~Spring Break~

How come the first day of Spring Break started with 10 inches of snow????

I'm getting so jealous of seeing our friends' photos in Utah in their 70 degree weather, yesterday we were 20 degrees... better than the 16 we were the day before! 

One more day winter, one more day and then it's officially Spring, and I'd like you to leave! 

Sincerely, 

Mason City

Despite the cold Spring break we decided to throw a Moana Party, regardless. And for the day, it felt a little warmer in my house all decorated like the beach... and jam packed with lots of warm little bodies!! Everyone brought an array of themed treats and the kids all brought beach towels and pillows and had a great time watching the movie (as well as a large group of kids can focus;) 

And in other happenings: 

Travis: Drove by himself (we were supposed to come with) to Kansas to take Step 3, his last big Boards Exam before getting his license and becoming a Doctor. He stayed in a rink-dink hotel that had only one other car in the parking lot and its window was duck taped up. Meanwhile the hotels surrounding it were booked solid. Don't worry Love! One day we'll be able to spring for something a little less dingy! 

Lacey: Had a bit of a breakdown because my computer I was using for school died right during Midterms and it threw off our plans, so we ended up staying behind to purchase a new computer, and get caught up on lots of things. I threw the Moana party, which was so much fun. And Saturday I was able to go to Beauty and the Beast with my girlfriends! 

Maddix: Got to spend his hard earned money on a complex lego set that he ended up building all on his own! He taught us a wonderful f.h.e on Temples (his first time teaching, ever). Had an epic play date with a new friend from school. They enjoyed a trip to McDonalds, chasing Nala around the front yard, playing sports, legos, and gun wars before he reluctantly had to leave :) Oh, and he got sick AGAIN and threw up for the day; poor kid. 

Aaron: Received a free lego helicopter that came along with Buddy's lego set he ordered so he loves getting to play along side brother. He LOVES the Moana soundtrack and dances around the house singing, "You're Welcome!" And he also just spent the night throwing up sick. Bleh. 

"The Temple is our Goal"

Aaron loves watching Maddix do learning games
in the morning when we drop him at school

Aaron's Kid fit class

I jumped out of the shower remembering it
was garbage day. By the time I'd run
the can to the curb and come
back my hair had
completely
frozen.

Little skunk decided to have a
terrible Sunday just after Travis dropped
us off at church and left to Kansas.
So we had no car to hide or leave in.
And had to wait until our friend was
taking us home at the end of church.
Thanks Aaron for that day. 

Proud guy in the middle of building his set
he bought with his own money! 

Dominos of Life

The game of dominos if fun; not exciting, but rewarding. After the effort you put into it you're equally rewarded with a pay off. Setting up just a few dominos for a couple of minutes won't result in much of an end result. Those set-ups that have taken days of intricately setting up line upon line, loop after loop, and are spread throughout each floor in our homes... those are the pay-offs that bring much excitement! It's truly a rewarding moment to watch each individual domino, that on its own is nothing but ordinary, but when placed amongst hundreds of other seemingly ordinary dominos becomes a key moment, a pivotal piece The a Master's work.

We are those dominos; seemingly ordinary on our own, but when put together we carry out the Lord's Masterpiece in this life. And each of us is integral in carrying out the Lord's work as he's planned it. 

I've seen this so much in my life lately that it brings me to tears of humble gratitude to see and gain even a sliver of the clarity that the Lord has over the plan for my life. 

We are blessed and I try to be grateful for all my many blessings, but sometimes when life throws something unexpected at me my natural tendency is to overreact, panic, stress, and doubt how the situation could possibly resolve positively. Doom and Gloom, that's me. I tell myself I'm just a realist; however, if that were the case I'd recognize the the Lord's hand in my life and how he ALWAYS resolves our trials in a positive way. Faith. That's the reality. 

For awhile now we've talked about the possibility of staying here and accepting a job until our student loans are paid off in the future. This has brought up endless scenarios for our future, both near and far: should we buy this house? Should we buy a different house? Should we rent? Should we move back to Utah after? Colorado? Hawaii? You name it, we've debated it!  When we prayed about it, it felt right, and things began progressing forward. Then they stopped. The natural man in me said, "okay maybe this isn't the right choice." The voice of reason chimed, "Have patience." And then my Landlord called to say they're listing our house for sale, so decisions need to be made.

