Sunday, December 31, 2017

Christmas Break Pt. 2: NC Trip

Our travel went even more smoothly than expected: not a single snowflake on the drive, good time, and a seamless flight the next morning that was 30 minutes shorter than expected. Christmas Eve at the hotel was pretty fun except that I was really carsick from travel and ate too much, so I threw up. Other than that, we had a good evening. We arrived in NC Christmas afternoon and had some dinner and opened presents.

Tuesday, we traveled to the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. Ceci and Brinson went with us. We had a great time. The museum has tons of stuff inside and out, including a butterfly room and giant tree fort.  We were all very tired by the time we got home. I organized a bunch of files for dad and set aside the stuff  needed for Mara's scrapbook. Mara and Ricky, Brinson and Ceci, and Christian and Rachel all came over in the evening.

Wednesday, we stayed at the house and I worked on Mara's scrapbook and mostly just hung out. We had Christmas dinner withe everyone except Rachel, who had to work. Ricky's family came over for dessert after. I was especially glad to eat my favorite cake for Christian's belated birthday.

Thursday, we went to the children's museum in Raleigh (Marbles). Mara and Ricky went with us. The kids really loved it. We ate at Cookout on the way home. Mara's bachelorette party was that night at Rachel's house. It was fun to eat lots of snacks and watch a silly movie. I did a face mask instead of my nails.

Friday was the big day: the wedding! It was a beautiful by cold day for a NC winter. We all made it to the temple on time and everything went smoothly. The luncheon followed and after a rest at home, the reception. It was perfect: family, friends, excellent food, and beautiful decorations. We were all pretty worn out by the end of the day. Poor Mara and Ricky had to drive 4 hours to Charleston that night!

Saturday, we went to the Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. It was also amazing. My grandparents came with us. The kids really enjoyed this one too because there were lots of animals and hands-on things to do. I'm really glad I took the time to plan these trips, because they were all really fun for the kids! When we go back, James and the other siblings went to help someone move. We then all went out to dinner at Golden Corral with Grandma and Grandpa.

Church went well today, even though I was super tired through most of it. It was nice to be with adults since I'm not anymore in my ward.

Plans for the next 3 days: clean out the fridge and freezer, make dinner, help Mom clean her room, service for Myles, Nash, and Lars if they think of anything, getting ready to travel home, and actually traveling home on Wed. It involves lots of flying and driving, but we should arrive in Vernal by the kids' bedtime if all goes well. Thursday, of course, will be a catch-up day: unpacking, cleaning, shopping, and laundry, and then the in-laws come to visit that evening because of work.

The tiredness might kill me by then. I found out on Dec. 20 that I am pregnant, so not very far, just barely over 5 weeks. I think it may be our last one, but I am not 100% sure. If not, there is definitely only one more. It's weird to think about being done with the baby stage, but I am ready. This trip reminds me how difficult it is to manage a lot of little people while pregnant. Everything is harder when you need a nap every day! I'm due August 29th by my calculation. I should find out more at my first appt. on Jan. 22nd. I am really excited.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Christmas Break Pt. 1: Home

Everyone finished up school Tue. and Wed., but let me back up.

Last Thursday was finally the last day of the stomach bug going through our house. Lewis threw up all over the kitchen floor. I took the 3 older kids to see Coco and then switched with James so he could go see Star Wars. We loved Coco! Thankfully, Lewis was fine after Thursday.

Friday, we had family movie night and watched Home Alone. The kids LOVED it. I loved seeing them laugh so hard at a movie.

Saturday, I can't remember what we did, so I guess it wasn't all the crazy. Sunday was normal.

Monday night for FHE, we watched a movie about Hanukkah because Joseph and Kenny have been asking a lot of questions about it. We got the Living Scriptures subscription from James's mom and dad as a Christmas present, so that's pretty nice.

Tuesday, James and I went to the faculty Christmas party. It was a lot of fun and delicious. We came home with some bath/face samples and a Frank Sinatra CD from the white elephant gift exchange.

