Braces, Boxes, and Baptisms 7/19 - 7/25/2020

Sunday July 19,

We went to church today again, it was  nice that it was a regular sacrament meeting with two speakers.  Natalie Bruschke gave a great youth talk, and Bro. Lovell was the other speaker.  There were more families this time, 8.  We all wore masks.  It was very quiet and you do feel a bit anxious if you have to cough or sneeze.  Also you feel like you shouldn't touch anything.  

Monday July 20,

I took Tyler in to get his braces today.  He was a good sport through the whole process.  It took a little less than 2 hours.  Now the process of sore teeth and limited food choices begins.  

Doug decided to order a treadmill and it arrived on Monday.  It came in a huge box, that the kids were more excited about.  Doug and I set it up in the evening.  It was so heavy!! It was hard to carry into our room, very grateful that we didn't have to go up any stairs.  It came with a year membership to some cool workouts that allow you to walk around in different places.  The kids thought these were cool.  

On Tuesday the kids were on the treadmill all day.  We had to make a sign-up sheet so we wouldn't fight over who's turn it was.  Chris walked/ran 5 miles throughout the day.  It's nice that they want to exercise now.  Many have walked in Hawaii and through the pyramids of Egypt.  

Wednesday July 22

Damon and Kaylee had an orthodontist appointment early.  Damon is almost done with his treatment, he will be getting his wire retainers next time and Kaylee is just holding her expander in place.  

Piano lessons with Tyler and I've been making food all week to get ready for the baptism.  I made shortbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies, and brownie bites.  I've put them in the freezer so they will be all ready for Saturday.  

My mom flew in at 6:00 pm.  I went and picked her up.  It was great that she could come for the girls' special day.  The girls slept in the big box fort since grandma sleeps in their room when she comes.  They didn't sleep too well - too close together. 

Thursday July 23

We went swimming in the morning.  The weather all week has been on and off stormy.  But it was nice while we swam.  I'm glad we can get the kids out of the house for a bit. 

Damon made some energy balls.

We had Korean Beef stir fry for dinner, it's a favorite all around. 

Grandma was good to play games with the kids and read them stories.  It makes it nice to have another adult around. 

I had a rough evening, feeling stressed about what to do about school.  We have to decided by July 28 and I don't really want to think about school until after the baptism, but I need to decide.  I keep going back and forth.  Doug thinks that we should do a public online school, so then we don't have to worry about what CISD does, we are just doing our own thing.  I liked the sound of that but I worry about credits transferring for Damon and he wouldn't get all of the classes that he wanted to take.  Also I would like them to have the chance to go back to school if things get better.  I sort of decided to have them do in person, but then Dr. Null the superintendent talked to us all again and it made me realize that they really don't know what they're doing and even though they are trying their best the school most likely will have to be closed at some point and I don't want the kids feeling weird having to wear masks at school and have their desks apart and being told to wash their hands all the time etc.  I still don't know what to do!!

Friday July 24

We went swimming again at the other pool.  We though it might rain, but it didn't.  After lunch I went grocery shopping and then I got my haircut.  My mom helped me with prepping more food, chopping vegetables for a veggie tray and a broccoli apple salad.

I've been feeling pretty stressed about what to do about school.  After my walk with Kari in the morning I feel like we should just do online school with our regular school.  I have the hardest time making up my mind on decisions. I feel like this is a good medium.  The kids are still part of their school, will know some of their teachers and classmates and they have the chance to go back if things clear up.  I know it will be hard having to deal with so many classes and teachers online, but we can do it. 

We let the girls open up their presents in the evening.  They were excited to get their scriptures, and towels.  Mom gave them journals, scripture cases, a scripture marker, and a pillowcase you could color.  I also gave them a bracelet, a tithing jar, pictures of the temple, and a picture for their room.

Saturday July 25, 2020

Well, I had been worried about the weather all week, but the morning just looked cloudy.  The kids had done their Saturday jobs the day before, so we didn't have to worry about that.  I got up and frosted the cookies and mom helped by making french toast.  I did the girls' hair while they ate and then we headed over to the Bruschke's.  We met early with the Calls and Shurtliffs to practice our musical number.

Doug got the zoom call going at 10 and it was so neat to have so many people there with us.  My siblings and Doug's siblings, Grandma and Grandpa Datwyler, Doug's parents, Our nieces: Candice, and Sam (in Japan) were there too. 

