tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63569612671203027902024-03-13T09:30:13.455-07:00Mitchellife As We Know ItSnapshot into our lives for all our family and friends.Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.comBlogger610125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-14323930451072176182020-09-28T17:57:00.003-07:002020-09-28T17:57:27.732-07:00Sleepy and selfish<p>Listening to my playlist during yet another workout I truly didn't want to do. My back was killing me, as it is most of the time these days and I just wanted to lay down and cry with exhaustion. "She's Always a Woman" by Billy Joel came on. </p><p><i>She can lead you to love, she can take you or leave you. </i></p><p><i>She can ask for the truth but she'll never believe you. </i></p><p><i>And she'll take what you give her as long as it's free. </i></p><p><i>Yeah she steals like a thief but she's always a woman to me... </i></p><p><i>Oh, and she never gives out and she never gives in. She just changes her mind.</i></p><p><i>And she'll promise you more than the Garden of Eden</i></p><p><i>then she'll carelessly cut you and laugh while you're bleeding.</i></p><p><i>She brings out the best and the worst you can be-- blame it all on yourself 'cause she's always a woman to me.</i></p><p>Unfortunately, I totally relate to this. I'm exhausted but I also don't want to give anything up. I'm about 10 weeks away from being done with nursing school. I'm working. I'm finishing up a certification for my BA that will enable me to also graduate with that degree come December. I'm trying to lose weight and increase, or at least sustain, my fitness. I'm a mom and currently, like the rest of America, a teacher at home to my kids. And house stuff. I've actually found that life goes on quite regularly when I just ignore some things. My family eats cereal and eggs, the grass gets long, the dishes pile up, the house gets disordered. (Except the laundry. I refuse to get behind on the laundry.) And somehow, life keeps going on until I get to it. I have been "painting" the kitchen since July. Finally finished about a week ago.</p><p>First, let me talk about school. I'm more anxious than in previous semesters to learn the material because it's important--all critical care conditions. So hours and hours of studying. And then there is clinical, which is a fairly big disappointment this semester in terms of skills. Haven't hung a bag of fluid, started an IV, put in a catheter. It's all been stuff I already do at work. I've resigned myself to it knowing lots of students don't get the experience they want and am grateful I have a pleasant instructor.</p><p>Saturday night Peter sat down with me to express his feelings about how much I'm working. He's not a fan. When I initially got the job I reassured him I only had to work one day every 2 weeks, which is true, because that's what PRN is but even then I knew that I wanted to work once a week. Peter thinks it's too much. So do my good friends in the program. But I love it and I won't give up the experience. And let's face it: being a mom comes with little appreciation or affirmation. At work there's abundance of praise from my patients. But it's also exhausting. So exhausting. But I also feel like I'm learning more there than I am in clinical this semester. </p><p>Stop worrying about getting a job. You'll get a job! It'll all work out. This is what I hear. I mostly believe it-- especially the it'll all work out part, because it always has, even if it doesn't come in the form I thought I wanted. But I still feel compelled to bust out of the gate. I'm paying someone to write my resume, which I should be filling out information on right now instead of doing this. And on a practical note we need better insurance for Peter's medical care. And soon apparently, because the last biopsy in May didn't make them happy and they think it is time to do a transplant here soon.</p><p>I've been raising kids for almost 25 years. I gave up every personal career ambition I had when I married and I feel like it's my time now and to some degree I feel like I deserve this and even if I don't and I'm just a selfish person I want it anyway. I have always wanted to do this and I'm <i>right there</i>. It's all a lot of mom guilt. I get tired of feeling torn and envious of friends who seem to be able to work as much as they need to without having to justify it or feel like things might be falling apart at home. Peter said he doesn't feel that way. But I know it is taking a toll on him. I can be moody and demanding and prickly and often don't want to talk. But I also make doctor appointments and take kids to the dentist and work on Will with his homework, so I'm trying.</p>nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-11765115878968623402020-09-26T14:28:00.008-07:002020-09-26T14:28:51.778-07:00Corpus Christi July 13-14, 2020<div class="separator"><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FyY1GUyRL6Y/X2-tn3q-jaI/AAAAAAAA2Oo/Ij1xQm0nVlUZf1VMPyTL6hc1dCnqRUq5wCPcBGAsYHg/s3648/20200714_113007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="402" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FyY1GUyRL6Y/X2-tn3q-jaI/AAAAAAAA2Oo/Ij1xQm0nVlUZf1VMPyTL6hc1dCnqRUq5wCPcBGAsYHg/w536-h402/20200714_113007.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After my trip to see my parents in Washington with the boys was cancelled--again-- Courtney and I got brave and booked a trip to Corpus Christi for 2 nights with 6 kids in tow. The place we ended up booking was perfect. A whole room dedicated to just the boys separate from the house-- woohoo! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Being the over-preparers we are we brought enough food between the two of us to have probably fed us all for a week. Someone (I think her husband, Carey, also our Bishop) had the idea to bring walkie-talkies with us so we could communicate quickly car to car. That was brilliant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="570" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gNReEDJTCaM/X2-tn5P4nLI/AAAAAAAA2Oo/841vl0jt1tchb9ZQ82tuddQKAldBeLPAwCPcBGAsYHg/w428-h570/20200714_194338.jpg" width="428" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's funny we are both the kind of people that feel like we're literally have to bring everything for every possible situation that might come about. I just adore this woman. She really made the difference in my transition to Texas. She still does 💜💜💜</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pKozI8ahl60/X2-tn5wDNzI/AAAAAAAA2Oo/mFo4D80UOggLA4H07MENtt1V3CnOKjMigCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200714_194041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pKozI8ahl60/X2-tn5wDNzI/AAAAAAAA2Oo/mFo4D80UOggLA4H07MENtt1V3CnOKjMigCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200714_194041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These teen boys don't eat nearly as much as I expected them to. So. Much. Extra. Food.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxusnsxAp7U/X2-tnzy5xLI/AAAAAAAA2Oo/PPOrGgb06vgf1ipgQXLN3zwCXW15j5_fACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200714_131232.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="640" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The hermit crabs were the coolest thing. I've never been to a beach with these before. We brought home one small shell we thought was empty and it started to stink-- unfortunately for some crab it wasn't.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TGwwyeV3leM/X2-tn3IkfoI/AAAAAAAA2Oo/Uq4iOT5d000IyLiOOiScm87IDaEDh3PagCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200714_131251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TGwwyeV3leM/X2-tn3IkfoI/AAAAAAAA2Oo/Uq4iOT5d000IyLiOOiScm87IDaEDh3PagCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200714_131251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUUaIUje1aY/X2-tn9U2l4I/AAAAAAAA2Oo/62BPIm33l60b4u8Gc-SG55mkfua0CbvpgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200714_170857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUUaIUje1aY/X2-tn9U2l4I/AAAAAAAA2Oo/62BPIm33l60b4u8Gc-SG55mkfua0CbvpgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200714_170857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh how teens love pictures. Hyrum is especially funny here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The only hitch was that it was another summer of classes for me. I really wanted to use the time because the future is uncertain for us in regards to when exactly this bone marrow transplant is happening and I want to get <i>done</i> with this Public Health degree. I ended up taking 12 credits, 6 for my BA at BYUI (health administration and health communications) and 6 for my prerequisites to the RN to BSN program with Austin Community College (Texas government and US History II). It was an endurance summer. I'm tired of taking classes that are just random required courses that have nothing to do with nursing. So cool they have a BA program at ACC though. I'm glad I can just stick with them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zh6lrLjQEqI/X2-tn2Kv0AI/AAAAAAAA2Oo/ePRLJGSimlohMg_igW-Wne4_z-6shAY6wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200714_131209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zh6lrLjQEqI/X2-tn2Kv0AI/AAAAAAAA2Oo/ePRLJGSimlohMg_igW-Wne4_z-6shAY6wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/20200714_131209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All the crabs we collected heading out to sea before we left.<span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p></div>nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-6451724801763930202020-08-23T14:09:00.000-07:002020-08-23T14:09:07.431-07:00Will's 8th Birthday<p>Planning Will's birthday parties are difficult during normal times, so when people are not supposed to be gathering was a challenge. We were <i>supposed</i> to be at my parent's house in Washington for his birthday, so I thought I had it covered. Instead the cases of Coronavirus skyrocketed here in Texas and we decided we had to cancel-- <i>again</i>. Huge bummer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7JrCmJdYeY/X0LY-W6cf1I/AAAAAAAA1Y0/H6xd1vtiSB443hq4BElrE5aL7q906Fe1gCPcBGAsYHg/s3067/20200709_225459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2073" data-original-width="3067" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7JrCmJdYeY/X0LY-W6cf1I/AAAAAAAA1Y0/H6xd1vtiSB443hq4BElrE5aL7q906Fe1gCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200709_225459.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">By some miracle I came up with the idea of having his birthday at a lake we went to a couple of times last summer with some friends of ours (Dean and Aleece Wilcox) and their son Cooper, who Will loves. I called Aleece and what-do-ya-know they were planning to be there with some family that day. I was so glad we had a plan. Sarah & Sage came, we did sandwiches and cake, a pinata, and Will and Cooper made awesome birthday memories with glow sticks in the lake.</p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRYY0Ck1D_E/X0LY-Q9fnsI/AAAAAAAA1Y0/lyNO7GajB7sNbJOgD5WxA7VwZLVAkq_igCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200709_211440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VRYY0Ck1D_E/X0LY-Q9fnsI/AAAAAAAA1Y0/lyNO7GajB7sNbJOgD5WxA7VwZLVAkq_igCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200709_211440.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhcy4ccRx70/X0LY-e6qASI/AAAAAAAA1Y0/-5MqyokdAFAumQHT7q0SRDDeHHLr6cszwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200709_211555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uhcy4ccRx70/X0LY-e6qASI/AAAAAAAA1Y0/-5MqyokdAFAumQHT7q0SRDDeHHLr6cszwCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200709_211555.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJD--p2XAtE/X0LY-ZZgnkI/AAAAAAAA1Y0/L8PZBTICB4oqMfj-119pWK2u8nELGjo2ACPcBGAsYHg/s4025/20200709_230712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2937" data-original-width="4025" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJD--p2XAtE/X0LY-ZZgnkI/AAAAAAAA1Y0/L8PZBTICB4oqMfj-119pWK2u8nELGjo2ACPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200709_230712.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHzdDdi5nB8/X0LY-aoeCQI/AAAAAAAA1Y0/sLKHGQTmgBIO-P3pVXP4y7qbp--QY-PQwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200709_224922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHzdDdi5nB8/X0LY-aoeCQI/AAAAAAAA1Y0/sLKHGQTmgBIO-P3pVXP4y7qbp--QY-PQwCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200709_224922.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p>nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-39465662664889902802020-08-22T19:13:00.007-07:002020-08-22T19:13:59.211-07:004th of July <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uJIpyYjDg8/X0HPZbT1ciI/AAAAAAAA1WE/uIHX35Myrzk4j3FOOd_L2px0GaQXBwghACPcBGAsYHg/s3968/20200704_211920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1880" data-original-width="3968" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uJIpyYjDg8/X0HPZbT1ciI/AAAAAAAA1WE/uIHX35Myrzk4j3FOOd_L2px0GaQXBwghACPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200704_211920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a different sort of 4th this year with all the normal festivities cancelled. Our city still held their firework show, which was great. People who got tickets had to sit by their cars and then fight their way out of traffic (no thanks). We made a good call and found a place to park a ways away where we could get out easily. John didn't come because he insisted he was going to have a friend over. (Didn't happen.)</div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I1FmBDgMLBg/X0HPZa4N9-I/AAAAAAAA1WE/9EL3_L3bQIAWcfMqQUvNoHwHapYCtlWjACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200704_212837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I1FmBDgMLBg/X0HPZa4N9-I/AAAAAAAA1WE/9EL3_L3bQIAWcfMqQUvNoHwHapYCtlWjACPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200704_212837.