Thursday with Afton

I am so grateful that Sam and Dustin moved back to Alaska.

I love my time that I get to spend with Afton.

It's been about a month since we had him over.

Just a lot of stuff going on.

But today I got him all day.

He's such a fun kid.

Pretty easy going.

Only refuses to take naps.

Which is fine until he can't walk straight anymore.

Today he was trying to bite me and when I asked him what he was doing he just laughed.

I love him!

 

My Story Today

Today was pretty good. 

There was one bump in the road.

Quite literally, actually.

Let me start at the beginning.

I woke up at my before-the-butt-crack-of-dawn hour and before leaving for seminary I found out that the trailer for the Avengers:Infinity Wars came out.

I watched it.

I even clapped with excitement at the end.

Then I got to seminary and we watched it three times before starting class. 

A tad bit excited.

On my way home I hit a patch of black ice.

I tried to correct the car several times, but ended up in the ditch.

I was grateful no cars were headed in my direction when it happened.

However, I was stuck pretty good. 

I called my one brother.

He's a butt head and didn't even offer to help.

Then I called my other brother who is awesome and I adore.

He was willing to come but I was pretty far from town so I would have to wait for a while.

Well, a guy with a truck and a tow strap stopped and saved the day.

By the time he pulled me out there were like 8 cars parked with lights shining to make sure everyone was okay. 

I drove slowly home.

Once home we got Corban's schoolwork done.

Then we decided to watch the lastest episode of the Flash.

We loaded it and found that it was part three of four.

The other episodes were parts of other series.

Supergirl, The Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow filled the rest of the day until I had to go and pick Makenna up from the bus. 

I should've been doing my schoolwork.

Whatever.

It was wonderful!

This evening Makenna decided to torture the neighbors cat that we are watching with the bee costume.

We are watching their two cats and one dog. 

That means that we currently have 4 dogs and 3 cats at our house.

My head might explode.

Losing Light

The days are very short now.

The light doesn't seem to last as long as I would like it to.

There is so much going on during this season that I don't normally notice it.

I do love when the sun is shining though. 

I love the Christmas season.

I am excited for the Light the World initiative put on by the church.

It's an opportunity to share the Light of Christ with others. 

Matt is in Boston at a dirt conference. 

I just bought my ticket for RootsTech in February.

We are such super nerds.

And I must show this picture I took of Corban and chocolate.

Unfortunately, it wasn't a HUGE ball of chocolate like I had hoped. 

Just a round container with lots of little ones.

So deceitful. 

Ridiculous

This is how it went.

I got to seminary and all my students were there.

Every.single.one!

So I told them we had to get a seminary selfie.

It took quite a bit of persuasion and a couple of mom looks.

Mostly everyone looked.

Mostly. 

Then we started class.

Mosiah 21-22.

About 15 minutes past the hour this is what class looked like:

Two boys were sitting on the floor so their hot cocoa wouldn't spill on the table.

One person was on his tablet at the back of the room. 

The girls were all having a long conversation about something.

I don't even know what. 

The boys in the middle row were discussing something very animated.

And it was evidently very funny.

I waited.

The two boys on the floor and their table mate were sitting quietly.

That never happens.

I just kept looking at them and mouthed- "What is happening right now?"

Everyone went on with what they were doing for five minutes.

FIVE. MINUTES!

Then they ended up all needing breath about the same time and things started to quiet down.

I tried again.

Nope. 

By this time we had 15 minutes left.

People had already put their scriptures away.

Three people were standing like it was time to leave.

And I was still wondering what was going on.

Then I told them that they needed to give me 3 minutes.

One kid said, "Okay, I'll time you."

They have never ever acted this way before. 

I shared some thoughts and finished right before the kid said, "Good job! That was exactly 3 minutes."

I then called on the person assigned to say prayer and told them all we would try again tomorrow.

On my drive home I called my husband and we talked.

I told him that strangely, I didn't feel like it was a failure.

They were there.

All of them.

The scriptures were opened.

Two prayers were said.

A song was sung.

A student shared a scripture for devotional.

No one got everything they could have out of the allotted time, but it didn't feel like it was wasted.

There has to be some benefit to just gathering together.

It is a safe place there.

They all felt comfortable.

I don't know if any of the principle shared in that short 3 minutes got through, but one thing I know.

Those kids know I am safe.

But tomorrow better be completely opposite or we are going to have serious issues! 

 

Thanksgiving 2017

Trying to get people to smile is painful. 

For reals. 

The girls always want to make faces.

It kills me.

We had a great time with Sam, Dustin and Afton and eating yummy things.

I drew an outline of California on the tablecloth for Dallin this year.

I'm excited that next year he will get to put his own thing he is grateful for on the table cloth. 