The program was pretty normal, We sang Families can be together forever, Tyler said the prayer.  My mom gave a talk on baptism with an analogy of cotton candy.  Then the kids sang their song: I Feel God's Light.  Then we went outside and the girls were baptized.  Their pool is actually pretty deep, so Jenna stayed on the bottom step.  Chris and I were witnesses for Jenna and Damon and Tyler were witnesses for Kaylee.  It was so neat to watch them and feel the Spirit.  After everyone was changed Grandma Petersen spoke on the Holy Ghost via zoom.  That was neat.  It was hard to hear.  We had tried to connect the Bose to the iPad, which we do all the time, but it didn't seem to work with the Zoom call.  So that was a bit frustrating but everyone was quiet and listened as best they could.  Then they were confirmed.  Doug's prayers were so nice and it was a special moment.  Then Doug said a few thoughts and Jenna played I am a Child of God on the piano.  Then Kaylee helped us sing the closing song by playing "I like to look for Rainbows" on the Ukulele.  It was so fun to sing along with her on the second verse. 

We were so blessed with the weather - it started to storm during the talk on the Holy Ghost - there was a smaller Hurricane coming in the gulf, south of us, but it brought some rain and winds our way.  I was so grateful that it waiting until after the baptisms.  It rained afterwards and while we had lunch at our house, but then it cleared off enough that we went back and swam.  The kids had a great time.  

Mom helped finish making the broccoli apple salad and we set up tables and chairs.  We had BBQ chicken sandwiches, Haley brought a yummy green and pasta salad.  Kari brought over a beautiful display of fruit and some chips.  The girls had requested chocolate chip cookies and brownie bites.  I also made some coconut shortbread cookies with lime frosting - so yummy.  Mom also helped me chop veggies for a veggie tray and make lemonade.  It was a great lunch and everyone enjoyed visiting.  Then we headed over to the Brushcke's to swim. 

Mom treated us to buying Chinese take out for dinner, so that was a treat.  Everyone loves Chinese.  And we had so many leftover I didn't have to make Sunday dinner, so it was a double blessing. 

Mom and Tyler went for a walk in the evening, it was a good thing they brought some umbrellas along- they needed them.

The baptism was so special, and it was fun to do it in a memorable way, but all that really matters in the ordinance and that the girls have made this covenant.  I'm so proud of the and I am so grateful for this Gospel and the knowledge that we have and the priesthood authority that we have.  I hope the girls will remember the feelings that they felt on their special day.  I felt the Spirit and was grateful for it. 

July 12 - July 18 2020

I haven't been as good writing this week, so it's a bit of a catch up.

Sunday was a little different, I joined my brother Marcus's Sunday church meeting via Zoom.  He was put in as the 1st counselor in the bishopric.  My mom and brother flew out to be there and so that Richard could ordain him to a high priest.  So now Marcus, Richard and Doug are all in bishoprics at the same time.

Monday we had some drama.  My friend told me of an dr. experience with her son and basically made him get tested for COVID with just a stuffy nose as symptoms.  So then I called my dr. because Tyler had an appointment the next day.  I said that my son had been playing with the siblings of a friend who is being tested, but we don't know the results yet.  They made me reschedule.  So crazy!!  Anyway, he tested negative, so it was all good.

Tuesday Damon, Jenna and Kaylee all went to the dentist.  They all did great and Kaylee had two teeth pulled.  She did just fine with that.  This was a first for us, it was interesting to the see the teeth with the roots still there.  We are trying to get her some more room for her bottom teeth, she has such a small mouth, no room for all of these teeth.

Wednesday after Tyler's piano lessons I went over to Haley's house for lunch.  We got together for lunch to celebrate Laisa's birthday.  It was great to visit, eat Panera, and play Skull King (like Opishaw). I brought chocolate dipped strawberries to share, the kids enjoyed cleaning out the bowl.

Doug and I still enjoy our evening walks, even though it is still hot and muggy.

Thursday we went swimming with the Shurtliffs in the morning.  It was almost cool at the beginning, but it was very lovely as day warmed up.

I spent the afternoon in the kitchen.  I took dinner to the missionaries, they can't eat over, but we take food to them.  I made chicken meatballs with rice, corn, watermelon, bread sticks, and lemon bars.

