well,

fry

Grace has 3 aquariums in her room.  From time to time the fish multiply.  Tonight is one of those times.  Babies are popping out.  So far there are around 20.  Oddly many of the babies that have been born in the "snack bar" (that's what I call Grace's room because the family predators walk in there and lick their lips and stalk the tanks and cages hoping for a tasty morsel) have been devoured by their own mothers.  I don't know why but it's very upsetting.  The guinea pig massacre of '17 was particularly traumatic.  So Grace keeps watch, separates the babies, and has a nursery tank.  Crazy girl!

dessert

Rob and I went on a date this weekend.  I guess we actually went on two.  Last night the Chonis' had a bishopric pizza party and we were invited.  The kids were too but they declined so we went on our own and had a very fun time.  They have a fun backyard pizza oven.  We got to visit and play games and enjoy good food and company.  

Tonight we were going to go out for wings...Ethan had been asking all week.  When it was time to go Grace said "no thanks" and Ethan said he wanted them delivered not eaten out.  So we left the kids to forage for cereal and went to Yardhouse.  In other Ethan news he scored a 5 on his practice AP Calc test so hopefully that is an indication of how he'll do on the actual test.

This morning I went to a stake YW meeting.  It was at Kara's house and it was an appreciation breakfast.  It was super nice.  I really love our stake YW presidency.  They are awesome!

Zivers went to the spa.  It was long over due.

first walk

Dani is in Ohio visiting.  I am 100% confident that both sets of sisters (the grown ones and the baby ones) are delighted and having a wonderful visit.

sleeping girls

scripture reading

Each night we gather together, usually on my bed, and we read and discuss the scriptures.  We all have them on our phones but I personally prefer to use a book.  These are sweet and precious times.  I am so grateful that we have the Word of the Lord to guide our days and bring meaning to our lives.

Also on Friday I had my demo lesson. It was 6th grade math and I taught mean, median and mode. Mini starbursts were involved, which the kids adored. So now we wait and see if I get my own classroom next year or not. 

Also also on Friday Nellie and I went out to lunch. Both our daughters got married on the same day so we had lots of wedding notes to compare:)

And also lastly Rob and I watched all of the first season of the new “lost in space” on Netflix. We both liked it and were sad that season 2 has not been started yet. 

Blah

It’s been a weird week. I wanted to work on Monday and Tuesday but no jobs came up. Lots of schools are doing state testing so that’s probably why. Instead I’ve gone to Target. Chatted on the phone. Cleaned things. Read a book. It’s all good but with summer around the corner I want to get in a good number of days. 

Ethan had his friends over to play “aquatic ball” a couple of times. Not sure of the rules but they like it. 

There has been a lot of airship uneasiness. I won’t go into the details except to say that the program is no longer viable and yesterday everyone on it was told they needed a new charge number by Monday. So, there is lots of work within Lockheed and it’s not like Rob lost his job but now he is unsettled and looking for his next project. There are, of course, many complications having to do with grade and interest of project etc. 

It may turn out that he finds something right here. He works at a different desk and everything else stays the same. This would be okay. We wouldn’t have to sell (which is always a pain), Grace doesn’t want to move so she would be happy. We would still “only” be a day’s drive from family in Utah. And we have adjusted and made peace with our desert dwelling. 

It may turn out that his hunt has us relocating. This would also be fine. We like to move, mostly. No one (except Grace) would be sad to leave here. There are a couple places that are looking like good possibilities: Lexington KY, Orlando FL and Eglin, PAX. Any would be good and each have different pros and cons. I spent a lot of today looking at housing and schools in each area. I spent a lot of time thinking about all that we would need to do to sell this house and a little time cleaning out a couple kitchen cabinets. Not knowing is mentally exhausting. I like to know. I think that’s typical. In the meantime I am preparing for my demo lesson on Friday and trying not to get my hopes up but really wishing that magically I could move into the same little, fun, interesting, perfect weather town that all my kids live in. (Which is impossible since they are all far flung).

Ethan said if we move to Kentucky he could drive up and spend the weekend with Abba from time to time and that he thinks this would be awesome. 

Speaking of awesome Abba, it is his birthday! Huge shout out to him!!

I made instant pot cheesecake tonight. I hope it’s great.

Sunday (a day of rest) lol

pizookie

Last night Ethan and his friends had a pizookie contest.  This was "his" entry.  It looks pretty yummy!

new shades

Church today.  First Ward Council, then our 3 hour block, then class presidency meeting, then BYC, then the beehives came over to take and bake cookies for the less active girls, and our new girl. Finally our day of rest is almost over and we are fixing dinner and getting in our pajamas.

Rob got a smoker for his "dowry" and has been smoking dinner every night.  Tonight it's salmon and I can't wait!

beehives

Charlotte, Makayla, Grace, Lilly and Ofelia~ cute girls.

two little cuties

the good with the bad, every day

Rubes in blue and Cora in pink


Ruby with mom and Coco with dad

Best news of the day! The girls went home!! They are doing awesome and Jenna and Clayton are delighted with their progress!!

