Hurricane Rim

Corey and I are back from our night away. This morning we went out to breakfast at Cubbys. Corey ordered a fruit french toast plate and I had a quinoa black bean bowl. Then we went by to see if The Joint had a long line or not (Corey's looking for help for his back pain) and there was a line, so he'll go next week when we're back at home. Then we left St. George and headed to Hurricane for another ride. We went to the JEM Trailhead, and it looked busy on cowbell, so we went down along Dead Ringer. That was a bit terrifying. Felt like we were riding along the sides of a cliff, and when we drove by on the freeway and looked at where we were afterwards, we were impressed with ourselves cause it WAS a very steep looking side of a cliff! It was all new exploration today, but next time we'll stay on JEM and cowbell, cause we missed all the downhill parts and the view from the top of the cliffs, cause Dead Ringer took us along the cliff sides and to the bottom of the cliffs right at the beginning. You live and learn. We did get back on JEM and took that flat trail across to Chinatown and then the Hurricane Rim. It was a nice view over there down to the Virgin River. I took a pic of Corey - 

Then he took one of me. 

It was cool! When I saw the trail name "Hurricane Rim" I thought we would be up higher like on Gooseberry's north rim, but the Hurricane Rim is next to a gorge, so that's why it's a rim, but we were already on the top when we parked. I guess there is not a trail up at the top of the cliffs I saw. The only trail I see online is gooseberry. We should have taken JEM or Cowbell on our way out, not dead ringer. We couldn't take JEM on the way back, cause it was downhill only. I thought on the way back we would be going downhill, but it was uphill, so we had to go south to Dead ringer on the return. It's all good. I think if we ride this before out flight out to Florida next month, I think the kids would like and could do Cowbell, so we'll see if we explore this again then. 

Back at home, Mel and Hyrum took good care of the kids. Wayne treated them all to an afternoon at the movies. 

They all went out to see "The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever". Corey and I ate Lucy Apples on the drive home, and got home around 7. The kids have been playing the Wii, Mel said K has been driving her crazy today being a bit bossy, and since we've taken the past 36 hours off, I guess I better go be present and help out a little bit here! 

Zen

This morning Corey and I took off for a day away. We are in St. George. We left around 10, but didn't get far because Corey's car had a "transmission system problem" light come on as soon as we got on the freeway. We went by Burt Bros first, they don't do anything with trans missions, recommended a few places, most of them were closed for Black Friday, so then Corey was just driving and we ended up at Tanner's Transmission. Once Corey agreed to the work they said we needed, I noticed their online reviews, which weren't great... doh. We decided to exercise faith in Jim and are praying for him to do a good job and not rip us off or ruin the car more. Mel and Hyrum drove down to where we were by the freeway with the van and Hyrum's car, and we moved our bikes and essentials into the back of the van. Then we left. Got to St. George in time to check in and get in a ride on Zen before it was dark. 

Pic at the top with a view over the cliffs. We saw a good group of other bikers down on Bearclaw Poppy. I remember that last year it was quite hard and technical, and those parts of the trail were still there, but there were even more this time. It was harder than I remembered! Corey was able to get up and down a lot of features. 

I was kinda dying, but I did some things that I didn't want to do (cause they were scary!) so go me, I'm proud of myself for facing some fears. This little clip here was after I had already faced a lot of fears and I needed a break, but nope, there was just a whole 'nother hill of more boulders to ride over and crevasses to try and slip through. Thus the reason why I said "OooHH my gosh! AAAHHH! UuaaAAH! heehe... HuAH! Haha" 

And then we went to Chuck a Rama for a quick dinner and cause Corey was really hungry. Chuck a Rama is good for that cause no wait time to be seated, or to be served, or for waiting for the check. We only had 30 min before our temple appt so it worked out perfectly. We left at 7:20 for our 11 min drive to the Red Cliff's Temple for an 8pm session. It is a beautiful temple!! Wow. We stayed in the celestial room until they kicked us out. And now we're going to go to bed. :) Fun full day! Well, except for the transmission stuff, but we're glad we were still able to make it down here.

