Happy Halloween

We had a busy Halloween! The boys had early morning seminary as usual. Cayden had early morning tutoring and a little party. I made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for him to take for his group. It was the cake mix kind so that made it easy. After tutoring Cayden goes straight to school so we had his costume ready to go in his backpack. I spent the morning getting ready for his party because I was assistant room mom. Don had to run to the store for me to get the donuts for the class party because I just ran out of time. Poor Kyle didn't get a good nap because I only could lay down with him for just a few minutes before I had to leave for the party. He did fall asleep but not for more than 45 minutes. Then when he did wake up. Don was out in the garage on the phone and Caleb didn't hear him crying so he was pretty upset and crying on and off for about an hour after that. Cayden and I had his class party that started with a school wide parade around the black top. October here is always so hot! These kids are all layered out in their costumes and the makeup is running off their faces.  Still they traipse around the playground clomping and stomping to the music of Monster Mash to show off their finery. The actual party begins after that.  I was in charge of the donut on a string game.  The kids had a great time with that!  I should have taken a queue from my friend from years ago though who used mini Hostess donuts.  It was $18 for 3 dozen donuts!  Ridiculous!  I also put together a Trick or Treat game where they had to draw either a trick or a treat paper from the bucket.  If they drew "trick" from the bucket, they had to do a trick like "walk like a mummy" or "cackle like a witch" before they got their treat.  If they drew the word treat, they got a treat.  I had another mom run that game and she said that the kids loved it!  The kids also played Bingo and ate a ton of junk!  After the party we headed home to get ready for Trick or Treating.  I made our traditional Halloween pot of chili and corn bread muffins.  At about 6 we headed out to beg for candy.  We pushed Kyle around in his "clown car" and he looked so cute!  We only went around our neighborhood because seriously who needs that much candy!  Then we went home and handed out candy until about 8:30.  Our neighborhood always gets slammed.  Around 8 I took Kyle and Cayden to see Grandma and Aunt Dena.  There were cars lined up along our street and even some trucks pulling trailers full of kids.  We went through a ton of candy!  Caleb went to a friend's house to watch Insidious for the hundredth time and Connor decided to forego the festivities this year and work with Grandpa instead.  Halloween was on a school night so we didn't stay up too late.  Most years the kids have the day off of school because it is Nevada Day.  Nevada Day was celebrated the previous Friday so they got a 3 day weekend.

A Week of Miracles

We are getting closer and closer to the time that Cody leaves on his mission.  We have been busy and so has he getting ready.  There were many miracles that took place in regards to Cody's mission and preparation. The first miracle happened the weekend of October 19.  We drove up to Provo on Thursday so that I could help Cody get going on all the shopping that he needed to get done. Cody and I headed out Friday around lunch time and went to the bank so he could get his money. Our first stop after the bank was Cafe Rio for lunch. After that we went right to Mr. Mac in the mall.  Cody had been there the week before and been met by a salesman who talked with him a bit.  When we got there he was called over to help us since he had previously talked to Cody.  I guess they work on commission.  We spent about 45 minutes in Mr. Mac. The salesman was very helpful, knowledgeable and efficient.  Cody got all his suits, ties, shirts, belts, socks and a nice coat, scarf and gloves.  Now here is where the miracle occurred.  We did not tell the salesman anything about how much money we had or what we were looking to spend.  