Good news, we survived January. 

Maybe barely. 

This week was kind of a doozy!

Last Friday night, Tanner had basketball we lost both games so he hated it. We couldn’t score to save our lives-oh well! 

(Sisters were the photographers so I get what I get😉 can’t coach and take pics) 

Then Saturday morning, I took Cannon to Jeff city to Basketball.  I was worried he wouldn’t really get to play very much but his coach just platoon subs and he gets just about as many minutes as anybody else —and he loves hanging out with his friends so good enough. I had a great time visiting with the other moms. 

I left everybody home with Isaac except for Tanner last Friday But Saturday I had decided I better take Addi with me. She didn’t want to go, but I wasn’t really going to do that to Colt. Isaac was still so sick so so sick that I basically just left Colt in charge. Fend for yourselves boys. 

About halfway through Cannon second game I kind of had a thought of panic where I wondered if I had left the lights on in the car because it was one of those deals where it was dark when we left but light when we got there.  I had remembered turning them on and I turned them all the way on, but I could’ve only turned them to “auto”  and I kinda looked at it and thought it’ll be fine. Well, it wasn’t fine. I totally had left the lights on 😩 thankfully we parked right next to his friends car and Kristin had jumper cables, but I didn’t know how to even slide the doorhandle piece off to find the keyhole to open the car. It was just a disaster all the way around and then we got it all hooked up and they were like “OK start it.” But Isaac had told me to wait a little while it takes a long time for that battery to charge but they were helping me and he wasn’t there so I just did what they said— I mean, I was so rattled it was like I didn’t even have a brain. But it didn’t work and it didn’t work again and it didn’t work again. 🤯 Finally, my friend Leslie googled and figured out that we had to leave it charging for 10 to 15 minutes (we had set a timer for 5 min and it was so close) but finally after 10-15 it started right up. I was so thankful for Kristin that we parked by her, and Lealie who was riding with her and the Brett and Stephanie winder stayed and helped too. They were amazing. I’m kind of at a spot in life where I don’t have a specific one good friend, but it was really just so good to realize: hey  I have a lot of good friends, they are great people! 

After getting it going, then I needed to drive to get that battery to charge back up. But Leslie invited Cannon to go with them and he was so excited so he went with his buddies and Addi and I just drove until she was about to fall asleep found a drive-through unfortunately those chicken nuggets woke her right back up, but we grabbed drive-through food and then we drove about 20 minutes back. It was quite while still until their game, but I didn’t wanna stop and start that car going in stores, So we just went back to the place. 

Well the  game before Cannon’s  got to the fourth quarter and then they were only seven minutes left in the fourth quarter so I finally text him and said “Hey, your teammates are getting their shoes on and ready to go” Thinking that he must be in that gym somewhere watching another game or something well as soon as I send that text, he called me right back. And said “Mom, everyone is OK, but we got in an accident can you come get us?”  So I gathered up Addi  and his bag and my backpack and everything -Should’ve left that all there- And ran and he was just gonna send me a pin of where they were at, but they were really only .7 miles away from the other entrance. It was probably only .4 miles but somebody had just ran a red light and ran right into Kristin’s car. 

What a day! 

He was a little bit, rattled too because going home if I would decelerate, he would kind of jump or panic. He said mom breaks just make me nervous and I was like I didn’t even touch the brakes.

But just super thankful everybody was OK and their husbands were both watching their daughters play about 20 minutes away so they were able to come get him and everybody had rides and stuff but what a nightmare! 

As far as the first game, but the second two games, but Cannon still had fun so good enough. 

Some friends borrowed the jumphouse Saturday and brought it back same day…it was basically in the doorway when I got home, Addi said “Can we play with it?” I said “no” and you can see how that worked out…

Red for Rizzy on Sunday! 

And we did get out the jump-house. 

Monday we shopped the heck out of Hobby Lobby trying to find something I liked for over to the cemetery. 

