Weekend

We took the third graders to Bonneville Park on Friday because they passed 1000 iReady lessons in March.  It took about 20 seconds for about 20 of them to be 20 feet up a tree.  After some coaxing, we got them down and some of them were supremely put out that they couldn't climb the tree.

Also, one of my students who was absent was at the park.

I don't think he was expecting the entire third grade to show up....

Here's what happens on Friday nights:  we debate tiredly and without conviction about dinner plans.  We don't care and we don't want to decide.  At 6:45, we were both in our pjs.  Braeden and QE called and she was also in her pjs so we were a club.

Saturday was a good day.  Adam did the taxes (bless his heart that I don't have to do that and also, it's for sure that he is the better choice), and I did all my housekeeping tasks that keep this ball rolling.

I finally found a source linking Matilda Anderson to her parents.  I still have questions.

We did our errands and I got some orange spray paint to paint some bottle brush trees I bought to look like carrots.

It didn't work at all.

I scrounged some orange paint in my box of old acrylic paint.  It kind of worked.  Someday the end result will match my expectations with one of these projects and it will be amazing.

In the meantime, here we are.

I scrubbed orange paint off my hands and we went to the temple.  We met Emma there and I enjoyed it.  I felt loved and what more could I want on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

It was so pretty outside with the fragrant flowers and a beautiful sunset that we decided to take a picture. 

We didn't get too many flowers in the shot, but you get the idea.  We took Emma to dinner and then came home to watch an increasingly upsetting episode of Wolf Hall.  I know Thomas Cromwell is going to be beheaded and it is stressing me out.  (Also Henry VIII reminds me of Donald Trump--bleck.)

I should probably stick to The Great British Baking Show, Jane Austen, and Disney princesses.  I have a low tolerance for tense situations.  

Sunday morning I added some palm leaves to the mantle for Palm Sunday.  Adam was leaving for church meetings and said, "Bring those to sacrament meeting."

I said no.

I didn't want to walk in with palm leaves like I was in charge.  I told Adam he could take them.  I said, "If you don't bring them home, you will need to go back and get them."

He brought them back.

Before church I got a text to meet with a member of the bishopric.  I was asked to have an additional calling and be a primary chorister.  After my meeting with Brother Ivie, I went into Adam's office and said, "I would think that I would have had some notice about a new calling."

He smiled and asked, "How much notice did you need?"

I am happy to be in primary though. 

This week it was Emma who bowed out so Mark was the only one who came for dinner.  As soon as he arrived, I had him hang up my newly framed paint by numbers I did last weekend.  He stood on a ladder with me saying, "A little to the side, a little up, no, stop."  

At one point, he asked, "Is that OK-ish?"  

I said, "Yes."

The whole gallery wall is OK-ish.  It's really the only way I know how to hang things and my boys get me.

We ate and chatted and took a walk by the Lindon temple.

It is very photogenic.

(Adam took the last picture.)

Weekends zoom by.  Only six more weeks of school, so I guess everything is zooming by.

More magic

 On Monday evening, Emma and I went to Thanksgiving Point to see the gardens and the new Tree of Life sculpture.  Adam had received two free tickets that expired Tuesday.

The weather was absolutely perfect.  There were lots and lots of tulips and daffodils, but not a lot of crowds because it isn't the official tulip festival yet.  I loved it.  It was great to be in such a pretty place with my girl. 

There were several floral sculptures.  This one was by Monet's Pond, according to the sign.  Emma said it was his sister Claudia, who, while lesser known, was also an accomplished painter.  Trust Emma to provide a narrative, whether she makes it up or not.

The Tree of Life was interesting.  It was sort of an impressionistic view of it.  Joseph and Hyrum, Captain Moroni and some random colonial looking guy were there.  It all worked.  There were also several different depictions of Christ.  I think my favorite was this baptism one.

Emma and I were thinking this tree would be really pretty at night because there were lights in all the branches.

We wended our way back to the entrance and kept telling each other over and over what a beautiful evening it was.

Emma wanted to buy me dinner, so we ate at Spitz.  Daughters.  Believe the hype.  I love being with her.

Weekend

 When I was a kid, sometimes I'd feel a let down after Christmas, but then I'd remember New Year's!  It wasn't over.

