12/27/20 Christmas break

Well this break has been interesting.  I so looking forward to this year to ski at my Gma's house, but that wasn't really realistic with Covid.  After last year (Gary had liver surgery Dec 17th), I was looking forward to the Christmas festivities that I have come to love.

Twas not to be.  I didn't want to feel sad again, so I have encouraged Gary in his projects and threw myself into them as well, namely,  redoing our garage.

So far we have:

1) cleaned the garage out.

2) Learned to use a paint sprayer and painted the garage.  (with that thing it went SO fast)

3) Installed epoxy floor on the garage (we hired this one out)

4) Started building one giant wall of garage cabinets and cubbies in them to hold specific items.

We have yet to:

Finish said cabinets, and paint the mudroom and cabinet doors.

It has been a good way to bond with Gary.  We have needed some alone time lately.  Our backyard has looked liked a hoarder took over, but as we are slowly finding a cabinet cubby for each item, it is getting cleaner and cleaner.  Gary and I bought a giant tool shelf on clearance at Lowe's yesterday and I think that will suffice for all the tools.  Hopefully the back porch is once again free of stuff tomorrow (which is when we can roll the toolbox on the new epoxy floor).

Christmas was simple.  Prime rib roast was cooked this year and is now my new favorite.  (The Ham on Christmas Eve, I think I will not do anymore....too salty, and no one really gobbled it).  

Not many treats....my kids have done a lot of the cooking, especially Ben.  Helping me make toffee, but really I didn't do a ton of desserts like in years past.  I don't know that anyone really missed it.  The kids got bags on Lindor chocolate for xmas....Grant ate his xmas day and was sick, forcing me to implement a better diet for all involved with spinach smoothies and veggies again.   Freedom of choice is so short lived. 

One more week of break with the kids, but Gary does go back to work.  I am thinking of getting Netflix and watching some shows with Lily.  

The sad haircut....still no one has confessed

The picture I painted with some extra time this week. 

Freshly painted garage....learning to use the paint sprayer. 

 12/13/20    

Last week was Lily's birthday. 15!!! Grandma Corinne's death by Chocolate cake. Yum!

Also the piano recital was last weekend.

The week was about school and home projects!

Lily made the JV soccer team at Mountain View high school last Friday. Way to go Lily....but with school finals next and weekend, end of year concerts, exams, lessons, and 2 hours of soccer practice nightly has made tensions high for her.

My goal was help Gary raise his Chinese and Algebra grade.  Algebra was accomplished, Chinese was not.  Unfortunately these are the two that will carry into high school.  I resorted to hiring Lily to tutor him.  He was paid handsomely Lesson better learned at this age, but hard for my perfectionist personality.  It is like butting heads sometimes.

On the other hand my other student, Ben who loves to serve and please  did accomplish the straight A's and based on where we were at the start of the semester (with a new difficult school and virtual learning) I could be prouder.  Truly I am really proud the progress I have seen in both of them, and let's face it Chinese is just a hard language....and I would rather him challenge himself and get a B then do something easy just to make and A. 

Projects were the other agenda item this week....Gary installed fans on the patio....which I love and have been on my bucket list for 5 years. Gary and I decided to put in a epoxy garage floor ...therefore requiring us to clean out the garage. The patio now looks like the new garage...and hoarders delight. Also I am putting up a gallery wall, it took me 3 hours to hang 3 pictures, only to decided I needed to have the photos in them before I go any farther....a project for maybe next week.

I also finished packaged gifts for a refugee family we are sponsoring for Christmas.  We will deliver them today.  I have sponsored kids in the past, but this family wanted cleaning supplies, towels, a vacuum, shoes....just the basics, it was pretty humbling and good for my kids.  Grant accompanied me to goodwill to look for a jacket for the mom....makes me feel the need to be not so worldly. 

Also I have had lots of snuggle time with this little lady.  She had a "2-year-old" day on Thursday and exhausted me (well in the morning, the teenage did that in the evening), but Friday I took some time for myself and slammed tennis balls and came home and really just cherished her, snuggled, Sound of music until she fell asleep in my arms, and it made me just appreciate this moment in time I have with this last little toddler.  

