October Conference Weekend

We just had a super fun weekend at the cabin for conference. At conference President Nelson challenged all the women to a 10 day social media fast. It’s been a couple days and I am really liking not having any facebook or instagram. It makes nursing Callen a little boring but then I feel like I have time to think. He also challenged all the women to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I am already in Alma so I just have to read a little more each day. I really want my kids to see me following the prophet and see the blessings that can follow. e best part of the weekend was the surprise blizzard for 2 days! The kids thought it was Christmas morning when they woke up, walked up stairs, and saw the world covered in snow. I loved it! 

Callen 8 months

Callen is as busy and cute as ever. He is now able to climb up the stairs and pulls himself up on all the furinture. His ability to eat almost anything has been helped by his 4 new top teeth. He LOVES gnawing in bits of food and will be happy in his high chair for a long time eating. Callen is a pretty good sleeping taking 2 naps and only waking up once at night. Not too bad! He is super snuggly and does not like strangers to hold him. He really just loves me best!! 

It’s a whirlwind

Oh man my life is a whirl wind. I know it won’t slow down and I have to learn to keep up. We have tennis, piano lessons, soccer, and tutoring to keep us busy during the week. Then weekends are a blur of activities and Sundays are just brutal. I have been young women President for over 18 months and it is wonderful but so time consuming. The last couple of months have been exceptionally hard as they have moved almost all the leaders around and I have lost my momentum. Church callings are challenging!! Being a leader over 10 women and 30 youth is challenging!! I feel like so many women could do better yet somehow I still just plug away. Nick is so busy with his 2 callings as Gosepl doctrine teacher and ward clerk. Often times I feel like all are spare time goes to serve the ward. I wish I could say I am always happy about it but I grumble a lot. But then I remember how amazingly blessed our family is and I know it’s the Lords way of saying thank you. I know that you love those you serve and feel so grateful to serve/love the youth. They bring so much joy to my life. 


 

Callen 7 months

Sweet Callen is 7 months. He is warm and charming but he is one crazy sleeper. Some nights good, some days good and many, many others terrible. His new thing is screaming whenever I lay him down in his bed. Even if he is sound asleep he will cry and wail until I pick him up. I snuggle him and give him kisses and then he goes down. It always takes 2 times in order to go to sleep. It’s like this fun game we play haha. But he is just so perfect these days. Huge smile, two cute teeth, dimples in either side and a baby mohawk. I just adore him! Callen has been such a blessings these past months. Since January we have had so many changes with family because of 2 divorces. I have spent many nights holding Callen and using his tender cuddles for comfort and peace. Callen has become my emotional therapy  baby☺️. I just love everything about him and how much joy he has brought our family. Callen you are on the go but I know you love my arms the best!

 

First Day of School

We all survived the first day of school!! It went perfect and the girls just LOVE their teachers. Scarlett is over the moon that her best friend Kennedy is in her class and Alice has 2 really good friends in her class. 

Scarlett came home just beaming about how much she loves her teacher and class. She said that Ms. Gliko is “amazing and has made me totally love school”. Those words are music to my ears!! I hope this is the year that Scarlett really catches and blossoms in her learning. She is an amazing little girl and just adore her. She still loves to collect little treasures and has a great imagination. Not a big fan of reading but she is getting better. Scarlett is one hard worker so I know she will go far in life! Scarlett starts 3rd grade with Ms Gliko. 

Alice is just as sweet as apple pie and looked so cute in her little dress (Scarlett was too old a dress this year and insisted on shorts and a T-shirt). Alice just loves everyone and is a fantastic student. I am so impressed with how well she is reading and learning. Alice started 1st great with Ms Jivan 

Jack was SO SO excited to start school and finally go to Ms Megan’s preschool. Megan Mckee is our ward RS President and is a total sweet heart. Jack is gonna love every second of it. He came running out to me after class and gave me a big hug. He is one wild and sweet boy. 

I am excited to have 4 hours each week to myself💃. While Jack is at preschool Callen will take his morning nap and I can have quiet! I’ll probably fall asleep and dream peacefully. Or eat breakfast in quiet. Or get ready and do my hair.  Basically the possibilities are endless! 

San Diego 2018

We took our first trip as a family of 6 to San Diego last weekend. It was a success and we all survived so I call it a win. We did stay in a no AC house with a crazy lady neighbor but that just lead to a memorable time. In the end, the crazy neighbor was nice and painted rocks with the kids (which they loved). I loved seeing the wonderful personalities of our kids come out as we were together as a family. Jack was wild, Scarlett worried and treasure seeking, and Alice super sassy. We worked hard together and played hard and I felt like it grew is closer together. Nick and I both agreed that it was worth all the time, work and money! 

On Friday we went to San Diego Zoo and had the best time!! The kids each had a favorite animal they wanted to see and we saw them all. Alice wanted flamingos, Jack wanted lions and snakes, and Scarlett wanted giraffes. The kids loved seeing all the other animals and especially loved riding the open buses and sky tram. We had a wonderful time. 

Saturday we headed to Coranado Island. We played ALL day on the beach. So much sand but the kids loved it. Callen was fussy so it was not as fun for me but the kids didn’t notice. Alice looked for shells and Scarlett boogie boarded the whole time. Of course, I made the kids walk the half mile to Del Coranado Hotel for a pic. 

On Sunday we went to church and drove to the temple. The kids loved hearing that I was born in California and the stories of growing up in San Diego. Such a memorable and bonding vacation!