A Week of BIG Moments

 What a week we had. Between all the big moments and the weather that couldn’t decide what I it wanted to be, it just flew by in the blink of an eye. 

Travis

His knee is getting better each day. His ACL is mending and he is able to get on the bike and spin now. He’s bummed because he’s probably out of the running for his half iron man. To replace his energy and focus, he’s been watching endless YouTube baseball training videos and spending lots of time with the boys. And when he isn’t training them, he’s coaching Aaron’s city league team. Or sitting as a fan at Maddix’s soccer games, Maddix’s city league games, or Aaron’s travel tournament games. And somehow he still finds the time to take me on dates, chat with me endlessly, and spend a little time with the girls (I say “little” because that’s how they see it; they are seriously missing their daddy right now! ). He is sooo busy! 

Lacey

I have fallen in love with weight lifting; don’t worry, I won’t become jacked.. I barely lift any weight, but it makes me feel so strong. It is easy to commit too. And I don’t know, it’s a nice change from constant cardio. I completed a BodyByBree program back in March and knew I had to sign up for the continuation package; haven’t regretted it a day. Aside from that, I’m just busy trying to manage the house, the yard work, the girls, meal planning/prepping, having dinner ready by 4:50pm so we can eat together as a family before sports each evening, and being a full-time chauffeur/ cheering section for the boys! And on Sunday I was sustained as the Young Women’s President. I’m truly looking forward do the opportunity; I love these young ladies!! My best moments from the week were volunteering at Aaron’s end of year field days, as well as watching my sweet Adeline “graduate” from her Sugarplum school! 

Maddix 

This kid was awarded the Musical Magician award at school. He was nominated by a teacher and selected to attend a prestigious (and expensive) science and leadership camp this summer. He also scored an audition invitation for Opus Choir next year. He plays defender in his soccer games. And on his city league baseball team he typically plays catcher or pitcher. He’s essentially on a team that inspired The Bad News Bears, and while it was disappointing, it’s also been so nice for him; he gets a lot of playing time and everyone loves him because he has the most experience. He just got sustained as the Deacons President! So proud of him. He loves the YM’s program. And side note, he has the PERFECT freckles!! 

Aaron 

He basically just wakes up ready to find joy in each day. I had the pleasure of observing him in his natural habitat while at his field days. He didn’t seem to notice at all, but all those friends of his seemed to love him. They copied anything he did and found every joke funny. And in return he was just genuinely happy for each of their successes and laughed at their jokes. He loves City league because he gets to hang out with dad, and play bigger positions than travel league. He enjoys travel league because of his buddies and the higher competition, but for whatever reason they bench him half the game and only play him in the outfield; it’s really getting him down because he works so hard, supports all his players, and NEVER complains! He has loved the time with his dad, but is so excited for summer break so he can have a little more neighborhood friend time. 

Adeline

What a doll. She was so cute and professional during her graduation, and she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to her “closest” friends, Clark, Lennon, Sophia, and Lora. She’s the best big sister. A wonderful sharer. A never ending cheerleader for her siblings. Mom’s right hand wo-man. And is endlessly trying to obtain knowledge. She’s a mini Maddix. 

Avery

A firecracker. A spitfire. A critter turned gremlin. The sweetest little toot you could meet. And then the feistiest little… well critter. She adores Addie. Biggie backs with the brothers. Constantly sneaks into their rooms. Steals and hides things in her bed. Will skip all meals and then forage. Must have physical contact with the ones she loves very so often, but then will jump from high places, ride the bike without fear, and is basically a mini adrenaline junkie. Just as long as her family is there supporting her. She loves paw patrol and recently fell in love with checking out My Little Ponies from the library. 

We recently had a robin build a next in our hose holder and all four of her eggs hatched! Not going to lie, they were ugly! But they are getting big fast, and they’re cuter now! 

Wait… where is Spring??

We lost our tramp to that tornado, so our neighbor lets us use theirs! 

Kyle H, Sydney N, Maddix J 

Final choir performance of the year 

First outdoor run of the warm season 

Award for honor choir 

His last words, “prepare to have your bum handed to handed to you!” 

Cinco De Mayo celebration 

Hello Utah! Hello Cafe Rio! 

Celebrating our Dear Sydney’s bday at Taco Tico

First s’more roast of the season! 