We didn't do much over the weekend.  Normal jobs and I cleaned the kitchen more than normal.  It felt good to clean the vent hood.  Our lives feel like on repeat.  We get up, I exercise, the kids watch cartoons.  We eat breakfast, then do centers.  (Writing, piano, exercise, typing, reading, and math) Then the kids have screen time and then lunch.  Then the kids are pretty good to play and read until 4 for screen time again and then dinner.  Some days we play with friends in the afternoon which is nice.  After dinner we play a board game or watch a show.  And then we do it all again.  Some days we go swimming or have appointments which breaks things up, but we basically do the same thing every day. I guess I've lost my creativity as a mom. But the kids do play on their own pretty well, they were playing a Star Wars level with their lego ships that they had made yesterday.

July 5 - 11 2020

Sunday July 5
Today we went to church.  It was the first time since mid March.  It was good to go.  There were only 4 other families there, but it was good to hear testimonies of other people.  It was a short fast and testimony meeting.  Doug, Kaylee and myself bore our testimonies along with two other adults and a child.  The missionaries passed the sacrament.  They put the bread in individual cups in a water tray to make it more sanitary.  We all wore masks the whole time.  But the Spirit was there and I enjoyed listening to the organ even though we couldn't sing along.

Monday July 6
A delivery was supposed to come today but never did.  Hopefully it will come tomorrow, the bummer is that I will be out of the house for awhile so I hope it doesn't come when I am gone.

The girls invited the neighbor girls over to play.  They moved in about a month ago and they are twins who are 8 as well, crazy.  They also have a little sister.  It was fun to hear them chatter away.  We built a big fort in the living room with ropes and sheets.

It was a harder today with Chris, I think he was feeling left out since he didn't have a friend over and the older boys went to swim at a neighbor's house.  I think we are feeling cooped up and tired of each other.  I really hope that we can send the kids to school and that they won't have too many crazy protocols that they have to do due to the Corona Virus.  They told us that we will get to choose between in class and online school, but the online will be a lot harder than it was in the spring.  We just don't know what in class school will look like yet.

Tuesday July 7
The girls slept in the fort so Doug and I slept in a bit - couldn't exercise in the living room.  We went swimming at 10 with the Shurtliffs and then I helped make a little hello gift for the primary girls.

The rest of the day I splurged and read a book.  I am reading a book called Wool.  It is a futuristic book about where the world is uninhabitable and the only people alive are living in these silos that are self sufficient.  But the people don't know about the world outside and that there are other silos.  But of course some people start to figure it out and they start an uprising. It's pretty fun.

The girls play at the Shurtliffs all afternoon and Tyler and Chris invited Caleb and Carter over to play so that made the day nice with less fighting.  Yay for friends.

Doug's big exercise equipment arrived today.  Doug and I put the bench together in the evening.  At first it looked like the instructions weren't very clear, but actually it wasn't too bad.  It is only pictures, so you just have to look very closely to make sure you have used the right pieces.

The kids all had fun making mug cakes for dessert.

Wednesday July 8
Nothing on the agenda today.  I slept in until 7 since we stayed up late last night.  I did still go on a run though.  It seems I am getting slower at running and not faster, but it is a lot harder to run in the heat and humidity.  It was very muggy today.

I worked on some things for the girls baptism in the afternoon, the program mostly.  Their announcement cards have not come in yet, I'm a little upset at Walmart for being so slow.

Doug and I worked on the exercise machine again in the evening, it is a bit labor intensive, but it is coming along.  The kids had fun playing with the bench, putting weights on it and lifting it with their legs.

 The kids made a hotel for their stuffed animals out of boxes and blankets, their creativity is pretty fun.  It took awhile to clean up though. :)

Thursday July 9
Sleeping in was great! But I didn't get any exercising done, oh well.  I did go for walk in the evening with Doug.  We have been doing that more lately and it has been nice to walk and talk.

Tyler and Chris had dentist appointments, they went fine.  Chris has anxiety over things like this, but he did ok.  No cavities, but Chris needs to work on his brushing.

The girls had piano in the afternoon. I started reading the prequel book to the Hunger Game series.  Doug stayed home to be around when the A/C guy came to check on our unit.  It wouldn't have mattered because he came in the evening, but Doug was able to finish putting the exercise machine together while he was home.  The kids had a fun time pulling on things and trying to workout.  It will be good to have I think.  I hope it holds up well and gets some good use out it.

