Broken Mouth

The school nurse called me back today. They are doing covid vaccines at Alta. Jorja wants to get it. I was wondering if she could take it since it hasn't been 90 days since she had covid. I had heard that somewhere. The nurse said she could get it but she might get a little sicker since her body is still fighting the disease. Or something like that. Anyway, Jorja decided to go ahead and get the vaccine. She is tired of being quarantined. She will become a star belly sneech. Jorja also got her graduation cords today. They are very pretty. I wish I knew about the cords for Maysen. I should buy the ones she would have earned.

Dani came over and hung out with Stockton. Jack was over with Preston. Preston wanted to roast hot dogs and make s'mores for his dinner. He also absolutely loves days when Jack comes over.

Preston & Jack

Jorja has had to wear a mouth guard thing since her surgery. Today she was in the drive thru at Swig and her mouth started bleeding. She got home okay, but then it started gushing blood again. It bled for almost an hour. I had her lay down with her head elevated and we had gauze pressing on the roof of her mouth. We kept putting ice packs on her cheeks. I was so close to calling the doctor, but luckily it stopped.

Jorja

 

Recovery

Jorja slept at Brenton's house and then all the old and new SBOs went bowling with Shay. Shay is the new SBO advisor. Jorja came home and slept for several hours before she made her way to work. After work she went out with Stockton and Dani and I got this cool picture I stole from Stockton's blog.

Stockton, Jorja, Dani

Dani had dinner with us and played Dominion. It was a good time.

National Parks

The boys had a great time at the cabin. John brought a new game called Bunny Kingdom. Mike ordered the game before they even finished playing. They spent the time playing games and sledding until John had to go home. Super nice of him to come for one night.

Stockton, Preston, John

Dani, Stockton, John, Preston

My new butter dish came. Bear destroyed my old one. I wasn't happy. We got this for our wedding and I love it. I don't know why Bear likes butter so much.

Jorja had a full day. She went to Riley's stake activity. It was a MTC. Kind of an all day event where you go around and learn different things. Riley said it wasn't as cool as other years. Jorja was put in an English class, so that probably isn't as fun. If you are in a different language class you learn a few phrases and a scripture in that language. Jorja and Riley also had tickets to The National Parks. Jorja loves that band and was so excited to go to a concert again. She had a great time.

Riley & Jorja

Herbie

I took Stockton to Dani's house early this morning. They left to go to the cabin with Dani driving. Jorja was texting us asking if we had seen her dresses. I ordered $500 worth of dresses so she could pick out an inauguration dress. Asos is great at returns, so most of the money is coming back. Jorja couldn't find it. I called Mike and asked where he put it. He left it right by the stairs. It wasn't there. Jorja found it. By Bear's dog door. Luckily he couldn't get it outside to his naughty treat spot. Also, lucky he didn't ruin any of the dresses inside. Dodged a bullet there.

Dawson filmed Jorja's video for inauguration. I guess they usually do a 'kill' video where the outgoing sbo is killed in some way. This time they decided to do movie themes and instead of killing, the sbo would leave. Jorja picked La-La Land. She did the end scene, but instead of the boyfriend it was Herbie the Hawk.

Herbie & Jorja

Jorja

Herbie/Jorja

Dawson & Herbie/Jorja

Stockton and Dani made it safely up to the cabin. Most of these pictures are of Bear, but there are some sad deck ones. It's kind of fun to watch the giant snow suddenly tumble off the roof as the cabin warms up. Except this time it destroyed parts of the deck. Rip. Stockton's friend, John, also came up. He drove separately because he isn't going to be able to stay as long. I like John. He's super nice.

Dani & Bear (and Preston)

Rip deck... photobomb by Bear

Photobomb by Dani & Bear

Bear watching the Jazz win the Raptors

The Police were Called

Mike and I spent the day packing for the cabin. We were hoping to leave early in the morning. Didn't turn out that way. Today Jorja and Riley went out on their Valentine date. Valentines Day is on Sunday this year. It is also over Presidents Day weekend. Both Jorja and Riley will be out of town, so they decided to celebrate it today. Riley took Jorja to the butterfly thing at Thanksgiving Point. They went to dinner somewhere up there too and then went to Riley's Jr. Jazz basketball game.

Stockton also had a date with Dani. He has been home from his mission for one week and one day and is already on his second date. This date will also be a classic. One week home from his mission and Stockton gets the police called on him. Hahaha. Here is how that happened....

