Another week in the bag and another month gone by

Well, its official, I have two children in double digits. Ryland turned 10 today. It's amazing to me how time goes by so quickly. I made him cinnamon rolls for breakfast, per his request. Then we went to his last Bball game. He played well. I am actually surprised how well he can handle the ball, and how much he has improved this season. He opened some shoes from us before his game. We came home for a little bit and then headed out to Wylie's last Jr. Jazz game. It was the championship game. They only lost by a few points. They played pretty well. We brought Colburn home with us to play with Ryland. They had fun. Most of the Cook family made it for Ryland's birthday party. He had a yummy icecream cake and got the lego set he really wanted. All in all, it's been a pretty goos day. Baylor has started into a cold and is coughing again....ya, I don't even want to go there. It's just sad for him, and tiring for me. Anyway, so lets see, My Gr. Slade turned 90 on Monday. The kids called anc sang to him and I talked to him for a bit. We had FHE on repentance. Tuesday was Spencer's day off. It was the first day he has had off in a long time. He took the three little ones for most of the day so I could exercise and get things done and have a break. It was really nice. He actually had a big change at work. We decided it was best to step down from being supervisor at work. They actually are changing things so that there is a Chief Tech and then a lead Tech over each department, and his boss wanted him to take the lead tech, but after praying and talkinh about it, we felt like it would be a good time for him to step down and make life a little less stressful for him and so he could focus more on his calling. Anyways, we are hoping this is a good move for our family. It's been.mice to have him start working at Sanpete Valley with Brian to bring in some extra income. Wednesday Wylie had a Jr. Jazz game too and they played really well and won that. Thursday he had an accelerated game in Fillmore. It was a good game. They all got the same amount of play time for a change. He played well and they won by 30+ points. Yesterday I took Tyrik to the school for an Upstart party thing. He met Mrs. Blackham and then got to color and have a cupcake. I actually tool Brooks Lovell with me and Emily took my two littles. I was able to come home and get the house cleaned up after and then I dropped the kids off to Emily again because she offered to take them while I did Rylands class party. We had it at the building. It was fun. Spencer got him the new movie Big Hero 6. They watched that and had treats and ice cream. It was fun for Ryland. So all in all, good week. Spencer and I are trying to still train. This week we had to do a 4 miler during the week and then today Spencer did 6 miles on the treadmill, but I will have to do it Monday because I was too worried about getting ready for Ryland's party and making dinner for everyone to exercise. Well, I need to go give Baylor a treatment. I hope we get some sleep tonight.

Another Week Gone by Too Fast

Wow, well it was a good week. The kids were finally pretty healthy and happy. That made for better sleep, which makes for better everything. Wylie's bball team won their game Monday, then Kaylese gave a good FHE on loving one another. Tuesday had two playoff games which were fun to watch, they even beat the Mt. Pleasant team that had a bunch of accelerated bball players on it, which was great. Wednesday Emily, Shandra, Chavonne, & Cassie came over to celebrate Chavonne's bday a week late. That was a nice lunch. Amy & Alyson couldn't make it. I started my training for the ten week countdown to the half marathon. It was hard. Thursday night was Ryland's blue & gold dinner. It was a Luau. It was a lot of fun. They had a great dinner and Polynesian dancers come from Snow College. The best part was that Ryland received a lot of awards. He even finished his Bear, so that was great. Friday the kids got to play with friends, which they loved. Ryland has been playing with Tyler Peckham a lot down at the Smiths bball court. Kaylese ended up having Cassidy and Emmy Lovell over, which she really enjoyed. Wylie had bball practice & then left for his first Klondike campout. There wasn't enough snow to do caves, but they still went. Spencer went up after work. That evening Denice Strong came over and brought Chinese for dinner and let the kids play, while we visited. She called me asking for someone's number that day and ended up making evening plans. It was random, but great to get to know her better. Saturday morning Ryland had a game which was fun. He played against an all girl team which had two of the Cook cousins on it. Kortley was one and Kady the other. It was fun to watch. After Spencer & Wylie came home, Spencer & I took off to Salt Lake to see Alan Oldroyd in Primary Children's Hospital. He is Ron & Holly Oldroyd's son. He was in an accident in a side by side. He will be ok, but broke his back and ruptured his spleen and a couple of other things. We then went to dinner at our favorite restaurant- The Cheesecake Factory. We planned on going to the Salt Lake Temple but they had an hour wait just for initiatory, so we went to the Jordan River Temple and did initiatory instead. It was a nice date and I very much enjoyed the temple. We were asked to fast as a stake for moisture because we are in such a drought this winter so we started that after we ate yesterday. Wylie, Ryland, & Kaylese all fasted today too. I am grateful they are willing to do it. Church was nice. I was just so grateful to go. R.S. was on staying in the boat(The Church). It was a great lesson and reminded me to strengthen my own testimony. Sunday school was about the attributes we should possess to be Christ like. It was a great reminder to keep our focus on the important things in life instead of worldly and to really study the word of God and always being looking for more ways to be righteous. In sacrament we were reminded of the talk that President Hinckley gave when ge presented The Proclamation of The Family. It reminded me to be careful of what comes in our home and to keep striving to teach my children what is right because there is so much wickedness in the world that is trying to reach our families. I am really trying to make our home a place where our children can feel peace and can feel a difference. This week something came to my mind as I was driving. Spencer's Aunt Nanalee, who just lost her husband Mark. The thought that she is Steadfast and Immovable no matter what trials she faces impressed upon my mind. I struggle to be this and I know it is important, so I am going to strive to do better at becoming such a woman. I am grateful beyond words to be a mother. There is nothing I can think of that is more challenging, but nothing greater. I really do want to be the best Mom I can be more than anything else. I am trying to enjoy them as much as I can, along with teaching them that we must accomplish certain things everyday. This isn't easy, but I hope I can both without being too mean. I really do have great kids. In fact Ryland's scout leader told me that he was such a great kid and how impressed she was with how smart he is. She said she will miss him because he is moving up in scouts. We had an adult in our ward tell Spencer this week what a great kid Wylie was and how impressed he was with all the hard work Wylie did at scout camp. It is things like this that really help me feel like even though I feel like a terrible mother some days, all my hopes and effort of teaching them what is right and being a good mother is paying off or sticking somewhat. It's a great feeling. Well, I am so grateful for the difference that Church has made in my day and in my week already. I needed it. I love my family and My Heavenly Father. Good night. Until next time.