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sp1fzt2WFr8/X0HPZSZwH_I/AAAAAAAA1WE/q0j17B6PTN43P-ljNmCnhx-vXrS05d4FgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200704_214042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sp1fzt2WFr8/X0HPZSZwH_I/AAAAAAAA1WE/q0j17B6PTN43P-ljNmCnhx-vXrS05d4FgCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200704_214042.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sarah showed up later with Lucy and Tucker and we all sat around in the parking lot of an auto parts store enjoyed the show. With the reduction in formal celebrations the sales of fireworks skyrocketed this year and people were having their own personal shows all over the place. I think that was happening all over the country.</div><p></p>nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-78100628013198675482020-08-22T19:04:00.003-07:002020-08-22T19:04:48.687-07:00June 25, 2020 our 26th wedding anniversary<p>Our 26th anniversary started out with a morning Zoom appointment to talk to our doctor about Peter's test results from his 3rd biopsy, 2nd with DNA testing. We had been anxious about it for a while because waiting for test results are always the worst part, and we were concerned that if we got bad news it would cast a shadow on our anniversary trip. The news wasn't great. They feel that the condition has progressed and we have entered the phase where we need to start planning the bone marrow transplant. We weren't expecting that, but in a strange way it was a little bit of a relief for Peter to have a plan instead of the lingering uncertainty about when this is going to happen. We left directly afterwards and it didn't taint the weekend for us. Instead we had two glorious nights in Fredericksburg, TX, walking through the town and the shops, eating delicious food and sleeping whenever we wanted.</p><p><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vk81Orni94/X0HHKwMSgAI/AAAAAAAA1RU/3l8JRU4KeKc95gU4uAJyTTdQUZ5TZImFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2576/20200625_180757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="2576" height="379" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vk81Orni94/X0HHKwMSgAI/AAAAAAAA1RU/3l8JRU4KeKc95gU4uAJyTTdQUZ5TZImFgCLcBGAsYHQ/w800-h379/20200625_180757.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><br /></p><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JZcU2Um_WA/X0HLcEWCWOI/AAAAAAAA1VA/KcfvZ9_yelgw87mVQPC1j1QRO05Sx_X-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200626_114521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0JZcU2Um_WA/X0HLcEWCWOI/AAAAAAAA1VA/KcfvZ9_yelgw87mVQPC1j1QRO05Sx_X-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200626_114521.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szTNvJ3emss/X0HHPF1greI/AAAAAAAA1R4/KGBaTpfbZ2EFn3qeSBXu8X2X5NdRCoe-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200626_203657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-szTNvJ3emss/X0HHPF1greI/AAAAAAAA1R4/KGBaTpfbZ2EFn3qeSBXu8X2X5NdRCoe-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200626_203657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Outside the Museum of the Pacific at dusk</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-22H6X9ii_No/X0HHM74dLmI/AAAAAAAA1Rs/7jwuJmFRRiM11CJrKpsRZHVv8Fajmlu6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200626_203402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-22H6X9ii_No/X0HHM74dLmI/AAAAAAAA1Rs/7jwuJmFRRiM11CJrKpsRZHVv8Fajmlu6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200626_203402.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9lwTXkHoYM/X0HHLpD4PHI/AAAAAAAA1Rg/OurMpe4lFtMVGkp50RzF2Oo3tOZjM0UlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200626_143351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9lwTXkHoYM/X0HHLpD4PHI/AAAAAAAA1Rg/OurMpe4lFtMVGkp50RzF2Oo3tOZjM0UlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200626_143351.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The museum had a system of keeping the numbers of visitors to a certain quota for Covid, so it wasn't crowded. It is a museum of a lot of words, but I love stories about the people who fought in the Pacific and the story about<span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Nimitz who served as Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas during World War II. A portion of the museum is in a hotel that was run by the family.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0FfvgSuST-M/X0HHMzgybBI/AAAAAAAA1Rw/2VH26TeUml0XwYdgd29y79gm8UZwzGXmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200626_202150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0FfvgSuST-M/X0HHMzgybBI/AAAAAAAA1Rw/2VH26TeUml0XwYdgd29y79gm8UZwzGXmQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200626_202150.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Iw_HWZD80Y/X0HHMQ_cHSI/AAAAAAAA1Ro/qPq2d0MnuYA9mGaH0tjjLqsazSfmXWISACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200626_202134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Iw_HWZD80Y/X0HHMQ_cHSI/AAAAAAAA1Ro/qPq2d0MnuYA9mGaH0tjjLqsazSfmXWISACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200626_202134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The houses in the downtown are all made of this type of stone. They are gorgeous and go back as far as the 1850's. I love the carriage entries in the yards. There were so many adorable cottages and stunning yards and plants. I was wishing I could grow a lot of it in my yard and took a lot of pictures of plants I hope I might be able to. I think the climate here is a little different than where we are in Austin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui_xA4HdGaA/X0HKI8QwqlI/AAAAAAAA1UU/jlGLY85-ch0S6R5iZ-n4cPG8w_-Ur6niwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200626_202531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ui_xA4HdGaA/X0HKI8QwqlI/AAAAAAAA1UU/jlGLY85-ch0S6R5iZ-n4cPG8w_-Ur6niwCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200626_202531.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRMdgFYK7GI/X0HKI97T5BI/AAAAAAAA1UU/jAzHzNmMxM0rJovytmkWvDiHkBBQ-FmSACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200626_203515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nRMdgFYK7GI/X0HKI97T5BI/AAAAAAAA1UU/jAzHzNmMxM0rJovytmkWvDiHkBBQ-FmSACPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200626_203515.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rKax6cuvdk/X0HKI_9tueI/AAAAAAAA1UU/km2ytHd4VJQumLFTrODwDvcsL2SNk1CfwCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200626_210348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_rKax6cuvdk/X0HKI_9tueI/AAAAAAAA1UU/km2ytHd4VJQumLFTrODwDvcsL2SNk1CfwCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200626_210348.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F20jBLBDQwI/X0HLYpdl7FI/AAAAAAAA1Ug/SbJV4s34N8cMrLqUSChc-nH8wUyHk0ZNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200627_090512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F20jBLBDQwI/X0HLYpdl7FI/AAAAAAAA1Ug/SbJV4s34N8cMrLqUSChc-nH8wUyHk0ZNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200627_090512.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>While we were there we wanted to go back to an art gallery to buy some work by a watercolor artist we met 2 years prior. He was a </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdZaonBDEUI/X0HMrkAwRkI/AAAAAAAA1VU/L0fzuibnc4Iicxz5UF6E0ztMLM7QtQqVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/26952539_10213397933640551_1245011508686953595_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdZaonBDEUI/X0HMrkAwRkI/AAAAAAAA1VU/L0fzuibnc4Iicxz5UF6E0ztMLM7QtQqVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/26952539_10213397933640551_1245011508686953595_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">On the way home we stopped in Marble Falls to see if we could purchase some paintings from an artist we met back in 2018. On my birthday that year we met Johnnie Fields, an architect and artist who's work I fell in love with. A WWII and Korean War vet, Mr. Fields was 90 years old, married 67 years, and at the time was still working, driving, and golfing. We first went to their shop we had visited in 2018, only to find that it was gone. We found the new location only to discover it was closed. Unbelievably I knocked and found his daughter had come into the studio to do a little painting that Saturday and she let us in. Turned out that he had died only weeks before and all of his paintings of bluebonnets, which we had particularly been looking for, had been sold. They were closing the shop and selling off the remainder of his paintings and we were able to buy several at discounted prices and I was so glad we were at least able to do that. It was such a shame we didn't come earlier. I had a feeling we might miss out if we waited. </span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">His daughter let us take our time browsing the shop and these are the paintings we purchased. I love them all.</span></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yK9XskoI68o/X0HLY8Cp_zI/AAAAAAAA1Uo/v7OMikLrmkQFNvPMubYEKbpD9n2QCMAkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200627_143735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yK9XskoI68o/X0HLY8Cp_zI/AAAAAAAA1Uo/v7OMikLrmkQFNvPMubYEKbpD9n2QCMAkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200627_143735.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">This is actually a painting of a house in Fredericksburg.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCe9-30H640/X0HLY3FU54I/AAAAAAAA1Uk/iOoxDwIrf2oOJcZjdjG3vKrAuZV2cp6dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200627_143807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCe9-30H640/X0HLY3FU54I/AAAAAAAA1Uk/iOoxDwIrf2oOJcZjdjG3vKrAuZV2cp6dQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200627_143807.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZE1wUNWuB4/X0HLZbIKNgI/AAAAAAAA1Us/Tvi0dZ0bTJkzpJ-HsbbbMP270WrTsdz6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200627_143836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZE1wUNWuB4/X0HLZbIKNgI/AAAAAAAA1Us/Tvi0dZ0bTJkzpJ-HsbbbMP270WrTsdz6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200627_143836.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">I love the little nuns in this mission painting.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwCOZIXytjw/X0HLZweQ5fI/AAAAAAAA1Uw/rkQdmz1rKkotpwBhq56a8pTPoVYyOVs3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200627_143852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwCOZIXytjw/X0HLZweQ5fI/AAAAAAAA1Uw/rkQdmz1rKkotpwBhq56a8pTPoVYyOVs3gCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200627_143852.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As usual, Peter spoiled me.</div><br /><p></p>nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-23435355455129069932020-08-22T18:31:00.003-07:002020-08-22T19:39:29.933-07:00Neverending summer<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYP2axGIq6k/X0HFSX8cLrI/AAAAAAAA1PI/DHsHpNtA7wsKnZvLzvEHZx4duQPtFXn-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200607_172025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYP2axGIq6k/X0HFSX8cLrI/AAAAAAAA1PI/DHsHpNtA7wsKnZvLzvEHZx4duQPtFXn-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200607_172025.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Will & I back when it was cool enough to go on walks earlier this summer. This was the second wave of wildflowers and I was so happy to see it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QEhYoKRInzA/X0HFRmUWHTI/AAAAAAAA1O8/m5BppXjQQGgMaZA0GgXY_l-aX-lqV_NRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200602_201520.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peter's biking pictures</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0j237OGdoYk/X0HF6TzwPiI/AAAAAAAA1Q8/InkOi227wBQTaWhnwOzfKzRUDsE0a6NmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200613_084300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0j237OGdoYk/X0HF6TzwPiI/AAAAAAAA1Q8/InkOi227wBQTaWhnwOzfKzRUDsE0a6NmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200613_084300.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFn5MVdZ4Oo/X0HFRxdnSyI/AAAAAAAA1PE/eWOOvh9HhvQf5G8X87O2St40BMRfqkUqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200528_194441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fFn5MVdZ4Oo/X0HFRxdnSyI/AAAAAAAA1PE/eWOOvh9HhvQf5G8X87O2St40BMRfqkUqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200528_194441.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The boys basically have endless time on their hands. It was a real challenge to figure out what to do with him when I was in four classes and there was no place I could take him indoors when it was so hot outside. All of the kids play areas are closed due to Covid and we've been home since March.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlZcKLSVk9U/X0HFR9KCjqI/AAAAAAAA1PA/cIiHgmW310gRc4bjxAwWXb5ScKPneTxJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200528_064439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VlZcKLSVk9U/X0HFR9KCjqI/AAAAAAAA1PA/cIiHgmW310gRc4bjxAwWXb5ScKPneTxJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200528_064439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> This is just a hilarious picture of Lucy. She's really struggling through this all as you can see.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8-apfMT8bs/X0HWXcb__HI/AAAAAAAA1WY/6ue_8Kgw7FAjCcfNoPpZM2yhkHHe4Q53wCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200630_193847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z8-apfMT8bs/X0HWXcb__HI/AAAAAAAA1WY/6ue_8Kgw7FAjCcfNoPpZM2yhkHHe4Q53wCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200630_193847.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My friend Courtney got adventurous one day and did a hike with the kids out to see the dinosaur tracks. She was a gem and helped me talk through my study guide for a history exam I had. She knew way more about US history than I did and could have probably taken the test for me without studying.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wwual_j-tCA/X0HWXQF8IaI/AAAAAAAA1WY/bqQbm_xbTVkXNPLSzwKd4FEsWgg-GEaAQCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/20200630_193909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wwual_j-tCA/X0HWXQF8IaI/AAAAAAAA1WY/bqQbm_xbTVkXNPLSzwKd4FEsWgg-GEaAQCPcBGAsYHg/s640/20200630_193909.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-42262463008911388562020-05-28T23:18:00.001-07:002020-05-29T07:22:42.030-07:00Meeting Thomas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I finished my last nursing final on May 12, worked the 13th, packed the 14th and we left on Friday the 15th for Utah to finally meet Thomas.</span></div>
