Boy Howdy Takes Piano

Let me start off by saying that I have never wanted my children to take an instrument. Not that I was against it, it just seemed the type of thing that I would have to force them into and it was not a battle I was willing to wage. There is a Martial Arts studio a few miles away and, for some reason, I thought it would be a good idea for the Boy Howdy. I tried driving him by a few times to see if I could entice him. No love.

The last time we went to look back in December, he asked about his other options for extracurriculars. I didn't want to offer soccer or basketball because, frankly, I didn't want to be roped into coaching the way all parents are at some point. Piano was the first thing that popped into my head so it was the only option I gave him. Surprisingly, he didn't ask for more. Piano. He chose piano. I think because his father has started playing again, and this boy wants to be just like daddy, piano held some allure.

I asked a woman who lives close by if she would be willing to teach my 5-year old. She agreed, and after a few weeks of him asking when it was going to be time for lessons it was finally his turn.

I am still surprised that he seems to genuinely enjoy it. He is excited to go, super pleased to get the treat at the end, and eager to do his piano homework every day. Color me amazed!

P.S. I will get a picture of him at his lessons next week, I promise.

The Quarantined House

Last week, Matthew and I agreed that I should go with my sister Melissa to Idaho to drop her daughter Emmalee off at BYUI. When I got home yesterday, I found out my daughter had been throwing up the night before. Within the hour, Boy Howdy started throwing up as well. And then later that night Matthew decided he was feeling ill as well (though his poor body has forgotten how to purge through vomiting).

I am thankful to come relieve him of his duties and take over the second shift as it were. Thankful that I am not sick myself so I better care for them. Thankful to have come off of a weekend away so I am ready and eager to play mama again.

Today the house is very quiet. Actually pretty nice. I went around the house and found everyone either asleep or too lethargic to do much of anything. I had to document.

On a side note, Boy Howdy who screams in pain at the slightest provocation is utterly stoic when throwing up. He threw up every twenty minutes for something like three hours with not so much as a whimper. I am kind of incredibly impressed.

2018 Goals

I am a goal girl. Some people hate them, I LOVE them. Our family goals for 2017 are as follows:

• Sara
• Pay off student loans. Completed. I am so glad we made this a priority. With a very loving Heavenly Father's help we accomplished this in November. We probably should have waited until November, since it meant we were pretty poor in December, but I just couldn't wait a second longer.
• Perform 10 temple ordinances for deceased ancestors. Completed. What a wonderful opportunity I had to jump start my way into family history. I'm not sure my temple experience was super heightened doing my own names, but I did feel an extra measure of love for my family as I saw names of nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, and parents as editors on our ancestors.
• Run 10 miles (at one time). Completed!! So happy with the progress I made with running this last year.
• Learn how to play all the games I own. Not done. I did make a lot of progress in this area, but there were a few games that just didn't get mastered. But . .. we got a few more games for Christmas and we did learn to play them. So, at least I'm not adding more to my list.
• Read the Church History Student Manual. Completed. I am not so naive to think that this book is an unbiased representation of the history of my Church, but it was a worthwhile exercise for my testimony all the same. I love both the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is so much goodness and light and I am so grateful to be a part of it.

This year, I'll be honest, goals were not so readily evident. We both fasted and prayed over what we should be focusing our energy on, but heaven felt a little silent. Even still I have a few things I want to work on this new year.

• Sara
• Run 3 miles in under 30 minutes. So far, my absolute fastest is about 31.5 minutes. But more recently I am averaging a very slow 35 minutes. With luck I can pick up the pace again sometime this year.
• Watch or listen to at least 4 Great Courses. Expand my mind.
• Find a new house on which both Matthew and I can agree.

So that's it. A brief analysis on the results of our previous year's goals as well as an introduction of this year's goals. With luck we can make this a productive and fun year.

Cheeks Takes Ballet

 The beginning of the year seemed like a good time to start Cheeks in ballet. She has expressed interest for a while now so I finally got her registered. It so happened that I was able to sign her up the same day she started. She was a little nervous that the other dancers were going to laugh at her, but as soon as we got her into her dance outfit all nerves left her. She was pure enthusiasm. And no one laughed at her. In fact she announced afterwards that she LOVED every part of her ballet class (not to be confused with a dance class - which she DOESN'T take).

Boy Howdy played the role of supportive brother. He brought his new prized possession (his pokemon book) and arranged himself in front of the door leading to the studio.