Oh man! I always blog, I love to blog...the week I back the van out of the garage and wreck both our cars... I don't really want to blog. But that's what happened--and if I write every silly and crazy thing Isaac ever does on the blog as part of the family journal, then its only fair if I fess up to the STUPID things I do too right? Holy Cow, we park in the garage-but on this screwy angle, well I was always nervous backing out that I'll hit the porch so I always back out in this goofy S shape swerving to the middle/other side. Well "always nervous" got a little too comfortable, throw in hurrying with just chatting with Cannon and I hear this AWFUL and super loud noise, I think I even cuss "What the H was that?" But it doesn't even register to me the the H that was, was ME hitting into Little Green innocently parked in her spot. So I didn't stop quick, and then I tried to pull forward-more bad. CRUD. So its not a little dent or scratch-its HUGE! Like more than 2 feet dent, scratches all over-I think I got 3 different panels. Crud. Isaac... remember how I married the sweetest guy on the planet. He wasn't mad. I am furious at myself. He's so good-he has such great perspective. When we talked about it later he said "The only real problem is that it keeps happening." And he's right. Nothing this bad before but lots of little things that wouldn't happen if I were more careful. Soooo that sucks, and I sure picked up that backing up "S" habit quick, hopefully I can develop a careful habit quick too. Its water under the bridge to him. I'm still pretty sick about it. That dang van-for sure the most expensive thing we've ever bought. With him as the provider I feel like its my job to save us money. Not cost us extra money. Fail. Dangit.  He did say "If we want nice things-and I think we do-you've got to be more careful." He really is the best, he could have said a million things but that was it.

So the week. Saturday we went to Nauvoo at my request. We stopped at Denny's and had a yummy birthday breakfast. I was sugared up and stuffed-that's a happy combination for me ;) As we were driving Cannon was saying how much he wanted Aurianna (Marchant's) to be there, or he wanted to go to their house. I said sorry I didn't let them know we were going and their house the other direction and bla bla when Isaac said "You can text them." So I did, mostly to appease Cann Man. They were in Nauvoo! It was so fun. We only got to see them for a second because their oldest was getting to do baptisms for the first time, but the younger kids hung out with us and we did the Nauvoo thing-it was GREAT! And we even got back in time for the PTA's Family Fun night. Boy they do a good job of selling that stuff to the kids. Cannon was all kinds of excited about it. It was a zoo-but the kids had fun and that's why we went. We saw tons of friends and got to visit lots too.

Dad let TanTan snack on a little of his applesauce. (Then I had to get him a new spoon Haha-kid cooties-they don't bother me.) One of Cannon's homework assignments (He has the cutest little age appropriate-work at your own pace homework sheet.) Anyway it was to help prepare a meal, so Monday the boys and I made pizza. They're great little helpers.

Colt can coast (balance) he can pedal and he can steer, but put them all together? Not so much. They were working on it though. (Isaac's original plan that night was to go cut down trees at the house-hence that beautiful work shirt look) And then the next picture you can't even see Tanner-but he thinks he can handle a big boy cup.

Dinosaurs are awesome teething toys! And I can't really explain these goof balls wearing Tan's bibs-So I just take pictures. Cann started it--Colt was proudly right behind him.

The van disaster happened Thursday but before that it was a great day. Cannon got "sent to the principal" as a positive thing, they got to call Isaac on speaker phone and tell him how good he'd done. He was so happy to tell me about it, and Mr. Motley gave him a treat that he voluntarily shared with Colt. It was a great positive reinforcement thing I was impressed! The much anticipated "Mother and Son Stampede" was also Thursday.

Its a cute thing the community does-or maybe it's the Truman Ag students but anyway it's where we were headed when I wrecked the cars. I think Cannon still had fun. I was a little rattled-which is totally a bummer because I was looking forward to that being a really fun thing for he and I to do too. Oh well.

We watched a KHS softball game this week-it was kind a fun to find ourselves at the ball field. I still think its weird that the high school season is in the fall here. The boys were bummed they didn't get to dress up in their uniforms before we went. Speaking of uniforms we've been playing around. Its what we do.