To our credit we've gone from saying prayers of "please Lord, make this happen" to "thy will be done." So much so that we followed his will across the seas to Europe, to live in Poland. We lived apart for the majority of two years to get by. We unwillingly moved to New York and then Unwillingly left it to come to Iowa as a last minute change from the plan of Arizona or Penn State. 

"Thy Will be done." 

We've become really comfortable in these prayers, almost in an indigent manner, unsure of making our own decisions because the Lord seems to have a concrete plan for us. We've turned ourselves over  to the Lord for years and for the first time in a long time, I feel like he's handed us the torch and expects us find our own way now. So we've been praying. 

Through wisdom from family and council in church lessons our prayers have switched from 

"thy will be done" to "Lord, this is decision we're making; if you're okay with this then we'll move forward... and as always, Thy will be done." 

  

A parent of a young child often takes their hand and leads them closely. As we age and reach new points in our lives, and understand a bit more we're given more freedom. I can't explain it adequately, but since we changed our prayer to appropriately match the circumstances we're now in things seem to be falling into place, just as they did 5 years ago when learned to change the way we prayed back then. That's not to say things are magically working out, or it's all easy again, but we've gained another sliver of clarity: That which ever direction these next decisions take us, we first have to make the decisions for ourselves; the Lord won't tell us what to do all the time. But since we've decided on some of the unknowns the Lord has unfailingly awarded some much desired clarity. So we're at peace. 

Remember to pray. Remember the pray correctly for the specific spot in life you're at. 

The Lord listens. He hears us. Always. And sometimes even a simple routine life can begin to lack the essential building blocks of faith that we need, simply because we're not using the blocks that fall out of our daily habits. Stretch your faith. Test it. 

Fall to your knees in a quiet place and dare to ask, "What would you have me do?" Dare to pray for patience *that one scares me the most! 

Dare to ask for something you've made a decision on and trust that he'll give you an answer. 

This doesn't sound nearly as profound as this past two weeks has felt to me, nor does it explain the exact dominos that i've been watching line up in my life, but I know none the less that I want to remember this feeling (as best I can). I'm not yet sure what the end result will look like when the last domino is set into place... 

... but I know it will be GRAND. 

...

And here are some photos from the past few weeks. 

The boys started swim lessons

 Within 24hrs we went from climbing trees to snowball fights

 Had the most fun play date with the Jones' girls

Had a lunch date with Maddix

We've all taken another round of sickness...
I don't know if it's really ever ended. 

I went to a girls night and then came home and rocked out with
this crazy man

 We had a blast at the most fun bday party out in their barn! 

~Record highs this Flu Season~

In the history of Mercy Hospital there have never been such 

a high number of Influenza cases being admitted; lucky Travis, he's on emergency medicine this month... so he's stayed busy. 

And at home... we've also had the flu. 

Long story short, for weeks we've been sick, and occasionally have enough energy to get up and do a few things here and there. 

We celebrated Valentines day at home real low-key. 

Travis's schedule this month has had him working 12pm-12am so he's been able to take the boys out on dates, and my sweet neighbor watched Aaron the other night so Maddix and I could go on a date and attend his school's : Trolls Movie Night. I made him get all dressed up, I got dressed up, he opened my door, and held my hand, and we shared a bag of popcorn; he was a wonderful little date. 

One day during the week Travis was able to go to Maddix's school and have lunch time with him; they encourage the parents to drop in whenever they can and share a lunch with the kids. Maddix loved showing off his dad. 

Today Maddix and I are still sick, but Travis and Aaron have recovered, so they took a lunch date and little Aaron was SO excited when he saw Travis getting ready to leave, "We get to go on a date? with Me? And You? Together? YES!" 

We've also been enjoying Mondays as they're Travis's day off so he gets to pick Maddix up from school, the boys all play lego star wars in the evening, we have F.H.E and then Grandpa Vaughn has been face timing and reading with the boys just before bed; he even mailed out several bags of treats so they can choose one each Monday to open and eat while they read. 

