All in a day

Still doing apples. 4 juicers today. Lost count of the jars. Lots!! Maybe 6 quarts of juice....

We also juiced one load of rhubarb and got 2 1/2 quarts for slush.

Tysyn went to a birthday party today. His first invite. Superhero theme. He was so excited to go. Asking for days when it was time. Wore Evan's cape and he and Savanna rode their bikes there while I watched them go from the front step. Savanna was a great little helper. I could see her help Tysyn get his cape from the bag and put it on at their driveway before he went into the party. Then she rode home. He raved about the party when he got home.

Jeff and Brandon and Cassandra drove off to Calgary for a shooting competition this weekend. They spent the whole day getting ready. 

Left late. Then stopped in Lethbridge. Caught the second half of Devin's football game at the University field. The Comets lost. Devin was pretty bummed when I picked him up at the field dressing room in Raymond. 

Krista came from Calgary to watch the game. What an awesome aunt!!

I wanted to go to the game but Maren and I had our work cleaning at Keelers so we couldn't go. Krista kept us apprised of the game through messaging while we were working. Aaren was at home with the littles. I'm grateful for his service!

We believe in being honest.

Apples

Our house has been cooking apples all week. Some days we've accomplished more processing than others. 

Today:

16 quarts juice

15 quarts sauce

But...

I'M RUNNING OUT OF JARS!!!!!

We had a neat experience today. 

Cassandra came home at lunchtime with a ring she found in the volleyball sand at Centennial park. The gym class was out on the courts and while she was wandering around she spied the glittery gold poking out of the sand. She picked it up. It was very pretty. It looked like an antique and it was stamped as 10ct gold so it had some value to it. She put it aside at home for safe keeping and I told her I would post it on the Raymond and Area discussions Facebook page.

I got busy and in the late afternoon I posted to see if we could find the owner. It didn't take long before I had people saying so and so lost their ring. I contacted one person who was missing their ring and I got this message back.

Cassandra felt really good about returning it and I was glad someone was so excited to have it back. It was too big for mine or Cassandra's fingers. It had been lost for about a month and the family thought they would never see it again. It was nice to be able to be part of someone's miracle. 

I often think about a ring I lost. I would love to get it back but that my story will never have the same ending.

This afternoon at school, the kids ran Terry Fox run. I would have loved to have gone to cheer on the runners but there just no time to go. I was doing apples. One of teachers took a picture during the run. I'm so thankful for the photo.

I have good memories of the Terry Fox run as a little kid at Wildwood Elementary. Think I remember watching his run on tv as a child.

We would run around school fields block. And collect Popsicle sticks for each lap. Prizes for the most sticks received. I remember trying so hard and running to get sticks. Never got anything as a prize. but now I'm proud of all the sticks I got in support of Terry Fox. 

Brandon got home from work. I saw him walking up sidewalk. Like this!! Apparently his pants were wearing out and he had fun destroying them.

Tuesday

Jeff started apples early. Up for scriptures and prayer. Just want to sleep. Drag out of bed. All assembled. Waiting. 

Get kids out the door. Get ready myself. VT this morning. 1 sister visit. Jeff stay to watch kids and apples. Gone only 40 min.

Jeff take B to work. Apples all day long. 

Over 5 gallons of apple juice. And some of that bottled into 23 quarts. We drank a lot so I'm sure we got more than 5 gallons. 

We've juiced 3 boxes of apples or 9 juicer loads. We've drank a lot!!!

So fantastic. So delicious. So nutritious.

12 juicer loads of apples. 30 quarts of applesauce. My legs are tired and sore.

I've still got lots more to go. I'm running out of jars!! I'm not sure what we will do for venison and pheasant. 

Sunday and Primary

I never seem to do a blog post about what happens on a typical Sunday at our house. I thought that I better. Someday I am going to want to remember what Sundays were like when the kids were little and we have 9am meetings.

The alarm goes off at 7:00am. Most everyone struggles from their beds to get ready. (The oldest boys are the worst.) Except me. I need that whole 2 hours to get everyone out the door on time for meetings and even then, it's hardly ever enough. The boys have to have a second or third or fourth call to get out of bed. I've contemplated letting them just get up on their own, letting them be responsible for themselves, but they would stop coming to church if I didn't help them out of bed. I don't want them to have a reason to stop coming so we still help with their early morning wake up.

