Well, the Christmas season flew by, we rang in the New Year, celebrated three birthdays, and it's already almost Valentines Day! All I did was blink. How does that happen?!!
December 2013 was quite different from other years. We didn't ever go see the lights up at temple square or put some type of gingerbread something together and decorate it. My mom and dad came up to give us one of their pre-lit Christmas trees. While they were here doing that, my mom gave me a perm and my dad re-arranged our living room, set up the tree, and vacuumed all of my terribly high ledges that haven't been cleaned out since we moved in some six or more years ago (gasp!). After they left, Ladd looked for our Christmas decoration boxes, but he could only find one. So, James and the youngest girls put on a few random decorations on the tree on two separate occasions. I went to the store and found a star that lit up so we could finally have a proper star on our tree. Ruby tried to open it up, and in frustration at the packing materials defying her wishes, she simply cut the cord off. So, Ladd added that to his to do list and managed to re-wire the cord back onto the star. (I'm so grateful for a multi-talented husband!!!) That was the extent of our decorating. We did find one of our Christmas manger scenes and put that up, but it wandered considerably the whole Christmas season. We also couldn't find our stockings, and I eventually went out and bought all new ones. Ladd found the old bag of stockings in January. Oh well! We didn't go to our annual traditional BYU Employee Christmas party with bowling afterwards. There were just simply too many other activities vying for time on our calendar that day. We did go to our annual Olsen Christmas party where Santa comes and gives a gift to each child. Lena and Alyssa were so excited to see Santa. When it was Lena's turn, she talked a mile a minute. Alyssa was shy at first, but then held a proper conversation with him. Shalyn didn't cry or seem scared. She stared at him and it seemed to me she was thinking to herself, "Would anyone mind if I just touch all that white stuff around his mouth?!!" Ladd and I did attend his high school friends Christmas party this year. And, our ward Christmas party was on a Thursday night which opened up other highly sought after nights for other activities. Ladd and I, Cali, Garrett, Jarom, Mckenzie, Ruby, Lena, and Alyssa all sang or performed in different songs during the program. Lena wasn't supposed to do that, but she snuck up onto the stage when it was the nursery children's turn to ring the bells. She was the only one we could hear. . . . :) Mom and Dad Hinton were there for that evening, thankfully, so they could help keep track of everyone since Cecilia was at her Winterguard practice and James was the only one left! We lost Lena for awhile, and when we did find her, she broke down into tears because she couldn't be a part of the program any more than she'd already been. (It reminded my of Ruby a couple of years before!!) We did take the time to have our Bethlehem dinner on Christmas Eve, but this was the first year we didn't act out the nativity. We watched the church's rendition of the nativity on video. And, we did read some of our favorite Christmas thoughts and stories. I didn't make wassail or divinity. My children only seemed to mourn the divinity. I did find a new countdown to Christmas to have us do, and we followed it fairly consistently throughout December. The kids slept downstairs as per usual on Christmas Eve, and woke us up with loud noises as is tradition on Christmas morning. We took turns opening up gifts, and everyone seemed grateful for what they got. I only had one week to do all my shopping after our money was available and before Christmas came. It was painful and worrisome, but we managed. I wrote a Christmas letter, but I still haven't sent it out to anyone. (Maybe I'll just post it here. . . . ) I had ideas for neighbor gifts, but I didn't ever get to them. Ladd wanted us to host his work team Christmas party at our house, but he eventually decided it would be fine to have it at the Olive Garden instead. He saved me from lots of stress with that decision!!! And, would you believe, when it came time to take down the tree, my mom and dad were here and my dad took it apart for us and put it into the box. Ladd got it to fit into the box and eventually had Jarom help him take it out into the garage. I don't think we've ever had a Christmas where my dad put up and took down our Christmas tree! Or that all of us didn't help decorate the tree. As usual, our tree looked pretty sad since the decorations that made it onto our tree spent most of the Christmas season lying on the floor, being rescued from Shalyn's mouth, or being changed to another spot by the whim of one of my passing children. So, all in all, our Christmas season was very different than most years. I must say, I was sad we didn't fit all of those fun things into our month, but I was a whole lot more peaceful myself. I focused on getting kids to their activities and to their homework. And, when I had help, we cleaned the house. Christmas came and we enjoyed the moments we had together.
