I felt sick today and it was not fun. Plus the Jazz lost which was disappointing. We did have chicken pot pies for dinner and a lemon meringue pie. Still managed to celebrate pie day. We aren't savages.
We stayed home from church and watched Kaydra's mission homecoming online. It was great. Best thing that came out of corona is being able to not miss family events when you live far away from them. Kaydra lives in Coeur d'Alene. She just got back from serving her mission in Richmond, Virginia. It was good timing. No one was feeling great in our family. Preston got sick first, but is pretty much over it. Maysen got sick a few days ago. Mike got sick today. We had Mike take a covid test just to rule that out. It was negative, thank goodness. The Bishop invited us over to his house for dessert and games. I really wanted to go. It's not often that people invite us over. They invited the Spencers too. Jorja got back from Seattle today. She decided to stay the night and go back to Logan with Clara tomorrow. She came with us to the Bishop's house. It was really fun. We played Word Slam and Code Names. I'm wishing we would have brought Concept. I think they would have liked it. It was such a great time. When we got back, I helped Jorja buy a ticket to Italy. She is going to pay for half of it. Jorja has two really good friends that are also rookie ambassadors. One is from Arizona. Jorja went to her house over spring break and even went through the temple with her. The other is from Italy. Maya invited Jorja and Kinley to come to Italy with her when she flies back. When will Jorja ever have a chance to go to Italy with really good friends. Have a place to stay and have an insider take her to all the cool spots? Kinley is staying for longer than Jorja. Jorja is staying a week. She gets back late at night on Mike's birthday. Mike, Jorja and I fly to Costa Rica the next day. Here's hoping nothing goes wrong with her flights!
Jorja FaceTimed me while I was on the treadmill. She had Clara cut her hair. With kitchen scissors. I'm guessing it was kind of a spur of the moment thing. Crazy girls.
I worked today. It was a little chaotic when I was asked to get a girl's backpack out of her classroom while she was testing. The girl didn't know. When she came out of the conference room my back was turned. Then she searched the school for her backpack. Felt bad about that one. I had Preston meet me by my desk after school. I skipped lunch today so I could go with him to Chinese. He has a few things he needs to make up, but he is so scared to go. On the way there he was having a hard time breathing and almost threw up. When we got to Ms. Peng's rooms there were a lot of people inside. Ms. Peng saw us and came and talked to Preston in the hall. He didn't end up doing any of the things he needed to do, but I think it helped him not be so nervous when he has to go there tomorrow. Jorja seems to be having fun in Seattle. Clara is feeling a lot better today. They went to the Seattle temple and to Ivars. Other stuff too, I just can't remember. Jorja's disappointed that they won't be able to go to the Portland temple while they are there. Gas prices are so high right now and the car they are renting doesn't have the greatest gas milage. Maysen has been miserable this week. She has been sick, poor girl.
Mike, Preston and I were playing a game of Dominion when Jorja texted us. She flew to Seattle this morning. Her friend Clara flew there with her. Jorja's favorite band is playing in Seattle tonight. Clara's favorite is playing Saturday. They hung out today, went to an aquarium and were getting ready for the concert when Clara got really sick. Jorja was texting me and we were trying to figure things out. Clara didn't think she could go to the concert. She hurt everywhere and was throwing up. She said if we could find someone they could use the ticket. It was only a little more than an hour before the concert was starting. I called Cheri and left a message. I was hoping her boys were home for spring break. Or maybe she could bring Lily down. I wasn't really sure, but the thought of Jorja going to downtown Seattle by herself at night... I didn't like that. I kept calling the venue, but no one ever answered. It was at a place called the Crocodile. I was hoping they could tell me how safe it was and where the closest parking was. I told Jorja to pay for parking, get as close as she could and I would venmo the money. I did not want her walking one step more then she had to. Anyway, Clara ended up going. I don't know if she had a horrible case of food poisoning or what happened. I haven't heard from Jorja how Clara is doing, but they both went. I hope Clara was okay and not in too much pain. I'm glad Jorja got to see the band. Their name is Valley. Hopefully no one gets sick the rest of the trip and they are able to make all of their plans.
I worked today. Preston didn't have school. It is ACT testing for the Juniors. He could come to lunch and meet with teachers, but they have no class today. Preston and Mike have been having fun working on mine stations. Mike found out more information about the wand codes and now the wands work so much better! Preston was going around making everything go off. They have had a lot of fun working on the wand stuff and the ward Christmas party. If he can pull it off it would be so funny. Let's just say it involves conveyer belts and 1,000 ball pit balls. Hahaha
Jorja went through the Gilbert, Arizona temple today with Kinley. She took her endowments out today. I haven't heard much from Jorja, just that the Gilbert temple is so pretty. Hope she has a fun time. She sure is a busy girl.
I dropped off Jorja at the airport early this morning. Glad we realized Friday she bought her tickets for the wrong date, and not as we were dropping her off! I went inside and helped her check her bag and walked with her until she went through security. She is staying with her friend Kinley.
Jorja had her final missionary interview with the stake president today. He is going to submit her papers in two weeks. Wow! That's crazy! At least to me. Mike, Jorja, Preston and I played Concept. We played one game normally, then we decided to play all 9 choices. No choosing if you didn't know what the name/phrase was. It was kind of funny. Trying to get the kids to guess Lucky Luke, things like that. Jorja and I had "Wait, wait... don't tell me" How is anyone supposed to get that one?
