Monday September 30

I knew I needed new running shoes.

So after my run today I got ready to go buy new ones.

I wanted to calculate how many I ran with these latest shoes.

I looked up and found that Madi and I bought our shoes on April 27.

So then I went to my sports tracker app and counted up my miles since then.

I have ran 746 miles in the last 5 months!!!

Crazy!

That is 28 1/2 full marathons!!!!

Pretty dang cool, I think!

I did got get new shoes and I am excited to break them in!

I am determined to run through the winter as much as I can.
I usually give up when it gets cold.

I HATE being cold.....plus I sweat A LOT.....so it is not a good mix with winter.

But I am gonna invest in some good running gear and see how it goes :)

I did some other grocery shopping before coming home and making tomato soup.

It is a long process, but oh so good!

After you do the first half of the steps, it is supposed to simmer for 1 hour.

Well, I had to leave to take Elsie to PT.

So I just put it in the crock pot and that worked perfect!!!!!

Cassi got a new side job being a homework helper for Sierra.

So 4 days a week she will help Sierra with her homework for 1 1/2 hours for :410 a hour.

Not too shabby!

Elsie and I went to PT.

She worked pretty good.....she was stubborn though.

We got home and had the yummy tomato soup and the kiddos had cheese sandwiches to go with it.

After reading and piano got done, we hopped in the hot tub.

We had a little FHE, just going over what we talked about yesterday about not knocking off others armor.

About how we need to make sure we are covered, as well as our family members, with the full armor of God!!!

Madi is doing great in school.

She sent me her grades and she is rocking her classes.

It is fun to talk to her each day and see what's up in her life.

She really is having a great time.

Sunday September 29

Today we had out fast and testimony meeting because next week is general conference.

I love conference!

It was a nice sacrament meeting today.

After that we had a video showing all the kids and youth 8 and up what the new program will look like.

I am excited for that too.

After church we put dinner together as a family.

We made a yummy beef stew, well dad made it, we just helped with chopping etc :)

Then we had some quiet time and Cassi had a meeting.

Then we broke our fast and had a snack.

We did our Come Follow Me together and then had dinner.

It was a yummy stew!!!!!

We talked to Madi and she told us we should watch the new Book of Mormon movies on YouTube.

So we watched those and that was pretty fun.

Stacia came over and picked some tomatoes and I picked a bunch too.

There may be a frost tonight, so we put some sheets on the cover them up.

Hopefully that preserves them :)

Saturday September 28

It was cold outside today!!!!!

It took a while to get myself to go, but I got out to do my half marathon.

It went actually quite well....with an average 8:13 minute mile.

Not too shabby.

But man, I sweat a lot which makes it hard in cold weather.

I want to bundle up, but then get too sweaty then get freezing because I am all wet!

Oh well.

This may be my last chance to run a half outside before it gets too cold :(

I don't think I can get myself to do 13 mile on a treadmill!!!!

Anyway.

We got house stuff done, laundry.

The kids were pretty helpful.

Port hung out with Koy and Titan all day.

They made a fire to roast their hot dogs for lunch :)

And did all sorts of cowboy stuff all day.

Dad and I had an early date with Justin and Sherrie.

We went and got a burger and then went to watch Downton Abbey.

It was a good movie and a good night.

While we were gone, Elsie fell down the deck stairs.

Cassi said it was pretty traumatic to watch her.

She was at the top of the stairs and lost her balance, her knees kind of buckled and then she went into a backwards somersault.

Luckily, and I don't understand HOW.....she only has some bruising on her arm.

I tell you, that girl...she's got her own army of guardian angels.

Same ones that buffered her in the car accident...they were there again....buffering again!

I am so thankful she is okay!

It could have been so so bad!!!!!

I am thankful Cassi was able to calm her down and take care of the situation.

Friday September 27

After my run, Dad and I took Cassi to the dr.

The rheumatologist.

They wanted to check out what is going on with her joints.

The dr was very nice and was very helpful.

They believe she has Ehlers Danlos disease.

It is the more common form of the disease.....so if you look it up and it says the life span is 28 years, that isn't the same thing Cassi has :)

We need to take her to get an echo cardiogram to make sure there isn't anything vascular going on...

