Tenley’s Help

 It turned so cold again. We woke up to frost in the house and snow on the distant mountains. And more wind… I think I hate being cold. But we are lucky to have a warm house and warm clothes. 

The boys got to run some errands with me this morning. We took Ryder to the orthodontist and then we went to get the car tires rotated. We made it home before Tenley had even woken up! I’m always amazed by how long she can sleep. She was so helpful with the boys when she was awake though. She helped Ryder with his math and piano while I helped Luke. And she was so patient. I was so thankful for her help. 

Luke had a football game tonight in the frigid weather. I’m seriously wondering if spring sports are worth participating in here in Montana! But he played his heart out and had fun!

Gifts from My Boys

 Ryder and Luke had activity days tonight. This is the one year they get to do it together because Ryder will be in young men’s next year. They love going and they have some great leaders! Tonight they painted flower pots for me for Mother’s Day and even planted flowers in them! I love my gift and the thought they both put into it!

Dogs

 I had always considered myself a dog lover before becoming a parent. We had an Alaskan malamute named Kodiak growing up and I loved him. I’d take him on runs with me a lot. He was a good dog. But lately the dogs we do have are stressing me out. They bark, they stink, they ruin my house with all their hair, and they need a lot of attention! I have five human beings also in need of my attention so adding two dogs to the mix is a lot!

But then Luke and I went on a walk tonight and he tied Ozzy to his scooter and was giggling and laughing the whole time! He had so much fun with Ozzy. Our dogs really do make our kids happy. So today, I’m a dog lover again.

70 Degrees

 It was the most beautiful day today! I enjoyed being outside as much as I possibly could. I’m just realizing that when we have some furniture on our new patio we’ll be able to have school out there! That will be a dream. I love being outside when the weather is nice. I took Keena for a walk, watched Luke’s football practice, and cheered on Ryder at his football game. We should get another day like this tomorrow and then the weather will probably turn cold again. We’ll enjoy it as much as we can!

The Backyard

 We’ve been enjoying our pergola in the backyard even though it isn’t fully finished yet and we have yet to buy furniture for it. The boys played football on it before church and all the kids played outside tonight as the sun was setting. I can’t wait to make a lot of memories in the backyard! 

Safe Travels

 Tenley and I left this morning at 5:15 am to make it to Butte for her first volleyball game of the tournament and Brad and all the boys left at 5:40 to get to Billings for Kade soccer games. We both got home after 9 pm! Such crazy long days but I’m so glad that we all traveled safely!

Tenley has a bad cold but she powered through and played the best she could. She and her team made it all the way to the gold bracket but then last two round in. I had fun hanging out with Tenley and walking around the track at the school. It was beautiful weather today!

Kades games went great and they won both! Ryder and Luke were good and got to play a lot of football. 

Luke’s Trailmix

 Brad and Kade were supposed to go fishing on the Missouri today but it was a snowy and cold day so they had to postpone their fun adventure. They’ll hopefully be able to go in a few weeks if the weather cooperates! 

We enjoyed family time instead, cleaning the office and getting yummy sodas at the soda shop. Kade and Tenley got to go to the Temple with the ward tonight so the rest of us had a pizza movie night at home. The boys even popped popcorn. It was a fun party! And then we got to bed as early as possible because we all have really early mornings tomorrow traveling all over Montana for sports! The boys got all of their snacks and meals packed for tomorrow and Luke came up with an interesting trail mix; pretzels, goldfish, cheeze it’s, and chocolate chips! Haha

Movies and Flag Football

 Thursdays are the best! And today was really good. It was so quiet and peaceful while the kids worked on school today. I love it when it’s like that. I think they were so focused because they knew that when we were done we would get to go to the movies. Motivation is always helpful. 

We all went to see Project Hail Mary this afternoon when Brad and Kade got home. It was such a good movie! I’m glad we went to see it at the theater. But it was really disappointing to get there and find out that the popcorn machine wasn’t working! But the kids still got a soda at least.

After the movie we headed to the football field for Luke’s first game of the season. It was freezing! But he played hard and couldn’t wait to get home to warm up. Ryder’s game was a few hours after that so it was even colder! It was below freezing with light snow falling. Montana spring weather is so unpredictable. But he played hard at well! I hope it’s sunny at their next game!