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New Mexico skies are my favorite.</div>
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And here he is!! Here is Peter holding him for the first time. He is about a month old here.</div>
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And me! The blanket he is wrapped in here was made by my grandma for Nathaniel, so Thomas is wrapped in a blanket made by his great, great grandma. (And it's still holding up great!)</div>
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Will is an uncle!!</div>
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Got together with Sam & Rebecca for some BBQ</div>
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Look at this boy!!</div>
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I'm not sure how I feel about being a grandma yet, but looking into this face and hearing his sweet baby noises was pretty amazing. People have asked me what I plan to have my grandkids call me. I don't know to be honest, so it will probably just be grandma.</div>
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While we were there we saw Aaron and Kaitlen and I had to get a picture of her peonies in the yard. They have such a cute little house.</div>
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And oh my goodness this guy can't get any cuter. I swear he reminds me so much of Aaron I can't stand it.</div>
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Peter got this incredibly adorable picture.</div>
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While I was there I finally got out my new watercolors. I've been wanting to try them out for years and finally decided it was time. It was really fun. I'd like to take some classes.</div>
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As you can see here Nancy is basically the cutest mom ever. I'm so lucky to have her as a daughter-in-law 💙</div>
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While we were there we got to see Hannah. She was such a sport and came and took pictures for us at a park in Provo.</div>
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We also got to see Sam and Rebecca. We were hoping to hike Stewart Falls with them on our last day but the weather didn't cooperate. Hopefully we'll be able to do it when we come back in a couple months.</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">All the cousins!!</span></div>
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Peter got this fabulous shot on one of his bike rides of Utah Lake in Saratoga Springs right where Nathaniel and Nancy live.</div>
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Will and I scoped out downtown Saratoga Springs while Peter finally got an actual professional haircut. They never closed down the salons in Utah, or technically the state. We ate snow cones with cream and Will scored some fake mustaches' at a stationary store. Peter is one mean looking hombre with his stash isn't he?</div>
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We were able to make an appointment to meet with my grandpa through the glass of his assisted living facility. He's such a special man. We are so lucky to have him in our lives. He'll be 90 this year. Can't believe it. Holding out hope that they at least let us meet outside with him 6 feet away by the next time we come. They can't keep these people in there forever. The facility is expanding and we were on the side of the expansion and the construction noise was so loud it made a situation where it was already hard to hear even worse. Next time we are asking for the north side!!<br />
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Will was extremely cute. His cuteness and my grandpa's cuteness are almost too much for my heart. So glad we got these picures of this. What a caption of this part of his history.</div>
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We're going to miss this little Nachito. I wish we lived closer, but we do the best with what we have. Peter was bummed we were leaving.</div>
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Finally got a picture of John & Thomas at the last minute.</div>
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Because Stewart Falls didn't pan out we decided to meet everyone for breakfast. Claire had arrived in town that morning as well, so we had a big family meal at the Magleby's in Springville. Very fancy!</div>
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Hannah and Claire have, of course, the most photogenic genes. They are so close as sisters. On our way out we stopped in Moab, where we had intended to spend the night but apparently despite Covid all of the hotel rooms were full because it was Labor Day weekend. I don't know why people get so excited for a holiday weekend when we've basically been on a vacation for the last 2 months- haha! We stopped and went through the shops instead-- one of our favorite things. So much fun. We got some art and t-shirts and John picked out the ugliest knife I've ever seen. But I guess you do you...</div>
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Hannah has been making the cutest yarn decorations for sale and I bought this one! I had no idea it was going to be this big but I love it!!</div>
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It was disappointing that Arches wasn't open in Moab either because of Covid. This 19-hour drive about does us all in. Peter's feet swell, my sciatic starts really flaring up and the boys start getting testy after a while. They're both pretty good troopers about it though. We opted for KFC on the way there and back because it is something everyone will usually eat and neither time could they give us plates,napkins, or silverware because of Covid restrictions. So how are we exactly supposed to eat fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy in large sharable tubs? Oh well, you know me. I had all the supplies for every scenario stashed in the back of the van. Still dumb though if you ask me.</div>
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I was so, so happy to be home I thought, "As long as I'm here I'll never complain about anything again! I'll live a life of gratitude"! That didn't last very long, but reminded me how much I love where I love and the great support system we have here.</div>
nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-11475950983245053882020-05-28T21:02:00.004-07:002020-05-29T06:48:02.458-07:00My Texas Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_1oRBHFwho/XtCGkFzL8-I/AAAAAAAAv-Q/ErG2XxM_-3U8Al-7VHl9ZqzQd13E5cTjQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/20200525_184537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O_1oRBHFwho/XtCGkFzL8-I/AAAAAAAAv-Q/ErG2XxM_-3U8Al-7VHl9ZqzQd13E5cTjQCPcBGAYYCw/s640/20200525_184537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first thing I did upon arriving back home from Utah was scope out my garden. (You can see we are unloading the van in the background.) All the plants were so happy after all the storms we had while we were gone. I haven't planted my annual slew of plants yet this year. I was kind of waiting until we got back from our trip. Instead I've been adding all kinds of lawn decor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my favorite recent addition- my Texas armadillo. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He looks so natural in his little spot here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been giving Will nail polish to paint rocks to keep him occupied. He has a favorite one right now that he keeps in the house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Someone in the ward moved and gave a couple of buckets of geodes to another friend in the ward, then when that friend moved they gave them to us. We haven't cracked any open yet but I bet Will would be really into that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My dad gave me this gnome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">First gardenia of the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is one plant I've never been able to grow before we moved here.</span></div>
nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-29661836215182197442020-05-08T21:18:00.004-07:002020-05-28T23:30:32.510-07:00Peter turns 49<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Peter had his last birthday of his 40's this week. Rebecca came for the week so she was able to be there, which was really nice. Look at this cute little painting she did for me on the white paper I wrapped his new earbuds in. Sarah went with me to pick out his gifts at Costco because I <i>really</i> didn't feel like going by myself. He also got an electric toothbrush, some Lorna Doones, and Nutter Butters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I caught this shot of beautiful Colorado River as we neared downtown to pick up Rebecca.</span></div>
<br />nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-70537771318773782032020-05-08T20:59:00.002-07:002020-05-08T21:06:06.030-07:00Quarantine haircuts and sleepless nights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sarah came over a couple of Sundays ago and gave me what everyone is calling the quarantine haircut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After she left I had Peter cut some more off the back. When I got in front of my mirror in the bathroom I used a hand mirror to do some more trimming. I think it actually came out pretty well! Then Peter gave in and let me cut his because his sideburns were getting to be too much for Sarah and I to handle. Peter and I decided to get a picture of our handiwork. Look how cute we are 😘</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: start;">Will and I go to the park almost every day and I have to get pictures of this stuff because it is seriously like living history right now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, the toilet paper aisles are still looking like this...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">and there is now a public scare over meat shortages and stores are limiting purchases of it again. </span><br />
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Apparently meat factory workers are getting sick with Coronavirus and they are having to shut down to clean and disinfect, and some farmers are even having to kill their livestock. Not sure I understand why that is. I went to Costco and the entire cooler of chicken was gone and masks are now mandatory in their store. </div>
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As for myself I haven't been able to sleep very well at all. I'm clenching my jaw so hard at night it hurts all the way to my ear on the left side and now it pops incessantly and my body hurts in the morning because I think I'm tensing up in my sleep. Wednesday I drove to my psychiatrist appointment only to find the office closed. Turns out he had sent me a link to an online visit (lost 10 minutes of my 30 min appointment--uggh) and so I sat in the car and did it from my phone. I told him about my sleep, which is a huge thing in mental health whether you have a diagnosed condition or not because it affects everything. I'm awakened in the night (like 3:30) in a panic. The latest one I was having a dream and I woke up to an an extremely loud alarm-- like a smoke detector. It had nothing to do with the narrative of the dream but it had me startled out of sleep and wide awake and instantly on edge until I realized there was no alarm and it must have been a dream. These middle of the night awakenings keep happening, and unlike normal times where I might lay there awake but too tired to do anything else I'm wide awake for hours. Last time I just studied in the hopes I'd eventually fall asleep. I was awake until almost 7:30. The doctor said it sounded very much like a mixed episode and prescribed something I only take when I need to for sleep but it made me so groggy the next morning I don't know if it'll be helpful. I don't think it is out of the ordinary to be struggling right now. We don't even know if we'll be sending kids to school in the fall, or when we will be able to go to church again.</div>
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Also the long days at work that start with getting up at 5am are pretty rough. Yesterday I wondered if I'm going to be able to do this 3 days a week when I'm a full-time nurse. For 12 hours you are dealing with people and trying to be positive when they are often struggling, needy, cranky, angry, demanding, or sad. This is trying enough but when I get the a demeaning nurse or two I can get real feisty, real quick. (Gratefully that is the exception.) When I'm just trying to get through school is probably not the time to be thinking about these things.</div>
