This morning I watched several kids. Denali came over like she always does every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday am before school. Then I watched the Kirry kids from 8 am until 10 am. And I watched Connor Wible from 9am until about 12:30pm. I am so grateful that people feel comfortable to reach out to me to watch their kids. It is something I love to do and that I can do for others.
I wasn't originally supposed to watch the Kirry kids, but Collyn texted me this am around 6:30am. I debated briefly about if I should do it because I knew if I said yes, I would be forfeiting my time at the gym. I know this seems like a selfish want/need, but working out is part of my daily life. It helps with my sanity and feeling healthy. I have been trying to be more deliberate in not being so selfish. Still addressing my needs, but being willing to by pass my needs some days for others. Also, I have been trying to much more flexible with my working out and not letting my self get upset if I don't get to run. It's not perfect, but I am getting better.
Porter had his kindergarten spring performance today. I was wondering if it would be a repeat of his last performance where he literally didn't sing a word of any of the songs, performed no actions and looked like he was mad the entire time. I'm pleased to say it was not a repeat. He did fantastic. He sang all the words, performed actions to the songs and dance his part. Even his speaking part was loud and clear. There was a lot of effort and hard work put into the program today and it was fun to watch.
After the performance we had the chance to talk to Mrs. Ward about Porter and whether or not we should transfer him to Hawthorne next year for their ELP program. I guess him and his friend Scotty were the only two kindergartens who were asked to test for the program. Scotty is his favorite friend at school so it's making sense to me why he connects with him. It must be that Scotty has the intellectual level that he appreciates or relates with. David and I did allow the district to come test Porter again, so now I need to follow up with the district to see what they recommend. We love Beacon and we love the convenience of it to our home. If Porter were to go to another school, we'd have to drive him to/from daily and it would definitely create a new dynamic. I'm definitely leaning towards leaving him at Beacon, but we'll see.
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Sunday, May 5, 2019
5/5/19
Today during Sacrament meeting there were several releases and sustainings. I'm not sure why it struck me today, but I actually got pretty emotional as the names were being read. I thought about each of these individuals. Some who have served diligently and faithfully. Their impact and example has been felt and seen. There are being released either to move into new callings or because they are moving out of our ward. Then I thought of all those being called to callings. For some of them, I know the calling is out of their comfort zone, they may feel inadequate or wonder, why me? Yet, they accept the call to serve and have faith that they will be sustained and able to fulfill the calling. I then thought about each of us that play a role in building God's kingdom. We do in different ways through different callings throughout our life. Some of these callings seem like a more natural fit and others definitely stretch us and we don't know how we will or if we can do it. I know I have definitely felt this with callings I have received in the past. Yet, the Lord lifts us and helps us become more than we can on our own if we allow him. There was a testimony born today by Brother Bleak. He is currently serving in nursery, but was just called into the Sunday School Presidency. He could be placed in probably any calling and rise to the occasion. During his testimony he told of an experience he had with one of the nursery children. She is deaf and communicates through sign language. She kept trying to tell him something during nursery, but he didn't know what she was signing. After nursery, Bro. Bleak asked her parents and they told him it was the sign for Jesus. I was so touched by this story. Not only because of the sweetness of this little girl, Kate Price, and the fact that she is being taught by her parents, but also because Bill was able to be a part of this experience because of the calling that he has. This is how it goes with callings. If we look for the blessing of a calling and seek for the good in it, we will find it. Each calling we are given can bring us joy, even those callings that seem out of our comfort zone. I am so grateful for this church. I am grateful for the opportunities we are given to serve that help us become more like our Savior as we learn to serve as he did.
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Weekend Fun (5/3/19-5/4/19)
We picked Porter up early from school so we could head out of town. When the boys and I arrived to pick him up, he was in an assembly with the BYU Folk Dancers, so we ended up watching the rest of the assembly. It was incredible. They performed dances from different countries and throughout they would periodically teach about plot, storyline, etc. At the end they spoke about how even though we may be from different places, look different, talk different, etc, we are more alike than we think. For some reason it really hit me and I cried. Seriously, I cried in the middle of the assembly! Good thing Porter could not see me. He might have been mortified. During that speech I felt the spirit and I was grateful for the dancers and the message of hope/peace that they spread through their performance.