If we're going to have Utes and Cougars around here-we had to work on the Utah uni. Isaac said "I thought you were going to do the real 'U'?" I said "Well that's what the cricut would cut out." I might try to fix it later.

I can't explain the tie. 

Today we went to the KHS homecoming parade-it's a big deal in this town! The kids loved Colt asked if we could go to another one and have people give us Candy tomorrow too. Funny guy! Tonight the Pettits hosted a "kid party" so they tended and we got to have a date night-it was fun, we'll return the favor! 

I sure love this little family of ours!

And that's the wrap!

The pics I forgot last week: Cannon said "Mom, I think Colt might be stronger than me, when we wrestle I can't get him off." I laughed and said "I've been warning ya."  Colt said "ya I dus use my strawn body"

And how did I not post one of Isaac in the bucket as we lifted him up last week? I dunno but here it is. Not sure if I took it or if it was Cannon...

So this week...its been a long and kinda rough one for no particular reason. Well Cann was sick that didn't help and I'm just not my best on no sleep. So that was part of the problem. But yikes. One good thing though is when things are hard I do a better job of getting into the conf talks and stuff and there's just so much goodness there. Thankfully I know "where [I can] turn for peace" check out this little blurb from Elder Gong's talk

Pretty good right? (we met Elder Gong at a stake conf when we lived in Ivins) and right after Elder Gong was Elder Kearon's talk about the refugees. Ya-life's pretty dang good-we are So blessed-and have it pretty darn easy.

So cruising through the pics-Tanners not the typical no pictures of the third child-at least not this week. He's still a "supported sitter" so being the supporter, the feeder, and the photographer...didn't work so well he's barely in the pic but he was all about chomping on that oatmeal...and measuring cup too.

A little Saturday fun--pretty sure my cougs haven't beat Isaac's Utes as long as I've known him. Hmm maybe I should jump ship?-no way hang tight, patience, for example: how bout my Cubbies just clinched?!?! I do like the Utes too though and Isaac might like my cougs too...he always asks me if they won even if football is "Too Gentile of a sport for BYU to play." Cannon was darling with TanTan though

Tanner-little scowl'n Tanner Allen-had just about as much fun going down the slide for the first time as his face would indicate. 

Oh well

Check out Colts new shirt-Cannon said  "Way too big-it's probably my size"

I definitely had Cannon in mind when we bought it ($2 on the clearance rack-of course I said yes) and probably a little big for Cannon too, but Colt packed it all around the store-tore the tags off when we got home and had to have it on. Couldn't get him to change before we went to get Cannon either, it's pretty soft he calls it his new silky shirt...and now I probably should keep my eye out for one that fits him. 

Then just play'n--we found the noses when we were cleaning off the junk self  (why do I have so many of those) on the bookshelf...

We were supposed to go to Columbia this week and I was Soooo excited but after I had sent Cannon to school one day when he told me his tummy hurt, then the school nurse ended up calling. (Yeah-whoops! Mother of the year) he didn't come home but had fallen asleep in class -class went to PE he slept it off then  seemed fine so he stayed- but anyway 2 days later when he was up ALL Stink'n night (12-4am) thrashing around and  saying his tummy hurt  (and why was it comforting for him to thrash INTO me? UG he just wanted me to lay by him-which I did but it was no picnic!) anyway so in the morning I just let him sleep I cuz I was so happy he was finally resting but when he got up he was like "Why is it so light already?...Gavin is already at school?...Mrs Frady has already come and got our class?..." He might have felt better--I'm pretty sure he still didn't feel good, but he really wanted to be at school (how cute is that?-kindergarten-it won't last) so I took him but that night pretty much vetoed our Columbia trip. I didn't dare go that far when I wasn't sure he was good enough to be at school. We were going to go to an indoor jungle gym thing so I asked Colt what he wanted to do instead that would be fun-park with Noah and Zach! (Duh mom) they were so cute with him too-he can't really keep up with the bigger boys yet, but he sure tries! 

