January

 New Year: New things with the 2023 Blog. There are going to be a lot more picture collages. Reason, for the 2022 blog book I was over by 58 pictures.  Therefore, the need for pictures collages in order to keep the one book a year standard. 

We started 8 AM church. Yes, getting up is ruff.  I get up the same for church as I do for school days. However, having the rest of the day even with a nap to do stuff rocks. Azalyn started sunbeams she was not so thrilled. 

Goals for the family:  Greg: Find Enjoyment mostly in work. Work out a little Syringa: Less yelling, get in a little better shape.  Denali: Get better at his spelling, read the Book Of Mormon on his own. Colvin: Beat the Minecraft Ender dragon, don't wine as much. Azalyn: Wipe her own butt, count to 20. Family: read the D&C 3 times a week as a family Watch come follow me 3 times a week. We read at night and watch come follow me at dinner. 

Pets: We have been looking into getting a dog. I felt like the kids needed pets. I asked each kid what pet they would want if they could have anything. Denali: Lion Colvin: Dinosaur Azalyn: Monkey. Then I asked what realistic pet they wanted. Denali: Snake (green garden so no mice) Colvin: lizard, there was a bearded dragon on line but it was too big. A small lizard. Azalyn: A Fish I can do that. 

The first Sunday of January we went and picked up all our nerf bullets. We filled Azalyn’s car up. Greg got a kindle for Christmas I helped him put a book on it. He has really enjoyed reading, he finished a whole book.  I started drinking Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides for breakfast. It really makes me full all day. Then at dinner I actually eat less. I have lost an inch or two. Baby steps. I have also been getting up with Greg when he goes into the office. It was to exercise but so far it is just me time.  Over winter break I started making a grocery bag purse. I forgot how fun they are. I made a word document with pictures of how to make the flower.  I took Azalyn to her follow up appointment. They don't do ear plugs anymore. They just say stay out of dirty water, AKA baths. I have never been so mad at an office in my life. Let’s keep it positive it all worked out but.... I set up a Utah Doctor for Colvin and his leg. 

The last day of winter break was a movie morning in bed with mom. I love just snuggling with my kids. I told the kids to go play so I could have 30min on my own, (I was blogging) I ended up having about 2 min of quiet. Just one thing after another, but I still love having my kids at home.  My kids make me laugh every day. Azalyn told me one morning that she wanted to be a dad. I asked her why; she said that Dads get to go to work and type moms have to clean and she hates to clean. Talking about cleaning, she helped me mix flour. (All my four is 4 to 1 white to wheat) . I remember how fun it was to play in flour. We have also been working on kind words. She yelled, "do it now shithead"  I was not sure if I should give up now being a mom or laugh. Talking about being a good mom. My alarm was cancelled to go pick up Azalyn. I looked at the clock when preschool was over. Blessing, I have a really go friend that was able to pick her up.  

We changed the kid’s room. We set up new bunk beds, it is a full on top and two twins on bottom. That way each kid has their own bed but still in the same room. They were all addiment that they were in the same room. We took the slay bed downstairs. Then we moved the full over full bunk bed to the far room. We know that sooner than later the boys are going to be in one room and Azalyn will need her own room. Let kids be together why they can. Azalyn does say that she does not want children in her room some nights but then tells the boys I love you with me.  The other project we did was Greg put on the door and knobs on the bathroom cabinets. Why Greg and I were moving everything I had a list of things for the kids to do. I told them that once all the jobs were done they could have free free time. They got it done faster than I thought possible. Motivation. 

I bought the kids simply piano (a piano teaching app). I was pleasantly surprised. The kids loved it. The only thing it does not do is teach notes. I have been giving Colvin 10min piano lessons twice a week. For Notes only.  Colvin was able to help with the flag ceremony at school. It was too wet to do it outside, so we did it inside. 

McCarty turned 30!! She is no longer just a young thing in her 20's but we still love her. 

Car accidents. I backed up into a pole with the Bolt. I was following a piece of paper, so I was not going that fast and the pole was covered in tumbling weeds. I just felt like a dupe.  Then I was hit at a stop light in the Honda.  I got a hug at RS, we were like a silent movie at church fighting. 

Denali has begged to watch the Titanic. Since we had lots of time after church it was a Sunday movie night. He loved it. Even Colvin and Azalyn loved the sinking part.  For Azalyn birthday (see other post) she got kinetic sand. Greg was playing with her, and I asked if I could play too. She said no my dad is awesome. 

Denali started a speed class. Now he has something every night but Friday. I took out my extensions. Now I feel like I am bald. Colvin planted a colored cactus in our front yard. I hope it lasts a few weeks. He was so excited.  Good start to the year.