Well we survived the 5 day weekend. My friend -who I love- is pulling her kids out of school. (Yeah! Another one.) Around here though prayers Tuesday were “we’re thankful the kids went back to school” Our kids are growing up in a sketchy world. I’m not saying no home school ever because…I could see it happening and being what’s best for us, I’m just saying I’m thankful it’s not now for us! 

Anyway back to the weekend. Tanner finished up basketball they won 40-0 and 37-1. Good riddance! I think that is beyond ridiculous—not only do I disagree with completely humiliating another team (or two) of 1st graders like that. But in those two games Tanner had ZERO points! He did shoot three times but missed. He played hard but when he’s in at the end up the game and we’re up by 40 he really looks like a horses butt stealing the ball after they cross half court (that’s the rule-you can’t press) ugh! So I’m done with that. And next year that team will move up to the 3rd 4th grade division but Tan needs to stay and play with and against kids his own age! Will I find him a new team? Or start one? Or say to heck with it…??? Being a (casual) assistant would be perfect for me—Isaac doesn’t really love it when I’m married to basketball. 😏 Time will tell! But for now, just glad it’s over! 

Wednesday they had a pizza party instead of practice and I let Tanner choose if he wanted to go or not, he hummed and ha’d and ended up not going but I got THE BEST version of Tanner that night-it was amazing. I think his agency and not feeling like he Had to go was part of it, but really he was fantastic!! 

Ok back to Saturday—they worked a lot on their pond project. I dunno what else but they brought the equipment back this week so presumably they are done…or close. 

Then Sunday, this is what breakfast looks like with 4 big brothers. 😂

I don’t know what else—I guess we got out on a little walk…

And realized for the first time that Rich (our new or who we are feeding his cats while he’s in Florida) has a basketball hoop…why have we never noticed this before????

So Monday when we went to feed the cats we had a little fun. 

Cann and mine were movies he picked the still shot on mine and I picked his…he never quite got it down but he was close. I told him he better keep trying that will be a good way to tell if he’s really getting stronger by going to weights or not😉 then it was a moratorium this week-dang. 

Other Monday shenanigans…Seth got a little bit too excited about French toast sticks for breakfast and put his lip on the pan. 

Ouch. 

She thinks she’s a big shot on the stairs.

Tuesday Isaac had Everyone helping work on the belly dump. He’s out there again tonight working on a tire on it. It’s always something. 

Hours and hours and hours somethings. 

He thinks he’s going to make money with it—not if his time is worth anything!

But he enjoys it. So it’s fine. And ended up doing alright with his pump trucks…

Tuesday was actually my beloved celebrater hater’s birthday. Look at those pictures— I have evidence of us all out there helping him so I guess we were speaking his love language—happy birthday! 

His colleagues at work got him a cake- but he doesn’t teach on Tuesdays and he doesn’t have office hours so the only reason he had to go into work was to “celebrate” and have cake… it was so nice of them but they didn’t know they were actually torturing him🤣🤣 and really not  helping my case.  

The sun was shining though so happy birthday Isaac. He got to be outside and work and putter all day…except the forced “celebration” so I guess it was a win 🤷‍♀️ As we rode into Menards Saturday he clarified that he doesn’t hate celebrating he just doesn’t want anything to do with the ever present consumerism that our culture has become. Ok but opposites attract right? I love him. I think I’ll go shopping. Just kidding. The boys did want to know what he got I said new shoes and new temple shoes and showed them the proof-that never got wrapped. And I said just kidding but…I did do some shopping and when the Talls are on sale…I have some new shirts for him when he ruins these with greases. See if was a happy birthday for him AND me. 

Often times we go to lunch on Tuesdays but I was like “no no it’s your birthday do whatever you want” so he worked on his  projects and we’ll go to lunch another day😉 

Cake at work—cheesecake at home! Look at Sister’s face—who you make’n celebrate?!

Wednesday both Tanner and Colts classes got to go to the FFA petting zoo. I totally forgot but my ministering sister works and Seth’s school and sent me these! 



Thanks Marie!! 

Addi getting in on the fort project. And she just has the best grins! 


Yesterday Isaac worked in the temple. He took a member with him so we didn’t chit chat on his drive at all, it was a long day but I had him pick up pizza and then I went to the RS activity with NO kids!!! It was a good time! 

Not much to report on today.  I know I’ve got more that I can think of but I don’t want it to be a late night so…good enough! 