I needed the break, to see the blessing. I need to remember that more often. 

I have had a study on hope this week, Christmas season puts me into that frame of reference. It makes me have so much more peace and calm. It feels good to feel peace. 

11/29/20 Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving week was here and now gone, too quick. Last Thursday night my parents came and we got to enjoy the whole weekend with them. We did sunrise trail hike (my mom had some trouble feeling like she was going to pass out). We also biked Rio Salado trail Friday and took a trail from Chaparral Park in Scottsdale on Tuesday with Gary about 15 miles down to Tempe town lake. It was a pretty awesome trail. 

Lily played "More Holiness give me" in church Sunday....with the new cello. She has played the song before, but it is just beautiful. 

 We were going back and forth all weekend whether or not to go to Colorado....as were they. Because of blasted COVID. In the end, they decided to go because they had to pick up Ella and Quinn to take them to Louisville for a couple weeks. We decided not to, mainly because of the large group joining together and the Colorado governor requesting that households could not get together for Thanksgiving. 

I was pretty depressed. It is always hard for me to have my family come, because I realize how they are not a part of my everyday life and they don't know my children well. So when they come, I get so sad...especially seeing them leave to be together in Colorado...and because of Gary's opinions and our fear of COVID, once again I am left out. But I digress, no one wants to be around a sad person. 

 I dwelt on my sadness for Wednesday morning and decided to throw myself into pie making. Each of my children picked out a pie and we had a great time. Grant chose Cherry...Lily - coconut cream, Ben- Apple Custard, Gary- Pecan. I helped them each make their pie. The apple custard crust was the flakiest I have ever made. Complete success. I waited to make that one (the crust was in the fridge the night before) until Thanksgiving day so it could still be warm. Oh, it was divine. We had a quiet Thanksgiving with Corinne and Les outside on the porch.  One funny note, the turkey Gary cooked he forgot to tie the legs together...so it looked like it was having a baby... pretty disturbing, tasted delish though!

 Although the kids were off school and Gary off work...we kinda just hung around. (Wednesday we did a little S

aguaro lake hike)...but because Gary jr. was about 2 weeks behind in school and he spend the whole weekend redoing assignments and we didn't do much. Blah! 

 Finally Saturday, we decided to get out and went and hiked the famous Fossil Springs. Permits are not needed in the winter and the parking is much more available. It was a 40 minute unpaved road....I was nervous to pop a tire...but we didn't. The hike was only 2 miles. The waterfall was beautiful and kayakers came and kayaked over the falls, which was really fun especially for the boys to see.

11/15/20

 Well this week, I was very appreciative of NOT being in quarantine.  Grateful for my health, the ability to go to church (despite the masks ), and the ability to leave my house without fearing we had COVID.   

The week had a holiday right in the middle.   My boys have purchased the previous scout troops flags and sold flag subscriptions throughout the neighborhood.  There first assignment was Wednesday (Veteran's day) and they really enjoyed the opportunity to work and earn money.  They were forced to canvas the neighborhood for money/subscriptions, but in the end, a facebook post and groupme post got them the vast majority of their subscriptions.  Social media does it again. Also the neighborhood HOA purchased 8 to line the front of our neighborhood, and they looked really good. Excited for them to earn this...a little bummed to have to be here every holiday (really only bummed about 4th of July), but opportunities always have costs....right?

We took off for the holiday and hiked in Sedona.  The colors were beautiful on Devil's bridge hike, however, there were far too many people for my Covid comfort level.   In fact there was a 30-person line to get a picture of the bridge...so we didn't, it was pretty cool though.  It was still really fun, we also walked around the town a little, which we had never done.

Saturday we took the kids mountain biking, which I loved. They did really well.  We took them on TWR, which Gary and I mountain bike regularly.  It was amazing weather.  Can hardly wait to take my parents next week.  

We also decided we probably are not purchasing a boat.  A used boat that we were looking for came up, but we decided against it, Thanks to this post.  I understand the pros/cons, but needless to say I have been pretty bummed about our decision. It would have involved a hefty financial commitment, however that I clearly see we are not ready to make.  

