Week 59

 Dear Scott,

This week was quieter, as you may imagine.  We missed talking with you on Monday, but it is nice to be able to message you throughout the week on Google Hangouts.  I know your sisters really enjoy that.

Emma's choir wasn't able to do an in-person concert, so they recorded themselves singing and released a YouTube video of it, and we watched it for Family Home Evening.  I was impressed with how the kids are adapting to the restrictions imposed on them--and the choir sounded great.  The school district said that after this week the choir students don't have to wear face shields any more, and Emma is super excited about that.

(I took screen shots of the concert on my phone)

The concert was dedicated to all the seniors in the choir.  Emma is the one on the floor on the right.

In other news, Benson spent the evening creating multiplication worksheets for himself.  I can't say I ever spent my free time in that way.

Dad was given a hammock that we could put in the hammock frame.  It seems to need to be tightened somehow, but until we figure that out, we kind of sit low in it.  But the weather was great for it, and many kids spent many afternoon hours in it.

On Tuesday Dad and the girls built monkey bridges.  They had so much fun!  It's getting darker and a little cooler at night, so they will probably move meetings indoors soon.

On Thursday night, along with an incoming cold front, I could feel that I was starting to get sick with something, and sure enough, on Friday I woke up with an awful cold.  All plans for the day (which thankfully were limited) were cancelled, and I spent the day dozing on the couch while it rained outside.  Tessa had a virtual awards assembly which I watched online.  Dad took over the rest of the duties for the day.

On Saturday I still felt pretty gross, and dozed a lot on the couch again.  Dad went to a black powder shooting competition, where they had to dress up in pre-18something clothing.  He got third place, and made cobbler for everyone, and had a pretty great time.  (He did not, however, bring home a bear, as requested. ☺  )

The girls were supposed to have a piano recital, but Sis. Knight got sick and cancelled, so we had a book reading/homework/chore/lazy day at home.  The girls made dinner.  Caytie helped her art class pass out candy at a drive-thru Trunk or Treat at her school, and when we went to pick her up, I had the kids put on their costumes just in case we got there in time for some leftover candy.  We were the last ones they let drive through, so all the people handing out candy dumped what they had left into our kids' laps.  They got quite a haul for a little loop around the parking lot.  Caytie's class had a Bob Ross theme, and she was the lucky one to dress up as him, thanks to our curly brown wig.

On Sunday I finally felt better.  I still needed a good nap after church, but I am human again.  Gracie and Emma did their culinary assignments in the afternoon.  Gracie made banana blueberry bread and Emma made pumpkin muffins.  My nose was so clogged that I couldn't taste them until I tried again today.  They both did an excellent job!  We all love this class. ❤

Everyone is kind of anxious for this year to be over.  The kids could hardly wait for Halloween to get here, and it's not until Saturday, and they're already asking to put up Christmas decorations and make Christmas lists.  It is nice to have something to look forward to.  I think the sudden cold weather and drizzly days have made us ready for winter.  I don't think the coronavirus will suddenly disappear after the new year begins, but at least we will have finished a year of dealing with it.

We love you, Scott!  We love hearing about what you're doing and learning and who you're helping.  Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.  Have an amazing week!

Love,

Mom

Week 58

 Dear Scott,

Well, we had another week with the Parkers, but all good things must come to an end.  They found out on Friday night that there were some unexpected complications with the adoption, so they decided to go back home on Saturday until things could be resolved.  But we managed to fit a few fun things into the week before that happened.

The kids were out of school on Monday.  It was for "Fair Day," which also happens to be on Columbus Day.  The fair was mostly cancelled this year, except that you could do a drive through and get some fair food.  We opted out of that.  Instead, Benson, Asher, Zach, and Ethan woke up early and made some origami, and decided to sell it on the corner.  They got this all set up and were out there before most of the rest of the household were up.  They were surprisingly patient, and sat there for about two hours with no customers, and decided to go to Benson's friends' houses to try to sell them.  They woke his friends up and they felt bad so they gave them some origami for free.  By now everyone else was up and going (and flying kites!).  Liz said she'd help them with a cookie and lemonade stand later in the day.

It took some time, but everything was ready by about 4:30, so they set up over by the pool for the coming-home-from-work crowd, and made some money before dinner.

There were lots left over, so the next afternoon, the boys set up on our corner again, and were there when all the busses stopped there, and they made a lot of money!  After paying Liz back for supplies, they each made about $12.

The rest of the week was pretty routine (despite the 10 extra people in the mix).  Our kids had school and their kids did school at home, I had preschool and my book club, Cameron had his 6th birthday, Dad did Scouts with the girls on Tuesday and Cubs with the boys on Thursday (they carved soap, so all boys required a parent to supervise), everyone went to the pool on Wednesday evening, Tessa and Avery built a fort to sleep in in Tessa's room, many Lego creations were brought to life, I did a ministering visit, we all made several trips to Walmart, laundry and dishes were mostly conquered, Drew mowed the lawn, we fed the missionaries (and all of us) pizza, and Paisley the puppy kept growing.

On Saturday morning, Dad, Emma, Gracie, and Caytie went to a youth service project.  They asked for ward members to sign up for service they needed to get done, so one of the youth groups came to our house to re-stain the fort.  During that time, the Parkers packed up all their things to head home, and they waited for the service project to be done before they left, so they could say goodbye to everyone.  We got one more group picture:

Back row--Liz, Jared, Katelyn, me, Emma, Dad, Madison, Drew (and Paisley).  Front row--Caytie, Ethan, Tessa, Zach, Benson, Asher, Cameron, Avery, and Gracie.

The house was so very quiet after they left.  We loved having them with us!

