Corey's Car Back for Real

Good news, we got Corey's car back today! Thank you Freeway Transmissions for fixing it, and for only taking two weeks to get the job done! Corey said it runs like it used to before we took it to Tanner, so that's good. When we took in into Tanner back in November, we actually didn't notice anything wrong with how it drove at all. The only problem was that the car told us there was a problem. Kinda sad to think it could have been nothing serious, but we'll never know. Well, in the next life maybe we can ask God what were the other options that could have played out. But this has been good for us somehow, I'm sure. Corey joked recently "It's a good thing we didn't get ski passes this year, cause we couldn't have gone anyway!" (without his 4 wheel drive) Followed by a thought of "Instead of paying for ski passes, we paid for a transmission." Yaaay.... (This year we should get the ski passes!) After taking Corey to pick up his car at 9, he went to Liberty park for a jog with a friend, and K and I went to Burt Brothers to get an oil change for the van. Instead of waiting in the car shop, K and I walked across the street to go to a park that was close by. 

It was at the Sandy Splash pad, minus the water. Unfortunately the little playground next to it didn't have a slide or swing. So we just sat on the step of some pretty lame climbing and step hopping area, then wandered around while she ate her apple. 

We looked at ants, played with our shadows, made a pile of pinecones, and picked a daffodil.

Then we went into the Senior Center where they were having a thrift sale. I found something for K, but when we went to the checkout, they didn't take venmo. Only cash or checks, which I didn't have either of. But the free fruit snacks that they had were enough for her to walk away from the pretty tea cup and saucer I was going to buy, and then we went on our way back to the car shop, where we had hot chocolate while they finished up the car. 

Then to Costco, then home for lunch and a nap, then i went to pick up Abi and Lily from school, then I came home and made potato salad, then I went on a ride and was gone for 3 hours. Left around 5, went from home to Hidden Valley, along BST, climb to Ghost Falls, then took Ghost falls down! Yay, it wasn't gated off, woo!

I had a moment of meditation and happiness at the Ghost falls waterfall. It was quite full and flowing with water. It was pretty, I took a sip from the stream and enjoyed being outside. Then down the hill for a bit of fun. There were quite a few bike teams and solo bikers out in the canyon. I was able to also connect to lower rush! It was fun and good to be back on the hill. When I came out of Rush, I took limelight in a moment of weakness. There was a group of people blocking the way I would have gone (to BST) so I just kept going straight on limelight. As soon as I got on I was like "drat! I didn't want to do this!" but I was stuck, and knew I'd have to climb back up to get on BST, or take the road home instead of the trail. I decided to go back up the trail. I was tired, legs were burning, but made it back up to BST, then climbed BST until I was on my way north back to Hidden Valley. I went 16.59 miles, not bad. Was gone too long. Corey was on his way home when I was done, so he came and picked me up in the car. Nice that he has his bike rack back with his car, yay. We just finished scriptures. Corey wanted us to watch something before scriptures, it was called the Blue Vase. "It shall be done." Here's the first part of it. Not sure what was the link to the whole film Corey showed. Anyway, kinda silly, but it's old, so it gets a pass. good message to be an optimist and to be determined, to be a Do-er! Now going to bed. 

Classic & Bike Ride To Alta

Corey took Owen and Peter to Classic Fun Center today. 

The elementary boys didn't have school, and so when Corey was leaving for work and saw them all still at home, he decided to take them out for fun. He sent me a text saying "It's hard for me to work if I think there is a need at home, ...or an opportunity." So Corey worked at a skating rink side table and Owen and Peter had fun with the scooter, rollerblades, and hoverboard. Daniel opted to go play with a neighbor instead. He was a little sad later when he learned they had pizza. 