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nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-31909753032275056062020-05-08T19:53:00.003-07:002020-05-08T19:53:52.787-07:00Running towards the finish line of level 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lecture this day went for 5 hours. I was so tired and everyone was still sleeping so I grabbed my pillow and laid on the floor. I slept through some of it. Rolling out of bed, not having to get up early to shower, drive 30 min, book it up to the campus, and then sit for hours and hours in a lecture are big benefits of this transition to online school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Very stressful this week as I've had both BYUI and ACC classes and an exam every week for nursing and I've been struggling with it. In some ways it hasn't been as bad as I thought, but in others I'm getting really done with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Tuesday is my final exam and then my 3rd semester of nursing school is OVER!!</span></div>
<br />nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-36259000691899531282020-05-08T17:05:00.002-07:002020-05-08T21:06:56.934-07:00Lucy in quarantine (because of Covid I can spell that now without spellcheck) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cegBw2Xnk60/XrXzG9DhVmI/AAAAAAAAuDQ/ljlBVTGLpisA-6g4wTo1LDB6r42btxc2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200428_153954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1080" height="309" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cegBw2Xnk60/XrXzG9DhVmI/AAAAAAAAuDQ/ljlBVTGLpisA-6g4wTo1LDB6r42btxc2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200428_153954.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This picture on Facebook cracked me up. Too true.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lucy loves walks and going outside while I work on the lawn so she can drink out of our neighbors fountains. She's pretty obedient about staying close when I tell her to.</span></div>
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<br />nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-81975821665482008032020-05-08T16:57:00.001-07:002020-05-08T21:27:35.335-07:00Will's days at home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With school being out we have been spending a lot of time together as a family. I'd have to say overall it is going really well. We were having so much trouble with Will at school this school year. It was taking a big toll on Peter and I as we wondered what we were in for every day as we went to pick him up. His teacher always met us outside to tell us how the day went, and it was more often than not bad news. Turning over desks, ripping up paper, throwing markers at people, getting rough on the playground-- it was all getting to be too much for us to handle because we didn't know what to do about it. We tried every type of bribery but it was more and more obvious he just wasn't happy there. We highly considered pulling him out of school after the Christmas break but with the tax season upon us and me in nursing school I just didn't think we could do it. He has been so much happier as a home-schooled student and it really has gone a lot better than I thought it would have. Granted, we are only spending about an hour a day on it. I hear you really only have to spend about 2 hours a day when you are really homeschooling to basically get the same education you are getting with kids at school all day. I wouldn't doubt it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> In the meantime, his front teeth are coming in. We haven't seen front teeth on this boy since we had to take them out around 18 months old! He's so cute 💙</span></div>
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Sarah called me the other day to let me know their apartment had a little event going on at their complex with a free shave ice stand. I ran and he rode his bike over there and we got a couple of them. I tipped them 10 bucks because there's no doubt they need it right now. It felt good to do something normal.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the way home we stopped to take pictures of the flowers. All the love:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I love watching him play from upstairs when I'm working out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I also just like to see a clean living room once in a while. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's the best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But sometimes I just see this--</span> 😅😅😅😅</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Did I mention I'm also improving my art skills? </span></div>
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We get a little homework done every day. Sometimes we submit photos as part of the assignment. This week science was about forces.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here was his letter to his class.</span></div>
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And this week I got creative and got out a bunch of old fingernail polish to paint the rocks he's always bringing home. I always end up with rocks in my fanny pack on the way home from the park. It turned out to be a really nice diversion.</div>
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This one is his favorite. He calls it his "crystal rock".</div>
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<br />nathanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828893010965497073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-53575107705151029982020-04-23T14:57:00.004-07:002020-04-23T14:57:54.319-07:00Disappointments and BlessingsI woke up today to a reminder on my phone that Nancy's graduation was at 10am. The graduation that was cancelled weeks ago. I would have been there today to see her walk holding my little bean Thomas. It was a little bit of a downer to think about but I'm getting over it. No one could have foreseen this crazy life we are all living now. Talk is going about slowly opening things back up and Peter wants to drive down next month to see them. He's ready to see this baby too. I'm so amazed Nancy got her BA in statistics. What the heck? <div>
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Worked on Saturday and then again yesterday. They finally started letting us wear masks a few weeks ago and now it is required. They have people at the front door screening people as they come in (mostly workers) with questions and forehead scans for temperature. There are no visitors still, unless you are having a major surgery, in which case you can have one person for 24 hours, but once they leave they can't come back. Definitely ready for this to end.</div>
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The masks are a little stifling as you can imagine, but not as bad as the cloth ones I wear to the store and such. Taking a phlebotomy class next month which I'm excited about because then I'll be able to start doing labs which will really help me start IV's successfully. Plus, it's just a skill I want to be able to do. I am soo glad I got this job. Not only do I love it-- like REALLY love it, but I'd not be able to step foot into a hospital until the fall. And even then who really knows if we'll be able to do that. I had a woman yesterday who kept telling me she really appreciated me and she wondered why I stayed in the room so much instead of going in and out quickly. Well, for one thing she has to be fed, but I told her we try to be with the patients as much as we can. It is really the most amazing thing to be with people in their most vulnerable moments and they can be so thankful. I always feel like I get more out of my job then they do by the end of the day. (Well, most days--lol.)</div>
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I leave the house by 5am and don't get back until 8pm at the earliest, so usually I am a lump on the couch after I've showered. Makes for some good sleep though. Got to see Sarah a few times yesterday and we had lunch together. All the hearts...💙💙</div>
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Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-9612718343655247292020-04-23T14:41:00.002-07:002020-04-23T14:41:20.762-07:00John turns 16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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John turned 16 on Monday the 20th. Sarah came and we all sat on the front lawn while eating and waiting for people to come by with ice cold root beer.</div>
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We invited people in the ward to do a "drive-by" social distancing visit to him. </div>
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A few people came, which was really nice. The Hunters, the Cannons, and Brother Jason Davis. He knows all of them from young men and of course Bishop Cannon. They even brought gifts of candy and soda and some really cool t-shirts and a sweatshirt! </div>
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I asked him if he liked this sign. He said it was a "bit much," which I think means he liked it.</div>
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My new Spanish dress went well for the occasion because John wanted enchiladas for dinner. He got some junk food that he likes, and Amazon gift card from my parents, a t-shirt and art supplies from Sarah, and a guitar, which should arrive by Friday...</div>
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Quarantine birthdays are a little weird, but considering how many things I had to do with my BYUI classes starting the same day and an exam in my mental health class I'd say it went pretty well.</div>
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<br />Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-78096757874034385512020-04-23T12:51:00.000-07:002020-04-23T12:51:54.439-07:00Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Know who I love? This guy. It was 25 years for us last year. We've had hard things and so many good things just like everyone else so I'd be false if I said it has always been smooth sailing. I'd say there was a few times I didn't know for sure if we'd make it. But I think over time you either grow closer together or further apart. Gratefully we found our way to the latter.</div>
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We've come a long way together. Not nearly as far as some, but farther than others. Five kids, eleven moves, multiple business and jobs. We've made a lot of friends over the years, and a lot of those people are in marriages not unlike ours, may for a lot longer. So, I'm not saying this because I think we are special. I'm just saying it because it is. Love is a lot of things, isn't it? It is easy to take it for granted. I love him fiercely. I knew that before. It's just more prominent in our minds now.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OjcTF6lFCYo/Xpfjrq7bIBI/AAAAAAAAKAg/UFhREQmbRcsE0c86k0FVH_a9lUw-KukIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20190830_174126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OjcTF6lFCYo/Xpfjrq7bIBI/AAAAAAAAKAg/UFhREQmbRcsE0c86k0FVH_a9lUw-KukIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20190830_174126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This brings me to one of my favorite things is to take pictures of Peter just being Peter. Life is too short to not capture this stuff. And also it's funny. Soo funny.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YGA9K_1NdI/Xpfjrh7dI_I/AAAAAAAAKAc/zDvNbh3t__Mrz2gErroHvIkPOnNv0oefACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20190908_101920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YGA9K_1NdI/Xpfjrh7dI_I/AAAAAAAAKAc/zDvNbh3t__Mrz2gErroHvIkPOnNv0oefACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20190908_101920.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And adorable. This is how I would picture him in 1930. He even has his newspaper.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zkz_i8IIL4/XpfjsKes0wI/AAAAAAAAKAo/FzU72tLMNGwYgyRXjTf69O-kNBgqBhCoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20190913_161029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zkz_i8IIL4/XpfjsKes0wI/AAAAAAAAKAo/FzU72tLMNGwYgyRXjTf69O-kNBgqBhCoACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20190913_161029.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here's his heroic self cleaning out the fridge when the compressor died and I couldn't bring myself to do it. Fun fact: It does NOT take long for the fridge to start stinking when it's not cold.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SK0muvenf4s/XpfjsQDrI2I/AAAAAAAAKAs/LVbXPi9n9NMGEBhk2qsjXVsVoAgIYRmggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20191103_210457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SK0muvenf4s/XpfjsQDrI2I/AAAAAAAAKAs/LVbXPi9n9NMGEBhk2qsjXVsVoAgIYRmggCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20191103_210457.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I find him in around the house just doing random things. Like yoga. In the closet. Or on the side of the bed at midnight. But here I guess he was just stretching out on his ipad.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23PEVaQ4mnQ/Xpfjsh1rNMI/AAAAAAAAKAw/sG4DUYLU0Akqh3IN0bqxFfod5piwFZPVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20191202_115850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23PEVaQ4mnQ/Xpfjsh1rNMI/AAAAAAAAKAw/sG4DUYLU0Akqh3IN0bqxFfod5piwFZPVACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20191202_115850.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I came home from school one day and found him in his office like this. Aft first I thought he was naked. (He was wearing shorts). The second he saw me he knew I was going to lose it and he tried to wave me away as I laughed and took this picture and he tried to maintain his professional tone on the phone. I guess he got an important call as he was getting ready to shower. Of course I had to send the picture to the kids immediately.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXRXyNOw5c8/Xpfjsh6Ns8I/AAAAAAAAKA0/yX-Zd21YsfsyLVT53nMFW5m-1buEwDMVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20191207_115035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="760" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXRXyNOw5c8/Xpfjsh6Ns8I/AAAAAAAAKA0/yX-Zd21YsfsyLVT53nMFW5m-1buEwDMVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20191207_115035.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
