Life's predicaments

 Lately life's been rougher than I like.  I came across this picture from last fall and love everything about it.   I feel like this.  Wondering how I got into my health situations with my migraines then covid that let to my pulmonary embolisms.  What do I need to do to have health and energy and whole again.   It seems like it should be a reach away but it's a hard muddy path to get there. 

Emily told me she took this picture and then he asked her to help so she rescued his boot for him.   Maybe just maybe I'm learning to look outward and upward and with patience relief is on its' way!!

Will you be my Valentine

 1st child on Valentine's Day.    

E:   A few days before:  Mom I need to order Henry a present off of Amazon for Valentine's Day.  Will you order it for me?"   

Night before:  "I don't think my present from Amazon is coming until Tues.  What else can I get Henry help me brainstorm.  Also will you take me to his house after my viola lesson to deliver it because his parents are out of town and he has no way to get here."  

  Afternoon of 14th:  Text Emily "Saved by the Mail"  your present came.    texted back YAYYYY

 after school:  "I also want to get Henry some  Ben and Jerry's ice cream. He's obsessed with it.   I need you to take me to Walmart"

evening;  figure out how to keep the ice cream cold while Emily is at Viola and then take her to Henry's house.  

3rd child on Valentine's Day:  

 

A: (gets in the car right off the bus to go to boy scouts.)    Mom want to see all my valentine's I got at school.

M:  Sure

A: ( pulls out a stuffed animal of grogu (baby yoda)

M:  who gave you that 

A:  A girl who has a crush on me

M:  You have someone who has a crush on you?

A:  Yeah I was her Valentine

M:  Wait you were someone's Valentine.   Oh Aaron that means you should have gotten her something special

A:    I did.

M:  What did you get her?

A:  A stuffed animal and snickers bar

M:  Where did you get it?

A:  I walked up to Harmon's and bought it a while ago.

The longer I parent the more I'm team Nature and not Nuture.  Different kids, different needs.  😛

This V day was one of my favorites.    I love my crew and love that they are my friends and we have a good time together.   We decided to celebrate with our traditional pink crepes with all the fixins on Sunday because  Monday evenings are crazy town for all of us and the many different directions we are going.     When I was little I remember my mom giving us small little trinkets like pencils and lip gloss on our breakfast plates and I loved it.   Each of us bought each other a special little gift that we set on plates with our corresponding name cards.   I had all my kids helping me with Emily at the lead making the perfect crepes.    Emily turned her crepe into a masterpiece and the boys got a little crazy with the whipped cream and syrup.    

The rest of the day we hung out all together.   Aaron and Bart watched the superbowl.  I went for a walk with Jane and Spencer.  Afterwards we sat down with the girls and played "Sweet Valley High" just like old times but this time we debated who had the cutest boyfriend.   Seemed like an appropriate Valentine's Day activity don't you think.  

The mail was good for us this year.   My kids loved the care package of money and treats from Grandma Becky.   The Davis card and candy put a smile on all my kids faces and made them feel loved by the cousins. 

Main Character Moment

 Emily's picture was featured in a Deseret News article  about no more school fees.   

So many people texted me saying it came up in their google feed, on KSL and other news sites.   I was so proud of my beautiful girl.  

Emily commented that was her main character moment.  Jane said you must have been the best one in the orchestra to which Emily shrugged and said  I think it was my awesome sweater.  

Here's the link and the picture. 

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/1/31/22895326/utah-school-fees-bill-would-prohibit-schools-from-charging-curricular-fees-costs-utah-legislature

Not only was she featured online but what would you know she made the front page of the printed version of Deseret News and what would you know there's a huge picture of Emily.     It was fun to see both sets of grandparents reactions when they got their weekend edition and saw their grand daughter on the front cover.    Not many people besides criminals and politicians get a picture of themselves on the front page of a state wide paper.   This day was one or the books.  

Scavenging for Jane's Birthday Party

 

This year was Jane's year to have a birthday party.  For months she has been planning this fun day.  Her theme was a mall scavenger hunt.

When her friends arrived at the mall they played a who knows the birthday girl best game.  

We then treated her guests with some Chick-fil-A and drinks.

After they filled up, with chicken nuggets and fries, we busted out the mall scavenger hunt.  The object of the game was to accomplish all of the tasks and take a photo doing so. 

Here are some of the photos the girls took.  

Emily and her friend Alix were the un-official winners.  They came back so fast huffing and puffing saying they couldn't remember the last time they ran so hard.   Due to the fact that they were un-officially invited they for-fitted the prize, to Jane's friends who came in second place.  They were happy to do so saying they just wanted to know they could win. 

We then gathered them all up and ate some cake and ice cream, then opened all of the fun presents.

They all had a blast with Jane's fun ideas!

Post Christmas family fun time

Christmas break was filled with family, relaxing and fun.  

Jane opened a few presents after church on her birthday.   Bart scored his favorite Sunday nap on the couch.   Even though he hasn't been to expressive about the new couches I take it he likes them.  

Monday we got up early and headed to my parents house for the Pace family Christmas Party.    My mom really wanted a picture with all the new additions and everyone was compliant despite the frigid temperatures.  

My mom was so generous with the gift exchange.   Aaron loved the tent and sleeping bag and everyone laughed with how excited Spencer was when he opened a new pocket knife.   A true country boy he is.. 

 

It was fun to be with everyone again.  Especially the ones we don't see very much like my nephews Ty's cute kids. 

My kids really got into the coloring contest my mom sent out.  Emily especially was in it to win it and brought out the water color and skills.    All the grandkids did so well and were nicely rewarded. 

After the party we headed over Boulder Mountain to the Escalante cabin to spend the time with Nona, Papa, Jeff, Kim, Carver, and Conrad.   Bentley came along and did the other girls nails.    Nona made an amazing cake to celebrate Jane's birthday and we spent a good amount of time relaxing in comfy's and sweats. There wasn't snow at the cabin but that didn't stop the guys from loading into the side by side and finding it up the mountain.  Jeff also took the boys on a hike where they found places to look like outlaws.  

After a few days we came home to a house full of Davis'.   My kids loved sharing our house toys and time with them.   I was gifted Luminaria tickets last minute and the only ones who would come in the snow/rain were Ally, her girls and Spencer.  We were cold, wet but the kids still had fun.   On New Year's eve everyone but me and the ones too little to ski went up to Nordic Valley.  Bart enjoyed time teaching Aaron how to ski and Jane tolerated Emily learning for herself until she was able to keep up.   Meanwhile me and the troops dug out our driveway from the overnight snow storm.  

The kids and Bart ended the year with an autograph of Steph Curry.