The girls did not have violin today, and the weather was so nice, so I took a bike ride. (Also knowing also that tomorrow I'll be running kids to soccer practice). After the girls were home I left, and I knew I had time, and so after making to the ruin, via the road, I kept going. I was zoned out just listening to the Follow Him podcast with Morgan Pearson. My goal was originally to make it to Snowbird. It was a long ride, but again, I just listened to the podcast and didn't think about the distance. I made it to entry 1. I couldn't remember which one Corey did. So then I went to entry 2, 3, and I wasn't at the Cliff Lodge yet and I was like "Wait... there are FOUR entrances???" Kept going, and yes there are 4. And at that point, a comment Corey made yesterday came to mind. Corey took a ride up to the ruins on Saturday and a neighbor saw him. "Did you make it to Snowbird?" Corey said no, it started to hail on him.  I said "Someday we'll go to Alta!" He said "Well, Alta is just a little bit more from Snowbird..." Oh. So it's not a big dead. Well, I made it to Snowbird, guess I might as well finish this off while I have the time! (And maybe so I don't have to do it again for a while.) So I went to Alta. I took me 2 hours and 43 minutes to bike up the canyon to Alta. Like I said, I took it pretty chill, but I was very proud of myself and took a few selfies to pat myself on the back and brag to my siblings and parents. 

I got my longest distance, biggest climb, biggest elevation gain (3696) and a few other achievements. Woot woot. I was proud I got past 3000 elevation. And over 22 miles, yee haw. Not bad for my first big ride of the 2025! 

Kindergarten Zoo

Today Peter had a Kindergarten Zoo in his class. There he is!

The kids were all looking around trying to find their parents. So cute. Peter was a snake. Slithering at me ~

Nice drawing Peter! He seemed happy, so that is good. Last night he was all worked up saying "I'm afraid the kids in my class will think I'm a lizard! but I'm supposed to be an anaconda! And they will laugh at me!" Waa, he was kinda whining. I tried to fix the problem for him (oops! I forgot I'm supposed to practice listening!): "I'm sure they'll be worried about their own costumes and won't laugh at yours." "There's no reason to laugh, your costume is great!" This morning we decided to modify his costume and we cut off the spikes on his head so that he's more bald like a snake, and we also cut off 4 of the teeth, so now his costume/pjs just have two fangs. I told him "Such a good idea!" and he liked that. Katharine was cute and very interested in all the animals, except for the mountain goat. That kid was excited about cute Katharine (most of them were) and got out from behind his desk and held out his wool covered hands for Katharine to touch. She did not reach out her hand, but rather stood there motionless, not looking at him, but looking sideways as if thinking "Okay... I'm just going to ignore this kid..." 

I walked over to the school for the kindergarten zoo, pushing K in the stroller. After it was done, she wanted to walk, so we walked together. She jumped and looked at rocks and I loved it. Until her diaper was bothering her, and then she got in the stroller and fell asleep. Corey's ready for her to be out of diapers. I'm not in a rush. She was still asleep when Corey got home and we tagged each other - he stayed home while I took Lily to Band in American Fork. Corey took Natalie to get some GT testing done today from 9:15 - 1:15. She really didn't want to do it and was crying last night. Corey told her he'd take her out for breakfast before if that helped, which it did, and so they went. The other kids caught wind of eating out and Abi joined them, cause she has study hall for first period. Wayne went with them too. He's been doing a lot this week! Abi's performance on Wed, Sophi's ballroom dance last night, and lunch this morning. He's going to come with us tomorrow too for lunch in Orem. We're taking Ethan out for his birthday. Fun fun. I've eaten my beets avocado sauerkraut salad every day this week. Today I added onions, cauliflower and radishes and radish greens. I quite enjoyed it. 

While Lily was at band, I just went to a church parking lot and blog. I was not thinking about the time but went to go to look up a photo and I turn on my phone and it's 4:28. :) It happened again! Fun. 

