music I write

I've been writing songs lately.  I started in 2019 with a new tune for "We are Sowing" and have gone on to write new hymn tunes and a few primary songs.  I love writing the music.  I feel the spirit so strong when I write.  I don't know what will ever come of it, but we have a ward choir willing to sing my pieces and I'm submitting the music to various forums and websites. 

In the fall I plan to start Grad school to become a speech therapist.  Having that plan helps me enjoy writing music without the need to make it commercially viable.  It's good to just do something you love without needing it to do anything else for you.

Iced in, 10 day weekend

 School was canceled Friday 1/12 for a wind storm.  Monday 1/15 was the Martin Luther King holiday and it snowed mid day.  The snow turned to sleet and then froze.  School was canceled each day that week.  We stayed home and had fun.  The kids did some sledding, some piano practice, some math and a lot of computer time.  It felt a bit like covid quarantine, and way better than a hurricane, as far as isolation.  

We are so grateful for our home.  It is such an incredible blessing to have a nice home to keep us safe and dry.  The kids still feel she smallness of it, but it is so awesome.  All 6 of us were hanging out in the kitchen/office one day.  I love the different spaces of this house.  I'm looking forward to warmer days when we can use the porches again.

M wanted to hang out with friends and most days we told her "No, it isn't safe to drive."  Today she finally got to go out with friends.

lP has a friend that lives down the street and we went sledding with them twice.  

P and I went on a walk together Tuesday and saw that the roads were all completely covered in a hard layer of snow/ice.  Even the big road at the end of our street was a solid sheet.  I couldn't believe people were driving on it.  

On Thursday and Friday we treked over to Murry Dr. that has a steeper hill.  We had to cross the big road and it was still mostly covered in ice at that point.  By Friday afternoon the big road did have ruts mostly to the pavement and it rained in the evening.

We shoveled our driveway in the rain and by Saturday the remaining ice had melted.  I'm glad we got it clear then because now temperatures are below freezing for several days. 

P did a grocery run Friday because we were out of milk, flour and sugar.  Saturday we went out again because the boys wanted a treat for cleaning their room.  We decided to get pizza too.  I enjoyed having everyone home for every meal for 9 day.  Church will be just Sacrament Meeting.  lP, B and I have colds so we'll stay home.  This has been sweet.

Snow!

 We're sheltering at home for a few days.  Friday there was a wind storm so school was canceled.  Monday we were off for school for Martin Luther King day but would have had a snow day because it snowed!  The kids enjoyed going sledding.  I found snow pants and sleds at the thrift stores over a few months in the fall.  So we prepared and it was great.

More of a good visit with Grandma and Grandpa

 We went to the rocket museum with Grandma and Grandpa.

Grandpa was on the ground checking out this ant mound but I was too slow with the camera.

We hiked spring trail on Rainbow mountain and found water!

The hike was so steep.  Hiking in the winter is better than the summer.  Grandma and Grandpa are such goo sports and in such good shape.

Someone brought an RC truck that could climb on the rocks.  That was fun to watch.

Grandparents visiting

 Grandma C and Grandpa S came today wearing the most epic sweaters.  I was inspired to get this group picture early.

Christmas Eve we did some caroling.

Christmas day was great.  We stayed home and watched a few movies and played with new toys.

Friday fun

 The library south of our town is small but awesome.  They have a toy room and a lego collection with a huge table bordered  to keep legos on the table.  B and L were excited to go and spend a few hours there yesterday.  The 3 peas got to do a Kiwi Crate.  M mowed the lawn and got to buy a pair of jeans with a water bottle pocket!  E got a UTI diagnosed and medicated.  It was a good day.

This Christmas

 Over the years we have tried different approaches to having the children gift to people.  This year the 4 children at home will give a gift of service, food and thing to the various siblings.  So each gets one of each kind of gift and each gives one of each kind of gift.  

In past years the kids have taken turns filling the stockings or playing St. Nicolas.  This year I asked them each to tell me an item they want to have in the stockings, and they can put that item into each stocking.  

I really want them to have a good time and experience gifting.

Today we went to Rainbow Mountain.  Phillip and I went on a lunch date.  The kids watched Home Alone and made cookie houses.  Another great day!