When we finally left, we picked up Dad and headed to McDonald's for lunch. It was the boys choice. After eating we took off for Park City so we could play at the bike park. We ended up only spending about 30 min there, but it was still a lot of fun. Mason and Jonas are a bit more adventurous than Porter. Mason found a track that he went around and around on. Every once in awhile you could hear his sweet squeals. And Jonas really wanted to make it up an ramp, but it was super steep, so I had to help him up and then he rode down it. Once Porter saw Jonas do it he had to try it too.
We played at a park after that and then headed to Zermatt in Midway to stay for the night.
The pool was calling our name, so after eating we headed to the pool. The boys could play for hours. Mason still clings onto David or I, but Porter swims and Jonas so badly wants to be without his life jacket. He DOES NOT want to wear it. Luckily the entire outdoor pool was shallow enough that he could stand on his tip toes and be above water, so he could go without his life jacket if he was by us. He was much happier. Lately he has started caring more and more if he looks cool in something. And a life jacket just does not look cool.
Zermatt has a free carousel, so we took the boys over there to ride. Of course there was protesting on Porter's part because he only wanted to swim, but not surprisingly, he loves riding the carousel. Both Jonas and Porter had to take a turn on the "sabertooth tiger".
We headed back to the pool for more swimming before heading back to our room and watching a movie for about 45 minutes before bed. We all slept well that night.
Today we went back to the pool for more swimming before we headed home. We ran into someone that we had known in Boston, Collette Call. It was fun to catch up and see what her and her family are up to. They currently live in Park City.
Porter practiced diving for swim goggles, Jonas worked on floating on his back and Mason clung to David or I :). I did get him to hold my hands and kick his feet for a bit and jump in to me.
After checking out of the hotel we headed over to see the crater at the Homestead. Porter and Jonas are very worried that there might be a megaladon in it, so we had to ask one of the swimmers if they saw anything. They reassured us that there was no megaladon. We hiked up to the top to look down into it and then headed back home.
As soon as we got home we headed to Porter's soccer game. Porter loves to play defense. He isn't often found trying to score, but he can be found blocking the other team. Today when it was his turn to throw the ball in, he actually made the first contact with the ball. You aren't actually supposed to kick it or throw it in to yourself! His team is pretty good and they often win, although they aren't supposed to be keeping track. Porter and a few other kids on the team ALWAYS know the score.
This afternoon David put the swings up in the backyard hanging from a tree. I was reminded how much I love our backyard. It is shaded and so much cooler than being in the sun. The boys swung and we played a little bit of baseball. Mainly we threw the ball to each other and took turns hitting.
Tonight we headed up Millcreek Canyon with the Zech's and the Davis' for dinner and hanging out. The boys all hiked up a hill with David. I guess some of the other kids turned back because it was too steep, but our boys along with Ivy Davis kept going. David said Mason was really good and he just followed Porter and Jonas wherever they went. There was even a part David wasn't going to climb up, but Mason did the whole thing. It's probably good I wasn't there, because I'm sure I would have been telling them to come back down and not go up there. Dad lets them do way more fun things than me. They explored the camp ground and sat by the river. I love getting the boys out to enjoy nature. It is so refreshing and it wears them out and gets them good and ready for bed. After a bath they all crashed.
This weekend was just what our family needed. Time to leave all the work at home behind and play together. I love where we live. There is so much to do right around us. While we were in Midway, we were talking about how beautiful it is. I'm sure we'll be back there again soon.
Tonight Porter informed Janessa and Celeste that when I have him take a bath by himself, he doesn't actually wash himself, he just hangs out in the bath. Why am I not surprised?
When we finally left, we picked up Dad and headed to McDonald's for lunch. It was the boys choice. After eating we took off for Park City so we could play at the bike park. We ended up only spending about 30 min there, but it was still a lot of fun. Mason and Jonas are a bit more adventurous than Porter. Mason found a track that he went around and around on. Every once in awhile you could hear his sweet squeals. And Jonas really wanted to make it up an ramp, but it was super steep, so I had to help him up and then he rode down it. Once Porter saw Jonas do it he had to try it too.
We played at a park after that and then headed to Zermatt in Midway to stay for the night.
