Tightened

Preston got his braces tightened today. His mouth always hurts for several days after that. Braces are not fun, but it will be better to do now than later. Preston and I went to Firehouse Subs after. That has been Preston's go to place to go. He was able to eat because his teeth weren't aching too bad yet. I stopped by Chick-Fil-A after and picked up some food for everyone else. Jorja was working and saw the text asking what people wanted. When we came through she knew it was us. She made Stockton's strawberry frosted lemonade just like he likes it. He was pretty happy about that.

Gazpacho

Stockton and I went to his dermatologist appointment this morning and I made dinner. I made gazpacho and the kids loved it! Haha - just kidding, they did not. I was made fun of, but whatever, at least we had dinner.

I texted Jorja this picture. It was a full carton of cream cheese that was sitting in water in the sink. What? Why does she not put things away? Especially perishables? So annoying.

Jorja and Paige ~ they hung out today

Just a Day

Nothing super exciting happened today. Jorja worked and then made yummy dinner with Mike. Mike is feeling better, but still has a hard time eating. Although is so much better than he was a few days ago. I worked on the blog for a good part of the day. That's about it. Lazy summer day.

Weston's Farewell

Today was Weston's mission farewell. Maysen, Stockton and I went. Mike, Jorja and Preston were all sick. Jorja and Preston were regular sick. Mike is still in intense pain from his tooth. He has now lost 10 pounds. I finally texted my brother and asked him about it. He said it sounds like Mike had a dry socket. Of course, right after I finally texted my brother Mike, my Mike started feeling better. Thank goodness though! Hope he is done with tooth pain! He does have stitches in his mouth that are bothering him, but it is nothing compared to the pain. Luckily the three of them were all able to watch Weston's farewell online. One of the best things to come out of corona. Jorja and Preston took pictures of Bear dog, who got on the ping pong table for some reason.

Bear

Weston did a fantastic job on his farewell. Stockton was impressed. He really did good. I loved a CS Lewis quote he used. It is from Mere Christianity. "No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find out the strength of [an] army by fighting against it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later. That is why bad people, in one sense, know very little about badness  -- they have lived a sheltered life by always giving in. We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means -- the only complete realist." 

Blender's Back

My blender came today! Woohoo! I absolutely loved my blender, even thought not all the settings worked. I have missed it when I sent it back. Now the new one is here and it works! I love it! Also, I was able to schedule appointments for Mike, Maysen, Stockton and I to go to the temple in a few weeks. Temples are finally opening for everyone! Woohoo! 

Panic

Jorja was out late last night. She didn't miss curfew, but I went to bed before she got home. I asked her to wake me up when she got in. I woke up in a panic a little before 4:00 this morning. She hadn't woken me up. I jumped out of bed and ran to see if her car was in the garage. It was. Thank goodness! Too bad I was wide awake now. I could not get back to sleep. I have a huge problem that once I wake up I can't go back to sleep without having horrible back pain. Like hard to breathe pain. It's not worth it. I went downstairs and laid on my back stretching thing. Today was a long day. I felt sick, my arm hurt and I was so tired. I spent most of the day watching The Middle. Nothing too exciting from me.

Hot Chocolate

Stockton finished his coaching for diving today. Well, his substitute coaching. He was pretty happy when he came home. He said a lot of kids learned new dives and a few twelve year olds bought him hot chocolate! Awe. They felt bad because he coached for four hours in the rain. What a perfect treat for him.

Stockton

While Stockton was at diving, Mike, Maysen and I got our last covid shot. We drove all the way to Overstock and got there a few minutes early. When we walked in the receptionist said, "Do you realize you were supposed to be here at 8:30?" I was kind of stunned and said, "We wrote down 9:30." She looked at her computer and realized we were on time and it was someone else that didn't show up. Then she asked for our covid cards. Whoops. I forgot to bring them. Luckily I knew exactly right where they were. I left Mike and Maysen there and I hurried home to get them. I think I made the round trip in 40 minutes. Not the best, but at least we were able to get it done. I ordered crepes from OHP to pick up on the way home. My arm hurt and I was tired, but other than that it wasn't too bad.

Last Duck

The duck lady brought us the last girl duck that was abandoned today. I hope Angel gets along with these new ducks. I hope they like living here. The pool looks disgusting, but I promise it is not as green in real life. Mike is going to work on cleaning out the filters once he feels better. He felt awful today.