Clean Teeth

 Ryder, Luke and I had dental appointments really early this morning! The boys did a great job sitting still for their cleanings. And they felt pretty special to be able to leave with a new toothbrush and a toy! Haha. They only ever get a toy after an appointment so it means something to them. The little boys always make me smile!

Patio Progress

 I have been wanting a pergola in our backyard for a really long time and we finally decided that now was the time. I love the company we chose. They do such amazing work! They started over the weekend and they’ve already made so much progress. It looks so good and I’m so excited to use it this summer!

BYUI Choir

 The BYU Idaho choir is on tour and one of their stops was here in Great Falls! We all went to see them preform and it was such a great concert with uplifting messages and inspiring songs.

Spring Sports

 We are in the thick of spring sports for all four of the kids right now. Ryder and Luke had flag football practices this week and games start next week, Tenley is still going strong with volleyball and Kade had his first soccer games of the season today. Luckily the weather has been nice so we can enjoy the outdoor games and practices. Kade has a great soccer team! They won both games. The games were here in town which I always love. 

I’m glad the kids enjoy playing sports so much because we really enjoy watching them play! 

The Helena Temple

 Brad and I got to escape to the temple today. It really does feel like an escape from the stress of life and I love it. One year ago this month I committed to make going to the temple a consistent priority in our lives and it has been such a blessing. It’s isn’t easy but it’s so worth it. I hope we continue this habit forever! I love what I heard someone say once, you don’t leave the temple to get back to the real world, you go to the temple to remember the real world. This life is a temporary preparation state for a wonderful eternity.

Missionaries

 I received a fun and exciting phone this morning. Elder Petty called to tell me that he was coming back to Great Falls for his next transfer! He won’t be serving in our ward but he wanted to come say hi. We got to have him and his new companion over for dinner tonight. It was so good to see him again!! His companion Elder Taff is a great missionary too. We’ve been so lucky to have so many great missionaries serve in Great Falls and to be able to get to know them all. They’re hard working, dedicated young people. I love hearing them share their testimonies and I love the example they are for my kids.

Elder Despain

 We’re losing another great Elder! Elder Despain has been serving in our ward for 3 months now and has been awesome. Kade really gets along with him and they were taking down cattle together on Monday. But he’s headed off to a new area tomorrow. He came over for a quick goodbye tonight. We will miss him!!

Social Time

 We were back at co op today after a week off for Spring Break. The kids were so excited to be back with friends! Luke also got to bring something for show and tell for his class. He chose one of his kiwi co projects. His classmates thought it was awesome. And then after co op Luke and Ryder got to go to Otto’s house to hang out all afternoon which they always love. It was such a good day!

Cattle Branding

 Our Stake President invited us to his home with the missionaries in our area to help with cattle branding. It was our first time being apart of something like that and we all had a great time time! Tenley helped give them vaccines, Kade helped hold them down, and Ryder and Luke tried to ride them! It was a fun adventure and we feel a little more like true Montanas now! And it’s always great to be with the Giles and the missionaries. Such great people!

My Mom, Easter, General Conference Weekends

 It was a very special day today! We got to wish my mom a happy birthday, celebrate Easter, and enjoy General conference and all the yummy food that comes with that. We had cinnamon rolls and Brad’s omelette for breakfast and then a roast turkey with homemade rolls, a salad, and mashed potatoes for dinner. We ate well today! We also enjoyed being able to watch General Conference together all weekend. Usually the Saturday of General Conference we’re on the side of the soccer field cheering Kade on or at a volleyball tournament for Tenley but this weekend was free of any other activities and it was so nice. The only responsibility was one that Kade had. He was taking care of a friend’s farm animals for the weekend while they were away. The rest of the kids enjoyed going to help him as well. I love spring, I love General conference, I love Jesus, I love my mom, and I love a restful weekend so it was a pretty perfect day!

Over the Door Basketball Hoops

 Kade played basketball with the boys on their little hoop in their room before they went to bed. Luke tries to get him to do that every night and his face lights up whenever he can talk him into it. He’s lucky to have such nice big brothers!

Screen Savers

 I recently switched my phone screen saver to change every hour with a new photo from my library. I have loved seeing all the wonderful memories pop up! Tonight an adorable one of Luke playing tennis popped up. Good memories and pictures of my cute kids really brighten my day.

Brad and Kade went skiing today on seven inches of fresh powder! They loved it. They said the hill was even groomed this time. Our experience last time there was that much powder and the mountain wasn’t groomed at all kept me and the little boys home today. They did not enjoy all the powder at all. And Tenley had volleyball practice. But to get out of the house we went out for lunch together and had a great time!

