Saturday Day

If you look close, you can see that Adam played the piano today at a baptism, and he did an amazing job.

Seeing him share his talent with others makes all the fights over practicing the piano when he was younger (and, boy, were there fights back in the day) worth it.

Saturday Night

So... Sam is the absolute sweetest guy on the planet and totally cool and relaxed and 'go with the flow'...

Until you push him too hard and then he explodes.

I (hear) he may take after his dad that way.

A couple of weeks ago he got super mad and threw a video game controller at the tv and broke it. 

Which brought an end to our pizza and a movie night.

So, I decided we needed to go and do something fun as a family on Saturdays instead.

We used to do parks/libraries/activities ALL the time as a family.

Several years ago, our car died. 

We didn't have a car for months, which brought an end to family activities that didn't involve a bus.

And letmetellya, riding the bus isn't very much fun.

Then we got a great car, but it didn't seat all of us.

For over three years, Mike and I rotated park days, library time, Christmas light drives, etc. with the kids. We didn't do things as a whole family during that time.

I mean there were a couple times we all squished in the car (like on the way to church or trick-or-treating), but we tried to avoid it for the most part.

About a year ago, an incredible friend gifted us a car they didn't need anymore, but we were out of the habit of just doing stuff together.

I miss it and want to try and get back to it.

Doing stuff on Saturday nights as a family will be a fun start.

Tonight we took both of our cars and packed a picnic dinner and played at the park and had a fantastic evening together.

I Made It!

I worked 46 hours last week between the temple and my other job AND wrote a couple of orders for clients AND took care of my kiddos and house AND did my calling.

All on 3 hours of sleep a night.

By the end of the week, I was pretty darn weepy.

Because that's how I am when I get tired.

But.. I did it!

***

My other job is at CaptionCall, where I will work at captioning phone calls for the hearing impaired.

It's a pretty cool service based out of Salt Lake City.

There's a lot of rules and regulations around it and training takes two to three weeks.

I know it probably sounds silly to work as a temple housekeeper and at a call center when I have a degree and could get a job in PR or marketing or as a copywriter.

But, then I wouldn't get to hear about Adam's day on the way home or stop at the park after school and play with my kiddos or help with their homework or volunteer in their classes.

Someday I will get a job doing something I absolutely love, but for now, I'm thankful that I get to be with the ones I love the most.

And if that means taking a few silly jobs during the late night/early morning hours, I'll do it.

First Day of School Part Deux

Adam had his first day of being a JUNIOR on Monday.

His schedule was messed up, unfortunately, and he wasn't assigned a fourth period.

By the time he was seen by the counselor (the problem with having a last name at the end of the alphabet), only Chinese 1, Ballroom Dancing 2 and Cafeteria Employee were left for electives.

He went with Cafeteria Employee.

He is going to make $5/day AND get elective credit.

He is also taking Intermediate Piano, AP Econ, Algebra 2, US History Honors, English 11 Honors and Physics Honors. He opted to continue taking lunchtime seminary (duh).

First Week Down

They survived the first week!

So we celebrated with shaved ice.

On Monday Adam goes back. And I start my new job. I will be working a total of 9 hours per day and taking care of my family/house on about 3 hours of sleep each day.

It's going to be rough.

So we spent the weekend cleaning and de-cluttering to make my time a little less stressful.

Hopefully.

First Day Part 1

Grace, Josh and Sam started school today! Grace is in 8th, Josh in 4th and Sam is in Kindergarten.

Sam never went to an official preschool. Just a few classes at the rec center and working at home with me. He and I are "cuddle bugs" and he is the biggest Mama's boy (besides Josh) that I've ever known.

I was expecting sadness and tears, but he did great and loved it.

Here's to an awesome school year!

Cub Scout Day Camp 2019

Josh was able to attend Cub Scout Day Camp this past week and had the best time. He got to climb rock walls, shoot BB guns and arrows, make crafts, play Gaga ball and 9-square in the air.

The last night was "family night." Mike, Sam and Adam went and enjoyed a barbecue and lots of fun activities.

He worked sooo hard selling Camp Cards to earn enough money to go. We are so happy he had such a fun week!