Friday July 10
I went for a walk with Kari in the morning.  It's so fun to chat with her. We talked about the pandemic and what we are going to do about school - I'm still not sure.  We talked about Hamilton and the stuff I've been learning about in the biography I'm reading.  We talk about our kids and anything else we can think of.  We walk for about 1 hour and 15 min and then we still talk for 20 more minutes by her house.  I guess maybe we are feeling a social need to talk since we are all shut up at home all of the time.

The Shurtliff girls came over to play on the slip 'n slide for a bit.  They had fun.

Saturday July 11
I was able to go get the girls' scriptures at the distribution center today.  They are only open a few days during the week and you have to make an appointment.  But they were able to emboss them too, so I'm glad I could check that off of my list.  I went to our mini Deseret Book store and got a few things there a well, scripture cases and journals.  I actually had to order Kaylee's because the one she wanted wasn't in stock.

I made Texas Sheet cake in the afternoon and we went swimming as a family after dinner.
Doug and I went to game night at 8:00.  It was the first time we have gotten together in person since March.  It was so fun to visit and see everyone.  We stayed until 12:30, I think we all had so much to talk about - we only played one game: Cartographer.  It was a fun one.

Chris helped the girls make these grabber things out of Legos,  they do play nicely together sometimes. 

New Braunfels Vacation 6/28 - 7/4/2020

Sunday June 28
We were going to go to church today, but there had been a spike in the confirmed cases of Corona Virus and so to be safe church was canceled.  We finished packing to get ready for our trip the next day.

Monday June 29
I went for a run in the morning, it was so hot and muggy!  Showered quick and helped the kids with breakfast. It's nice that they can find their own food for the most part now.  The girls still ask for some help, but the boys are pretty good to help them if I'm not around.

We left around 9:15 and headed toward Brenham.  We took a few stops along the way to break up the trip.  The first stop was the Blue Bell ice cream factory.  Of course the observation deck was closed (agh, I am getting so tired of everything being closed due to the virus, it really is getting annoying).  But we looked around the gift shop and each had a $1 scoop of ice cream.  I had peachy peach and the kids picked their normal favorites: cookies 'n cream, mint chocolate chip, and rainbow sherbet.  I thought it was funny that they didn't want to try anything new.  I guess they wanted the safe sure bet that it would be something they liked.

After our ice cream we weren't quite ready for lunch, so we drove for about 40 more minutes and ordered Subway online and picked it up at that next town.  We still had to wait in line to get Damon's sandwich, but it was all good.  We drove to a nearby park and ate it there.  It was pretty windy which made eating outside a bit challenging.  The playground was roped off, so we didn't stay long.  Back on the road toward Austin.

We stopped at the State Capitol first.  I knew it was closed, but I had been hoping to walk around the grounds- nope.  They had guards at all of the entrances.  We walked along the fence for a ways and tried to take the best pictures we could.  So frustrating!

A police officer at the Capitol told us a place to check out, a botanical garden place.  We drove to it, but didn't think the entrance fee was worth walking around in a garden, so we drove to a walking trail by the river/lake in down town Austin.  I had looked up this place and though it would be cool to see.  It was a nice traill, and it would be great to exercise on.  We were all get hot and tired by this point, so the kids were a bit whiny as we walked for a few blocks.  I wanted to get to the boardwalk section to be over the river.  We stopped at a public restroom before getting back in the van and were surprised to see a lady in the bathroom doing her laundry.  It made me grateful for what we have and take for granted most days.

We picked up Panda Express on our way to the World Mark.  The kids love Panda Express.  The set up for this place was a town home style with two bedrooms and a bathroom up stairs.  The main room had vaulted ceilings so it made it seem so big and nice.  We had a dinner and then had a quick swim in the pool.  You had to make reservations to swim and the hours were shortened, but we still had a fun time.  There were a few boys there that were acting a little crazy, but what do you do?

