Mon Aug 31st

Poor Ella was up last night throwing up. At one point she was sitting on the toilet having diarrhea and throwing up into the bath. Out of both ends... Not fun. Then I got her a bowl and she threw up three more times in the night in the bowl. Poor little sweetie. I let her stay home from school today obviously. She seems to be feeling a lot better now though. So it's probably some kind of 24 hour bug. 

I went for a nice long run this morning with Link. I listened to more of the book. Super good. Basically if you want to influence people you need to be genuinely interested in them. So if you follow Christ's example and care about the one, then you'll have a lot of positive influence to be real life. It's a pretty cool book, not being religious but still having a religious undertone. 

We went down to Vivian Park this afternoon.

 It was so great being out in nature. I almost forgot how beautiful Provo Canyon is. The girls and I had fun wading through the stream. I love doing things like that. I was happy to see that my kids do too 😊. 

Then we got pizza and went to Sian and Steve's house. There we had FHE and pizza. We also picked up our new computer from them. We bought there MAC from them. It's going to be really nice having a desktop computer for the family. Plus it has photoshop and such on it which I'm so excited to learn how to use and play around with. 

Sun Aug 30th

I had a bad attitude for half the day. I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I think I've been super ultra stressed about Nick's job and just survival in general. They just moved us to a new agreement that puts most the risk on us.  Plus Nick is on probation. It all seems so backwards. He has to go out of town Tuesday though Friday this next week. He was out of town last week. I think him being gone Tuesday -Friday is going to be normal. It's just super stressful. I don't know how much money were going to make and my husband is gone most the week. It sucks. And although it's really not Nicks fault, I feel like I've been annoyed with him. It's like since he is gone so much, when he's home I expect him to be super dad and superhusband. But really he's just as tired as I am. It's not a very good situation. If he was getting paid a ton of money maybe it would be more bearable, but at the moment he's not and it stinks. 

Anyways so yes I was having a bad attitude. But nick was sweet an and after church he gave me a two hour break. I used it reading my Maggie the dog story that I wrote. I've got to finish it and send it off to publishers. My dream is to get a book published. No luck yet but maybe with Maggie :). 

Link looks so cute in his little hoodie outfit. Like tough but not tough at all haha. 

I made chicken pot pie for dinner while Link took his snooze. After dinner we took a family walk that ended at thepark. 

Link riding down the slide like a big boy. 

Lisey being a cute goof. 

And Ella pretending to snooze on top the tunnel. Cute and goofy kids. It was great being together as a family. 

I just washed the dishes and listened to spme of "How to Win Friends and Influence People in the digital age". It's super good. One of the big points so far is in any interaction make sure not to criticize, condemn or complain. Any interaction either lifts people up or brings them down. There are no neutral interactions. Great advice. 

Sat Aug 29th

We had a garage sale at Sian's house this morning. I sold the two chairs I got for free at a garage sale for $50. Nick stayed home to mow the lawn and then met us in Provo in the late afternoon. 

Lisey and Ella acting goofy at Sian's house. 

Then we went to a splash pad at pioneer park. The kids had fun. I felt really bummed because I had really wanted to go hiking or at least swim a little in the river. Oh well. 

The kids really did have a grand time. We took Will with us. He's a funny little boy. He was sad because someone ran into him and knocked him down. Then after a min of crying he did a body wave and said "shake it off" and then he stopped crying and went back to playing. 😂

Link loved playing in the fountain! He's such a technical little guy. He liked to look at the drain to see how it works and he was fascinated with how the water sprayed from the ground. He's such a good baby. No crying. He just crawled around and had fun. 

Fri Aug 28th

Ella missed the bus this morning so I drove her to school. I walked her inside. It felt good to be a little more involved in her school stuff. The bus makes me feel really disconnected from Ella's school. 

Here's a picture Ella took off herself on the way to school that I played around with. Ella is such an affectionate girl. She'll often kiss my cheeks and tell me I'm the best mom ever and the best cook ever. Well I know she's the best 7 year old ever. I love you Ella. 

I've been thinking about my new business idea of using photoshop to put people in my paintings and then selling them. We're going to buy Sians computer and it has photoshop on it. I'm hoping to teach myself using tutorials. I'm getting really excited to learn photoshop. The possibilities are endless! I could use it to make illustrations for my books. I could use it to make paintings for our house. 

Walmart fun 😄 Who needs a playground when you can ride bikes at Walmart. Our playdate with Karissa fell through so we needed something fun to do. It was getting late so Walmart had to do. The girls had a blast riding the bikes around the store and daddy did too. 

Thurs Aug 27th

We went to Costco which is always a big job then as I was trying to bring in the groceries (one handed with a poopy bummed baby in the other), Lisey has an accident right on the porch. I get her changed (still one handed) than changed Lincoln.  Then I  brought in the cold stuff. I'm trying hard to hurry bc Links is ready for a nap and I have to get Ella from the bus stop in a few minutes. As I'm trying to get the milk in the fridge I drop it and it bursts open to pour 3/4 of a gallon of milk onto the floor. A moms life is never dull. 