Breakfast is usually random. Find whatever you can. Eat it and don't waste it. That is the breakfast motto. (Often the big boys don't eat. They don't make time for it.)

Then everyone needs to get dressed in Sunday clothes.

The boys always find their white shirts in the dryer. Sunday whites are washed Saturday night. And then dried either late Saturday or early Sunday. I know it would be so much better to do them Monday but changing my mindset and making the switch has yet to happen.

Socks always end up optional. Rarely do the littles wear socks. Especially the little boys (E and T).

Then it's hair. Often the big girls will help the little girls, but sometimes like today, mom does hair. Savanna wanted curls. Today, I took the time doing curls when Savanna looked so heartbroken when I first told her no. Unable to bear it, I got out the curling iron and waited for it to heat. We would go later if needed because of curls. Some days, all we can manage are ponytails.

After a Sunday-ish sprint into the building, we gather ourselves to calmly walk into the chapel and head to our bench. Ya, that entire row that we have claimed for our family. The bench we sit on week after week. The bench we have claimed as "ours". Like we've paid for it in full and if any other person so much as looks longingly at it, our children fall to pieces about it. It's not our bench but we love it!

We've sat near the front of the chapel for years. There is a purpose to the location. Being in the front helps the children to tune out the distractions of the rest of the ward members. When you can't see what's happening around you, it's easy to ignore it. When you can't see behind you, you don't know what's going on. Simple. Keep your eyes forward. In front is where all the action is anyway.

After Sacrament meeting is over, the kids disperse. It's usually a fight as to who takes Rebekka to nursery. But all that will end in January. Baby girl turns 3 in a month and a half and changes come when she will then go to Primary also. Noooooooo.

Most make a beeline for their classes but we have the occasional child who will mope and whine about going to class usually because they are hungry. A snack or two encourages them to go on their way. Lately sometimes dad accompanies a certain youngest boy to the Primary room.

My church calling is to teach Primary. I teach the CTR 5 class. I have 5 children on my list and 3 children come regularly. The two others, I have yet to meet.
Savanna is in my class along with Pippa Gibb and Caleb Salmon.
They are a fun, silly, active, wiggly bunch. They think it is hilarious to hide behind the classroom door, EVERY SINGLE TIME that we come to the classroom from Sharing time. The space behind the door and the wall is small when the door is wide open. They love to all squish behind it, hiding in the only spot capable of hiding a person or persons. Laughter ensues every time I "find" them.
They cannot sit still and so I am constantly looking for ways during class time to help gospel concepts to click in their brains while dealing with wiggles and giggles.
They love chalk. Today I did something that they loved. I am also hoping they heard the message amid the fun!
We talked of wise and foolish choices and then I had them draw pictures of the wise and foolish mans' houses. Each got a space on the chalkboard. I drew at the top what my picture would look like as they began drawing theirs. Pretty soon they were erasing and changing theirs to look like mine! They were so engrossed in creating their pictures.

We drew rocks and sand and rain. And in the end, they washed away the foolish man's house by cleaning off the board.




I love these kids. They are smart and capable and know of God's love for them and others. They come from strong gospel centred homes and have amazing families. I hope the two other children on our list will know of such joy. We are praying for them. Some weeks the lessons are great, other weeks, it's a struggle to keep them with me and learning. But I love them and each week we love being together.

After church meetings, Maren walked home with the two youngest siblings. Evan started out with them but wanted to ride the rest of the way home when I stopped to take their picture.

It was a beautiful fall day for walking home!

I love Sunday's for the relaxing day that it is. The weeks are long, filled with a whirlwind of activities and emotions. Sunday's often bring the calming change that we all so desperately need.
I am grateful for the Sabbath. I love that it is a day set aside to worship and draw closer to God. I have a lot to work on in making it better for me and my family but for now, I am grateful for it.

Apples, apples up on top

At 12:20pm we went to Russ and Liz Heggie's old house across from the pool to pick their apples. Landon and Brenna were also there. They had two little tarps but we brought big tarps, big ladders and lots of boxes. After lying out the tarps all over the grass under the tree, the tree shaking began. Apples began to fall all on the ground.

I love this picture. Jeff and Landon were doing the exact same thing, and looked like clones of each other.

