First Day!

First day everybody! School is here, it's in person, and no masks required! Wahoo! Is it weird to anyone else, the things that we have come to celebrate these days? The Delta variant of Covid is here and numbers are rising but Idaho seems to have reached its tolerance with the pause put on life by the pandemic. I know it's a very controversial thing and I'm sensitive to the emotional turmoil that the difference of opinions surrounding this topic can induce but, I have reached mine too! 

It never ceases to amaze me that as prepared as I try to be, the first morning is ALWAYS chaotic. But we survived. I had the kids pack their lunches and set out clothes last night. Then late last night, I realized we hadn't offered them a father's blessing which is something we always try to do before the start of school. Chad suggested we do it in the morning and I agreed. We woke up this morning and almost right away, Jaedyn mentioned that we hadn't done it and asked if she could have one after school because she said they really help. It warmed my heart to hear that she feels a difference. So we added that to the docket this morning. Kids did great getting ready, taking care of animals, and practicing their piano. We then frantically snapped first day pictures and were off walking to school! Half way there Ebony realized her boots that she hadn't worn all summer, were a little small. So I quickly pushed my panic button (cell phone) and called Superman (Chad) who dropped everything he was doing and flew (drove) to meet us at the school with a second set. Yay for superheroes 💗

Ebony Pearl 2nd grade with Mrs Dye- I think her teacher is going to be an awesomely amazing fit for this kid! We walked into the classroom, it is colorful, busy, and full of tools to accommodate movement and fidgeting. Who needs that? 👆This girl here! Mrs Dye proceeded to tell me that I probably won't be seeing a lot of worksheets come home- that's not her teaching style. But rather she does a lot of interactive and hands on learning. Um... Can we just move you on up each year with Ebony? Please?? Last year, she had homework assigned EVERY day as a first grader. The teacher loved her but complained about her inability to sit quietly still. Once again... a first grader! She was smart though, and started utilizing Ebony as a helper in the class so she thrived anyway. But I am NOT going to miss the daily homework! Ebony won't either. LOL. She is a fun-loving, playful, tease who makes friends everywhere she goes.

In Ebony's blessing she was promised she will make new friends and she was encouraged to look for ways to show love and be kind. She was reminded that her Heavenly Father loves her.

Lilia Karolee 5th grade with Mrs Smith- oh dear girl, the day is finally here! She has been counting down since school got out last spring! LOL. She LOVES school, and people, and even homework! She was a little nervous with her class assignment, Jaedyn had Mrs. Smith and it was not a good fit so I think she heard some horror stories. To top that off, none of her little group of friends are in class with her. But amazingly enough, that did not damper her excitement and she went bouncing off to meet her teacher by herself while I finished up with Ebony's teacher. There is no fazing this kid. She is full of positive vibes, determination, and loves to learn.

In Lilia's blessing she was promised success during this school year. She was encouraged to build others up and promised that positive thoughts would help strengthen her.

Jaedyn Faith 8th grade with various teachers- Jaedyn had a rough year her 7th grade year but I was so impressed with her courage and excitement to start 8th. She does not give up easily. She has grown a lot over the summer and has a good group of friends that have been so fun for her to hang out with- that really helps. She has started running X-country too and I'm proud of her commitment and hard work, not to mention how awesome is it that she is forming healthy habits?! She isn't a big fan of the competitive side of things but enjoys running daily and doing it with friends! So really, she is doing it for the love of it, which I think is a stronger predictor of long term success in maintaining lifestyle changes anyway! She is determined, sassy, cute, and so generous.

In Jaedyn's blessing this morning she was encouraged to keep an open mind and promised the strength to overcome trials and gain a love for learning. She was blessed with the ability to grow stronger in mind and spirit. She was encouraged to seek out friends who  make her feel good about herself. She was also reminded that Heavenly Father knows her and is aware of her struggles and knows of her efforts. She was blessed with an increased love and thoughtfulness and encouraged to do her best not to give up when things get difficult, but to pray for assistance and as she does so she will be amazed at her growth.

It's fun watching my kids grow and learn and show interests in things that I never in a million years would have predicted.  I hope I can always be on the side lines cheering them on if not running right alongside them in life as a support, and that they will always know and trust in my love for them!