That's how I felt Friday when we were driving home from Nevada.  I was a little sad the week was drawing to a close, but then I remembered General Conference!  It wasn't over.

General Conference is such a happy time!

We packed up our house in Nevada on Friday.  It always takes way longer than we think it will.  Details, details.  We stopped by Marianne's for a pillow for her and stopped by my parents' to say good-bye and return the bleach bottle we had borrowed.

Some animal was burrowing around the foundation of our house and we put bleach on rags and stuffed them inside the holes to encourage the friends to live elsewhere. (I think all the animals around there are more bugged by me than I am by them...they live there year round and I am just an occasional interloper.)

We listened to more of the podcast we've been listening to about teaching reading.  I have feelings about it so I have to pause and discuss occasionally.

We took some stuff to Marianne in Orem, where she is visiting with her new grandchild.  I can't tell you all the heart eyes I feel about that!

At home, we unloaded the car and I took a 30 minute nap and we headed back to Salt Lake.  We had tickets at the Eccles for Life of Pi.  

We picked up Emma and met up with Emma's friend Bridget at a Greek restaurant.  After dinner, we went to the Eccles and enjoyed the show very much.  People are amazing.

I was tired when we got home, but not nearly as tired as I would have been without that nap!  It saved the day.

Mark had stayed the night Friday night and Emma came over Saturday morning.  Conference weekend feels like a holiday and I love it.

I worked on some paint by number canvases, while Emma put together a puzzle next to me. 

Between sessions, Adam had to meet with someone in our ward, so Emma and Mark and I went to lunch and Winco.  We divided up the grocery list and from the time we left our car to returning to the parking lot was 20 minutes.  It would have been even faster if I hadn't chosen the worst possible line.

We got home the same time as Adam and just in time for the afternoon session of conference.  I enjoyed hearing from our leaders, just like I always do.  I felt the Spirit and felt encouraged.  

Emma wanted to have silent reading time afterwards.  Silent reading time used to be sacred time around here!  I'm glad she is still a fan.

I tried to get Mark to join us and if you think I can peer pressure him into anything, you don't understand our relationship at all.  He said he may join later.

I read awhile and started feeling drowsy.  On my way upstairs, I told Emma that I was going to go take a nap.  I said, "You're the gatekeeper.  Don't let anyone wake me up."

She said, "What if I fall asleep?"

I said, "I will still hold you responsible."

No one woke me up and when I emerged from my nap, I thought that either they had fallen asleep or we had a carbon monoxide leak. 

(I found Adam in the basement, alert and answering email and texts, so no leak.)

There were three pillows right there, but I guess he wasn't interested...

I love how Horace is watching over her as she sleeps.

I decided to water the plants and when I was pulling my root treatment (for Felicia, my fiddle leaf fig:  she's a diva) out from under the sink, I realized something was leaking. 

Adam inspected and said, "OK, I'll have to replace the disposal."

So we lost the use of the sink and the dishwasher and subsequently, my desire to make dinner.  Emma picked up some mail on the counter and said, "Well, two meals for $9.99 at Arby's.  That's two of us sorted."

After the last session of conference, we decided to go to The Smoked Taco instead because it is delicious and almost entirely gluten free and Emma had never gone.  Then Emma went home--she was going to stay, but decided not to--and the rest of us went to Home Depot for a disposal.

Adam has installed those things before and it is always a tremendous pain.  He had Mark help him and they were amazingly fast.  

The investment of Legos has paid off with that kid.  

After Elder Stevenson's talk about Easter, I found a board and painted a sign.

It is a little crooked, but I only have one way to be.

I loved the weekend.  I love General Conference.  I talked to my parents last evening and my dad asked me if I enjoyed watching.  I said, "Yes."

My mom asked, "Do you ever think anyone says, 'Oh, it was OK...'"

We didn't think so.

Our knight

 Yesterday Emma attempted to get to Savannah to visit Clarissa.

Attempted.

It all started with a big de-icing delay.

She was supposed to stop in Chicago and then go to Charleston, then take a train to Savannah.

She said she learned her lesson that she should have sprung for the extra $100 ticket and flown directly to Savannah!

She missed her Chicago connection.