My favorite part of the night was when Bri out her uke and all of us girls sang together.

It was just a simple thing but my most favorite that I will always treasure. 

I'm Upright Again!

By Thursday, day three, of being confined to the couch I knew that assignments had to be made or the house was going to be condemned.

Makenna got put in charge of doing the dishes.

She hates doing the dishes. 

She complained the entire time.

And then she left this message for all so that her complaining could continue even after the dishes were done. 

Today I am up and moving again. 

There is just a little tiny bit of tenderness in my neck.

I can actually move my head.

I have been preparing for our Thanksgiving feast tomorrow.

I have made a Chocolate Coconut Cream Pie and a Pumpkin Pecan pie.

There is also a plant based cheesecake in the oven.

I realized after it was already baking that I forgot one ingredient.

I am hopeful it will still be good.

But I am sad about forgetting that ingredient.

Anyway, tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving! 

Out of Order

Sunday night I started to feel the beginnings of my back going out.

Sometimes that happens and I have Matt pop it and it is fine. 

Well, not this time. 

By Monday night I could feel shooting pains in my skull when I moved a certain way.

When I woke up Tuesday it was so, so bad. 

I was able to get adjusted yesterday afternoon.

She found that I had a rib out.

She tried to adjust my neck. 

That was a bad, bad idea.

I was in so much pain I couldn't help but cry.

This morning when I woke up, after a night of being up a lot, I knew I couldn't teach seminary.

Matt came to the rescue.

I have another adjustment this afternoon, but the shooting pains are still there and all I want to do is just lay perfectly still because that doesn't hurt.

Pain= no joke! 

Cleaning and Shopping

This morning we rallied the kids early to go and help clean the church.

Corban was feeling a little better but has an awful cough. 

We cleaned for about 45 minutes and then headed home.

After that I took Makenna and Corban to see Thor Ragnarok.

We armed him with cough drops so he could get through it mostly quietly.

After that we picked up their dad and headed to Anchor town to do some grocery shopping. 

We ate at Middle Way Cafe.

Corban was not happy about that. 

 I was also mostly not happy about his attitude.

But we made it through without too much irritation.

I'm not a fan of shopping.
 I never have been.

And I am even more NOT a fan of taking my kids shopping.

But the pantry is full and Dallin's Christmas presents are purchased so I'm good with it all! 

Craft Pants

Corban has been sick for days.

So that means that we have not left the house.

He missed all his classes yesterday and didn't go to swim today.

As a result, I put my craft pants on.

My sister, Marissa, says that she has craft pants when she does crafty stuff.

She doesn't actually have a specific pair of pants.

It's just the idea. 

Anyway, I am most excited about my letterboard.

I ordered it from Amazon(love that site!) and mounted it on the door today.

I'm excited to put little sayings on it and the menu for the week. 

I also framed all the kitchen prints I got for above the sink.

I really like them! 

On another note, we are planning on getting several more greenhouses through a program that is offered and the guy that is in charge had to come out and measure our fields.

I was freezing to death but it was so pretty outside.

Everything is icy and cold, but still amazing!

 

Cozy

This morning when I left for seminary the snow was really coming down.

I decided that I was going to start up the fireplace for the first time this season.

It took a little while to get it going. 

Unless the flame gets going hot and fast we have smoke back up in the house.

This morning was no different.

But now it has been going for hours.

Corban and Makenna are sick today so he is on the couch and she is in her bed.

But the house is so cozy and I think I want to curl up on the other couch with a book and just be in the moment.

In to Town

I love the idea of living on a farm and having to head into town to get things done. 

Yesterday Corban and I went to town. 

He had swim lessons.

He has them during the day now on Tuesday and Friday.

So we go to town. 

We had lunch at Taco Bell. 

He got some blue poison that he loves. 

After that we did a little shopping.
I got a new ironing board- it was much needed.

While we were out Matt sent me a photo that a friend of his had. 

 I was shocked when I first saw this.

First of all, I had never seen this picture before.
Secondly, 40 has not been kind to us. 

He and Dallin look so much alike in this photo it is incredible.

I showed it to Brittan and she thought it was Dallin.

Corban noticed right away that it was taken in Korea.

I missed that part at first and then wondered what the heck he was doing on a motorcycle while he was serving as a missionary.

Evidently, they were on their p-day and they went to the store.

This bike was parked and they decided to have him sit on it and take a picture.

Silly American boys!

 

Thanksgiving

Our Hayes family always gets together weeks before the actual holiday to celebrate.

Last night we enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner. 

We were missing a few people but there was still a house FULL of laughter and yelling and fun. 

I tried to get pictures with all the nieces and nephews, but I missed a few. 

I love these people in my life.