I will report on that when we do that.

But other than that, it will mean some major taking care of her body.

She needs to really take it seriously to keep the muscles around her joints strong.

He said that if you think of those dolls that you push a bottom and they all fall apart....that is what her joints want to do.

They just want to let go.

The only way to keep them in there is to strengthen her body!

We stopped by Costco on the way home.

Then this evening we went to Porter's football game, not a winning game....but Porter had 3 awesome catches and he got some flag pulls.

So that was fun to watch.

Now Cassi has a group of friends in the hot tub......

Thursday September 26

Today we, Dad and I, both had a much needed day off.

We kind of had a full day date :)

After the kids went off to school, we sat down and watched a show together.

Then we both went and worked out.

Then we hopped in the hot tub for a little bit.

That was really nice right after the workout!

Yes, we also did some yard work and house work....we weren't TOTALLY lazy today!!!!

Right after school, the kiddos did their homework and then hopped in the hot tub for a bit.

It is still pretty warm outside, so no one stays very long in the hot water, but it sure feels good!

Elsie was sure loving it on her tired legs!

This evening Dad and I went on a temple date with Justin and Sherrie.

It sure was nice to spend some time in there.

It was our ward temple night, so it was fun to see familiar faces :)

Cassi watched the Hall kiddos here while we were gone.

Wednesday September 25

Today was YW in excellence.

Well, tonight was.

But today was the day we got it all put together.

I worked in the office at the beginning of the day.

Then I met with a couple of the ladies and we set stuff up.

Almost got done, but everyone needed to leave so I couldn't stay alone.

I went home and went for a run....which is much harder when it is later in the day!!!!!

But I did it.

Then Stacia picked me up and we finished setting it all up.

The tree wasn't as awesome as I envisioned it......but that's okay.

It worked out.

I think the night went pretty awesome.

The people I got lined up to speak were amazing!

I just asked ladies in the ward to share their experiences with the personal program they grew up with.

I asked them to share what seeds were planted when they were in YW that has grown to something bigger now.

And man, they blew it out of the water!

We also had some talents mixed in there too.

Elsie rode her bike.

I wish I would have taken a picture.

But she was so excited to show everyone!

The girls all had displays to show what they have been working on and I was so impressed!

They are such amazing girls!!!!

I am ready to get back to normal life now.

It is funny when events like this kind of take over my thoughts and life!

This house is a disaster!

I need to get back in the groove of things :)

Tuesday September 24

Well, my cough is back.

Dang it!

I did not get sleep last night.

I am hoping to get a little more tonight....

I tried to take a nap this morning after the kids went to school, but I was just coughing too much.

So I went for a run, where I didn't cough :)

Then I went and got some last minute stuff for YW in excellence.

Then I got stuff prepped for it.

Madi sent me a picture from she and Kara's first grocery shopping trip :)

Cassi babysat after school.

When the little ones got home, they had piano.

Then they hopped in the hot tub and were very excited about it :)

I fed them dinner, then left with Stacia to go to RS and we did a fun service project and got to sit and talk with the ladies there for a bit.

Cassi invited her friend, Madi, over to get in the hot tub tonight.

Dad said he has been not feeling good at work today.

Hopefully he gets some good sleep and feels better tomorrow!

Monday September 23 (add group picture)

We had such a fun night tonight at the NE 1/4 corner block party :)

But first, Dad and I got our workouts in.

I had to go and pick up a large box from home depot for our Wednesday YW in Excellence.

Then we went and picked some stuff up at Walmart too.

Back at home, I worked on YW in Excellence stuff and Dad worked on the hot tub stuff.

I went with Vern to get the tables decorated with beautiful wild flowers :)

The hot tub showed up about 3:30.

It got unloaded and Dad hooked it up.

Then we got it in the right place and got it filled up.

It will take a while to heat up though......

We went to the block party, and it was a pretty great turn-out.

I really enjoy where we live.

I am so grateful we were put in this place!!!!

The exact people we needed in our lives right now!

Of course we had our annual marshmallow golfing.

