Sunday

Jordan helps get the tech set up for church broadcasts and such, and they've started something where those who aren't able to leave their homes can still watch from home. For the regional broadcast yesterday,  he wanted to test that out, and I was sick with a cold, so I stayed home to test + watch. Things look pretty intense above with these kiddos but they were super quiet while we listened and Isaac built magnatile towers behind them.

(They had an amazing little factory going: Owen is being a mailman for Halloween and he and Ellie decided he should have some "Happy Halloween" letters to deliver to each house when he goes trick or treating. So Owen made envelopes, Ellie made and packaged the Halloween notes, and Porter kept careful track of each card that was made to make sure there was an equal number of pumpkins, bats, and witch hats:)

The conference was great, with lots of focus on the new program for teaching at home (or it felt that way to me since that is on my mind). My favorite part though came in one of the prayers. As Isaac has been learning to pray, he'll often speak along with whoever happens to be praying - usually catching just the most important words, and something about his sweet voice repeating this prayer I just loved -- "Jesus...perfect...loves us...be better."

Happy Weekend

This doesn't look so spectacular, but as I was walking up the trail this morning, catching up to Porter, I was just amazed at how beautiful it was. The crisp cool perfect air, the tall golden grass stretching out up the side of the hill, the bright Fall leaves still hanging on and the bright fall leaves covering the ground, the still-a-bit-colorful mountains... it was really lovely! 

This weekend, Landon is packed up and ready for a scout campout, our yard is still waiting for some Fall clean up, the North Logan library is hosting a Harry Potter party that I think Ellie would love (she just re-read the first and second books with about two full days of reading at Grammie and Grandpa's), we'll have a broadcast in place of regular church meetings on Sunday, I'll make some plans for a Halloween class party game, and I need to get some costumes made for these kiddos! Coming soon: Uncle Sam, a pig-icorn, a mailman, a bat, and something very simple and cute for Isaac...

Happy Anniversary Date (14!)

Jordan and I celebrated our Anniversary while we were in California with a fun overnight trip in to San Francisco. 

We'd gone with everyone to Muir Woods earlier in the day, then decided on our way back home that we'd drop the kids off and turn back around and drive back into the city. (Though the California commute traffic very nearly had us calling the whole thing off!)

Jordan searched for restaurants and made a reservation while we drove, though when we arrived it wasn't quite what we'd expected so we set off in search of a new dinner plan. We had a fun night-time walk through the city and ended up with a  super yummy dinner from Whole Foods, plus some cookies to go :)

It felt pretty strange/relaxing arriving late at the hotel but not having the rush of calling for extra blankets, making up beds, searching for toothbrushes, etc. And, the next morning we slept in till 8:00 (!!) Jordan is usually up by 5 and Isaac wakes up about 6, so this felt pretty luxurious! 

After a fun breakfast, we set out from our hotel and then just walked and walked. We explored the different piers, found  a great little puzzles shop, bought fudge after a cute demonstration they put on, saw a fun "cookie dough" restaurant, watched a crowd of sea lions, and just had fun wandering and exploring together. 

After lunch at a sour dough bread shop (sour dough sandwiches & sour dough tacos) we rented some scooters and then visited Ghirardelli Square and headed downtown by scooter - very fun! 

Driving home, Jordan was reading Funny in Farsi to me and we were just so focused on the stories that we missed our exit by about 15 minutes! But, once we got turned around we were happy to go meet up with Kathie and Winslow and all the kids for a fun dinner at Sweet Tomatoes (And for the record, when the little boys came running to us arms outstretched, they reached for Jordan first -- "Daddy!!" :)

Back home!

All these leaves (+ some) were still waiting for us on our return home last night (though a little less soft and fluffy after a week !)  We had  a really great Fall Break in California spending time with Kathie and Winslow, and Nathan + new fiancé Rachel too! Isaac pretty much didn't want to eat all week because it meant taking a break from playing with all of the great toys. Ellie read and read and read. Owen got to play games, Porter got to listen to stories, Landon read and played... And we had some destinations and adventures mixed in too - it was just a really nice time!