When one section of the tree was finished, the ladders were moved over to another part and the next branches were shaken. When Jeff came with the long extension ladder, the apple shaking got serious.

Be careful Jeff!!!

Once the apples were off the tree, the task of picking them off the ground and gathering into boxes began. We came home with about 10 boxes of apples. So many hundreds of pounds. We also picked from Asciones tree. But we only did a small part as we were running out of time. In total, our Apple project took from 12:30-4:15pm.

Next comes the work of juicing, saucing, bottling and fruit leathering all that fantastic goodness! (But that marathon begins on Monday...)

Once we arrived home everyone got out and I headed for the shower. After I was dressed, I started supper. We sat down to eat, somewhat in shifts.

When the girls and I had eaten we got ready to go. Jeff was at the birds with Tysyn and we anxiously awaited him to get home so we could leave the house in good hands.

That is when Maren found Rebekka sobbing out in the van.

Maren went out first. She came rushing back in with a distraught little sister. Rebekka had been in the van unable to get out. I have absolutely no idea how long she was there for. Likely since we arrived home from apple picking. She must have had fun playing in the van for a little while since the mirrors were all adjusted, the lights were on, and the radio buttons were all pushed. The girls found Rebekka belted into the drivers seat unable to get out and crying.

I felt so so so so bad. The worst mother ever. It tugged at my heartstrings to see he so upset. So many things could have gone wrong. I'm trying not to dwell on it. It's too scary to think about. Phew, I'm glad she was and is safe. I know she had God's protecting care over her.

I had planned to leave the kids in Aaren's care until Jeff returned but instead I anxiously awaited him to get home so we could leave the house in good hands. And so daddy could console the girlie. 

Once he arrived home, the girls and I attended the general women's broadcast at the Stake Center.

I love the women's session of Conference. It brings me such peace. I was grateful that both Cassandra and Maren were able to attend with me.

Some of my favourite thoughts and reminders for day to day living are:

Look for the good in others and circumstances around us.

The Savior speaks to us in a voice we recognize.

Be bold and straightforward in teaching truth.

To increase our faith we may need to listen differently. 

Faith is powerful and often results in miracles.

Faith cannot violate another person's agency.

Faith cannot force our will upon God.

Faith does not force God's will but empowers us to act on God's will.

After the meeting was over and the visiting with aunts and cousins at the church was finished, I took the girls to Burger Baron for milkshakes. 

I love my beautiful daughters!!

Coming and Going

This Friday has the family coming and going to all manner of places. I wanted to document one of our busy days.
A day in the life of the Hardy's.

Brandon worked early today and so he and Jeff were out the door by 7am. Jeff dropped him off and then went to check out an upcoming job. He arrived back before the school kids left.
So the school kids were out the door by 8am and 8:15am. Jeff made eggs and I had a slow start to the morning. As I was getting in the shower, Jeff left again to feed and water the birds.
Then at 11am Brandon asked to be picked up from work. His work day ended early because there wasn't anything for him to do. I gathered up the kids to go get him and got a message after we arrived at the town shop, to find that Jeff was driving by and picked him up.
Because we were already out, we went to the bank instead. The kids love stamps from the tellers ink pads on their hands at the bank!
We came home, beating Jeff and Brandon. They showed up later. I'm still not sure where they went!
Just around noon some of the school kids arrived home. Maren and Savanna were a little longer to arrive because of safety patrol. Evan stayed for After School Adventures at the Parent Link Center. Lunch is a very casual affair at our house. It's basically make your own meal time and some eat and some don't. It's my way of teaching my kids how to provide a meal for themselves. At least that is what I think and hope they are learning...
Devin didn't stick around for too long. He got changed into dress clothes and went to Cardston to do temple baptisms with Halli and their friends. What a great way to spend a Friday afternoon.
After Jeff got Rebekka down for her nap, Aaren had Jeff take him out to Brody Jerome's house.
Maren and I went uptown to get a birthday gift for her friends party. When we got back, she had enough time to wrap the gift then get ready to be picked up. She was off to see Saturday's Warrior at the movie mill in Lethbridge with the birthday friends. She won't be back until late evening when the party is over.
Evan got a phone call and a friend wanted to play. So Braden Salmon came over and played until supper time.
After he left, the littles went to Sister Alma Mendenhall's to get rhubarb from her house that she picked, bagged and had ready for them to bring home.
Brandon left to hangout with Jordan Burton and Devin arrived home with Halli.
Aaren messaged to see what time he was needed home and asked if he could go into Lethbridge to the Stake Dance. Cassandra rode her bike around the block looking for the littles who wanted go for a walk but couldn't by themselves. (They were in the backyard instead. Didn't check there..)
Evan had computer time.
I made supper.
Those at home sat down to a simple Friday night supper. KD. Simply KD.  (Well I had roasted squash but nobody else was really interested.)
Jeff left to pick up Aaren. They came home. Jeff and Aaren ate while I went for the promised walk with the three youngest around the block.
Savanna and Tysyn jumped in the huge pile of leaves created by neighbourhood kids at Fromm's corner. They thought it was fun. Savanna beat us home once we were on the same street from our house. It was a chilly night. I only wore flip flops. I should have worn shoes. Good thing it was only one block.
When we got back, I took some quiet time in my room. Aaren got ready to go to the stake dance. His ride came and he left.
Tysyn asked for me to lay beside him and read stories. Maren came home. Tysyn was out within minutes after the light went out.
I'm ready to put the rest of the kids to bed and find a show on Netflix and settle in for the night. Hmmmm. Time to gather the kids!
Once the other kids were all gathered, I sang a couple of songs in place of stories and they drifted off to sleep. (Rebekka's stories of choice lately are Pinkalicious and Purplelicious. She wasn't impressed I chose to sing instead of read.)
Jeff came into the room to let me know about food brought from a ward member after a ward HP party. Baked potatoes, bacon bits, butter and buns. We will make short work of them! Yum.
I hope all the evening travellers remember who they are, what they stand for and return with honor. And they come home safely. I always worry when they are travelling with friends that they will be safe. I pray for their continued protection.