I am just not any good!!!!

I need to do some practicing :)

Graham and Kevin took the winning spots this year.

When we got home, we did a little FHE, which went along with our neighborhood party.

Cassi read us a poem.

"HOLES"

I had been in that whole for a very long time
In the dark and the damp, in the cold and the slime. The shaft was above me; I could see it quite clear. But there's no way I could ever reach it from here.  Nor could I remember the world way up there. So I lost all my hope and gave into despair. I knew nothing but darkness, the floor and the walls. Then off in the distance, I heard someone call;
"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter. Take rocks and old sticks and build up a fine ladder."
This had never occurred to me-had not crossed my mind. But I started to stack all the stones I could find. When I ran out of stones, then old sticks were my goal. For one way or another I'd get out of this hole. So I soon had a ladder that was sturdy and tall
And I thought,"I'll soon leave this place once and for all!"
I climbed up my ladder; it was no easy chore,
For from lifting those boulders, my shoulders were sore. I climbed up my ladder, but soon had to stop, for my ladder stopped short-some 10 feet from the top. I climbed back down my ladder and started to cry. I'd done all I could do. I gave my best try, And in spite of my work, in this hole I must die. And all I could do was sit and think,"why?"
Was my ladder too short? Or my hole much to deep?
Then from way upon high came a voice, "Do not weep."
And the faith, hope and love entered my chest
As the voice said to me that I'd done my best.
He said, "You've worked hard, you're labors' been rough, but the ladder you've built is at last tall enough. Do not despair. You have reason to hope. Just climb up your ladder; I'll throw down my rope."
I climbed up the ladder, then climbed up the cord. When I got to the top, there stood the Lord. I couldn't be happier; my struggle was done. I blinked in the brightness that came from the Son. I fell to the ground, His feet did I kiss. I cried, "What can I do to repay thee for this?"
Then He looked all around Him. There were holes in the ground. They had people inside, and were seen all around. There were thousands of holes that were damp, dark and deep.
Then the Lord turned to me and He said, "Feed my sheep."
Then he went on his way to help other lost souls, and I got right down to work, calling down to the holes;
"Get up! Get ready! There's nothing the matter!
Take rocks and olds sticks and build up a fine ladder."
It was now my turn to spread the good word,
the most glorious message that man ever heard. That there is one who is willing to save one and all. And we've got to be ready when He gives the call. He'll pull us out of the hole that we're in. And save all our souls from death and from sin. So do not lose faith; there is reason to hope. Just build up your ladder; He'll throw down His rope. 

Then we thought about what we talked about in Come Follow Me the last couple weeks or serving one another and feeding his sheep...

So we chose the word FEED to put on our brick this week.

So we want to focus on finding those that are lost in their "holes" or in need of extra love :)

Sunday September 22

Today was the primary program.

Actually our last one ever!!!!

Porter's last year in primary!

Crazy!

It was such a sweet program.

They sang great songs, but my favorite was "I am a Child of God"....all the kids sang so loud and it was so beautiful.

I loved it!

Sweet Everly said her part and then went rogue and ad-libbed :)

She said "My name is Everly and I am a Child of God....and Paige babysits me".

It was so funny!

Elsie and Sierra taught their lesson and it was so great.

They talked about having the spirit in our homes.

We had some great comments and Elsie was so brave and even bore her own testimony about families being together forever.

They challenged the girls to come up with something they can do over the next few weeks to get rid of contention in the home.

We had a stake YW visitor, who is actually one of our YW moms, and she bore her testimony at the end about how lucky our girls are to have the bonds that they have with each other.

She mentioned to the girls how they have such a great opportunity to be in the class with Elsie and Sierra.

She called them Angels.....I appreciated her comments because she has a sweet daughter in her family who is in a wheelchair and totally non-verbal except for her sweet laughs you can hear in sacrament meeting.

Anyway, I appreciated her pointing out the sweet spirit that is brought by Elsie and Sierra.

After church we rested and then did Come Follow Me.

Porter did an awesome pencil drawing of the Boise temple.

I printed a picture for him to look at, and I love what he did!!!!

