May kept us in the thick of school at home. We were ready to finish it up and start having some summer fun. We also got a little crazy and really wanted to have another puppy or two of pugs and we started talking about it and looking at puppies. We ultimately decided 4 dogs traveling to Alaska would be totally unthinkable, and while we may some day have 4 pugs in our home, it definitely isn't the right time. However, the kids still beg ever single day.
The caterpillars starting emerging from their cocoon's on May 1st. We got lots of videos and the kids were able to release the butterflies after several days.
I'm quite curious to see if Alaska has any of these guys wandering the grocery store parking lots? Probably have to worry more about moose or bears in parking lots, but I will miss finding random snakes and "creatures" in Texas.
Kael got a 6:46 mile running around the neighborhood. We were so proud and he was so excited to earn his video game "Plants VS Zombies".... I personally think it is a ridiculous as it sounds.
We started craving pineapple dole whip from Disneyland and we found a recipe online to try out. It was SO yummy and cold and very pineappley. Not the same, but SO good. Because pineapple is delicious!
The girls love wearing matching clothes. I just am not sure if they love it more or me.
Watching Connor and how excited he is to learn and do new things always brought a smile to my face, which made me love homeschooling the last 3 months of school.
We finally released the butterflies on May 5th.
You can always tell it is spring in Texas by the rodents, critters, insects, etc...
This guy crawled across Derek's foot in the kitchen before he headed to bed in the dark.
I'm so glad that always happens to him and not me, because I think I'd move to Alaska.
Derek had some time to work on his micro-models on the weekend. Star Wars theme lately.
After being in the house for over a month the kids literally never got out except for an occasional ride in the back of Derek's truck around the base. We decided to try to try out Canyon Lake for the 2nd time in 6 years. The last time we went to Canyon Lake was in June 2014 and we had so much fun I can't believe it took us 6 years to go back.
I'm not sure what's wrong with my face in the picture. I was trying to eat and somehow a grimace came out... We will forever laugh at this picture... Derek said "smile" and that's what happened.
We had SO MUCH fun skipping rocks, playing in the sand, looking for creatures, and having a picnic.
The weather was just perfect. It was windy and breezy and cool. We didn't get in the water more than our feet, but it was so pleasant and not crowded at all!
We found this beast of a caterpillar and since we just released the butterflies we took him home to see if he would cocoon. He didn't love it, and he did cocoon, but he never came out.
On the way home we stopped at Buccees. I love how they put a "mask" on Buccee's face for
COVID-19. Best way to depict our new lives.
That night the girls had a "girls" night. And the boys played video games. We had fun painting nails, putting on face masks, and watching "A Little Princess". I love spending time with my girls. We chat and just have the best time.
We started to let the dogs sleep on the kids beds with them at night. It has been so much fun. The first night was complete craziness and the dogs were so excited they were running around the house like crazy and couldn't settle down. They have since gotten use to this, and I think everyone is happy with this set up, dogs most of all.
Derek made so many delicious things in the smoker. One of our favorite things was cornish game hens. They tasted so delicious and were definitely a treat.
Elara had to write an advertisment for band aids at school and this is what she came up with.
Our caterpillar started to grow by eating the foam where I put orange juice.... oops...
The sister missionaries wrote the kids letters while we were quarantined. I love how the missionaries found ways to reach out to our ward while we were all isolated.
We had a late cinco de mayo party at the Pinkston's. We needed out of the house and to see live human beings. With our time in Texas dwindling rapidly we tried to visit while we could.
This party did not disappoint as usual the Pinkston's went above and beyond. The food was amazing, the decorations spot on, and the company was superb.
Since Kael is almost 12 we decided it was time to teach the boy how to properly tie a tie. Derek and him picked a few out and with home church the boys practiced, and now Kael has mastered the art of tying a tie. The kid is growing up before our eyes. He is having a go at growing his hair out again. He is finally almost past the awkward stage of length, and the longer it gets the more curly it seems to get as well.
