Weekly Updates beginning February 20, 2022
Sunday, February 20, 2022

Things to be grateful for today:
Beautiful weather. There’s a snow storm coming and my kids really soaked up the warm weather today!
The chance to hang out and teach the youth in our church. They’re amazing humans, we love getting to know them, and testifying of Christ!
My journal keeping. I just spent some time going through my feed from last year, it’s always interesting how lessons I learned in the past are still pertinent right now. Plus, I love to look at cute pictures again and hear funny things my kids said or did.
And I’m grateful for Jacob. I couldn’t ask for a better husband, father to my children, and best friend! ❤️
Monday, February 21, 2022

I love this picture! The kids had school off and we spent it very well I think: I did my morning chores and exercise while the kids played around the house together. Then we watched a new movie, had lunch and quiet time, more playing before Jacob came up from work. We got treats and dinner came back to watch another movie as a family!
…Well Jacob made it a good third of the way through before he went back to do some more work. He’s been working a lot lately, which we’re so grateful for the work, he owns his own company. But with all the extra hours working, we’ve had to make sure and schedule in family time at night. I’m so grateful that we do!
Also, this picture shows one of Steven and Peter’s favorite activities. Steven puts vinegar in a sandwich bag and baking soda at the very top, so they aren’t touching, and carefully closes the bag. Then he mixes them and they watch it explode. It brings me joy for so many reasons: sibling bonding, science, creativity, oldest and youngest bonding… all the things. 🥰
Tuesday, February 22, 2022

The kids had today off of school as well. I was proud of myself for taking the kids to the park this morning, they were begging to go, and doing my work out there, instead of just not doing it. I felt empowered for not making excuses and also for being able to do a hard circuit I was dreading.
The real highlight of the day though was visiting with Jacob’s brother and his family that came to visit Utah. They live in Arizona and we don’t get to see them often, but we always enjoy our time with them! It made for a late night on a school night, but it was worth it to catch up with them and to see the cousins play. ❤️
Wednesday, February 23, 2020

Confession time: our kids aren’t very hygienic bathroom users. I think that’s the downside to having so many kids so fast, I was in survival mode for a lot of years and some things fell through the cracks… like making sure my kids always flushed the toilet and washed their hands.
BUT now I have more mental and physical capacity to work on it, and work on it we are! We have a jar full of those clear rocks from the dollar store, every time they go to the bathroom, wipe properly, flush, and wash their hands they can put a rock into another container. Once the container is full, we can do something fun as a family.
Today they filled the jar and chose to pick out a treat from the dollar store and watch a movie. Easy, fun, and done! We’ve tried something similar in the past and it never stuck, once again I just didn’t have enough energy to keep up on it, not this time though, I’m determined!
*Also, judge if you must. I know it’s gross, we’re working on it. We can’t all have it together like you! 😉🙌🏼
Thursday, February 24, 2020
This kid makes me happy. The end.
You know those days when you get all the things done and just feel so good about the day!?
Today was not one of those days. I mean I had good moments and blah moments, it was a fine day, but now I just want to go to sleep and hope that tomorrow is a better more productive day. 😴

Saturday, February 26, 2022
We watched our amazingly talented neighbor star in Urinetown tonight for @skyridgetheatre . Every show we go and see at this high school is top notch, we are always blown away with the caliber of talent! It was the perfect date night for us! 🙌🏼❤️

Getting kids to wipe, flush and wash hands is a never-ending battle! It’s worth it, but it’s a pain.