And maybe Tanner got a little lick of Nilla Wafer-yum! 

Isaac's house project his slow going-borrowing equipment keeps it extra slow. But beggars can't be choosers. Sometimes I think Isaac is frustrated with it already, sometimes I think he likes getting his hands (and clothes) dirty.

Who knows?

We've stayed busy--I think that's good though
Home Depot Day, it been a while then we were off fish'n.

The day was totally choatic-Isaac wanted to cut down trees, then something happen with his saw so it was out to Green Castle, then up to Lancaster, before we were supposed to meet up with the Jarvis family and go fishing. But we made it-everyone caught a fish-it was fun. We'll call it a win.

Cannon was so excited and said "My first fish!" I looked at him funny and said "you caught fish in Mississippi" then he said "My first fish in Missouri"--just as excited. He did catch one ALL BY HIMSELF though, that was pretty impressive. Isaac and Justin where helping other kids who hadn't had a turn to catch one yet and Cannon had already caught 2 so he just did his thing--and caught himself a fish. It was all catch and release, just the way this mom likes it! Thanks for the entertainment fish-no go back to swimming!

Now Colt man, it really was his FIRST FISH! How bout it?

He was about as sure about it as his face in this next picture would indicate. Haha.

We went out a little early to go fishing but it really was the big ward BBQ hay ride and what not out to Bishop's farm. Well we fished too long and missed the ride--so farmer Isaac took the tractor and anyone who missed out or wanted to go on another little hay ride. He was holding Tanner when he started off on that project. Ole TanTan was NOT game for being passed off. By time I got him he was just mad mad mad. Oh well. He survived.

A little Sunday evening walk. Mostly I had to take pics because I thought these two were so dang cute in their primary shirts they switched into after church. They were playing Wild Kratts looking for wild animals-- lucky for me they didn't find any.



Monday was a project day, its probably a good thing I didn't blog Monday. A little time distance from such a project is probably a good thing. No it turned out fine, it was just kindof long.

Tanner and I drove the backhoe. I guess the neighbor said to Isaac "Your wife just hopped right up in that backhoe." Ha neighbor couldn't hear under my breath--that was probably a good thing. Really, it was pretty easy, Isaac just started giving me instructions but I said he better get out of the drivers seat and let me get in if he wanted me to learn anything from those instructions. Which I did, it turned out fine. He then figured out most of the time it was easiest to maneuver it himself, then have me jump in and raise/lower the bucket--like to lift him up into trees-- When he was up to one of his ideas I was sure wasn't safe he told me he'd just have the neighbor drive it (different neighbor) but I was standing there when he said "What do you think? Have you ever operated a backhoe?" The guy just shook his head, like NO WAY. And I thought to myself ya! me either!! I ended up doing it, but we changed plans to something I was comfortable with, so I operated the winch instead...should I admit that made me sore? I'm weak-I don't work out-and those trees were dang big and dang heavy. Excuses excuses excuses. All true. But my hands ached the next day.  

 

In the middle of it I took the above picture and text our friend in Mississippi that Isaac cut a few trees down with. I told him I wished it were him and not me. Isaac was NOT AMMUSED I was texting mid project--but it made it slightly more acceptable that I was texting Corey. After that sucker fell I said "I'm alive!" Isaac laughed but I'm telling you I had might doubts with his original plan!

 

Maybe Colt was going to try and pull a tree down? I don't know.

And we made the boys stay in the van on the other side of the house for the felling the  big ones, Cannon was tending/taking pictures of Tanner screaming. Thanks Cann. At least we now have proof of how much Tanner liked it.

Cannon's teachers are trying pretty hard to get him to write his name using lower case letters, he said "Mom, can't I just do that at school?" I said he needed to practice doing it the way they wanted him to but he was doing his own thing (pretty typical) anyway, Isaac had told him how to spell Mom the other day when they were writing things at church. So he changed the subject by writing "MOM" for me. Colt ever the follower took one look at that and figured it was just a bunch of squiggles with an "O" in the middle of them. So he wrote mom for me too. Not bad.