Adam texted this to the group chat:

Later, he texted me this:

Emma got as far as Charleston.  This morning she had to take a 5:00 AM train to Savannah.  That's 3:00 AM here.  In the three o'clock hour, Adam was on his phone.  "I'm checking if Emma made it to the train." 

(She did.)

Emma's one of the most independent people I know, but that is partly because Adam always has her back.

I appreciate having an Adam in my life!

Weekend

 Friday (besides Pi day, yes, there was pie in the faculty room at lunch time), we celebrated Mr. D Day.  We were commemorating the day two years ago that we met him and found out he would be our principal.

I work with people who celebrate things!

Someone made a lanyard for every single student with Matt's ID card on it and we surprised him by having the kids dress like him. It was hilarious and happy.  I took a picture of my class, but cropped it to only a few.  You get the idea.

After school and after Adam got home from work, we headed to Nevada.  We listened to a BYU devotional with Coach Sitake (highly recommend!) and started a new podcast.  

We would hit pause and talk about what we were listening to.

I love roadtrips with Adam.

We stayed in Wells at a hotel because it was such a quick trip.

Saturday morning I communicated with Olivia about what time to be at the church, where the baby shower was being held. Adam and I went to the church at the appointed time and of course Marianne and Liberty were already there, setting up chairs. 

Olivia did the food and created a game and I did the decorations and it was a good time.

I would do just about anything with these two:

Since Parley, the baby, likes tigers, according to his dad, I went with the theme.

Here's the spread of delicious food Olivia made:

The tiger quilt in the background was made by Marianne.

The game Olivia had us play was nursery rhyme charades.  Olivia has this way of getting people to do things they wouldn't normally do.

Here's Olivia's group (including Desi and Liberty and a lady in the ward, Melinda) acting out This Little Piggy.

Here's I'm a Little Teapot (I'm related to everyone in this picture):

Jack and Jill (did they know they'd be rolling on the floor of the Relief Society room when they got up that morning?):

Then my mom and aunts' group did Humpty Dumpty.  Aunt Olivia (who is in her 70s I may add) was Humpty.  She sat on the back of the chair and fell from there!

I know from stories about their childhood and her altercations with my dad that she's always been pretty bronco.

Liberty opened her gifts, which were very nice and I love the convivial atmosphere of a shower, especially when everyone survives the charades.

Olivia, Liberty, me, Lili, Marianne, Desi and my mom.  I love these women.

After we cleaned up, Liliana (newly engaged and we're all happy about it because we love Josh) had a fitting for her wedding dress in the Relief Society room.  Desi is a master seamstress and used to work at a bridal store altering dresses.  We all weighed in on the fitting and admired how beautiful Liliana looked.  I rode to Starr Valley with Olivia and our mom and Lili.  Adam had already gone.  He'd done a little bit at our house, but mostly visited with my dad.

When we got there, my dad said they'd solved all the problems of the world.

I guess we should have had those two on the case earlier.

Marianne and Robert came over and we visited some more.  It was getting to be late afternoon, so Adam and I left.  We stopped by our house and I measured a wall where I'm contemplating a picture and we both felt a little sad that we weren't staying.  We are planning to be there for several days during spring break.

Adam and I drove home with more podcast and music listening and a stop at Maverik in Wendover because we can't not do that.

Sunday was a nice day.  Church was good and Marie Louise and I did a little family history in the afternoon.  After looking at my own family history, I am getting a bee in my bonnet to go to Sussex and Wiltshire while we're in England this summer.  I presented my idea to Adam and I'm pretty confident if it is possible, he can figure out how to fit it in.

Emma and Mark came over for dinner.  We ate and had a Come Follow Me discussion, then played codenames.  It was old against young and Emma's and Mark's mind align in ways that Adam's and mine do not.

That is all.

It's cold and I have traffic duty and my classroom was very cold on Friday so I'm mustering all my courage to go to school today.

Coming to an end

 It's been a break, but a break I feel like I need a break from.  I'm just so tired!

Stella and Ardi left yesterday morning, and Braeden and QE leave today.  I'm back at school.  Time change + I had a sub + I'm super tired. 

Should be an exciting day.

