Lost Packets

I got frustrated with Jorja this morning. I was going through her phone and I saw a message between her and Emily saying Jorja's wallet was in Emily's car. I went down and asked Jorja why her wallet was there. One of the conditions Jorja has for driving her car to school is that she stays on school property. I have told her I don't even want her to go eat lunch in the car. Her friends do that, but I don't like it. Jorja knew she was busted and told me they went to Harmon's for lunch. I was very annoyed. I asked her how many times she has left with them. She said three. Just when I think I can trust her again, she does this. The dumb thing is, if she had asked I probably would have said yes. So.... Jorja won't be driving her car to school this week.

Becky texted me this morning and asked if I wanted to go to a late birthday lunch. That made me very happy. Camee was also there. We went to Zaos. I showed them some pictures of what we have done so far for the Amazing Race. It looks really cool. Becky and I stayed about ten minutes after Camee left. As we were packing up I got a text. It said I didn't get the job at the library. I was surprised with how disappointed I was. The interview went well. They only needed someone with a high school degree. I told them I would work as much or as little as they needed. Still, I didn't get it. The last job in the attendance office that I didn't get turned out to be a good thing. Jorja got really sick around that time and the doctors were telling me she might go blind. Hopefully she doesn't get sick again. Except she was texting me during lunch saying how sick she was. I checked her out of school so she could get some medicine and go to sleep.

I signed Jorja to take an ACT prep class over Presidents Day. Miah is taking it. Even is taking it too. Hopefully she can drive down with Evan and find Miah there as well. What a fun way to spend Valentines Day. Jorja asked if I would wake her up when school was over. I did and she went back to school to talk to her teachers. She transferred into a regular history class a week or so after the quarter had started. Her teacher gave her three packets to do to catch up. Jorja did them that weekend and was so proud. She turned them in, but they haven't been graded yet. Jorja wanted to talk to her teacher about it. Well, her teacher doesn't have any record that Jorja did all those packets. She basically told Jorja that she didn't believe her that she turned them in. Jorja has to redo all three packets. She is not happy about that. She was so mad because when she turned them in she almost took pictures of the packets, but then she told herself that was a stupid idea. Turns out it wasn't. Jorja did get a package today. She had asked Mike if she could have a weighted blanket. It is supposed to help with anxiety. She sat on her bed with the blanket and I sat on Maysen's and we worked on redoing the packets together.

Jorja was feeling better after sleep and the medicine kicked in. We decided to go dress shopping for Sweethearts. Jorja found a cute one at the rental shop, but the zipper was broken. They are going to fix it. It will probably be rented by someone else by the time we make it back there though. She did find a cute dress online for super cheap. Don't know how it will look on her though.

Jorja and I got food then went to one more dress store. Jorja didn't try on anything, but while we were there she got super sick again. We didn't stay long, but she was in a lot of pain by the time we left the store. Going to Young Women's was out of the question. Man, I hope tomorrow is better.

22 Years

That's how long ago my mom died. Twenty-Two years today. Boo. We hurried this morning to make it to the 9:00 session of the Jordan River Temple dedication. When we came home there was a plate of cinnamon rolls on our doorstep with flowers. Becky Johnson had left them there with the nicest card hoping my day was going okay. I love her! She is so kind.

Steve & Shannon and their boys came over for lunch. We had hamburgers. For some reason the pilot light went out on our indoor grill. Mike didn't want to take the time to fix it, so he grilled outside. Just as a giant windstorm came. And rain. It didn't rain for long though. The kids were able to play with their laser tag guns. Recoil, I think? Steve has the same guns that Mike got for his birthday. They played outside with those for awhile.

They also played some weird jeep shooting game on their phones. I'm not sure what the game is, but I know Mike kept running over his own teammates. I know he wasn't supposed to do that. It was nice that they could all play at the same time. Mike had it on the tv screen as well.

Stockton, Steve, Jorja, Weston, Mike, Brandon

 Jacob, Steve, Jorja, Weston

 Weird game they were playing.

Jorja likes to play this even weirder game. The Grandma is the bad guy. You have to hide from her, collect things and try to get out of the house before she kills you. It is freaky when she gets you. Jorja has never made it out of the house alive. These next two pictures are of Jorja showing them the grandma game. Her phone is also hooked to the tv.

Brandon, Weston, Jorja, Stockton

 Jorja was not successful.

Today was really fun hanging out with the Smiths. Brandon graduates from high school a week earlier than Stockton. Lucky! The kids are so ready to be done at this point, but they all have school tomorrow.