After dinner we went and set tables up at the Morgan's for the block party tomorrow.

Looks like it will be good weather.

Should be a good time :)

Saturday September 21

Dad had to work a shift today.

Porter had Primary program practice.

I went for a run.

Then I went to Costco to get stuff for the block party Monday and also for YW in excellence.

the rest of the day was making Cassi's boutineer and then getting her ready for the dance.

I went and took the pictures for the group.

I think they turned out cute.

I am so tired and feel so sick :(

BUt I can't miss Porter's LAST primary program tomorrow!!!!

Plus, Elsie teaches her lesson in YW too!

So I am going to get some sleep.

Friday September 20

Ya, I feel 100% lousy today :(

I did take a Sudafed to try and loosen things up.

I think it helped, but it wore off this evening and I just feel so yucky!

But I did go for a run this morning.

It was kind of windy and I was worried about being cold.....but I also knew I needed to get myself moving or my day would be terrible!!!!

I ran my 5 miles and guess what I got for time?

38:31....that's a 7:41 mile!!!!!

The wind was for sure a helper.....but only one way!

The push home was HARD!

And I am feeling it!

But I am pretty proud!

I love to see improvements, and especially when I am not feeling good!

Dad and I ran some errands.

I could have just stayed in bed and not done anything....but I wanted to get out.

Later today I sewed a belt for Cassi's dress.

Port found some eggs in the chicken coup, so our chickens are finally laying!!!!

Yay!!!

Dad worked outside to get everything ready for the hot tub on Monday.

Boy, that would feel so good right now!

Cassi had been gone all day...homecoming fun and game and stuff.

Dad and I took the little ones out for dinner before Porter football game.

They didn't win, but Port got an awesome run!!!!

Thursday September 19

I feel a sinus infection coming on :(

I got the kids to bed and then I laid down for about an hour.

I decided to go for a run, sometimes that helps clear the head a bit.

I got 7:59/mile for the 5 miles!
Yay!

I am getting better and more consistent, so that is good.

I DO NOT like that it is getting colder.

I am not a cold weather runner!

So I need to figure out my plan before it gets too cold.
I am not a treadmill fan either, so maybe I just need to get some winter running clothes!

I went and got some stuff for the YW in Excellence we have coming up.

I also bought some fabric so I could make a belt for Cassi's homecoming dress.

Then at home I worked on some things for YW in excellence.

I went to a baby shower with Stacia this evening, but my head has just really gotten worse the last few hours :(

Madi sent me some fun pictures form her and Kara's floral arrangement class.

How fun is that!!!!

And I loved that Port brought the garbage cans back from the curb without asking :)

Now I am going to bed!!!!!

Wednesday September 18

I had a busy morning helping at the school office.

I cleaned up the main floor of the house because I had my VT (Ministering) sisters coming to visit.

They came and stayed for a while.

It was nice to sit and talk for a bit.

They had little ones with them too, so that was fun :)

I was gonna go running when they left, but it was raining.

I was super bummed......so I just sat and edited pictures and didn't really get much done besides laundry.

Always laundry :(

I did end up making a DR appt for Porter.

He has been stuffy and he has been complaining about not being able to hear.

I picked him up a bit early from school and took him there.

It looks like he is a bit congested.

He has allergies as well as a little cold.

So we stopped by Fred Meyer to get some Mucinex and nasal drops.

Hopefully that helps.

Then he went to football while Elsie and I went to mutual.

Cassi had to babysit.

Mutual was fun, we did speed friend shipping.

I think it was a hit and everyone had a fun time.

My throat is feeling kind of dry, I hope I'm not getting sick!!!

Tuesday September 17

Dad and I had a nice kind of relaxing day.

I mean except for laundry and working out and doing the electrical wiring :)

But he goes back to work tomorrow and we kind of made it a day date today and watched a show together.

Sometimes you just need a day off, you know!

Madi sent pictures from their high fitness class they went to this evening.

She had another fun day and enjoys her classes.

She does say that she has a lot of homework!

Elsie and Porter had piano and that was pretty much our day :)

Monday September 16

Madi had her first day of classes today and it sounds like it was a success!

