Landon

 I  made brownies for our dessert on the last Sunday in March Fast Sunday.  (Since conference is the next week)We were all fasting like the prophet asked for help with the Coronavirus.  Landon of course was not fasting so he was excited he didn't have to share the left over brownie batter and spoon.  He ate every last bite and did great even with his Sunday white shirt on.  Cant say I  wasn't jealous while he was eating that chocolate, but it was good later when we were able to eat it as a brownie.

Keeping ourselves Entertained

Some of these first pictures were still of our Spring Break Quarantine, where it rained everyday and we were stuck inside.  So we learned to make rolls, sharpened all the colored pencils...all 150 of them.  Had the cousins over, made bracelets, hair ties, and let grandpa take us for some motorcycle rides.  The weather has been helping with us being able to get outside so Landon has been liking hitting the tennis ball over and over to me while I  throw it to him.  While I  mowed the law I  put the tramp up by the hoop and the boys have been having a blast playing slam dunk.  They love that they can reach the hoop we've left it up there through the week.

Aunt Amy

Back in January my sister Amy was diagnoses with stage 3 breast cancer.  The mass was so big and growing out of her body they couldn't do surgery tell they could shrink it.  We got her to move home with mom and dad and get the help she needed.  While she was getting Chemo her port got infected and hospitalized her for a week.  While she was in the hospital her hair started to fall out bad so she called my sister Lisa to come and shave her head.  She has done really well with chemo and hasn't been to sick.  She has been on home health the last 4 weeks since the infection had spread to her blood she had to get antibiotics in a line each day 3 times a day as well as an open wound they have to make sure is clean and keep clean.  She just finished up with all of that and we are back to just needing to go to Chemo weekly.  She has her 4 treatments every 2 weeks done, and will start on her 6 weekly treatments this next week.  After that they will reassess and see if they can do surgery or what the next step will be.

1st day of Home Schooling.

We started home school the Wednesday after spring break.  March 25th.  I  had 4 different kids in 4 different schools with 25 teachers between the 4 of them. Plus a Speech teacher. so 26.  That first day I  might have had a little come apart and had to run to my room for a second.  I  heard "I'm so confused...Why isn't this working...how do I  do this...mom help me so many times I  honestly wanted to cry.  I  was overwhelmed by it all.  I  also knew my kids were too.  Landon was hard himself because everyone was home, but know one would play with him.  I  couldn't because I  was helping the other 4.  I  tried to give him his own school stuff as well, but at age 3 it didn't last long. especially since I  couldn't stay by him the whole time.  There has been a lot of rain as well so being stuck inside was hard that first day of school.  We made it though and the next day went smoother.  Landon still wants all my time or anyones for that matter.  Brecken is my most needy because he needs me there to help with computer stuff and make sure he does the right papers for the day.  He had Chinese every morning with his class and teacher for a half hour.  I  need to be in the room so I  can help if  needs arise.  We are so thankful for our teachers and all the hours they are putting in to help our kids.  We got the first week down, and hopefully they are still learning and growing.   Also, one of my kids during p.e. break picked me his teacher these lovely flowers...he became my favorite for the day.

Home Church

We had our first sacrament and home church in march as well.  It was wonderful and as Preston and Dean blessed and passed it I  couldn't help but have some tears in my eyes.  Such a blessing and special moment to have with our family.  History is being made as I  keep telling my kids.  So many new and unique things being done during this time.  We enjoyed reading and learning about our prophet Joseph Smith and him restoring the gospel to the earth to prepare for conference in the coming weeks. The kids did so good and we had a great lesson.  So blessed to have the gospel in our lives.

