March

Charlie and I put on our festive green for St. Patrick's Day.
I had puffy, sick eyes and a sore, red nose from the flu so I didn't want my picture taken but Derek wanted to see my shirt. We compromised.

While the boys were in school I set up an outdoor treasure hunt for them beginning with a balloon and the first clue tied to our mailbox where the bus drops them off.

Our school district was running a "Start With Hello" campaign so on a whim I made up enough sugar cookies for each of the boys classes and to take to the Madison Cares crew at the district office. It seemed simple enough to use the green Hello stickers that were flooding the schools as my pattern. The cramp in my hand from writing Hello on 48 cookies  was worth the surprise and the boys were happy to share with their classes.

I started a new tradition which required a new cookie jar (only because I didn't like the look of the half empty, huge Rubbermaid tub sitting on my counter). I love having the classy, white jar with all my kids (and pets) names on it. Cookie Friday was a hit. But, a full cookie jar was so tempting and the boys and I started eating too many cookies so we switched it to Cookie Sunday. This way we have everyone home to share in the goods.

Settling into my new role of Grandma is Pure Heaven ♥

My boys are very behind on the Minecraft hobby and have only played it at their cousins' houses so when Justin got it for them they were constantly begging to play. The video games only on Saturday rule was near torture for them and I knew on Friday night that it could possibly lead to drama if I didn't have a way to get chores done before they played. So, the Minecraft Ticket was created. It worked so well that having a chore ticket became a weekly thing.

Justin and his cheer team competed in seven cheer competitions around Idaho. By the time districts came around they were all a bit tired of their routines but they did wonderful and were able to go to state competition in Boise. They won a few awards, came home after the two day competition and suddenly cheer was done.

Or, they thought cheer was over until the boy's basketball team made it to state basketball in Boise. They made their second trip to Boise in two weeks and cheered there. We watched it live online and were irrationally giddy when we saw him beyond the hoop.

The day after they got home from state I received this email from the head cheer coach's mother-in-law who happens to live in our neighborhood. I love it when others get to see the great person that he is!

Hi Kimberly,

We had so much fun watching the games and cheer squad at state this past weekend.  I just wanted you to know that we think Justin is such a great young man!  You may have heard Christina had some problems with some of the cheerleaders breaking rules and sneaking out, etc.  Christina had to call the parents and explain what was up, and why they would not be cheering Sat evening or why they had to sit a quarter out.  Apparently there were some parents who did not take the information kindly, and proceeded to berate Christina about it.  

Christina read us a couple of texts that Justin sent to her to help her feel better, to know they (he and Kendall?) supported her, had her back and respected her for making some tough decisions.  (Maybe he will read them to you.)  That helped her so much in a time of need!  She says they are always so helpful, by carrying the big pom bags, opening doors, and being true gentlemen, and like I say, they had her back, and it meant so much!

Thanks for raising such a great young man.  Know that Byron really enjoys him in the Priest's Quorum.

Diann  

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LeRoy was struggling with a terrible cough the day that Kailee was born (that's why he wore a mask at the hospital) and three days later Hyrum and I were showing similar signs. LeRoy went to the doctor and tested positive for Flu B. He hadn't been around Kara, Kate and Kate's kids so we hoped that they wouldn't catch it.

However, Hyrum and I ended up at the doctor two days after they left and both also tested positive. We started meds and Hyrum improved but a few days later my cough had progressed to such a rough state that it felt like my chest was ripping apart. After another trip to the doctor, I was diagnosed with pleuricy and given even more meds and breathing treatments. When three days passed and I had no relief, I sat in tears, holding my chest and taking extremely shallow breaths to avoid coughing. While reading the scriptures that morning I read in D&C 59.  " . . . and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul."

I wondered why I had not turned to the herbs that God has provided to deal with this particular sickness when it's my usual nature to go to herbs before doctors, and it had been mentioned in a priesthood blessing that LeRoy had given me.  I immediately called my trusted herbalist and he set me up with three herbal combinations and I quit taking the prescriptions. Within two days my cough was so much better and within a couple more days it was nearly clear and all the body aches and fevers were gone. The natural recovery was much faster and easier than the 21-28 days that the doctors had told me to expect.

The hardest part about the sickness was the timing. Kailee was only a few days old; Erika was a new mom; I was laying in bed. Every bit of me wanted to be Erika's support and to cuddle new baby Kailee but I didn't dare be near them for fear of getting them sick. Erika did so well adjusting to motherhood and sent me lots of pictures. Once the sickness was gone, I was so delighted to spend time catching up with my girls!