Then Tuesday for his birthday it was supposed to be a yummy after school snacks picnic at the cemetery. Actually Seth woke up that morning and asked me if I would go over and tell Riz Happy Birthday for him and I said “no way-we’re all going after school” so we hit Hy-Vee for donuts and then grabbed ice cream…mistake! We were waiting until the cemetery to eat donuts but the ice cream we had to start on right away and by time we got there everyone’s core temperature was down the wind was howling blowing our snacks all over and we were freezing…so we huddled for a quick pic sang Happy Birthday and got out of there.  Not quite what I had in mind 😏

Brrr Happy Birthday Buddy we love you!!! 

But look at Seth’s smile—it wasn’t all bad 😉

Playing “school” with “Mr Seth” at the church. We all went down for Colt to be set apart at the first counselor in the deacon’s quorum. 

Then it was a bit of a run around. Taking Cannon to basketball bringing everyone else home then going back to get Cann. 

Today was the 100th day of school so the kindergartens had a hoedown! Seth was so excited! He snagged Addi’s hat and I bought him this $11 pair of boots…for the 8 hours he as going to wear them I figured the price was right! And other kids take note—you want me to buy you something…ask the day before Rizzy’s birthday! 

Other shenanigans—Tanner finally succeeded in getting the other kids to play legos with him! 

Dad came home with Jimmy John’s bread! Yum! 

And Colt’s buddy Jackson P gave him this silly hat. It was the prize for giving them enough email addresses. I never go for it—but Colt wanted the monkey hat. He said Jackson “didn’t want it” but I really think he probably just wanted Colt to have it. I don’t know him well but he has a sister Cannons age and I think she must cheerlead or something because he’s always at the games and always asks if Colt is there, he sees like a really sweet kid. 

The only other thing I can think of was our cute friends the Speaks’ had us over for pie. They are the sweetest! It was really fun to visit with them. They are constantly serving —it’s impressive! 

Colt was missing from last weeks post so here he is Mr creative! I was fixing the piano bench (it’s needed it the whole time we’ve had it) so he made his own. 

Isaac bought a horse trailer. It’s tiny! But whatever-it works. He told the guy he didn’t need it he’d just pick it up whenever he moved his (that was parked in front of it) then he came home and that stupid Moose was cribbing with the cribbing collar on and Isaac was just done. And he called the trailer guy back and told him he did need the trailer and he returned the horse! 

Thank goodness! What a disaster. Maybe the 3 time will be the charm in a friend for Enzo…who knows! 

But that ended up taking up pretty much all of Isaac’s day. 

The rest of us just survived 😊

Just wearing our glasses-riding brother horses and playing around! 



I went out to dinner Saturday evening with some friends but I really hate social things so I’m not sure why I go. And I didn’t come home early but when I did Addi was awake watching Paw Patrol on the tablet, Tanner and Cannon were up watching football and Seth and Colt were no where in sight. Thankfully they were asleep-it was 10:00! Isaac was also zonked. 

He had to be in the road at 6:30 the next morning to speak on Columbia so I was glad he was asleep (I just wished more kids were too😬) 


No school Monday! So Addi was showing off the apron Sis Speaks made her, and we made a treat. Seth wanted Sis Speaks to make him one too—I said “no just wear this!” 

Colt and Isaac got in on a little community service project. It ended up taking all day-But I went and got Colt around noon! 

Tan had a rough day but at least I got him to journal about it 😉

Here’s the translation: 

Today is like the WORST day of my life!!! My Mom hates tablet time and is my favorite, and it’s 4°F 

in winter! And NOT SNOWING! And sugar is not good for you so I can’t have a lot of treats! ( he doesn’t mention he’s had at least 3 cupcakes and a candy bar 😳) 

School is off, but that doesn’t mean everything is good, for two reasons 

1. Because I am so bored

2. Because I am not having fun today! 

I feel like I am wasting today, and then  it’ll be school! All this stuff is saying I’M MISERABLE! 