Dani drove to our house. Stockton took my car and they stopped by Gavin's house and surprised Gavin's family. His dad wasn't home, so they waited a bit so they could see him. They talked to him for awhile. Their plan for the date was to go to the Hot Springs (or as Stockton calls them, the Hot Pockets) up in Saratoga Springs. I used to stay up waiting for the kids, but it ended causing a lot of contention between Jorja and I. I just have to force myself to go to sleep and things work better that way. It scares me though. Anyway, I was sleeping with my phone pressed to my stomach so I wouldn't miss any calls if the kids needed me. I knew Jorja was home, but Stockton was still out. Around 1:00 in the morning I got a call from Dani's dad. He was wondering if I knew where they were. I told him they were at the Hot Springs. He said Dani wasn't answering her phone and asked if I could get ahold of Stockton. I tried and couldn't. FOR HOURS! I sat outside on the porch for a long time hoping they would come soon. Mike and I started getting paranoid and running through all the awful scenerios. Maysen heard us talking and was worried they had gotten shot. Mike was worried they had drowned. I thought they had gotten locked out of their car. Although the more time passed the more worried I became. I was so relieved when we found out they were okay. This was my text message thread from Dani's dad:

Dani's Dad 2:31 am: I assume you have not heard anything. I'm not sure if yo know where they were going in Saratoga Springs but I am thinking the police there need to be called with the make and model of the car they were driving. Thoughts?

Me 2:35 am: We haven't heard anything. They were going to the hot springs there. I have no idea what to do. I keep hoping they will pull on our street any second. He is driving a silver Honda Pilot. 2003. I'm not sure of the license plate number. I'll let you know the second I hear from them. Or hopefully the second I see them.

D 3:03 am: I have contacted the police they will check the hot springs area. Will let you know if I hear anything.

Me 3:05 am: Thank you! I'm wondering if they got locked out of the car with their phones inside. The messages keep saying delivered, so I think his has batteries.

D 3:05 am: We'll see

D 3:31 am: They're fine they were sitting in the hot springs apparently without their phones. The officer is sending them on their way

Me 3:31 am: Oh my gosh! Talk about losing track of time! Thank you so much!!!! I am so relieved! Thank you!!!

D: 3:36 am: You're welcome. I didn't know the hot springs was open all night but the officer said it was. Sometimes when kids become "adults" they forget they are still kids to us

Me 3:37 am: That is the truth! Thank you so much! We have been sick to our stomachs with worry. Thank you!

D: 3:40 am: Likewise. We'll try to get some sleep now

Hahahahaha It is funny now. It wasn't funny at the time. When the police came up to them they thought it was probably 1:00 in the morning. Nope. 3:30. They were in the hot springs for six hours! They gathered up their stuff and had to walk five minutes to their car. There were two police cars following them shining their lights on the entire way. Walk of shame. Hahahaha. Here is my text thread with Stockton:

Me 1:51 am: Can you call me and let me know where you are? Dani's dad just called and is really worried.

Me 2:18 am: Okay, I'm getting super worried. Can you please call me?

Me 2:52 am: Are you okay??? I'm so worried. Dani's dad called again to ask the make/model of your car so he ca call the police. Please be okay. Please please please.

Me 3:38 am: Ummmm.... soooo.... Dani's dad said the police found you in the hot springs... text me please and drive home carefully!!!

Stockton 3:38 am: Mom, I am so so sorry. We are on our way back now. Thanks for checking on us. I am so so so sorry

Stockton and Dani ended up getting to our house around 4:00 in the morning. He definitely isn't on his mission now! Poor Dani still had to drive home. She was freezing. She came inside and Stockton went looking for one of his diving jackets she could wear. She was still in her swimsuit and shaking like crazy. I did manage to get a picture of Stockton's hands. Wrinkly! First time in the water since his mission. Crazy kids. Glad they were safe. (Jorja was pretty pumped about that story. She has never had the police called on her. She told me, "See, I'm the good child." Hahahahaha)

Stockton's hands

Broken Horn

Mike and I spent the day working on the Amazing Race.We went to Hobby Lobby and I got some stuff for Jorja's corsage/boutonnière. I found magnets that would work and was excited to find a wristlet thing for the corsage. Jorja spent the day at school doing student government stuff. I think they made hearts for everyone in the school and had things written on them. She came home with Riley and they made their flower things together. Jorja spent the rest of the day frantically getting everything ready. She spent a lot of time making yellow bracelets for everyone in their group and putting together little gift bags. She ran out of yellow string though. I'm not sure what she did about that.

Stockton had a date tonight with Dani. He knew her before his mission from diving. He texted me right before midnight to let me know they would be home in about an hour. Sure not on the mission now!

Now a funny story to end this. Mike and I were picking up stuff for the Amazing Race at Hobby Lobby. Mike also wanted to get another unicorn head since he broke the one in our bathroom. Mike uses this as one of the wand stations. The unicorn talks in a grumpy voice and the kids love it. There was one unicorn head left and Mike was excited to be able to get a new one. That excitement lasted less than five minutes. As Mike was putting the bags in the car, the bag with the unicorn head in it slipped from his hands and broke. I thought it was funny. Mike did not.

Hutch Surprise!

We had stake conference today. Jorja wasn't feeling well, but she managed to sit through the session. Maysen was with us too. Stockton went to Dani's farewell. Hutch came down from Idaho to surprise Jorja. She wasn't able to make it on Jorja's birthday and yesterday Jorja was too busy with the dance. It was such a great surprise for her! Jorja felt bad because she was feeling sick so she wasn't her energetic self. She loves Hutch. I hope it was worth it for her to come down.

