New Year and Coming Home

Wednesday was a chill day; I forgot to mention that I took the week off of work. I was so glad that my request was approved and it was a much needed break. My husband took Teddy to top golf today; my nephew and bother in law went as well. I am glad they were able to get out and do something. My husband when he first found out we were going to Florida wanted to bring his clubs and go golfing with a few people, but he ended up not and I do not think there would have been time, so I am glad he didn’t. I know he wanted to but it worked out okay.

Thursday we got up early and went to Fun Spot; all the kids were tall enough to go on the go carts alone, so the adults did not get tickets, we just watched. Except the sky coaster, my niece and Sally decided they wanted to do it, but asked if I would go with them. I said yes or course and it was a blast. Teddy and my nephew did it as well. My niece had to be the one to pull the rip cord and she did it. They workers did tell me that they set my pull cord as well just in case she froze, but she didn’t and it was the best. A couple of years ago, I did the swing by myself but this time it was fun to do it with others. Sally was so brave, so was my niece; they loved it after it was done.

Friday was our last day; I spent the morning doing laundry and packing up our stuff. We left around 3:30 to head to the airport. We made it in plenty of time. The flight was uneventful until the last 15 or so minutes. Sally started crying that her tummy hurt and she ended up throwing up; half got in the bag I thew at her and half got all over. We were in our decent and I had to hold a bag of barf until we landed, not fun at all. I had to use my new sweatshirt to clean up puke that got all over and then I gave Sally my other sweatshirt that was in our suit cases after we got them. It was 40 degrees and I was cold but we made it. I forgot she got a giraffe comfy for Christmas and could have worn that, but o well.

We got to Utah around 10:30 and made it to our car and drove home. Sally slept most of the drive. We made it home by 2:30. Sally transferred to the couch and we made to bed by 3. My husband and Teddy had to get up at 7:30 for a hair cut but I slept in until 1; I was so tired and so sad to be home. My house was a mess and I was not ready to be an adult and have to go back to doing everything. It had been such a nice break and now it was over.

Monday, school started again and so did my work; it was so hard to wake up and start my day but I did and we made it. Sally had her first basketball practice on Monday and Teddy tried out for the middle school 7^th grade basketball team; he made the team and hopes to start. His game start next week. Macy had her first practice on Wednesday. I felt like I was in the car a lot this week and it will continue to be crazy. I hope the kids enjoy their activities because somedays I would rather be in bed with the covers over my head.

Saturday the girls had their first games; they were interesting but good. Macy tries so hard, she is not the best player but she is determined to try her best. She told me this week that she does not know why she signed up, but I am glad she is trying. They both have a lot to learn but glad they are giving it their all.

 

December 2024-Trip to Florida

The highlight of December was heading to Florida for Christmas. I had to work Monday the 23^rd, and then we drove down to Utah and took the red eye flight. We got there the morning of the 24^th and we rested and just hung out. The girls swam in the lake; it was cold but they were little fishes...They helped decorate the Christmas Tree. We at dinner out at Olive Garden and then opened a present. The kids sang some songs upstairs and then we acted out the nativity and watched a movie. 

Christmas morning the kids opened their stockings and then we had breakfast. After that we opened the other presents; my mom and sister made us feel so loved and I am grateful that we were able to be there. The girls swam some more and we had a late lunch and then went to a movie. It was nice.

Our offices were closed on Tuesday and Wednesday but I had to work on Thursday and Friday; I bought a little screen extender that I was able to hook up to my computer and it got the job done. Thursday while I worked, my husband took the girls to the zoo where they got to feed Giraffes…which Sally has wanted to do. They had a good time and I was grateful that he took them. That afternoon, I took a break from work and we went over to a friends house and the girls got to ride a horse and take a ride in the golf cart, they had a blast. I really miss Florida some days.

Friday I worked in the morning, but then was able to take a lunch break and meet up with my boss. We met halfway at a restaurant and it was a good time. I made it back in time to finish up work before we headed to a movie. It was just my mom, sister, Macy and me. We convinced Sally that it was going to be long and she stayed home. We saw Wicked, and it turned out to be good. I have loved the Broadway musical and the movie did a good job.

Saturday Macy and I decided to go and visit her friend from Rigby that moved to Florida this past summer. When we looked at the gps the day prior it was a 3 hour drive; and I was not sure I wanted to do that, but on the way home from the movie, I checked again and it was only 2 hours and 15 minutes, more doable. So we left in the morning but their was an accident on the way; the gps said 3 hours and 30 minutes, but rerouted us and we made it in 2 hours and 45 minutes. I am glad we made the trip, the girls had a nice time playing. We made it back in time for my sister and her family to get there. My husband made his special lasagna for dinner that night and it turned out nice.

Sunday, we got to go to church; the ward is so different than it was before; but there were still a few people that my husband had wanted to see that he got to. I forgot my church clothes at home and was planning on going to a thrift store to get a skirt or dress but never made it. I had packed some pants that turned out to work okay and we made it. My dad taught the second hour class and he did a good job.