Jordan River Temple

I am super behind on my blog again! AHHHHH!!! Hopefully I can remember everything that happened over the last twelve days. Okay....here it goes. Today was the first day of our spring break. Stockton still had to get up early to go to his English class at SLCC. I woke up Stockton at 5:40 and then hurried out the door to meet Stephanie Waddoups. She invited me to go exercising with her. That made me happy.

We had tickets to go to the Jordan River Temple open house. Mike even invited Becky, his friend from work. Our tickets were for 12:00. The kids and I drove down and picked up Mike and Becky and headed to the temple. The line was SO LONG! We waited over an hour before we got to the tent that was still outside the temple. Jorja was so hungry. She hadn't eaten and knew we were going to eat afterwords. We just didn't expect it to take that long. Still, I'm glad we were able to go. This temple was dedicated a month before I turned 8 years old. I remember being so sad that I wasn't old enough to go to the dedication. It was also built at the time when the church asked the members to fund the buildings, so I remember different fundraisers to earn money for the temple. Plus, it was during the same time that our stake center was being built. I used to go to this temple once a week to do baptisms my senior year of high school. It is also the temple where I took my endowments out. It was cool to go through it with my family and Becky.

Jorja, Mike, Stockton, Preston, Stephanie

We went to Pizza Pie Cafe after the temple. The place was pretty gross. The plates were even dirty. Not going back to that one again.

Jorja and Hailey hung out today. I love Hailey. Although sometimes they are weird together. Exhibit A:

Jorja. I don't know why. She even climbed up the stairs like this.

 I do love my Porge. Even when I don't understand her.

Birthday Lunch

Becky has always remembered my birthday. That doesn't happen often with a birthday two days after Christmas, and with me usually being out of town. It makes me so happy when I get a text from her asking to go to lunch for my birthday. She picked Epic. It was delicious. Too bad Becky couldn't eat anything because she just came back from the dentist. She had two cavities filled and her face looked like she just had a stroke. She thought the appointment would be over an hour before lunch, but the dentist was running late. Camee and Karen were also there. We stayed at Epic for about two hours. It was so nice. Plus, they all bought me lunch and brought me gifts. I told them that just the fact they remembered my birthday was enough. Becky got me socks and a cute notebook. Karen and Camee got me fancy soap, lip balm and a nice planner. It was such a fun afternoon.

Stockton texted me after school to let me know Jorja was crying. I'm getting so frustrated with this. Why can't everyone just be nice? It's not hard to be nice. So what if you got your feelings hurt because Jorja snapped at you for calling her Porgie, and especially for telling other people to call her Porgie. Porgie is my name for her! I think the only people that call her Porge or Porgie are me, Mike and her Uncle Steve. I'm not sure I've ever heard anyone else use that name. Maybe my dad has, I'm not sure. Maybe other family members have as well. It has not stuck in my mind because they are our family, and they love Jorja. But until recently, the only people that used that name were people who love her unconditionally. People who would never hurt her. Plus, Porgie is a dumb name. Who would want to call her that? But when I call her Porgie or Porge it is filled with so much love. She is my baby. She has been my Porge from the instant I saw her. I never intended to call her Porge, it just happened. The only people who should call her Porge are people who love her completely, perfectly, unconditionally and entirely. People who are safe. Like her family. Not someone who found out about that name and thinks it's funny. I do not want this name to become tainted with pain. She is my Jorja Porge who I love with all my heart. I want her to always be my tiny little Porgie.

I took Stockton, Preston and Gavin to diving today. I brought the nice camera so I could take pictures to send into the yearbook. That didn't happen. Gavin forgot his swimsuit. Haha! We were even teasing him before we left about forgetting his swimsuit awhile ago. Gavin came home from school with Stockton. He brought everything to school. I guess he left his stuff in his locker. Whoops. Instead Gavin spent his time doing handstands and tricep dips while he waited for Stockton to finish. Not such a fun day, especially when he has a Calculus test tomorrow.

I took a few pictures today, but none of them turned out great. I wasn't really trying too hard. I was sewing Eve's stocking and would grab the camera every once in awhile. I grabbed the camera really fast one time and couldn't take pictures. Stockton did the best twist I have ever seen him do. The camera was off, so I missed it. Whoops.

Stockton

Preston absolutely HATED this drill. Ted got mad and yelled at him. I heard him yell, "I'm right and you're wrong so stop arguing with me!" Preston didn't handle that too well. He cried. He cried in the showers for awhile, then he came by me and cried. It took me about fifteen minutes, but I convinced him to go back. He even brought back the kickboards himself and tried again. I'm proud of him for going back into an uncomfortable situation when he really didn't want to. I don't know if Preston has ever been yelled at before, so it was kind of scary for him. After practice Ted came up to me and said he was proud of Preston for coming back. He said he was trying to get Preston out of his comfort zone and push him to try new things.