Sunday the kids made bao again.  They are obsessed.  Gary jr mostly....He may have caught one of my beautiful tea towels on fire during the steaming, but all in all, they were delicious, and I think it is kind of cool they are doing it. 

It always remind me of Bao on Disney Plus short.  Kinda hilarious.   My parents come next week, so that should be fun.....Looking forward to it:)

11/8/20 COVID Scare of 2020

 What a week.  Definitely stressful, emotional, and heavy.  I lost some weight.   And now the week is over. 

So Tuesday out of precaution because my parents were coming on Friday, Gary requested we all get COVID tested.  I wasn't concerned at all, no one has any symptoms.... but thought we were being respectful and cautious.  My tennis team captain had been diagnosed with COVID the previous week and Lily had someone in her classes with COVID as well.  Not likely, but we wanted to be precautious. Well Wednesday evening we get back the results ....Charli has tested positive!  

Our world upended a little.  I felt like if anyone were to test positive it would be Lily or I. It didn't seem logical with no symptoms.  But statements go through your head like...most kids are asymptomatic, she did have a cold 3 weeks ago, what if it was COVID and the virus is still lingering in her body.  Could this be an inaccurate test?  

We shut down.  Cancelled carpool, cancelled school, cancelled orthdontist appointments, Gary stayed home from work, he was supposed to get a injection for his back...he cancelled. Cancelled tumbling, cancelled my tennis, life cancelled....

Gary had not been tested and had taken Charli hiking on Monday for 12 hours with her in a car with him and hiking in pack breathing down his neck.....immediately he felt like he needed to be tested and to make sure of Charli's weird result... we wanted to retest Charli.  

We are hoping against hope there is a mistake....meanwhile my parents are driving across the country to my house. And hoping for this reason the test would come back Thursday night/Friday morning....

But the assay has 97% specificity....not likely inaccurate......1/1000 chance of being wrong.

So we spent the next 2 days quarantining, me not sleeping, and cleaning everything, the car, carseat, sheets, doorknobs, her room.....while now the kids are home from school to destroy everything.  We all had to wear mask 24/7.  And I am trying to keep a very affectionate 21 month old from touching anyone or anything.  IMPOSSIBLE!  

Highlights were....us quarantining for school only to discover Grant has snuck out to the park after school
to play with his friends....AND when we were in shock when we first found out the kids taught Charli to jump around the house like a leprechaun saying "I have COVID, I have COVID".....

Here is the Covid vector quarantined outside.

Gary only kept me sane by taking me on multiple bike rides!

So Friday we are awaiting results.  10am, 12 pm, 2 pm....no results.  My parents have to make a call whether to come or go now to my Gma Malin's.....they can't come if she has COVID....(still no one has any symptoms and Gary Sr. is walking around by golly taking everyone's temperature 4-5 times a day)....I tell my parents to go on to Gma Malins. 

9:20pm they both come back (Gary and Charli)  NEGATIVE....

The assay is 1/1000 false positive? What happened? To cause out lives to upend so much?

Here are my theories each one unlikely as the next:.

They didn't bring enough vials to car to test my kids.  They had stuck a label for each person on the vial except Lily, and when they reached Lily and Charli, seeing Charli was a baby and wanting to do her last (because I would probably have to pin her down), they ripped her label off one vial and stuck on Lily's sticker so Charli could go last. Then the worker went back into the tent to get a new vial for Charli.....

1) Could she have touched something on the way to contaminate Charli's sample? I doubt she regloved....

2) Could Charli's ripped off label not stuck to her sample and when they found it on the floor they decided to say positive out of an abundance of precaution?

3) Could Charli just been in the 1/1000 false positives?

4) Could Charli had had the infection a few weeks ago, we didn't know and she was clearing it.....although her tests were too close together (about 36 hours) to make this likely?

5) Could the 2nd test be a false negative? And she does have COVID and is asymptomatic carrier?.....Could Charli be the next Typhoid Mary...aka Covid Charli? but no one else in my family was positive? .....but the assay is 97% specificity though.....

I don't know, I think I am going to go with #2.....