Thanksgiving with Hibberts & Smarts

Corey and I didn't do a turkey trot or 5K this morning, but we did go on a bike ride. It was 25 degrees. We've been experimenting with different temperatures. 30-40 degrees is good, as is 40-50. 50-60 is iffy - could be too warm and slushy. We knew 25 degrees would be cold, but thought it would be good to try the 20-30 degrees window. And it was cold, but my feet were good in my snowboots with their toe warmers (even though we don't think those make any heat) and our hands were very good with the little hotties (those work too well). The only problem we had with at 25 degrees was that Corey's dropper post froze or something wasn't working with it, so it wouldn't lock in place, and thus when he sat down on his seat, it sunk all the way to the bottom. So he looked like Peter does when he rides his little bike. We still made it to the ruins. 

We did techy on the way down. Since Corey's seat froze, I didn't dare try to adjust mine, and thus it was too high on techy and I fell right at the beginning and banged my left knee pretty good. I'm predicting it will be quite bruised. I got back on and did adjust the seat without a problem and finished the ride. Movement took care of the knee pain and it was good after just a few minutes and has felt fine all day. 

So we did an early ride at 9am to experiment with the cold winter morning temperatures, and because Grant and Stephanie were coming by at noon. They came out for Thanksgiving, yay! We got home in time to clean up ourselves and the house before they showed up. We were so excited when we met their new baby girl Daisy!!! 

We all tried to wait patiently as she was passed around.

Lily's turn, Katharine waiting...

Katharine's turn!

K learned Daisy's name quickly and we all loved loving on her!

Oh she is so cute!!! So we all visited, Corey and Grant talked work, Steph and I talked babies, the boys were all running and roller blading around inside and playing football outside. Grant and his kids got suited up with skis and gear and Grant is taking them skiing tomorrow for the first time ever up at Alta. They will just be doing Snowpine, and that will be perfect since it is a free beginner lift. So we all had fun visiting and playing. We made a salad and vegan sweet potatoes to take to the Thanksgiving feast with the Hibberts, and then headed out for that at 4pm. Jared and Jerusha had prepared a feast for us all. 

There was a really big group of people there - some of Jared's extended family plus extended family of one of their friends. We enjoyed all the tastes of the traditional thanksgiving feast, then had desserts and ate more. 

The cream pie with raspberry topping and some kinda biscoff layer of crunchy something on the bottom was a favorite - pictured on the table there. That was the second piece I went to get.

Neil and some of his kids came down when desserts were still going. His son Connor just got home from his mission less than 48 hours ago! We visited...

...and then there was spikeball (Ashton, Hyrum, Mikey and Neil) and football (all the little boys)...

...and the kids ran around playing tag, and then some games came out: Abducktion and kids playing Telestrations and other fun for another hour. 

We came back home around 8:30. Everyone stuffed and worn out from a lot of fun. 

It was good. Ethan and Bella were up with her family in northern Utah, and Joseph and Eliza went for a meal with my sister in Indiana! So that is fun. The kids did miss the Park City hot tubs, but it was good to not have to try and divide the day. I think next year I would like to host it at home, just for a bit more personal and cozy feeling. I didn't blog anything in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013... and if I didn't blog it, I just don't remember what happened. Looks like we've hosted it a few times ~ in 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, and then:

• Us with friends in Costa Rica in 2010
• Us by ourselves in Bear Lake in 2014
• We've done it with Hibberts in Layton in 2008 (at Gma & Gpa Bahr's house in 2007)
• With extended Hibberts hosted by J&J in 2016, 2021, 2023 and now this year 2024
• Park City with Wrides in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 
• (So it was with both Wrides and Hibberts in 2021 & 2023 and both here and Park City in 2019)

I think the Wrides started going to Park City for Thanksgiving when we were in Costa Rica, and I also think that we've gone up every year since then, even if we didn't all sleep over. Cause I'm pretty sure this is the first time we didn't go at all. We might need to go next year, but I really want to do it at home next year, so maybe some of us will go but not all. 2019 was the most memorable one for me, and that was 5 years ago, so yeah, I think we need to do it here again next year. Also I'd like to have our family tradition over thanksgiving center around the historical context more. I'd like to teach and remind us all what should atleast be a part of this tradition. It's not just a meal.

So that's the goal/plan for next year.

Older Kids Home

The older kids are home for the break! Well, the older single kids. Mel arrived today while I was out for a ride. I came back and Corey and everyone had left to go to Scheels, just for fun to get out of the house, and to do a little Christmas window shopping? Girls checking out sunglasses - 

And Owen wants some football gear.

