Fun, fun, fun

My mom came into town late Wednesday night and we have been partying it up ever since!  ;) Thursday we went to the Scandanavian heratige Park, shopped for Christmas stuff and had lunch at the Strangled Rooster.  Delish pizza and creme brûlée.  Friday we went to the biggest scandanavian festival in all of North America! Minot hosts Norsk Hostfest every year.  It was a huge festival!  So many neat things to see from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland.  And so much food.  We had to park kinda far away and the northern wind was blowing!  We froze walking in but we survived- we also realized, after our long walk, that there were busses from the parking lot.  Lol.  We for some cute stuff. My favorite thing was a driftwood Santa.  I LOVE IT!  And a new ornament with a Christmas tree and a Viking ship.  Anyway, we came home around 4, picked up Haylee and Joe and headed back to the festival for dinner and to see The Beach Boys concert.  We had fun walking around some more and The Beach Boys were great.  Haylee and I had seen them several years ago at a USO  at Christmas event at the Kennedy Center in DC.  It was fun to dance and sing along.  Today we ate lunch at a less than fantastic restaurant.  Did some more shopping -really returning a shirt that was too big for me- and Joe buying me a few things for my birthday.  Haylee wanted to take grandma to the skating rink so she could show her what she has been learning.  We stayed for an hour then did some needed shopping at Walmart.  Came home and watched BYU get beat badly by Washington.  Tomorrow I am teaching Sunday school of course and all the adults at church third hour.  I’m a little nervous but I am sure all will be well.

The Scandanavian Heritage Park

Lox and cream cheese on a Nordic waffle.  So yum! 

Salmon burger. 

Cutest little pointed elf hats!!

Rommengot - a bland semi sweet custard consistency type thing.  It needed lots of cinnamon and sugar. 

We did not try fish balls!  Gross. 



Before the concert. 

So fun!! 

Preparation

In addition to teaching Sunday school I am also the “ward specialist”.  What is a ward specialist you ask? Well, it means I am in charge of employment, housing, food storage, ward emergency planning and general emergency preparedness.  It’s a lot. But our ward is small and not super needy so it hasn’t been bad.  I am teaching the lesson this Sunday during third hour.  It has felt intimidating.  I am not excellent at preparedness.  I would say I am a third grade level of preparedness person.  Would you ask a third grader to teach everyone? Um, no you would not but that is not how church works. (Side note: I typed is and not in the previous sentence with no space and it autocorrected to idiot. It looked like I was typing “no you would not but that idiot...”. Made me lol had to share..) anywho, I invited our ward  high counselor over tonight to talk about the ward plan.  He is over stake stuff in that area.  Super helpful.  He is also prepared to teach if I run short on time.  Woo hoo.  My main goal of this lesson is to gather information.  I made emergency preparedness surveys and we will take the same surveys in six months to see if we have improved our overall preparedness.  Hopefully it will be a good gauge as to what needs to be focused on.  I didn’t think I would like this calling at all but I like it more than I thought.  Yay. Now if Sunday school would just come along we would be good to go!  

It’s homecoming week and Haylee went to a bonfire and capture the flag activity/color bomb thing at school last night with her friend Chelsea. She had tons of homework but did as much as she good and went.  She had so much fun!!  I am happy to see her being social.  

She is dog sitting for our neighbors and loving every second of it!! In other Haylee news is the center of her first love triangle.  Two boys are vying for her affection and one is particularly set on turning her against the other.  But that Haylee girl has a strong head on her shoulders and is not easily swayed.  I love her.  She is witty and kind and has dealt with the attention well.  I am so thankful for gospel standards that help her know her worth and stay on the straight and narrow path.  She is a good girl. I am thankful every day!! 

In other news, tonight’s sunset was gorgeous and included a rainbow even though it wasn’t raining here. 

The skies here are breathtaking!!  









Blessed to live in this beautiful place. 

Chilly

I have shocking news!  It is cold in North Dakota.  