Some other moments during the month of December that weren't Christmas related were as follows:
Mckenzie had her Doughnut Date. I went to it, but I don't remember having the children with me. I can't remember why, though, or who had them!
Ladd and Garrett and Cali had trainings and first of the year meetings up at Deer Valley as well as lots of work throughout the Christmas break.
Cali and Cecilia made a last ditch effort to fit 12 trips to the temple for the year. Half of them landed during December. Lots of blessings!!!
Cali started her efforts on the Hope Squad.
I was asked to speak to the Young Women in our ward about my mission along with three other marvelous women. It was a precious experience for me because it allowed me the chance to re-visit life-changing experiences.
The Relief Society had a Christmas dinner and program that I attended.
I tried a new diet program, and gave it up just as quickly as it came into my life. I've decided salt is a necessary ingredient in my diet!
I turned 42. Looking at the calendar, I'm not sure when we celebrated it, but I'm pretty sure we did. :)
Garrett and Cali had their band concert on my birthday.
Jarom tried out for drumline. He made it into Pitt.
Jarom had a Sunday School class party.
Cali babysat for a neighbor (something she'd love to do more often, but her calendar stays pretty full!).
Mckenzie, James, and Ruby all tried out for their school musical called "Princess Whatshername." Mckenzie will be a dancer, Ruby will be a villager, and James chose to just be a stage hand.
On December 16th, I went with Ladd so I could get my cast off and my stitches out. I managed to go into shock with the whole experience. I was grateful to have Ladd there to steady me! The nurse kept shaking her head and saying, "But you've had 10 kids!!!" :) It took me a couple of hours to stop shaking. . . .
Jarom popped his Science Fair Project on us at last minute this year. So, we bought lots of popcorn and had him work hard to get it all done on time. I've been sweeping and vacuuming up popcorn ever since!
Jarom had his band concert on the 18th and his choir concert on the 19th. Jarom's choir concert was the most unfortunate concert I believe I've ever attended. The microphones didn't work, the accompianists messed up their parts, the soloists sang off key, and the choir parts seemed discordant. Of course, it could've all just been my hearing going awry!
I had a bladder infection near the end of the year sometime. Not fun!
I had a follow-up on the 31st for my foot. The doctor seemed to think everything was progressing just fine.
JANUARY into FEBRUARY:
New Years Eve was slightly pathetic. I think Garrett, Cali, and Cecilia went to the New Years Eve church dance. Everyone else went to bed when they got tired -- staggered throughout the evening. I must say, I found myself happy when they went to bed because they had all stayed up longer than usual and were extra ornery as a result. Ladd went to bed rather early after playing a quick game with one or two of the kids. Jarom went to go to bed at 11:50 p.m. I had to explain to him that he only had 10 minutes before midnight. So, James, Jarom, and I watched the New Years ring in together by watching the countdown on TV and seeing the ball drop. I tried to have the children write to Baby New Year, but only two of the children did that. I ended up staying up until 1 a.m. until my oldest three breezed through the door. Yeah. Pretty sad celebration. It almost came unnoticed.
The first part of January was fairly stressful for my oldest four children and all the struggles they had getting their grades up in order to pass the second quarter and first semester in school. I was mightily relieved when that couple of weeks were finished!
Shalyn had her well check visit on the 3rd. Cecilia had finally decided to up with Ladd, Garrett, and Cali so she could ski during the day. Thanks to a flurry of phone calls, I managed to hurry up to the mouth of Parley's canyon to pick Cecilia up so she could make it to at least some of her winterguard clinic that we'd both forgotten about. I'd left Jarom babysitting and suggested that if they could, to give Shalyn a bath to get her ready for her well-check visit. I came home to find Jarom had delegated that to Mckenzie and Ruby and since they're young, they didn't know you try to get that diaper on as fast as possible to avoid possible disgusting messes to clean up. Anyway, Shalyn had spewed mess all over my bed and carpet. I made Jarom clean it up. He was NOT a happy camper. I hope we all learned something from that experience!!!