Yesterday Braeden treated us to lunch and then we went to a park.  It was sunny, but a little breezy and I wanted to just sit in the warm car.  (I did for a while.)

We came home and just kind of relaxed and played with QE and then Adam went and got tacos and Mark came for dinner and Emma came a little later.  I was the least fun person in the group (so often the case) and took myself to bed early.

It has been a wonderful week.  I've loved time to play with and talk to QE.  I've loved doing family history with Braeden.  That kid had a bee in his bonnet to find some family on Geri's side.  I loved watching Braeden parent.  He is enthusiastic and loving and good.

It makes me feel grateful to witness how Braeden and Anna are raising her.  Last night when Emma was here, they were playing on the floor with the Little People.  There's a Santa, so they were chatting about that.

Emma said, "Do you know the next holiday?  It's Easter."

QE said, "When Jesus was resurrected!"

Then, she said, "I wish I could be resurrected!"

Emma said, "You will someday."

Overhearing sweet conversations like that fill me up.

If I only had one daughter, I'm glad it is Emma Jayne

Texts from Emma are one of the best things in my life.

I wasn't awake to receive these, because it was about 1:00 AM, but she sent this:

She is equal parts melodramatic and funny.

Last night I was painting a Piet Mondrian inspired painting.  I changed the colors and was mostly just having a grand time, but then I reached a decision point and maybe Emma isn't the only melodramatic one, because I sent her this:

She said she didn't realize I had said art emergency and she thought I was bleeding out. 

I'm not sure why I would text her requesting to FaceTime if I was bleeding out....

(Also, you always need to request an audience when you are calling Emma.  She never not ever answers her phone.)

I asked her opinion and she surveyed the painting and the Mondrian I was using as inspiration and then told me a few little tweaks to make.

Here is the original and then my take on it:

(I also have to give Adam a lot of credit for patiently helping me place painters tape to make the lines.  If there is ever a need to be precise, don't ask me.)

Grateful Friday

I'm grateful for my grandma.  My thoughts swirl to grief occasionally about the hole she left behind, but they always swirl back to gratitude.  She was a gift to me.

I'm grateful it is Friday + a non-student day because I am tired deep in my bones.  Two back to back twelve hour days on the heels of Valentine's Day are enough to do you in.  

I'm grateful parent teacher conferences are over, but also grateful to have had them.  They felt a little like ministering interviews.  Three different mothers cried.  Some of them are amazing and put together and such good mothers.  Some of them are incredible hot messes.  I try to be as kind as I can, but also candid.

I showed a mother a writing assessment. It wasn't good.

"What are you doing about this spelling?"

"His low academics are entirely a result of his behavior."

You could have heard a pin drop, if the student and his younger sibling hadn't been running around the room screaming and yelling and crashing into things.

I described the completely non-age appropriate behaviors.

"That must be...disruptive."

You think?

One thing that happens is that I get a shot in my arm of love for my students, especially the ones whose home lives are clearly nightmares.  I want to try harder to serve them better and maybe that is the best purpose of parent teacher conferences after all.

I'm mostly grateful for my girl Emma.  Today is her birthday.  I love spending time with her and we are going to dinner tonight.  She is funny and sweet and kind and independent and smart and talented and has been all of those things since she was a toddler.  I miss the days of finding every craft supply I owned in her bedroom because she was working on some elaborate project and I love when she is home and fills the air with music.

And I love when she texts me.  Because that girl is clever.

Happiest of weekends

Saturday we went to the Mt. Timpanogos temple with Emma.  I have thought about Emma every time I've been in the temple since she was born.  I loved being there with her and was grateful for all of our family that came to share the day with us.  It felt like pure joy.

Mason, Desi, Marianne, Clarissa, my mom, my dad, Geri, Braeden, Anna, Adam, Emma, Me, Vanessa (Emma's friend), Olivia, Lili and Edgar.  Clarissa's husband, Timeon, was there too, but he left before the picture.

It was wonderful to be surrounded by so many people who show us such love.  Firm as the mountains around us, stalwart and brave (they) stand.

Afterward we went to Black Bear Diner for a very slow dinner.  We took a picture of my mom with her girls and their girls.

Desi, Marianne, Clarissa, Olivia, Lili, me, Emma and my mom.  Missing are Marianne's girls: Liberty and Carolina.  These women are my everything.

