December 9-15

Monday Dec. 9:  The doctor who checked out Jared's thumb last week told us to take him to an Orthopedic Specialist since the fracture was on his growth plate.  So today right after school I brought him to Dr. Parry in the Coral Desert Clinic.  We had to wait about an hour just to get in to see him and then they couldn't bring up the x-rays on their computer and so they had to take some more.  I am sure that means more bills for us.  Dr. Parry confirmed the original diagnosis and instructed Jared to leave his splint on full time for three weeks and then part time for the next two weeks. He was also instructed not to do any sports or anything that could cause more damage. 

Jared and I got home just in time to gather the family together for the Santa Clara Ward Christmas Party.  Rick had been asked if the carolers could perform at the party but he declined since it was on a Monday night and he takes Monday nights off for family night (except for the family show). The party was at the town hall with their traditional live band.  Jase and Janika were stressing since it was their only night to do their homework and so they left to walk home early with Rick.  It was SO cold outside!  Jared also walked home early.  I stayed longer with the four youngest since they wanted to run and around and dance with their friends.  

Tues. Dec. 10:  Tonight was the Final Exam for my class.  I stayed after to grade tests and figure out final grades.  It is always nice to get that over with.  Now hopefully I can find some time to actually go Christmas shopping! 

Thurs. 11:  Playgroup was at my house.  The kids all played together really well.  I went to Janelle's class this afternoon to read a story and bring a treat for their "12 Days of Christmas."  After school the kids were scrambling to get ready for caroling.  I left Jared in charge while I went to the Deaf Center's Employee Christmas Party.  They provided dinner from Kneaders, played a fun version of Charades which was hilarious, and gave out awards. 

Fri. 13:  I interpreted for finals this morning and then hurried to make treats for Janelle and Jaiden's Activity Days "Treat Exchange." Jared left for Brianhead this afternoon with Bridger's family.  One of Jared's best friends (AJ Soderquist) is moving to Salt Lake in a week and so.  Jared and AJ are both good friends with our neighbor, Bridger.  Bridger's parents invited Jared and AJ with them to a condo in Brianhead for the weekend to go tubing and swimming before AJ moves.  Usually we don't allow sleepovers but let Jared go in this situation.  He had a blast! 

I really missed his fun company and his help with the kids. He often watches Josh and Jenna while the rest of the family is out caroling.  With him gone I couldn't go anywhere without the kids and so I ended up bringing Josh and Jenna with me to Janika's Hyperion Christmas Show tonight and also brought them with me for all of the running around I did on Saturday.  Janika's show was really cute and I really enjoyed it!  Her show was at the Hafen Theater at Tuacahn.  She had brought her caroler costume with her so that she could change and meet up with the Carolers after her performance.  It worked out perfectly since the carolers were scheduled to sing in the outdoor plaza shortly after her Hyperion performance.

 

 

 

 Sat. 14:  Jaiden had a birthday party for one of her friends this morning.  I picked her up after her party and brought her into town to meet up with the rest of the carolers who were already into their day's schedule of performances.  I had just gotten back home and fixed lunch for the kids when Janelle called saying that she was sick and could I come bring her home.  I was really irritated because I had just been with the kids in the car for an hour by the time we made all of our stops and now I had to drag them back out to drive clear across town to go right back where I had just left from!  

Janelle actually threw up on the way home (good thing I happened to have a ziploc bag in the car).  She changed to pajamas and spend the rest of the day watching TV with a bowl.  She didn't throw up again and no one else got sick and we were grateful for that! 

It has been cold all week and so there was still a lot of snow.  Usually when it snows (which is only a couple times a year) it quickly melts within a couple of hours.  So to have snow stay for a whole week is really different!  This week has been busy with the carolers performing all week and with me finishing up all my last week of interpreting, teaching, and doing final grades.  I have had hardly any time to go Christmas shopping and don't feel ready for Christmas at all!    

Sunday Dec. 15:  Today the carolers sang two songs in our hearing ward and also did the whole program for the Deaf Branch.  They came to our house for lunch in  between the two meetings.  I had made a ham and a huge pan of cheesy potatoes and then hurried and threw together a green salad and we just cooked up some vegetables and put out bread and butter and other things.  Everyone in the ward and branch loved the music went on and on about it.  Rick and I both spoke in the branch too.  There wasn't much time left so we kept our talks short.  I was glad that I hadn't spent hours I didn't have preparing my talk since I only gave a short portion of it anyway.