Hyrum arrived last night around 9:30. Katharine greeting him - 

This morning I drove to American Fork to buy a cedar chest... I've been looking on facebook marketplace for something to hold the kids backpacks, cause right now their home his a corner in the side room, and I don't love the look of them on the floor. The girls each have a desk in their room, and that's where I'd like for their backpacks to be, but they don't always make it up there to their rooms. So I got one white cedar chest that Corey said he liked better, but the color blends too much into the wall, so then I went by for another one tonight that is darker. So now I've got two and we'll try them out to see which one we like more, and then we'll sell the other one. Or use it for something else.

It snowed last night/this morning. Corey took a ride early this afternoon and was one of the first ones on the trail, and I went later after more fat bike riders were able to pave the trail and I was able to make it to the ruins. Pretty to have the fresh layer of snow on all the branches. This pic is of avalanche hill on the way down, so facing east. Sometimes in pics you can't tell from the angle if it is uphill or downhill.

It's fun riding in the snow. After I got back, that's when everyone was gone at Scheels. And now everyone's back doing there thing (CMH working at laptops) or doing their tasks (L practicing)

A few notes from yesterday. First good news is that yesterday I finally finished blogging June 2024! And with that, I put my academic planner for 2023-24 on the shelf, done! Starting on July now, only July and Aug to catch up on, cause I'm current on Sept, Oct, and Nov so far. Last night K was taking a bath, and I forgot to put up the shampoo bottles. She loves the pumps of Corey's Old Spice body wash and the Panteen shampoo and conditioner. Since they were within reach, she happily pumped a ton of it into the tub. Lots of bubbles and lots of slimy conditioner that took a bit to rinse down the drain. So that as a waste. I shall exercise more effort in always remembering to keep pumping soaps away from her little curious hands. 

Yesterday I had my 5 am temple appointment, that I always enjoy. Even though I usually need a nap later. I didn't take a bike ride, cause it was raining a little bit. Plus I couldn't go cause I had to be here for the dryer appointment. Yes, we finally got the dryer fixed, yay. $510. It's been having the 3C error code atleast since June. I told the technician it had been doing that for 2+ months, but I guess it's been atleast 4. And it's been totally out of use since Sophi used it like 3 weeks ago and smelled smoke or something burning, so then I just unplugged it and I've been hanging clothes around the house - mostly in Owen and Daniel's room where they have a convenient shelf for lots of hangers. I'm grateful it is fixed and I think everyone will appreciate having soft clothes again (compared to the crunchy socks and shirts we've had the past few weeks. I think it's important to notice things we take for granted!) The kids had pizza and salad for dinner last night, and then, since there's no school, we let them watch a movie - Started watching Get Smart at 8:30 pm, and then Hyrum was home. We're looking forward to having a week off from the regular routines. Nice to have a chill and long weekend and to have the older kids home. 

Candy Turkeys

We've been having violin every other week so far this year, so I am enjoying the free time that gives me a little bit. Today, since Sophi and Natalie came home, I was able to go on a ride up to the ruins. I like biking in the snow. Cold, but quiet and beautiful. It's good cold therapy. 

We made Oreo Turkey's tonight for FHE. 

I'd rather that our FHE didn't always include a big dose of refined sugar, but oh well. It's not a battle I'm winning at the moment. 

Abi went to the store and bought candy corn, oreos, mini Reese's peanut butter cups, and Whoppers. 

These are the turkey's that JeNeal introduced the kids to and that they've made at Thanksgiving up at Park City for many years. So we'll do it in her honor.

Each of the kids made two turkeys, and then promptly ate both of them. Except for Peter! He ate one and is saving the other one for school tomorrow. He is in bed and had his turkey waiting for him on the side of his bed.

I also still smile over all of his bed decor. It's quite the display of paper and toys and other stuff that a 5 year old likes. Cute kid. I'm impressed he had the will power to wait! His older siblings could learn some self control from him. Katharine played with stickers today. She felt very pretty with them all over her face. 

Katharine you're so cute! We're glad that tomorrow is the last day of school for this week! We're looking forward to the Thanksgiving break.