Anyway, laying low for the weekend....sending all my peeps back in to normal life...except Charli, she has no reason to be out and we prefer to lay low anyway. 

I have reflected why this happened.  Such a little thing to upend my life so much....Gary keeps saying maybe my parents weren't supposed to come?  Maybe Charli was clearing this and my parents could have gotten it?   I am more likely to believe it is just one of those things in life Heavenly Father sometimes just lets you deal with.  I connected with with the last section of this quote this week.

My parents rearranged their trip so they are coming later which actually may be better. And I had been feeling a little trapped with a toddler (it has been 15 years of little kids folks), and not being able to hug or kiss my daughter without fear has made me more appreciate this little soul and the limited time I have to be the mom of such a loving amazing toddler. Opportunity in the midst of Opposition....

What a week....

Halloween 2020

 What a week.

Soccer ended this week.  As I prayed to know what to do with kids this fall with Covid, quarantine, etc.  I felt okay about putting them in soccer and it has been such a delightful season.  Grant practiced at the park in front of my house, Ben rode his bike to the park next door.  Each having coaches in our ward that I love and respect.  Lily and Gary were fortunate enough with combined number and Coed due to Covid to play on the same team with the coach that Lily has had the past 2 years.  I really like him as a mentor.  They had a great season. 

Grant grew to really do better with the running game (he grew into his legs a bit).  He discovered he is really midfielder or forward, not so much defense. He was early to every practice, so excited to get to do something with friends.

Ben tried out goalie (aggressive) and played midfield too.  I don't think soccer is his main love, but he loved us watching him and yelling for him too.

Lily and Gary being on the same team really has bonded them.  Having a pretty talented sister (who scores nearly every game) was fun for Gary.  He really grew into the larger field.  And ran his tail off.  It was so fun to see him play.  Lily can do anything she sets her mind to.  High School tryouts are in a few weeks.

Halloween had the usual flare.  Except no parent volunteers in the classes. We had our yummy dinner with apple cider/dry ice of course.  This year was witches fingers (breadsticks) and monster eyeballs (meatballs and noodles).  Lily had some girls over for a movie and pumpkin carving.  A neighbor had a creepy haunted house. 

We finished off the week with fast Sunday.  I had some questions on my mind about not being able to meet all the needs of my children, and at tithing settlement today the bishop assured me that my kids were lucky to live in the family that did.  It made me feel good about what I have accomplished (despite having to divide my time between children).  I have always put them first and I feel good about that. 

I have a few goals I would love to make too.  I think starting a class is in order.  I really would like a masters eventually.  

10/11/20 Fall Break in Cali

What an amazing week we had.  

We started fall break out with a birthday party for Gma Corinne's 70th

.  We were going to do one in California at Troy's house, but she was nervous to travel because her brother had gotten COVID traveling to Utah 2 week prior.  So we had her over before our big trip for cake and celebration. It ended with the missionaries from our ward randomly stopping by and a beautiful spiritual thought following general conference. 

General Conference this year was wonderful as usual.  I look forward to really dissecting the counsel for me in each of the talks. It always makes for a good weekend. 

Then we headed to Newport Beach, staying at the Marriott coastal villas.  They were the perfect size for our family...everyone had a bed, and a washer/dryer and full kitchen.  They are also located next to a state park, so it felt a little secluded from the bustle of California traffic.

I walked the beach almost every morning, with my friend or my husband.  It was bliss.  We played at different beaches, Doheny (great 1st time surf beach), Corona del Mar (my favorite play beach), crystal cove (a walk a way)and little Corona del Mar (tide pools).  

High lights were my morning beach walk, trying surfing, watching Lily and Lizzie boogie board for 5 hours straight, watching my boys catch sea creatures in the tide pools. and seeing my children just enjoy the sand.

Low Lites were Wednesday.....Rachel falling asleep on the shuttle bus and us not knowing where she was for 1/2 hour.  (A friend drove my back and a very nice women named Lori helped Rachel until I got there). Also the boys caught fish on their fishing trip that day, but then gutted them on the condo porch....yuck.  I feel like I couldn't get the fish smell off my hands.  That same day, our car battery just died while we were out getting ice cream in the evening.  Just remember there are highs and lows to life.