She is loving it so much there.

Makes me happy.

But we are sure missing her.

Especially today for FHE.

Just having that missing spot for dinner and stuff, it's sad :(

I went for a run with Erin Keller today.

That was fun.

She is wanting to get back into running and so I am gonna help her :)

Then Dad and I went for some more hot tub looking....and we ended up getting one that will be perfect.'

It will be delivered next Monday.

I am pretty excited about it....not just for the fun of having a hot tub, but to get Elsie the good deep stretches she needs.

It really makes a difference in the hot tub!

Then I took Elsie to PT this afternoon while Dad and Porter got electrical wire ran to where the hot tub will be.

Port loves doing that stuff with his dad!

We had dinner once Cassi got home from babysitting and getting her nails done for homecoming.

After dinner we had FHE.

Our word for this week is BALANCE.

Balance in our time, hearts, emotions, exercise, priorities, thoughts, eating and balance with the outside world.

We had some good discussion over all of it.

Sunday September 15

We had a great sacrament meeting with the speakers talking about trials and how we can grow and learn from them.

One speaker used the talk "wounded" from the last General Conference.

It really made me so excited for the upcoming conference!

Then Brent and I attended the teachers meeting and that was god and gave me some great ideas to take back to the Beehives :)

We had a beehive meeting after church and that also went well.

Elsie also got her temple recommend renewed.

She was so excited, she came out and said "I passed!"

:)

Back at home, Elsie went over to Sierra's to plan their lesson for next week.

It is gonna be a great lesson.

And Elsie is so excited for it!

We had a yummy roast dinner before doing Come Follow Me.

All very weird to be doing without Madi!!!!!

But we did do some Marco polo-ing with her and that was fun :)

She is having a blast and meeting lots of new friends!

She starts her first classes tomorrow.

Hopefully she gets enough sleep tonight!

I sure do miss her!!!!

But at least she sent me a Sunday Selfie :)

Saturday September 14

I have felt kind of ho-hum today.....

I am sure it is just me missing Madi :)

But I woke up and got Port ready to go for his 3 mile with the scouts.

Then I went for a 5 mile run.

No 13 for me today.....

Cassi had a babysitting job and Elsie cleaned her room.

Port got back from the hike and then went to Cannon's for his birthday party.

They went to the bike park and poor cannon broke his arm!!!!!

Dad and Justin had to round up another cow today to give him some medicine.

He has a swollen ankle.....that's not good.

Then we moved a couple cows to our place.

We tried moving 3 of them, but one jumped the fence back into Billy's field.

Well, then Dad and I decided to go and do a little window shopping for a hot tub.

We have talked about it for years.

Mostly to help with Elsie and her stretching.

But also for Dads back and also just cause I want one :)

We didn't get one...but we just wanted to have a look around.

We came home and picked up the little ones because Cassi left to a birthday party.

We went to Dickeys for some dinner then to Walmart for some milk windshield wipers and air filters :)

Friday September 13

We woke up at 6:00 and got ready, then packed up all our stuff.

We ate breakfast and left the hotel around 7:15.

We got to the girls apartments around 8 or so.

There were no other roommates there to meet.....but one room left.

So we got all their stuff up into the room and we started helping them unload.

They got a good room with a window between the beds.

Her bed and shelves turned out so cute and it looks so cozy and homey :)

Then we went on campus and got their textbooks and I-cards etc.

Got some stuff done there.

Then we drove to Walmart to get some needed supplies for them.

Back at the dorm with just a few minutes to spare before they needed to meet up with their mentors and team to go to the welcome devotional.

And then before we knew it, it was time to go....time to say goodbye.

I just wasn't ready for it!!!

The whole morning just went too fast and I just wasn't ready!!!!

I hugged her anyway, and I cried, I hugged her tighter.

I am so excited for her, but man, I am gonna miss that girl!!!

Then Dad and I drove the long drive home, without our baby Bell!

When we got home, we took Elsie and Kyra with us to Porter's football game.

It was a late game and now we are late getting to bed.

We are just exhausted!

Thursday September 12

Today is the day.