Sick Aaron stayed asleep while I carried him to the car, strapped him in,
picked up Maddix, and carried him back into the house... 

I got to help with Maddix's Valentine's party:) 

Maddix's photo of me sick on the couch. 

Monday night reading with Grandpa Vaughn

My love bug

These two were covered in mud

Poor little sick guys; this is where I found
him reading while quarantined in his room.

My date night with Maddix

Aaron's lunch date with Daddy

~It takes a Village~

According to Wikipedia,
                  "It takes a village to raise a child is a proverb which means that it takes an entire community to raise a child: A child has the best ability to become a healthy adult if the entire community takes an active role in contributing to the rearing of the child."

And you can believe it took a village to make my birthday weekend happen last week. 

Tuesday: Birthday calls, cards, well wishes started rolling in all week:) 

Wednesday: My wonderful friends held a birthday lunch for me

Thursday: Travis & the boys gave me my presents and made me a cake

Friday: We took the boys to our friends, dropped the dog at our neighbors, and set off for St. Paul where we barely made it a sealing session at the LDS Temple there. We followed that up with a few hours exploring the Minneapolis Museum of Art and then got to check in to the hotel; and yes, we did jump on the bed because Maddix asked us to:) For dinner we found this awesome restaurant called The Cadillac Ranch; they had the best service, delicious food, and a live band. Then that night the boys went to our next friends' home. 

Saturday: We slept in, enjoyed a delicious healthy breakfast, then jumped back into bed (because it was FREEZING) and planned our future. We had so much time to relax and get ready before checking out and walking around the ENTIRE Mall of America. We topped the day off with a large trip to Costco then made our way home where we had Oreo shakes and stayed up late. 

Sunday: We were lucky to sleep in again, then picked up our boys and finished off Travis's Sun-Mon off work together as a family. 

Perfection. 

But it took so much work on the part of so many families just so we could get away for two nights. And they were so needed and rejuvenating. 

Having kids can make simple things so much more complicated; however, they make everything that much more enjoyable. I missed them the moment we drove away. I loved every minute with just Travis. 

Now I'm ready to get away again! ;) Or... I'm just ready for Winter to leave, sicknesses to go away, and Spring to warm us all back up! 

Birthday lunch Outfit

Actual Birthday: Groundhogs Day

 Weekend Away

                                      

The Legos of Life

Life is build of moments that stack on each other and create an amazing array of experiences!
                                                            Just like legos:)
And for the past 6 days we spent countless hours sorting through EVERY lego we owned until we put them ALL back together and sorted back into their original sets. And in doing so, we had some amazing moments as a family, just snuggled up in the boys room, laughing together, and watching the progress we were slowly making...
..... I am so grateful for school being cancelled twice so we could add to the lego hours. And I'm so glad that now it's finally DONE! And that was really our week, tons and tons of individual moments that were seemingly random, and a few will be lost and forgotten, but put them all together and we created a wonderful week of being a family, and loving our time together.

Maddix is sick again, poor boy

Why I wouldn't March with the women at this time...

                As I sat with my sick son as he threw up through the late hours of the night I couldn't help but think how grateful I was to have my i-phone that I could pop headphones into and watch some Netflix, or surf the internet with to help me stay awake with my poor boy; however, as I mind numbingly thumbed through Facebook I became extremely annoyed at all the feed over this women's march and the negative comments directed to the women who chose NOT to march. I typically reframe from posting anything political or extremely personal on social media because (1) It's social media...  (2) I never want to offend anyone or infringe on their rights, and (3) I'm terrified of backlash and wish to avoid heated confrontation. That being said, "the squeaky wheel gets the oil," and I feel it's important for people who maybe feel as I do to know they're not alone. So I dared to comment on someone's thread... that conversation caused me to really sum up how I feel and I now want to record it so my children/future self know just how I felt at this time of Presidential changing and Marching.
                  So, to all who really press upon those who didn't march and consider us "fence sitters" and "bystanders" in life, here is where I stand:

                  Not marching IS a stance. It's not a person just standing by. It's a chance for someone to show that they also have their own opinion in not joining the group. And the group should allow a person this freedom without discrediting those actions of others. 