The Bishop came over to meet with our family. Finally, after we had to cancel twice! Haha. He seems really nice. Stockton and Jorja weren't here. They were in Logan. Jorja went to visit her friend River. She met him at USU Leadership Camp. He is an ambassador as well. He leaves on his mission soon. His farewell is Sunday, but Jorja is going to Weston's farewell. She decided to drive up with Stockton since she will miss it. She had a great time. Stockton hung out with his friend Max Ramsdell. They served together and Max has been trying to convince Stockton to room with him. Now that Jorja has decided to go to Utah State I think they will stick together. That makes me really happy.

Jorja & River

Mermaid Ducks

Mike made it to the dentist today. He had to go by himself because I was taking Jorja to her periodontist appointment. Mike said it was so painful. They gave him lots of novocaine, but it didn't seem to help much. They scraped the bacteria out from around his tooth and then pulled his tooth. They added bone fragments and made a place where eventually they can put an implant if he decides he doesn't want a big hole at the back of his mouth. Mike said he was shaking in the chair because it hurt so bad. Poor guy. We were actually quite busy today too. We got two new ducks today. The duck rescue lady brought them over. They had been abandoned after Easter at Wheeler Farm. I asked her if they were going to be sad after living there. She said living there is a death sentence. They just don't survive, especially when the weather gets colder. We are giving them the best chance. That's good. She brought over a male and a female. There is one more, but she hid when she saw the other ducks get caught. The duck lady is planning on bringing her over tomorrow.

Angel with her two new duck friends

We had a Smith family BBQ today. Lisa and Nathan are in town right now. Fun and perfect. Mike actually did really well. (Looking back on this week that was amazing! He was in intense pain the entire week. Mike thinks he was able to function because of the novocaine he was given earlier.) Anyway, the rest of the day was spent swimming with the family. Sherry loved the mermaid tail. She was so funny. It was hilarious when Stockton put it on and did some dives. Haha. Just a perfect end of the day. Sorry about your tooth Mike!

Brandon's head, Jacob, Weston, Derek, Steve, Cori, Sherry, Matt, Melissa, Scoop, Nathan

Sherry & Steve

Mike helping Mermaid Sherry

Steve & Shannon, Scoop, Weston, Nathan, Jacob... Preston, Stockton, Jorja, Cori

Mike helping Mermaid Sherry slide

Mermaid Sherry!

Mike & Scoop

Stockton, Preston, Jorja

Scoop (and Leo)

Scoop dives

Preston, Jorja, Stockton, Leo, Mermaid Sherry, Matt, Taylor, Nova

Mermaid Stockton flips

Mermaid Stockton backflips

Preston's Favorite Clock

Mike is in soooo much pain. He called the dentist first thing in the morning, only to find out that they aren't open until tomorrow. He did get ahold of the dentist and has an appointment for tomorrow. The dentist also wrote him a prescription for stronger pain medication. The dentist thinks his tooth has cracked and is filled with bacteria. Whatever it is, it is so painful. Speaking of dentists, I took Preston to one today. Mike's friend. Preston told him he hated his clock, that it made him uncomfortable. Hahaha. If you can't tell what's wrong, the Roman numeral 4 is written wrong. Eric was so surprised. He said no one had ever pointed that out before and they have had that clock up there for years. Preston told him he hated it. Hahaha

Stockton did diving all day today. He coached for four hours, hung out with Dani for a couple hours and was back for the meet around 3:00. Long day of diving.

Jorja has officially decided to go to college instead of a mission right now. Jorja has been praying and fasting about this for months. She told us that last night she said a prayer before bed and told Heavenly Father that she hasn't been able to get an answer as to what she should do. She asked if she could be excited about whichever one was right. She said she went to bed excited about college and woke up excited about college. She had to tell Riley, one of the ambassadors, if she was going to college or mission. He has been very patient. Well, he texted her today and she sent this reply back. She sent me a screen shot and I was surprised and excited. She had been leaning towards going on a mission. I think this will be great for her and I'm very happy about it. (About a week later she was second guessing this decision. Wondering if she made the wrong choice. Stockton said that Heavenly Father knew how important this was to her and wouldn't have messed like that.) Stockton also sent me a screenshot of his conversation with Jorja. I'm so excited for Stockton and Jorja to be at school together. They are living in the same building. That's going to be so fun!