Joe and I did a few Halloween lights on Saturday and it was COLD.  We also went to a neighborhood bbq.  Again, COLD.  I needed gloves and a hat.  When I went out to check light placement last night I put my coat on!  Lol.  Of course the cold isn’t a surprise.  But was surprised to need a coat in September.  The crazy thing to think of is it isn’t going to get warm again until May.  That said, for now, I still choose this weather over 90 degrees and sweating.  I am a sweater girl not a sweaty girl.  Ha ha.   

I have not been sleeping great lately and it is a total bummer!!  I woke up at 2am and was just awake.  Had to be at ward counsel at 7:30 which means leaving the house no later than 7:08. My emergency preparedness presentation went well. I have to teach the lesson to the whole congregation next week and it makes me nervous.  I am an emergency preparedness baby.  That along with my Sunday school lesson will be a lot of prep for me this week. I am not enjoying my Sunday school class.  They are nice enough kids I just don’t feel like I am reaching them. At all.  I definitely expected it to be easier.  I love teaching the youth. Well, the young women.  Throw boys into the mix and it just seems to be a million times harder. I think we are going to play a game next week. It may or may not be related to my lesson lol.  I need to shake things up! 

I decorated for Halloween this week.  One of the hard parts of moving is figuring out where holiday decorations go in a new space.  Many of my decorations have sentimental value and I love having them “just right”

This pic was taken when I was taking a break from trying to decide where everything was going. It made my brain hurt.  I think I have it figured out.  I will take pictures tomorrow and post them.  

In other news I went to the doctor last Tuesday and I am pretty sure I am going to have a hysterectomy. My doc told me I should have one a year ago but I was too busy lol.  I am thankful for modern medicine and good insurance but I am not looking forward to a major surgery.  I see another doc next week to talk options and timeline. I am hoping to wait until the beginning of the year but we will see what she says. I know I will be glad to have it done. 

We had steak and baked potatoes for dinner tonight.  It was delish. 

Temple Day

Went to the temple with Keva today.  The temple is in Bismarck, two hours away.  A few weeks ago  Keva (we were stationed in Missouri together for 5 months and she is one of my favorite people ever!!!) -asked me if I wanted to go to the temple with her once a month.  I jumped at the chance!  It is hard not having a built in temple buddy.  And having Keva as my temple buddy is a HUGE bonus!  We have so much fun together and can laugh ourselves silly.  She is a wise lady and I am thankful for her example of leadership and kindness to all. Anyway, we left the house at 8:30 and got to the temple at 10:40 (we got stuck at the gate for a few minutes on the way off base but it gave us an opportunity to pray before our journey. #Winning) The temple is so so so small.  My mom would say it’s  a cupcake temple. :)  You have to call ahead and make a “reservation” so they know you are coming and have enough temple workers.  There is an 11:00 session every third Wednesday which works out perfect for Keva and I. We went to lunch at MacKenzie River afterwards.  Apple and chicken flatbread with a MacLovin —chocolate chip skillet cookie??  So delish!!!!  My favorite restaurant in North Dakota for sure and Bismarck is the closest one.  We got home around 4:30.  Left 15 minutes later to take Haylee to ice skating.  Came home and dropped off a surprise diner to a neighbor. It was 7:30 at night but they can have it tomorrow.  :) 

Last night was the Spouses social. It was a order mystery dinner and it was a blast!!!  I played Abby Oakley a sunshine sharp shooter moonlighting in a variety show.  Turns out I put my sharp shooting skills to the test — I was the murderer!!!  We had it at the stables on base. It was so so so fun.  Also, it is getting colder.  47 for a high tomorrow and a chance of snow flurries tomorrow night!  I am up north now!  Woot!

In other news Sierra had a flat tire today.  Poor girl called me crying.  Thank goodness it happened in the parking lot at work.  She ran over some glass. She got a new tire this afternoon and all was well. 

Goodnight friends.  

Weekend

Friday night I went to a stake relief society social.  I did NOT want to go.  The new medicine I am on has made me feel sluggish and sick.  It is not a party.  However, I knew I should go t and that I would be glad I did.  It was a minute to win it evening.  I arrived a few minutes late and did not feel welcome at all.  No one said hello or gave me any directions. I didn’t see anyone from my ward.  I stood in the back (there were no more chairs) by myself for about 10 minutes.  I considered leaving.  We finally god divided into teams and I ended up having a good time and meeting some new sisters.  Another sister in my ward invited me to Applebee’s afterward, I still wasn’t feeling great but knew I needed to make some effort to get to know my church people. I have felt disconnected here in that respect. A few sisters from the other ward that meets in our building came with us and we had so much fun!!  Still didn’t really connect with my ward ladies but that will come in time. 