Coach I can't remember his name, Ted, Preston

 One more blurry one of Stockton

I snapped this picture of the kids after scripture study. I love having Maysen home with us. It is nice to have all of my family together.

Preston, Stockton, Maysen

I started laughing so hard during scripture study. I'm not even sure what I was laughing about. Something Mike said about cleaning our room. For some reason I thought it was so funny. Not cleaning our room, just the way he phrased it. I couldn't stop laughing. I had my scriptures over my face. I was crying so hard my pages got wet. Mike then skipped Jorja and asked me to read. Just to see if I could do it. I did. I'm amazing. Haha! When Jorja noticed I was laughing she mentioned how inappropriate it was to laugh during scriptures. The only thing worse would be laughing when someone was throwing up. That made me laugh even harder. It also hurt really bad when I was laughing, yet I couldn't stop. Thinking about how my chest was hurting made me laugh more. Anyways, good times. The earth was still created, even if I wasn't completely reverent. (We were reading Moses.)

Hike with My Friends - Yay!

I woke up Jorja early to go to the temple. She had already planned on going before Isaac broke up with her last night. The problem was, we couldn't find her temple recommend this morning. She went to the temple with Dessa on Saturday, and we had no idea where her recommend ended up. We decided to go to the temple anyway. Mike was waiting for us there and when Isaac forgot his recommend, they just looked it up. When Jorja and I got there the temple was packed! She filled out the paper to have her recommend looked up, but the guy ended up calling Bishop Waddoups anyway. Whoops. But, she got in. There were two different church groups that came from American Fork. Lots and lots of people. Last week when we went Jorja was done by 6:08. This time she finished at 7:15. Which made her late for school. We were in the waiting room and Jorja had been confirmed. I asked her if she would just like to go, but she adamantly shook her head. Well, we'll hope for the best. This was also the first time Jorja didn't bring her stuff so I could take her straight to school. Lesson noted. Mike left the temple the same time as us. Jorja looked at her phone when she got home. There was a message from Isaac that said something like, "We did not break up last night". Drat. When Jorja came upstairs Mike had a song playing and was dancing. It was Katy Perry's 'Hot and Cold' song. That made Jorja laugh. Mike has told her several times that this song describes Isaac, so Mike was lip syncing the song to her. Specifically "You change your mind like a girl changes clothes...and you over think always speak cryptically......cause you're hot then your cold, you're yes then you're no, you're in then you're out, you're up then you're down......You don't really want to stay, but you don't really want to go...." Anyways, it was super funny to see Mike dancing and it made Jorja laugh, so that's a win.

Jorja was nervous about walking late into Chinese. I guess when you are late you have to go in, salute and bow. She had fun with it though. She was pretty happy when she went to school, even though she knew it was going to be a hard day. I told her to just hold her head high, be kind and to not force things.

I went hiking today with Becky, Stephanie and Jacqui. It was really nice. I'm so glad they asked me to come. I was able to talk to Jacqui a lot, which was very needed. I wore shorts and Becky was worried I would be cold. I told her my legs are usually fine, but I had a long sleeve shirt, a sweatshirt and Stockton's warm jacket on. It ended up being perfect. It was also very beautiful up the canyon.

Becky, Stephanie and Jacqui taking a picture

I was anxious to hear how Jorja's day had been. Isaac officially broke up with her at lunch. Isaac is not mean. It would almost be easier for her if he was, then she could just move on. He told her that he knows he is hurting her with his indecisiveness, which is true. He didn't want to hurt her anymore. He wants to get back to being best friends, even though it will be hard. Jorja was sad, but she knows he is right. The thing is, both of them have been super nice to each other, so she is hurting, but it is a different kind of hurt. It might be awkward, but I really believe it is for the best. I'm proud of them for being kind to each other and I'm proud of Isaac for letting go of Jorja. I really hope this breakup sticks. At least for a few years, they are just way too young to be getting so attached to one person.

Jorja had her softball game today. I really wanted to see it because she doesn't have many more games left. She ages out at the end of this year and probably won't play again. I'm hoping she tries out for the high school team. If she doesn't make it, then she will have no regrets. If she does make it, she might love it. Or not, but then she wouldn't need to try out next year and again would have no regrets.  Because of this, Stockton drove to diving at the U for the first time. He took Gavin and Preston with him. I was so nervous! I had Stockton text me with the parking stall number so I could pay for parking. For some reason the app doesn't work on his phone. As an added bonus, it let me know he was there. Stockton and Preston are both happy with the decision to switch to diving at the U. That makes me happy.