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He's been quite the biker the last couple of years. It's been so good for him. We have literally hundreds of biking photos in our google photos.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQiTpb4oAR8/Xpfjt6Q9ftI/AAAAAAAAKBE/qzXHTVh2QfIkPyGPrgLdmSXZPwm2BFjCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200225_154415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQiTpb4oAR8/Xpfjt6Q9ftI/AAAAAAAAKBE/qzXHTVh2QfIkPyGPrgLdmSXZPwm2BFjCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200225_154415.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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S ometimes he humors me when I go to take his picture, like here. Not often, but occasionally. This is how I find him a lot of days after I get home from a long day of school. He wears these thermal things to bed and when he gets up he just puts on shorts and a t-shirt over it. And the baseball hat. And then the flip flops. He rarely wears anything else because he has neuropathy in his feet. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLdiz-EYP4Y/XpfjuZTmKkI/AAAAAAAAKBI/sXjVD9QHfJkEZ4QF1_to5Zz8WUfQ75uuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200302_150816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLdiz-EYP4Y/XpfjuZTmKkI/AAAAAAAAKBI/sXjVD9QHfJkEZ4QF1_to5Zz8WUfQ75uuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200302_150816.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
I mean, it really isn't a joke. This happens all the time. I especially appreciate it when he hasn't even taken off his breathe right. I always know when he's had a client come to the house in the winter because he's not wearing those thermals. And occasionally, very occasionally, he's wearing a button-down shirt.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0ZlJuDIzv8/Xpfju-1jcII/AAAAAAAAKBM/rOVKEmrimdwnOrRi007J58KIupTzrjNlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200307_205601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0ZlJuDIzv8/Xpfju-1jcII/AAAAAAAAKBM/rOVKEmrimdwnOrRi007J58KIupTzrjNlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200307_205601.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is another good one. I believe he was stretching out his back.<br />
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Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-17221870866313672812020-04-15T21:35:00.001-07:002020-04-23T12:39:42.694-07:00Mini-melt down at the Costco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Cqi4hjIbVs/XpfXvs4mSbI/AAAAAAAAJ_k/olNUdWk7Of8BSinCLiJlZTM57tWr1_2dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200414_123258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Cqi4hjIbVs/XpfXvs4mSbI/AAAAAAAAJ_k/olNUdWk7Of8BSinCLiJlZTM57tWr1_2dwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200414_123258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Online school in my bathrobe over my thermals, sweats, and t-shirt. I can guarantee that most of my classmates are doing the same thing when we have a class starting at 8am and going until noon. In fact many of the have said as much. I call it "layering for lecture."</span> It's been surprisingly cold here.<br />
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In the meantime I've been sewing some masks for the kids. Sending a package tomorrow for Nathaniel, Nancy, Rebecca & Sam with their masks. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTsFFo7as70/XpfXwg6-ocI/AAAAAAAAJ_0/J2iaMtBUVugy-BnblCluKpyFCrZQzSQNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200415_174416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QTsFFo7as70/XpfXwg6-ocI/AAAAAAAAJ_0/J2iaMtBUVugy-BnblCluKpyFCrZQzSQNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200415_174416.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are four of the eight I'm sending. 2 a piece.</span></div>
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I actually had my first Covid meltdown today. I'm not even sure why. Could be so many things it's hard to choose. Not that I should complain. I know so many people have are dealing with so many things so much more difficult than I am. But today I just lost it out of the blue. I went to Costco to pick up a couple of prescriptions and did some shopping. I had to wait in a decent line outside, which is still very weird. I feel so much anxiety just going out to different places. I've heard lots of people say the same. About 75% of people were wearing masks this time compared to the about 50% I saw last week at HEB. Travis county has made it mandatory and I'm just waiting for it to become so everywhere else, including here in Williamson county. I honestly don't know why we didn't just do that in the first place.</div>
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The shelves were pretty well full. I think partly because there are only so many able to be in the store at once and because a lot of people are just not going out. But I was hoping for toilet paper and clorox wipes, neither of which they had, so that was disappointing. I noticed the clothes were stacked up pretty high. Apparently not a lot of people buying clothes. Signs were everywhere in the store like this:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBjNIvWMVuY/XqHuddUwu_I/AAAAAAAAKCY/3t8h-r05MDQ8dqscwFc78LxfeKGowWn9QCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200415_122239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uBjNIvWMVuY/XqHuddUwu_I/AAAAAAAAKCY/3t8h-r05MDQ8dqscwFc78LxfeKGowWn9QCEwYBhgL/s640/20200415_122239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At the pharmacy and all the registers there is plexiglass now and I had to hold out my card to have them scan it. It feels weird to stand over six feet away and tell the person at the register my name, address and birthdate when picking up our medication through my mask. So much for privacy. I saw a woman from my ward there and asked her why she wasn't wearing one. She said she thinks this whole thing is totally overblown. I understand where she is coming from but it was abrasively said and unnerving to me because I could tell she was angry. I didn't linger.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nzrmhAbQiQ/XqHudCkIDoI/AAAAAAAAKCQ/e_Ckr9YMJsQdUK7xyT7fOtMd3-DRGJTPwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200415_172726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nzrmhAbQiQ/XqHudCkIDoI/AAAAAAAAKCQ/e_Ckr9YMJsQdUK7xyT7fOtMd3-DRGJTPwCEwYBhgL/s640/20200415_172726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Being April 15th Peter went to the post office. I don't like him to go places much. No need to put more than one of us at risk He sent me this picture of the plastic they have hanging in there. They've extended the tax deadline by 3 months until July 15 but there was a lot of people he had committed to getting done by today. I'm hoping getting past this is going to help him find a little relief in stress but I know from experience he's going to experience the after-stress wave that always comes. You know how that goes. He gets anxious after the tax season to go somewhere and he wants to see the baby and help Nathaniel and Nancy move into their new place at the beginning of the month but a) I don't know that I think that's a good idea and b) I can't go with him right now, at least by car where I'd be gone for days. I have too much schoolwork to do. </div>
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Which brings me to the crux of the matter. I'm here all day with these two boys. Peter has to work and I need to give him time to do that. I'm also trying to have them do their schoolwork. And laundry, and dishes, and meals and yard work, and general cleaning and shopping. I spend most of my time doing one thing while feeling guilty I'm not doing something else. I should be studying and then when I'm studying I feel like I should be helping Will do his homework or taking him outside. This isn't new. I feel like this all the time during the semesters but not quite to this degree because when the kids are in school I can carve out time to actually just sit in the library at school or here in our public library. I must thrive on guilt because I spend a lot of time feeling it.</div>
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So back to Costco. As I'm standing in line to check out I got several picture texts from Nathaniel of the baby. I can't tell you how beautiful he is and how much I want to hold him and see these two new parents with their baby. I keep trying to stuff that away away but I think it crept out without me knowing. The next thing I know there is a Costco associate telling me there is something spilling from my cart. The weed & feed bag has sprung a hole and is now pouring in a pile on the floor. I have no idea how long this has been going on. They run to get a box and put it under the cart and out comes the broom. It was the dumbest thing but it was enough to throw me over the edge. After I walked out of the store after holding up my receipt to their new plexiglass stands I made it out to the parking lot before I cried. And honestly, even after writing all this, I still don't totally understand why. Courtney, my best friend here and my sanity who also happens to be our bishop's wife, said it was long overdue and she had already had several breakdowns lately. She's probably right. After I pulled into the driveway I realized it would have been smart for me to have Sarah go with me. I don't know why I didn't think of it. I'll be smarter next time.</div>
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Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-75055645043564110792020-04-13T21:58:00.003-07:002020-04-23T13:55:49.726-07:00Garden happiness 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hC8YbSHmzlc/XpU4UlbdP2I/AAAAAAAAJ7o/6skn4fq31HEHHiSszIbuui0cihM1M-L4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200326_121424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hC8YbSHmzlc/XpU4UlbdP2I/AAAAAAAAJ7o/6skn4fq31HEHHiSszIbuui0cihM1M-L4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200326_121424.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I've never been a fan of iris really because they only bloom once and take up a lot of space and their roots get all entangled, but these ones were planted before we moved here and I've enjoyed them more the last couple years. Really pretty color.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One thing about me that hasn't changed over the years is my love for my garden flowers. Texas has been a big learning curve for me that I'm only just beginning to get a hold of here as the climate is so different from anywhere else I've lived. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">It is simply too hot for many things to make it through the summer. Because my front yard is so shady I can't grow many sun-loving plants out there. I will eventually do some landscaping in the backyard where I will be able to plant those.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkxnag4asZM/XpU4U8p7vOI/AAAAAAAAJ7s/cO33C7UkowcR1mdeXKw_TyaljAaP1ASPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200330_165812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkxnag4asZM/XpU4U8p7vOI/AAAAAAAAJ7s/cO33C7UkowcR1mdeXKw_TyaljAaP1ASPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200330_165812.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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We bought these rosebushes at Home Depot on clearance because they were all kind of struggling. They've done great. Peter and I are overly proud of our bargin buy.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-raNlAjAVWrA/XpU4VFlDzqI/AAAAAAAAJ7w/waEe-Kp1glQIuXi3dWdnuwayU_OQeYj2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200330_165902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-raNlAjAVWrA/XpU4VFlDzqI/AAAAAAAAJ7w/waEe-Kp1glQIuXi3dWdnuwayU_OQeYj2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200330_165902.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These aren't technically mine because they come over the fence from the neighbors, but I still enjoy them.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"> Our first year in Texas of course I planted nothing as we were in a rental and I didn't have interest in anything about that yard. I mowed it and kept it neat and that was about it. Our first year in this house I planted nothing, but enjoyed what we had. It didn't feel permanent yet and we had moved around so much after I had put so much TLC into our yards I wasn't willing to put an emotional investment into the yard yet. The following summer we added a few plants, and then quite a few more the following. Last year I really went to town and threw in a bunch of stuff to see what thrived and what didn't. A lot of gardening for me is trial and error, and certainly so here where I've never tried things before.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tpasjjXqdg/XpU8Hy14Y4I/AAAAAAAAJ-o/gXwIKWORS1cnzc33mZiH1IfrxTj2GV1lQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20190519_194116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tpasjjXqdg/XpU8Hy14Y4I/AAAAAAAAJ-o/gXwIKWORS1cnzc33mZiH1IfrxTj2GV1lQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20190519_194116.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This was the first gardenia I've ever grown in a garden. Never lived anywhere they thrived before.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIOlgL1IZL4/XpU8PC90m_I/AAAAAAAAJ-0/AEtVanXgCFg4Be5LXHSd0E1SkdEllpPIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/0402191905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aIOlgL1IZL4/XpU8PC90m_I/AAAAAAAAJ-0/AEtVanXgCFg4Be5LXHSd0E1SkdEllpPIACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/0402191905.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This was the spread I planted last year. I planted and planted to burn off the stress I was feeling at school at the time, especially clinicals. This was the hardest semester for me thus far in nursing school. My clinical instructor took a serious dislike to me and I came home almost every day feeling like I was going to fail out or I just wasn't cut out to be a nurse. I had to have my gardening. Some of my fellow students thought it was so funny I'd go home after a hard day and attack the yard and others understood because they were doing it too. I guess if you get it you get it.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pcP-u3V0XZ0/XpU4V9nNvlI/AAAAAAAAJ74/Ho9Hkt_NnrU4dns7qYOD3mxBKWgPEHccQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200330_170035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pcP-u3V0XZ0/XpU4V9nNvlI/AAAAAAAAJ74/Ho9Hkt_NnrU4dns7qYOD3mxBKWgPEHccQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200330_170035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the bed this year. I planted more bulbs this year so I'm excited to see if those come up. The little gnome there is something my dad got me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As Sarah would say, these plants luh this rain.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii-iYBFigoU/XpU4V3dc_FI/AAAAAAAAJ78/w0rBuRrwERQTv2DNypNv-6u2FKjN_cX4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200330_170313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii-iYBFigoU/XpU4V3dc_FI/AAAAAAAAJ78/w0rBuRrwERQTv2DNypNv-6u2FKjN_cX4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200330_170313.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This Chinaberry big tree hangs over the driveway and makes a huge mess all year but I don't care because I like it anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span>My neighbor used to try to talk me into cutting it down. </div>