Saturday night was the Air Force Ball.  It is always fun to have a reason to wear a ball gown.  :) Everyone wants to feel like a princess from time to time.  We have always enjoyed going to the ball. We heard the ball at Minot was less formal that we were used to but that was a huge understatement. No key note speaker, no table assignments, you could just sit wherever, a buffet dinner, a candy bar for dessert.  The evening seemed disorganized and the program did not run smoothly.  On top of that the audio was horrible.  You could not hear one thing that was said.  Hopefully there will be some good feedback given and the event will be better next year.  

My hair. A cute girl named Hannah did it for me. She has been married for five minutes (ok, like three months) her husband is brand new to the Air Force. 

Inside photo 

On the porch :) I love this dress. 

By the BUFF 

Warbirds for the win.

My friend and neighbor Amber. 

Ladies from my ward.  I wanted to take this photo so we could show the young women you can be classy and beautiful!  

My other friend and neighbor Stephanie.  Love her. 

A missile truck in the background. 

A WWI uniform.  Things have changed :) 

Today I missed church due to my being sick from those dang meds.  I called my doc Friday to change them.  Hopefully we find something that works and doesn’t make me super sick!!  

Poor time management,

I am the WORST! At time management. Seriously, the WORST. And procrastinating I have got to do better. I need to make me a daily schedule and stick to it. I’ll do that tomorrow!  Ha ha ha.  Story of my life. But really I need to.  I have gained back a bunch of weight.  I feel like crap.  My new meds aren’t helping.  I need to get my act together and act like a grownup.  I get the stuff I have to get done, done.  But not much else.  I should add. My house is clean, dinner gets made (most days), the laundry is done, my bed is made everyday but I am so bad at taking care of myself. I stay up too late, get up at 5 with Haylee then sleep too late after I get her off to seminary, I don’t study my scriptures every day—I have no reason not to!!  I have got to do better.  I think a daily checklist would help. I like having it written down.  Goals.  I will do better.  I have to!  

100%

Six years, well actually seven years ago, Joe set a goal for himself to get 100 on his PT test. He always did well before that 94, 97, 98, but he really wanted to get 100. That year he started running consistently.  3 times per week 2-4 miles each run. At least once a week he does pushups and sit-ups with his run.  More often as his PT time approaches.  Today was the sixth year in a row he scored 100%.  He ran his mile and a half in 9:31 did 48 push-ups and 56? Sit-ups.  He seriously rocks.  I am so proud of him. 

In other news, Haylee is doing better.  We signed her up for ice skating lessons, she changed her schedule at school and had a buddy at lunch today.  Yay! Maybe we are over the hump. 

Tonight I attended a Spouses Club meeting.  It was good.  It is nice to have been a part of other clubs and see where improvements can be made and where other ideas work better. I really enjoy being involved. 

Got a new sign for our guest bathroom.  I love it!!!  

Side note my new meds are not agreeing with me.  I was super, super sick again today and am broke out in hives on my calves. Need to call my doc I think and switch them out.  YUCK. I am grateful for meds but don’t like the side effects on our bodies.

Haylee and the no good, very bad day

Haylee and I have developed a routine of sitting in the oversized chairs in the study when she gets home from

