take Owen to his trumpet lesson. So yay that I offered to take Abi to work. So A to work, then picked up Lily, home for an hour, then took D to a friends house at 4:30 before their 5pm soccer party, Owen came with and we went straight from there to his trumpet lesson which was 5:30 - 6, then back to the soccer party. I might want to find a trumpet teacher here in Sandy. I don't think we need to drive to Sugarhouse for that... I'm trying to find ways to spend less time in the car. I am also really wanting to stop carpool and have the kids go to our boundary school. That's what I was thinking about most of the day as I drove around. I left Owen there at 6:30 to play with Daniel and his team, went home to get Peter and Katharine, back to the park where they played until 7:30. Peter practicing spider man skills - 

The party was over but I stayed and visited with Meghan about my carpool situation. Then dropped off books at the library, then to pick up Abi who was off of work at 7:30. She wasn't ready, so in my moment of weakness while we waited for her, I decided to go into Target for ice cream. We found drumsticks, I ate two.

Back home, trying to get kids ready for bed. Corey worked late. I'm spent, done, over it, etc etc. I'm glad school is almost out, I'm dragging myself across the finish line.

Heugh's Canyon & Ballroom Performance

Today Abi should have had school, cause it was an A day, but she came back home, so whatever I guess? Her senior year does not look how my senior year did, nor how Joseph's did. She's just got a bit too much time to be free. None of this freedom and enjoying life Abi! It's time to get ready to be an adult! Which means work, hustle, and no money. She's got the no money thing down, haha. Actually, she's got a job! She is working at Big Blue Swim School, and this is her second week. Nice to know she can start helping with gas money. Though yes, we should probably let her use it for savings so that she has something when she comes home from her mission. Her mission I think is paid for though - I guess people (my mom, Wayne, others?) donated so much for the other kids, and it keeps carrying over, and Wesley's was paid for and there's enough for Abi's mission too, I think that's what Corey said. So thank you Lord for that kindness and generosity shown toward our family. 

So, since Abi was home, I decided to go exercise. Lily still needed a ride home from school though, so that gave me about an hour. I left around 1pm and thought I'd do what I could for an hour and then go get her. It was such a pretty day that as I was getting my shoes I decided I didn't want to go to the gym - so sad to be inside in a metal gym with artificial light when it's beautiful outside!! So perhaps a walk on a hike on the way to Skyline. Fergueson? I almost turned in there but then I didn't - I continued on Wasatch and soon pulled into the parking lot for Heugh's Canyon. I've never hiked it, but I've scouted it out. Also a friend, Kyle, recently hiked this, so seeing his Strava made me want to hit this up. He did it in 58 minutes, so I thought it could be perfect, Lily would just have to wait a bit longer. It took me a few min to figure out where to go, and once I found it I spent some time exploring. (I found a perfect hidden spot to bring a blanket and take a nap next to the stream.) Then as I was hiking, Lily texted saying she was staying after for something, so I thought maybe I'd keep going. I had a timer going off every 20 min for the first hour. I kept looking at my time and texting Abi and Lily to know what was going on. Checking Strava to see how much was left, hmm can I make it? I tried to hurry up the trail near the end. It got my heartrate up in a few spots where it was a steep climb. I didn't bring water but got some from the stream. A little more up and there was a cool boulder field to crawl over. I eventually made it to a waterfall! I didn't know that was up here! Totally beautiful.

OK! Now it was 2:20 - Abi had to work at 3. If she was going to bike there, she would need to leave home at 2:40 to make it on time. Yeah, that's not gonna happen, I guess I'm driving you? Lily, I guess I'm not picking you up, I don't have time. She walked to Corey's dad's house, I ran down the trail as much as I could I was wearing some grippy, flexible, and flat hiking shoes that had NO cushion, and so it was a bit brutal as I tried to run down. the canyon. I made it back to the car at 2:45 though! I was home by 3, Abi was ready with Katharine to get in the car, we drove Abi to work, and got her there in time! I'm sure that tomorrow my knees will be letting me know that they did not appreciate that run. 

So then - I headed back home. Sophi and Natalie stayed after school for a ballroom hangout. They had a performance tonight that we all went to - 

Dressed up for their first number - Surfin USA I think. Natalie and Sophi are the two girls front and side by side here - Natalie on the left, Soph on the right. 