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Fat chance. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--n5afNSoPJc/XpU4WY00xnI/AAAAAAAAJ8A/V2EpmYGLKEk8fein5gkxbLbKTUgTgXRHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200330_170637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--n5afNSoPJc/XpU4WY00xnI/AAAAAAAAJ8A/V2EpmYGLKEk8fein5gkxbLbKTUgTgXRHACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200330_170637.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It smells so good when it blooms but the blooms don't last more than a couple weeks at most.</span></div>
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I sweep the driveway almost every day. The thing about Texas is there is no yardwork season. You do yard work all year, which I like most of the time. The leaves <i>never</i> end. Some of the trees drop leaves in the fall and the oaks push all theirs off to make way for the new ones in the spring. I do a lot of raking and my trick of mowing the leaves still works for me very well.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtLWXD3x2GA/XqIAufpChmI/AAAAAAAAKMQ/toiuSf0JS-wuH0KZDbRRG5qY5MYrtG1GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200330_170313%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtLWXD3x2GA/XqIAufpChmI/AAAAAAAAKMQ/toiuSf0JS-wuH0KZDbRRG5qY5MYrtG1GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200330_170313%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I mean, really. Who would want to cut down a tree in this yard when you can have sweet shade like this in Texas.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOk7morlzcg/XpU4cAuEIuI/AAAAAAAAJ8w/kWFqU7JtMWkGf77HS4jypUbjGmjlp5OQACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200409_170301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOk7morlzcg/XpU4cAuEIuI/AAAAAAAAJ8w/kWFqU7JtMWkGf77HS4jypUbjGmjlp5OQACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200409_170301.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> Lately we've had some crazy thunderstorms and that leaves a mess all over the yard as well.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRYxshvWJu0/XpU4cobewcI/AAAAAAAAJ84/UGBxCMkOwHcnot5EO6V3OfqyHPoqaDX_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200409_171236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRYxshvWJu0/XpU4cobewcI/AAAAAAAAJ84/UGBxCMkOwHcnot5EO6V3OfqyHPoqaDX_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200409_171236.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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These are some pics from our storm on Friday. There was a bunch of fallen trees down at the park near out neighborhood. Then Saturday night we had tornado warnings all night and more rain, and then of course our lil' Nacho came:)</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WEZscNRVjU/XpU4c-AnooI/AAAAAAAAJ88/ARRf_9cJKXslsOp9NdsuJoApnzJsdqWWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200410_131029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9WEZscNRVjU/XpU4c-AnooI/AAAAAAAAJ88/ARRf_9cJKXslsOp9NdsuJoApnzJsdqWWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200410_131029.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Perk of all the falling branches is that I was able to put this out.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hDNq6l359Q/XpU4d03DdsI/AAAAAAAAJ9I/LJEvPJejVvYQ_O7XI2UeECtOmjRygFF_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200413_125546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1hDNq6l359Q/XpU4d03DdsI/AAAAAAAAJ9I/LJEvPJejVvYQ_O7XI2UeECtOmjRygFF_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200413_125546.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The branches wilted in a couple days so I went out and harvested these. I haven't brought in roses from my yard yet because they aren't the picking kind, but this came out really nice for Easter. I think I'll plant some more that you can display for longer.</div>
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I never get tired of planting flowers or having plants in my house. </div>
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In another life I'd be a botanical photographer.</div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-84286398874832451502020-04-12T20:18:00.002-07:002020-04-23T13:03:24.172-07:00Easter 2020 and New Life<span style="font-size: large;">Last night I got news that Nathaniel and Nancy were at the hospital because they were pretty sure she was in labor. Thanks to Covid 19 they are both having to wear masks.</span><span id="goog_1723679012"></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zImYcS6_VGg/XpPXsJ8ZnMI/AAAAAAAAJ6c/Ucj3Un7iHaUIeIkLaIQ5u_NKQ6mFiWPoACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200411_173909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zImYcS6_VGg/XpPXsJ8ZnMI/AAAAAAAAJ6c/Ucj3Un7iHaUIeIkLaIQ5u_NKQ6mFiWPoACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200411_173909.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a while before the made the call to keep her. I'm glad they did because about 12 hrs later they had themselves a beautiful baby boy with no aid of drugs or other interventions to help the labor along.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ed6iLFknHM/XqHzumRtZLI/AAAAAAAAKDc/NZcF7bcj-iQO7eqJW8CnjeA2G3pG2IMAACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200412_192002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ed6iLFknHM/XqHzumRtZLI/AAAAAAAAKDc/NZcF7bcj-iQO7eqJW8CnjeA2G3pG2IMAACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200412_192002.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xtg973T_Zcs/XqHzvD_jfMI/AAAAAAAAKDk/S3ZTQ3HLGQYKy7wFkWnQbsw8Aqx1HCYKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200412_192530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xtg973T_Zcs/XqHzvD_jfMI/AAAAAAAAKDk/S3ZTQ3HLGQYKy7wFkWnQbsw8Aqx1HCYKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20200412_192530.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meet Thomas Alejandro Mitchell born at 5:15 this morning. He was a big boy coming in at 9 lbs and 20 inches long. And look at how gorgeous he is!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, we celebrated Easter over here with Sage and Sarah. We had our at home Sacrament meeting, dyed eggs, did a hunt, ate some good food, and the boys played Settlers of Catan while Sarah and I talked baby Thomas and medical stuff. The men are all about as interested in our hospital discussions as we are about their game, so it always works out well. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7FOv-3qVmw/XqHzr9Sa2FI/AAAAAAAAKDw/bZNC6NzDTbEVdOG4el1sGPNt_OqYlW4qwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200412_190601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7FOv-3qVmw/XqHzr9Sa2FI/AAAAAAAAKDw/bZNC6NzDTbEVdOG4el1sGPNt_OqYlW4qwCEwYBhgL/s640/20200412_190601.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaWoe2AMCOs/XqHzsGXg8jI/AAAAAAAAKDs/JUMqdGiaGM4GD6jErqDAnQ981pzzojm9wCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200412_190840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaWoe2AMCOs/XqHzsGXg8jI/AAAAAAAAKDs/JUMqdGiaGM4GD6jErqDAnQ981pzzojm9wCEwYBhgL/s640/20200412_190840.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Zw3UoBGFug/XqHzr6BoNlI/AAAAAAAAKDo/-MJ8edyYvDUH7X3farIRM4K9THQhGjIHQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200412_173149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Zw3UoBGFug/XqHzr6BoNlI/AAAAAAAAKDo/-MJ8edyYvDUH7X3farIRM4K9THQhGjIHQCEwYBhgL/s640/20200412_173149.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here's the new grandparents! Can you believe it?</span></div>
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<span id="goog_1723679011"></span>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-87171119146593028192020-04-09T22:50:00.002-07:002020-04-23T14:43:15.520-07:00Snapshot of our Covid life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DVbOofC6_w/Xo_7l_MrnUI/AAAAAAAAJxE/5wSNzg4HtV44SpOkOrlDWRyOSMBWvfy7QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/0301191511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9DVbOofC6_w/Xo_7l_MrnUI/AAAAAAAAJxE/5wSNzg4HtV44SpOkOrlDWRyOSMBWvfy7QCK4BGAYYCw/s640/0301191511.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My dining table goes from looking like this...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QbUzsR0lqs/Xo_7mdaSRKI/AAAAAAAAJxQ/D_L6qtUaZsc28Fw9yFFliENzSwf4diKsACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/20200409_153803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QbUzsR0lqs/Xo_7mdaSRKI/AAAAAAAAJxQ/D_L6qtUaZsc28Fw9yFFliENzSwf4diKsACK4BGAYYCw/s640/20200409_153803.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to this as I sew masks and work on online schoolwork and Zoom meetings.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4edkU3U9sSI/Xo_8fG2LrlI/AAAAAAAAJx4/tmTvF7scQ9EQFjcPrDaGlONRK1Awf4zkQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/20200409_153739.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4edkU3U9sSI/Xo_8fG2LrlI/AAAAAAAAJx4/tmTvF7scQ9EQFjcPrDaGlONRK1Awf4zkQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/20200409_153739.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kitchen table becomes art and craft/John schoolwork area</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mn4MpXd_WpI/Xo_80819AHI/AAAAAAAAJyE/lCh_WiFPyTQkTZheRw7QrjddS0nE13WbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200319_120648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mn4MpXd_WpI/Xo_80819AHI/AAAAAAAAJyE/lCh_WiFPyTQkTZheRw7QrjddS0nE13WbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200319_120648.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Social distancing 6-ft separation is lesson #1 for Will when we start homeschooling when the public schools all close.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ar0oLbhs2M0/Xo_85mfOoSI/AAAAAAAAJyg/nwurtUPb44A4NGMEYyYJyyoBvCWnFoi0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200322_144430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ar0oLbhs2M0/Xo_85mfOoSI/AAAAAAAAJyg/nwurtUPb44A4NGMEYyYJyyoBvCWnFoi0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200322_144430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sidewalk chalk becomes our a hot commodity and everyone in the neighborhood is showing off their artistic skills. We see whole families every night walking together and playing together outside.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSg6vjmBSy4/XqH9d1sbYvI/AAAAAAAAKLw/AKfY_kfXNGsUZbTTeWTeXGdQpXGCjsnygCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200325_151757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qSg6vjmBSy4/XqH9d1sbYvI/AAAAAAAAKLw/AKfY_kfXNGsUZbTTeWTeXGdQpXGCjsnygCEwYBhgL/s640/20200325_151757.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We make bread regularly to avoid the stores</span>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And cookies. Because cookies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmSiVBvJjWE/XqH9FR9eWyI/AAAAAAAAKLU/9ejY-G96iS8gkwgstL0734oKOFknACnuQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200320_183159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmSiVBvJjWE/XqH9FR9eWyI/AAAAAAAAKLU/9ejY-G96iS8gkwgstL0734oKOFknACnuQCEwYBhgL/s640/20200320_183159.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VoiXxqX6YHk/XqH9IZr5A8I/AAAAAAAAKLc/4NQejAfILmYq8H0PoDb_wZkGDRqQV3KggCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200321_120358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VoiXxqX6YHk/XqH9IZr5A8I/AAAAAAAAKLc/4NQejAfILmYq8H0PoDb_wZkGDRqQV3KggCEwYBhgL/s640/20200321_120358.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Because we got rid of all our food storage when we moved to Texas Peter goes out in the middle of all this <i>on a Saturday</i> and is able to score this. I was really impressed. He is the hunter/gatherer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">His budget was $500. He spent $499.97.