school every day.  I make sure my phone is in the other room.  Sometimes I have a cold drink or treat waiting for her.  I give her my 100% undivided attention for as long as she wants to talk to me.  Today she came in and plopped down. When I asked how her day went she replied “awful” she then to explained how it started and continued to go downhill.  She auditioned for the fall musical Tuesday. Today the cast list was up and she did not get a role.  Only about 15 kids did out of 40.  She is on the props team. She debated whether or not she wanted to do it but decided she really wanted to be part of the show.  Last year she was an ensemble character in Bye Bye Birdie. She loved it!!!  She was sad she didn’t get a part.  Third hour is AP chemistry for her.  Everyone in her class is a senior, they have all taken chemistry.  She has had a rough time in that class.  She feels so lost.  That is a foreign feeling to her.  She is a fast learner and always catches on quickly.  She hates being the “slow” kid.  She cried as she told me her struggle with considering dropping that class.  She doesn’t want to disappoint us -which of course we are not.  She is very hard on herself academically. I assured her it was ok with us if she dropped the class.  She will talk to her chem teacher in the morning and her counselor during her free hour.  Prayers that it is an easy switch to physics or regular chemistry and doesn’t mess up her entire schedule.  During 6th hour she was playing first base and the runner ran into her as the pitcher was throwing her the ball and she took a ball to the jaw/throat.  Her throat is really sore tonight.  Poor kid.  It was a long frustrating day.  We had the Sister missionaries over for dinner, we had breakfast.  It was a nice dinner and I hope that the blessings we get for serving are given right to Haylee.  💙

Also, I got this sunshine headband in the mail, I ordered it from amazon since I am the sunshine chair for the Minot Spouses Club.  ☀️ it’s pretty fancy. 

Visitors

We had our first visitors the last few days. Joe’s parents came into town.  It is great to visit with them although it is a bit stressful. They left early this morning.  It will be a while before we see them again so we are glad they took the time to come up north. 

We explored up near Lake Darling


We found a cactus 

Haylee and I always do life imitating art. Cracked me up that she used her hair as a beard. 

Cute Scandinavians.

Haylee and grandma at the scandanavian heratige Park. 


The church that on the grounds. 

Beautiful carving! 

It was beautiful inside. 

The fam.

Mom and Dad with a last supper carving.

A perfect blue sky. 

A scandanavian smoke house.  So beautiful! 


We are thankful for this beautiful place we live.  The weather was gorgeous.  Pam was freezing while she was here but it was 82 degrees. :) she had her coat and scarf on in target and a lady stopped her and asked “are you cold?” And she said “I am from Missouri! It is hot there.” The lady said “don’t visit here in the winter!!”  Lol.  It was chilly today but feels like fall.  I LOVE IT!!!  

Nerve

Did you know there is a big nerve in your face? Well you probably knew there was a nerve(s) but there is a big one called the trigeminal nerve. It is the one that and Dentist numbs when you need work done. Turns out there is a chronic pain condition associated with this nerve called trigeminal neuralgia and today I was diagnosed. I have been having episodes of pain in my face for the last several months.  Only about every 3-4 weeks on average.  The pain lasts about 30 minutes (for me, it is different for everyone) and is excruciating.  Like smack yourself in the face with a hammer excruciating.  I thought I had some crazy weird sinus infection when it first started. I had another episode last week and as I was breathing through the pain -seriously worse than labor- I realized what I was dealing with.  My sister in law and mother in law both have this condition.  Different things can cause the pain. For me it is likely a blood vessel pressing on the nerve. I have to have an MRI of my brain to make sure it isn’t MS or a tumor.  I saw my primary care doc for the first time today and she was amazing.  I explained my symptoms to the nurse, told her what I suspected I have and the doc came in 10 minutes later and said my symptoms were classic TN. She gave me a packet and started me on anti-convulsant medication (that is the best way to treat the nerve pain), and put in the referral for the MRI.  I was so happy that she listened to me and agreed with my self diagnosis.  My sister in law and mother in law were not so lucky when they were going through the process of being diagnosed.  They went to many, many doctors and it took several months for each of them all the while their attacks got more frequent and painful.  I am so grateful!!!  While the diagnosis isn’t fab it can usually be controlled with meds.  We will see how it goes. :) 

In other news, two or three boys asked for Haylee’s phone number today.  One, named Zac, was asking a lot of questions about homecoming.  :) Haylee came home smiling.  Tuesday she auditions for the musical.  Things seem to be looking up for Miss Haylee J. 

In other news why at the age of almost 43 do I still have to Google the best way to hard boil an egg?!?  Lol.  One day I’ll remember.  Until then thank goodness for google!