When I got back, Corey was with Daniel, who was asleep on the couch after refusing to practice. I was able to wake him up and help him through it. We used Owen's notebook from his lessons as our outline - first some music beat clapping, then scales, then songs. We got 30 min done and then Corey and I went out to Aubergine. Corey didn't order anything cause he ate at home and ruined his date night meal. I do that now and then myself. It's kinda hard at home and not eat when the kids are constantly asking for food. Someday, in my dream house, we will have a kitchen cooking area that is like what we had in Brazil and Chile, where the kitchen with it's fridge of food and pantry of snacks are all in a lock able prep room! We can have the dining area with it's table and chairs out and available for use, but free access to food is the first thing that will go in my ideal home. 

A few more items. Yesterday I didn't take any pics today, but one screen shot, which is almost identical to the 4:28 one above. Yesterday I was mostly struggling. I drove Sophi to ballroom thing at Skyline. The Churchill ballroom just was doing one number, which was the second to last. Wayne stuck around for all of it, Corey showed up at the end. Corey took these pics. 

We are really very lucky to have so much support and help from Wayne!

I took Sophi out there and then I went to buy groats while I had a car. Abi's been taking it this whole week cause she's had ACT prep stuff before and after school. She took it today too, cause she takes carpool for me on Friday mornings, which I approve of cause it saves me a trip. Corey brought her home. It seems like he's been getting home pretty late every night these past few weeks. Hopefully that's becuase things are going good with the project he's working on.

Oh, and something else fun that Corey and kids did with Wayne today - so Natalie had GTI testing this morning, and last night she was all worked up about not wanting to go, so Corey bribed/incentivized her with a breakfast out. Abi took carpool, and then she and Lily usually go over to make Wayne breakfast, cause it's late start for them on Fridays. But instead today, Abi and Wayne joined Corey and Natalie out for breakfast. Lily missed out cause she had class, but Abi's class was just a study period, so Corey let her come. I don't know where they went. Hmm, from outside that window I just googled "the Garment Clinic..." I think the restaurant close to that was Over the Counter Cafe. I'll verify later if that's where they went. 

Then Natalie got to miss school and go spend from 9:15 - 1:15 taking tests. Yay. She said it was cold in the building and she still didn't love it, but I hope she appreciated the breakfast out. 

Forts & Food

Peter and Katharine slept last night in a fort I made yesterday.

Peter was ON me for this - he wanted to make a fort Saturday night. He started it, then it all fell apart and made a huge mess, he asked for help, I said it was too late, plus his room was too messy and we need to clean up to find space for it. "Well do it tomorrow after we get home from church." But then after church I was busy making dinner and company etc. At 10pm Sunday night Peter wines "YOU SAID WE COULD MAKE A FORT!" He tries to do it himself usually, but usually gets frustrated and wants help (cause the books will just slide off when the blankets get pulled at all). I said I could do it while he was at school, which I didn't do - honestly forgot. Yesterday I set two alarms so I would not forget, and I cleaned his room and I got some toy chains and did a pretty good one. It was strong enough that it didn't collapse on them as they rolled around last night, so go me. 

I went to pick up Daniel today. This was kinda funny to watch their experience from a distance. This morning it was way easy getting Owen and Peter off to school. Daniel is often very reluctant and non responsive, and if he is conscious, he is indifferent and disobedient. So Ethan got to deal with that last night and this morning. (and Bella too, sorry Bella!) Ethan sent 4 voice messages sharing his frustrations with Corey. E thought D was ungrateful and had a few other complaints. It was his least enjoyed experience of the kids that have gone down so far, although E said he originally got the idea to do it from seeing a pic of Daniel and wanting to have a better relationship with him and have a fun time. But, among the many little things - D peed on the toilet seat and refused to wipe it up, said it wasn't him, lol. Ethan "Well I KNOW it wasn't me!" D eventually did it. Also this morning, Daniel said he was so hungry at breakfast, he said he could eat 10 pancakes. Ethan was in the shower and Bella started cranking out the pancakes. D took a bite of one and might not have liked the pure/natural maple syrup, so took one bite then said he didn't was done. E wasn't having it. Ethan told him no food if he didn't eat the pancakes, so poor D didn't get any food on campus. No cheetoes, which was the highlight of the whole trip for Peter. As we were meeting up, Ethan called and said in Spanish that he didn't want D to be starving, but he/Ethan had ALSO said "no other food without eating the pancakes" and D didn't eat them, E wanted to be a man of his word and make good on his threats but also was worried it wasn't going to end up being a good experience for Daniel. I said it's ok for him to be a big brother and not a "dad". So then they bought him a slice of pizza at Costco. I met them there to pick him up. "Daniel! I missed you! How was it?!?!" 