Blue Note Big Band Concert

Last night Corey and I went out to India House for our date around 7. Date nights have been after 7 for  the past few months cause Lily is in a band that rehearses on Fridays from 4 - 6 in American Fork. Corey takes her there so yeah, our date nights have been pushed back. But it's good, and Corey enjoys the time visiting with Lily in the car too. Today she had a concert at the Orem Summerhays."Musicfest Pro-Band 2024" featuring the Blue Note Big Band. Corey took her there, and Mel, Ethan, and Bella all came to see Lily. (Older siblings are so nice to be so supportive of their younger siblings)

They were supposed to wear black with a touch of blue, and Lily was thinking of dying her hair blue, but ended up not getting that done in time. So she was just all black. She really enjoyed it and Corey said it was good. 

I tried to do a ride up the trail today, but it was too warm (high 50s, low 60s) so it was all slushy. Plus a lot of wind. So I took the road, I got to just past avalanche hill then came back home. It's supposed to snow tonight.

And other than that, yeah, it was a normal weekend. I had a good session reading the Book of Mormon this morning. Did you know Deshret is the name of the Egyptian southern kingdom? And their kingdom's crown was a symbol of a bee stinger and a probiscis? This insight was shared in the Follow Him Podcast, part 1 at 1:03 referring to Ether 2:3 ~

So cool. Kristal Pierce's comments: "I love the idea that the Jaredites, they fit perfectly into the ancient Near East. What are they going to take? What do they want to start? I mean, they're basically starting life over again. They're going to take what they know is the foundation of life, and then we get the bees. Then we have the bees, which is fascinating. Of course, the most important role of bees is pollination; if they're bringing these seeds and things, and these bees... But also they use bees, the honey and the wax for food, to make tablets to write on, cosmetics, adhesive, medicine, waterproofing, paint. They were using bees and beeswax for so many different things. Now, it's great because Moroni tells us; he gives us a little bit of a glimpse into their language. He says they carried with them deseret. He gives us this word, and he says, "This means honeybee." 01:04:23 Some people have tied this to the Egyptian word deshret. This word in Egypt, it refers to several different things, but a specific part of Egypt symbolized by a certain crown and symbolized by a bee; the word deshret is related to this. The Lower Egypt, the crown that goes with it, that's called the deshret, has a stinger on it and also has a proboscis, which is that little straw to get the nectar out of the plants. We know at this period of time, people in Mesopotamia were not keeping bees. They weren't beekeepers, but the people in Egypt were. I love this idea that the Jaredites came into contact with the Egyptians, got beekeeping technology from them, and maybe even borrowed a word from Egyptian to talk about what they were doing with these bees and this idea of deseret and deshret so that they could take these because they knew the importance of bees. Even if, at that point, they weren't keeping them themselves. It fits so perfectly into the ancient Near East." Amazing

My friend Elisabeth's baby, Joseph, is still on life support and very weak. They were hoping he'd be strong enough to take him off this weekend, but now are praying for Monday. Elisabeth's MIL, Tina, is also in our ward, and yesterday texted me about how she was trying to line up some cleaners to come help her at home, since they are gone at the hospital so much. But Tina hadn't gotten anything lined up yet, and asked if we could help? I told her we could totally do that, and I sent out some texts this morning and a small group of friends was available. So Caroline and I arrived at 1:30, Kirstin and Stacey came next, and we got their house a little after 1:30 and cleaned until 4. The house was so clean for them when they got back. It felt great to help out. Elisabeth said she's totally up for doing a cleaning rotation between houses, ha! I'd love that too - get together with friends and clean and visit, sounds like a win win win. 

To Ruins and Back

I struggled today to get going... Did a little bit of reading but not much cleaning or anything during the day. Corey and I did get in a ride though! He had inspired me to take the trail after his ride on Tuesday. And I inspired him after I did the trail up AND down yesterday (and techy) so we decided to do it together today! And we made it to the ruins! Can you see them up above Corey's shoulder?

Those are the ruins up Little Cottonwood Canyon. Selfie at the top before our descent.

Corey left for work early this morning so that he could come back early for our ride together. He worked a little bit more tonight after we got back. We left home at 3:40, the ride took us 1 hour and 40 minutes. 11.18 miles, not bad for a ride in the snow! I wore 4 layers and my first layer was almost completely soaked. My toes and hands were comfortable. The temp was in the high 50s, so there was one spot that was a little slushy, I think it was one of the few spots that gets sun during the day. Tomorrow has a high of 61, probably will be too warm and too slushy for a ride? But Saturday's high is 55, maybe we'll try it again then. There is snow forecast for Sunday, and I'm guessing after this we might not be able to make it on the trial with our regular bikes. We might need a fat bike, hmmm I'm interested in looking into those now. 