As he was writing everything up on the sales slip, I started counting the money.  When he showed us the bill, I counted the money again and then I handed the money to the man and asked him to count it.  The total bill was $1210.59.  Cody had $1211.  I am not kidding!  We walked out of that store with all of the clothes that Cody needed and had .41 cents left over.  That to me was a miracle.  I told Cody he better get on his knees and thank Heavenly Father because I sure was going to.  I didn't tell Cody at the time that he had some money from his Grandma Dottie but he needed to use that for all the other toiletries and small miscellaneous items that we went to get at Target. After a long afternoon of shopping we headed back to Grandma's with Cody's list almost complete. We had to head home on Saturday morning because I needed to be back for our Primary Presentation on Sunday.  We took Cody to breakfast at Mimi's on the way out.  The next week we headed back to Provo on Friday so we could be with Cody when he went to the temple on Saturday.  The next miracle occurred Friday night.  I had been prompted a few times earlier in the week to call the temple and confirm Cody's time but I didn't do it until Friday night when we were almost to Nephi.  It was about 6pm when I called the temple.  His reservation was on the books but then the sister reminded me that he needed to bring his two recommends.  i called Cody at work and asked him if he had his two recommends.  He said that he had one recommend.  I had him read me everything on the recommend and then send me a picture of it.  It was only part of the recommend that he needed.  He needed another part that should have been attatched to that recommend that was for his own loving ordinances.  I called our Bishop to confirm what I already knew-that we didn't have the right recommend and Cody tried calling his Bishop.  After about 30 minutes of Cody trying every way to get a hold of his Bishop with no luck, I told him to call his Stake President.  Well as luck would have it, his Stake President was in Philadelphia.  Cody told him the problem and the Stake President said that he would call his first counselor who he hoped could help.  Of course this whole time I am getting a little concerned.  We were down to 14 hours before Cody was supposed to be at the temple and we didn't have what he needed.  The first counselor called Cody and told him that they would make sure that he got what he needed and that he was available all night.  He said that he would start trying to track down Cody's bishop and counselors to get it figured out.  WE pulled into grandma's house about 7pm and before I let anyone our of the car I told them that we needed to have a family prayer and ask for help because at this point only Heavenly Father could help us.  Cody came home from work about 7:30.  He told us that he was going back to the Stake Center at 9:30 and there would be someone there to sign the right recommend.  The first counselor in the stake presidency and the second counselor in the bishopric met him there and with the approval from the stake president, signed the right recommend for Cody.  Oh Mercy!  Bright and early Saturday morning Cody and his dad headed for the temple.  The rest of us followed for the session at 10am. Connor and Caleb took care of Kyle and Cayden at grandma's house.  There were lots of people there to support Cody.  Grandma Penny and Granddaddy Larry, Mawmaw and Aunt Pam, Grandma Dottie and Grandpa Don, Aunt Dawna, Aunt Dawna's granddaughter Summer and her husband, Cody's friend Megan and her husband, Uncle Chris and Aunt Anne, Uncle Ryan and Aunt Suzanna and my good friend Amy Marshall who drove up from Panguitch. Amy's husband even waited in the car with their kids so Amy could come into the temple.  It was so great to be with everyone in the temple.  We met everyone for lunch at Brick Oven later that afternoon after we all picked up the kids so they could come.  It was a very special day and I am so grateful we could all be there with Cody.   

