An Answer to Prayer

About mid December our car decided to call it quits. This was really not helpful since the week before Dave had bought new tires, and even thought it is old and not super pretty:) it is the best on gas. Dave had been driving his truck, which really is NOT good on gas, and been trying to figure out what is wrong with the car. Two weeks ago I was saying my prayer and just prayed that he would be able to figure it out so we could drive it again. Ten minutes later Dave walked in and said,'Hey I think I know what is wrong with the car.' Sure enough he fixed it. (If you are mechanically curious than ask Dave, I just understand enough to listen not to blog) But we have been having a little trouble with the starter. Yesterday I had early morning meetings. Which, on a side note, is the first time we have both not had them together since Leah was 2 1/2. People sometimes say to me that I can do certain things because my kids are older now. This is a true statement but it bugs me because they didn't see me doing it being pregnant, or with a new born, a 4 yr old and a 2 1/2 yr old while I was on crutches. I went to those meetings or ballet or whatever and sometimes had to stick my kids in a room when they were small and just hope for the best. I did do it. So don't look at my life now and think I have it easy. I am not complaining just realize there is more than you see there. OK sorry about that rant. Anyways so Dave brought the kids to church yesterday by himself. This is the first time he has had to do this. The car wouldn't start and he was a little upset. He said he did not want to be the guy that is late the first time he had to get the kids ready by himself. They were ready an hour before it was time to go. After trying a couple of times Dave said a prayer that it would start and it did. Someone did say something to him as he walked in 2 minutes late about how he couldn't handle the kids alone. I am surprised he didn't smack him. (That isn't Dave's way but he felt like it:) Most of the time I seem to wait a long time for the answer to my prayer. It was nice to get an instant result. I made sure to tell my kids right then.

Week out of School

My kids have been out of school all week and Dave had to go back on midnights this one week. Good timing:) Because of this I took the kids out to HillSpring Tuesday and Wednesday. I did some more typing for mom, although I seem to be doing a lot of chatting. I have really enjoyed reading my mom's history and it is really fun to type. I miss typing and that is one reason I started a blog. It has been great practice and I feel I am getting faster again. That night I read through old newspaper clipping of my dad's. I didn't get very far into that but what I did was fasinating. My parents did so much and my dad accomplished alot for the community. I had know the basic story of my dad fighting the Hog Board but now have a much better understanding. I want to finish the clippings and then I will type his history also. Natalie came out Wednesday and I set up the computer in the kitchen so I could still chat and type. I barely saw Colton the entire day. The boys made a fort in the basement, which I have no idea if they cleaned up. Sorry mom!! And the girls were playing basketball or at Cannon's house.

Mom gave Ryan a full glass of water. He could barely reach the counter and it was dripping because he had to tip it so far to even reach it. It was really funny. Cora had a spot on her chin that I had tried to pick and couldn't get. I asked Natalie to look at it and suddenly there was a mini spa set up in the kitchen. Cora was being a little brat about it because she was embarred. Mom managed to sneak some pictures for me. After Cora said it was a little fun. She didn't want to admit to much! My mom gave me a new bedspread set that she had had for a few years. My old one, which also came from mom:), was getting pretty ratty. We have set that up and it looks great.

At 3 Cora, Kailey, and I went to do baptisms with the HillSpring YW. When we were done Natalie met me at the 10 mile corner with Leah and Blake and we all went home. Dave pulled in right behind us, he had been out to the farm, and we decided to take our certificates and go to Cheesecake. It was yummy as always and I didn't have to do dishes.
This morning was Dave's court date. Nothing was finalized yet. But it was frustrating for me to watch. We sat there for 45 minutes and every case was either stood down or adjorned for a later date. Really lets just solve things already. A lot of paper shuffling and nothing resolved. Crazy!!!

Family Day Ski Day

We all went skiing for Family Day today. I even went with them. Dave said I was a little 'snarky' in the morning. I was extremely tired and really did not want to ski. I wanted to sit in the lodge and read and drink hot chocolate. But once again I had fun once I was out there. I really should stop complaining, I enjoy being with my kids. We didn't stay on the green run to much this time. My kids are all getting too good for that. They far surpass my skill. Blake would take off and yell up the hill at me. 'You look like you are having trouble mom. I think I am a better skier than you.' This is true. 'It's OK mom you are doing really good, keep coming.' I was given shorter skies this round and I really think it made a difference. I didn't feel so out of control. Jared and Emry were there with us also. (Jared took Calum up a few times and Amber was in the lodge with Armin) My kids had fun skiing with their cousins. Emry was making us laugh by some of her comments. Dave and Jared took one run up to the top. I think that Dave was really excited that Jared was able to do that. I know he has really missed his ski companion. It was a perfect day. Not to cold but just below 0 so it wasn't slushy. We get back home around 6pm when we go and then I still have to make dinner. The kids are hungry and we have to put everything away. This time I was smart and made up sloppy joes. I cooked it Saturday then stuck it in the fridge. When we got home tonight I just heated and cut up some oranges. We were eating with in 10 minutes. Must remember this next time. We also saved our hot chocolate until the end of the day. This was nice to have a little warm up treat before we headed home. It was a fabulous day together as a family.