Katharine liked the ballerina number. She told me "I want to be a ballerina!" and then in the next breath, "How much longer?!" "Just a few more" I told her 10 times. We watched the show until 7:20 when Abi texted that she was done with work early (aka now) and to come get her. She had said she'd be done at 8, but whatever, I guess I'm leaving now.  

I took some videos, but if I upload them to youtube, I have to keep them to under 1 min or else the music will be flagged for a copyright violation. I missed Sophi's solo. I'll have to watch Corey's video. So Katharine was done, and the boys were down the row sitting with Wayne, but I had them come with me, and we left to pick up Abi. I need to go get the program from the car... I'll update their dance numbers later after I get that. Or when they get here to tell me. They are still gone - it's a tradition for the ballroom dancers to go to Menchies on 33rd south after their ballroom concerts. Joseph, Wesley, and Abi all did ballroom and I think they all went to Menchies too. 

So I had ODPK, Corey stayed with Lily and Wayne for the rest of the performance. Then they stayed while Corey worked, and Lily is picking up S&N from Menchies, 

On way back from getting Abi at work yesterday, she let me know she got a dr bill for her well visit in December. Yeah, I figured it was too good to be true (in Feb it appeared they magically waived her $1300 bill). But they didn't. So bad news: we still have to pay for that. Good news: we got a -$450 self pay discount. So now it's only $953. I called today to get that set up on a 12 month payment plan and I'm going to apply for financial assistance, just in case). it's nice that I was able to thinking it was for a few months. 

I didn't paint last week and haven't yet this week, BUT I have done other "arts" - I've practiced the violin! I was asked if we'd be around Memorial Day weekend and if I was available to play violin in sacrament meeting. I told her I was available and willing, but I have hardly touched it for the past 4 years. I have now touched it more this week than in the past 4 years. We reviewed it this past Sunday and they recorded the piano and cello so I could practice with those in a recording. I've been practicing every day trying to learn it. I'm probably going to play, but I play violin like all my girls dance in ballroom - a bit stiff and without feeling. I always find it funny watching them dance, cause they are a bit robotic - like they are walking these memorized steps (the same way I shall be playing memorized notes) but they just lack the relaxation and enjoyment of it cause they are too in their heads with the memorization of it? That's how it looks from the audience most of the time to me anyway. They're moving their arms and doing the things, but lacking that MJ "feeling it" touch. I guess with the violin too, you just have to do it long enough that you get out of your head. I'm so in my head with this violin thing (we're playing "Be Thou My Vision") that if I try to do vibrato or think I'll use my 4th finger instead of the open string so I can try vibrato, I just mess up completely with the counting and the notes and get lost. So I'll be playing robotic and hope that Sophi is able to carry us through with nice tone and vibrato. I bet I could outdance them though. Ok CLSN are on their way back home now, I guess we'll go read and go to bed. 

Michael with Kids & My Roses Are Gone

We took the kids to see the Michael movie tonight. We got row C, seats 1 through 17. 

Only $5.75 for dollar Tuesday. It was fun, I think they all enjoyed it. We took a group photo after. 

Since Daniel and Peter were not in that pic for some reason, here is one with them that we took as we were walking in. They want to go see the Mandalorian and Baby Yoda movie next. 

Katharine gave herself patterns today. 

She's so cute.

So it's late but I wanted to finish the report for today - I went out to lunch with Chalane and Nancy to celebrate our birthdays in March April and May. We went to Aubergine in Sugarhouse, which has moved to a new location! It's bigger and very nice! After that I went by Jordan Commons and bought tickets to the Michael movie tonight at 8:50. Went with all of us CTWALSNODPK plus M&C. Ethan was busy so he and Bella weren't able to come, but hopefully next time. I don't think we've taken the kids to a movie since Incredibles 2. But maybe next time - I'm hoping we could make the $5 buck Tuesday a thing we do once a quarter if there is a good movie out. Or atleast once or twice a year.

After I came home from lunch is when I discovered some yard work that had been done yesterday. To quote from the "Wride Wife and Mom Club" messenger chat at 2:49 PM today:

"I have to express my sadness here as I process my feelings... Wesley has been doing yardwork and I told him and showed him the daisies that I didn’t want him to touch but then he cut them all out. That should’ve been my sign to really emphasize the roses, which I also did not want him to touch as they would have been blooming within a month. I told him not to touch them, but I guess it didn’t register cause he totally cut down the bush and I’m sad."