Marching for a common goal (or many individual goals) is a miraculous demonstration of human right and power to create change. 

Heck, if our founding fathers and those around that time hadn't stood together and left England, we wouldn't have America, and these beautiful freedoms in the first place. So I think it is incredible the dedication and caring we are seeing from all these incredible women across the States. 

That being said, I wouldn't join these marches. They aren't moving for change, as our founding fathers did. They are for causes that are in a way just a complaint. And I am not saying these women aren't justified in their concerns and complaints because they are legitimately feeling them. But marching to demonstrate your fears and anger over how life is is like my three year old throwing a fit that there is broccoli on his plate, and he is in fact going to have to face the fact that he has to eat it. He is justified in this anger and dislike, but after he protests (peacefully or riotously) he has to find a way to live and deal with the truth that the broccoli will be eaten. 

Now, that is a small insignificant example compared to important topics such as health care, feeling safe, women's rights, and all their reasons. 

But my final point is, if you're marching to just show individual frustrations as a group you're not really standing together. You're still just one individual complaining, not really asking for change.

 It's not hard to gather people together, especially if they get to complain! People gather for flash mobs and trending media themes. Six million  people showed up to see the Chicago river dyed Blue to celebrate the cubs. Social media and large populations have made it so easy to spread a message. And people LOVE to belong and join the crowd. Just go to NY and stand in 5 hr lines for bagel... bagels. 

A group march with no common goal other than to say, "we are here and we are angry. Don't think you're going to have an easy time ignoring us," is a group of peopl who have chosen to miss work, leave their families, and put off their responsibilities that will still be there when they are done...because the March isn't done for actual change. And so while they take that path, which is a demonstration of their own rights, you can't blame or call those who don't March or agree with the March "fence sitters." These are people have unavoidable responsibilities and can't miss work. People who's concerns didn't match those of the group. People who may not be happy with the way life is going but they pull up their big boy pants and move on. Not just accepting that they can't make a change... but supporting and trusting in the system that gives them the opportunity to be heard and make changes! Trust in the system, or group together for real change! Don't just complain and Hate on the glorious freedoms we are blessed to Have. 

Are women that much worse off than men?! No. Is anyone being kicked out of the country... No. Can a woman still become President? Yes. And she will be WAY more suitable than Hilary. Can women still have the freedom of abortion without Planned Parenthood? Yes. They just have to go their OB instead of a private- Government funded clinic. 

Life is good here. People around the world would KILL to have it 1/2 as good as we do. A March to show gratitude that I'm an American? Id march in that because it's my personal belief.

Side Note #1: How can you willingly and proudly wear "Pussy-hats?!" A group of women marching to feel safe, that want to be treated respectfully, and hate that our new President lacks a respect for women are purposely choosing to call their pink hats this word that has been deemed by society as a crude reference to a part of what makes us women?? Why? Because you do it Ironically? You make fools of yourselves. And for all your talk of wanting to stand together to help people have better lives, do you know how many infant/child/adult blankets that material and donated hours could have made and been given to crisis centers around the country?? 

Side Note #2: Do you know what sort of health care bills could have been paid for (something many marchers were very concerned with) with the money spent on these hats, plane tickets, hours missed at work, etc... that would have made a great change for your cause! 

Side Note #3: For those who argue that they didn't leave their families for the day but "took them with us," why? Why did you burden your child with the troubles that are more mature than they are and frankly hard to understand? Children shouldn't have to carry this burden, they should be playing kick-the-can and enjoying the fact that they live in a country where they don't start working at such a young age (or until their almost 30...). And no, I don't want my children to be ignorant of life, and I DO know the importance of teaching them history... that's why we've taken them to Gettysburg, Valley forge, Martin's Cove, WY, Washington D.C. and places where actual Historical change occurred. Because in a year from now (Heck, I give it a month) this march will be forgotten, but your child will always remember that feeling the day you took them to the march, and when they ask you "what was the reason we all got together that one hazy day I somewhat remember?" Your answer to them will be, "Well son/daughter, we stood up against authority. We yelled loudly that we weren't happy, and we expressed that we were angry..." Yeah, that's a lesson I want my child to have imprinted in their minds... 

Final Side Note: Now, tell me this, 4-8 years from now (wouldn't that be Ironic) when President Trump leaves office, do you foresee the world being so changed that you can't wake up and eat your gluten/soy/corn/nut free breakfasts in your perfectly heated/air conditioned homes, while you read instant news delivered on your technologically advanced cell phones before comfortably commuting to your job you're lucky enough to have that provides you comforts in life (and if it doesn't, you're lucky enough to have a system that takes care of you to the point that you're not rifling through garbage cans, forced to sleep in the snowy streets, or suffering with an illness that they refuse to treat)? Do you think that anyone no matter their ethnicity, race, gender, sex, religion, education, etc. won't be able to walk through life being accepted by 90% of people the interact with (because let's face it... there will ALWAYS be a 10% of people ready to attack you for anything!), they won't be able to attend the same schools, enjoy the same amenities in life, and feel accepted in their communities?? If so, don't bother calling me for that march... I'll be leading it. 

~Friendships~

~My ThOuGhTs on FrIeNdShIp~

Two things spark this topic for me: 

1. While Travis has had time off we've had so many friends over, and different get togethers that I just feel so grateful for friends, and 

2. Maddix has been fighting with Aaron lately and it has strained their friendship, I think.

So first, this past week just FLEW by! We had one set of our little friends over Wednesday night and we popped popcorn, had treat bowls, watched HOME, played w/ toys, got ready for bed, played Uno, then we tucked the girls into our guest room for bed. They all had a blast! 

Later, they boys got to play at McDonald's with 10 of their friends after early out on Friday. 

They boys got to play at their friend's house while Travis and I went out. 

On Saturday we had those friends over while their parent's went out, as well another set of friends, so in our house we had 3 adults, 6 kids, 2 babies, and 1 crazy Nala; I absolutely loved it. The adults had Homemade Cafe Rio Salad while all the kids had quesadilla's and strawberries... just like home. 

And on Sunday we had the Sister Missionaries over and the boys (and Nala) always get crazy excited when they come over. 

Then Second, I've always envisioned having children who would be best friends, run around everywhere together, and have each other's back through out the years, and so far I've been fortunate that boys have that bond. Everywhere we've moved has been made easier because they have each other, and in New York when they had few to no friends, they were so so close. Even here, Maddix usually makes sure that Aaron can catch up when their out with friends, and at home they'll play legos together for a few hours...... or should I say, they DID play nice... fight all the time now! 

Maddix loves school, but I definitely notice an attitude that is growing, and I think it's picked up from school because when he isn't there for a few days it's like my happy kind boy returns. Now he loves school, doesn't have bullies, there isn't some hidden stress or blah blah blah, but I just feel the parts of his personality that are naturally competitive, perfectionistic, and perhaps a little selfish (because of his age) are amplified when he goes to school and is on his own and influenced by 20 other six year olds. He'll come home happy with his day, but have this attitude towards Aaron and I that takes an hour or so for me to work out of his system before he's nice again... parenting, if it's not one lesson to teach, it's another; is anyone else exhausted?! 

So then my question, and please message me, Facebook, call, email, etc with your wisdom, because i'd love to know: How do I help foster Aaron and Maddix's friendship as they are now in one place that isn't forcing them to rely on each other, they have a HUGE group of friends now, and Maddix is out testing his own independence at school every day? How do I encourage them to continue being best friends without forcing them to love each other or become resentful? You mama's/aunt's/father's/uncles,etc  out there, especially those with experience with brothers... HELP! Because I am so tired of this rude attitude, and the hurt feelings of a little brother who so badly waits all day for his brother to come, only to be treated poorly! 

Ready, Go! 

I'm also reminded of friendship through this Poem, by Gillian Jones that was written for her friends. 

A person who will listen and not condemn
Someone on whom you can depend
They will not flee when bad times are here
Instead they will be there to lend an ear
They will think of ways to make you smile
So you can be happy for a while
When times are good and happy there after
They will be there to share the laughter
Do not forget your friends at all
For they pick you up when you fall
Do not expect to just take and hold
Give friendship back, it is pure gold

Bonus photo: We got our picture hung above the mantle