Found this cute little flower at Rizzy’s cemetery and I wanted to start with a happy picture. 

...and a 2 year old hauling his scriptures to church is pretty cute too. 

I should have a good attitude and try and keep the blog positive but the truth is this week was pretty cruddy. 

Saturday Colt’s best buddy Graham came out to play-that was fun. Maybe the calm before the storm. 

Sunday I could’ve done without. 

The good thing that happened was Isaac leaned over in bed at 6:30AM and said “oh no, we’re supposed to have the youth out here for lunch this afternoon” we scrambled and pulled it off —they got cheesy chicken and rice because that’s what I had enough of in the freezer. 

While I was cooking that morning I got a text that my Uncle Rob’s house burned down. 

Everything. Whoa! 

And While I was at church I got the text that my friend Robyn had passed away. Dang it! Dang it! Dang it! Why? Why? Why? Of all the people I’ve known who have had Covid and been sick with it none of them had three little kids at home and a brand new baby in the hospital. I’m sure Robyn is fine now, But what about Patrick and those four little girls? I’ll be honest it has rocked my world. Its rough being a mom with a baby who stayed in heaven but it’s OK. I’m at peace with it and know Riz is where he needs to be and I’m where I need to be. But those little girls-all so little-have a mom that’s in heaven and I’m having a heckuva time wrapping my mind around it. But I know who’s in charge and it will all be ok...eventually. Patrick sent me a text reply that made me think “I guess the Lord comforts who needs to be comforted.”  Actually I bet he wouldn’t care if I shared it:

It almost fit in a screenshot. But wow huh? Calm and at Peace??? Impressive right? 

Actually feeling like my prayers weren’t heard at all I stumbled on to this and really liked it-I sent it to Patrick and with “shrug” promised to keep praying for him and his girls. The text above was his reply. 

And later this week while riding my bike home from the cemetery and pondering on the “infuriating unfairness” (stole that title from elder Renlunds most recent talk and their stake Pres used it at her funeral but it’s not what I was listening to at the time-anyway) I had the thought as if Heavenly Father was the one talking saying “yeah but none of those people could have done what I need Robyn to do here” and that made sense to me. He will guide the future as he has the past.
With a Utah trip around the corner and it available on zoom we did not go down to the funeral we just watched it but I told Isaac the only way I would be OK with that is if we made sure to go down to Mississippi later this summer. It was a beautiful service though. 

That was Wednesday but really it was all week. 

Seth just doing his thing...like loading his dump truck! 

And hauling daddy’s laser for him. 

This pic with Sis Showell and Sis Wilson was actually from Monday. I invited them Sunday but then completely forgot, they text and asked if we still wanted them to come and we were like yes yes please...and ok crud what am I making for dinner 🤣 Soup! It’s been super rainy all week so soup was perfect. The rolls were a disaster but missionaries are very forgiving . 😊👍🏻

My friends did a little work out group in the mornings this week. It was pretty fun and it worked me over pretty hard too.  I just took the boys into school instead of Isaac this week since he is done with the semester and sometimes Seth and Tanner came with me and sometimes they just hung out with dad. 

I’m really not much of a social exerciser but it was good for me and I have good friends here! 

Yesterday was Tanner‘s last day of preschool! Can you believe it? They didn’t have the preschool graduation sign set up they only had the promotion one but...just pretend! Actually I was super happy his teacher snagged a picture for me because I wouldn’t have thought of it and the rest of the class isn’t done until next Wednesday but since we’re heading to Utah Tan is done!! 

And today’s circus!!!

Oh my!!!

Sethy was a little mad I didn’t let him take the pictures 🤣

Our schedule is crazy. Our life is crazy. But yesterday nowhere in the mystery schedule did concrete come up. But today —concrete! Why not? And it turned out to be a circus! His  pump got clogged and the kids he had helping him had never really done concrete before ...or maybe I made that part up...I’m not sure but anyways he for sure said it was the hardest 5 yards of concrete he’s ever poured. We came home in time to get to see the mixer truck as planned but when we saw the circus —we headed for the park! I had to leave because I can’t handle that stuff—but whatever,  he pulled it off and we have concrete in the barn floor



But it was an all day event! 

We had piano after school so we were hanging out at the Pettit‘s house. Ben offered to let the boys ride out to fathers and sons with him but I took a glance at his car and thought it’s pretty loaded so I’d just wait and  send them with Isaac. Well, we had not one thing packed, so after we got home I packed every single thing (except hatchets and fishing poles the boys helped with that kind of stuff) but it wasn’t quick- and then Isaac still wasn’t anywhere close to done. So I ended up taking the boys out to Hurdland to fathers and sons & dropping them off with Ben. It looked like a great turn out there was tons of guys there so I felt fine about it and brother Moody was like oh yeah I’ll keep an eye on them too—our friends are awesome! And the drive out really worked great because Seth fell asleep so he at least did get some sort of a power nap.  When we got back Isaac still haven’t showered but eventually he and Seth got out of here and headed for fathers and sons too. I missed about four calls from him because I had jumped on the tractor to mow. When I got back to my phone and called he told me they were going to come home tonight after everyone went to bed and just go back out early tomorrow. So much for my break! And happy camping trip boys!  And why did I pack all that crap for him then?! I dunno. I definitely balked when he told me that (because you know even if they really do go back early in the morning he’s not gonna take all four boys Tan and Seth will be asleep— if not they should be) anyway he said ok he’d set up the tent but then I backpedaled and said it was fine if they come home so who knows...as of typing this I don’t know!!! 