When Ruby first got there she ran up to me and asked if I wanted to know a secret.

I said Yes!

She told me about this boy named Gabriel that has a crush on her and she likes him too.

It just made me smile.

She's 6. 

Just for fun here is a list of the names of my nieces and nephews on the Hayes side:

Maliea

Chaiya

Eden

Quayde

Landon

Austin

Lydia

Lacey

Colton

Mario

Diego

Phoebe

Andrew

Braydon

Thayne

Lyla

Cedar

Aden

Ella

Joaquin

Ruby

Kaylee

Jamie

Ryker

Ammon

Madelyn

Merrick

Cybil

Winny

Jacob

Kasen

Connor

Rohnan

Maverick

Margot

Ballamy

That makes me happy! 

I also have 8 more that are not on the Hayes line.

Whew! 

Together

Last night at 730 I went upstairs and found Matt already in bed.

I teased him about being in bed so early. 

It is super easy to go to bed early when the sun has been down for hours.

Ah, winter in Alaska. 

He didn't want to watch what Corban was watching on the tv and I had been on my computer. 

So, I showered, switched on the tv in our room, and got in next to him. 

He listened to something on his phone while I watched the show I am currently interested in- that he is not interested in. 

It's funny really. 

We have a lot of different interests.

But we are still in this together. 

And we have been for 23 years next month. 

His hands are scarred and worn from all the years he has used them to provide for our family. 

And pink...his hands are so pink.

Or maybe his look so pink because mine are so orange.

I have a hard time expressing well how I feel about 'us'.

I don't know of anyone who has a relationship like ours. 

In fact, all I see around us are marriages falling apart, wives trashing their husbands, husbands not loving their wives.

We've had some really hard times.

Times that stretch the soul to what feels like the breaking point. 

We've also had wonderful, beautiful times. 

Times that are our favorites to recall.

He truly is my best friend. 

For real.

I made a choice all those years ago. 

I still make that choice every single day. 

I'm so glad we are doing this life together.  

It didn't take him long to fall asleep.

Then I looked at our hands and decided to snap this picture. 

I am grateful for the blessing of us!

Lazy Days

It's been a lovely two days of comfy pants, tv and lounging.

There was no school yesterday so I stayed home all day. 

I made a sign for the farm.

I'm not sure if I love it or not yet. 

 I appreciate days where I can stay home and just be. 

It doesn't happen as often as I like. 

During the summer it happens a lot more than it does during the winter. 

I have only 4 weeks of school left and then I GRADUATE!!!

Finally. 

I am excited to be done for awhile and try and do something important with all that I have learned. 

Thor with my super hero!

About an hour after dropping Corban off for classes I got a text from my dear Jenwood friend asking if Corban could play at their house after class.

I was excited for him.

His loves his friend Sambo.

So of course, I said yes.

I was also glad I didn't have to stay in town until 4 pm to pick him up. 

At that point I had to wait only until 215 to get Kenna.

So I drove around town stopping at thrift stores looking for some good deals.

It was about an hour before I need to get Kenna when she texted me asking to go to a friends house.

That meant I could go home... or not!

Brittan didn't get out of class until 9 pm and she could pick up both kids which meant that I was FREE for the rest of the night.

I called Matt and asked when he was getting off work.

We hatched a plan to meet at the movie theatre for the matinee and see Thor Ragnorak. 

It was EPIC!

And funny.

And wonderful to sit next to the guy I love.

He truly is my best friend.

I love that I have him to go through this crazy life with. 

And our kids were totally mad at us for going without them.

heehee.

 

Homeschooling

I thought it would be fun to share what a normal homeschool day looks like for us. 

Corban usually gets up around 730/8 and gets his breakfast and does what he needs to get ready for the day. 

At 9 we start.

He reads for 30 minutes first. 

Out of a real book.

Then we work through several things: spelling, handwriting, spanish, math, and US history.

Once a week we do a chemistry experiment.

This week we did two and they were both utter failures.

Still not sure why.

All of the regular stuff usually takes about 2 hours. 

That is if we have no distractions which we usually don't have any.

The only distractions are the dogs barking at the fat birds that keep flying on the porch and eating the dog food.  

Then he spends the rest of the day watching Youtube, making videos for his youtube channel and watching tv.

Sometimes he goes out and plays with the neighbor boys who are also homeschooled.

Twice a week he goes to swim lessons.

He just got moved up to level 4.

He's pretty excited about that. 

On Thursday he meets with his school mates at Twindly Bridge charter and takes classes like robotics, physics, history games, and more.

Friday's are his free day.

And mine.

It's a pretty good set up.

And he has advanced in his math and reading so that he is finally at grade level.

We're still working on spelling and writing.