Sunday was lovely.  I really like seeing more and more people coming back to church.  Now we are anxious to be able to sing together again, and maybe even have classes someday.  The weather was as nice as it had been all week, which was good, because we had a youth fireside in our backyard, so they could talk about/bear testimony about the service project from the day before.

In "Come, Follow Me" this week, the Lord commands his disciples (and us) to write down the things they experience (3 Nephi 27:23-24), including how the teachings of Christ have changed them (and us).  I've had the teachings of Christ taught to me for my whole life, but I can still see where I can use them to improve who I am, my thoughts about others, and how I treat people.  I find that "trying to be like Jesus" is a good motivator for me when I'm faced with something I don't really want to do (for example--calling people on the phone), and puts trials into perspective (for example--reacting with love instead of impatience).  The good news is there is still time for me to improve.

We love you, Scott!  We miss you and hope you have an amazing week.

Love,

Mom

Week 57

 Dear Scott,

Congratulations again on your acceptance to BYU!  It's nice to have plans a little more in place.

Well, we're a week in with having 17 people and six pets in our home, and things are going pretty well.  Benson is smack dab in the middle of their four younger boys, and their girls are in between our girls.  Our kids go to school, and they stay home to do their school, and then they play together all afternoon and evening.  The birth mom of the baby they're adopting has not gone into labor yet, so we're all praying for that. 

It was Wylie East's homecoming week, so the girls got to dress up each day.  Monday was mismatch day, and their picture was on the school's Facebook page.

Gracie also helped with some of the the hall decorations, and painted the lettering on this sign:

We went to the parade, which was at Founder's Park instead of downtown Wylie, so we could spread out a bit.  No one was able to throw candy though, so that was a bummer.  Our favorite part was watching the band play their instruments with holes in their masks.  We live in weird times.

On Friday Emma wore her mum to school (which is actually navy and white, but since I took the picture early in the morning, looks black).  We found out that the whole football team was quarantined, so the game was cancelled.  The dance had already been cancelled.  It's OK, though, because Emma started a weekend long dog/house sitting job after school, and was happy to be able to make some money.

On Tuesday evening Dad taught the girls (plus some cousins) lashing, and they culminated with teepees.  The weather has been so beautiful this week, which is nice, since we have to eat outside, due to lack of space in our kitchen.

Dad and Benson had fun at a Cub Camporee over the weekend.  They went where the girls had gone earlier in the month.  All the state campgrounds are still closed, but they follow strict health guidelines for these Scout campsites in order to be able to use them.

The rest of us did a little cleaning, and spent the afternoon at the pool.  The water is pretty frigid, but the weather was so warm that we endured!

On Sunday I went to my first in-person Ward Council since quarantine.  The number limit for church has been lifted, so we don't have to sign up to go anymore.  It's still just Sacrament Meeting, but we will take it.  I had a Relief Society Zoom meeting after church.  We worry for those who are not coming back.  I wish I knew how to inspire people to make ministering matter more in their lives.

After dinner we went on a little tour around our neighborhood.  Some people really decorated a lot for Halloween, and it was fun to see it at night.

Well, I need to get to the store.  (We only have room in our fridge for one day's worth of food at a time!)  Today is a day off of school.  There are grand plans for a cookie/lemonade stand, but I'm not sure how or when that will happen.  We look forward to visiting with you later!

Love,

Mom

A couple other things from this week:

Games after school

All the kids--minus Zach

My parents finished their service as Temple President and Matron on Saturday

A full house requires unique practice locations

Week 56

 Dear Scott,

Wasn't General Conference so good?  I loved the themes of peace and unity through Christ, as well as the reminder that trials are expected and needed--but we don't have to go through them alone, and they will end, "by and by."  It was an uplifting event, and good for my soul.

This week went pretty well.  The kids are finishing up their first nine weeks at school, and can therefore choose to stay home to learn online or continue in person for the next nine weeks.  There was no hesitation from anyone to continue in person learning--we are all fans.  There continues to be positive coronavirus cases reported from each school, and they quarantine them and the people that were around them, but that hasn't affected any of our kids yet.  They are doing well in their classes, too.  There's really just one class from one of them that needs to be improved, and it is being taught by a teacher who records himself talking about his power points, so I don't blame your sibling for having a hard time paying attention there.

Dad has been bonding with Timmy. :)

On Thursday afternoon, Dad's sister Liz called.  They're adopting a baby in Louisiana, and asked if their family could come stay for a week while they go there to pick it up and take care of the paperwork.  So on Friday I got some more groceries, and on Saturday between General Conference sessions, we cleaned and tried to figure out sleeping arrangements, and at 2 am on Sunday, the eight kids, two parents, and one puppy arrived.  We let them sleep in on Sunday morning, and went to have breakfast and watch the first session of conference with the Matheneys, who fed us stuffed French toast.  (So yummy!!)  When we returned, we were glad the Parkers were up and ready to spend time with our kids.  They had a great time.  The only ones not thrilled to be with them (and really, it's the puppy that's their issue) are Timmy, who is pretty agitated and bite-y, and Bella, who has to be dragged out from under the couch to eat.  We found out that it may be more than a week that they are here, as the baby isn't born yet and paperwork takes varied amounts of time, so we're just going a day at a time for now.  We enjoyed the last session of conference (with Bingo and candy corn) and were excited about the new temple announcements.  (I wonder how close the Lindon one will be to Gma and Gpa Danielson?)  I will say, Benson is really loving having some boys his age to play with.

Thank you for being proactive in sharing your testimony of Jesus Christ and His church to those around you and on social media.  It inspires me to do more.

We love you!

Mom

PS--Benson got to go to Medieval Times on Saturday night for his friend Cameron's birthday.  He had a great time!