I did tell him though that when I was driving back from taking the boys out there I prayed that I would be able to see his perspective on the pump truck (that it’s a valuable asset and could generate income...that type of thing) and also he would be able to see my perspective on the pump truck (that it monopolizes so much of his time and adversely affects our family time) 

It’s not cows

It’s not basketball or anything like that 

It’s just “businesses”

His thing. 

We’ll see hopefully I end up feeling like that prayer is heard 🤞🏻

I’m glad he got to run it. I know he needed to run it. Thank goodness the clog didn’t happen when someone was paying him to do a job -it’s just that everything ends up taking a lot longer that he thinks it will. 

Oh well

That’s all I can remember—today’s probably a little too fresh I probably should’ve skipped it on the blog. Whoops. 

It’s life. 

“Lower your expectations, increase your happiness”

Oh we’ve had a crazy busy week. 

Saturday the only thing on my phone was a picture of a wild turkey. But Isaac had the hooding ceremony and then it was Mother’s Day eve so I snuck away by myself-it was fantastic. Isaac who had already bought flowers for the ward to give out the next day say “buy yourself something for Mother’s Day” ha ok. Actually the title of this post comes from Isaac’s council on celebrations in general...it works pretty good. 

Sunday was fine, it was probably better than most Mother’s Days (cuz I’ve sufficiently lowered all expectations.) No he made breakfast and when I was out and about I’d bought a new curling iron and he dealt with the fights while I got to use it-it was great. My cute ministering sisters gave me a sweet note and some “forget me not” flower seeds. I got a nap a we went on a nice family walk.  

Just a good day.

I don’t know if the pictures/words will show very well so small but Colt make me this book at school—he pretty much has me pegged 😊

Then this little flower broke off so classic Colt propped it up with a stick 😊 so cute! 



Cann made me a cube (kind-of) with his new 3D pen he said it started out to be a heart. It was sweet of him. I am lucky to be a mom-I have some great kids! 
Mothers Day night 😩 -was horrible. I woke up so many times reliving the whole ordeal with Riz. Ah! It was hard. Oh well. Like always it’s up and down but sometimes it catches me off guard. 

I know it just means I love him-and I miss him-but it’s still hard. 

Monday was crazy cuz Colt had Soccer and Tanner had soccer AND baseball and I had a parent teacher conference with Tanners teacher. Throw in a Low tire-the light had been on since Sunday so I was a little nervous. Isaac was dealing with stupid pump truck stuff. Just a recipe for disaster right. So...par for the course around here...

It was Tanners only actually “game”  at soccer. I think he had fun. So did Seth 😉 after soccer it was quick-off to baseball! 

Tuesday was crazy because we had piano and well checks and baseball (still not sure why we took the whole family to a baseball practice that didn’t end until almost 8:00 but oh well-we did) after school friends invited us to the park that day and they were still there when piano got done so we went for it-YAY! 

Wednesday was Tanners field day at school and we went to a friends birthday party. 

Then Colt and Cannon had children and youth and the boys had a BLAST playing flour dodgeball and Tan Seth and I headed out on a bike ride. Tan could have made it clear to Riz’s grave (but since we still had to ride home we decided to turn around) he still went 2 miles though round trip-no gears and there’s a lot of hills to pull. He’s awesome it was fun. 

We started Wednesday but Thursday we finished getting the garden in-we’ll see what becomes of that this year... but I did make the rows spaced out enough we can just till between then! Then hopefully just weed around the plants cuz it’s a nightmare here-I feel even better about my plan since Michaila told me her mom used to do that 👍🏻 Sweet! 

And Colt’s last (for now) soccer game. He did awesome he scored 2 goals!! And it wasn’t like the ball accidentally bounced off his leg into the net. One he’d just got hit in the stomach (on accident) by a teammate but the ball was still right there and he kicked it in, he didn’t even smile after that one he just said “that hurt” the second one though he took the ball probably about 3/4 the length of the field and scored it. He was super excited that time. It was right in front of us and I had my phone in my hand but I fumbled with it and couldn’t get the camera on. Oh well. I got a picture with the ball in the back of the net😏 here’s a better one even if it wasn’t of the goal:

Overall I think soccer was a great experience for Colt. 
Today was a fun day-first of all an awesome sunrise on my way to the cemetery! I love that and have one on the backdrop of my phone too. 