Back to Jorja's game. It was freaking cold out there! I was still in my shorts, but this time it was not okay! We even had two blankets around us, and we were both shivering. Jorja's team won their first game. I think the score was 4-8 going into the last inning. Jorja's team was losing, but ended up winning when someone stole home. The girls were so happy and it made sitting through the freezing cold much more tolerable. The girls played one inning of the second game. Jorja had just gotten into her catcher gear and settled into her crouch when the game was called. Yay! I have never been so happy! Well, I'm sure I have, but I was so glad to go home. It was so cold!!! Plus, it was funny because it looked like Jorja called the game.

Jorja & Raina with the ump and their coach.

They are the two captains waiting to do the coin toss.

Rogue One

Maysen and I went back to the store today.  This time we remembered her glasses so she could get them fixed.  They were super nice and fixed them without charging us.  Mike had his team Christmas party today. There are only three of them on the team.  They went to iFly.  Indoor skydiving, surfing on the Flowrider and rock climbing.  He sent me this picture, but I'm pretty sure he has more.  I'll have to post them another day.

Mike, Jeff, Becky

We went to a 7:00 show of Rogue One, the new Star Wars movie.  Mike and I bought tickets a few days ago.  We were originally getting tickets for the 3:45 show in the moving seats.  I was about to hit confirm when it dawned on me that this was the same day as Mike's iFly party and there was no way he would be back in time.  Luckily we were able to change the tickets with no problem.  We didn't have the moving seats, but my kids don't really like those anyway.  I think we had moving seats for Wreck It Ralph.  Anyway, these seats were perfect.  The movie was great and my kids even liked it.  Yay!

Mike and I stayed up late putting the last of my gingerbread houses together.  These are for visiting teaching/home teaching families.  The frosting was giving me fits.  I don't know what I did wrong. I was frustrated because I am now officially worn out from this years gingerbread.

Backyard Swimming

We were so excited to have Marie and her family here when our swimming pool was operational!  We didn't think they would get a chance to stop by here this summer.  We were expecting just seeing them at the cabin.  So glad it turned out this way!  We were in the pool for hours!  It was perfect, minus the bee sting on Marie.  She was a trouper and swam for several more hours, thank goodness!  We had the traditional hamburgers and hotdogs.  My dad brought the food, Mike cooked the food, and we had it waiting for whenever anyone stumbled out of the water.

Marie

 Brett & Mina

 Abby

 Marie

 Amelia

 Jeff

 Ange & Jeff

 Brett & Mina, Bubs & Millie

 Ella

 Marie

 Preston

 Max

 Anne

 Anne & Sam

 Stephanie

 Grace loved going down the slide, but only if she was pushed

 Brett waiting to catch Grace

The kids LOVED, LOVED, LOVED playing with Willy.  He was so good with them and he played with them for a long time.

Lincoln & Willy

 Lincoln, Willy & Preston

 Bubs and Amelia

 Max

 Anne & Matt

 Willy, Anne & Matt

 Preston, Willy, Max, Ella

 Max - Abby jumping

There is nothing too interesting about this next picture, but it is the only one I have with Maysen.  She was out swimming for a long time too.  I didn't get one with Stockton, but he was there.  Jorja was outside, but didn't swim.  She wasn't feeling too well and we didn't want to play 'community pool'.

 Grace, Brett & Mina

 Gayle, Cathy, Ron

Gayle has now found her birth family.  Her birth mom is buried not too far away.  After telling me a little about her family she whispered to me, "Thank you for adopting me Mom & Dad!"  I guess her birth mom was married five times, and Gayle wasn't from any of those marriages.  Not the most stable environment.

Brett and Rachel headed to Bountiful to go to Nigel's grave and see her cousins that were meeting here there.  I left before everyone was gone. I went to Becky's baby shower.  She is at the hospital until she delivers. She is scheduled for a C-section next week.  The baby will be 34 weeks old.  She has been given steroid shots to help his lungs, so hopefully everything will go okay.  There is a problem with the placenta and blood vessels.  I can't remember everything, but thank goodness for modern medicine!  We had Becky's baby shower at the hospital, of course.  It was fun and so nice to see her.  She is amazing.  I got to be the one to push her back to her room in her wheelchair.  She has been such a trooper.  That baby is going to be well loved!