So we came home to see how the kids did while we were gone. Were they getting their tasks done? Not so much, but good news: they were not throwing pumpkins out the window onto the driveway this time. Katharine was up asleep in our room with Cinderella playing on the tv. Natalie was watching K, and thus she was also watching the tv, and had made herself comfortable in a lazy throne on our bed. 

I turned off the tv and kicked them all out. Come on you slackers, time to go start being productive.  Abi was gone doing work for my mom. Abi is trying to earn money to buy a dress for winters. I ran to Costco at 7:20 for a few things, likes Snack donations for Peter's kindergarten class. Lily and Daniel practicing their music later tonight. Corey says they are doing awesome. 

Lily has a concert tomorrow and a solo, so she was getting ready for that. Owen had not practiced trumpet yet, but he was walking around the house looking like "duckman" - put a baseball cap nice and low and a visor on upside down to be the bottom of the ducks bill. 

Owen, you might be a weirdo. 

Pink Superhero

There's a new super hero in town ~

I texted this pic to Hyrum and said "Blackness has a new nemesis... Pinkness!" 

Katharine said "I'm a SUPER HERO!" She is like a real life doll that we get to dress up (if she cooperates). Yesterday, right after school, I was able to use Corey's car to take Natalie out with me to run errands. Corey came home to go on a ride, so I took Natalie out thrifting to get some clothes, and to Dollar tree for poster for O. First we went to Dollar tree, then Kid to Kid, and the DI & Walmart. Natalie looked around at the DI while I ran to Walmart quickly for calendars, rice milk, a new popsocket, and pink lady apples. Back to DI, I go in to pay for her stuff, and then I found more stuff at the DI - a Christmas sweater for myself, some black shoes. And what I was most excited about after all our shopping was a pink Superman shirt for Pinkness (K might not wear it tho) but I found shoes for Katharine that I was confident would be PERFECT!!!! 

They are light pink and dark pink and gold and glittery and shiny and each has a big bow on the toe with a diamond in the middle of the bow and a few little rhinestones on the gold ribbons, they have it all. I am confident that they are every 2 year old girl's dream shoes. Also I think I'll mention that these shoes were right by the blue crocs from long ago that are still there without an owner. I'm sorry little blue crocs, that no one has taken you home. Katharine loved you, but I wouldn't let her. Yesterday I  also took a risk and also got a new blue dress. Thankfully she has, atleast momentarily, accepted that offering. And I thought we'd top it off with a big ol' pink bow for her hair. Yeah those shoes are amazing. 

At scriptures last night, K was sitting on Abi's lap and Abi was in shorts so K kept scratching her legs with the corners of her new shoes' heels. Katharine sleeps with Abi but K wouldn't take them off. Abi said "It's fine, I'll wait until she's asleep and then I'll take them off..." So when Katharine came downstairs like this this morning.... 

I wondered "Hmmm. Who won the 'no shoes in the bed' battle?" I texted Abi to ask. She replied "I was gonna take them off her when she went to sleep but I gave up." Haha, funny, I know how that is. (Are we creating a monster?) Natalie tells me that I spoil K too much, and I let her know "I spoiled all of you kids when you were two..." And look, you've turned out just fine. Katharine was still all dolled up when we went to my parent's house today. 

I helped out with a few random thinks at my parent's. (They haven't asked me to come over, I'm just imposing service upon them). I cleaned the inside of their garbage can and the lid, emptied the trash and recycling, vacuumed, wiped the stove, swept, dishes and shined the sink. I made it home to get some things done, and then at 2:10 I was at Skyline to pick up Lily. I wanted to get her home asap so she could watch Katharine for me and I could get in a ride before taking Owen to his trumpet lesson. 

So after Corey's ride yesterday, I was surprised to see on this Strava that he was on the trail! And had gone all the way up to Lisa Falls! I couldn't tell if he went up the road down the trail or up the trail down the road. I asked him and he said he went up the trail!! WHAT?!?! He said it was totally rideable, the only problem was that he forgot his toe warmers. Oh yeah! I told him I didn't want to go because it would be too cold for me to enjoy, but I had forgotten about the ski toe warmers! So maybe I can do it and not be too cold? Well, I figured I'd give it a go today. I got all ready, with 4 layers on top and 2 on bottom, gloves, neck thing, and footwarmers on my toes and hand warmers in my gloves, and I snuck out the door as soon as we got home. I'm glad Corey tried this out yesterday, cause that gave me the confidence to try, and it was really fun! Beautiful to be in the snowy mountains. 