Preston, Mike & Jorja measuring for the Christmas party
I woke up super early with my back just killing me. The beds were comfortable when I went to sleep. Story of my life. Anyway, I got up and roamed the hotel. I found out breakfast didn't start until 7:00, so I went to a corner on our floor and watched news reports about Ukraine. Praying hard for all the people there. Anyway, I had a delicious breakfast and then hurried to our room to get ready. I woke everyone else up in the process, but that's okay, it was time for them to get up anyway. I walked over to Jorja's room and waited while she got ready. I spent the time transferring her temple clothes to the bag I brought. While I was doing that it dawned on me that I didn't bring up garments. I asked Jorja is she had any. She said, "You said you were going to bring them up." I did say that. I just didn't follow through. I told her I forgot. I only had the bottoms I randomly bought at Deseret Book yesterday. Jorja thought for a second and she said, "I think I grabbed a top when I was home last time. I don't know why." She did! We were able to have everything she needed! When I bought the bottoms yesterday I had no clue I had forgotten them. It didn't even cross my mind. Same with Jorja. She doesn't know why she brought a top up. Heavenly Father was sure looking out for us on that one. Tender mercy. Anyway, I was worried we were going to be late. Jorja told me the temple was only five minutes away. I didn't think that was accurate. Nope. Jorja was right. We got there exactly on time. My dad was already there when we arrived. That was lucky because he gave me names when we dropped off Bear to be watched last night. I handed them back to him and he was able to give them to Mike and Stockton when he saw them. (I had forgotten to leave them with Mike.) Jorja had five friends come. Sami who came up from Sandy, she is going on a mission to Nauvoo. Clara who lives across the hall. Jorja is going to Seattle with her over spring break. Clara also is going on a mission to Paris. Annika, who we met when we were standing in line when we were waiting for ID cards when Jorja moved up here.... how cool is that! (She also changed her flight home so she could be there for Jorja. Wow!) Jorja's ambassador friend Alexa, who Jorja looks up to so much. And a girl from Jorja's ski class and Chinese class. Pretty awesome. When we came out of the temple it was snowing big flakes and was just beautiful!
Jorja & Stephanie
Mike, Maysen, Preston and I headed to Logan around 3:00. I dropped off Bear at my dad's house right before. So glad he is willing to watch him! We drove to University Inn. It is right smack dab in the middle of campus, right next to the TSC. We had reservations to stay here when Maysen was going to graduate, but covid shut everything down. So, we made it up there today. We even got Aggie Ice-cream with our room. Haha. Jorja came over after we got there. Jorja checked her flight information while she was there. That is when she made a horrible discovery. Jorja is flying to Arizona on Monday, March 7th. She realized today that she booked a flight for Monday, February 7th. Whoops. With that hanging over her head we went to the escape room place. We had an appointment for 6:45. We met Stockton there. He has worked so hard on his million homework projects and was able to find time to come. So happy about that! Sami also met us there. She drove up from Sandy and is going to stay the night with Jorja. We did the 50s diner room and killed it. We did this one in the old building about three and a half years ago. They told us some of the puzzles had changed and it would be new enough for us to do it again. It is true. Many of the puzzles were familiar, but we couldn't remember how to do them. We did great though. We got out in 30 minutes. Last time we didn't make it in the hour time, although some of their things didn't work very well. Preston and I spent forever on this dancing thing, but the sensors wouldn't pick us up. They told us that that was a huge problem in the other building. They had the dancing one this time too. Jorja and Sami did it. It was such a fun night.
Today was my Grandma Parry's birthday. She would have been 99. Wow! I hope she is happy and having the best time with her husband and three daughters.
I had parent/teacher conference for Preston today. Almost every single teacher immediately said how he is crazy smart. His gym teacher didn't say that. He is doing great. He stayed after school today to retake a math test. PTCs were on zoom. I called in and Mr. VanOrden got on while he was walking down the hall. He said he was sorry he had to leave but he had 20 kids taking a math test in his room, including Preston. Just then Preston walked out. Mr. VanOrden went over his test with him right then. I got to wave to Preston over zoom. Haha. Preston got 100% on the test. Love that!
Preston is also starting work on his AP create task for computer science. We can't help him on it (like I would be any help) but he can talk to us about it. This will be submitted as part of his AP computer science test. Preston told us he is making a trivia game. That will be fun to see how it turns out!
Jorja came home today! She got home at midnight, but it was awesome to give her a hug and talk to her for a bit. Love having my kids home!
I worked today. One of the things I do is input new students coming to Alta. Checking birth certificates, immunizations, emergency contacts...things like that. I was inputing a student today and the emergency contact was her aunt and uncle, Dora and Diego. Hahahaha. I laughed and laughed. Love it.
Mike and Preston have been working on finishing the video game cabinet. They primed the entire thing on Saturday and it is now painted black. They decided to put tape around the edges to highlight the cabinet. Mike was thinking red or green would be cool. The second he brought it up to Preston he yelled out 'Pink!' Hahaha. So now they have pink tape around the edges. I think pink might be one of the colors of You Don't Know Jack, a game Preston has loved lately.