On January 4th, the Primary kids all had their meet-their-teacher party.
Lena's birthday was on the 5th. She was so excited for her birthday and seemed to enjoy it all. She told me she wanted a chocolate cake, but I came back with Rise of Guardian cupcakes. She seemed so upset over it that I had Cecilia make a chocolate cake spur of the moment to satisfy her urges. After her birthday was over, she said, "Mom. Where were the strawberries?! We were supposed to have strawberries for my birthday!" I honestly don't recall her requesting them, so I added it to my shopping list and we had them later! Now, she tells me next year she wants a strawberry cake! Maybe I need to guess better next year!!!
Right around her birthday, we realized our heater wasn't working. Somehow, we financially managed to have someone come to fix it for us. I've decided that figuring out what is simply an inconvenience versus a necessity is tricky when things start breaking around our house and finances are too tight to fix everything! Heat is a marvelous blessing -- especially in the winter!
I took Lena to her well check visit, and she was doing her eye test. She got to a line where it was fairly obvious she couldn't see what was on it. She bumbled through most of the line saying things like: circle, an X, a cup, or a boat. Then, when the nurse pointed to the last item on the line, she said triumphantly, "Trapezoid!!!" It was a cup. I've giggled for weeks over that moment!!!
Cali performed in her Dance 3 concert. She did awesome as usual and really seemed to enjoy it. She did a solo and did an awesome job! James had a fieldtrip the same day. Mckenzie had her fieldtrip sometime during January as well.
Garrett hustled to ask Courtney to the Winter dance only to find that none of his friends were planning on going! So, in desperation (since Ladd and I assured him we'd gladly double with him), Garrett begged Cali to ask someone and go with him. Cali asked Keith and they had fun eating pizza in a snow filled park and going to the dance. I'm sure Garrett was thinking disaster was averted once again!!!! It's just not cool to go on a date with mom and dad. :)
We seemed to be starting a number of things in January. Cecilia's winterguard practices began in earnest. Mckenzie and Ruby started play practices. Mckenzie started up again with Tumbling. Jarom started Drumline. James has continued going to a friend's house every Monday and Wednesday to work on math homework and play together. Ruby started dance with a new teacher. Garrett and Cali have continued to work up at Deer Valley as Ski Instructor Assistants every Saturdays and Holidays. Garrett and Cali also started playing on a High School Junior Jazz basketball team with their Olsen cousins every Friday night. And, Cali started private dance lessons with the same teacher Ruby is taking from. Add in Activity Days, Scouts, YM/YWs, Ladd's basketball night, ward choir I'm in charge of, FHE, temple trips, and our hit and miss weekly dates, and we've filled up our calendar!
Jarom and James went to their Court of Honor. Garrett didn't think he would be getting anything, and didn't think he needed to be there, so he didn't go. Garrett was recognized for all his Duty to God he's done up to this point, and Jarom got a merit badge.
James had his Priesthood Preview at the same time I had a stake choir meeting. So, Ladd and I went with James to the Priesthood Preview and I slipped out when it was time to go.
Cecilia turned 15!!! We squeezed her birthday in between play practice and a basketball game. She seemed fine with what she got, thankfully!