The pool was calling our name, so after eating we headed to the pool. The boys could play for hours. Mason still clings onto David or I, but Porter swims and Jonas so badly wants to be without his life jacket. He DOES NOT want to wear it. Luckily the entire outdoor pool was shallow enough that he could stand on his tip toes and be above water, so he could go without his life jacket if he was by us. He was much happier. Lately he has started caring more and more if he looks cool in something. And a life jacket just does not look cool.
Zermatt has a free carousel, so we took the boys over there to ride. Of course there was protesting on Porter's part because he only wanted to swim, but not surprisingly, he loves riding the carousel. Both Jonas and Porter had to take a turn on the "sabertooth tiger".
We headed back to the pool for more swimming before heading back to our room and watching a movie for about 45 minutes before bed. We all slept well that night.
Today we went back to the pool for more swimming before we headed home. We ran into someone that we had known in Boston, Collette Call. It was fun to catch up and see what her and her family are up to. They currently live in Park City.
Porter practiced diving for swim goggles, Jonas worked on floating on his back and Mason clung to David or I :). I did get him to hold my hands and kick his feet for a bit and jump in to me.
After checking out of the hotel we headed over to see the crater at the Homestead. Porter and Jonas are very worried that there might be a megaladon in it, so we had to ask one of the swimmers if they saw anything. They reassured us that there was no megaladon. We hiked up to the top to look down into it and then headed back home.
As soon as we got home we headed to Porter's soccer game. Porter loves to play defense. He isn't often found trying to score, but he can be found blocking the other team. Today when it was his turn to throw the ball in, he actually made the first contact with the ball. You aren't actually supposed to kick it or throw it in to yourself! His team is pretty good and they often win, although they aren't supposed to be keeping track. Porter and a few other kids on the team ALWAYS know the score.
This afternoon David put the swings up in the backyard hanging from a tree. I was reminded how much I love our backyard. It is shaded and so much cooler than being in the sun. The boys swung and we played a little bit of baseball. Mainly we threw the ball to each other and took turns hitting.
Tonight we headed up Millcreek Canyon with the Zech's and the Davis' for dinner and hanging out. The boys all hiked up a hill with David. I guess some of the other kids turned back because it was too steep, but our boys along with Ivy Davis kept going. David said Mason was really good and he just followed Porter and Jonas wherever they went. There was even a part David wasn't going to climb up, but Mason did the whole thing. It's probably good I wasn't there, because I'm sure I would have been telling them to come back down and not go up there. Dad lets them do way more fun things than me. They explored the camp ground and sat by the river. I love getting the boys out to enjoy nature. It is so refreshing and it wears them out and gets them good and ready for bed. After a bath they all crashed.
This weekend was just what our family needed. Time to leave all the work at home behind and play together. I love where we live. There is so much to do right around us. While we were in Midway, we were talking about how beautiful it is. I'm sure we'll be back there again soon.
Tonight Porter informed Janessa and Celeste that when I have him take a bath by himself, he doesn't actually wash himself, he just hangs out in the bath. Why am I not surprised?
Thursday, May 2, 2019
5/2/19
All the boys ended up in my room last night. David was on call. Mason and Jonas started out there and around 4:30am Porter showed up. Then Porter coughed for the next hour until I finally said him and I should get up. We were all up by 6:30am. There is something reassuring about having them all cuddled in my room, especially when David is working.
This morning I got to spend time reading with Porter. He's currently reading, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." So far he said this one has been boring because it's all been about getting ready for a wedding. But when I started reading with him it started to get exciting again. He loves the action and the drama. I never read this series on my own, so it's been fun to read at least parts of it with him. Usually for Mommy/Porter time we end up reading. I love that he still lets me read to him. I don't know how much longer that will last.
Today was a beautiful day, so Mason and Jonas and I decided to go for a walk. These boys are so fun. They both got out their bikes and helmets and we headed off. Then we ran into a neighbor, so they ended up riding up and down our street. Our street is pretty steep and they came pummeling down the street. Kind of gives me a heart attack, but I loved watching how much fun they had. Watching my boys play and have so much fun is one of my favorite things. It was close to Porter's lunch time, so we decided to walk over to the school and say hello. Porter gave the boys hugs and kisses and told them he loved them. These are the moments when you'd think they love each other and always get along. On our walk home, Jonas stopped to try and get butterflies to land on his arm. It didn't happen, but when we were playing outside later today he was able to catch a ladybug and have it crawl on him. He is so tender with animals and it ALMOST makes me want to get him a pet that he can really play with. I'll have to think about it and see if there is a pet that would really work for him.