Sunday after church, we hustled our food prep and then went to the Carlsons' for Eleanor's blessing.  Another joyful time!  We love Anna's family completely and it is wonderful that we share our deep affection for these three:

Eleanor's dress was brought back from Belgium where Mark Carlson served his mission.  Anna and her sister wore it for their blessings too.  Eleanor looks a little stressed in this picture, but she was a champion considering how many people were there, wanting to admire her.

Braeden blessed his sweet baby and it was a time when my joy leaked out my eyes a little.

Here is who help bless Eleanor:  Braeden, Adam and the Marks

This boy has been the sun and I've been a planet basking in his light ever since he was born.

We took a four generation picture:

And a five generation picture:

All the best days in my life have been surrounded by my family and usually part of making covenants or participating in ordinances in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is easy to feel loved by my Heavenly Father when I consider these happy happy days!

Seven squared

Yesterday was our birthday and it was a good day. I started it by seeing my parents!  They had stayed with us the night before and when I went downstairs for my breakfast, my mom was there, in a chair, waiting to say happy birthday.

You can turn 49 and it still feels more complete to see your mom and dad on your birthday.

They also took us to dinner the night before, which was very nice.  They went to Pride and Prejudice at BYU.  They loved watching Freja too!

On Monday, one of my students asked me what my favorite candy bar was.  I told her peanut m and m's.  She asked me what my favorite drink was.  I said, "Diet Coke."  She recorded both answers in a notebook.

She apparently spread the word because several students handed me diet coke or peanut m and m's when they walked in the door.  She's the same student that organizes other people's desks if they want her to.  She will make a great Relief Society president someday.

I also loved the already loved on pink bear...

Jamie gave me an Anne of Green Gables cursive writing book.  She said it was perfect for a 3rd grade teacher who was a kindred spirit.

Janelle hung a balloon on my door and gave me a gift card and treat.

There were cards in my box and the principal, vice principal and secretary sang to me.

Elementary schools are where it's at.  Almost always.  You get together that many (mostly women) who nurture for a living, they're going to be nice to you on your birthday.

I brought my class ice cream (which they'd earned as a reward) and birthday cake oreo cookies.  I also milked it being my birthday all day long.  

For example, when they wondered why I wouldn't unblock youtube during their few minutes of free time at the end of the day I said, "It's my birthday and I don't want to."

One of them said, "After all we've done for you!"

(He's not one that brought me anything, but maybe he felt like it had been a group effort.)

I said, "Even after all you've done for me.  It's my birthday."

Another of them said, "And she's the boss."

After school, my grandma called.  She wished me a happy birthday and Adam as well.  We chatted for a few minutes about me being a grandma, and her being a great-great-grandma.  We were about to hang up, and I started crying. 

She said, "Honey, what's wrong?!?"

I said, "Nothing, I just have to tell you.  I want to be like you.  When I think of what kind of grandma I want to be, it is like you."

I hope I can be.

My friend, Marie-Louise, teases me because one year Adam and I celebrated our birthday by going to Costco.  I think we eclipsed that glamorous destination this year though, we went to Target optical.

The day before, when my parents were there, my glasses broke.  My mom said, "Well, luckily, your dad is here."

He inspected the problem and said, "I'll go get my glue."

The man travels with superglue.

He repaired my glasses, but I decided it was time to face the truth that I really need new glasses.  I not only need frames that aren't crumbling, but I need progressives that make reading up close easier.

"But Grandmother, what big glasses you have!"

"The better to see you with my dear."

There were two pairs I was deciding between.  Adam took pictures and I said, "Text Emma."

The guy asked, "Your daughter?"

I love that that was predictable.  How wonderful to have a daughter!

Long weekend

It was glorious to spend time together.  Here's what we did.

Saturday we did chores around the house and errands and also went to the last home game of the BYU Women's Basketball team.  It was senior night and we got to see Paisley honored.  She's incredible.  At one point when she was scoring and just being generally awesome, I told Adam that I should have let her bring their dog Squire into our house that one time when she wanted to.  Adam said maybe it helped make her a fighter.  Yay me for fueling her power.  Except she's one of the nicest people around so I don't think she held it against me for not letting Squire into the house.

