Larkin Sings Visiting Hours

We left the cabin this afternoon. Sam's family was coming right as we were leaving. I hope they have a great time there. The roads were really good on the way home. That is always nice. You never know what you are going to get.

I asked Mike if I could post Larkin's Visiting Hours song on Facebook. He talked to Larkin and she wanted to redo it. She sent me the new one today. She was super sweet. She said it still wasn't her favorite, but I could post this one. Haha. I love all of them that she has sent me! Larkin - I love it! 

These are the lyrics to the song.

I wish that heaven had visiting hours
So I could just show up and bring the news
That she's gettin' older and I wish that you'd met her
The things that she'll learn from me, I got them all from you

Can I just stay a while and we'll put all the world to rights?
The little ones will grow and I'll still drink your favorite wine
And soon, they're going to close, but I'll see you another day
So much has changed since you've been away

I wish that heaven had visiting hours
So I could just swing by and ask your advice
What would you do in my situation? I haven't a clue how I'd even raise them
What would you do? 'Cause you always do what's right

Can we just talk a while until my worries disappear?
I'd tell you that I'm scared of turnin' out a failure
You'd say, "Remember that the answer's in the love that we create"
So much has changed since you've been away

I wish that heaven had visiting hours
And I would ask them if I could take you home
But I know what they'd say, that it's for the best
So I will live life the way you taught me, and make it on my own

And I will close the door, but I will open up my heart
And everyone I love will know exactly who you are
'Cause this is not goodbye, it is just 'til we meet again
So much has changed since you've been away

Visiting Hours

Mike sent me Larkin singing Visiting Hours for part of my Christmas present today! (The other part was a Jazz hoodie) Love Mike having my name for Christmas! Larkin did sooooo good! I can not express how much I love this! Most thoughtful gift ever!

Maysen, Jorja and I got to the cabin today. We stopped at Work Warehouse in Idaho Falls on the way up. Tammi had some boots for Stockton for me. I ordered them last week. Mike has been wearing Stockton's boots while he was on his mission. They wear the same size. This pair is a slightly different color, which will be great. It was also fun to see Tammi for a bit. It feels like it's been forever! I think it's only been since Tamara's baby shower in November though.

The girls and I packed the car late last night. All the Christmas presents. Well, when we arrived the present Stockton wrapped for Alyssa was torn apart. Mike and I went shopping at Broulims and I thought we could find wrapping paper. Nope. I ended up going to the Dollar Store and finding something that would work. Stockton got Alyssa a blanket for Christmas and gave it to her today.

Alyssa

We had fun the rest of the day. Sledding. Night sledding. Games. Jackbox. Movies. Relaxing. We watched Mystery Men in the basement tonight. Pretty great day.

Bear Dog

The World has Gone Crazy!

Utah State cancelled all classes until Tuesday, then they will be online after that. Today was Maysen's last day of going to a college class in person. At least for undergrad. She also picked up her graduation stuff. Her gown and tassels, things like that. Maysen was going to see if she could just check out and come home, but Utah State sent a message asking people not to leave. So, I guess she'll just be doing online classes up there.

Jorja is sad. Prom in cancelled. Elections are maybe going to be online. Not sure how that is going to work. Jorja said hardly anyone is at school today. She sent me this picture of the lunchroom.

 Jorja made a 2020 yearbook just in case

 Dawson, Riley, Jorja, Kelsey ~ not practicing social distancing

 Random picture of Jorja and Ben

Mike flew out to Universal Studio's in California with Larkin for her birthday. Disneyland also announced they would close in a few days. Luckily Universal was open today, even though it was raining hard. Mike sent us these pictures. Larkin LOVES Harry Potter, so glad her birthday trip wasn't ruined! There was hardly anyone there and Mike got a little sick going on the rides quickly. He would have loved that as a kid!

Larkin & Mike drinking butter beer

 Larkin in the Harry Potter ghost town

The NCAA announced they cancelled March Madness today. So sad! BYU and Utah State were both heading to the tournament this year. BYU has not been good at basketball for years, but this year they were amazing! This was the only year the seniors had made it to the tournament, and now they don't get to go. Sad that this happened on a year when BYU was really good! Charles made this bracket. Pretty accurate.

I picked up Audrey from Alta and took her to the bus stop. I had just gotten home when Sherry called me and told me to go to the store and get milk and anything else we needed. She said it will probably be gone if I waited until after work. I hurried to the store. It was a madhouse in there! It looked like Black Friday. The lines went halfway through the store. I was able to secure milk and other items. So that's good.

Elder Alia came over today. He texted yesterday and said he would be in town. Stockton loved having him as a companion. It was awesome to meet him!

Jorja, Preston, Jae Alia, Stephanie

 Mike got home right as Elder Alia was leaving, so we got a quick picture with him

Jorja went on a hike with Ivan. She told me Ivan's friends would be there too, but they ended up not coming. I wasn't too thrilled about that. She had a good time, but got home way after dark.

Ivan & Jorja

Church was also cancelled today. Now that is weird!!! Home church. I do love home church. I think that is actually going to be pretty fun.

