A Little Fresh Snow And 31 Years

We had a little spring snow storm which left us with a beautiful morning! Wes and I are also celebrating 31 years! Happy Anniversary to us! He brought me these gorgeous roses, love that guy.

Quarantine Update

It's another fun filled day here at home. I think it's day 20 of the quarantine. Or something like that. It's hard to keep track of even what day it is! Clint came home. His school is all online now, so he just checked out of his apartment and he'll finish up classes here at home. We're really glad to have him here. Means lots more games of Settlers and lots more puzzles! We've borrowed a few puzzles from our neighbors and we ordered a few more too. Hope they come soon, everything from Amazon is backed up a ways. Our ward did a parade past the house of a couple of returning missionaries. That was really fun. My friend SueAnne asked me to go with her to do some ritual dancing to ward off evil spirits at a neighbor's house, ha ha! These neighbors have had nothing but problems at their house since they moved in, and we wanted to just bring a smile to their faces. So far we are all still healthy, hope that continues! We are missing the grand kids, who are trying to stay quarantined to themselves for a while. Hopefully we'll get to see them soon. Colton sent us some darling photos though! Tomorrow is Wes and my 31st wedding anniversary! Our celebration will be a lot different than last year, but there's no one I'd rather be quarantined with than him.

The Front Steps Project

My new friend Alycia joined #thefrontstepsproject to capture images of this time in our lives. She's doing mini shoots of families on their front porches from a careful distance. All she's asking is a donation to The Little Lambs Foundation or another local charity. We were happy to donate and we had so much fun with Alycia taking these photos.

Coronavirus Quarantine

We've been quarantined due to the Coronavirus pandemic.  We have been asked to stay home as much as possible and distance ourselves from other people in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19. Grandpa Mike has been quarantined at Maple Springs and we aren't allowed in there to visit him. We've been trying to talk to him on the phone and send letters. It's been tough on him. Here at home things are okay. Clint has been home for spring break. His school has gone completely online. He is heading back to Cedar City for now, to see how things are down there. But he may pack up and head home since he can do school from home. Kori has still been working so far, trying to get Bridgerland online for their students. Colton's job has been okay so far. Their restaurants are taking a hit because people aren't going out, but their drive thrus are staying open. Wes has still been going in to work and he is busy. At home, we have been having church from home, playing lots of games and doing puzzles, going for walks, face timing Colton's family, watching movies, and taking stock of our food storage and what we have to use so we don't have to go to the grocery store too often. These are crazy times and it feels very surreal. But we've learned a few things, and I've started a quarantine journal.

Day 1 - I have to trust people. My dad is locked in at Maple Springs and I can't visit. I have to be at their mercy to take care of him. I have to be trusting.

Day 2 - At least with modern technology, we don't have to feel completely shut out from the rest of the world. It's actually helping us feel united in a way, and I can still do my calling via text and email.

Day 3 - You gotta have a sense of humor! Luckily for our family, we have this in spades!

Day 4 - We can worship from home. The Lord truly prepared us with the Come Follow Me program and all we have available from the church. We may not be able to attend church, but we know what to do from home.

Day 5 - We're all in this together. We've never seen anything on a global scale like this. It helps me feel comforted that everyone in the whole world understands, and in most cases are reaching out to help each other.

Day 6 - I need to be more careful and less wasteful with the food I buy. I'm trying to use the food I have in the fridge before it goes bad, and not be so rigid about my menu.

Day 7 - The temple can be a strength even if I can't go. The temple is closed right now, but today I drove to the temple, parked, and just prayed and pondered. I felt such peace. I'm so grateful for the covenants I've made and the blessing of being sealed to my family forever.

Day 8 - Texting and technology are great, but actually talking, even if it's on the phone or face time are way better.

Day 9 - I'm so thankful for our prophet, his counsel and his comforting words.

Day 10 - The sunshine is helping me not feel so cooped up. I'm glad it's March and not January.

Day 11 - Church is different at home. In some ways better. I think without all the programs and socialization the "church" offers, it's easier to focus on the Savior, what He would have me do, and just Him as the light and the way.

Happy Birthday Kori

It's been quite a few years since we got to celebrate Kori's birthday in person! Her work spoiled her with Mexican food for lunch, and then her lifegivers took her to Tandoori Oven for dinner. We continued the celebration at home with presents and chocolate cake. We gave Kori some twenties and fives for her 25th, plus JoJo Rabbit and some tickets to see a couple of upcoming movies, Mulan and A Quiet Place 2! Kori we love having you home and we loved having you here for your birthday! You have been such a delight this past quarter of a century! You are smart, funny, thoughtful, kind, intuitive, creative, and we are so lucky to have you in our family!