Derek got the pugs handkerchiefs that were Harry Potter themed. We all think they are adorable!
I tried lifting a personal best one rep of 225. I've always wanted to see if I could lift with two 45 plates on each side. Definitely wasn't going to get another rep in, but I felt pretty tough afterward.
Exercising is HARD. Consistency is HARD. But, I really want my kids to make good habits for their entire life early on. One of the best things I learned while reading books on homeschooling and teaching my children at home I feel was " Inspire not require". That means if I want them to try new things, work hard, and have a desire to learn and grow it has to start with me. I am always going to try to inspire my kids. So, whether I'm lifting something heavy, going for a run, reading a new book, trying to learn a new language, it's so that I can inspire my kids to want more, do more, and be more in their lives. And, I know they will do great things. They are pretty incredible little people.
The kids caught stick bugs while at the Pinkston's house and they were HUGE! Kael caught about 6 and we brought them home in a box. The kids then proceeded to take pictures with them. Kael had all of them on him at once. He is so brave and loves bugs. Connor and Elara let Derek put them on his shirt and Eden and I both were having non of that nonsense. That didn't stop Eden though. The next time we went to the Pinkston's she over came her fear and touched one. And then proceeded to put it on my HEAD. It was stuck to my hair and was NOT my favorite things... She laughs though.
Freya got an abscess or something on her paw and started limping. We took her in to the vet and she got some medicine and a wrap. Thankfully no cone of shame, but her look was so pathetic. She cracks us up with her sad face.
The pugs love Derek and follow him anywhere and everywhere.
Speaking of Spring in Texas and finding critters. This tortoise came right up to our front door, so we caught him and took him to a pond.
This guy was adorable. The kids named him Gregory.
I love how our kids love all creatures great and small.
The girls requested fabric and to sew backpacks for the trip to Alaska. And I was all too happy to oblige. It was SUCH a fun project and the girls had fun learning to sew.
The both did great jobs!
Derek and I watched "The Simpsons Movie"!
It was so much fun since it mentioned Alaska.
The kids new favorite phrase from the movie they never watched is, "Clap for Alaska"!
One of the kids chores is reading to Connor and it has been so beneficial to us all and melts my heart every time I see it. I love that my kids have such a good relationship doing something their Mom forces them to do.
FINALLY
The last day of school arrived! THANK GOODNESS! We needed summer break.
However, because of Covid-19 we couldn't hold our annual end of school party at our house. We've had this party for the last 5 years and we were able to say goodbye to our military friends moving each year. This year was so HARD because it is finally our turn to move, and we couldn't say our goodbyes. I'm pretty for certain the kids handled it better than I did, but it was still hard!!
SO, we decided we needed to party anyway! Even if it was just our family! We got a new slip in slide. We made hot dogs and hamburgers, and played water games and had a party of our own!
AND this year BECAUSE of Covid-19 Derek was here for the party. He was suppose to be in San Diego,but his work trip got canceled. He was working for every other party.
The slip in slide was such a good idea. It took about 3 times for the kids to master the art of getting the full length of the slide. Connor still struggles.
Derek made the kids a s'more cupcake for desert!
Connor got a bag with his end of school supplies. We had to go individually to the school to grab all the kids supplies.
We purchased a top storage container for the van to help store more stuff. I don't know how 2 adults, 4 children, and 2 pugs will fit in this van with all of our stuff!!!
We went to visit Pinkston's before Brad and Hannah had to leave back to Virginia. We just need to see our people before Alaska.
Connor and his name sake cousin, Everett.
These boys are so cute together!
So, with the virus, there is a lot of other problems going on in the country. A black man was killed by a police officer in Minnesota, and there have been many protests, and riots to end police brutality to black people. There has been a lot of hate, violence, and destruction. There has also been some good and learning, but I wanted to write down my thoughts on the matter for my children to look back and remember this time.