Also, she's amazing.

And I love her mom.

We only saw each other briefly because she was busy with all the senior stuff, but it was enough for a hug and to ask each other about how Mark and Gavin are doing.  They are the sons we love and share.  We also talked about her newborn grandson who is "perfect" and about my soon to be granddaughter who I'm guessing will also be perfect.

It was fun to be there.

I captured Stephanie and Brent and Paisley (and Brent's mom) on the big screen.  You can sort of see them, but Stephanie was wearing blue and white striped pants and she is the only person I know who could pull them off with that much panache.

Sunday after church and more church meetings and all the things, Adam and I went to Nevada.  

It has been brewing for awhile, but we are buying the little log cabin my grandparents built after their house burned when I was in high school.  To say I'm sentimental about it would be a huge understatement.    Their yard and orchard were a magical place where I played throughout my childhood.  My grandpa gave me my patriarchal blessing in that house and Adam and I had our wedding reception there.  It is sacred ground to me and I appreciate that it matters to Adam too.  

We aren't moving there right now, but it will be our home away from home and hopefully the same magical place for our grandchildren.

We met with our family friend, Andrew, who is also a contractor and talked about a few changes we want to make.  No one has lived there for about ten years so it could use a little love.

Monday we also had a Presidents Day lunch at Marianne's.  Besides the draw of my grandparents' little spot in paradise, I love spending more time with my parents and sisters and their families.  At the lunch we were all supposed to share a quote from a president.  It was heavy on Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan but I mixed it up a little with an Obama quote Braeden sent me.  

I also contributed a quote by Abraham Lincoln:  All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.

It's true.

Adam and I drove home separately because we were bringing our van back after Olivia and Edgar borrowed it and Edgar made it cleaner than it's been in about ten years.  I listened to a podcast and talked to Mark on the phone.  I stopped in Salt Lake to take Emma birthday present shopping.  It was nice to be with her.  Shopping with her is less fraught than it used to be.  She mostly hates shopping but it was fun to be together.  We stopped in Bath and Body Works to smell candles because you can only look at clothes for so long.  

Adam had been behind me a bit but he joined us for dinner.  Over bowls of Cupbop, Emma told us more about her trip to California and about the Winchester Mansion which they visited and lived up to Emma's little girl dreams.  Adam told her about it when she was seven and she's been wanting to go ever since.

We love our grown girl and spending time with her is always nice.  It was also nice to go home and go to bed!

Birthday girl

 TEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT EMMA:

1) I love how sensitive she is.  She feels things deeply and cares about people and causes.

2) I love how funny she is.  She doesn't command the room like Braeden, but she is just quietly witty all the time.  For example, recently in our family group chat we were talking about who should be the king of America--you know, like you do.  Emma texted this:

3) This probably is an extension of the preceding one, but I love her quirkiness too.  She maintains a long list of potential band names and album names.  Only she knows why some qualify for one and not the other.  She has certain numbers she avoids because they're bad luck.  She knows about astrology and astronomy and personality tests.  She does sudoku puzzles that are so hard they would feel like torture to me.  (No numbers, just a few circles and some rules....) She's unique, that one.

4) I love how smart she is.  Marianne told me the other day that Desi said, "Adam and Emma are so smart it's scary."  They are smart, but I'm brave so I'm not scared.

5) I love the way Emma wants to help people she loves and I love how she understands me.  I explain something to her about how I feel and she nods and says, "I know." And she does.

6) I love how independent she is...even though it meant she moved away.  She is never happier than when she is figuring things out on her own and doing her thing.  And she makes things happen when they matter to her.

7) I love how loyal she is to her brothers.  She would fight to the death for either of them and we all know it.

8) I love how talented she is musically and artistically. 

9) I love her devotion to the Gospel.  Like everything, (except her eyeliner and lipstick) she is quiet about it.  But when I told her it was weird going to church alone for the first time in my life when Adam got his current calling, she said, "Yeah, I've been going to church alone pretty much since high school."  And she just quietly has.  I love that she doesn't go out of peer pressure.  (Who am I kidding?  Emma has always been impervious to peer pressure, for better or worse.)