Saturday morning we headed to Nauvoo-Isaac vetoed spending the night that morning. I didn’t care because it simplified things for me. And thankfully the broadcasts have significantly improved so we still got all of stake conference. Win. It was cool to go in the baptistery with Cann again-last time I just made it to the confirmations this time I was just there  baptisms then I left to go tend but it was neat and I actually even got to serve as a witness. That’s was cool and a first. 

Sunday we were going to watch at home until I realized Isaac was using our computer at the church so we either had to go or huddle around my phone. So we scrambled and went to the church-just in time. Addi is at the beginning of the wave and mimic stage so every time they would sustain someone she was waving her arm by time they asked if anyone was opposed and all 4 brothers were cracking up! It was pretty cute but they were pretty loud and I was a little embarrassed. 

We got Colt a Valentine box made-barely-the hot glue gun bit the dust. I think I bought it at the dollar store in college…it did it’s time! But he had to take in Monday-

And Grama hooked these guys up with Valentine donuts on Tuesday! 😋 Yum. 



Wednesday we went down to Colts music & art show. 

And I don’t know if you can read it but I found this note in his backpack. Kinda cute.



And when I look down during scriptures and she’s found a baseball-I had to take a pic. That’s my girl! It was better when her hand was up like she was going to chuck it 😉

There might have been more to the week than that but I don’t remember. It was a snow day yesterday -weak- but after last week I think they were going to error on the side of canceling no matter what. So we’re in the middle of a 5 day weekend but nothing fun planned. Bummer. We have been enjoying some “Leave it to Beaver” reruns though. They’re pretty funny-and better than most garbage out there. 

I haven’t had a story this good to tell since Isaac was standing in a burning tree trying to cut the burning limbs out… That was of course after we had tried throwing water balloons at it🤪

But I’ve got another classic! 

We could start with a picture:

Zoom in

The boys were over working on their pond project Cann and Colt started out helping but then Colt brought the 4 wheeler back and got the grease gun —And Tanner! Then made another run to get Seth. 👍🏻 Addi and I were golden! Actually with only 2 hands to undo everything I’d done I was kick’n tail at getting this place cleaned up a little -not that you’d ever be able to tell it now - anyway a few minutes later Cannon came back on the 4 wheeler and I helped him find the grease Isaac had sent him for and back he went…

Well a few minutes later I got the call “I’ve got two kids crying and two kids laughing and I’m just scratching my head trying to figure out what happened I’m going to need ropes and chains.” ….so apparently what happened was they took a break to grease the equipment and then he decided to do a little showing off on the 4 wheeler and it “would’ve been fine if he hadn’t stopped” but after spinning a 360 he did stop…to ask the boys what they thought or something???? And in he went. 😂😂😂

We decided I better just come get them and then he could get what he needed to get it out. 

He was in a bit of a hurry but they all had lunch and then he Cannon and Colt headed back oh he changed into shorts too knowing he might have to get in  (he was wet about up to his knees-from getting out the first time. This pond their deepening was supposedly only 2 ft deep) 

I don’t know how long they were gone but a good long time. Disaster is and understatement! He came home wet up to his shoulder he’d been in that ice water who knows how long-blood all over her legs that were cut up all over from the ice and “shivering” is a massive understatement! I wanted to take a picture but it just felt mean. 

Oh it was so bad and his fingers might still be tingling??? Not sure. 

I guess he crawled in the excavator and cranked the heater up when his hands stopped working. “Borderline hypothermia” was his diagnosis. Yeah-probably so! 

I really wish I’d written it down last week…it just loses something with time…maybe with enough time it will gain something too 😉😂 

And you can read the kids version that I made them write on Sunday – best mom writing assignment ever!

I took Tan to basketball while he slept/tried to recover in the chair. 

And I love scripture pics!! 

We survived the day. 

Everyone was safe—ish

Sunday:

I bought Addi this dress thinking her bros would love it but I kinda do too so I wanted a pic -since it’s already too small 😏 stupid sizing! The first one is what the brothers took for me…then I tried…

See that blue sky! 🙌🏻 We loved getting outside! Then that night we went to the basketball game because it was youth night. 

Kirksville will never be good at sports until they lose the “all about me” they are plagued with  (both players (and their parents) it’s really awful! But oh well. 

Oh and check Colt he’s obviously thrilled to be there. He took his kindle to read. 