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqVl0MjL_As/XqH3KjlMChI/AAAAAAAAKFY/Q9peH9UYJx48ENsZCWq_Ze_hnDzKrTiIwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200411_124519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1098" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqVl0MjL_As/XqH3KjlMChI/AAAAAAAAKFY/Q9peH9UYJx48ENsZCWq_Ze_hnDzKrTiIwCEwYBhgL/s640/20200411_124519.jpg" width="438" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lines to get into grocery stores</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtNBkHGKOmQ/XqH3KDgwnHI/AAAAAAAAKEo/aPgEX7h8ePMYmaR1UGD0VWdV62Vx4MebwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200407_124937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtNBkHGKOmQ/XqH3KDgwnHI/AAAAAAAAKEo/aPgEX7h8ePMYmaR1UGD0VWdV62Vx4MebwCEwYBhgL/s640/20200407_124937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Empty shelves where toilet paper, pasta, oil, milk, peanut butter, butter, bread, and eggs used to be. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_uG1Bw9I0c/XqH8Oo0OYqI/AAAAAAAAKLM/Jc2cd_xij6MZs4YExH5qBDH9iegLDd2nQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200402_164810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X_uG1Bw9I0c/XqH8Oo0OYqI/AAAAAAAAKLM/Jc2cd_xij6MZs4YExH5qBDH9iegLDd2nQCEwYBhgL/s640/20200402_164810.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But evidently a surplus of ice cream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Peter and I decided this must be because freezer space is precious right now.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqFFyapoy_0/XqH7n2NjtZI/AAAAAAAAKKs/0xCroJi-9bI3azSwLo2PZZPlHE_AJTBgACEwYBhgL/s1600/20200327_132104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hqFFyapoy_0/XqH7n2NjtZI/AAAAAAAAKKs/0xCroJi-9bI3azSwLo2PZZPlHE_AJTBgACEwYBhgL/s640/20200327_132104.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Where once water was sold out Costco has filled the whole space where the toilet paper used to be with it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28w8gotA364/XqH6NmYe7oI/AAAAAAAAKJY/nYorElcSjeYL_8k11_HJLlljBWQvdJL1QCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200402_105646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28w8gotA364/XqH6NmYe7oI/AAAAAAAAKJY/nYorElcSjeYL_8k11_HJLlljBWQvdJL1QCEwYBhgL/s640/20200402_105646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Will and I play games. And he watches too much TV and spends too much time on the computer... but we try. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We <i>really</i> try.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oymhNdzNup0/XqH4V-YgnWI/AAAAAAAAKIk/h8aOPRpKoyAIEADVoXwgvD-ix7q6ivFPACEwYBhgL/s1600/20200404_182922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oymhNdzNup0/XqH4V-YgnWI/AAAAAAAAKIk/h8aOPRpKoyAIEADVoXwgvD-ix7q6ivFPACEwYBhgL/s640/20200404_182922.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We buy random things off Amazon to keep Will entertained</span>.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q73-l3eBgcM/XqH4rekFfGI/AAAAAAAAKIw/agjEJS9wz24LnUfO64ckvExpbDDvPRGXgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200401_193810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q73-l3eBgcM/XqH4rekFfGI/AAAAAAAAKIw/agjEJS9wz24LnUfO64ckvExpbDDvPRGXgCEwYBhgL/s640/20200401_193810.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And Will and I spend a lot of time at the park as he rides his bike up and down the cement water collection area while I blast the Pokemon theme song and Old Town Road from Sonic on my phone. (As people walk by. Wondering what I am doing.)</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJGYjInq-vA/XqH4YS1x1RI/AAAAAAAAKIU/Gxf0mI2ZHAYG8hvGLwDH5mtqPWedPbOYACEwYBhgL/s1600/20200409_174944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tJGYjInq-vA/XqH4YS1x1RI/AAAAAAAAKIU/Gxf0mI2ZHAYG8hvGLwDH5mtqPWedPbOYACEwYBhgL/s640/20200409_174944.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And Will picks me lots of flowers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL0QwlMsjsM/XqH6okRwM6I/AAAAAAAAKJ8/-Nm2SYhAuhAxk_xHxg0e4VlijUkbA0AjACEwYBhgL/s1600/20200321_131904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL0QwlMsjsM/XqH6okRwM6I/AAAAAAAAKJ8/-Nm2SYhAuhAxk_xHxg0e4VlijUkbA0AjACEwYBhgL/s640/20200321_131904.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fdFKForhnU/XqH6pO-rThI/AAAAAAAAKKA/V8js_BdLN_0fJ7pwDwuHUKKUo7fR1je_ACEwYBhgL/s1600/20200321_132602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fdFKForhnU/XqH6pO-rThI/AAAAAAAAKKA/V8js_BdLN_0fJ7pwDwuHUKKUo7fR1je_ACEwYBhgL/s640/20200321_132602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1C9xq3wgQE/XqH6piYbykI/AAAAAAAAKKE/FgSUwTl9r3ATd0ysKWpzGmXu6nGH7a1jwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200321_132709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1C9xq3wgQE/XqH6piYbykI/AAAAAAAAKKE/FgSUwTl9r3ATd0ysKWpzGmXu6nGH7a1jwCEwYBhgL/s640/20200321_132709.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--stjfyPFpbc/XqH6ojGWxgI/AAAAAAAAKJ0/0PpNguodf6gnsEmh_yoX3N_LZS3_X03SgCEwYBhgL/s1600/20200321_131032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--stjfyPFpbc/XqH6ojGWxgI/AAAAAAAAKJ0/0PpNguodf6gnsEmh_yoX3N_LZS3_X03SgCEwYBhgL/s640/20200321_131032.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eq56x-F_wAs/XqH6ooCx1PI/AAAAAAAAKJ4/AZaQw5V-L08KsjMJrcnaQ0kUWPGH1BF6ACEwYBhgL/s1600/20200321_130944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eq56x-F_wAs/XqH6ooCx1PI/AAAAAAAAKJ4/AZaQw5V-L08KsjMJrcnaQ0kUWPGH1BF6ACEwYBhgL/s640/20200321_130944.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The house gets really clean when my spring break gets extended by a week. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZWzG73Au_A/XqH-VTUw2yI/AAAAAAAAKL4/CkcDtutsvww_beArjMmRj2QFkzU5tLACwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200330_171851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZWzG73Au_A/XqH-VTUw2yI/AAAAAAAAKL4/CkcDtutsvww_beArjMmRj2QFkzU5tLACwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200330_171851.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then messy again because we are all here 24/7 and my school started back up online.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pt5IPlgjwQc/XpACQpPh_0I/AAAAAAAAJ0s/sEVh8FESCXweE_qbbhu8SouWK6dJS1SUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200403_123402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pt5IPlgjwQc/XpACQpPh_0I/AAAAAAAAJ0s/sEVh8FESCXweE_qbbhu8SouWK6dJS1SUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200403_123402.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which is a blessing in that I don't have to get showered up, drive to school, sit in 4 hour long classes, drive to clinicals at 5am, horn in on my neighbor with my crap on my desk, and take exams without my watch on. And the view is better. </span><br />
But I also have to do all of the regular work at home with kids. All. The. Time. Because Peter is really busy doing tax work and Sarah is not technically supposed to be babysitting Will because of social distancing. Even though I use her once in while anyway when I get desperate. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKM8_Ij0hvk/XpACR3g8RgI/AAAAAAAAJ08/8hn0CUuJplUbCW-W5QGSWZS43XUOr2qKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200407_155028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xKM8_Ij0hvk/XpACR3g8RgI/AAAAAAAAJ08/8hn0CUuJplUbCW-W5QGSWZS43XUOr2qKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200407_155028.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We find fun tutorials online to help us do artistic things...</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6C_zgEXalTs/XpACSqxPE3I/AAAAAAAAJ1E/t62kOVDJAjsfgJx1r6DHGPS51WlCBIKVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200407_160533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6C_zgEXalTs/XpACSqxPE3I/AAAAAAAAJ1E/t62kOVDJAjsfgJx1r6DHGPS51WlCBIKVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200407_160533.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NACKkb-wtx0/XpACTJBjQeI/AAAAAAAAJ1I/roqBXmeCLnE_d7WQpsg1eir-7IOKQX2qACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200407_161229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NACKkb-wtx0/XpACTJBjQeI/AAAAAAAAJ1I/roqBXmeCLnE_d7WQpsg1eir-7IOKQX2qACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200407_161229.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">which unfortunately Will tires of too quickly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgXdq0Hxv90/XpACTXzrDQI/AAAAAAAAJ1M/uzYzhpMnEPEDZKyivR07mdtScj1vTc2DACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20200408_165151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgXdq0Hxv90/XpACTXzrDQI/AAAAAAAAJ1M/uzYzhpMnEPEDZKyivR07mdtScj1vTc2DACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200408_165151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But we drive to Walmart anyway and spend $120 on art supplies. And maybe some chocolate. They were </span>not<span style="font-size: large;"> thrilled to wear masks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the hospital I work out suddenly stops letting visitors in on April 29th, while I'm on my shift. </span></div>
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I watch a Covid patient dying through the glass and have my first shift where a person I was caring for died after I left. I watch nurses gowning up to enter Covid rooms with a "doficer." or a person who is in charge of watching their every move in taking on and off their PPE with a 3 page long checklist every time they come in and out. I count 9 IV pumps outside of one patient's room, where they run the lines into the room in long tubing so they can change the multiple bags hanging over without having to enter it again and again. The whole hospital is in anticipation of a flood of patients, which so far, thanks the heavens hasn't happened yet, and so a lot of the prepared areas sit empty.</div>
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Peter and I debate a lot about whether or not all of this shutting down of businesses is worth it. I don't know if anyone can say right now. While I am seeing what I'm seeing at the hospital he is talking to clients all day who are losing their businesses, or having to lay off all their employees about how to navigate the application for federal funding. I feel a lot of concern for the people in my ward and wonder how many will be able to get through this time and still have their homes or businesses at the other end of this--and of course right now we don't have any idea where that end might be. We talk about what we can do to help. </div>
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We think about our grandbaby that is due any day and wonder when we will be able to see him. Nathaniel is the only one allowed to see her in the hospital, and we are grateful they aren't in New York where they wouldn't even allow that. We wonder about what will happen with our other married children's jobs and if they have a place to fall if they need it. I spend an inordinate amount of time on Facebook looking at Covid memes and funny home videos quarantined families are making when I should be studying and we spend too much time watching the news or reading it online. </div>
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I wonder if I'll be able to return to clinicals next semester, or what will happen at all next semester really. I have to get ready for this test on Tuesday but I am struggling to muddle through all the things fighting for my attention to discipline myself. For now I need to go to bed. I have a clinical Zoom meeting at 9am. But I'm glad I found the time to do this. I've really wanted to record some of this for the future and my kids miss my blog.</div>
<br />Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-17327443306398270382020-04-09T21:39:00.000-07:002020-04-09T23:04:28.898-07:00April 2020 A clip of the last 4 years.I feel like I should be starting this with some new inspiration, but the truth is that I've been thinking of doing this again for months now. This time it is for me and my kids, not extended family and friends. The kids always wondered why I stopped blogging. I'm pretty sure I can say why. It's because there wasn't a lot I wanted to blog about. Things were rough with Rebecca and John with regards to school and making friends. Sarah was somewhat lonely and out of place having missed her senior year at Springville High School and it was just tough. She went off to BYUI and eventually married a boy a missionary from our ward we first moved into here in Texas. The weather, the culture, the remoteness from family, all of it just really created an environment that fostered a lot of depression and anxiety for my kids, and really for myself as well. Peter's job was very different than it had been presented to us and it wasn't long before I suspected they were not going to send us to Switzerland after all. I finally pressed him to press them and after some back and forth miscommunications they ultimately admitted he wasn't going. By this point there were few people left in the international tax department anyway, and when Peter left he was the only one left. That last Christmas party for his work was an eye-opening experience as many of the women wore little, the conversation was juvenile and petty and everyone wanted to drink. I thought, this really can't be good for Peter. He is hating it here. During that same year I kept getting migraines, something that generally only happened to me once or at most twice a year, but these were frequent and miserable. During one all-nighter throwing up binge I sat up to vomit once again after laying for so long Peter thought I had gone to sleep finally. (I still had hours of misery left.) He asked if I thought he should take me to the emergency room. I said no, it was too expensive, I didn't feel like I could leave the house and I doubted they could really do anything for me anyway. I did continue to go to school and take classes at this time. It was during this that I made the decision to do the online BYUI Public Health BSN degree. I just kept taking the classes I was enrolled online for with SLCC and then moved over to BYUI until we had residency and then I applied to ACC. So I've been going to school pretty solid since then.<br />