Kade’s Thoughtfulness

 Kade has been getting through the pain as good as can be expected. The other night when I woke him up at 2 am to have him take some ibuprofen he asked how I was doing! He feels bad that I’m getting up every three hours to help him. I thought that was sweet of him to even ask. He’s such a thoughtful kid. I hope his recovery continues to go well!

Tenley’s Pranks

 I wonder if we’ll ever have an April Fool’s day around here without a bunch of pranks. Maybe someday we will but today was not that way. Brad stayed up late playing tricks on the kids, writing on their mirrors, putting socks on Luke’s feet while he slept, putting little toy dinosaurs on his steps to get down from his bunked, trying shoes together, throwing their sweatshirts on the ceiling fan, dying their water in their water bottles blue, putting trip wires at the door to their rooms and hiding their Wii remotes. The kids loved it and laughed a lot. 

Brad’s staff pranked him by wrapping most of his office with plastic wrap. And Tenley decided to try and trick Brad as well. She changed the time on his alarm clock, wrote on his bathroom mirror, and put a fake spider in our toilet paper roll. Sadly, I was the one who found the spider and I screamed so loud! She thought that was hilarious! I did not. 

Moral Support

 It was Kade’s turn to get his wisdom teeth out today. Poor thing! He wasn’t near as entertaining as Tenley was under anesthesia. He was really loopy and very quiet. He rested a lot and after the boys finished math I let them watch movies with Kade. Sometimes we all need a movie day! And I know when I’m on the couch feeling miserable it’s helpful to have someone else there with me. Hopefully the moral support helped Kade. I can tell he’s hurting but he’s doing his best to get through it.

Family Night

Luke was in charge of family night tonight and beside Luke, no one was really happy about that. He consistently chooses chicken and rice for his dinner and the family is sick of eating it. He also chose to watch a National Geographic show about dinosaurs. Beside Luke, everyone was bored by it. But the whole point of this family night tradition that we’ve had for years is for each one of us to have a night picking our favorite dinner and activity. I hope it helps us learn to appreciate eachother and our likes and to find a way to like what someone else likes just because we love that person. We’re obviously quite far from this ideal but hopefully we’ll get there! At least we’ll keep trying! And honestly, for the most part everyone had a good attitude about it but there were some not so great moments! 

Easter Celebrations

 Our stake combined with the Great Falls East stake tonight to celebrate the beginning of the Easter season. It was a night filled with beautiful music and wonderful words. Kade sang in the bi-stake choir and Ryder and Luke sang in a little choir together. It was such an uplifting night! I’m so excited to celebrate Easter!

Volleyball in Great Falls

 Tenley had her volleyball games in town today at the high school. It was so nice not to have to wake up super early and I loved being able to come home in between her games. They played well and got third place in the gold bracket again. Brad, Ryder, and Luke were able to be there for a lot of her games as well which made it more fun for both Tenley and I.

Tenley and Ryder were apart of a scholarship recital tonight. Tenley played her flute and Ryder played the piano. They both graduated, Ryder from level one Suzuki in the piano and Tenley from level 2 Suzuki on the flute. They work hard and I love seeing them share their gifts. All of the kids the participated did such a great job!

Kade made it home last night! I think I sleep better when I know all of my kids are home sleeping under our roof. I only get such comfort for a few more years. But I need to stop thinking about that! 

Kade enjoyed his trip! And I’m so happy he’s home!!

Non-windy Days

It was so nice to enjoy without crazy strong winds today! The wind has gotten old! But today was sunny and calm and beautiful. Ryder and Luke were either in the front yard playing basketball or in the backyard jumping on the trampoline. They never get bored when the weather is this nice and I love it. 

Tenley got to go to the temple with the ward today. It was a late night for her but she had a great time.

We haven’t heard a lot from Kade but I think he’s still enjoying his trip in Utah. We’re anxious to have him back!

Trolley Square and The Old Spaghetti Factory

 Kade is off on another choir trip. This one is just for fun. They’re actually in Utah and they went to some very nostalgic places of mine today. They had dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Trolley Square which serves their spumoni ice cream just like they used to. He also saw where I used to go country swing dancing with friends all the time. Then they got to see the Tabernacle choir rehearse and take a tour of temple square. He said the weather has been beautiful and he’s been having a great time! I wish we were with him!