The smile above vs the grouch the next morning! Ouch. This pic is a pretty good representation of every morning -he hates to have to get up for school! But Saturdays—first one up! 



It is late and I am tired but Thursday can’t go undocumented. I’ll just talk to text.  Isaac left just before six and headed over to the temple and it had rained all night but then started snowing so I called to check on his roads and see what he thought I should do but he thought my roads would be fine. So we headed into school and it was slow going I bet Cannon and I checked my phone 15 times to make sure I hadn’t missed that School had either been canceled or two hour delay like they sometimes do but there was nothing there-so we kept plugging along. We were definitely late but we were safe so that’s a win! Coming home I had to pull over and shut the door because it had bounced open when Colt tried to slam it and it was pretty slick I wasn’t work sure where I should get off but I just found a parking lot and it was fine no big deal. Once I got on the bypass there was crazy tracks in the snow across the center lane back are crossed I was just taking it really easy but definitely aware of how slick it was and that other people had been sliding off. The end story is that we made it home safe will cash in on that temple blessing thank you Isaac for serving! Holy cow though it was awful once I got off the highway we did OK on the first turn but the second turn so much spinning I’m pretty sure we were perpendicular to the yellow lines the whole way through that curve and out. -And I was praying my guts out because I had two kids in pajamas and if we ended up in the ditch Isaac is in the temple I can’t even get a hold of him and we do have a good neighbors and nice neighbors but I was just picturing myself walking that mile and a half home with a kid in pajamas in each arm. It was so stressful and getting straightened back out when I got back on the straightaway and then just kind of inching along but trying to keep moving and making sure I didn’t touch my brakes and then we did OK on Kilmer‘s curve but I started to slide off again right at our dirt road. I stayed high but it was just so slick anyways I didn’t make it but that one was so traumatic because I slid off right there the day we found out Riz died so it was just awful!  Once we got home Oh the driveway was a whole nuther nightmare and  Trying to park —my goodness —what a circus. But once we got home and we were safe I was shot for the day I did nothing else I was just so rattled and so worried about having to go in and pick the kids up! They  did cancel Seth’s  school talk about a day late and a dollar short but as it turned out when I went in at 2:00 ( I gave myself a ton of extra time) but Isaac actually called on his way home from the temple and he said his roads were great and so getting out of the driveway was kind of a disaster but after that it had warmed up and melted enough that the roads really were great it was no stress and I was so thankful! 

Then tonight—see this truck? It’s stuck. Are you surprised? probably not!  Isaacs idea of a date was me helping him get it unstuck… good thing we were not a real lunch date on Tuesday! 



Sethy’s  excitement when we started to get it to move a little bit (probably 5th or 6th attempt 😩) and him telling me that I was a good semi truck driver might’ve made it worth it… na-but Almost. 

And we worked on Tanner a Valentine box tonight! 

With any luck I’ll read through this a little and edit -especially the talk to text part- tomorrow 

🤞🏻

If last week was “a little bit of a fiasco”  I don’t know what we’d call this week! Part 2???

The boys have been over to Rays working on the pond they are digging for him. Seth came back FREEZING…let’s call it a good opportunity for me to forgive Isaac because holy cow you’re completely bundled it’s maybe 20 degrees out there and Seth did have a coat (albeit a thin one) gloves and hat but the poor kid was FREEZING and came back in tears and who do you think got to solve it—not dad! 

Anyway The week: 

Saturday was Riz’s birthday. All that had to happen was basketball for Cannon and Tanner AND a quick family trip to the cemetery. 

We were successful on all accounts. 

I need to see if Andrea has posted some better pics of Triple Threat

Sethy thought Riz needed a present so he got Duke (name came with it) but they all call him “Boog” the character off of the Open Season movie. Sister is the only one who doesn’t love it even if she’s the only one I have a picture of. 



If I’d known how many fights they’d get in over it I probably wouldn’t have gone for it. But we try to celebrate that little guy any way we can! 

The reason I don’t want Tanner to play with the same bball team next year is he’ll be in 2nd grade and this team will play 3rd and 4th graders this year he’s a first grader but playing 1st and 2nd graders—think there’s a size difference? Sheesh! 