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It just didn't pan out for Rebecca in the long run. We had a short stretch of time during her sophomore year where she landed a lead in the school play, loved her director, and made friends with the other costars. She was incredible and won all kinds of awards and then it ended after they went to state. The teacher was fired, the las curtain went down, and it was over. From that point forward things never really picked back up, while back in Utah her friends went on to do all the normal things in high school and change and move in new directions without her. Her junior year I'd consider not the worst, but not the best. Her grades were pretty good and she did fairly well in school overall, even though she had to do a few summer school classes. But the senior year? Not so well. She ended up going to an accelerated school called New Hope that was part of the district and she busted through that pretty quick and the next thing we knew we were putting her on a plane for Utah. She married her sweetheart of the last 4 years in an incredibly beautiful wedding in August.<br />
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John has been another story. He has made friends here and there. Unfortunately his best friend moved away to Dallas this summer, so that was a huge bummer because he was his only good LDS friend. He struggled through junior high. For a while he thrived fairly well in band. Never totally took to it like we hoped and practiced on his own. He did fair and his concerts were fun to go to. In the end, after 3 years in band (6th-8th) he refused to do it for 9th grade, which is what we really wanted him to go into band in the first place for. We wanted him to have those fun experiences in an extracurricular activity and be with kids who are doing something other than going home and playing video games or hanging out on their phones. Plus, we wanted him to feel a part of the show. Glenn High School went to state this year and that was kind of a killer for Peter and I because we felt like John could have been there. We so want him to participate in something that would be good for him but we haven't found that thing yet. After the church separated from scouts we looked at other troops but the only one he really found appealing meets 15 miles or more away well into Austin, which wasn't going to work. He could be driving soon if he wanted to finish up his driver's education course and get his permit. Then he could potentially drive himself. He'll be 16 very in 10 days.<br />
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Nathaniel and Nancy's baby is due here on Tuesday (April 14) and if our Lil' Nacho isn't here by then, which I'm hoping he is, then they're going to induce her then. I was supposed to fly out there on April 23 to go to Nancy's graduation and see the baby- In fact I still have the ticket. But with Covid 19 here and Nancy's graduation being cancelled I think it's about 90% that I won't go. In the meantime Peter is disappointed we won't be seeing the baby. I pretty well resigned myself to that once the kids school was cancelled, they pulled me out of clinicals and we decided not to fly to my parent's house in Washington for spring break. It was pretty clear to me then things were not going to be the same for a while and as long as the baby gets here safely I'm okay with that. We are really blessed to have so many things. Employment for one thing. Not a day goes by without me thinking about that multiple times. We've struggled with financial crises so many times in our marriage I'll never take it for granted again. I'm able to be in school and on track to graduate in December, barring that I fail out or the apocalypse comes, which hasn't seemed so far-fetched recently. We have this great house that is really perfect for our needs. And Sarah and Sage live about a quarter of a mile away. I'm so grateful because they are the only one of my married kids we live close to anymore.<br />
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And also? Texas is beautiful right now.<br />
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<br />Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-3480278854280270612020-03-28T22:58:00.000-07:002020-04-10T00:07:58.891-07:0041st birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qky5L30VmhE/Vs59FEKxX0I/AAAAAAAAJnM/TmB05CSfJtc/s1600/IMG_3248.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lz4seeYp_AU/Vs595pOT8JI/AAAAAAAAJow/9sUtwS5EO4s/s1600/IMG_3336.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lz4seeYp_AU/Vs595pOT8JI/AAAAAAAAJow/9sUtwS5EO4s/s640/IMG_3336.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-m585gS9vY/Vs592lRu-lI/AAAAAAAAJog/dpzrEbh0G2s/s1600/IMG_3314.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-m585gS9vY/Vs592lRu-lI/AAAAAAAAJog/dpzrEbh0G2s/s640/IMG_3314.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zi0UvDf_f_w/Vs59G-om5rI/AAAAAAAAJnw/V7dUY6hx4_E/s1600/IMG_3237.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zi0UvDf_f_w/Vs59G-om5rI/AAAAAAAAJnw/V7dUY6hx4_E/s640/IMG_3237.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3Ae_Vz9Iig/Vs59G3tvG-I/AAAAAAAAJn8/g0Uigklg1fo/s1600/IMG_3238.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3Ae_Vz9Iig/Vs59G3tvG-I/AAAAAAAAJn8/g0Uigklg1fo/s640/IMG_3238.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9XsejOmpaM/Vs59HrrU6GI/AAAAAAAAJoA/G5AsZLhjBX0/s1600/IMG_3243.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9XsejOmpaM/Vs59HrrU6GI/AAAAAAAAJoA/G5AsZLhjBX0/s640/IMG_3243.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4RHUFhDA2Iw/Vs59E6rmBhI/AAAAAAAAJoU/qsajm0U0D8M/s1600/IMG_3225.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4RHUFhDA2Iw/Vs59E6rmBhI/AAAAAAAAJoU/qsajm0U0D8M/s640/IMG_3225.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xos_b0TVYAU/Vs59GYcLjII/AAAAAAAAJnk/c1zT5KWEVzo/s1600/IMG_3308.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xos_b0TVYAU/Vs59GYcLjII/AAAAAAAAJnk/c1zT5KWEVzo/s640/IMG_3308.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PDN_hn_ZDik/Vs59FsOjSPI/AAAAAAAAJnY/IMdT1vQBhng/s1600/IMG_3272.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PDN_hn_ZDik/Vs59FsOjSPI/AAAAAAAAJnY/IMdT1vQBhng/s640/IMG_3272.jpg" width="426" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwF36C1ufs8/Vs59ExyapfI/AAAAAAAAJnI/8N2myTxBANI/s1600/IMG_3291.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwF36C1ufs8/Vs59ExyapfI/AAAAAAAAJnI/8N2myTxBANI/s640/IMG_3291.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSU2vOFHly0/Vs59EM64SrI/AAAAAAAAJm8/BRMvIQq6ack/s1600/IMG_3281.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DSU2vOFHly0/Vs59EM64SrI/AAAAAAAAJm8/BRMvIQq6ack/s640/IMG_3281.jpg" width="426" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjZ-4cYHr3Q/Vs59G_geq8I/AAAAAAAAJoM/n4IpXit0gww/s1600/IMG_3284.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjZ-4cYHr3Q/Vs59G_geq8I/AAAAAAAAJoM/n4IpXit0gww/s640/IMG_3284.JPG" width="640" /></a>Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-82579153163093231322016-01-10T18:42:00.001-08:002016-01-10T18:42:14.083-08:00Catching upI have given up on trying to catch up on this blog. Truth is the first four months in Austin was kinda hellish. Yes there were some highlights but it was rough going. We are still adjusting and I think things are going better little by little so I've decided to just go from here. I'll catch up in my blog book later but I have no motivation to try to re-create posts I never got around to.<br />
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For now I am starting to feel a little more comfortable with the area. Sarah has branched out and done quite well really. She is friends with all the kids her age in her ward, some in her classes, and has tapped into the exchange student population at the high school-- which is actually a fairly decent number. She has a good friend named Hannah from Germany who has been able to connect her with a Norwegian fellow that she tells me isn't so hard on the eyes. She's decided to go to BYU Idaho and is fighting her feelings of envy that the rest of us are leaving for Switzerland. Today in church she gave a talk, then had to go straight to the piano to accompany a couple of singers, and then had to teach her YW class. We try to remind her days like that are not necessary, but this is Sarah we are talking about. She never wants to be told something might be too much for her.<br />
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Rebecca is another story. She has not made friends with Texas. The girls in the ward are giggly, sweet, touchy-feely, seemed shocked at the slightest things, radiate light, and belt out High School Musical together every time she's with them. As you might imagine none of those things seem to be endearing them to our dry-humored middle child. Also they are not familiar with Forest Gump, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Edward Scissorhands, Me Earl & the Dying Girl, Fantastic Mister Fox, Million Dollar Baby, etc. None of them have watched The Office and none of them knew who Heath Ledger was. They in turn can't believe she's never seen High School Musical. This presents a significant problem for Rebecca in addition to the fact that she left her soulmates back in Springville. After being bullied out of the high school we moved her to an alternative school here where she sits for 7 hours a day working on packets. She spends a good amount of that time trying to find positions where it would be impossible to sleep only to find herself being shaken awake by a classmate two hours later. There is a girl who doesn't bathe unless forced and when she politely said "no thank you" to the boy next to her who wanted her to get together with him on some off time he began to draw broken hearts and push them in her direction. Fellow students crawl under her desk acting like a dog then go through her stuff and tear random things apart only to tape them back together. They have 6th grade relationship discussions about who likes who (there are 20 of them to chose from) and which one Rebecca must secretly like. She says it is not uncommon to hear multiple people sniffing in class because they are quietly crying with torture at being at this school having to face another day. It's rough to be sure.<br />
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And early morning seminary? Let's just save that for another day.<br />
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John is being a pretty good sport but has his meltdown days. Going from a dozen potential playmates just on our street alone to zero has been rather upsetting. Then add a 3-year-old brother who wants to be everywhere you are and do everthing you do and you have a recipe for 11-year-old madness. He really is good with Will most of the time, a whole lot better than Nathaniel ever was with him for sure, but every kid has their limits. I have found it incredibly difficult to find things to do with two boys this far apart but I work really hard at it. We're doing the best we can. When you're 11 and your most regular playmates are your lil' bro and your mom-- well, you know. I try to remind him that all is not terrible in the world (same as I try with Rebecca) but that never really helps. When you're in it you're in it and hopefully sometime before my kids leave the house they will realize they create their own happiness. We're all working on it. It's a family project. He started karate on Friday and hasn't wanted to take off his uniform all weekend. It's within walking distance of the house and they teach dicipline, hard work, seeing things through, accountability, and how to fight each other and chop on stuff. I think Peter and I may be on to something big here.<br />
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Will is doing just fine. He loves preschool and is starting to ACTUALLY USE WORDS!! He pulled his bridge out of his mouth again today so there goes another $200-$500 to put the dang thing back in. I'll be calling around tomorrow for another pediatric dentist. Santa brought this awesome trike that has been the greatest thing. Seriously a game changer for me in terms of being able to go for long walks & have him get some energy out as well as get him out of the house.<br />
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Went to <a href="http://theartschool.amoa.org/">this</a> Sculpture Museum on Saturday where they had a birdhouse building activity for the kids. John made one and Will made a birdfeeder out of a tangerine. He was into it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoyed some Chilis afterwards thanks to my dad!</span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-1188656951977276122015-12-20T16:29:00.002-08:002015-12-20T16:30:51.075-08:00First haircut at the salon<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I finally did it. Knew it needed to be done & I was actually really happy with the way it turned out.</span></div>
Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356961267120302790.post-38986863424741162082015-12-20T07:37:00.003-08:002015-12-20T07:41:00.651-08:00Dinosaur Tracks in Leander<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Found this place via the internet and had to trek into a </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It was pretty hot for the boys but they had a great time catching turtles, frogs, and searching for the dinosaur tracks. Unfortunately Will had himself a meltdown and I had to carry him out kicking and screaming for about a quarter mile. Good times.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In case there was any doubt about the size of my feet here they are in an actual dinosaur track:</span><br />
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Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07349195906907835019noreply@blogger.com0