Happy Valentine's

Wow, well, lets just say it's weeks like this that make me grateful just to make it through. I did take Baylor back in Monday. He got an order to have his snot suctioned out and he had a bad ear infection so we got him on an antibiotic. Luckily, his oxygen was higher so we didn't end up in the hospital. Aynslee started the same junk Monday, then Tyrik Tuesday. They all ended up having the same RSV, which meant a lot of breathing treatments, coughing and more coughing, fevers, and for poor Aynslee- a lot of aches and pains. Not to mention, hardly any sleep for Mom. Sigh...but, we made it through! Baylor is finally feeling a lot better. Aynslee and Tyrik are still coughing but atleast the fevers and crying are done. And, they are all sleeping a lot better- yay! I had Parent Teacher Conferences in the middle of it all, the boys are doing great, Kaylese is struggling with behaviorial things...mostly talking too much. We are hoping to help her be better. Spencer worked at Sanpete Valley on Friday. Spencer and the boys went to Ryland's game today. Then Kaylese went with Spencer and the boys to the farm. It took me a while to get motivated, but I finally talked myself into scrubbing floors, walls, baseboards, and cupboards...so that was good. Spencer brought home flowers and chocolate the other night for Valentines but also took me for a ride to get a drink and a treat tonight, which was nice. It is still abnormally warm, but I am loving it. My Dad Jeff sent flowers for me the other day and balloons for all the kids which was so nice. It really brightened the hard week. I even got to talk to him for quite a while yesterday, which is always uplifting. I am so grateful for modern day medicine, for the blessings of paying tithing and fast offerings, and for almost healthy children, and a husband who knows how to work hard and is willing to do it for our family. We have a good life, great kids and are really blessed. I am grateful for prayer and am trying to be better about understanding the scriptures I read and listening for answers to my prayers. Thank You Heavenly Father for answering my parents prayers on my behalf and giving me the energy to get through this week and even accomplish a couple things in between. Goodnight!:-*

Today

Well, it was a beautiful 60° Sunday here in Fountain Green. Yes, 60°! Unheard of this time of year. It has been so warm and nice. The kids and I have loved it!
On the other hand, we need moisture so bad that I wonder just how long this will last. Anyhow, the kids went to church on their own today. Spencer was there too, but is always busy with calling duties. Baylor is sick, so Aynslee, he & I stayed home. The kids were able to play outside a lot this week, including today and loved it. We decorated Valentine sugar cookies today and I dropped a couple of plates off to VT ladies and Bishop's family. Poor Baylor has only been happy off and on all day. He started coughing Thursday night and then had a fever on Friday and got worse on Saturday, so we took him up to the pediatric night clinic in Orem. His oxygen was low, so he wanted to admit him to the hospital. He said he has RSV, but didnt make us do the test to make sure. Spencer talked him into letting us try a treatment and then test his oxygen again. It went up enough that he agreed to let us take him home but gave him a steroid shot. His breathing is what really bothers me, he has had treatments every two hours today and is still wheezing. Poor baby. I will most likely take him back in to get checked in the morning, we will see. So this week has been crazy busy for Spencer, he has been slammed at work and had church stuff going as well. We are grateful for the overtime because we need the $$. Wylie and Spencer were able to go do baptisms for the dead again on Tuesday. This is the first time Spencer had to work on a Saturday in a long time. Luckily Wylie didnt have a game this week, so I only had to truck it over to Ryland's game with the kids. The kids were even able to play at the park yesterday. Like I said, I have loved the sunshine. I went running outside twice this week. The first time was terrible, but the second time was better. I did 2.5 miles. I might try two 2.5 & one outside 3 this coming week, we will see. Wednesday was nice, Chavonne, Amy & I went to Shandra's house for lunch and a visit. Then Friday was supposed to be my hair appointment, but I had a really bad feeling that morning. So I prayed and felt like I was supposed to stay home. I am glad I did. I don't know what could or would have happened, but it was nice to be home with the kids and I ended up having to go to Nephi to get Meds for Baylor. Stephanie Gilgen came and rode with me just for a visit. It was nice because I haven't talked to her in so long. Well, I am hoping Baylor gets better soon. Onto a new busy week.