January

 We started out the year with family. We got to go swimming with Timber and her kids. Then Darlin and Holden got to spend the day with us.   Blessing, we miss the cousin’s in Idaho.

I bought a snow cone maker, then proceeded to buy TONS of flavors, bubble gum is a huge hit.  My kids will not be dehydrated.  Four a day is average. Cannot wait to see what it will be like during summer. The kids also started making their own lemonade. They put strawberries and lemons in the blender.  Best lemonade ever!

As a mom, every once in a while, you get a win. For cleaning up the Holidays, instead of 10’s (10 min cleaning 10 min free time) I did one hour cleaning then one hour free time.  It was WONDERFUL. First, we can get a TON done in one hr. because there is maybe 5 min of what are we doing and 55 min of doing.  Then during the one hr. free time I can get some of my stuff done. 

Very sad mommy moments.  We went through kids clothing. Azalyn is in a 6T for pants.  I remember putting 6T clothing in my bags thinking, wow 6 years that is a long time till my baby is going to need that. NOPE it was a blink.  The boys have grown into all my “saved” clothing.  My babies are growing up too fast.  Denali is officially taller than me, (He is growing like a weed) he could not be happier.  I told him I can still kiss and kick his butt.  Colvin got his first LOVE note, but he said it is not the girl he really likes.  

I went to the dollar store with the kids on a bike ride.  We tried to convince mom and dad to come with us with no luck.  They did meet us at the dollar store after the gym.   I love doing things with my kids and they make me laugh every day.  One day Azalyn was brushing my hair.  I asked, are you making me beautiful, without a pause Azalyn said Well I am doing my best.  Azalyn was not very comfortable on her new big bike.  I try to bike with her a few times a week.  I asked one day from the park if she wanted to go home on the path.  She said mom I am having a good day and that will just make me an angry Azalyn.   The kids go to the park almost every day after school.  I love that they love being outside, but I don’t want them to get in trouble.  The boys filmed a movie.  We went to Up Town Jungle for Azalyn’s Birthday (see other post) It was the best workout.

We love watching older movies with the kids.  We turned on Ferngully, and the kids were not impressed.  Ferngully has the best memories for me, it was the only outside movie we ever did in Idaho. The first one I ever remember doing.    After our flop with Ferngully we decided to go to the drive in.  We went for Azalyn’s birthday. The movie was migration.

12 is a very exciting year for Denali in the church.   We wanted to wait for mom and dad to come back to be set apart as a deacon. Mom and Dad came in very late Saturday, so the first Sunday in January Denali got the Aaronic priesthood.  I could not be prouder of him.  He is so very stoic passing the sacrament.   I can see the Man he is becoming. Greg is always asking me WHY I am a member, there are so many things I don’t conform to.  The reason is because I know it is true.  I know that it is right.

January is the month of doctors.   I took Azalyn in for an Asma Evaluation, we cannot have her cough for months on end.  The doctor was wonderful, they did not even question me. In one week of inhalers, she was soo much better.

Since mom and dad came back it was project time again.  Dad added 3 can lights into the downstairs bathroom. WOW I love the light.

In January I updated all my blog.  However, this year thecutestblogontheblock did not have their background and blinkies.  After many tears and hours on the computer I made my own.  I guess new skills are always good to have.  

We have been trying to do Monday CFM (come Follow me).  We were talking about Lehis dream and the iron rod.  I made an “Iron rod” the kids had to hold on to (it was rope tied to chairs, then the kids were blindfolded.)  The most profound thing was from Colvin.   Grandma was good, I knew she would not lead me astray.  Find the good people in your life you can get advice from.

With the new year comes parent teacher conferences.  Colvin’s was a student lead conference.  He loved being so big, He is doing excellent, his teacher still tells the class “Does anyone but Colvin know the answer”.   I had two teachers stop me and say that Denali was wonderful and their favorite even before conferences started.  He needs to work on his handwriting, but they said what matters most, his very positive attitude and integrity, he is the best of the best.

Something to remember NOT everything in Bulk is cheaper.  You still need to price match. Greg started taking lunch.  I tried to make it a little healthy, but he took a whole bag of chips (that way he could just eat them all week at his desk) and a whole thing of chewy cookies. In my defense I bought a whole case thinking they were the fun size, not a case of full size cookie packs.

One Great thing about mom and dad here is late night dates. Greg and I went to white tanks on a night hike.  It was so much fun.  We just talked about life the whole time and since we were on our own, we could talk about Anything.   Since we had so much fun, we took the family hiking the next day.  Dad was really excited to see white tanks since last time we went he stayed home with Grandma.  Azalyn ran the whole time. The Boys loved to climb all the “mountain”.  We walked about 3 miles round trip.

The library had a kickoff party for the mayor’s reading challenge. For every 100 min, up to 700 min, you get a spring training ticket. Greg wants as many as possible.  It was a cooler day, there were very few people. My kids got a ton of freebies.

I have been in a huge funk. It was worse because I have been doing everything I know how to do. We started watching home movies and I laughed till I peed, best medicine ever.

Worst NEWS ever: Greg got in a car accident on the freeway.  Greg had to brake hard, the truck behind him tried to swerve but still hit Greg. Then a third truck came and hit the 2^nd truck and Greg again.    He was the only one that was legal in the carpool lane. He has really messed up his back. He has been in a ton of pain.  Silver lining, he is alive and walked away from it, kind of. 

Dad is officially in another country without Mom. He is in Australia. Mom is being brave.

One down 11 to go!