I mowed (yay the mower is fixed!!) and Isaac headed into work for a while but then we headed up to Iowa to look at the Amish poly outdoor furniture stuff. It was a fun day we went to two places and had lunch and then hit one of those discount grocery stores but ultimately just ordered a cheap bench off the internet to put at the cemetery. The Amish ones were nice but none of them were exactly what I wanted and at the end of the day I’m too cheap-Isaac would have punched it because he knew I wanted one but I couldn’t do it.  

And tonight we played a little volleyball at the church with friends—it was pretty fun. 

The only other thing I can think of is we are praying so hard for our friend Robyn. She’s in the middle of a Covid disaster nightmare. They took her baby C-section she was due sometime in June so not ultra-early but still. Her baby was born with a fever and has had some bumps but overall done pretty well. Robyn is still on 100% oxygen. I don’t know the latest but I know we’re praying for the best! (And even Patrick has to wait until it’s been 14 days since he was around Robyn before he can meet his daughter in real life even though he’s had the vaccine and several negative tests. Crazy-I hate Covid) 

But it’s super late and I better call it a day or I’ll be a beast mom tomorrow. 

Late Friday night I bought a ticket for St George-just one. I was going to Grandma Cottam’s funeral all by myself! Just a quick trip leave Monday, funeral Tuesday and back Wednesday. I’ve never left my troops before-well except in 2018 for girls camp, but Isaac assured me he could handle it and really with a trip planned for the end of the month and when he had to be here this week just me going was the best option.  But first Saturday,  Isaac had a funeral that took up all day Sat then we had the missionaries for dinner. Remember when Elder Renlumd talked about the couple on the bus in Switzerland that their son was the first person baptized in the Congo? That son was our new sister missionaries dad-so we pretty much think Sis Bonza is a church celebrity. That was cool. Sunday was fast Sunday-I think it’s always a blessing to obey the law of the fast.

Since Cannon’s birthday was the day I would be gone I told him we could celebrate early-presents sooner-he didn’t complain. And he wanted his cheesecake for breakfast. 🤷‍♀️ Sure. 

The much anticipated (recently anyway) doodle pen! 





Even dad got in on it. 

We got out on a little walk that evening and got to visit  with Ray and Char, that’s always fun. 

Monday I had a normal morning with these two yayhoos-and this was the scene out the kitchen window as I did dishes. 

Quite the pitchers mound Seth...

Isaac took me down to the airport about 11:15, 

Then it was just pictures of airplanes on my phone to show the boys.
I got into St George at 9:30, Grandmas funeral was at 9:30 the next day. 

It was a beautiful service honoring her life, she was pretty incredible. It was good to see most of my cousins and several other good friends! (There were only a few times when I didn’t know who I was talking to)  Isaac was able to watch the live video here so that was cool. 

After the little luncheon we snuck over to see Aunt Kay, she was too sick to even go to the funeral 😥 so rough huh? After that we hit one store then home. It was weird cuz it was such a fast trip but because I didn’t have the boys and wasn’t responsible for anyone else I actually had more time visiting with my parents than I have had in 10 years!! 

But speaking of 10 years!! I did save one little present for actual birthday morning-and he’s excited his birthday gets to last even longer cuz we’ll celebrate when we go to Utah too

That night we hit Paula’s (yum) and  drove around checking out the temple renovation project and the new Red Cliffs temples is coming out of the ground too. Other than that we just kinda visited. It was super fun! But by 5:30 the next morning I was back at the airport. Ug. One really fun thing though was I have 2 cousins that are my age, Andee -she’s the one about 4 pictures up-and Lacie. Lacie and I are the only two who flew in for the funeral and as luck would have it we were catching the same flight out!! The guy who was supposed to sit next to me was super nice and swapped Lacie seats so we got to chat and chat and chat and it was so fun. It had been YEARS since I’d seen her! Her husband is in the military and shes lived in and been all over the world the last 17 years. Washington State,  Italy, and England to name a few. Anyway we had a blast before heading different directions again. 

It was a long layover in STL but I finally got gone about 7:00 and it was good to be back and see my guys! Isaac went straight to YW that night—I think he needed a break 🤣🤣

My parents take the puddle jumper all the time...me not so much. 

Pilot with his arm holding the window open as we taxied 😳 the view from above, attempted close up and the best looking white mini van waiting for me!!!

Thursday we went to Baseball and Soccer and followed up with Sister Harris’s bday party. She let Cannon help her blow out the candles, perfect since he didn’t get to on his birthday. Hailey is the best! 

Mother’s Day/Fathers day projects from Tan:



And today was filled with park fun and Pettit fun! 



We’ll take it! 




But it’s late so I’ve gotta be done. 

I told these goofs  they were cute and they said “take a picture”  ok -twist my arm

😊