Today we took our first born to live in a different city!!!!

We let the kids all sleep in a little this morning, because it was such a late night.

We all got ready and had a family prayer.

Then Dad gave Madi the most beautiful Fathers blessing.

We were all blubbering!

We all gave hugs and loves.

Sweet Elsie, her poor little cries.

She just grabbed onto Madi and sobbed and sobbed :(

Dad left and took Porter to school.

Then Cassi took Elsie to school, and took herself after that.

We left home at 10 and headed to Rexburg.

The drive went well.

I got Madi's quilt binding all finished.

So it is all ready for her dorm room bed :)

We met up with the Youngs and walked around campus.

Found where all their classes are.

It is pretty exciting!

We went out to dinner together.

Then we went and met up with Sara and did a little walk through of her new house.

We also stopped to visit Britt and Leith.

Back at the hotel we went for a little dip in the hot tub.

Now we are jumping in bed and getting ready for an early morning with lots to get done tomorrow!!!!

Wednesday September 11 (add pictures from dinner)

Oh it has been quite a day.

A sad day....kind of a mopey day.

I can't believe the time has come that we are sending Madi to college!!!!

We had a lot to do today, and I also had a lot of obligations...

I worked in the office and Dad went to the gym.

Then came home and went for a run.

Madi brought all her stuff downstairs to load in the car.

Dad fixed the shingles on the roof while I went to an art smart meeting.

Then back at home we got more stuff ready to go.

Madi went and watched the Nielsen kids for a little bit and I went with my Beehive advisor to take a Beehive out for Ice cream that has been having a hard time lately....

We all met up back at home at 5 and we went to dinner to Olive Garden.

Last family dinner before life changes forever!!!!

I am so excited but my heart is so sad because I will miss her so much.

We all will.

There will for sure be a hole left without her here!

We came home and Elsie, Cassi and I went to YW where we did some Yoga.

Then when we came home we had a few visitors to see Madi off.

The Halls came over.

Sister Johnson brought me some Crumble cookies to help soothe my sad soul :)

Bubble came by with a chocolate cake and Stacia stopped by with Avery and Kyra.

She will be a missed girl, that is for sure.

Again, I am excited.

But I really am having a hard time not feeling mopey and sad.

It is a weird thing feeling all those feelings together at the same time!

So we will leave tomorrow once the kiddos are off to school.

We told them they could go late to school and Cassi will take them when we leave.

Goodbyes are gonna be hard tomorrow!

Tuesday September 10

We got the kiddos off to school and then worked out.

Then Dad and I showered and went to the temple.

I am so grateful for this space of peace in a time that I am feeling so anxious.

I can't believe that I only have one more full day here at home with Madi before she is gone!!!

But the temple was great and just what my heart needed for comfort :)

Then when I got home, I had to leave again to go to a YW meeting.

Dad took Cassi to a dr appt and Madi went to the Nielsen's house to watch Sierra and Trent until Kevin got home from work, because Laura is out of town.

The little ones started piano up again.

I am excited for that :)

And Dad made dinner again, man, I am so spoiled by him :)

Monday September 9 (add family pictures!)

Dad left this morning so he could go and dive all day, for training.

After my run, Madi and I went to her dr. appt.

Madi had to get a shot before leaving to college....

I walked in with her and said "Yes, she's an adult and yes, I am her mom, but we are going shopping after and that's the only reason I am here".

They all laughed :)

We did go shopping.

Finished up getting all the stuff like salt/pepper, groceries, and other miscellaneous stuff she needs.

We got home and I rounded up all the clothes for our family pictures.

I did some laundry and helped Madi get stuff packed up.

Dad came home and he made dinner to I could iron clothes.

We ate and then got all ready for pictures.

My friend Amber Crowley did them for us and I am the happiest person on the earth!!!!

I am so excited to see them!

It has been MANY years since we had an actual photographer take our family pictures!!!!!

It was so worth it!

:)

We met up at the lake and spent an hour and a half with her.

I am excited.

We stopped at Arctic Circle on the way home and got shakes for everyone.

I cannot wait to see the pictures!!!!!!

