Mundane activities, extraordinary moments

This week has been a relatively quiet week.  The kids had their usual extracurricular activities, choir, dance, scouts and Jake started up indoor soccer.  Due to bad weather, one of Mike's AirMed shifts was cancelled and was able to be home unexpectedly, which is always nice. Due to this, he was able to take the boys shoe shopping and to get haircuts while I took Michaela out for a Mommy/Daughter date to dinner and a movie on Friday.  Saturday, a neighbor and friend's daughter got married and Michaela and I attended the wedding reception.

On the way home from the reception, Michaela spoke to me about her feelings regarding marriage.  She expressed her concerns that she hoped she would be able to marry the "right one."  It was an opportunity to discuss how it's important to date a lot of people and take time in making this very important decision.  We were also able to discuss that even after getting marriage, it takes a lot of effort, effort that is worth it, but takes a lot of work.  I explained that the first few years of Daddy's and my marriage were very difficult and we had several conflicts but we both worked very hard to get through them.  She expressed, "But you guys never really argue."  I explained, "But yes, we used to before you were born.  What you see now is that we have worked through most of our issues and have a very solid marriage."  I was grateful for this impromptu talk and the time I had to spend alone with her.  It reminded me that I need to be always prepared and seize these parent teaching moments with our children.  They can't be planned and scripted.  I have to be ready and available so that they can happen.

But what I mostly wanted to document this week, was an experience I don't want to forget.  Tuesday morning I was saying my morning prayers and asked, "Heavenly Father, who can I help today?" Sue McCombs popped into my head.  I am her visiting teacher and had made an appointment to go see her on Thursday to visit and see how she was doing.  I tried to rationalize that it was silly that Sue was the one I needed to help because I was going to see her in two days.  So I prayed again and again her name popped into my head.  I got up and went about making breakfast for the kids and pondered on this.  I couldn't shake the thought of helping Sue so I sent her a text message.  Surprisingly, she wrote back saying she had been thinking of me and wondered if there was anything she could do for me.  Immediately, what came to mind was a situation I was having with someone.  I didn't want to go into details so I asked Sue to pray for me.  Sue decided to come over and we chatted for about an hour.  She has been a Relief Society president and was able to offer advice that no one else could have offered.  I felt a lot better after she left.  This experience has taught me that God is aware of each of us and loves each of us and yearns to help us be happy.

Interestingly, on Thursday, Sue got sick and had to cancel our visiting teaching appointment so I wouldn't have been able to visit with her on the day we had planned.




On a lighter note, Caleb sure keeps things funny and interesting around here!







Not only does he comically dress the dogs, but he keeps me rolling with laughter during family games.  For Family Night, he chose to play Guesstures, a charade type game.  He had four words to act out in one minute and the first thing he did was pull down his pants including his boxers and strip naked.  I was so shocked I couldn't speak, but Michaela yelled, "Naked!" He gave her a thumbs up and he quickly pulled up his pants, rolled them up and acted out swimming for "swimming trunks."  I could hardly breathe from laughing--tears rolled down my cheeks.  Sure love that boy and the craziness he brings to our lives.

Whoever said that diamonds are a girl's best friend never owned a dog

I am convinced our sweet Chewbacca's main earthly purpose is to bring comfort to those around him.  Lately, Squirt has been suffering from nightly nightmares.  Going to bed causes her great anxiety.  Last night, she asked if Chewbacca could sleep on her bed.  We consented.  I didn't think he would actually stay on the bed--mostly because she torments him so.  At 6 AM, I noticed her door open and crept upstairs to quietly close it to prevent an early rising.  As I grabbed the handle, I paused and noticed Chewy's wet nose peeking out from underneath her bed linens that had been shoved off during the night.  Warmth flooded my soul.  Gratitude shot out from every cell of my body. 

Emily often curls up next to her furry friend while he takes his frequent daily naps.  Today she played music from my iPad for him.  I don't think he cares to listen to Katy Perry and Dove Cameron, but he patiently stays oozing comfort, love and friendship into her little body.  As I write and reflect on how our life has changed because of him, tears threaten to fall. I don't know how we got so fortunate to have been blessed with one of God's chosen creatures, but I will cherish all the time we will be graced to have with him.

Christmas 2016, performances, braces and deer in the neighborhood

December is always quite a busy month for everyone with Christmas preparations, but it is always joyous.  This year, it was particularly meaningful because the LDS Church published a service oriented advent Christmas calendar called, "Light the World," to help individuals remember Christ each day.  Each day there were simple service acts, such as donate clothing, or food or be kind to someone.  As a family we followed the advent calendar and decided to focus on serving one member of the family each week secretly.  Doing this service brought such a sweet spirit into our home.  Also during the December month, we attended Christmas school programs and Mike's parents and brothers came to visit for a few days.  It snowed on Christmas Eve--what could be better than that? The kids sledded and frolicked to their hearts content, opened their pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa Kessel, acted out the Nativity Story, slept all together in the family room and woke up too early Christmas morning.  Mike left for work after the gifts were opened, the kids went off to play with all their new treasures and I went back to bed!  It was grand! I attached some pictures below from the last month.  Hope you enjoy them:

I've instituted a rotating after dinner kitchen cleanup assignment sheet and it is working beautifully.  The kids don't whine (as much) because they know what is expected after we finish eating.  Here the boys are working together to wash the dishes.  We have some of the most enjoyable times together doing chores--we also have some of the worst times together doing it, it just depends on everyone's mood!  