Another Crazy Week October 8-14

This week has been super crazy as usual. -Cayden got sick with a cold on Monday and it kept getting worse. I ran him to the urgent care Monday night because his eyes were super swollen and puffy and started to look like Connor's had on Saturday when Don took him the urgent care. The doctor gave him the same meds as Connor but it was too late to go the pharmacy because they were closed so we started him on what Connor already had. He didn't go to school on Tuesday because he woke up feeling pretty bad and had a croupy cough. He started to feel better in the afternoon and I should have sent him to school because he totally went OCD all over the house. I had to lay down with Kyle and when I got up he had put away all the toys, moved all the barricade/barstools and kitchen chairs back to their places, put away the dishes, cleaned his room, wiped down his bathroom and wiped down Connor's bathroom and threw out a bunch of stuff in Connor's drawers. It was Connor's toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouth wash and he even threw away a book that was in the drawer. He took all that stuff directly to the garbage can outside and other than the book, I left it all. Connor was not happy about any of that! I was a little frustrated too because straightening is one thing but emptying drawers and throwing things away unbeknownst to me is another. Cayden went to tutoring and school on Wednesday. -Tuesday Don went to Oklahoma. Caleb had some friends over after school. There were some interesting girls who showed up at the door after calling the house. I had Relief Society that night so Grandma watched Cayden and Kyle. Connor and Caleb went to the Powder Puff game at the high school. It was Homecoming week. Kyle had a late power nap while I was gone and wouldn't go to sleep until around 11. He must have had a stomach ache because he was up all night long just crying and crying. He acted like he was going to puke and I pulled a pillow case off the pillow and put it under him just in case until I was able to get a towel and a bowl. He crawled all over me all night and I finally went to sleep around 3 I think. Wednesday-I had to get up with the boys for Seminary and to get Cayden to tutoring and my wonderful friend Shelby took my turn for pick up. Kyle went back to sleep around 7:15 and I was so glad to not have to wake him. After getting some laundry started, cleaning up the kitchen and making Cayden's lunch I was able to lay back down but that only lasted for an hour. Kyle woke up at 9:15. I was supposed to have a Primary meeting but was worried about Kyle being sick and I was exhausted! Thankfully we canceled that meeting! I picked up the boys from school after picking up prescriptions and going to the dollar store. Caleb met with the Bishop for a temple recommend interview and Connor worked with Grandpa. Thursday-It rained and rained and rained here. After school Connor was a little stir crazy because there was not much to do inside. Grandma and Grandpa had to go to Vegas so he didn't go over there. He did some OCD cleaning too but mostly to avoid having chores on Friday. He cleaned his room and bathroom and did some other chores so his weekend would be free. He was a little perturbed because Caleb had friends over again. Don came home and brought us Brio for dinner. Connor went to a birthday party at Nephi's. One of the few that he has ever been too. He actually stayed until 10. I have to give him more credit for acting appropriately sometimes. I am always worried about preventing any problems beforehand so I don't give him opportunities to even try. After all that rain the weather has been so lovely and cool. We have the house open at night and part of the day. I even put Kyle in pants and socks. He started with a fever and a runny nose. Friday-We were all exhausted from a busy week. Kyle got up early but went back to sleep around 8:30. For some reason Connor and Cayden got up while we were still asleep and ended up going to grandma's for breakfast without us knowing. Friday was a lazy day because the kids didn't have school. Kyle was still sick with fever and was pretty clingy all day. Caleb went to the football game with friends, Cayden went with Aunt Dena and Don took Kyle up to game after half time. That was Kyle's first football game. Since it was Homecoming, there were alot of people there and lots of politicians coming out from Vegas. Funny story-Connor was with Grandpa and Grandpa saw Dean Heller-who is running for Congress. Grandpa introduce himself and then introduced Connor to him. These are Connor's words. "Well you are better looking than Shelly Berkley!" Shelley Berkely is who Dean Heller is running against and there are lots of ads on TV showing Shelley Berkley and she has had so much plastic surgery that she really does look terrible. The people that were with Dean Heller were almost rolling on the floor they were laughing so hard. Glad my son is so politically minded! Saturday-Caleb got up early and went do baptisms for the dead in Las Vegas with the youth. Connor went shooting and to breakfast at McDonald's with Gene. Don took Cayden into Vegas to see Hotel Transylvania and to get a haircut. We have been trying to give Cayden some one on one time with each of us because he has said and been showing that he is feeling a little left out since Kyle came. He even said to Uncle Chris that since Kyle was born he has sucked the fun out of everything. I know that I have less time and patience with Cayden because of Kyle so we try and do extra things to make up for it. Kyle had fever all day again and tonight it was almost 102. I don't know what to make of it and texted Dr. Chris for medical advice this morning. He has no other symptoms and really doesn't act like he feels as terrible as you would think a high fever would make him feel. I had to make cookies for Primary and do a bunch of computer stuff for Primary so I worked on it on and all the while taking care of a sick baby. Don also went to Babies R US to get some good baby gates because Baby Daredevil is climbing up the barricades and trying to get over them. Tonight after Don and Caleb got home Don and I went up to the St. John's Fall Fiesta for some mexican food. When we got back, Caleb went to Inside Scoop and to the Homecoming dance with a bunch of friends. He wanted to dress up and since he only had white shirts and ties for church he has decided that he needs some fancy clothes for socializing. He is getting so tall! He needs new shoes all the time it seems! Sunday was busy for me because we were trying to get ready for the primary program happening on the 21. I had to get to church early to get copies made and get some chairs set up on the stand so we could practice up there before we went to finish practicing in the primary room. Then after that craziness with all the kids in the primary room we had to come back later that afternoon at 4 for a full run down. It was a long Sunday. That was quite the crazy week!

I Have Become My Mother

That is not a bad thing either! I haven't been able to find any slippers as of late that I like. The warm fuzzy ones are still too hot for Logandale and the ballet type ones make my feet stink so I saw these at the dollar store and promptly threw then in the cart. I have to say I enjoy wearing them. My feet get so tired and so sore from my tile floor and plus if I am wearing slippers then I can't feel how dirty the floor is and I am less inclined to want to clean it! So mom, if you are reading this then thanks for wearing old lady slippers. Now I wear them too!