"Awesome!" Daniel only had good things to say. Luckily their memories are malleable.

Ethan took a few videos, one of their pancake standoff... Ethan had to go to class and wanted to take D but D hadn't eaten and E knew he would be hungry but said he wasn't going to buy him anything and he checked with D "Is that ok?" to which D shook his head "no". He also sent this pic - 

Looks like Daniel slept in his clothes... I believe Owen and Peter both did as well, even though I packed a change of clothes for all of them. Thank you Natalie for wearing pajamas and changing your clothes. 

On the drive home I listened to some Dr. Berg videos about Post Nasal Drip and Reflux. I think Corey might have GERD... He has an appointment with a gastroenterologist next month. We'll try to find some natural cures if we can. I, for one, have done great so far this week helping my good gut bacteria. I've been eating my new "sauerkraut salad" everyday so far this week since Sunday: beets, saurkraut, and avocado. Today I also added onions and cauliflower to my salad. 

I stopped by Good Earth and bought some radishes and a few supplements (like Betaine Hydrochloride) that, according to Dr. Berg, could help Corey's reflux and both of our post nasal drip condition. 

Abi had a concert downtown tonight. Wayne went, Corey too. 

I hope to be a supportive grandparent like Wayne has been, and like JeNeal was. Being retired probably helps.... so maybe that's not going to happen for us, lol.

Sorry, no, that's just the pessimist and weary side of me talking. I know I'm in a bit of a funk. Overall today was another good mortal experience day and I can focus on the good in our life and be grateful. There is much to be grateful for. 

Storms May Rage

I had a moment this morning when I was driving home from the temple. It was snowing, and I was listening to the 2022 Youth Theme: "Though fires may burn And storms may rage, When darkness comes, We’ll find our way back home. We will trust in the Lord." And I looked out at the cars in front of me, all going forward, in a dark snowstorm, yet pressing on, not stopping - all confident that we'd make it to our destination despite the storm around us. 

The music fit the scenery around me and I just had a feeling to keep on keeping on, Trust in God, there may be be mountains on my way, but I chose faith, not fear. Actually, it's not "may" - it's a sure thing that there will be mountains and storm. Corey shared a scripture with all of us from Doctrine and Covenants 24:8 - "Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days." WE SHALL HAVE MANY. So yikes, buckle up, make sure the kids are all in their carseats, and if we're prepared we'll make it through. I also like the covid "bumpy road" line that President Nelson said in 2020, which has new meaning to us since we've started biking. With biking we've come to enjoy the climb up the hill, the trail over the obstacles. Work work work. It's a bumpy ride, but we can do it. We've got good bikes, gloves, helmets, and happy tunes to get us through. “The road ahead will always be bumpy, but the destination will be serene and secure. So, fasten your seat belt, hang on through the bumps, and do what’s right, and your rewards will be eternal.” - President Nelson. I'm sure there will also be beautiful picturesque moments along the way, and we've come to think the bumps are mostly fun too!