I went up and down on the trail, AND I even did techy! 

IN THE SNOW! It was great!! Like I feel like a whole new world has opened up. I got home at 4:30, took a very very cold shower (to force me to be quick) and Owen and I were on the way at 4:48. Then a neighborhood food drive at 7, Abi and Sophi went to the temple, and yeah I've been here blogging. I've been doing good at keeping up since September. Sept is done, and Oct, and I'm caught up on November so far! Still need to finish June - Aug, not bad.

No Car

This morning when I went to wake up Peter for school, he was already awake and working on something on his toy box. I got down on my knees to see what he was doing. 

He was taping school papers to the boards above his bottom bunk bed. He has a hanging mobile creating above him on his bottom bunk. It's all his art. "Cause I love ART!" he proudly said. I'm a little surprised he can crawl in there to go to bed. But once he is laying down then he is not touching them and can probably look up and enjoy all his creations. It's cute. 

So, I might have already mentioned this, but the neighbors who Abi and Lily usually take carpool with are gone in Europe until January. They could get a ride out there with Corey, since he usually goes to his dad's, but I wanted Corey to have flexibility in his schedule if he needs it, so instead of me driving Abi and Lily to school every morning, I just let them have the van. Abi used to take Corey's car to her flute lesson on Tuesdays, but now she has my car. So I'm stuck here most days. I don't mind being stuck at home, cause Home is my happy place. Just as long as there are no emergency calls from the school to come get a sick kid or anything. 

I have been driving Abi and Lily in one day each week on Wednesday. After school on Wednesdays, Abi goes to Lyceum in American Fork and is able to carpool there, so instead of having her take the car and I have to find a way to go pick it up from school later, I have been taking them to school on Wednesdays and then I have the car for that one day each week.

So a few good things about letting Abi have the car - she picked up Sophi and Natalie from school and takes them to violin. She took them to violin today. I just have to remember to have S&N put their violins in the car before Abi and Lily leave for school, which I've remembered to do just fine so far. So that saves me a trip and some time. I was able to blog a lot this morning and throughout the day quite a bit, I let K watch Bluey and Leap Frog while I blogged. I'm up to mid-June. Have 5 more posts to do to finish June. Did laundry, hung up garments in our closet (did I mention our dryer is broken? I haven't called a service man to fix it yet...). I dusted the fan in our room and that was about it for chores. Abi and the girls all got home around 5, Abi cleaned up the kitchen and made dinner (chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots and corn) and then for FHE we planned out FHEs for the rest of the year through Jan 6, which will be when we have another 2 month calendar up and will make out plan of attack for Jan and Feb FHEs. We ate sugar cookies that Lily made on Saturday and some "You've been thanked" treats that were left on the doorstep last night (rice krispy with chocolate topping). I ended my fast around 4, ate saurkraut, avocado, beets, mushrooms and cauliflower, then I helped myself to some of Lily's cookies, ate too much, tried to be done eating after that, but then I ate more at dinner time of the food Abi made. Started a fast again at 8 for Joseph Grant. He is having a surgery tomorrow, starting around 8 am, should take most of the day, they hope to know around 3-4:00 if it was successful.

We had a good talk with Wes today, some people in Texas asked him about the "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives". Oh boy. As Ethan said about that show: "Good job, Satan." Wes called again tonight to talk to his younger siblings. 

Katharine's little voice is so cute. "Hi Wesley!" The boys usually want to show Wes the legos they've been working on, or pictures they've drawn... it's show and tell time, or they play with the filters. I was proud of them today that they just talked. 

I'm going to the temple in the morning. Then carpool. Tuesday is the only day I take it, I take kids in Corey's car. Abi has late start on Fridays and she and Lily have been leaving early to take the junior high carpool for me on Friday mornings, and then they go over to make breakfast for Wayne. I think that's fun. 

Snow and Praying for Miracles

It's cold again. I was surprised by the snow outside yesterday morning. I guess I don't know what's coming when I don't check it to see biking temperatures. Owen still gets up early on Saturdays, and Peter has started to get up with him. They were out shoveling the driveway at 8am when I went out there to clear it behind the van, so that Abi could leave for GMS. She ended up having her class on Zoom, so yay that saved us some gas money and we got the driveway cleared first thing in the morning anyway. It was really heavy sticky snow. The kids all went out and played in it. I didn't get any pictures of that, but I did get this one from inside. Natalie found snow clothes for Katharine to wear, suited her up, and took her sledding. 