My friend told me that all of her kids had trouble until 8th grade.

That seemed to be the magic age when things clicked into gear.

I hope that is what happens for Corban. 

Winter Wonderland

I took this picture a few days ago.

I love the feelings it invokes. 

It makes me want to cuddle up in front of the fire with a mug of hot cocoa and read a book.

I learned about a concept called Hygge(hoo-gah) yesterday.

It is the Danish art of building sanctuary and community, of inviting closeness and paying attention to what makes us feel open and alive. 

The feeling of belonging to the moment and to each other.

Celebrating the everyday. 

 

This feels like being mindful to me.

The ways that you apply it are to have soft lighting, cozy furnishings, invite family and friends over and to switch off of devices. 

I love this concept.

  Belonging to the moment just feels right to me.

Messages from the Mission Field

 Email from Dallin today. It was actually a really good one!

 I miss snow SO BAD!! its been so strange down here its green during the winter and brown in the summer its making me upset. so update... i cant send pictures because i dont have a camera charger anymore, not sure what happened to it but im gonna try and get another one soon so i can send pictures.

things down here have been slow... we havent found any really new investigators recently up until yesterday, we found three, a mother and her two daughters. but other than that we have been consistently nothing, things will get better though i know that they will.

on tuesday we watched the other side of heaven for a zone Halloween activity, i forgot how good that movie was.

we had stake conference sat and sun and we had elder acosta of the area seventy(not sure if thats the right quorum) speak to the congregation on both days, hes pretty cool, president hammon also spoke at the saturday session. i love president hammon he is the absolute best! Even when he is rebuking you for not doing the right stuff he just eminates love. we had a good laugh on sunday, he was getting into his car and i ran up behind him and started to back him out and he just laughed about it for a bit and then he told me he has a backup camera to which i told him all the mission cars have them and he acted as though that as new information. halloween was good though, love the weather right now but im not sure how long it will last hopefully into like may would be nice. thats all i got for you today.

Love Dallin

Oklahoma and Chocolate Cake

Last night the girls and I went to see Wasilla Highschools rendition of Oklahoma.

It was actually really good. 

We knew a lot of people in the play and it was a good way to spend the evening. 

The fog was still around in patches and has left everything covered in ice.

It is gorgeous! 

 It started snowing during the night and there is probably about 6 inches outside now.

It is still snowing so we'll see what we end up with.

This is the time of year that I just want to cuddle up in the house and never go out.

Yesterday I wanted something sweet to go with my cuddling mood and so I made this amazing sweet potato chocolate cake.

Seriously it is so good. 

If it wasn't fast Sunday today I would be eating it for breakfast.

That's fine though.

It will be gone by the end of the day. 

 

Life in the Dead of Winter

We have some pretty great plans for the greenhouse this winter.

We were going to keep producing, packaging and selling lettuce throughout the worst of the cold.

But things happen.

Matt got overwhelmed.

I was focused on trying to graduate in December.

We only got 4 of the 8 beds cleaned out and replanted.

Then it got REALLY cold- 5 degrees- and we thought we lost it all.

But I was able to tent it and boom it recovered beautifully.

We then decided that we weren't growing through the winter.

But now we have four beds of beautiful greens and I am loving having fresh salad mix.

Yesterday I walked through all the crunchy ice that is on the ground into our little oasis and cut some greens.

I brought them in and we ate them on tostadas for dinners. 

I love being able to do that. 

I love it alot.

I still have beets in the ground out there too and will see if I can maybe dig some of them out today to have. 

Also, last night we took my parents to see Arsenic and Old Lace at the community theatre. 

It was pretty funny.

We had a good time. 

The only picture I got was of me and my friend, Gretchen, who had a part in the play.

 

Being Mindful

Summer is dead.

It's been foggy, thick fog, for days.

I am feeling that all too familiar feeling that comes this time of year.

I haven't been home in the evenings at all this week except Monday.

When I got home from being in town all day today I decided to walk to the lake to find some beauty.

It is beautiful, even if I still would like to be on a beach in the tropics.

I mentioned before that I was trying to be more mindful.

I still don't fully know what that means, but let me take a shot at it here.

Being mindful means recognizing the blessings that are happening while they are happening and being grateful for them. 

Being mindful means paying attention to those around me.

Being mindful means stopping and taking in the beauty around me.

Being mindful means using my time to bless, teach, lift and love others.

Being mindful means taking care of myself so I can take care of others.

 Being mindful means laughing at the funny things that happen. 

Even if they are small things.

Especially if they are small things. 

For example, when I came into the living room this morning and I found this scene-

Trapper in a sugar coma and empty wrappers sticking to his body.

It was a literal crime scene.

There is always good to be found, even if I am not in the tropics.