Spring Break 2020...AKA Quarantine

Wow! We had plans to head down to our regular spring break fun of Tahiti Village, but soon realized that wouldn't be happening.  All our Spring break plans were cancelled.  Hotels in Vegas shut down as well as restaurants down there.  We then were told as a state to quarantine ourselves in our homes.  Our lives and world have been turned upside down these last few weeks.  China has had a very bad virus/sickness pandemic it's been spreading fast over there since Nov/Dec 2019.  They closed down everything and it's spread quickly.  It's called the Coronavirus.  It has finally made its way to other countries USA being one of them.  The government is doing everything it can to try and stop the spreading and contain it.  Those infected get quarantined for 14 days.  It started with wash your hand and if sick to stay home, and then escalated quickly. It became real for Utah the night the Utah Jazz were playing the thunder.  They mentioned Rudy and a fellow teammate not feeling well, and right before tip off a medical personal ran out on the court and said Rudy had coronavirus.  After that the governor got on and all schools were closing all churches were to stop holding worship and no more than 10 groups of people gathered at once.  Next went the restaurants only drive thru's or curbside pick up. and small business, everything is closed down except grocery stores and banks can keep their drive thru's open.  People went into mass hysteria, shelves are empty and remain empty.  Water, toilet paper, sanitizer, soap, bread, and diapers were and still our the first to go and are staying empty. All bake goods are non existent these days.  No flour, sugar, yeast.  People are hoarding which is causing the biggest issue.  My heart hurts for what everyone is going through.  Dean is going to start working from home next week and all his patients will just tel-a-med with him.  This virus is new and it spreads quickly it affects people over 60 the most and many deaths have come from it.  It is a dry cough and respiratory type sickness with fever.  It can lead to pneumonia and death in some.  I  never had to fear I  wouldn't be able to get food and household items before, and now I  find myself limiting my kids snacking and everything really because I don't know If I'll be able to get more again for a long time.   With that Utah (SLC) had an earthquake a 5.6 which is also causing mass hysteria and more issues.  As I  write this it seems like a synopsis for a book or a movie, but not our real life, not by us, not where we live.  It seems like a Dream we are all trying desperately to wake up from only to find out its our new life.  The church is going to have conference, but only in a little room with only the speakers for each session in the room.  We will have music pre recored.  Temples have closed for the first time in history.  We are actually on spring break, so next Wednesday March 25 we will go to online school with all the kids teachers and schools.  We are in such unfamiliar territory and everything is in the known and fear is running rampant.  Our prophet came on our social media and news and told us to have Faith and not Fear, and to trust in the lord and be happy.  I  find comfort in his words, and know this too shall pass.  We have had opportunities of growth while we have been home, and I can say it's been nice to slow down and not have to take kids somewhere or be somewhere.  THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS A BLESSING.  Preston is making dinner and doing some laundry.  We deep cleaned his room.  The girls have learned to bake and make stuff with yeast in it.  We have been able to play games and talk more.  I'm not saying it hasn't been hard stuck in the house all day everyday, but over all I  see my kids relying on each other for friendship and our family is spending more time together.  Which is amazing.  I  know that this is just sign's of the times, but if we follow him and put our faith in him (our heavenly father and our Savior Jesus Christ) that we have no need to fear.  He has not left us alone and he know us and loves us.  He is there to comfort us and help inspire us.  We as a church it seems has been preparing for this.  The at home centered church  (our come follow me lessons).  This has opened my eyes and made me realize to be prepared for more than just a natural disaster.  So much more.  Keep that 3 month supply going...you just never know.  Not just for worldly things, but if you family goes through hard times it would come in handy.  I'm so blessed with such amazing people and family surrounding us, and know it will all eventually be okay.

 Preston made some Cilantro lime chicken for dinner.  Shaylee helped make Garlic Cheese Rolls, and made homemade Banana chocolate chip muffins.  Card games and Board games have become a staple, and I  even caught a picture of Preston reading to Landon.  (Landon was so excited).

Preston's room hasn't been deep cleaned like drawers, night stand, and closet cleaned out in over a year.  It felt good to get rid of so much stuff.  He has turned into a little hoarder.  lol.  The last picture is when we gave all the kids 5$ and we sent dad to dollar tree to buy them treats.  They were their treats only and when they were gone they were gone.  I  was hoping this would help them to not eat all our family snacks.

Fun weekend of Soccer, Baseball and family.

 This past weekend the Mellen's came down for a High School Baseball tournament that Joe Coaches.  Mom Monson came with them, and We got to hang out with them Saturday.  Joe had a baseball game around 1:00 so we watched that with everyone until it was time for Addison's Soccer game.  Addison played at 3:30, and I  didn't get any pictures.  They had a good game though and won 4-0.  After Soccer we met up with everyone at Cafe Rio.  Landon has learned to take pictures on my camera and I  have tons I  have to delete, but here are a few, with a few of the ones Dani took as well. 

Hurricane Magic.

Preston was asked to be in a dance group for Broadway magic.  It's a fundraiser the school puts on to raise money for senior night.  Preston was part of the Sophomore group.  They had many practices leading up to it for 2 weeks.  Preston did not want anything to do with it...he doesn't like dancing. Mom however talked him into it when the girls asked him to help them out. He surprised us and did so good though.  He can keep a beat.  Who knew?  It was fun to watch all the different acts.  Preston was on the back row with his partner Brielle, so we couldn't get a great picture of them.  After the dance Preston ran off to go to the Boys High school soccer game so we didn't get one of them then either.

7th Grade Club Basketball tournament

Addison's 7th grade silver team had a great season never losing.  They all played well together.  They did have coaches daughter and one other player throughout the season, but for the tournament they had to choose only one team the silver or gold and both played for the gold.  So, we were down 2 players we normally have played with all season.  The girls did well though and didn't give up.  They won their first 2 games which put them in the semi finals.  We had a 2 hour break before their next game...so we ended up at the nearby park for the little boys to get out their wiggles.  We love this park, but of course it was busy.  We made it back to play in the Semi final game where they lost to Cedar.  They won their game in the losing bracket to put them back in for the championship game....against Cedar.  Cedar hadn't lost yet and it was double elimination.  If we won them the first time we would have to play them again because of the double elimination round.  We ended up playing well and only losing by a basket.  So we ended up taking second in the championship.  We are so proud of Addison and her hard work.  She has improved so much in basketball and is so fun to watch.  Great season Addison.