Valentine's 2025

Happy Valentine’s Day! I was slated to work a half day on Friday, but the teachers were told to work from home because a particularly cold, windy, and snow laden front passed over our area. I didn’t have anything to do from home so I clocked in and clocked out. Mr Obert did not answer my email about what the paras should do, probably to give him immunity. 

I set out our Valentines for the kids and each other on the couch. Justin got the derpiest Dino chicken nugget for Amelia, I ended up giving it to Phillip because I found tiny balloon dogs for Amelia. I am not sure what the Dino’s final name is but I’m hoping for orange jello, pronounced or-ahnj-gel-o. Josie promptly named her starfish Sherbet. I got the best roses ever: Lego roses! After our sugar binge Amelia and Evelyn went grocery shopping with me. I did not anticipate the store being THAT crazy busy on a Friday morning. Geesh. We had a nice afternoon. Amelia deep cleaned the kitchen while I worked on the laundry room. The other kids played out in the snow then went upstairs to play Roblox with the Ostlers. I made spaghetti, caesar salad, homemade breadsticks, and chocolate dipped strawberries for dinner. Evelyn invited the Ostlers over for dinner. Sara brought creamy spaghetti parmesan. Last week we got new syrup flavors for drinks like passion fruit, lavender, and sour gummy worms. The Italian Soda bar was a fun highlight of the evening. Hooray for holidays to share our love for family and neighbors. 

The weather was Nebraska worthy this past week. It was a very frosty 5-20 degrees in the mornings with a “feels like” temperature in the negative numbers. We had indoor recess all week too which makes the kids extra crazy.  

Josie was challenged to memorize all her 4 concert pieces this week in lessons. Emma showed us some memorizing tricks to help Josie. Lessons are quite late in the day, Josie was out of steam by the end of her lesson. The next 2 days she worked hard and seriously, that girl made me literally shut the front door (twice) because she memorized it all! Evelyn and I are enjoying learning the ukulele together. I am seriously considering a humanitarian trip to Guatemala in September with Everett, Evelyn, and Josie. Phillip will be neck deep in Marching Band season! We plan to go with the Beck family lots of ukulele kits, educational kits, and other supplies to teach children down in Guatemala. I am praying we can raise enough money to make this work. I really, really want my children to experience life in another country, especially a 3rd world country. 

Saturday was a busy, busy day. Justin and the kids cleaned the church with the Ostler’s at 8 am. I dropped them off and drove to Meridian for an in-home newborn session with cute baby Luka. Zeyn was the toddler from a couple weeks ago, I was hoping he would feel more comfortable at home. It took some work, books, and fart noises to finally get him to settle down enough to rest Luka’s head on his leg. I was happy to get at least one with a smile. Luka was a dream baby! Amelia hosted a Galentine’s party for Treble choir starting at 2 pm. When I got home Amelia was critiquing everyone, she was very stressed out. We got the house cleaned up and all ready for the party without blowing up our tempers anymore. Soon we had 20 young ladies chatting and snacking on our main room. Amelia had everyone paint glasses for an activity. Seemed like the girls had a lovely time just hanging out. I hear there is quite a bit of drama going on in class with this particular group of girls. Mrs Sen said they needed to just hang out without the pressure of school and class expectations. I was very impressed all the girls were very respectful and kind. The afternoon wrapped up with many rounds of karaoke. Amelia and I shooed the last girl’s out of the house and met up with Sister Long and her son for senior photos. I made Amelia come along to get a few photos of her for her own HS Senior album. It was snowy but not frigid, that made for some cool photos.