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Ladd and I took Jarom, James, Mckenzie, Ruby, Lena, and Alyssa up skiing. Cecilia insisted she had too much homework to go, and besides, she could watch Shalyn for us, so she did. We were trying to unload all our stuff at the front of the ski lodge, and a lady watching said to me, "So, do you have seven children like we have?" I said, "Actually, we have 10. 2 of them are working up here today, and two are still at home." It wasn't until later that I realized that my recitations didn't add up to 10!!!" No wonder the lady looked confused! Lena and Alyssa loved skiing! It was Alyssa's first year, and Lena's second year. They loved it! When we got home, we were eating dinner, and Jarom announced that as he'd gone to get a drink of water out of the faucet, the handle had snapped off. So, our plans for FHE changed quickly, and Ladd and I headed to Lowe's to find a faucet we could afford that would work. Ladd got busy trying to fix it, and at 10:30 p.m. announced that there was a part missing and I would just have to do without a kitchen sink or a dishwasher for the next day. I can't tell you how many times I tried to wash my hands only to be reminded I'd have to walk to another sink to do so! The plus side was that I didn't have any guilt over the huge pile of dishes or the fact we couldn't find anything to eat on!!! :) Ladd got it working after work the next day. Yeah!!!
On the 21st, I had Jarom's CC&R in the morning. I tried to get there early so we would be one of the first to go, and it worked. I was able to get back in time to send James, Mckenzie, and Ruby off to school on time!!!
Cecilia had her well-check visit on the 23rd. Cecilia is my one child to lead out in healthy eating. In the past, she's been my best meat eater in the family. At the doctor's visit, the doctor kept asking if she was eating enough dairy, or green vegetables. He asked her if she was eating enough protein and she said, "Yes, although it's possible for vegetarians to get enough protein through different foods!" The doctor started explaining why it was better to eat meat, and Cecilia kept debating him on the topic. I dissolved into laughter. Irony personified. I finally tried to explain to the doctor that she eats meat better than anyone else in the family and that she was playing the devil's advocate. He finally summarized and said he was glad she was eating just fine even though she liked to be contrary. Luckily, the doctor took this all in stride and smiled afterwards even.
Cecilia and Cali both we in the last throes of their science fair projects the third and fourth week of January. I was grateful they were old enough not to need coddling!!
On Sunday the 26th, I was trying to finish doing all the girls' hair. I decided to put a simple barrett in Shalyn's hair. I found one, and went to find her. She was crawling down the hallway when I found her. And, as soon as she realized that I wanted to do her hair, she ducked her head so her hair dragged on the ground and crawled furiously. Her goal was her daddy at the end of the hall. She kept checking my progress, and would quickly lower her head once again and resume crawling. I couldn't stand it. I doubled over and couldn't resist sharing with the rest of the kids her antics! She's a smart 10 month old!!!
On the 27th, I woke up with a bladder infection. I managed to get the right medicine from the doctor so I could start to have some relief. I also helped Jarom register for 9th grade before leaving for my follow-up with Dr. Rogers for my foot. Dr. Rogers adjusted both of my inserts while I was there, thankfully! And, on Wednesday, the 29th, I helped Garrett register for 12th grade. My heart spiked just a bit when Garrett reminded me later, "Mom. Do you realize that was the last time I will register for high school?" Of course he had a huge grin on his face!!!
During December and January, Alyssa has been finally trying to be potty trained. She seems to do fine if she's in a pull-up and can keep it dry and clean during the day, but if we try to put her in panties, she inevitably has an accident. Hopefully she figures it out soon because my attention is certainly not on helping her! I'm too distracted lately to be of much help to her!
On the 30th, Cali spent most of her afterschool hours with Madi celebrating her birthday. She had a lot of fun.
So, our microwave finally quit working. We can't get the door to close. It's most infuriating! And, the amount of things we use the microwave for is astonishing. Add to that setback, the same day, I noticed that my clothes weren't drying with just one drying cycle. I had to send them through twice! As if I didn't have enough laundry already!!! For months, my washer has been pouring water out the door during its cycles, and I suppose I had gotten accustomed to putting a towel down to soak up the water so we didn't flood the laundry room. But, adding the microwave and the dryer in one day seemed too frustrating. To top it off, we've been tight financially. Not only do we need to wait until we can get them fixed or replaced, but I wasn't able to get very much cereal. So, all the kids have to help make their breakfasts and snacks after school as well as their lunch, and if I'm not on top of it, dinner as well. The amount of dishes have increased four-fold. Not our finest hour!!