It has been difficult with Rick and the kids gone so much caroling.  I don't know what I would do without Jared's help.  Rick, Janika, Jase, Janelle, and Jaiden come home from work and school and rush to grab something to eat and change and then take off for the evening or the day leaving behind  all of the dinner mess, dishes, laundry, etc.  I feel overwhelmed and just can't keep up with it all.  I sometimes wonder if it is worth all of the time and stress, but the kids really do love it and really learn a lot from it -- not just our kids, but all of the kids in the group.  I have had so many parents come up to me through the years and say how it really changed their son or daughter's life.  Rick knows that it has been hard and really tries to do all he can to help out by grocery shopping early in the morning or late at night -- Christmas shopping, helping out when he is home and so forth.  Yesterday he brought me home a beautiful bouquet of roses which brightened up my day.
 

A few days ago I had someone call us and say "Is this the Hands in Harmony Carolers?"  I said it was and he said that his family saw our carolers singing at Kneaders and that they were "the four blubbering."  He said that his mom had been diagnosed with liver cancer and didn't have much longer to live.  He said that they had just had a very emotional day and when they carolers started singing to them it meant so much to them.  He said that it was truly a "gift from God."  He just wanted to say "thank you."  It was good for me to hear that.  They get those kind of responses a lot, but I don't often hear it because I am usually not with them.  Hopefully sometime this week I can get out and listen to them and take some pictures and videos.  They really do have a great group this year! 

Happy 18th Birthday, Janika!!

Today is Janika's 18th birthday! Many wards in our area cancelled church because of the snowstorm and icy roads.  The carolers were supposed to sing in our hearing ward and also the deaf branch today but Rick cancelled their performances because we didn't want the teenagers driving across town in dangerous snowy and icy streets. 

Our hearing ward didn't cancel church but only had Sacrament meeting because the heating system was down in all of the classrooms.  The only heated areas were the chapel and the Bishop's office.  The Deaf Branch cancelled church completely.  I was supposed to give a talk and hadn't even started it and so the cancellation was somewhat of a relief. We went to our ward for Choir practice and Sacrament meeting and then stayed after for Jase's ordination to become a Priest. 

After church we ate a nice dinner and sang "Happy Birthday" to Janika. She showed off her impressive lung capacity by blowing out all 18 candles in one breath! 

 

Happy Birthday Janika!

Janika is 18 today!  It has been so weird for me to realize that I have a child who is legally an adult!  Happy Birthday to my beautiful girl!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Show (Snow) Must Go On!

The carolers were out performing (and apparently playing) ALL DAY in this! 

 

Snowstorm

Jase has been following the weather all week and warning us that a big storm was coming.  It snowed a little earlier in the week but today is when it really hit.  Jase said that it was supposed to be the biggest snowstorm in 25 years and I believe he was right!  I've lived in this area for 16 years and I've never seen this much snow.  It usually snows once or twice a year and melts within a few hours.  But today it snowed several inches and then lasted ALL WEEK long!

The kids had a blast playing in it.  Jenna went to Kate and Lizzie's birthday party and when I picked her up she was out in the snow in her princess attire.  Josh and Jared made snow forts over at Bridger's house for several hours and  Jenna and I worked on making a snow man in our yard.  Rick, Janika, Jase, Janelle, and Jaiden were out performing with the carolers all day.  I was nervous about them driving around in the snow but it made for some beautiful scenery and pictures!

Our power went off shortly before dark and stayed off for a couple of hours.  Apparently one of our neighbors down the street had a microwave that blew and set off smoke alarms (and so the fire department showed up).  The transformer in our other neighbor's yard also blew with a huge bang that scared their little kids half to death.  The power went out on a half a dozen homes, including ours.  Our gas still worked though and so our fireplace was still on and I made a fire in our wood fireplace in the basement.  Josh got really nervous and scared with the power off and I told him that we were always excited as kids when that happened -- that it was like an adventure.  We lit a whole bunch of candles and I told them a story in bed.  I just can't tell stories like Rick can but I did my best. 

 

 

 

 

Hands in Harmony Caroler Family Show

Well, tonight was the Hands in Harmony Caroler's Family Show. This is (usually) the first show -- just for family members that officially kicks off the caroling season!  This year they already had a few performances over the weekend.  Tonight we all squeezed in to the Seminary Building at Tuacahn for the show.  Rick decided to have it here since they would be signing on the plaza right afterwards.  He also got tickets to the Live Nativity for all of the carolers and their family members as a "thank you" and Christmas gift to everyone.  We have a great group this year!

Happy Birthday Jase!!

Jase is 16 today!!  He can now drive (well, almost) and date!  He is still working on getting his driving hours in but now that Caroler season is starting he will be performing everyday and so we won't be able to finish up the hours until January.  I also told him that I wanted to be his "first date" and so I took him out to eat at Golden Corral.  When I asked Jase what he wanted for his birthday he said "Chicken Noodle Soup and Money" and so that is exactly what he got!  We will have to postpone his "Sweet Sixteen" Birthday Party until after Caroling Season is over!