My Journal

 We were at Mom and Dad's the whole day today. The four youngest and I went to the park in the morning and played then came home for scripture and prayer and breakfast. Becca came shortly thereafter. The kids played, I had a couple of little crafts for them and we did a science activity with the big plastic bags. I got some things done for school. Overall it was a wonderful day. At night mom got me a luxury facial and a pedicure at skinworks, it was wonderful. I do really love those facials, I love how my skin feels afterwards.

 Today the kids slept in and then we went down to Becca's around 9:00 am. It was fun to see Dorthy with Roslyn and Greta with Maebryn and everyone else playing. Becca mad a yummy pesto pasta salad for lunch and then taco salad for dinner. It was all really yummy and very simple and vegetarian. We stayed and visited until the evening and then went back to Mom and Dad's to sleep. Dad had a cathiter put in today so him and Mom were at the Er for a lot of the day. 

 We went to church at Rapid City. They were all super welcoming. We stayed for a few testimonies and a violin number and then we headed out to take Michael to the airport and started on our 10 hour drive. The drive went well. I drove for a few hours then Alden drove for a few hours and then I drove the last 4 hour stretch. We made it to Grandma and Grandpa's at 7:45 pm. Grandma had some fries made for us and then the kids all played. It was after 11pm when everyone got to bed.

 Today was a day of driving. We had a nice breakfast at the hotel then started on our way. We drove through lots of open land and then got to our hotel right around 5pm. We went swimming and hot tubbing and then picked up some groceries and then headed to Mount Rushmore. It was really foggy at first so we couldn't see very well, we then went on the Presidential walk/ hike and to the visitor museum. By the time we did the little video at the museum it started raining and then it was all cleared up to see the mount. We decided to head back to the hotel where the kids watched Zootopia and Michael and I went to bed. It was a good day. Miracles- drive going well, being able to be on a call with the missionaries, the hotel room with 3 queen beds, and seeing other members of the church at mount Rushmore who took our picture, and being able to help a lady in the bathroom by holder her baby. (super cute little baby)

There was a big storm in the night, Michael and I woke up to a tornado warning alarm at 4 am. We got up and started our day a little before 6am and then the power went out right around 7am. I was grateful I got as much done as I had before 7. We used the battery pack to open the garage so Michael could leave. The kids and I then started getting ready in the dark. At one point Maebryn and I ran a couple of errands, I guess when we were gone the power came back on for a few minutes. I reported that it was still off, the power came back on again at one point for about 30 seconds in which we used to turn off everything that was on and turn up the air. (I was concerned just in case it didn't turn on before we left town.) I pulled out the van and the kids helped me use the battery pack to close the garage. We were then just about ready to go but then the power came back on, which was nice I was able to finish the dishes, fill up our waters...we had also used up the water in the well tank...

 Things went well at summer camp. I was moved to a new group, which was interesting at first but then I was really able to do my own thing after the first couple of periods. I had time to go work on my classroom and even work a little on curriculum. Evan, Roslyn and Maebryn seemed to have a good time. I wondered if I would get paid for it but figured even if I didn't it was good to be there but then I found I got paid more than double what I thought I would. A huge blessing. In the evening started prepping things for our trip but cutting up vegetables, the kids worked on the duck coop, and I got a couple of things put together. The kids all slept together in the guest bed for the second night in a row. They had fun doing it last night and ended up getting to bed really late, but tonight I think they were more easily able to fall asleep. 

 We dropped the boys off at high adventure in the morning then came straight over to Providence Hill for summer camp.  I think the kids enjoyed it, it was just Evan, Roslyn and Maebryn. Maebryn loves it and never wants to leave. I am always tired after and it has made me realize that I need to be careful not to look at my phone when I return home, it becomes a trap and I don't get much done, it is good for me to see that and make a plan now so I don't fall into the trap when school starts.  After camp I had a few lessons and then cleaned up and bed. The kids have all been reading a lot of good books so that has been fun to see and it has been good to read with Maebryn.