KATHARINE YOU'RE SO CUTE! I'm glad she was ok wearing a blue coat and not wearing pink. 

She would have been very cold if Natalie had not prepared her. Thank you Natalie. And even being prepared, it is still cold. That goes along with some thoughts I had at church today... more on that in a minute. So little kids played in the snow, the rest of us (teenagers and older) us hunkered down inside. Abi went to go answer a date to a school dance (Winters) this evening. Lily helped her with the poster. 

Abi used Owen's poster that he needed for his school county report. He had put it in a safe space behind the desk, which I pulled out and swept around today, so that was my bad for not hiding it again. Owen was a bit distraught, I told him I'll replace it, I'll prepare you for your county report! But you're going to need to do it (I don't think he's started, and it's due next week...) so I need to go get another white poster for that. I got a lot done cleaning wise today, and stayed on top of following up with kids too and they did good. After they were done, Corey and NODPK and I all went to Wayne's house at 8:30 to watch the BYU game. 

We stayed almost until the end, aaaand they lost their winning streak. A few really unfortunate plays, like after stopping Kansas, they punted it to us, it hit a BYU player then another player slid to get it but was sliding too fast and didn't grab it but actually pushed it out in the open closer to the endzone and then Kansas recovered at the BYU 3 yard line. It was sad. Next play they had a touchdown. And there was also an interception on a first down in the endzone. Corey and Owen watched it while I cleaned and came and checked in a bit now and then. I cleaned Wayne's bathrooms and toilets for him. I enjoyed helping and serving him. After about an hour Natalie was complaining to go home and that she actually didn't want to come and "there's nothing to do" you can help me clean "you just like to clean cause you're a mom!" until I told her I'm just going to tune her out, and 20 min after that I did give her my phone so she could watch instagram reels. We probably won't watch future games, esp if they start at 8:15 pm! We can't stay up that late. Owen, I'm sorry BYU lost!

I felt like I could go with Corey to his dad's cause I didn't have a ton of things I still wanted to do at home. I had had such a good and productive day, I felt like I had some freetime to go watch the game and serve. Corey and I were both fasting for the neighbor's baby and I'm sure that helped with my mental ability to focus and stay on task. We fasted most of today too. Corey ended around 5, I kinda ended, meaning I ended my dry fast and I did drink some lemon water at 7pm and am going to keep going until tomorrow without food. At church, the baby's grandpa, who is also in our ward, said they are hoping to know in the next 48 hours what the outcome will be (whether he will have a heart transplant or surgery or live or be taken back to heaven). We are praying for him!

This evening we watched "The Book Thief" with the kids. I watched it while Corey ate then cleaned in the kitchen. He takes good care of us. It was a good choice for a Sunday movie, even though people died that the kids were mad about. Then killing time tonight watching some clips about football, dinosaur, and the Megalodon shark, you know, just teaching his boys about boy stuff. 

The lesson today at church was so great. The baby's grandma taught the lesson, and I read the lesson again last night with them and the baby on my mind, and wow it just all applies. We read Ether 2:24-25 together in the Sunday school class: 

24 For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.

25 And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?

We all have great deeps to cross, but we can trust that God is with us! He will prepare me to cross my great deep. He has prepared baby Joseph's parents and family. We will find answers and comfort in the scriptures and in prayer. We can trust in God's plan for us. We are in his hands! The fact that baby Joseph was even born at all is a MIRACLE! Like every person who is successfully alive and breathing at this moment WON THE LOTTERY! Cause there are a million things that could go wrong at every stage of fetal development, not to mention conception, birth, and every stage of growth after we are alive and breathing. But here we are. God has given us life. We can't do it ourselves. We cannot make our eyes see or our ears hear or our tongues to taste or our stomachs digest or ANY OF THE OTHER Million of things going on RIGHT NOW in our cells and in each biological system of our bodies. As much as we and doctors try to save and preserve life and understand, ultimately God is the one doing it all. We can trust him. Even in death, that is not the end. This little baby's spirit knew exactly what he was coming to, and he was ok with it. And if he is taken home now, then he learned what he needed to through his short life experience. As Joseph Smith taught (who lost several of his own children in their infancy):

“I have meditated upon the subject, and asked the question, why it is that infants, innocent children, are taken away from us. … The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again.”