Another little spiritual thought. So on Tuesday mornings, I got to the temple to participate in 5 am initiatories. I wake up around 4:15 and get dressed and go. On way to temple this morning, I happened to look at the clock at 4:28 and I remembered this little game - I heard somewhere this past year that when the clock says 11:11, it means that God is trying to get your attention or say he loves you. That's fine for the internet, but I felt like if God was trying to get ME and have ME pause and notice Him, it would be more personal, like it would be my birthday. So for me, April 28, would be 4/28, aka 4:28. And I've been starting to notice it more. And usually when I'm not thinking of it, but I'll just happen to look at the clock at 4:28 and I'm like "Hey! Happy birthday to me!" God loves me and let me come to this beautiful world, and I'm grateful for life. Then, this morning after I got home, I sometimes go to the gym to climb, but today I came home cause it was snowy and bad weather a bit, so I just headed home while I could, and I pulled in at 6:15! And that number is for Corey! So then I pause for a moment and remember this little game and I said a prayer of gratitude for Corey. 2:19 is for us too (anniversary). Also once I was entering something for a credit card and the expiration was 04/28 and the 3 digit code was 615, ha! So that made me smile too thinking that it was fun to have Me and Corey together on the card! Yesterday I was doing whatever after the kids got home from school, then I did go grab my phone for something and again, 4:28. So it's kinda fun. So there's just a little silly thing you can try and see if you notice it. If you do, it can be little reminder that God notices YOU too. 

Took Daniel down to Lindon where we met up with Ethan and Bella, they are taking him today. D almost didn't get to go, cause last night he wouldn't practice music, so Corey told him to go to bed and that he wouldn't be able to go. Then D said he was not going to go to bed until he WAS allowed to practice, but now it was way too late. Daniel threatened if Corey didn't let him practice, he was going to stay awake all night. But last night, he didn't practice, did fall asleep, and this morning I told him if he practiced right after he got home, I would take him down. He did, and he practiced for an hour, so I said that was good. We left at 5:30. Oh, that's what I looked at my phone for - to see what time Daniel was starting to practice. :) We I met up with them for the drop off, then K and I headed back home. Bella said Ethan wasn't sure about this outing...

We always say that Daniel is a little version of Ethan, and Ethan seems to take that personally. He took a video of Daniel singing in their car, and said "There is NO WAY I was this annoying..."

Hopefully it will go ok! (I think Daniel is a bit of a performer...)

Fruit Rainbows

We made St. Patrick's Day fruit rainbows tonight for FHE. I loaded up on fruit at Costco on Saturday, so we had enough that we were able to make a big tray of these yesterday when all the college kids in Utah were here for dinner, AND still had enough to make these tonight for the 8 kids at home. They all helped me cut and didn't eat too much of it as we prepped.

Strawberries, clementines, bananas, kiwi, blueberries, and purple grapes! Katharine was excited) (Aww, look at that little face!)

Then we added a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the clouds, which was left over from FHE last week, and would have been eaten had I not taken steps several times to preserve it. I also kept the Rolo's hidden, so we added those on to be the gold at the end of the rainbow. Everyone say "thanks mom, we love you..."

Ready for prayer. K was being cute. She was very excited for this sweet meal. We had her say it, I helped, she started the prayer our but that was it. "Dear Heavenly Father..." 

I helped and spoke toddler language: "We are thankful for yummy strawberries and bananas, and thank you for chocolate and for ice cream..." She was really feeling gratitude for the cookies. 

So that was the FHE treat and dinner (kids had been munching since after school, so I was fine to call it good for the night.) I'm glad the rainbow fruit tray is a hit with everyone. We also had one more yogurt pie still, so everyone got a slice of that, in honor of Pi day. Then Corey had some "Minute to Win-it" games ready to go. The only one we actually did was Back Flip where we had to grab different groups of pencils... 

Corey had several other's ready to go, but we only did that one, cause just that one took us long enough to work through with everyone.

Natalie and I practiced more after we cleaned up and we both were able to do a group of 10 pencils!

Nobody got 12. Then it was already 10pm and we needed to wrap things up. The day just goes by too fast! 