Emily drew Mike's name the first week to do secret service to.  She drew a picture depicting him and her together and placed it on his nightstand.  Gotta love the little spikey hairs on top of Mike's head.

The week Caleb drew Jake's name, he made Jake's bed and left kind notes.

Emily tormenting Chewbacca.  He is so endlessly patient.

He also loves his ball.

One school morning, the young men in our church group and their church leaders had planned an early morning temple trip.  They were to leave at 4:30 A.M.  Yes, that's right, 4:30! This way they could get back in plenty of time to go school. Caleb carefully laid out all that he needed, placed his shoes, tie and temple cards (in the sack) by the front door the previous night.  Unfortunately, he slept right through his wristwatch alarm and woke up too late to go.  He was devastated.  He learned a powerful lesson about listening to promptings.  He told me that as he crawled into bed the night before he had the thought, "Set your alarm clock, you might sleep through your watch alarm."  But he dismissed the thought and went to sleep.  Even though he didn't make it to the temple, and I know the disappointment still lingers with him, I am so proud of this young man and the righteous choices he continues to make in his life.

I keep attending the dog socialization class.  Chewy is doing awesome!  He acted pretty comfortably around all the other dogs.  He doesn't interact with them, and continues to try to get all humans to pet him, but he hasn't growled at any of the four-legged creatures.

Jake, Michaela and Emily had a Christmas school program.  Unfortunately, Jake and Michaela were too sick to go.  I brought Emily and got to watch her perform "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer."

We also attended Caleb's Orchestra Christmas concert.  He continues to work hard and improve.  He was asked to move from Beginning Orchestra to Intermediate Orchestra next semester.  

Caleb and his longtime friend, Boyd.  Boyd plays the cello.

Jake got well enough to be a part of his class Christmas play.  He did wonderful--had all his lines memorized.

Christmas Eve Nativity Story:  Emily and Jake were Mary and Joseph.  Mike put a ball underneath Em's nightgown, too funny!

"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy!"

Michaela was the beautiful angel.

Caleb, the wise man, acting out his joy upon hearing the news of Christ's birth.

Grandma Kessel bought these jammies at the beginning of 2016 because she got such a good deal.  We predicted Caleb's size, but he grew right out of that size.  He was bummed that he couldn't wear them for our annual Christmas Eve photo.

Christmas morning.  Michaela's most wanted gift was a violin.  Caleb was eager to help teach her.

I have asked for snowshoes for 14 years.  Last year with all our health problems, I wondered if I would ever be able to go.  This year, Mike surprised me and gave me a pair. Mike's health is good, my hip is all healed.  I can't wait to go!

At cousin Suzanne's 11th birthday part at the arcade.  Emily and Mike duke it out on "Street Fighter."

For Caleb's English class, he was required to plan and carry out a service project.  He chose to take the family up Israel Canyon at the top of our subdivision and pick up trash.  At first, there was a bit of complaining, but eventually everyone got to work and we had a great time.

Emily frequently climbs on Mike.  During our last family night, this is how she chose to play "Clue."

Jake got braces!  Today, we went for a palate expander check and came away with six braces. Jake has one top front tooth that grew behind his bottom teeth.  The braces will pull it forward.  After this he will get new x-rays to see if the top impacted molars have moved into the correct position. 

Michaela called to be brought home early from school since she doesn't feel well.  Right before turning onto our street, this is what we saw!  What a special treat.

While waiting at the orthodontist, I received this from Slim, a.k.a."Caleb." Mom payday!

Orthodontics, turkey, temple and decorating

Jake got his palate expander on Tuesday to help make his upper palate bigger to make more room for some permanent teeth that look like they might be impacted.  It's been a little rough going, but he is handling it well.  Soon, his tongue should be calloused and not hurt from rubbing on the appliance.

I made Mike's favorite pie for Thanksgiving--apple pie.  He also got an expansion pack to a strategy game he is currently loving.  It's tough to say which one he enjoyed more on Thanksgiving.

We had a quiet, but relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner.  I had developed a chest cold and let family members know with small children who felt it best to protect their little clan and not come as planned, so we opted to just have dinner with our immediate family. 