So Macy and I finished the last Harry Potter book the day before we left for Florida. When we first decided to go, my mom asked if we wanted to go to a theme park while we were there. We first decided on Bush Gardens, but then changed it to Universal Studios when my sister and her family wanted to do. They have Harry Potter land and so we were excited. The day before we went, we researched a way for us to possibly get a disability pass; Sally has her MDD diagnosis and she has a hard time in crowds and what not. We left our house at 6:45 am, stopped for some donuts and made it to the theme part by 8:00; we made it in and waited in the guest services line for a while but we made it and got the pass for Sally and six others to get in the express lines for the rides. We had thirteen in our party but some of my family members did not ride all of the rides and then my sister used her charm to get more than six on the rides. There was one lady that let us ride one of the best rides twice and the day just turned out really nice.

Tuesday was the lake day; it was cold for Florida but not for my Idaho kids; they tubed and knee boarded and Teddy tried wake boarding for the first time. He got up on the second try and caught on fast. He did not try anything crazy but liked it. He even doubled with my nephew who is 16. Tuesday night for new years, we had a black light party in the garage, we had a hopping place but it did not go on until midnight, thank goodness. We had the dance party and then fireworks and then we sat on the couch and watched the ball drop in NYC and then went to bed.

Thanksgiving and First of December

The week before my grandpa's funeral was Thanksgiving, we spent Thanksgiving at my husbands brothers house in Utah; it turned out to be a nice visit. We drove down after my work on Wednesday and I had two days off, yay. Friday and Saturday my brother in law and husband took the girls and then the boys fishing. It was cold, but they liked it. I was able to just stay behind and hang out. I met a friend J for a quick sip from Swig and we just sat in her car and visited. She has always been such a good ally and friend. My kids loved playing with their cousins and it again was just a nice trip.

Sally had her singing performance in December; she had to miss the one at the nursing home while we were in Utah for the funeral but she was able to make it to the family and friends show and she had a solo and did well. We had a ward Christmas party and I do like it when I don’t have to cook, I do not love mingling with so many people but it turned out nice. 

Walter Scott Mackay

The 25^th of November was a sad day for our family; my grandpa Mackay passed away at the age if 98; in the summer he told us that he wanted to make it to his birthday in October. He was such a great man. He was reunited with loved ones and I know it was a glorious reunion. They had the funeral services in Utah on the 6^th if December and the burial in Idaho on the 7^th. My girls had to miss their winter dance recital on the 6^th but we came home before their recital on the 7^th, so they made it one of the nights. All my family was able to come down for the funeral except my nephew who is on a mission and also my husband. I asked him if he would support me and my family and come down and he said he did not have the time. I wish that he would have but it was out of my control. There were so many of my grandpa’s posterity that was there and it was just a special weekend. We had a family picture taken and I thought they turned out good but my sister who is a photographer did not like them. O well…I liked how mine turned out but we only had one problem, my husband was not in them. Boo, I really wish he could have been there. O well

Part of November 2024

November 21 Macy had her tonsils and adenoids out and boy was it an adventure. She was brave while they put the IV in and was nervous but okay. When she got out of surgery, she had a really hard time. She was freaking out saying that she could not breath and was hyperventilating and crying. The nurses tried hard to calm her down, they told me that her tonsils had been blocking her airway before and now they were gone, she had more space to breath, but it felt odd to her and that is why she felt like she could not breath, when really, she could breath better. They gave her two different kinds of sedatives and we finally got her calm enough to get out to the car. She fell asleep half way home and then crawled into bed and fell asleep when we got home. That is where I liked her, when she was awake she would cry and freak out. The first few days were rough, she would not eat anything and was just cranky.

November 23 was the high school state football championship; our Rigby trojans were in the championship game for the 5^th time in 6 years, with 4 wins. My husband is the freshman head coach but helps out with varsity media; but he was sick the week leading up to the game. He was not able to make it to the game; which turned out okay, he stayed home with Macy and I took Teddy and Sally. The game was in Boise and we left at 8 am and got home at 11 pm; Teddy hung out with friends and Sally met up with a friend as well. It turned out to be a good time. The weather was not the best, it rained and we had a lightning delay but we came out champions…We met my sister after the game for dinner; that was nice.

October 2024

The girls did a cheer camp in October; they practiced a few days at the high school and then performed at half time at a football game. They did well and well see if they want to do it more. I did not like cheerleaders when I was playing sports, a lot of them thought they were all that and were snobs, but if my girls want to do it, I will support them.

Teddys team won the championship for football again this year; four in a row. They played well all season and came out on top again. They have only lost one game in 4 seasons, pretty crazy. I love his team and they are just a great group of boys.

September 2024-School and Football

School started on September 3^rd this year. Sally is my only one left in elementary school; Macy moved on to the middle school. So this year I have a kid in 7^th, 6^th and 4^th grade.

The girls started flag football on the same team and Teddy started football games; he actually started practices and games in August but September was full time going going going. 

All three kids were in the homecoming parade this year; the girls had to decide which organization to be in. Their dance studio had a float as well as their football coach was nominated and won the hometown hero award in our town and the girls decided to walk with her truck in the parade. I actually rode in the truck as well; Teddy and his team had a float and it turned out good.

For two week in September we dog sat for my brother; they got a golden doodle named Gator. We survived, the dog really liked me but it was so nice to give him back. My family thought it was going to make me want to get a dog, but I was all too happy to not have him in my house. Life it less stressful with a dog. Sally was super sad and I bet she would do better with a dog, but I just don’t like it at all. My family was sorta mad at me, but o well.