On the good side, which I was NOT talking about, I got a little tablet time from piano, and I hanged from the pull up bar, and Dad made us clean but I didn’t ask Mom what I needed to do, so I didn’t have to do too much!

Oh Tanner! 

If only I had a journal entry from every time he’s told me it was the worst day of his life. 😉

What we do…

Monday evening pretty late Isaac’s  and my phone rang at the same time… That only means one thing-They’re canceling school! It was supposed to be -10 with a windshield of -25 or something like that so They had them do these packets they sent home For “alternate methods of instruction” My kids were done in about 20 minutes, but I was actually glad because I realize there’s some things I can help Seth with…I think sometimes he bats those big blue eyes and gets people to tell him the answers. 😬

pretty sure my kids were completely done with their school packets before they ever made themselves breakfast… I usually make breakfast, but they wanted pancakes and I didn’t want them —so they had fun. 

 

 

One of the days Isaac found a deal on firewood so we bought some. It really is the best way to heat this old house if you want it to feel warm but…it’s also a lot more work than clicking a button. Anyway it gave him a change to use his new chainsaw…and the kids a chance to try splitting it. 

I don’t know what else? Tan and I have basketball tonight we’ll see if I remember to have one of the boys sisters to take pictures…

Cann plays in Jeff’s City tomorrow but they canceled both Monday and tonight’s  practice and had one Wednesday instead. But I made him go to YM’s so he’s missed everything this week I’m afraid I’m driving two hours to watch him sit the bench. Oh well. On Wednesday he and Colt both had quorum presidency meetings they participated in after. Cannon’s lasted forever!  They scheduled our RS activity during the youth activities so I was there too. I thought I was going to an activity on New Year’s resolutions but it was actually on change. I did not enjoy it. Once food comes up it was all I could do to not get up and leave. I have so much to say but none of it is nice so there’s really no need to record it. When the boys asked for ice cream when we finally got out of there after Cannons meeting I said “you bet” they were pumped I went for it. 

Isaac has actually been super sick the last two day not sure what’s got into him but I hope he doesn’t share it. It does slide us into survival mode a bit…hope he gets better soon! 

Not a single pic from Saturday…but we got away with 2 wins at basketball so I’ll take it. 

We got there and the kid we’ve been waiting on so we’d have our full team walked in. I was surprised since I hadn’t seen him at practice or heard anything but I had his uniform with me and said “Are you playing with us?” And he said “no” he was on the other team! What the heck? In his defense Tanner had told me Lee was playing on coach Funk’s team but I was like no that’s just for YMCA ball (because that was the last I’d heard…I didn’t know Coach Funk did a team that played up to Schuyler Co) but it was what it was. They only had 4 players so we only played with 4 until their 5th guy got there. Lee scored the games first basket…so we went down 2-0. And that was the last time they scored! We took it to’m. And I did call the dogs off—which was new for my kids. When they have a break away layup and I’m screaming at them to stop they were like what? Why? But whatever I just don’t see any need to beat kids that we go to school with by 40…but we could’ve…probably 50 they had no subs and were pretty tired. But then again—don’t steal my players. 

And the second game was the team we lost to by 2 the other week, well this time we we up by 8 or so and let them make it a 2 point game but we hung on and won. That team is a good match for us—we’ll see them again (and I have a few tricks up my sleeve for when we do…) 

Other than that I don’t know what we did Saturday…oh we cleaned the church while Isaac was off on some other service project. It reminded me a little of when he was bishop and he was off serving while I was dealing with one meltdown (or fight) after another.  

That night the youth activity got canceled out of an “abundance of caution” maybe the projected weather in other areas of the stake was bad cuz ours was nothing! But the boys ended up watching Elder Uchdorf’s broadcast down at bishops and then doing karaoke😳 I didn’t tell them that’s what was planned just that the had to stay for the broadcast, I was so surprised they stayed!! I guess the got all the young men to sing “the grinch” together, but that was tbe extent of their participation. 