Hutch & Jorja

After Hutch left Jorja fell asleep in our bedroom. She was feeling worse and worse as the day went on. Riley, Jorja's date from last night, came over and brought her cookies to thank her for the date yesterday. Jorja looked awful. We woke her up and had her come out. Riley didn't want us to wake her, but Jorja had literally said to me last week how happy she would be if someone randomly brought her cookies. She was glad he came and was able to hug him to thank him for the date last night. 

Jorja & Kiki

Maysen was waiting for Stockton to come home so she could go back to Logan. Dani's farewell was at 9:00. Mike texted Stockton "How was the farewell?" at 5:30. Stockton replied, "Going into the eighth hour of her talk, still going strong." Hahaha. He makes me laugh! It was pretty late and dark when they left. Maysen was driving home. I kept telling Stockton not to sleep on the way up, make sure Maysen was able to stay awake. They got back just before 11:00. I love it when I know they are safe. It was fun to have them here this weekend. I love how much my kids love each other. It makes me so happy. I hope they will remain close after Mike and I are gone. Family is everything.

Ducks Like Grapes

Evidence by Preston

Preston

Jorja had her last range drive today. Her last five hours straight of drivers ed. When I picked her up yesterday I was a little early, so I stopped where I could watch the cars driving around and I tried to guess which one she was in. I saw her pull up and her teacher was there for her to get out of the car. He said something to her and Jorja jumped. I thought, "I wonder if he found a spider in her car?" No, it was worse. It was a hornet's nest! Jorja said there were bees flying around her while she was driving, for TWO HOURS! Now that creeps me out. Ugh! Mike picked up Jorja from work today. She was at the drive thru when he got there. She loves the drive thru.

Jorja

 Ducks

 Stockton sent me this picture today.

That is a lot of people! He competed three meter today and was happy with his dives. This might have been his last competition ever. That is sad. I'm glad he was able to go to Texas. He had a lot of fun. I'm excited for him to come home though!

Stockton

 Nate, Gavin, Noelle, Dani, Wren, Wren's husband, Stockton

Remember the Alamo

Stockton had a fun day in Texas. At least it looks like it from the pictures Nate sent me. Neither Stockton or Gavin competed today, so they had fun exploring Texas with Dani. Noelle had one of her events today.

Gavin & Stockton

 Stockton

 Stockton, Gavin, Dani at the River Walk

Stockton got kicked out of the Alamo today and told to never come back. I was wondering what he did? Did he try to do flips off of somewhere? Nope. According to Stockton he walked on dirt. He cut across one stone path to another and the lady flipped out and had security escort him out, or something like that. He said it was okay because he went across the street and got a milkshake. Hmmm, what would Stockton rather do? Tourist stuff or milkshake? He was just fine.

Stockton at the Alamo

Stockton's AP scores still weren't posted at Utah State. I finally called. They said they would have them up in about thirty minutes. So, in a matter of minutes I watched his status go from 'Freshman' to 'Junior'. That was pretty cool. What wasn't pretty cool is I found the Utah State diving club website. Dive is in the name, but I didn't find any information about it. At all. Great.

Jorja had a crazy busy day. She had drivers ed from 6:00-9:00, range driving from 9:00-11:00, and work from 11:30-4:00. She came home and took a nap, then had to be at Alta at 7:40. Usually Alta does a welcome video by the student body officers. The class officers are announced separately. This year they wanted to do a shorter video and announce all the officers, to make the assembly go faster. The hardest part was for Jorja to find a time that the other five people could make it. Luckily today worked out! They were only supposed to film for thirty minutes, so I just wanted to wait. Jorja DID NOT like that idea. She begged me to go somewhere I wouldn't be seen. I feel so loved. Haha. Anyway, I went to see my dad because he lives closer than I do. I wanted to see if he would go with me when Eric is in town. Eric Byrnes is doing a triathlon across America to raise money for his Let Them Play foundation. He swam seven miles, now he is biking to Chicago and then he will run to New York. He started at the Giants stadium and will finish at the Yankees stadium. Eric is my dad's cousin Judy's son. My dad can't go because he will be on a tour. He did go and get a bat for me to have him sign. Eric got his first hit in the majors with this bat. His name says Eric Baynes on it. Ha! He gave this bat to my brothers after he broke it when he was playing the Bees in Salt Lake. (He had been called up for a few weeks, then down for a bit, then back up.) Anyways, pretty cool!

I picked up Jorja and the other boys at Alta and took them back to our house for ice-cream and Mario Kart. Jorja said the video will be pretty cringy. All I know is they got out of a car and had to dance and freeze for their name. I know Jorja was on Joe's shoulders for a bit and when they froze on her she did thumbs up. She had a lot of fun hanging out with these guys though. They stayed pretty late. Jorja and Carson are both taking drivers ed, so they will have a pretty early morning.

Marshall ~ historian, Bode ~ public relations, Shafer ~ senator

Jorja ~ president, Joe ~ secretary, Carson ~ vice president

 Marshall, Carson, Bode, Joe, Jorja, Shafer

 I don't know why Jorja likes pictures like these so much, but she does.

Jorja (going clockwise) Marshall, Bode, Shafer, Carson, Joe