My Thoughts on Conference

I just love General Conference!  I love to listen to the talks.  I love to reread the talks in the Ensign.  I love to listen to them again because I record them on the DVR and I love to have them at my fingertips on my Iphone.  I really try to take notes but it is hard enough to listen with the kids let alone write anything down.  For some reason the first session did  not record and that was a bummer but I think it will be rebroadcast so I will try and catch it again.  I seem to always love the first session so I was pretty bummed that it didn't record.  Thank goodness for technology!
There were so many great things about conference.  Here a few that were especially pertinent to me.
First-that announcement about the missionary age changing.  I was in my room watching and I ran out to see if Don had heard it.  I literally had this feeling of a small tremor or shockwave come over me.  I knew that what the prophet was saying was inspired revelation and it was a change that had come straight from heaven.  I did not have any odd or contentious thoughts about it at all.  I didn't wonder about the how or the why or the fairness or unfairness of it.  I just thought it was inspired.  There were some people on Facebook who had some concerns and even some grumpy thoughts about it.  I was pleased to see Elder Holland address the concerns that others had but for me I had complete acceptance of it.  Caleb will be able to go now right after he graduates.  A fact that he was excited about and he came to us with.  That one year gap that some kids have to wait after they graduate worries sometimes because it seems that some get lost along the way or make choices that have mission repercussions.
Second-there were so many talks that had little snippets of what I needed to hear.  I prayed all week for help with the things that I am concerned about in my life and also the things that the Lord thinks I need to know.  Some of them were-
1.Elder Cook-the story he told about the guy named Little and how he wouldn't run in the Olympic race on Sunday.  This is something we have been working on here at home.  We don't go to the movies or to the lake or things like that but we do come home from church and watch TV and play video games and I usually nap with Kyle.  I just think that we need to be more diligent about the little things that help us keep that commandment.  Not so much of what we shouldn't do but what we should do on the Sabbath.  I showed the family that little clip from his talk for FHE Monday night as part of our lesson.
2.   I loved the talk on the Atonement from Elder Packer.
3.  I loved the talk from Elder Holland.  He is such a powerful and dominant speaker. 
4.  I loved the part in the talk from Brother Christensen, I think, who said that they had prayed that their children would have a spiritual experience when they went through the temple open house.  I need to pray that my children will have a spiritual experience and help them be prepared to have that, know what it is and understand.  Cayden usually wakes up happy in the mornings and when he does, he is cheerful and obedient.  He says things like "today is a great day" or "this is the best day".  I have tried to remember to talk to him when he is feeling like that and tell him that he is feeling happy because he has the spirit with  him.  I need to remember to do that more often.
5.  I loved the talk about the bee's from Elder Ballard.  He said that we need to ask in our personal prayers for the opportunity to serve someone each day.  That was great!  Plus bees fascinate me because of the many lessons and principles that are evident in this tiny creation. 
6.  Observe and serve from the  new Relief Society General President.
7.  I'm a Mormon.  I know it.  I live it.  I love it.  That was a powerful talk.
8.  I thought alot about the story about the pioneer mother who had nothing but 2 hard biscuits to feed her kids but when she prayed over them and had enough faith, there was enough food to feed them that night. Loaves and fishes and the promise of enough!  She didn't worry about the next day either!  Important lessons there!
9.  President Eyring talking about the pavillions that keep us covered from God.  That has such meaningful applications.
10. I can't remember who it was off the top of my head but someone told the story from President Monson about the lady he went to visit in the hospital and the other lady that was there and covered her head until the spirit prompted him to go to her and give her priesthood blessing.
Those are the ones that I can think of tonight as I am sitting here blogging away.  I know there were others and I am excited to listen to them all again.  I get frustrated because the kids aren't quiet or the house is a mess or it's time to feed them again when all I want to do is sit and watch but there will be time to ponder and learn as I get to study the talks again.
There were two songs that were especially awesome to me.  Did You Think To Pray and the closing song of the whole conference-God Be With You Till We Meet Again.  When the choir finished that song with their quiet Amen, it was so amazing.  It seemed like a fitting end to the song and a fitting pronouncement of "all of this was true and correct and from God" about the whole conference.  If my spirit could have flown, it would have been then.  That is what I think the voice of God would feel like if we were to have that kind of experience-quiet, still, piercing, enveloping goodness.
Every year while conference is on I think "dang, we should have gone up there to see it live and in person."  I don't think about it sooner then that so I could even try to make it happen.  One of these days though.  That is on my "bucket list", to see Conference in person.
Funny side note-Don and Caleb went to the priesthood session at the stake center at 7pm for the rebroadcast that they were supposed to record.  They forgot to record it so they sent all the brethren home after thanking them for their diligence and faithfulness in coming.  Don said he had never seen so many smiling men at the priesthood session.  

Blepharitis?

What is that? Well that is the eye infection that Connor currently has. He woke up Saturday with his eye hurting and the top lid swollen. By the late afternoon it was swelling alot more and since it did not look like pink eye and since giving him a Benadryl did not help, Don took him to the Urgent Care. So it is blepharitis-an infection of the top eyelid. He got some eye drops and an oral antibiotic. By that evening he could barely see out of his eye so it was a good thing we went to the doctor. Thank goodness for the Urgent Care being opened on Saturday.

A Note From Cody

After Cody left after getting his mission call I found this on my desk in the office. Now you must read it out loud so that you can get the full impact of the goofy voices that we use occasionally.