When I was 16 I had the awesome privilege to save every single penny I earned to become a Rotary exchange student to the Philippines.
My friend and like an older brother to me now, told me as I prepared to go home that the life experiences I had there could be great depending on what I chose to learn. He then asked me, “What did you learn?” It was difficult to answer right away. But, that list has definitely grown as I have grown over the years.
From that experience I learned many things, but one that has always stuck with me was the fear I had because of the color of my skin. I stuck out... I was literally a poop emoji in the middle of 1000 face emojis. You take one look and your eyes are directed to the poop in the middle.
Terrible analogy, but you get the picture I’m sure. While my experience is quite different than the racial inequality happening in the world right now, I am still grateful for a glimpse of what it looks like to be treated differently for the color of your skin. As well as the underlying fear that comes from knowing you are treated differently from the color of your skin, and my heart aches for those that live in fear today because I only endured the fear I had for 11 months.
Learning to ride a jeepney was one of the best days of my time in the Philippines. I had more freedom. I felt grown up and empowered, but I also felt so scared. A young girl, and different. Would I be safe?
At times I probably wasn’t. I once had my phone stolen from my pocket on a jeepney. I saw a man getting beat up getting off a different jeepney.
I had the best of friends at school though. There were times when they knew I was afraid and someone always offered to come with me so I wouldn’t be alone. I am forever grateful for those who stood by me, helped and made that fear go away by being my friend often at expense out of their own pocket and time or in danger of reprimand from a parent for being late.
I have the horror of knowing I made racial slurs and awful comments while there as well. While made in ignorance, derogatory words came out of my mouth, but as soon as I learned my mistake I changed, because change is possible and my friends forgave me.
I remember celebrating racial differences. I asked my friends at school how do you tell each other apart you all look the same?! They thought everyone in the United States looked the same. What a different perspective.
I would often point out how we have different colors of skin, hair color, different eye color, and how blessed I was for it because it certainly helped me remember people’s names better.
It was silly. Over time I saw how different Filipinos were. Many had very different ancestries and they did look slightly different. But, over time we all looked like friends to me. Because it didn’t matter what skin color, hair color, eye color, it mattered that these were some of the kindest people I had EVER met.
I was able to learn that first impressions come from how people act, not how they look.
I was taken in by complete strangers. I was protected, loved, served, and treated as a friend.
The people I got to know in the Philippines even though I was of a different culture and often showed a lack of understanding to their culture and beliefs, loved me.
Did I still stick out? Oh my goodness yes. I had lots of fear of the unknown, but I had friends that had my back.
So, what can I do about our problems today?! I feel helpless. My heart is aching.
I’ve learned to teach my children what it’s like to live in fear. To share my experience with them and to raise them to be the God fearing individual who walks by their friends and gets them home safe no matter the color of their skin.
I know change begins with me and how I raise the next generation. I can help by helping my kids to be better people. To own up to their mistakes, change, and help those around them.
I love how Stephanie Nelson puts it, as I relate to her a lot as a stay at home mother:
The best thing I can do, and the way I can contribute
is to continue to teach my children correct principles, morals,
and values in our home where I know the information is from God and His prophets.
My kids will probably never see me marching with signs but will find me
in our home available for them with lots of love and nurturing.
I want to be able to answer their honest questions without judgment and
to reinforce my love for them no matter what.
I hope my efforts will produce
God-fearing children who will have no tolerance for racism,
prejudice, belittling others, or anything like it.
I hope that one day my Nies will become righteous
leaders in their own homes, in their churches, and in their communities
for their future, and for the future of our amazing country.
The Prophet says:
We are brothers and sisters, each of us the child of a loving Father in Heaven. His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, invites all to come unto Him—“black and white, bond and free, male and female,” (2 Nephi 26:33). It behooves each of us to do whatever we can in our spheres of influence to preserve the dignity and respect every son and daughter of God deserves.
I love you all and hope I show it however I possibly can.