White Friday--instead of going shopping for Black Friday, Mike and I got to spend time with Caleb in the temple.  Sure love this sweet boy and his moral strength! Very few things beat the feelings of peace, joy and serenity I feel serving in the temple with my family.

Oh, and this week, Caleb was asked by the bishopric to be a youth family history consultant.  He is attending training tonight on how to find ancestors, their births and deaths using the LDS Family Search tool and do his own geneology.  I know he is going to do great.  When I was in ward council (a meeting I have every few weeks with the all the presidents of the different organizations in the ward) the bishop said they needed to ask two youth to help with family history.  Caleb's name immediately popped into my head.  But I am over the women in the ward and therefore, don't have stewardship over the young men and cannot propose young men to be considered.  I wasn't surprised when later, I was approached by the a member of Young Men presidency and asked if Caleb could be called to this position.

The day after Thanksgiving, we pulled out our Christmas decorations.  The boys went to town stringing the garland on the banister.  They did a marvelous job.

Daddy is always so thorough in how he sets up the tree.  He carefully fluffs each branch to make it look its fullest.

Cap, doing what he does best.  Chewing on anything and everything, this used to be part of the garland.

Aw...our sweet Chewbacca.  Always ready for a snuggle.  

I took him and Cap to a dog socialization class on Saturday to help them get used to strange dogs and people.  Chewy loved every human and eventually came to relax around the other dogs.  Cap loved all the dogs and tolerated the humans.  I met some really nice people.  I'm tellin' ya, dogs make you more social, loving and patient.  Having them has taught our children a great deal about compassion, love and service.  (And also forgiveness when they discover teeth marks in their shoes.)

Neutering Cap and cast removal

This week Cap got neutered and he promptly chewed his e-collar off, so I made a quick trip to PetSmart that night to buy one that was more comfortable.  The new one has lasted 24 hours longer than the first--so far so good!  He was pretty sore the first day and only wanted to lay beside me.  Caleb was worried that the procedure had altered not only Cap's reproductive abilities but also his personality.  After about 12 hours post op, Cap was back to his energetic, clownish self, much to Caleb's relief.  The vet said to limit Cap's activities.  How does one do that with an energetic six month old puppy???? He "attacks" Chewy every chance he gets, steals his toys and runs away to get Chewy to chase him.  Yea,  limiting his activity, ain't gonna happen too much.  

Lately, it feels like there is a A LOT of contention in our home.  Maybe it's the kids ages...sigh.  However, we do have moments like these every so often.  Grandpa Kessel taught the kids how to play Solitaire together and they love it.  It's the one thing they can do together and not fight lately.  Chewy likes the peace and quiet, too, as you can see.

Today (November 21st) Jake's cast came off.  He was pretty nervous about the saw that was to be used to get the cast off.  But the medical assistant was super great with Jake and explained everything he was doing.  

Once the sawing was complete, Jake was fascinated with the tools used to remove the rest of the cast.

Jake is going to keep his cast as a souvenir.  Emily tried it on.

Since the new bone growth is still a little soft, the doctor said Jake had to be careful not to fall on the arm in the next two weeks.  He asked how active Jake was.  I explained that Jake has met his insurance deductible, the first one in our family to do so this year.  Dr. Evans whipped out a splint and told Jake to wear it at school and when he's skateboarding or riding his bike.  Having the splint helps me to relax a little since Jake has no cautious gene in his body.

Strep, spacers, and birthday party, oh my! (November 7-12, 2016)

This week was filled with doctor visits and getting ready for Michaela's friend birthday party.

Monday, Michaela woke up feeling under the weather.  She was still sick on Tuesday; Caleb came home from school feeling ill and I took Jake to the orthodontist to get his spacers to prep his mouth for the palate expander.

Wednesday, Caleb felt better, but Michaela felt even weaker and I suspected she had strep throat again.  She never runs a fever or has a sore throat.  Her stomach just hurts and she has no energy.  Strep test was positive, started pencillin.  Friday, Jake and Emily woke up sick.  Took them to the doctor and strep test was positive, amoxicillin started.  

A lovely lady from our church made me a loaf of bread to say thank you for serving as the Relief Society president.  It made my week!  Emily wanted a piece and when I went to run an errand she decided to cut it for herself, crazy girl.

He is a true retriever!  Picks up everything--EVERYTHING.

Michaela settled on a Paris themed birthday party.  Turned out rather cute, I think.

She requested the girls be able to decorate their own t-shirts like Jake did at his friend party.

The girls played soccer, twister, freeze dance, and ran an obstacle course.  Ate cupcakes and ice cream.  They all had fun, I think.

Michaela was all smiles opening her gifts.  I must say, every girl that came to the party was kind, included everyone, had good manners and were so sweet.  It made my mom heart happy to see that our daughter knows how to choose good friends.  She readily makes friends, but was so nervous, naturally, to start a new school this year.  But she has quickly made friends, and not just friends, but great friends!