Wed Aug 26th

We went for a run this morning. It was great. I got a few miles in and then I did crunches and planks while Lisey played at the park. The only bad park is that Link feel asleep for about 15 mins and then when we got home he would not go down for his nap! He got his power nap and I guess that was enough to sustain him. My major mistake was trying to get him to go back to sleep. I probably spent close to an hour trying to cocst him into his bed. He'd fall asleep and I'd try to gently put him in his bed but then he'd wake back up. After tons of trys doing that I gave up and just let him be up. He did end up taking a nap later but it was short and lame. 

Sian and Steve came over for a bit to get some boxes. They're moving at the end of September, most likely into our basement. Their landlord upped their rent and now they can't afford to live there. We'll see how that goes. It will be nice to have some company when Nick is out of town. I just hope it won't ruin our relationship with Sian and Steve. It's hard on everyone to be confined to tight spaces for long periods of time. Hopefully everyone will have a good attitude and it should work or out fine. 

I painted my lamps this afternoon. They look so so much better! They went from ugly gold to lovely hammered bronze. 

After school we went to the Curiousity museum. The kids had a grand time. It's so nice that those museums are so close! Basically down the street. It's very nice to have a fun (and now free bc we have the pass) place to go to get some energy out. 

Link loved chewing on the carrots in the baby section. I'm sure all the other babies do too... He's building up his antibodies :). 

Some ladies from the Relief Society came over just to chat for a bit last night. By the end of the night we were laughing and laughing. I think all our tired momness caught up to us and we just had to laugh about it. Good times 😂😂. 

Tues Aug 25th

We went to the park this morning. Lisey made a new friend which was nice to see, especially since she's been so cranky (for example she wanted to ride her little pink car to the park but about halfway there she didn't want to anymore and just ran away cry). These kids have got to get to bed earlier. Nick is out of town till Thursday so we'll see how it goes...

Link playing and in the tunnel at the park. Looking good Lincoln! My little big boy! 

I signed Lisey up for preschool today. It's just down the street, Tues Thurs for 2 hours each day for $75 a month. The teacher taught 2nd grade for 8 years. I think Lisey is really going to enjoy it. She's been dying to go to school ever since Ella started school this year. My baby is growing up! 

Link loves to beat his arms down in his high chair and in the tubby. He gets so excited when he does it, like he's showing us something big and important. Link is a delightful little guy. Today while Lisey and I did some baking, he just crawled around the kitchen. He hardly ever fusses, and when he does it usually means he's ready for a snooze. A few times he's stood up on his own. I can't believe how big he's getting. 

Ella had a friend over after school. They had a really good time playing. We made cookies and they danced. Unfortunately she could only play for an hour and a half, which Ella felt to be unexceptable so the had a huge mondo tantrum. Being a kid is rough stuff.  We ate a cookie and agreed that life is not fair.  

Mon Aug 24th

I've been stuck trying to think of ideas for a home business for myself. I've been thinking of things I'm good at and things I would enjoy and this morning I had a thought. What if I made a website and sold ceramic items, paintings, little tables that I've painted and redone... Basically just a handcrafted items store. It wouldn't need to be anything big especially at first but if I even made a little money from it and was doing the things I enjoy and it seems to me that it would be worth it. Mom I'll have to think about it some more and see if it can work. The ceramic stuff would be tricky because I need a kiln and a wheel and the paint and the Clay. But I could start with paintings. I enjoy doing that and I have the supplies already. I wonder if I could make things that people would actually buy. It be worth a shot I think. Start small and to get bigger as the business grows. I'm liking the idea of this. What if I painted a backdrop and then people could customize it by adding their families or friends in the picture. It would be like they were giving a friend a very personalized gift. I wonder if I could do that. I'd need to learn how to use some graphic design tools. Hmmmm things to dream about 😍. 

I took the two little kids on a run this morning and then we ended at the park. Lisey and Lincoln both had a fun time in the swings and on the slide. 

Most the rest of the day I painted the table for the living room and cleaned. Ammon came over to hang out for a bit and we talked about ideas, which was fun. It's nice having family close 😊. 

We had ravioli and smoothy for dinner then we had FHE. Ella seems very tired. Hopefully we can get her to bed early. It's been hard to break our summer habits.  

Sun Aug 23rd

Happy birthday to Sianny! After church we went over to Sians house for dinner and dessert. It's nice being close to family again! We had fish tacos and lemon meringue pie. Ella had a great time playing with Will. Poor Lisey slept the whole time. 

I took a few pics of the kids after church. I have most of them on my nice camera but here are a few I messed around with. 

Sat Aug 22nd

In the morning we went out to garage sales. We got an edger, a few cool things for the house, a big bag of clothes for Link and some toys. Unfortunately we didn't find a lawn mower, which was what we needed the most. Still it was fun getting new stuff for way cheap. 

Then after Link's snooze we went down to Bountiful to visit with Dave and Marie and the boys. It was really good to see them. It was fun to watch Nick come out of his shell. He feels really comfortable with Dave's family. He ran around with the kids and played games I never get him to play. 

Joshy (Harry Potter), Ella (giraffe) and Lisey (herself) outside Dave and Maries house. 