Friday, the 31st, I got the youngest three kids ready, picked up Jarom at the middle school, and then picked up James, Mckenzie, and Ruby for Michelle Miller's funeral. It was a heart breaking situation, and we were grateful to be able to go to the funeral and learn from her example and life. Ruby coughed most of the way through the funeral, so when the funeral was over, I took Jarom, James, and Mckenzie back to school, but kept her home so she could try to get feeling better. As a result, she wasn't able to go to the friend birthday party that night nor the one the next night since she was still very sick on Saturday. Through all of this, Ruby decided she didn't want to be in the play anymore. Her attention span isn't as long as it needs to be for play practice.
It was Zoey's baby blessing on Sunday. We went to their ward, and then to ours. We spent the rest of the evening split between Brandon's house and Lane's house because of the Superbowl. As my mom said, "Interesting way to worship." But, that's what we did.
Yesterday, Shalyn seemed kind of fussy. Mckenzie finally decided she would help her since we had quite a few things happening at that moment. She noticed that Shalyn was chewing away on something. So, Mckenzie wrestled with her until she pulled a tack out of her mouth. SOOO grateful that had a happy ending. And, no wonder she wasn't feeling so great!
I worked on cleaning yesterday (February 3rd). When it was time to take Cali for dance, I thought I might run a couple of errands. After I dropped her off, I remembered I needed to stop by the Elementary to pay for something. Once there, I realized I had completely forgotten that I was supposed to be registering Lena for Kindergarten next year. AAAAGH! So, I drove home quickly, grabbed everything we needed, and hustled back. I got there six minutes before they were supposed to end for the day. They were very kind to let me keep them just a few minutes longer so I could finish Lena's registration. I currently have three of my children registered for next year, and it's only the first part of February!!!! Next year, I will reach (I think) my max of 8 children in the school system at the same time. I haven't got far enough to think about adding college to that list, thankfully!!!
Because of the craziness of Sunday and yesterday, Alyssa wasn't doing very well since she hadn't eaten much between both days. After a trip for yougart and applesauce late last night, she is finally doing better! Whew! It seems this same kind of thing happened only a couple of weeks ago with her. I need to be a little more proactive I guess.
Shalyn is growing so rapidly. She's started walking around with her "walker" toy that she got for Christmas. Today, she was using a chair and pushing it ahead of her as she was walking. She almost always has a smile on her face with her tongue sticking out twisted sideways. She loves playing with her tongue. The last couple of months have been hard on her, though. She's had a very sore bottom due to a re-occurring rash that we can't seem to get to go away completely. I've been worrying about possible milk allergies for her as a result. She also usually takes a fairly good number of naps during the day. This morning, before James, Mckenzie, and Ruby left for school, Mckenzie went into Lena and Alyssa's room and found Shalyn mostly asleep lying halfway underneath Lena's bed. Brought us a chuckle!
I suppose I need to add that sometime during January, we switched almost everyone's rooms around. I was going to have James and Jarom share a room downstairs, but found they weren't getting along, and decided that despite their desires to the contrary, I would separate them, and move Mckenzie and Ruby downstairs instead. Cecilia took the new room that Ladd finished recently, making the switch possible. Cali took the second to the newest room (James' old room). Lena and Alyssa moved into Mckenzie and Ruby's old room, and James moved in with Shalyn. Jarom stayed where he already was, but Ladd spent a good portion of time helping to clean out his room all of the extra storage we were keeping in there. It really opened up his room quite a bit. In trying to get everyone the right furniture, Melanie gave Cecilia her bed and mattresses. And, I cleared out all of our paper and pencils out of our "dresser" we've had in our kitchen and gave it to Jarom for his clothes. Quite the production. And, I don't feel like we're back to normality yet.
Well. All of that happened when I blinked. I find it amazing we can cram so much into so little time. The blessings of having a large family! Sorry for the long epistle. But, such is our life!!!