Like that he stepped in front of this pass, maybe we’ll work on keeping his eyes open next time so he catches it —instead of catching in the nose…



But his coach was determined to clobber the only team that had played us close all year so he rested his studs and Tanner got to play this whole game! He did great-it just reaffirmed my opinion that he needs to actually play more (win or lose) if he’s going to get better-on this team that’s never going to happen. But whatever-one more month, who’s counting? 😏

More treats for Riz. We hope there are cupcakes & I’ve cream bars in heaven buddy! 

Sunday the only thing I remember was after church I swung by Bro Shockey’s house (he’s the guy that gave us the nod on burying Riz where we did) I wanted to meet his wife and I did! It was just a quick “hi” at the door but that was important to me. 

Monday I took Tan to the dentist -he did great! Since his appt was at 1:00 but I drop Seth right there at noon I just got him at noon and we went and got his Pizza Hut bookit pizza for reading. That made it pretty fun. We hung out at the Pettits after school until it was time for Cannon to go to practice. It’s always fun to see our friends! And this is the only pic I have from that day but we have a big shot on her hands. A big shot with a lot of teeth! 

And Tuesday I went to the dentist in Moberly. Nice guy but Ug! I had a tooth pulled and an implant put in. And…maybe I still feel like I got kicked in the face!!! That first night was way rough and I picked local anesthetic so I could drive myself but holy smokes having to hear them snap crackle pop digging that thing out-it was awful. And the gal had told me probably 2 hours…uh it was 3.5. And I wasn’t sitting in that chair very good so day 2 I could barely lift Addi and my back hurt as bad as my face. Oh it was just a disaster all the way around. Thankfully I’m on the mend. 

The Dr down there called me himself Tuesday night I thought that was pretty impressive and then my dentist text Wednesday and basically said “whoa you had a lot done-are you doing ok?”  So at least the docs care that I got kicked in face. 

I didn’t write about Saturdays disaster and the excavator sliding off of the lowboy 😳😳😳

He was going to take it to our old neighbors but loading didn’t go so well. 

I drove under the boom on my way to take Tan to basketball—at that point we didn’t know what was going to happen but the track had started to slip and he reached the boom out to try to drag himself back on…but it didn’t work. Anyway he called bball and told me he’d got out of the mess. I guess the track slipped all the way off and he drove it off. Yikes. 

His friend that was one of his “phone a friend” calls told him “never try to load that machine off to the side of the road it’s way too heavy you have to be right in the middle” ok lesson learned. 

So Wednesday he was pumped when he got it loaded up himself. (He didn’t go for the road just our driveway-which I thought was better than blocking other people) 

Only thing. He needed Cannons help-look close- wasn’t on there straight! 

But he figured it would be ok. He took Colt with him to go get fuel but…they didn’t make it. 

I’m not sure how they turned out of the driveway but he had so much weight on the drop axle and no pressure gauge -now I’m writing about things I literally know NOTHING about, but ask Seth he might know- anyway I guess he couldn’t turn cuz his front wheels…maybe weren’t even touching??? I don’t know but safe it say it was “a bit of a fiasco” grandmas’s four wheeler has already been extremely usuful around here! Isaac didn’t take his phone on that deal but our neighbor and friend Brittany hauled them back. Again I took Tan to bball while they were just trying to get it unloaded and back home before young Mens. Cannon had to be the helper and drive the 4 wheeler down to be able to drive the excavator back. 

Cannon ended up taking out the power line by the Kilmer’s silage pit-the poor kid was devastated. Isaac was behind him cuz it took a while to get that truck and trailer turned around. He felt bad he hadn’t reminded him to look out for it. The power company came and fixed it Thurs Isaac was really positive with him and said “oh we just have to learn from it” I agreed and also said “don’t you worry about that for 1 second-you are 11 and you were just trying fo help dad out!!!” 

Anyway. But if a fiasco is the understatement of a life time! Or all 7 of our life times! 

Why would she eat the stuff I give her when her brothers give her cookies?!

Thursday was the 100th day of school. Only Colts class dressed up. 

Isaac wants to help our old neighbor out with his excavator (his whole shop burned down) but yesterday he punted in that -for now- and took his machine over to Ray’s  (cuz he can drive it that far 😂😂) to at least work on something! Ray has a pond project for him. 

Today they were all over there-and came back like popsicles. I think the high today was 20 degrees but it “felt like 9”

Ug! 

Whatever! 

Ray sent me that pic-I didn’t make it over there. Actually after the tooth ordeal I didn’t do much -except laundry and dishes- this week! 

Until next week—could be “bit of a fiasco” round three…stay tuned!! 😉