Dave and Nick pulled the kids around on a tarp (a charriot) and then used that same tarp to throw the kids up in the air. 

Ella and Annalise had a blast. They picked peaches, climbed trees and ran free around the yard. Ella declared it to be the best party ever (it was offical after Dave let her squirt a ton of whip cream into her mouth). It was so great to see those guys. Dave and Marie are super fun. It's going to be great living by them 😎. 

Fri Aug 21st

Elise invited us to go to the splash pad this morning. Link was snoozing so Nick stayed home with him and I took Annalise. It was a pretty cool splash pad. Part of it was like a normal one and the other part was like a river with rocks and water splashing out of it. After the splash pad we all went out for frozen yogurt. It was a nice group. I think I'll be able to make better friends with all of them. 

It was good for Lisey to get out with friends. She's seemed kind of off since Ella's gone back to school...kind of cranky and doesn't want to go out and do stuff. Poor little girl. Ironically the girls have been fighting a lot more lately also. I guess we'll all off from the school year starting again. I miss summer! 

Tonight we had movie night and pizza night. We got Costco pizza and on the way back from picking it up Lisey fell asleep. I guess all the outside fun wore her out. 

Thurs Aug 20th

It's the second day of second grade and we let her ride the bus. I'm not sure if it's a smart move or stupid one (especially since I had that feeling in Sunday to not let her ride the bus), but Nick and I decided we'd let her try it out. Ella has agreed to tell us every thing that goes on in the bus and if something bad is shown to her to close her eyes and plug her ears. Like I said...I guess we'll see. I'm feeling very nervous about it. Ella is so excited though. This morning while I was waiting with her for the bus to come she met a nice little girl that has become her instant friend. They played rock, paper, scissors while they were waiting and Ella told me they played it on the bus too. 

I went for a short run with the kids. I let Lisey play on the playground for a bit and she loved that. Then I took Lisey and Lincoln to the Curiousity museum with our next door neighbors, Elise and her son Owen. 

 We made it to a story time and we did a craft after. Lisey had fun making a dancing baton. 

Lisey loved doing this climbing wall. She did it over and over again. 

We climbed up the ropes to go into the airplane. Every other time we been, it's been too crowded to go in. Both Lisey and Lincoln loved pretending to be a pilot. 

Unfortunately Lisey was a bit tired and cranky and our fun was cut short with a potty accident. Elise was very sweet about it and didn't make a fuss about leaving early. I think she's going to turn out to be a really good friend. 

Ella made it home safely on the bus. I was worried she'd miss it or get on the wrong one or something, but she did great. 

After Ella got home we went to the outlet mall that's right by us. Gymberee was having a great sale so we got the kids each a new outfit. I'm definitely going to take a picture of them in the new clothes. So cute! 

We got some pretzel bites to celebrates Ella's first time on the bus. Link loves drinking from the cup like a big boy. 

Wed Aug 19th

First day of school at Fox Hollow Elementary! I can't believe Ella is in 2nd grade! She walked up to that new school like an old pro. She didn't even want me to walk her to her classroom. My little baby is so grown up! 

Lisey really really wanted to go to school like Ella. So after Ella went in Lisey, Link and I walked to Ella's classroom and Lisey gave the fox a big hug. We all miss Ella today. 

Uncle Adam came over for dinner tonight. The girls had fun wrestling him. I think he's glad to have us back in Utah. 

Mon Aug 17th

We ran errands most the day. Feeling very stressed. We find out on wed what will happen with Nicks job. Yikes. 

Sat Aug 15th

Painting day! We're painting all our DI tables beautiful colors! They're looking really good. Lisey was a really good help and Link wanted to be haha. The tables are looking good!

Friday Aug 14th

We bought a very controversial couch today. It's floral and looks a little bit old lady-ish, but I can see the French vintage potential. It was only $40 at DI and was very clean and comfy so we'll see if we can make it work. If not at least it was only $40. Sian hates it with a passion, I'm in the middle and mom loves it. We'll see what I decide in the end.

Tues Aug 18th

Ella starts school tomorrow! I can't believe it, my baby in 2nd grade. We have back to school night tonight where we'll meet her teacher. I can't believe the summer is over. Ella is ready and excited for school to start but I'm not. I could use a few more weeks of summer! 

We did some unpacking this morning then after Lincoln's nap we went to the dinosaur museum. Nick was able to come which was very very fun. 

It was a pretty cool museum. The kids loved being with their dad.

Then we came home and and did some crafts. 

This is the cute site I saw when I came in from putting Lincoln down for his nap. It was so cute to see Nick working with the girls on their crafts.

Then we went to back to school night where Ella met her teacher Mrs. Rynes. Ella liked her teachers blonde hair. She seems super super nice. I told her about Ella's dyslexia. We'll see how the year goes now that we know about the dyslexia. I started doing some research about dyslexia. I'm so glad we found out about it while she's still little. The research shows that when you find out when they're young most the time they can still learn to read and write and don't have any major problems. But if you find out when they're older then things can get really tricky and they can have low self-esteem and major learning problems.