Now they are home and being normal babies.  Prayers have been answered and miracles recognized!

we will try anything

Grace has her new diagnosis.  Unfortunately it will be a lifelong struggle for her so now we are trying everything and anything we can to make her feel better.  Diet and exercise and supplements can only help.
She is now taking vitamin C, fish oil, joint juice and her prescription meds.  I am hoping she will feel good enough to go back to swim team soon.  That kind of strengthening exercise will only help.

when the boy has $

Ethan got some money for earning his eagle.  He knew exactly what he wanted to buy.  He rarely asks for anything so I didn't even know he had a list.  He bought a bag of soccer balls, because we didn't have enough.  He also got a basketball hoop and ball....who knew he wanted one? He got some sunglasses and a book.  He is unhappy with his hoop because it's not very stable.

not actually warm outside yet

In sadder news Hannah forgot a few things in her apartment before she left, she went back to get them and found out her roommates had taken the things to the D.I.  Including her instant pot.  She is very sad.  This reminded me of the time that Dani left her nice pink jacket, that UB had bought her before she went to college, and it got taken, or donated as well.  I think that is super super mean.

Grace, Kami and Grace

Grace is at a birthday party.  So fun!!

Ethan had friends over to play in the pool.

Friday

These girls are doing great! It looks like they may come home tomorrow! They are in regular little beds and wearing cute little outfits! I’m so glad and grateful. I am so proud of Clayna and the hard work they are doing to make sure their babies are well. Jenna’s been a hero! And Clayton a rock! I can hardly stand it to wait until July to see them again.

The honeymooners are back and they had a great time. We had dinner with them last night. It was fun to hear about their trip and to see them so happy together. 

I’m back to subbing. It’s been a 4th grade class this week and they have been really good (except one little boy named Michael. There is always one)

Birthday

I’m 50. Which is kind of crazy. I remember when my mom was 50 and I thought that was old. Now it doesn’t seem old at all. Lol.

Grace and I spent the day at Disneyland. It was a perfect day there. Great weather, low crowds. We rode lots of ride and ate ice cream. 





Rob has been gone on business. When we got home he was back and we sat on the couch together and looked at our phones...I guess I am old:)

Greg and I are birthday twins. We wished each other happy birthday. I sure love him! He’s a good man, good father, good husband, hard worker, diligent scout master, and all around awesome guy!

post wedding

I came home on Monday afternoon from some errands and came across this terrifying scene.  If Tilly was any kind of hunter Dandy would have been a goner.  See that little yellow bird sitting by the fireplace?  

Moe and his Momma

On Sunday we went to church.  The Brandts hadn't gone home yet and we got one more fun day with them.  After church we ate wedding leftovers and hung out in the hot tub.  Bob and Luann came down to visit and came to the reception, then over after church for leftovers.  It was fun to visit with them.  They are serving a mission in Fresno, which isn't very far from here, so that worked out great.  Also the Crawley brother's brought Rob a wedding gift.  They brought him a smoker, he was so happy and surprised!

sparkler fun

In the evening we did sparklers!

and more

and more

I was really tired on Monday.  All the big events and excitement were over and I happily took a nap after getting the house back in order.  Thank goodness for Greg.  He spent so much time this weekend cleaning things and keeping order and taking care of the kids while we ran around doing wedding things.  He is an awesome dad and son and hubby.  Even though we don't live as close as I'd like I am glad we see each other enough that we can be family and not visiting strangers when we do get together.

Tonight the laurels and mia maids came over and we did some cooking together.  I taught them how to make chicken pillows, which were delicious and everyone loved them. Lynlee taught indoor smore bars (also delicious) and we used up the last of the Italian creme soda ingredients.
The beehives met with Sister Evans and at the end of the evening they surprised me with birthday cupcakes and a Happy Birthday serenade! So sweet!!



Emily had her baby last week.  A little boy they named Daniel.  Both she and the baby are doing poorly after the birth.  We are concerned and praying that everything will go well.

Cora, Jenna and Ruby

In some good news Cora and Ruby continue to improve! They are growing and getting stronger. I am so grateful and delighted.

Wedding day!

It was so beautiful and Hannah was a beautiful bride. I didn’t take more than 3 pictures so I am super excited to see the pictures Rachel took. I did get some from Instagram and FB for an immediate post.

The whole day was perfect. The weather was great. The temple was peaceful and sacred. The bride was gorgeous and the groom was delighted. 

It was so fun to see family and friends. 

The reception was in the Crawley’s backyard and it was so pretty. The food was great. The cake amazing. The flowers were elegant and the music was great!

We danced and ate and visited and it went by too quickly. 

I am so happy to have a new son!