Isabella replied right away and grieved with me: oh no:(((

I continued "Although I have enough pictures of roses that I should be OK one summer without them..." Then I sent some photos of my roses from previous years and said "Pictures from last June" June 12 2024, June 7 2023, June 12 2023... "They were my one joy in our yard... I guess I’ll have to get my rose fix by painting some this year" Jul 6 2022... but as for my roses blooming, nope... this is what is looks like this year… Sept 2021, I don't think they will recover by fall???

Oh my gosh I'm going to cry! This will take some time for the bush to recover and for my heart to heal, I'm so sad...

Mother's Day 2026

Happy Mother's Day ~ Peter made me a lego card and lego flower

The elementary boys gave me some things that they had made at school. Church was great. 

Corey gave a great lesson in Relief Society. Our friend Terry talking to him after class was over. 

Mel and Christian came up to our ward today so Christian could help Wes in primary. The men ran things in there so all the ladies could be in RS. All the YW and the YW leaders were there too, so Abi Lily Sophi and Natalie and Mel and I all heard Corey's lesson. He did a really great job. I'll see if he wants to share the slides somehow. Oh, and here's Daniel getting ready for church this morning, with a Watch Ya Mouth mouthguard thing in his face, such a weirdo! And I also thought it captured a unique part of motherhood -

After church we came back at home, Daniel and Peter out climbing trees in the backyard.

Right after church Mel and Christian had set up a little scavenger hunt for the kids. They followed clues and found some candy and the last clue led them to me to give me a hug and then I had a box of donuts. SO, they started digging into the donuts and none of us noticed the white envelope in the box of donuts. It took like an extra 30 minutes for us to find out the point of this scavenger hunt, like the whole reason! Sure, a hug for mom for mother's day was part of it, but the real news was (drum roll...)  

Ta-da!! Hey all you kids, look at this!!! Katharine, do you know what that is???

So SUPER exciting! They just got that ultrasound this past Thursday, she is due in November. Yay! Congratulations Mel!! Corey and Abi were making food to take over to Wayne's house for a 3pm dinner with all the Wrides, and since I couldn't help with that (cause moms can't cook on Mother's day) I decided it was a perfect time for me to go with Mel and Christian to visit my mom and let them share this exciting news. We took Katharine too. As we pulled up, I saw some old childhood friends across the street visiting their parents - Tommy and Kirstin. It's fun to say hi to people you haven't seen in 30 years! 

I think us and the Kurliches are the last of the 1980s families that are still on the street. So we visited with them for a few minutes and then went in to say hi to my folks.

We stayed there for like 25 minutes and then went to Wayne's for dinner. Thanks to Abi for planning and catering the meal. Ethan and Bella came and were able to join in there. Cute Alvie was showing his new "I can stand up" trick to everyone. Alvie is standing and walking!! 

We enjoyed dinner and then Mel shared her surprise with the rest of the family one by one, I think Corey got a video of her telling his dad. Then they left to go to Bountiful to let his family know their exciting news. Last night, when Corey and I were on our 'lache walk, Abi was at the store getting groceries. I told her to buy some chocolates for me to give to the girls, in a small effort to channel my inner JeNeal, who was always so thoughtful and always got Nancy and Chalane and I little gifts on mother's day. So Abi picked up some dark chocolate bars for me to give to Bella and Mel. I need to send one to Eliza. Next year I'll take another baby step and include a handwritten card as well. Baby steps. We didn't stay too long. Back at home Corey took a rest and I came here to blog, yay, and the boys were reading the blog books. 

I'm grateful for my self imposed position of family historian, and that the kids enjoy reading the fruits of my labor. Wayne is a good journal keeper too and sent a journal entry that he made to his kids and their spouses tonight:

"The group came here for Sunday dinner, Mother's day, and to celebrate the several birthdays which are in May, one of which is Nancy's. It was a great afternoon. As I looked out over the group and saw how they mingled and talked with each other. There were little pockets of conversation here and there around the room. Melodie announced that she is expecting which brought tears to my eyes. I think that it is terrific for her, she will be a great mother. As I watched our family interact, I could not help to give thanks to my Lord for the wonderful family we have. Everyone is caring and supportive of one another. I felt a great spirit in my home today, a feeling of love and acceptance. I am truly blessed. As I wax older, and I am sure that this occurs with everyone, there is a tendency to look back over my life and in some way evaluate if I have done any good and if I have accomplished anything of importance in my life. I have not gone after wealth or worldly fame. Today, as I watched my family interact with one another, and the spirit of the Lord was here at a palatable level, I received the spiritual confirmation that, “Yes, you have accomplished the greatest thing you could in your life, you have helped to teach and guide your family with a spirit of love to a point where they love one another, and the Lord. That is the greatest accomplishment you could achieve in this life.”  I am so grateful for the love and support of my family.  It is at times like today when I realize just how great they are.  Each person adds, in their own way, to the greatness of the entire family. . . ."

