Living in a Whirlwind

September is gone and it is now October! Spence began HOME OFFICE Sept 12 for 2 months. His building is undergoing remodeling. We have adjusted to him being home helping with the morning and afternoon routines. It was an adjustment at first, and now I am afraid of the change back to the way it was. It was hard to have Heidi leave me, and Spence being home helped with that transition. The kids have loved having him here.

Family Home Evening Sept 12: Captain America's shield, Helaman's 2000 Stripling Warriors and the Armor of God. We (Maddux) love FHE and super heroes. Especially Hulk and Wolverine.

Picture taken Sept 19. Maddux transitioned from his Crib, to a toddler bed and now the bottom bunk. He refuses to sleep in the bed, so we make a blanked bed on the floor every night. Silly boy. Spence and I read scriptures in the front room aloud while he goes to bed to catch him sneaking out of his room. It has been frustrating, but a good way to keep up the couple scripture study.

Picture 9-15. School is going well, but the homework is hard to schedule in our busy afternoons. Savannah has gotten 104/100 on every spelling test so far. Cooper is struggling with his homework quality because he just wants to go play with Tanner and Will down the street.

Picture taken Sept 25. We have been enjoying the Fall weather. Maggie and Maddux spend time on the deck everyday, and we take walks. Savannah has fallen in love with our neighbor Evie's baby bunny, and we like to play with Kelly's puppy Tandzie. 

Sept 22. Maddux and Maggie are Coop and Sav all over again. Maggie is crying in this picture because Maddux stole her car. She is bullied often. They are fun and sweet and growing so fast. 

We have had our fair share of illness. Maggie has been sick twice. First with a high fever for a few days. Then with a cold and ear infection. She has 8 teeth and her 2 top molars are coming in making for sleepless nights.

Maggie is in to everything. If it is on the ground she eats it or destroys it. She chews up crayons, sucks on Squinkies, eats Pokemon toys, undoes the toilet paper and climbs in the bathtub. She is very independent but wants to be where everyone is. She hits for toys and cries if you withhold from her.

I have been training for a 6k, and am finally getting over a sinus infection.  I was so sick last week, that I began to wonder if I was pregnant! (I am not, whew!) Plus my sinus headache stuck around for 4 days.  I have been working 20-25 hours a week. It has been really hard to find the balance. Things are beginning to slowdown as I finally filled all my routes! I had 2 weeks of peace. Now with the first rain today I can feel more 2 week notices coming. I am enjoying it, but really feel like the kids homework, our meals, and the house are being neglected. My calling is still overwhelming, I just finished a RS Dinner, Super Saturday is in one week, and then another dinner following in 4 weeks. And I have the Nov lesson. Add that to Spence's schedule and the kids and we really have NO spare time. I usually have time to myself once 10 pm hits. And I just want to sleep. Last week I had an INSANE day where I really thought what was on the calendar and what needed to be done could not be handled. By the end of the day I looked around and said to myself, We did it. We did today. I cannot believe what I am capable of juggling and doing and letting go. We are running from task to task, and fulfilling our responsibilities. There is no time for recreation or dates or a pedicure, which I desperately need! I have been reflecting on the Good, Better, Best conference talk. I want to be doing what is right for our family right now. I am praying we do what is important for the kids and Spence and I and come out OK. But right now, I really just want to have a moment to connect with Spence again and sleep. I really want more than 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep.