Dad is MIA

week 2: January 12-18, 2014

Kurt was signed up for Valley Service school Monday-Friday this week. Being gone in Florida the week before meant a long time away from the kids. So Sunday after we were finally all home together {the kids and I went to Parma 1 for our first ward conference of the year}  I tried to get in some good quality family time in. Which consisted of:

Making Jane laugh

Doing a puzzle

Dueling pianos 

Giving dad a back rub with cars {on a road map T-shirt Emma made him for Christmas.}

Monday morning the RPM employees loaded up in a very cute mini van and headed south for Vegas. We tried to cope without them {mainly just Kurt!}

Jane had her 6 month check up Monday morning. It was perfect since we had just been in on Saturday to make sure her ears were on the mend. Yes they were! She weighs 16.4 pounds now and is gaining on the growth curve. Her hands are ALWAYS in her mouth. I have never had a baby or child love their hands like she does. She is not just sucking on them now but chomping. I'm refuse to entertain any ideas of teeth. She just likes her hands.

After the appointment we met Maria at Wingers for lunch. Her mother was watching the kids so she could have a little break. It was a great visit. I sure treasure this lady and her friendship.

We played a M&M game in Girl Scouts that was fun and so we played it for our FHE activity {and also Cub Scouts the next day! haha} Using a straw you have to move the M&M by sucking. We did lots of relays and variations. Good times.

I looked over at Lucy and started cracking up. Her mouth was completely full of M&M as she attempted to suck on the straw aided by her fingers. haha

I have a terrible habit of not going to bed when Kurt is out of town. The bed is just so empty and lame without him. So inventively I stay up way too late. Monday night I watched the entire series of "Cranford." How have I not seen this before? LOVE it! I was laughing, I was crying. So good. I am embarrassed to admit what time I finished it at. The only good thing about this is that I was so exhausted that I basically passed out by the time I got the kids to bed the rest of the week.

Tuesday after scouts we went to the Forsbergs and had a potluck dinner of sloppy joes. The kids were happy to play and we were happy to visit. We decided to make it a tradition to get together whenever the guys leave us. Grateful for a stronger friendship since our trip to Florida.

Wednesday evening was Maggie's baptsim {Kea's mom.} Kerri was going to babysit but she unfortunately got a cold. So Austin was given his first opportunity to babysit Lucy and Ruth. I had a neighbor on backup if he needed it. They were all still alive and so I'm grateful he was given the chance to be responsible. The baptism was beautiful. Maggie was glowing, I'm so happy for her.

 
I finally volunteered at the school this week. It seems like I only get there once a month. It seems like something always comes up. I volunteered to put together the bulletin board in the lunch room. For the amount of time I was given to put it together I'm happy with how it turn out.

The girls had their teeth cleaned and we are happy to report that they are both in the no cavity club. The dentist told Emma she will need to start the gorgeous process of braces next year. We have had lots of questions and concerns about the topic since then.

Back to the school for the winter dinner and craft night.

Emma served drinks all night. So proud of her being such a great helper.

The kids didn't have school on Friday thanks to a Teacher Work day. So we had a few extras come to play: Kenzie, Tyler, Bryler and later that afternoon Cayson, Baylea and Jonathan. It was a fun full house.

That evening Kurt and Cortney came home!!! It was a happy reunion. We kept Bryler that night as his family was finishing up their trip in Disney World and flew home Saturday evening. He wasn't feeling well and I appreciated the extra help from the older kids to keep him entertained. I think Spencer probably pushed him a total of 2.8 miles around our house in the cozy coupe. He likes it and it made him happy.

Spencer and Ruth also gave him rides in the laundry basket for maximum happiness.

Saturday morning while both Jane and Bryler were napping I left the older in charge so I could run. Still striving towards that marathon in May. Slowly but surely. Ran 9 miles in the cold, frosty fog {which we have pretty much had the entire month.} I could see from the corner of my eyes frost gathering on my hair and eyelids. This picture kind of blew me away.

Saturday evening we went to the temple with the Drapers. Thank you to Kea and Maggie for watching all six of the kids. We had to wait almost an hour in the temple to get into a session. It was midnight before we got home. Grateful for babysitters who help us attend the temple regularly. We watched the second of the new series of films they are releasing. It provided new insight and teaching. Love the temple. 

dinner at Texas Roadhouse was also pretty great

When we got back to Nyssa we loaded up their treadmill which we bought from them. Even though I hate treadmills I'm very excited to use it because I believe it will help me achieve my marathon goal. I'm struggling to do so with such small baby girls. Hoping this is the answer!

This is from Kurt:

Out of all the meetings I go to every year that pertain to my job, I enjoy service school the most.  I absolutely hate that it is in Las Vegas other than the fact that I get to see the Waites and Loraine on a yearly basis.  My visit to Grandma and Grandpa was great, I enjoy visiting with them, they are such good people and I can easily relate to them.  Just don't bring up politics with Grandpa, which we didn't this year, and it is a great visit.  I have been in the family longer than some of the grandkids and really feel part of their family.  I did miss seeing Matt and Dawn this year as they moved to Washington,  it was always a treat to spend time with them.

We took 5 people do school with us, which was great, but what made it great is that they are such good guys.  I really enjoyed it.  We are very blessed to have some very talented, and just good people, that I get to work along side of every day.  It makes life less stressfull, more fun, and just much more enjoyable than it has been since we started the business.