Sunday was exciting because Colt got to pass the sacrament! He was worried about little mistakes like moving on before they put the cup back so he kinda had to go back and I think Cannon told him he was holding the tray too high, but I thought he did great! There’s a bit of a learning curve with everything. It was pretty weird having such an empty bench the first part of the mtg (Isaac conducted some stake business too so he joined us sooner than the boys but wasn’t there at the start either) I like  early church but it was an adjustment! Especially with them wanting the youth their 20 minutes early. Isaac and Cannon had an “ministering blitz” after so this go around we took two cars…they didn’t leave until they were supposed to be there and we “right behind” them barely made it before the meeting started. Yikes. I hate being late—or even close to it! We’ll have to figure it out! I was super grateful the ministering “blitz” was a good experience for Cann!! Safe to say he wasn’t thrilled about it initially. But he said “yeah-they were glad I came too” 

 Isaac had meetings with the area authority down in Moberly all afternoon. We survived. 

The laser guns Santa brought Tanner have been kinda a bust…but if I play with them they get used—so I did! 

I hope this girl learns to love the scriptures as much as she loves marking them now! One of the brothers left these in the van and she found them (and marked them up) while we were waiting to pick up Monday! 

Dad had a foam project in the basement this is the only picture I have but…him spraying foam all over downstairs… let’s just say it didn’t go on as neat and tidy as that YouTube video we watched😳

But between the foundation in the house, you really could feel the wind blowing in so hopefully it will help keep this place warmer.

Speaking of wind, our house is so cold when it’s windy and it’s been blowing like crazy today!! The Farmhouse!!-I love it and hate it. 🤷‍♀️

Not sure what this is…maybe the teasing really does go both ways…

Some static fun:

Towers towers and more towers…the cushions are never on my couches. 



Leftover noodles and yogurt…not much of a lunch date—but she called it one so we text dad and told him he was missing out. (At least I usually get LaFuente when he’s involved 😉) 

Bout it. 

I need to make a movie but I need to clean some pictures off my phone (or pay for more storage 👎🏻) first…hmmm. 

Oh boy…Isaac trying to decide if he should take that horse back 

Holy cow. 

The sucker cribs on everything!

We started out cleaning the church Saturday…but as we got there we also got an email that church was canceled because of the coming storm. So…we still cleaned but…hopefully it will still be good when we go down tomorrow. Were assigned 2 weeks then we’re supposed to get 6 months off…👍🏻

You can look at the horse riders and see how much snow we had…

She’s partial to Enzo-real and the toy. 

Not sure about this beauty shop. 

We did get a little snow. 

 Wrestling…Addi gets in on it but …dad wins! 





Don’t mind the mess 😩  but the magna tiles never last long so they try to hurry and take a picture of what they’ve built.  I’ve got a ton of these on my phone. 

Monday the teachers had school but not the kids so we played at the church for a bit then swung in to Aldi to grab bread so I’d have it for lunch sandwiches. But it was closed so we went to Walmart. 

Storm panic is no joke around here. It wasn’t even bad. But I guess sometimes it is? Or maybe these people really couldn’t make bread if they needed to. 🤷‍♀️

We went home and played in the snow. 



Tuesday it was back to school! 

But we busted out the skies as soon as we got home! 

This was about as good as it got for sis…but she’d run down the hill just to get to ride back up with Cannon on his little “Taxi”

We had a great time though and skied until the sun was down (I should e started dinner sooner but live and learn…so I did that Wednesday) 

We went to dad’s work to steal some internet. Addi packed some toys for the trip. Then I watched Julie Fielding’s funeral on YouTube. She had a great impact on so many people. It’s kinda mind blowing that’s she’s gone. But happy for her!!! 



Wednesday after school at first only Seth wanted to ski so after one run I put on skis and went with him but after Cannon spoiled us with his taxi service walking up just wasn’t much fun. So a couple runs later I started driving the four wheeler and Tanner and Addi joined us. We went until dark again! (But dinner was in the oven with the automatic timer set)





Bout it.