Tanner was 5 months Monday. Wow, time goes crazy fast...AND so does he. He's definitely taken off this last week. He rolls with a purpose to pretty much wherever he wants to go. He was far enough one day I thought he's started scootch'n around, but it was just rolling. Here's the random pics I found that his brothers had taken. I don't know even know which brother had my phone.

Lately  if I remember to ask Cann what his "high" for the day is he always smiles and says "going to school" it makes me so happy that he likes it! But man he gets tired, I took this picture when we pulled in to the garage and then just went in the house but he slept out there for over an hour! Life is always better when he gets rest if he needs it. --The same could definitely be said for me.

 

Until next week. 

Michaila got this pic for me at school lunch. He looks pretty happy, I think one of those girls must be Brynn. He came home and told me he'd found someone to marry. Haha. Don't worry the little character had a "back up plan" too.

 

When I found these two pictures on my phone this week I realized sometimes I take pictures of them when they're sleeping just because its peaceful.

Colt got to ride on the backhoe with dad as they drove it from Bro Rogers house to the house. And the next one is him talking on the phone with Grama. I asked him if he like it and he assured me he did and that meant he also needed a blue tooth. Funny guy.  

 

So two great things happen this week. Monday we shipped Cann Man off to school then Tanner, Colt, and I hopped in the van, picked up my friend Natalie and we were off on a little adventure. Basically we were grocery shopping-in Iowa- but it was still dang fun.  It was a little bit long of a drive for Colt, he told us "I am boring!" A few times. Bored-Boring-its all the same when you're 3. Sorry for the boredom Colt but the trip was SO GOOD for my soul. (And I did break out the DVD player for him on the way back.) I think Isaac should recruit Natalie more often- "Hey take my wife and go do something, anything, she's so much happier when she gets back." I'm just saying... And the other great thing was we decided to buy airplane tickets for October. Now the stupid website wouldn't let me buy them yesterday :(and I haven't tried again. And....essentially its just going to be a long weekend for the boys and I while Isaac's at a conference but still (sigh) SO GOOD for my soul (I know I already wrote that once but its true-both things) just the thought of being able to go. Super liberating. Cuz we love Kirksville, we really do, but I'm not ready to sign up for forever and the twice a year feeling was really not sitting well with me. (We were going to go end of Jan or Feb-we didn't, we were going to go in May-we didn't, we were going to go more than once in the summer-we didn't. I've been noticing and NOT liking the pattern here.) So if I really get the tickets bought then it really will be a great thing!
Anyway so the rest of the week.
Lets see Saturday...who knows? I took the boys to a baptism. They were pretty good. Sunday we survived. This week tended and had dinner with the Pettits, they are good friends. Oh we made Cannon and the Tilton boys some Tiger Pride shirts for their Tiger Pride day at school. You know me, I love a tshirt project.

We closed on the house--so it official now. We had a couple of late school nights in relation to the backhoe and getting it over there. I expressed my concern, and we didn't do anything with the house the next day. That was good. The worst thing about the house happened today. Remember the deal was I never have to live in it "unless I want to" but I always roll my eyes and say "yeah right" so today he accidentally slipped when he was on the phone and said "I'm going to live...I mean I live now..." Nope, the save didn't work. I knew exactly what he meant. He said it's only because I always say it's inevitable, but I say it's true because -I know him. When he was serious about putting an offer in he checked with me, I told him to do whatever he wanted. He said "No, but does it make you sick to your stomach?" (Cuz he knows me too😉) I said no and that was that. But tonight-that did make me sick to my stomach. Time will tell, time will tell. Tonight's YouTube video focus on felling trees. I mean, I was "saw qualified" in my firefighting days but I gracially declined. lol
Today Cannon and Isaac rode their bikes to school and Tanner tried a little oatmeal.

He was trying pretty hard on this sippy cup while we were out on a walk one day too. We're buds! But boy is he getting to be a grabber, ANY time I have my phone or a cup or anything he wants it too.

Its already September! The days often feel long but the weeks months and years are zooming by. I know its important to enjoy them--even the long days.