Squeal and Run

Yesterday the kids were playing hide and seek. I had finally gotten a few minutes to just sit and suddenly there was alot of squealling and running. Dave had come inside and would pop out at the kids and chase them. Either with a nerf gun or a roll or newspapers. They seriously played for 45 minutes. Dave was a little hoarse afterwards from all his yelling as he ran after them. They had the best time. Nobody wanted to stop for dinner.

Leah Wins!!!!

Leah's final basketball tournament was yesterday. At this level they don't have a real tournament. Every team place every team and every person gets a medal.

She had a great time and got a few baskets. Leah really enjoys playing and is one of the tall ones, which makes it nice for rebounds and such.

They had some interesting team names this year. Leah played for the Kool Aids the others were the Purple Pickles, Lemon Limes and Road Runners.:)

I got a call from the library Wednesday telling me that Leah had won the Passport to Literacy Day draw. Beginning the first of January the library had a little 'passport' that the kids could fill out. They had to do 5 of the things. There was cook a meal for your family, some countries they had to look up to find the capital, some books they had to know the main characters for, etc. Leah did way more than 5 because it was fun for her. Blake did a passport also. They then turned it in before Family Literacy Day. The library would then draw and get the winner.

She was the grand prize winner. WOW!! Leah got to choose between a $100 gift certificate to Chapters and an eReader from Kobo. After telling her the pros and cons of both she chose the eReader. I was amazed at this great prize. When I asked Leah what she thought she had won, she said a book maybe or just a sucker. Way better.

We are in the process of learning how to use and download it right now. But it sure looks fun and Leah can't wait to take it on holiday instead of a pile of books.

Valentine's P.S.

I asked Cora to set the table last night and this is what she did. She has been wanting a mulit-course meal for months. We turned our simple meal into one for her. We just served everything seperatly. I loved that I didn't have to show her how to set the table or tell any of my kids how to use the flatware. They already knew. Even though Blake won't sit down always and Leah has a hard time chewing with her mouth closed, they do know how to set and use a properly set table.

Blake has been very concerned about Dave getting released from his church calling. He keeps asking how we are going to play basketball now that he turned in his keys. (I have never been given keys, I always just used Dave's). Priorities....Really:)

Happy Valentine's Day

We started out this Valentine's with pink heart shaped pancakes and raspberry smoothies. It was delicious. I wanted to do something different then the usual store bought Valentine's for my kids this year and since I have recently discovered Pinterest (very cool but very addicting) I had a few ideas. For Blake he did these Glowsticks with a note that said 'I hope you have a GLOWing Valentine's Day'.

I found a couple of cute little ideas and couldn't decided which one to do for Dave. I decided to do a countdown to Valentine's Day. I made up a lot of little things and and snuck one in his lunch/truck/suit each day. I started Feb. 2. It was fun. Dave said I should do it all year long:)

For Leah we made up popcorn with chocolate and cinnamon hearts. We stuck them in heart cupcake holders and put on a sign that said 'Just POPping through to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day'.

For the teacher we said 'You are a Pop-Pop-Popular teacher.

I tried a double heart french braid for Cora hair this morning.

Leah saw these heart pig tails and asked me to do them for her. She got sent to the office to get her picture taken because her teacher thought they were so cool. Shaye Pierson had her hair done the same way. I asked her if her mom had been on Pinterest too. :)

Tonight for dinner we are having the best dinner. Kita's hassleback potatoes, Shake and Bake pork chops, red Jell-O, and chocolate terrine with raspberry sauce. YUM YUM!!
Some V-Day facts 52% of Canadian are single and 15% of women send themselves flower.
Happy Valentine's Day.

Leah got a thank you note from Locks of Love the other day. It was a nice postcard that explained what they do with the hair. I will put that in her scrapbook. I love having all my kids in school full time. Today I dropped them off, came home and shovelled the walks, went to Cardston, had my teeth clean, my root canal filled, did a temple session, drove home, cleaned my kitchen, folded laundry, vacuumed, check my email, and still had time to walk up to the school to get my kids. Awesome.