'Lache Walk

Corey and I went on a hike tonight, yay! It was a "Lache Hike/walk!" "Lache" is a fun word coined by the Holderness Family recently. I love it

"She is real happy to be with you in this place cause you are on a trail and you're talkin' bout your lache..." I told him about what a moraine is. "So we are standing on the Little Cottonwood Canyon left lateral moraine..."

Second time recently (in our whole marriage?) that we've done a hike together, not counting hikes with kids, cause those don't count. I like doing a lache walks. Corey and I went on a few hikes in high school and college (Mt Olypus and Granger Peak) and hiking or walking really gives you time to talk, which I quite enjoy seeing that I'm a "quality time" love language person. Biking is fun, but we don't have much chance to talk. We need to use the headphones that Christian gave us for Christmas.

I was glad to go on a walk with him cause he spent every spare moment this past week and today working on his Mother's Day Lesson for Relief Society tomorrow. It was nice of him to take an hour plus break to visit with me on this hike. I think he likes teaching, so I don't think he minds that I volunteered him for that, other than this is higher stakes cause he's teaching a room full of women, so it's foreign territory and he doesn't want to mess it up. It could also be considered high stakes cause it's "mother's day" and many women have high opinions and feelings about mother's day. I didn't mean to give him more to do cause he's already got a full plate, but from what I can see, he's really put a lot of thought and effort into it. I know it will be a wonderful lesson. I went over with Sophi and we set up chairs for a big crowd cause we'll have all the primary lady teachers in here as well as all the young women girls and all their teachers. We were able to squeeze in an extra row across the back. We're hoping 110 chairs covers it. 

So with Corey putting every spare moment into lesson prep, I took care of soccer. Oh, Corey also had to take his car in for new tires this morning at 10, so he was doing that as well. This was the second to last day of games for the boys. Wes went with me to all of them (such a nice big brother). Owen's game was at 9. He scored a goal and had two assists. Daniel was right after at 10:15, then we came home for a short break, back out with Wes Owen Daniel Peter and Katharine for Peter's game at 12:45. Back home at 2, spent the whole morning at soccer. I really like watching Owen's games cuase they all basically get how to play the sport and they pass and stuff. Daniel and Peter's games are just a test of patience and encouragement for everyone. They bunch up like crazy, or they'll go for the ball when their own teammate has it, it's just frustrating to watch if you're focused on the purpose of the sport. But if you just go with the idea that you're cheering for your kids and giving them an opportunity to learn how to deal with sad feelings from getting scored on a lot, while also being outside and getting some fresh air, then it's more tolerable. Daniel's team lost by a lot, as did Peter's. If you see Daniel, ask him about the kid who put his teammate in a headlock. I think that moment was etched in their team folklore forever, and has been magnified each time Daniel tells it (the kid was being a bit aggressive, and it was a foul, but he was also really good). 

One last item of interest - Hyrum is still working at making sourdough. He sent me a pic of his loaf  today and it looked really good! Had a nice shape and rise, he probably could have browned it a little more but it looked really good! I hope his starter is treating him right. 

Making It Happen

Wes made date night happen tonight. Corey and I went for a ride in corner canyon. I didn't feel like Corey and I had date night the past two weeks - last week cause Corey was pulling a long work night, and the week before that because Joseph and Eliza were in town and we got together with all of the kids. So tonight we had to do it. I wanted to leave but and I had not prepped stuff for dinner for the kids, which sadly has been the default lately. But we had to go to beat the sunset. Wes had been working outside. As we pulled out he asked if there was any dinner ready. "No..." (sorry!) "But you have a car and there's a store down the street! We know the girls will pitch in if you take them down!" And that was all the encouragement they needed. They went to the store, bought stuff for pizza, and made it happen for themselves. Corey and I did our part by leaving, and the kids did the pizza and movies by themselves. Good job kids! Let's do this again next week. 

