January

Yea, a whole month post in one.  :/ I have been debating for a year or so when to stop blogging.  I feel our lives are really boring and mundane.  Should I do Chatbooks instead? Actually try journaling again? Or continue on? Well this is the easiest, so..... I just keep going till I decided. First part of January Cora hit her year mark.  As is tradition she burned a shirt.  When she first told me this I did slightly panic, until she sent the picture.  Cute girl is creative as ever.  Apparently it is a big deal to have a black out year on your mission.  One full calendar year that you wear your black name tag.  Cora was disappointed that she didn't get one.  But she got set apart Dec 31, 2018 so technically she was a missionary for a whole 2019 calendar year and has decided to count it. :)

She said her new companion is super sweet and fun, but very quiet. From Wyoming I think?? Cora had always wanted to donate blood.  She was fascinated by the fact that I never could and tried as soon as she turned 18.  To discover that you can donate when you are 17 but that she was to small.  So Leah thought she would give it a try when she turned 17.  But it never seemed to work out with her being in town the days they were open.  We finally got her down there at the beginning of January.  She was a bit nervous to see how she would react after.  She has had so many vials taking with tests that she figured she would be ok, but still.  She was totally fine.  She had her snack and we went shopping. Blake really needed new snow pants and Dave picked up his birthday present. About 45 mins later she got light headed and had to sit down.  The next day we were playing basketball and again she almost passed out.  So we discovered, very fine, but take it slow for a week after.

Blake was a little upset she wouldn't finish the game with him.  No matter how many times we said her body literally does not have enough oxygen he still thought she should continue.  Haha, kid! Dave is never effected at all.

After donations we headed to do a temple session and the kids did baptisms, with a short visit with my parents.

Then back to town to watch a University basketball game. And dinner at Costco.  (Big spenders!!)  Monday was everyone back to work and school.  Week filled with games and practices.  That weekend was the JR Home Tournament.  Blake played well and did lots of scorekeeping. Leah reffed as much as she could fit in between coaching her little girls on Friday and then Saturday took off to watch her boys in their home tournament.  Dave's birthday was Saturday.  We had won a gift card to the local grocery store and decided to use it to splurge on steak for his birthday.  We celebrated Sunday when all were back at home. Again lots of practices and a game followed.  We were hit with some very cold weather.  Some days were -32.  We had Leah start her car and let it run for a few minutes at lunch time, after school and then after practice so she wouldn't be stuck at the school in the evening after tutoring with a car that was to cold to start. It was also the week that it was Dave's turn to feed cows.  Most of the week was fine, just biter cold. He went out Friday to feed, which usually takes about an hour and then was going to play ball with Blake.  It turned into a two day job.  Tractor wouldn't start for hours, then after it finally did, it died in the field.  Saturday was mostly spent with tarps over it and propane heaters.  Jared had to make two trips to two towns to get propane and batteries.  Blake, Dave and Jared worked for hours.  Luckily it had warmed up to -22.  Blake said under the tarp it was nice.  :) 

Finally it was going again. Crazy! Leah made it through her diplomas.  We are anxious and terrified to get her report card next week. Blake did awesome on his mid-terms.  Dave has been taking Blake skiing every Friday.  They are loving it. Leah and I had planned to go back with them last Saturday, but it was rainy and foggy.  Not nice to ski in.  That Friday Dave and Blake had met us for a College game and we got back very late.  Not nice conditions and we slept in, so no ski.

Cora wrote to tell us about going on splits during her last mid-trainers meeting.  They were held in Bristol. (She has been hoping to get a chance to serve in Bristol since her very first mid-trainers meeting last February.  Every transfer she crosses her fingers and prays.  She says it is so beautiful and she loves everything about it.)  Right now the Book of Mormon Musical is also playing in Bristol.  At their meeting the MP instructed them to dress as close to the cast members as they could and take a ton of pamphlets.  They were to just give them out as fast as they could.  A couple of years ago we went to Salt Lake for General Conference. Cora loved watching all the people handing stuff and had heard of missionaries proselytizing outside of this musical in New York.  She always thought it would be super fun and was beyond excited when she heard she was going to get the chance.  She said it was a definite high light of her mission so far.  Later that week when she called us, Cora said that her MP went one day as well, and it just 'happened' to be the one day that the Bristol TV crew was there.  Her MP got interviewed.

Last week I completely forgot our anniversary.  When I mentioned it to Dave he seemed surprised as well.  I then ran Blake into YM's.  When I got back he and Leah were making lunches for me.  I thought it was so kind since I hate making lunches.  The next morning, our anniversary, I was quickly getting breakfast for the kids and ran into the pantry.  I thought, 'Gosh we have a lot of cereal.  That is weird we haven't bought much cereal the last few years.' But was in a hurry and didn't think anything else.  Later I walked in again and started looking around.  My pantry was packed full.  Come to find out Dave had been buying and hiding food for a few days.  He had Leah take pictures of our pantry and items we did have.  Then when I ran Blake in they scrambled to pull everything out of its hiding place and get it put away.  They were making lunches so I wouldn't go in the pantry and see it early.  I loved it.  Best gift ever.  And Leah loved being in on it with her Dad.

I had a great birthday.  I planned to have no plans and it was excellent.  Last home games werevthis week.  Leah's girls keep asking if she will please come back next year.

Blake had his best game yet.  They won 42-28.  He was high point score with 22 points that game.

Leah and I were sitting through, yet another, practice yesterday and watching him.  He is faaaassst.  Like at least half a gym ahead of his teammates on every drill.  And to think he almost didn't play.  He now says that was just to tease me, but I don't know.

Second semester has started.  All of us are doing great.  Cora wishes her mission would slow down a little, but has made some decision about when she gets home.  Leah and Cora are so excited to live together for college next year.  Only a few weeks left of basketball.  It is always sad when it ends.

This ended up being much longer than I thought. Maybe next month I will have to break it up.