 

Worst Father's Day

Mike did not have a good day. At all. He woke up with a tooth ache and by the time afternoon came around he was in extreme pain. We kept giving him more and more pain medicine, but nothing seemed to help. Stockton came home this evening and we got Mike downstairs to open his Father's Day presents. Nothing too exciting. He had already gifted himself a water tank for his boat. We got him a neck fan. The kids got him miitopia. Then he made his way up to bed to try and sleep to get out of the pain. 

Nova's Baptism

Maysen, Preston and I went to Nova's baptism this morning. Mike was in Idaho, Stockton was in St. George and Jorja was working. Nova looked so cute in her butterfly dress. Nathan told a story about how when Jessie was baptized she wanted to stay down as long as possible. They worked out hand signals so he would know when to bring her back up. The problem was, no one watching knew that was the plan. She stayed under for ten seconds! That's a long time when you are expecting a quick dunk! Hahaha! After the baptism we went over to Scoop and Cori's house for a lunch. That was the second time I have been there. Scoop seemed shocked when I mentioned that. We were invited over for Thanksgiving several years ago. The lunch turned out great. Nova seemed very happy. It was cool to see Lisa and Nathan. It was a nice day.

Nova

I sent Mike pictures of Bear

He sent me pictures of logs

Mike moved the log rack to the side of the garage. Lots of work, but isn't that view gorgeous?

Mike discovered a boat ramp in Alpine, Wyoming

Mike drove home today. Yay! We will get to be with him for Father's Day! Stockton will get home tomorrow. We will have everyone towards the end of the day. I love it.

Skid Steer

Mike did a lot of work at the cabin today. He rented a bobcat thing to help him. Mike wanted a better place to park his boat and is hoping to extend the roof so it will be more protected from the snow. He had a successful day. I'm glad he didn't get hurt, especially since he was the only one there.

Before pictures

Guy dropping off the Bobcat/Skid Steer

After

Mike's video tour of his work

Boat's new home

Successful day for Mike

Stockton was asked to teach diving next week. Jonny called him last night and asked if he could also teach today. Stockton was barely able to fit it in. There were 90 kids there. It was a free day, but that just stressed Stockton out. One 9 year old girl ran on the 3 meter and almost fell off. When Stockton told me I thought she almost fell off into the pool. Nope, she almost fell off onto the concrete. Scary!

Stockton came home from diving, packed up super quick and hopped in the car. I drove him to Rasin' Canes. It is in South Jordan by Daybreak. It opened up a few weeks ago. This was a fun plan because he was meeting some mission buddies to go to St. George for another mission buddy's homecoming. Rasin' Canes was a place they would go to all the time in Arizona. Well, this wasn't the best plan. I took Stockton in the jeep. It was HOT. There were so many people trying to go to Canes that police were directing traffic. It took us 30 minutes to get into the parking lot. We were dripping sweat. I let Stockton out so he could find his friends. One of them had already gotten food. They were waiting for the other one. The one who wasn't here was the driver. I parked in Warren's parking lot, but I had Stockton's suitcase. It was so hot I went inside and sat down. I was hoping they had Apple Pay. They did not. I had a check book, they didn't take checks. I left my debit card in the pilot. Mike had that up in Idaho. I lost my credit card a bit ago. I sat inside for about 20 minutes when a worker came and asked if I was going to order anything. I told him I didn't have any money but I had to wait for my boy and it was so hot outside. I was worried he was going to ask me to leave, instead he asked if I would like a water cup. I was so happy! Stockton came a few minutes later. He picked up his suitcases, said goodbye and I headed home.

Stockton made it to St. George around 7:00. He is staying at Scoop and Cori's place. Cori drove down to get things set up for him. Super nice. She bought them tons of food and took them out to dinner at a Mexican place. She left at 11:45 and drove back to South Jordan. She got to their house there at 3:00 in the morning. Yikes!

I was so disappointed to watch the Jazz lose Game 6 and get kicked out of the playoffs. Especially since they were up by 22 at halftime. Conley played, but it was obvious he was still pretty injured. Mitchell didn't look the same. He was great, but definitely hobbled. The Jazz had such a magical year, too bad those injuries at the end of the season had to happen. It's so sad because it really felt like this was the year the Jazz could finally win a championship. I hope Conley comes back. I hope Mitchell stays. Mitchell will stay this year, but I hope he always stays with the Jazz. That's a lot to hope for nowadays. I hope next year will be another magical season with a better ending.