My goal is to focus more on the positive, sweet interactions with my boys, so I can remember how lucky I am and how much joy they bring me.
This morning I got to spend time reading with Porter. He's currently reading, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." So far he said this one has been boring because it's all been about getting ready for a wedding. But when I started reading with him it started to get exciting again. He loves the action and the drama. I never read this series on my own, so it's been fun to read at least parts of it with him. Usually for Mommy/Porter time we end up reading. I love that he still lets me read to him. I don't know how much longer that will last.
Today was a beautiful day, so Mason and Jonas and I decided to go for a walk. These boys are so fun. They both got out their bikes and helmets and we headed off. Then we ran into a neighbor, so they ended up riding up and down our street. Our street is pretty steep and they came pummeling down the street. Kind of gives me a heart attack, but I loved watching how much fun they had. Watching my boys play and have so much fun is one of my favorite things. It was close to Porter's lunch time, so we decided to walk over to the school and say hello. Porter gave the boys hugs and kisses and told them he loved them. These are the moments when you'd think they love each other and always get along. On our walk home, Jonas stopped to try and get butterflies to land on his arm. It didn't happen, but when we were playing outside later today he was able to catch a ladybug and have it crawl on him. He is so tender with animals and it ALMOST makes me want to get him a pet that he can really play with. I'll have to think about it and see if there is a pet that would really work for him.
My goal is to focus more on the positive, sweet interactions with my boys, so I can remember how lucky I am and how much joy they bring me.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Getting rid of stuff/organizing and Porterisms (5/1/19)
Jonas and Mason help me load up to take things to DI. They are both great helpers and loved getting to load stuff onto the DI truck. Mason is recovering from being sick, So he snuggled up next to me and took a nap. Then Jonas came up to me later in the afternoon and said he just wanted some alone time and he laid it down with a blanket in the living room and took a nap also. I’m assuming he must be getting a little sick too.
When Porter came home Mason and him joined me outside organizing the loft above the garage. I’ve been meaning to do this but was waiting to see what we were going to do with the space. I realized I better do it sooner than later because I won’t be able to bend over much longer and it’s only going to get hotter up there.
It feels good to get rid of stuff and to start organizing things. We still have a long ways to go.
Porter had soccer pictures tonight and we had a little bit of a conflict trying to get him into a soccer uniform. He said he was not wearing cleats and he doesn’t like his soccer shorts. So, the compromise was that he wore jeans with his soccer shirt over his sweatshirt and his vans shoes. I give up on fighting him over things like this. Then on the way to pictures he was saying how he did not like how they made him pose. He complained that they made him put his hands on his hips and his foot on the ball. So when it was time for his individual shot and that is exactly how they post him I could not help but laugh out loud. He was pretty upset in the photo.
Then all the boys and I got to play on the playground and it is fun to watch them explore and Mason and Jonas get more brave at climbing higher on things. Mason would say. “Do you see me Mom?”
If it wasn’t so cold I would’ve stayed longer.
When Porter came home Mason and him joined me outside organizing the loft above the garage. I’ve been meaning to do this but was waiting to see what we were going to do with the space. I realized I better do it sooner than later because I won’t be able to bend over much longer and it’s only going to get hotter up there.
It feels good to get rid of stuff and to start organizing things. We still have a long ways to go.
Porter had soccer pictures tonight and we had a little bit of a conflict trying to get him into a soccer uniform. He said he was not wearing cleats and he doesn’t like his soccer shorts. So, the compromise was that he wore jeans with his soccer shirt over his sweatshirt and his vans shoes. I give up on fighting him over things like this. Then on the way to pictures he was saying how he did not like how they made him pose. He complained that they made him put his hands on his hips and his foot on the ball. So when it was time for his individual shot and that is exactly how they post him I could not help but laugh out loud. He was pretty upset in the photo.
Then all the boys and I got to play on the playground and it is fun to watch them explore and Mason and Jonas get more brave at climbing higher on things. Mason would say. “Do you see me Mom?”
If it wasn’t so cold I would’ve stayed longer.
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