Wednesday, we had people over at our house for game night. It was pretty fun. Devin and the Packards came over. As they were leaving, it was snowing! The kids played in it some today, but there really isn't that much. It's nothing compared to what we normally have.

I've been stressing a bit about a couple of things, especially thing related to our upcoming trip on Sunday/Monday, but several have resolved already. Phew.

I probably won't write about the rest of the week, but it will be pretty simple.

Friday: temple in the morning with James, family movie night (Home Alone 2)

Saturday: clean and pack like crazy, hopefully not forget anything

Sunday: early Church so we can drive to our hotel and avoid an inclement weather, then open presents and eat our clam chowder at the hotel, pack everything up, and prepare to fly first thing in the morning. We arrive in NC around 3 p.m. on Christmas Day! I hope everything goes to plan and I write from NC next!

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Warm Weather!

By warm, I mean in the 40's during the day. We haven't had one snowflake yet either, and I love it. I realize now that struggling during the winter was a trifecta of difficult things: snow, cold, and dark. Since there is only dark to contend with, it hasn't been too bad of a winter so far. (Well, late fall, but you know what I mean.)

Last Saturday we went to breakfast with Santa. The kids really enjoyed it even though they don't actually believe in Santa. Haha. My bad. We made some neighbor gifts and delivered them. I actually made more (kettle corn) throughout the week and had the kids help deliver them. As far as time commitment goes, I think kettle corn is one of the easier things I've done. One day I want to stick to one treat and have it be my "thing" but I haven't settled on the perfect one yet.

Sunday was normal. We had FHE with Cherissa and Tayson on Monday.

I went to the dentist Tuesday and found out I have 2 cavities. It's about time, because it's been 18 years. I knew I had gotten one because I can feel it with my tongue. It doesn't hurt, thankfully. We got some dinner afterward and checked out the high school basketball games. Sport are so boring to me.

We all ended up getting Kenny's bug from last week, but it wasn't too severe. Joseph was sick Tuesday night, so I kept him home on Wed. and he drove me crazy. I should have sent him because he was completely better, but oh well. James and I didn't feel well on Tuesday but it did not progress beyond that slightly yucky feeling. Katie was sick Sunday night, but I didn't even realize it because it seemed just like indigestion. Lewis seemed completely fine but was grumpy and clingy Mon. and Tues. mornings.

Wednesday, James had bishopric meeting and I went visiting teaching, or tried to. She wasn't home. I still never know what counts as too aggressive, but it's really hard to line up schedules with women who work full-time even though I am home all day. (And no, I don't judge either one because they have to work, I just hate how complicated it makes scheduling.)

Today we get to see Coco for free with the kids, courtesy of the teacher's union. I think it looks pretty good but haven't heard much about it. It should be a pretty relaxing weekend. Only 3 days of school next week and 2 for Kenny! (Walking to the bus stop midday isn't my favorite.) It's hard to believe that Christmas is coming so soon.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

One Day

One day at a time. This resting thing is hard sometimes. I think I have things to do that will take up more time, but then they go more quickly than expected. I guess that's not always a terrible thing. I have definitely been watching too much TV, though!

Saturday, I went to the Relief Society brunch, which was delicious. I got to go see a neighbor's Christmas village afterward. I have never seen such a huge display! We took the kids out for lunch.

We had a really great FHE on Monday. We opened Christmas books from Grandma Head and read them to the kids, then watched Studio C.

We had our ward Christmas party on Tuesday. It was so fun! The dinner is always great, and then there was lots of singing and a visit from Santa. The kids don't believe because I've never taken the time and effort to tell them a believable story. I'm okay with that. I never believed in Santa.

We ended up eating dinner out last night because I'd been having a rough day (no particular reason) and needed a pick-me-up. Chinese food always works for that.

I can't believe Christmas is so soon! I think we're mostly ready for it.