Ok, so those have been some of the thoughts in my mind this weekend. We are praying for a miracle, and it already IS a miracle. 

Also, today was the final day of the Come Follow Me study of Ether 3, so before we said our prayer tonight and sent the kids to bed, I went downstairs and got out a year 2000 scrapbook where I had kept an important yellow paper that is important to me because of the miracle it represents and because of something that happened as I read Ether 3. 

It is a substitution/waiver form that I have saved from when I was getting ready to graduate from college. Summer at BYU, my graduation advisor was helping me make sure everything was ready for my Aug graduation with Corey, and I got a note in the Spring that I still needed one more Spanish class to fulfill the Advanced Language/Math GE requirement. I had just taken Spanish 321 during the winter semester, that Corey signed me up for when he was helping me with my schedule (I was still on my mission in Arizona when I applied). So, then I learn that that one didn't count for whatever reason. I needed Spanish 302. I talked to my advisor, I thought it was silly, he said that's just what the requirements are, but said to go ahead and try to appeal "but they like never approve substitutions..." He was nice to me and helpful, but also very doubtful and trying to be realistic for me. I took the form home so I could fill it out. Oh, and at this time, we had just moved away from BYU up to Sandy in the Pink house on 8181 S. 1000 E. (Not there anymore). So I was all worked up about ALL THE REASONS why this was way bad and inconvenient and unnecessary:

1. I already took a Spanish Class
2. We moved away and I had all my other classes online but I'd have to do this one in person
3. We didn't want to spend the $300-$400 on books for this class
4. I'd have to drive down a few times a week
5. I'd have to find a babysitter for baby Joseph (who was a few months old at the time, I was preg with Mel)
6. Money for gas

I was just overcome with frustration over this. But they probably aren't going to approve my appeal. The waiver had to be typed, not handwritten. I had to find a typewriter. I went to the library to rent one. I ended up not working. I cried in defeat. My parents ended up having a typewriter so I borrowed theirs. My spirits and faith were low, but as I looked to the scriptures for help, comfort, and answers, I read Ether 3. I felt that God was on my side, understood our situation, and could help me. I read Ether 3:2-5 outloud and substituted myself and my situation into the prayer.

2 O Lord, BYU hast said that I must take Spanish 302. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of her weakness before thee; for I know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that I am unworthy before thee; because of the fall my nature has become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires.

3 Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten me because of my iniquity, and hast driven us forth through college, and for these many years we have been taking our classes; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from me, and suffer not that I shall have to take Spanish 302; but behold these waiver which I have typed up.

4 And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch the dean's heart, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare him that he may approve my petition; and I shall stay with my baby and take care of him and be able to graduate without having to go to BYU for this class. 

5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. I know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.

So that is how I likened it. From verse 2, God had commanded me to pray so that I could get what I desired in a situation like this!! I prayed, I fasted, and I waited. I knew God had the power to make this substitution happen. GOD COULD DO THIS (kinda silly giving God a pep talk, lol, as if God's like "I don't know, this one seems like a long shot, but if you, little mortal Tiffanie, think I can, then maybe I'll give it a go..." Ha!) Summer classes started while I was still waiting to hear back, so I went to buy the books at the BYU Bookstore and went to the first day of class. I remember driving home on the freeway and crying and listening to Hillary Weeks sing "Be Still and Know that I am God." It was time for me to wait and be still. I remember when my graduation advisor called. He sounded so happy for me AND so surprised. He told me they had approved my appeal! I was so so so grateful, I hung up the phone and fell to my knees and thanked the Lord. It was a miracle to me, and I was so grateful. 

I always remember this experience of God working this miracle for me in the summer of 2000 when I read Ether 3:2-5. I'm glad I have this little paper to remember it by. I'm glad I've finally typed up this story. It's one that would have been on my "small plates" (like Nephi's Bow, Ball, and Boat experiences). I'm glad I was able to share it with my kids tonight, to tell them that answers can be found in the scriptures, and that sometimes God gives us what we desire! Still praying for sweet baby Joseph, for what we desire, according to God's will and plan for Joseph and his parent's family. (And dear Lord please bless Corey with his project at work!)