Moon Over Snowy City

We got a lot of snow last night. Too bad we don't have our 4 wheel drive car at the moment and can't go skiing! (I'm pointing fingers at you Tanners!) No, it's not their fault we're not skiing, but it is their fault that our car broke. We wouldn't be skiing right now even if we had it, but I wish we were skiing. Corey was driving home kinda late last night in Eliza's car (which we are so grateful to be able to use...) and he got stuck on the Wasatch boulevard hill by LaCaille. He thinks he could have made it if he hadn't had to slow down for the sliding cars in front of him. A few weeks ago I drove back during a snow storm, and was out shoveling when our neighbor was out too, he asked how the roads were, I said it was slick, then he said if we ever get stuck to give him a call. So I was grateful I remembered that kind offer last night  when Corey called me. Rico was able to go pull Corey onto the road and get him home, and then I think he stayed and saved a few other people in their stuck vehicles. Snow snow everywhere, which was really too bad cause there was a lunar eclipse last night. I wanted to see it. I had it on the calendar, it was at 12:30 am, but we couldn't see it cause of the storm clouds. I did, however, notice the sky had cleared this morning and I was able to see the full moon setting this morning, and that was AMAZING. I walked over to a neighbor's back yard so I could see it better. Soooo pretty. 

I don't know why, but I could just stare at the moon for hours, if it would let me. But instead the world keeps turning and the moon goes away. Sigh. I watched it leave. 

...Then headed back to my blessed life. We were glad that Hyrum was able to arrive safely last night too! He didn't drive his car, he came down with his roommates. He was ok to do his classes today online, and he also had reached out to a few companies hoping to have some internship interviews today. So the internship thing was the main reason, but didn't get any responses and so has just ended up hanging out here, which is ok by all of us! Last night after he got home, Katharine was happy with him playing a game with a big lego slide, and the upside down ice cream bin was the trampoline. H said it was a bit boring to play, but he's doing a scientific experiment to see if K will be nice to him and accept him during his whole time here this weekend. 

So that was the price he had to pay to earn her love. He's funny. Trying to follow Hyrum's example, I played with Katharine today, as much as I could. I found her small lego studs while I cleaned the boys room, so that she could make her "picture" for me. 

She was concentrating. This is what she usually does when she plays legos. This stud game and also the princesses going down a slide. It was nice having Hyrum here. It's always nice to have extra drivers and helping hands. Hyrum took Lily to her band in American Fork tonight, which was super helpful, and then he and Lily have been hanging out with Ethan & Bella and Mel & Christian. They are not sleeping over, but from life 360 I see they have not left yet (11:30pm). Corey and I had a date night at the temple for a Relief Society and Elder Quorum joint trip to do sealings. Corey and I and one other couple were the only ones from our ward there. I get it, it's hard to go on other people's chosen times. We actually would have rather gone some other time, but it was good. It was also crowded, so we didn't get out until late, and then restaurants were closed. We ended up getting sushi at Harmons and then headed back home. Kids were good, Abi was in charge. Time for bed. Oh, before I go, a few pics of K from yesterday, documenting what a quiet morning around the house looks like after all of her siblings are gone. Our messy kitchen.

Cute feet and toes, by the side window chairs where we like to look out the window.

And she took some really good selfies! I was impressed!

Owen in Provo

Owen had fun hanging out with Ethan and Bella last night and today. They had Costco pizza for dinner, and Owen's slice was bigger than his face!!

And then they went to Classic Skating for games and fun. Owen is a little athlete.

Playing video games.

Air hockey - 

They also got together with some of Ethan's friends and played Spikeball and threw around the football. Owen asked if they could go to a carwash, and they tried to last night but it closed earlier than they thought, but they did it today and Ethan reported that "it was lit". Then for the fun today, Owen got to tag along with Ethan to his classes. 

Ethan shared: "Owen seems to have a good time but wasn’t shy to tell me he hated coming to my classes. He told me he felt bad for me that I have to do that every day"

After a fun 24 hours at college, they headed to American Fork to meet up at Lyceum so O could get a ride home with Abi.

He only had a half hour to wait. I think Natalie had a 2 hour wait. I'm glad it wasn't like that for Owen.

Super fun. We're really grateful that Ethan and Bella have been doing this with the younger kids, who don't remember much of way back when Ethan lived here. I'm glad they are able to make some memories this way!