Tuesday June 30th 

We drove up to Canyon Lake in the morning.  We rented 2 kayaks and spent two hours paddling around boat ramp 5.  I had wondered if we could paddle around to a nearby park, but had learned that it takes about 1 1/2 to paddle over there.  So we just stayed nearby and took turns with the kids.  Damon and Tyler got some blisters and most had sore shoulders later on, but everyone had a good time.  Chris especially liked being on the water.  He had really enjoyed canoeing on a field trip so I wanted to let him have another chance to paddle around. We were all grateful for the clouds, but it was a bit windy so that made the paddling hard at times, but it wasn't too bad. 

After kayaking we drove around to the little park and had lunch.  There were a ton of flies while we were eating so we tried to hurry and get down to the water.  There was a fun little island, connected by a narrow walkway that we wanted to explore.  The water was great but the shore was pretty rocky.   Not all of the kids had good water sandals, but we made do the best we could.  The beach there was almost like a shelf in one area, with a drop off into a pretty deep blue/green colored water.  Tyler and the girls and I had fun 'jumping' off of the ledge into the deeper water.  

We stayed until the late afternoon and then Doug grilled steaks for dinner and I ran back to the store for a few things I had forgotten while the baked potatoes cooked.  We had brownies and ice cream for dessert. 

Screen time and games were a theme throughout out stay in the condo.  We bought a new game called Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza.  It is a slapping game that is just silly and fun.  The kids enjoyed it.  Before out trip Tyler had finished reading the last book of Harry Potter, so we started watching the movie after the younger ones when to bed.  

Wednesday July 1st

Doug and I went for a walk in the morning. 

All of New Braunfels was mostly closed due to COVID-19.  The tube rental places and even the public parks that had river access were closed and had orange netting blocking them completely. 

 Doug and I drove around trying to figure out what we were going to do.  We went to the main city park (Landa) and talked to so some elderly men and they gave us some suggestions.  We ended up going to L&L campground that was about 30 minutes away.  We paid for a day use pass and were able to get in the river.  We brought our pool float toys from home.  They weren't as nice as the big river tubes that the rentals would have had, but they worked for our purposes.  We got a hole in one, but we managed to keep it afloat for most of the time.  

At the campground there was a section of river that you could float, then exit, then walk back up and float again.  The kids took turns and had a blast going over the small rapids, more like waves.  The water was pretty low so the main concern was rubbing and bumping on the rocks.  We also skipped rocks and read with our feet in the water.  It was truly lovely in the shade.  A perfect afternoon on the rive. 

I made spaghetti for dinner and we had root-beer floats for dessert.   

Doug and the girls and I went swimming in the evening.  The pool was mostly empty and it was fun to spend some time with just Jenna and Kaylee. 

Thursday July 2

We took it easy in the morning.  I made cinnamon roll pancakes and the kids helped pack up and played some video games.  The pool didn't open until 11 and we had hoped to swim again before we left.  We asked if we could check out at 1:00 so we could have time to swim and have lunch before we left.  They said yes, so we had a quick swim and ate lunch then headed out at 1:00.  We just drove straight home.  The girls and Chris took a quick nap and then they watched Aladdin.  

It was a great little getaway and I liked the location.  I can see us going back in the off season as a quick little trip.  Because we booked only 5 days in advance and because it was in the middle of the week it was a good price for us.  ~$400 for the three nights.

After getting things settled at home we ordered pizza and then I helped the girls with a Primary Activity on Zoom.  We made mug cakes - that you microwave.  They had a fun time with that.

Friday July 3

Normal life again - laundry from the trip and the kids did their normal things.  I made a big trip to Walmart in the hopes of not having to go back as often.  

The fun thing for me was Hamilton was released on Disney +.  I watched the first half.  It was great.  I had been listening to the music a lot for the past 2-3 weeks so that I could follow along better.  The staging and performances were so fun to watch. 

Saturday July 4

Since we were gone most of the week we had the kids do some condensed chores.  I ran some errands to the music store and Children's Place.  This was the first time I had been back to the mall.  Everyone is required to wear a mask and the place felt pretty empty.  Lots of things were on sale.  It almost made me want to shop more.  

We had fun lighting fireworks in the evening.  Our neighbors and surrounding neighbors buy lots of fireworks so we had plenty to watch.  I'm grateful for our country.  I've been listening to a biography on Alexander Hamilton and it's been interesting to learn about all that went into making our nation get started.  There were lots of hard working men that put their lives into the foundation of our country and I am grateful for their hard work and sacrifice.