We took the ferry to Balboa island on Thursday and got Corn dogs, balboa bars, ice cream, taffy, and Rachel lost her first tooth.  My favorite were the cronuts. 

Friday we packed up (after walking on the Beach with Gary) and headed to Robert's cello shop in Hollywood where Lily bought her first real wood cello...a small fortune that will be her Christmas present, birthday present, as well 10% of her own money.  It's a beautiful instrument.

We then headed down Wiltshire to Gary's brother's house to celebrate virtual Corinne's actual 70th birthday with a Hawaiian luau and cake from Corinne's favorite bakery Emil's.  Delish! Then we headed to Shelley's for the Night,

Saturday we hung out, took a hike, painted unicorn cookies for Rachel, bleached Ben's hair to match his cousin Quinn, and had delicious smoked chicken by Tony, play Werewolf for an hour with everyone, and finished the night with a movie.  

Sunday we packed and headed home.  What a week. A couple kids had slight runny noses, but other than that it was pretty action packed, amazing, and we hit lots of family and friend relationship building time. So fun....will be back. 

9/27/20 River, Boat building, Soccer....

 

2nd Week of Part-time school and my birthday.  Birthday was simple, take-out Thai food and people that remembered me and that is all I need.  I am remembering that I do have time to myself with kids in school! Even decided on a few future projects. I have been so busy being a tutor.  This week was the end the grading period, so it was a little more intense with science fair background research due.  All the big kids were BUSY, Me just on Friday with helping them.  

We had a nice little jaunt at the river on Saturday, leaving Lily at home for the first time to sleep in....don't know how I feel about that.  Gary and Lily had a soccer game in the late morning, where Lily scored her 4th goal (1 per game).  Because of the Covid restrictions on the field, they are taping and live streaming games, so I get to see the reruns of her goals.  So fun.... I have been taking them to get a treat afterward if they score a goal, and I think I may need to reconsider....  It is fun to watch her.  She would really like to try out for the high school team.  Fingers crossed!  

Ben has been collecting empty chlorine gallons all summer to build and boat and that happened on Saturday.  He pushed and pushed until Gary took him to Home depot.

He is such a creative kid.  

We got the word that be will be going back to church Oct 12....excited about that.  I have realized how important connectivity is to my happiness during this quarantine.  

9/20/20 Back at School...sort of

Tomorrow is my birthday.  What a year 2020 has brought.  With the isolation of COVID and being able to spend lots of time as a family, my mood has oscillated between depression and happiness.   Highs and Lows.  We have taken lots of vacations, discovered Arizona through hiking, and had some fun cousin times. This week brought our first back to school...Well 2 days a week. Rachel and Grant are Monday/Thursday....the other kids Tuesday/Friday....In full masks.  The lack of connectivity with friends has really taken an emotional toll on myself and my children.  

But some of the highlights of the week were...soccer games.  I love the cool Friday night with Grant and Ben to myself....Ben made the save of his life as goalie....his coach was very impressed.

Saturday Lily had some girls over for girl bonding in the pool.  It was good for her soul.

And Friday is the end of the grading period and so far pretty much A's....I feel like this in my accomplishment too....since I have been the on call personaly tutor the past few months....especially for the the younger 4!

 January 2017

Coming back to blogging, feeling like I need to document these kids growing up.  I last left you in Houston with a 4 month old baby.  Now we are a year and half in Mesa, AZ and our baby is 2, which is nearly killing me. We built a house (never again) and have been a construction zone ever since, especially the last six months, which we put in floors and woodwork, and now we are doing a pool.

Here are a few picture highlights of this month:
1) Rachel turned 2!!!

2) We went to Harry Potter World with cousins before our season pass expires.

3) We started the pool

4) Dad went to San Francisco, boys went to a movie night, and girls went out for Thai and Starbucks.  Now I am obsessed with trying to make a Starbucks copycat steamer.


For better or worse, the kids are growing up.  Highlights for the week are dad's work party, and mom and dad's date to MOD pizza:)