The kids check this nest no less than once an hour! 😂

It was warm enough to walk Maddix to YM’s 

Nursery in Utah 

Parenting hack: always keep a garbage bag on hand for puke or potty accidents! 

 So my last post was all about the endless rain and snow. The sunless days and temperatures hovering in the 40’s…. 

… and then it’s like May wanted to make up for lost time and jumped us into the 90’s! Overnight the plants have all bloomed. Our mud rooms have our winter coats hanging next to our swimwear. And I kid you not, one morning I woke up to the heater on and by the afternoon I’d had to switch the a/c on. This is typical Utah weather, but NOT Iowa. We normally have long temperate Springs that slowly transition to summer; it’s lovely. Also to note, our summer highs are typically around 85 at the hottest and we are HUMID. So… anyway, not complaining because we LOVE being outside. But just shocked! Ha ha. 

So, for the past two weeks we’ve been on the for nonstop. Lots of traveling actually. 

Last weekend Travis and I traveled into Utah for the briefest of time. We came in Friday night, had all Saturday, then flew back super early Sunday morning. My favorite parts were walking around a nursery with Travis and hiking the Y with Mackenzie. Sorry family that we missed you this time! And funny enough, we had to have about 5 different families come in and help watch our kids/handle extracurricular activities while we were gone for 36hrs! The thing I was sad about was that Maddix was asked to speak on Mother’s Day Sunday and I missed it  everyone messaged me how proud I should be because he did such a great job. 

This weekend we left Friday at lunch, as a family, and drove to Omaha, Nebraska for a ward temple trip; Maddix’s first time through the temple. It’s a 4hr drive and the kids know not to ask for movies or it prolongs how long they get one. Travis turned on the Hamilton soundtrack with the intention of skipping through a few of his favorite songs; however, Maddix and Aaron became absorbed in the storyline and we found ourselves periodically stopping to explain what was going on. The girls fell asleep. Maddix fell asleep. Aaron continued forward, wrapped up in history! Did you know the sound track is over 3hrs long?? We didn’t until now! Eventually the kids woke up and at about 3hrs in we finally turned on a movie for them and finished the final few songs on our own. I absolutely enjoyed that car ride! The whole trip was amazing. What an experience it was! 

We stayed in the same hotel with the Nelson’s, the Tolentino’s, and the Hammond’s.  We had dinner with the Nelson’s (pizza and games in their hotel room), and then we swam at the pool with everyone until way too late. But it was too much fun to try and take the kids away to bed. 

In the morning we all met up for the continental breakfast and then split. They went to the Sky zone and we decided to do the Omaha zoo (it’s been on our list since we moved to the MidWest), except that we never made it to the zoo (oops). So we grabbed Chik fil a and ate in a cute little park instead. 

Everyone met at the temple for a baptismal session and Travis took Maddix through for the first time; what an incredible experience they had. Meanwhile, Aaron, the girls, and I accompanied our friends to the Pioneer Museum across the street and had a wonderful experience (albeit exhausting with the girls) over there on a tour with one of the senior missionaries. But Aaron soaked everything in. His eyes were wide and full of tears as he learned what the pioneers went through. I truly loved that experience with him. The weather was perfect. The plants were all freshly bloomed. The spirit was strong. My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude for my pioneer ancestors and for the blessing of Maddix going through the temple with two other of our youth for the first time. So wonderful. 

Afterward we joined everyone at a Golden coral (you bet I didn’t eat) where the youth went crazy with drink concoctions and cotton candy… all that needs to be said. 

We as a family drove to Des Moines where we stopped and bowled at Uncle Bucks Bowling lanes, and then had dinner at Olive Garden. The kids has full tummies, pj’s, were pottied, and given Dramamine… we assumed they’d pass out as soon as the movie started, it was 9:30 by the time we got back on the road. However, all of them, aside from Addie, made it home awake and absorbed into Hook. Go figure. That was also a fun car ride. 

This morning, despite being up so late the night before, both girls rose with the sun …. Thank you lovely ladies…. And eventually we made it to church where again my heart was full to the brim. Bishop spoke about the weekend’s temple trip and then impromptu invited Maddix to the stand to share his testimony on the experience and I was so proud. After church Maddix was made Deacons President; his response to the calling was, “my dad will be so proud of me.” Man I love this kid! He is so strong willed and determined to make something grand of himself. This of course, comes with its challenges! And pre-teen attitude!