Winter Park Days

Despite a previous post about this being a dreary winter, Colorado always delivers on random 60 degree weather.  Most of those beautiful days this year have been tampered with large amounts of wind (windiest, driest year on record so far - yay climate change).  But on a few of those days we went to the park.  We tried to  go with our ward friends as often as possible, but it is getting harder and harder to have consistent friends.  Most (if not all) of our outings are just the 3 of us.  And while that makes me sad, it was the same way when Brock and Noah were this age and those are some of my favorite mothering moments.  I do love when it is just us. 

One park has a "swing together" that Eve loves.

One day we got Mads with us.  She likes to come along to the parks with us to rollerblade.

I have been diligent over the last year or so to always have sand toys in the car with us.  It's been great and helps me feel "together".  Sometimes it is the little things that makes my day feel like a "win" or that I am being a good mom.

 

Best Day EVER

I have avoided this post because I do not have the words to describe the emotion of this day.  It ended up being far more complex than any of us ever imagined, but I will also not be able to express those details as well.  So for the sake of a record I will at least post about the facts and details.

The Weister's were sealed on February 26 in the  Denver Temple by President Priday.  It was all so wonderful and I am so happy for them.  David did wonderfully. 

I *made* the older kids come to the temple for when they came out.  No one understood why I had them do that.  But I did.  And I think afterwards they did too.

I have imagined this day for 7 years and it always involved all of these wonderful people.  Our ward has been so amazing to the Weisters.  They have loved them and helped them and it really was a whole ward effort. I could go through each one of them and mention what they did specifically to help them along their paths and I am so grateful for them!

Afterwards Heather Clark and I hosted a casual dinner for them at the Clarks house.  It was wonderful.  

Hannah made some great cupcakes

Legally Blonde

Noah was in the Middle School's spring play "Legally Blonde".  It ended up being a whole family effort.  It only seemed fair that he get to watch the movie and everyone else wanted to.  So we watched the movie, and then Noah downloaded the musical soundtrack and he and the girls would often listen to it while crafting.  Noah was one of the "frat boys" and also Dewy (the hair dressers ex husband who stole her dog).  He did all of it great and we were all so proud of him.

David and Riley came to support him one night!

 

Temple Trips

Maybe we go to the temple to much.  I don't even take pictures every time we go, only when it is really pretty or really great.  But I just love it so much, and we are so close.  

Plus I have been looking forward to these days for 20 years.  When I was in HS and going to the temple very Saturday morning I made a decision that I was going to take my teenagers to the temple as often as we could.  I hoped it would be once a week, but Covid had other plans.  But we go at least once a month, and then several other times as others invite us.  It is glorious and makes me feel/recognize that I AM being the kind of mom I want to be, and I am not just surviving, but actually we are thriving. I honestly CAN NOT WAIT for Madison to join us.  It is going to be great!

On this day I just dropped them off because there were only 3 slots available.  It felt like my heart would burst with happiness.  They always want to go.  I really make it a point to make sure they WANT to go.  And they really do.

We got to go through with Brian for his endowment.  Another great day.

This is a shot of the kids after their sealing (post is coming)

I also have hopped to be the mom that picks up other kids and takes them to the temple with my kids.  This has also become a reality.  Almost every time my kids go to the temple they take several other kids with them.

I also have other mom's making appointments for their kids and bringing mine along as well.  I hope these things are sinking deep into their hearts.

Food storage and blessings from the governments

I am not going to document on my blog ALL the blessings we have received from the Lord (including from other people and the government) over the last 4 years (since Jason FIRST lost his job) because they are numerous but also sacred and private.  But they have been MIRACULOUS and individually specific.  I have written them down in my private journal.  But from a birds eye view Jason's unemployment colliding with 2 babies births and then a pandemic on the end all worked together in a way that has opened many doors for a "leg up" in the form of government assistance that we would have never sought out ourselves.  One was the EVERY kid in America got free breakfast and lunches in the 2020 and 2021 school years.  I mean... everyone across the continent rejoiced!  This has been AMAZING for our mornings and for the stress of keeping food stocked not to mention the grocery bill.  NEXT becasue we had been on a previous list of free and reduced lunches in the last 2 years before the pandemic started we got included in another bill that put us on food stamps for 6 months.  It was wonderful.  During Jason's unemployment we went through most of our food storage so we decided to use the money to restock our supply.  It was wonderful and now makes life so easy (I always have everything) and gives me the comfort of "If I am prepared I shall not fear"... food storage - check!

Also I revamped our 72 hour bags and we got a fridge in the garage.  So basically everything is awesome!