10) I love that she is our daughter.  Emma adds beauty and light to our lives.  And razzmatazz.

Happy Birthday Emma Jayne!

Always Mrs. Bennet

I would love to be more like Elizabeth or Jane Bennet, Elinor Dashwood, Anne Elliot.  I'd even take Emma Woodhouse.

But more often than not, I'm Mrs. Bennet.

Friday afternoon I talked to Mark and he was sick.  He was unable to get a Covid test until Monday.  I tried to figure out a way to get him a test, but to no avail.

Adam called Mark and asked if he wanted Adam to come and get him.

Mark said no.  He said he didn't feel like traveling.

So he was quarantined in his room.  The cafeteria delivered his meals and they were gluten free.  Saturday morning he got Rice Chex, milk, some fruit and...some cream cheese.

I'm guessing other people got bagels and it kind of cracked us up that they still sent the cream cheese.

I didn't talk to Mark all day.  I texted him and he texted back infrequently and he was his usual succinct self.  I called him in the afternoon and he didn't answer.  I called him around 5:00 PM and woke him up.  He sounded terrible.  I checked his blood sugar and it was sky high.

Cue Mrs. Bennet.

Later I was texting him and he answered sort of and eventually.  My fertile imagination pictured him feverish and incoherent.  I worry about him more than my other children.  My mom understands why.  So I cried and channeled Mrs. Bennet and we finally got Mark on the phone.  He was in better spirits than I was expecting.  He told us about the cream cheese incident and he seemed OK, though sick.  Adam said, "I'll come tomorrow and bring you medicine and try to get a Covid test.  (Some medicine messes with his monitor and we didn't send him with a good supply of medicine.  I think the year when everyone was masked and didn't get sick lulled us into a false sense of health.)

Mark said, "I think I'm OK.  How about I call you tomorrow if I want you to come."

Adam glanced at me and said, "I'll come."

Because though I'm Mrs. Bennet, Adam is and will always be Colonel Brandon.  

Adam got all the medicine that Mark could take and bought a home Covid test and Mark's results were negative.  (Can you trust those tests?  I have no idea.)

For my part, I had to stay home because I was teaching in Relief Society.   Also, Braeden texted a link because he was speaking in church and I got to watch him.

For all the downsides of the pandemic, that's an upside.

In the evening we celebrated Emma's birthday.  She is going to California to visit Braeden and Anna later this week so we won't see her on her birthday.  In lieu of brothers, we had cousins.  It was fun!  It's been a while with our busy Sundays since we've had them over.

I didn't get a picture of the group, but we had Desi and Mason, Liberty and Nikki and Liliana.  Adam took this picture of the (dairy free) cake I made.  (Mason can't eat dairy.)

We played Codenames:  people born in Nevada verses people not born in Nevada.  (The Nevadans lost.)  And then we sat around the table and swapped stories.

Somehow my humiliation of crying to the junior high principal when Emma was in 8th grade came up and we've come full circle.

Me = Mrs. Bennet.

Acceptance is the first step.

Family FaceTime

 Sunday afternoon, Adam and I took a drive to check on the progress of the Saratoga Springs and Orem temples.  I think they can manage building them without our oversight, but we like to go take a look.  While we were out and about, we had our family FaceTime call.

Everyone's a little blurry and mid expressions, but it's always a happy time.  As you can see, Emma and Mark were showing off their new lights in their rooms.   We all talk over each other and laugh a lot. Also, everyone makes fun of me for only showing my forehead at times like that but it's tiresome to keep my phone held so my face is perfectly framed.  Adam was driving but occasionally I would point the phone his way and he would say, "You're pointing it at the ceiling."

I think the takeaway is that I won't ever have a career as a cameraman.

Emma is planning a trip to California to see Braeden and Anna.  Braeden said, "We'll talk to you more when we get off the phone with everyone, Emma."

I said, "You guys go ahead and go and I want to talk to Mark more."

Braeden and Mark instantly got nervous looks on their faces.  "What?"  I said.  "You're not in trouble.  I just want to talk to you."

Braeden texted me this:

And Mark texted me this:

I said, "But I'm the nicest person in the world."

Emma isn't afraid of me at all.  I don't know if that is better or worse.

(A little healthy fear in sons isn't terrible.)