Sunday September 8 (add backpacking pictures)

I did not sleep very good last night.....

We got a lot of rain and so I was SO WORRIED about Porter and if he was getting dumped on with rain!

But there was no way to contact him or find out.

So I just worried.

But I did get up and get ready for church :)

I very much enjoyed Sacrament meeting today.

The talks were on Spiritual Revelation.

Christine spoke first.

I have loved that girl since the first day she moved into our YW.

She has always brought joy and now she is a grown woman changing lives.

She shared such great stories about prayer and personal Revelation during her time in Ukraine this summer.

Then we hard from Erin Keller, the

Bishops wife.

I love her so much.

We have been friends for a long time and I have the privilege of being her ministering sister right now.

I say privilege because I get so much more from her than she ever gets from me.

I'm grateful for her example to our ward family 

She's a rock!

A beautiful musical number was played then we heard from Tiffani clinger.

She has been RS president for 2 1/2 years and was just released.

She too is an outstanding person and I loved hearing from her and the experiences she had and how personal Revelation was so important in that calling.

In YW, Kristin taught.

We had planned this a couple months ago, so her to talk about spiritual Revelation with general conference coming up.

How perfect did that turn out!

Kristin said most if her lesson was given don't sacrament with the quotes and stories 😂😂😂

But she did an awesome job asking questions and engaging the girls and creating an awesome atmosphere for discussion.

We shared examples of when we listened to the spirit.

Different ways we are spoken to by the spirit.

It was just great.

After church, Cassi had a meeting.

We still hasn't heard how Porter was doing.

I made cookies so that's the beehives and I could go meet a new, less active beehive, with Stacia and Kristin.

Finally we heard from Billy that they were safe and sound in Stanley, still there hours away!

But they were alive, dry and warm.

Yay!

Dad had an EQ meeting.

We did Come Follow Me and that was really good.

Hard scriptures to follow....

But I really liked the part about getting rid of the old to become new creatures.

Port finally came home!

We had so much fun and was SO exhausted!

10 miles in less than 24 hours.

He loved every minute of it though.

We got to eat dinner together.

We took some food down to Bubble, Eldon is gone again for a couple weeks.

She was tired from driving back from McCall, so we just delivered dinner to her :)

After dinner, Dad shared a object lesson about getting guidance from the Lord.

We had a little FHE about it.

And we had some fighting and some hurt feelings, then Port left crying.

I went to find him and he said he just didn't like how he felt with the fighting.

In the mountains it was so peaceful and calm.

I know he is sensitive to stuff like that, but I love that he was able to pinpoint what he was feeling.

That is new.

Usually he can't tell us why he feels overwhelmed.

So that brought on a family discussion on how we get immune to the contention when we fight so often.

But how thick it really is and how we don't want that in our home.

Especially this week, the last week we are all together under the same roof before life forever changes.

We take Madi to college on Thursday! :(

We came up with a challenge for this week.

We want to pray to Heavenly Father for guidance on how we can get rid of the contention on our home.

How we can show more love and be more supportive and patient and kind.

I look forward to this week being something special.

Saturday September 7

Porter got up at 6 and was still excited as ever to go.

Billy and Max came and got him at 6:30.

Looks like it is gonna rain in Stanley at like 3 a.m. tomorrow morning, so hopefully they don't get hit hard!

And they stay warm enough!!!!!!

I went back to bed once he left.

It was almost 9 when we all woke back up :)

I did got for a long run today, 13.1, half marathon.

Yay!

I keep my sunscreen in the bathroom so I remember to put it on when I run.

Well, I packed it in Port's stuff, so I totally forgot to get more on.

Soooo......I did get a bit red from my run!

Hopefully it will simmer down overnight!

We went and swam for the last time this summer at the Morgan's pool.

It wasn't super warm, but man, that water felt good on my legs!

Madi and Elsie got laundry put away, and Cassi went with Avery shopping and then she went to work.

Now she is at the stake dance.

Madi and I spent a while stitching on her quilt.

She is almost done with that part.

I think it might get done before we take her to school!

Hopefully!

Heart shadow from the chandeleir :)