As we were packing up to leave home, I took a few groceries that we hadn't been able to use before we left over to our neighbor, and she texted me on our way home yesterday "I have some new eggs and milk here for you - do you need anything else?" (I sure love our neighbors!)

Owen was worried about waking up for school this morning - He said last night, "I'm still going to think we're at Grammie and Grandpa's and I'll probably sleep till 8:00!"  I don't think the kids ever slept past 6:30 while we were there, but somehow it still did feel a little hard to get up and jump back into the get-ready-for-school routine. (For the kids and for me!)

We managed to get our suitcases all unpacked last night though (this is getting easier with great help from the kids!) and today is laundry/cleaning all the things we left un-done when we left day.  And in a little bit I get to go help with STEAM rotations in Porter's class which I love!

End of the break

At General Conference, President Nelson challenged all the women of the church to take a break from social media for 10 days, so I did it. There have been times in the last several years when I would compulsively 'check' blogs/instagram/news/etc. way too frequently. ( I can remember once when Owen was baby-age, and little 3 or 4-year old Ellie drew a picture of me and it included my computer, and I knew it was time to make some changes.) I've tried to be very intentional about how and when I use social media, but it was still a nice (and still challenging) challenge. 

Here's what I found --

I really love a few blogs (I knew this :) I missed reading them and felt happy and uplifted catching up today. Besides a couple of friends and family blogs, here are my favorites: Stephanie, Sarah, Mel, Shawni, Janssen

I thought I'd love scrolling through the instagram posts I'd missed... but I realized again that there are really just a few that I really love and feel inspired by. My favorites: Beth Allen, Shannan Martin, Elise Joy,  Stephanie Court, Marta Dansie, Marty Halverson, Christopher & Lisa Clark

I can do without the news (at least, all day every day). I felt like I was checking the news way more than necessary, and for the first few days loved getting in the car so I could at least hear the news on the radio :) But I definitely didn't need so much news-reading in my life.

Our new Bishop has a little wood decoration in his office with this thought 'the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.' and I think that's a good summary for me on social media :) It's fun and interesting and sometimes really inspiring and hopefully not something that gets in the way of the main things that really matter.

Off we go!

This morning I've been packing suitcases, finishing a last minute art of the month club project, taking time for school community council, and watching/not too closely as the little boys play like two happy tornados leaving quite a trail behind them all through the house. We're off to visit Kathie and Winslow (+ Nathan and fiancé!) in California for Fall Break. We've had beautiful days here, and we're excited for more beautiful (though more summery!) days ahead this week!

RA + Love

{A note since I've not shared this much: I've had rheumatoid arthritis for five years now, and I was diagnosed and started treatment about a year ago. Some day (maybe soon?) I'll write more, but mostly it is better now than it once was.}

Last night I went to a little evening seminar on Rheumatoid Arthritis in Salt Lake.  It was so interesting and enlightening to look around the room and see such a variety of faces, united just by this disease. The doctor presenting was fabulous, and as she talked I was surprised at the lump in my throat and how emotional I was feeling. But as she was reviewing the new vocabulary that has become familiar to me over the last year or so of NSAIDS and DMARDS, I could feel this doctor, this stranger to me really saying "I know you. I understand you. I care about you" in such a remarkable way.

We had a short break where we were each asked to write down and plan out a specific goal we'd like to work toward. When she asked for volunteers to share their goals, I raised my hand and read mine first - "I'd like to make breakfast for my kids." And then, seeing the loving kindness in this doctors face, I found myself crying.

I've been grateful to have a diagnosis and to be working toward finding some helpful treatments. But my doctor's approach has been very much "You have this problem. Now what do you want to do about it?" And though the doctor presenting didn't say this, I left with this message instead. "You are loved. You are cared for. I want to help and serve you the best I can. You are strong and capable and doing wonderfully well in your roles. Let's work together and see what great results we can find for you."

(And also, "She's my doctor, isn't she the best? Sadly, she's not accepting new patients.")

Today, I'm feeling still tenderhearted at how well she shared her love even in such a professional setting. And I'm feeling more hopeful and motivated to communicate better with my own doctor and hopefully find some better treatments (so I can make those special breakfasts for my kids again soon.)