P.S. Aren't they each so beautiful? 💕

 

Lilia's Bakery

There really is nothing quite like the smell of homemade bread... right? Well this summer my house was marinated in that aroma every single week! At the onset of summer, Lilia decided she didn't want to be bored. Or maybe she wanted money? Or a whole slew of lessons far beyond her years. But in a stroke of genius, mixed with determination, and a love for baking, she asked is she could start up a summer bakery. Chad instantly agreed and helped her draft a flyer and in a matter of minutes, a business plan was drafted. I came home from work and was recruited to proof read, print and then at the persistent urging of said 10 year old, the flyers were passed out that very night. Probably just so we wouldn't be allowed time to process and back out on her! LOL

Lilia really is a go getter! I could not believe the independence and courage and determination she exhibited. She learned to bake bread for this and by the end of the first day she was doing it without any direction. By the second or third week she decided to hire her first employee and Jaedyn joined the Tuesday bread party. 

Now, lest you think this all went down without incident, harbor no such delusions. We had a few tears over flat loaves, and learned not to put the oatmeal in too hot. We rounded loaves just to round them again cuz the pans hadn't been greased. We learned about proofing yeast and grinding wheat, the difference between white and red wheat, and different combinations of flour to get that light fluffy wheat loaf. We learned about hard work and sacrifice and about the need to just take a break sometimes! We learned about money management and organizing orders, how to balance polite advertisement with friendships and how to be a good employer and employee. And so much more! This was a very lofty goal for a 10 and 13 year old and they worked their fannies off! They are already negotiating next summer's business with a slightly less demanding product. But I love that they are working together and learning together.

And aren't they so cute to boot?! For realz!

This kid made 24 loaves her first week! AND she was still grinning at the of the day 😊

A neighbor of ours really liked the bread and wanted in on the action. He came over just to discuss a Lemonade stand business plan. It was adorable. His parents built a stand and they came and hung out for a few hours one VERY hot afternoon so the kids could sell lemonade, cotton candy, and homemade sliced bread. Best lemonade stand ever! They raked in quite a profit too thanks to the visits by extended family of our neighbor. Unfortunately our street was just not booming that day! The kids absolutely loved it and were so polite. Even down to figuring out how to split the profit. 

This last week the girls filled their last orders and delivered them. I was bittersweet to see the end come. It was a lot of work and even though I didn't have to help much, it took a lot planning, prep, mediating, and time. But by the end, word of mouth was starting to spread and we were picking up orders from that which was kind of exciting! Lilia had requests to drop out of school and continue baking bread as she delivered her last loaves. LOL. Thankfully she absolutely loves school and is so excited to finally be going back that it wasn't even a temptation. This year she will be joining GATE and is thrilled about it.

And here they are, stocking up the wagon to make the rounds with their last loaves. Awesome summer Lilia's Bakery! Thanks for all the memories, good smells, great lessons, and amazing leftovers!!!

Cancer Bites

Chad had a sore on his lip that wasn't healing. In my defense, as I'm supposed to be aware of and watching for these things, he has had an inch of growth curling around his lip for 6+ months and half an inch for a year before that! So, when he showed me this spot last week I admit I gasped a little. And quickly ordered him in to my office for a biopsy. Apparently he has no idea what I do for work because when I was getting ready for the biopsy he was surprised to learn I was actually going to numb him up. When I told him, "we'll take a small piece off the surface" he interpreted this to mean... I'm not sure what. LOL. But he was very brave and I didn't even have to hold his hand. Well results came back on yesterday and it was a small skin cancer called a basal cell carcinoma so I contacted my boss.  I have connections. And Dr Sewell was so gracious to get him in the very next day for his lip job AKA MOHS surgery.

Here is the very talented Sewell taking stage 1. He offered to let me assist in closure but I chose to play spouse instead. And photographer. LOL. I got many pix along the way.

I'll save you the gory pictures as Lilia will be reading this and does NOT tolerate such things. She may have to rethink this "being a vet" dream of hers. That's another story for another time though. Chad's cancer was clear with stage 1 so no more had to come out. Thank goodness!

A little swollen after surgery so you can't truly appreciate the art but let me just tell you. This is a very difficult closure in a very tricky area. Cosmetically, you have many planes on the face and don't want to cross them in a closure or it can be disfiguring. So in order to close the hole and not pull down on the nose or up on the lip, an advancement flap was the technique chosen. More tissue was actually removed than just cancerous tissue in order to do it, but isn't it amazing the way everything pulled together?

I'm blessed to be working where I am. And now Chad for the umpteenth time can feel reassured that he is worth more to me alive than dead. LOL. He may joke about the opposite from time to time but do not be fooled. This man is THE man for me. He is a wonderfully devoted husband and father, very selfless, patient, and loving. He balances me and I could not ask for a more fitting partner to face all of life's ups and downs and turn arounds! Love you ChadHotMan 💗I'm glad you'll be around to face another day 😉