Junior Goals

I spent the day with Mike's family and it was so fun. I went to the doctor's with Mike and Blake to have Blake's elbow x-rayed. They were able to x-ray it through the cast and everything. It is definitely broken, but he doesn't need surgery or pins. That's great. Also, look at this AMAZING project Larkin did for her Spanish class.

 She labeled everything on the back

 Look at her grade. Brett pointed out that arrows were worth ten points on that project.

Larkin said she did her project just like the example. That one didn't have a key on the front either. Anyway, ten points off is ridiculous. Crazy teachers.

Mike has this batting area set up in his garage. It is so fun! He has a batting cage outside but says the kids don't like it too much because it hurts their hands. I guess they have to be a little older for that...but until then...

I stayed up soooo late talking to Mike. Christen went to bed around midnight. I think Mike and I went to bed around 2:00. So great to be able to spend time with him. I loved it.

Mike and Preston left today to go fishing. They took the motorhome and drove to Bridger Lake. I assume they got there. There is no cell service, so I won't hear from them until Sunday. Jorja is staying with Hailey tonight. She was more than happy about that! They went with Ben to the store and then made some goals for their Junior year. How fun!

Ben & Jorja

 At homecoming being super awkward on purpose

 Hailey ~ Hailey and Jorja's Junior year goals

Larkin's Baptism

Larkin was baptized today!  Mike came over early to fill the font.  If we would have thought about it in advance, he could have left the keys with us and not worried about it at all.  I came and relieved him.  I brought Jeff's stocking to work on while I waited.  That font takes awhile to fill!  We made sure it was nice and warm for Larkin.  They had two other baptisms later in the day, so we didn't have to drain it.

The baptism was great.  I was able to lead the music.  My dad gave a talk on baptism and Christen's sister gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  My dad poured water from the place where Jesus was baptized into the font.  He made a big deal about how Jesus was baptized in yucky water at the lowest point on earth.  I was worried he was doing too good of a job describing that and Larkin wouldn't want to get in the water!  She was brave though.

Larkin was baptized in the same dress Skye was.  Christen was also baptized in this dress.  Christen was the first one baptized in this dress. All of her little sisters and their daughters were baptized in this as well. Christen's mom made this dress.  I wish I had that kind of talent!  It's beautiful and Larkin looked so sweet and pretty in it.

Mike & Larkin

 Mike, Larkin & Christen

 Larkin & Mike

 Stephanie & Mike

 Stephanie & Larkin

I didn't take a picture with my phone of the tables Christen set up.  She, of course, had everything looking spectacular.  She set out muffins, fruit and water along with pictures of Larkin and books for people to sign.  She also had allergy free muffins she made for Larkin and Blake. She wanted them to be able to pick something up off of the table.  I asked her what she did for the sacrament.  They have a special bag for them.  There are some other people with allergies in the ward as well. Once when Blake took his wafer she didn't think it looked right.  Blake took a bite and immediately threw up.  They had gotten Blake's allergy bag mixed up with another.  That poor kid!  Christen said Larkin sits at the allergy table at school.  They have it up high.  She used to be able to pick a friend to eat with her, but now one of her best friends has allergies too.  Blake will be sitting up there next year.  That is one trial I am grateful not to be blessed with!

We went to Skye's soccer game this afternoon.  It was windy!  Skye's team won.  I sat and watched it next to Mike.  My Mike and Jorja played catch.  Preston had my phone and took random pictures and videos.  Larkin and some of her other cousins played in the motorhome during the game.  Stockton was in there too, so I wasn't worried.  They sure love that!  I'm glad!

You can kind of see Mike (in brown) & kind of see Stephanie (in black)

Mike bought pizza for everyone at a nearby restaurant.  We filled our bellies before it was time to head back home.  I would have stayed later, but I'm anxious to get back to Maysen.  I don't want her to spend her entire Easter alone!

Mike, Preston, Stephanie, Jorja, Stockton

 Mike, Preston & Stephanie

Sure miss that brother of mine!  I wish he lived closer, but I'm glad he has found a place he loves.

Larkin

Mike worked from the cabin today.  He said it was so cold he couldn't even turn the faucets on.  He was really cold all last night.  I'm glad he was able to go up there.  He is planning on leaving the heat on, so when we come with Stockton's friends it won't be freezing.  I spent a lot of my day figuring out details of this trip.  Mostly talking to parents.  Right now it looks like we will have five boys and one might come one Saturday.  It should be a really fun weekend.

I dropped Stockton off at diving today and then headed over to Larkin's house.  Larkin my cousin, not Larkin my niece.  Larkin lives about 5 minutes away from the pool Stockton dives at.  Cody, her husband, has just started working as a professor at BYU.  How cool is that?  They have a beautiful home and a beautiful daughter.  It was fun to be able to talk to her.  I've only seen her at funerals the last few years, so this was a much better environment.

Mike decided to stay over one more night at the cabin.  He is planning on leaving at 4 in the morning and driving straight to work.  That seems like it would be mighty cold drive to me.