I guess I usually don't get dinner ready... usually it's Abi who makes dinner. Today my excuse is that I was on recovery mode all day. 

On our date night drive, Corey's mind seemed full/done at the end of a long day and work week, but I was peppering him with lots of questions wanting him to explore options with me - "Where do you want to go ride? LCC or Corner Canyon? Maybe Corner Canyon, but where should we park, which trail should we take?? I wanted to do the Corner Canyon loop but there probably isn't time, hmm - last time we left at 6:52 and the sun set was at 8:17 and we were coming down in the dark. It's already 6:50 right now, but sunset is later today at 8:28... Maybe if we don't go down rush to start at the bottom? We can test if it counts if we start the loop right at the Coyote Hollow trailhead..." That was all that was going on in my brain, I held back and only did 20 percent capacity (he's living on easy mode! haha see this reel by davi87 on instagram -it's totally true I'm not as annoying as I could be and he should be grateful! I'm capable of way worse) oh that also made me think of another reel of his which I shared with Corey later, haha. "Everyday is a new episode of 'why is this my problem...'" and "the emotional weight of having to make one more decision..." I'm sorry Corey! I'll try to go easy on you when you're at the end of a work week. That is why we need weekly date nights though - so I can break it up. Right now I've got a backlog of 3 weeks of my mind running at full speed that I need some companion release on.

We both had a slow morning cause of cleaning the temple last night - Corey, Wes and I were there at 10 and we got home at 12:30 am. I still got up and got the kids out the door, took a very short nap today, but yeah I was a bit lethargic all day. Last night when we got back, Lily was still up doing her Utah online classes. She's gotta finish her class this weekend. 

When Katharine woke up this morning and was ready for breakfast, I tried to sound tempting and offered her some fruit: "Would you like some WaTeRMeLoN???" "No." Pause "can I have a pickle? Actually THREE pickles." Well I guess so... I served up three pickles. She wanted them cut small.

After two bites: "Mom, I don't want my pickles" haha figures. I've been trying to eat more vegetables so the pickles were out cause I had a tuna salad for breakfast with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onion and mustard. I threw her in my salad. I did really good this week having tuna salad two times, sardines once, and one day I enjoyed eggs with bell peppers, onions, tomatoe, lime, and avocado. I have a memory of preparing that and eating that in Brazil 2007 and thinking it was the best thing ever. Avocados in Brazil were amazing (2nd pic).

So today I moved around stuff on the wall. I moved the LOVE thing over to the bay window in our bedroom and put the Little Cottonwood Creek painting in our room. 

Corey took a pic of Mount Olympus from his dad's front porch for me. I'll be doing that sometime. Ran an errand to Deseret Book to buy some bookmarks for the graduating senior girls that will be entering Relief Society. Looked at art there. Artists to look up: J Kirk Richards, Kate Lee, and Paige Payne. (I already know Greg Olsen). Watched a few reels about Michael Jackson today and listened to Human Nature and Stranger in Moscow on my drive. MJ is currently all over my youtube algorithm. I need to run another errand soon to get more bowls with lids for the sourdough. The girls and I are always looking for bowls and lids. 

A few things from yesterday... Natalie has been out of a phone since fall. Today we finally got it fixed. She earned money to help pay for it. A nice guy out in Draper fixed it for $99 bucks. It was interesting to watch! It took him 20 minutes. I was impressed. 

His workspace was a big disheveled, but hey, so it mine. I still recommend. He knew what he was doing and he was fast. Dustin at Tech MD in Draper. Natalie, are you glad to have a phone again? 

I think a tongue sticking out means yes. AND, since both of my violists have phones, I have an easy consequence for not practicing violin. As soon as we got home, I took both of their phones and told them to practice 45 minutes, which they dutifully did. 

They have not had violin lessons since fall, and thus have been equally slacking in the violin department, as have I as violin practicing enforcer. We're gonna try and change that now.

Daniel and Owen both had soccer practice last night. Corey rode his bike to his dad's so I could have his car cause Wes needed the van. I took Owen to his trumpet lesson, then met Wes at Wayne's house, picked up Wes, left Corey with his car, and then straight to soccer practice to drop off Owen and pick up Daniel. I let him use his free ice cream coupon and Wes got some sushi for himself.

Daniel looks like a chipmunk.