Just before 11:30pm, Devin called asking for a ride home from Halli's. I left to go get him.
I then went back to my movie to wait for Aaren to get home. I was watching for a bit when Jeff brought Tysyn in to our room. Tysyn was coughing and not settled. He lay on the bed while I rubbed Vicks on his chest and feet. Then he went back to sleep right beside me. Jeff fell asleep also. I let Tysyn lay beside us for a while to be sure he was asleep, and then I moved him to his bed.
I heard the front door open and close.
I could tell Aaren was home by his footsteps on the stairs. Knowing he is home, I stopped the movie and am going to sleep. There is too much movie left to continue watching it. I'll finish it another time. It's already late enough. The clock struck midnight quite awhile ago.
Hopefully Brandon will get home soon...
And lock up.

And yes, the day is done.

Stormy

Today was a rainy day. It rained non stop all day. I drove the elementary kids to school this morning and they asked if I could come and pick them up after school. I told them I would. I parked in Grandma's driveway after school and waited for the kids. I remembered Maren volunteered to do PM safety patrol this year and it was her week to be on the crosswalk. So she came out with the other patrollers and took their positions on the crosswalk. Tysyn, Rebekka and I were able to watch her work and serve her fellow students. She is in the red sweater. 

Letting Evan and Savanna cross.

RES held the annual family dance tonight. I took the kids. Cassandra joined us. Jeff went to the football game and watched from the truck. The kids were all excited to go but hated choosing between it and the football game. Once we actually got there, they weren't so excited to be there. Maren got called for a door prize which made Savanna really upset that she didn't get one too. Tysyn didn't get a chocolate cookie but there was a million varieties of chocolate chip to choose from. Rebekka was ready for bed and by the time the dance was almost over, 3 of the six kids with me, were crying. Sheesh. We should have stayed home!!

At home, we had some of the cake I made.

The family dance is a fundraiser and they always have a cake auction. I know it's a fundraiser, my kids know it. We also all know that as much as we want it, we can't afford to bid on the cakes at the auction. So I made a cake this afternoon so the kids could come home and eat cake too. (Someday.. we may splurge, and bid on a cake.)

After cake and teeth brushing it was bedtime. It was nice to see sleeping kids quietly dreaming the night away.

The football team won 69-0. At the second half, they put the second string on to play so Devin didn't play as much as he has in past games. I give my thumbs up to that style of coaching. Well done coaches and players!

Cross country runners and family fun

It was a chilly afternoon at Perrett Park for the junior high cross country run. Only about 12 degrees with occasional rain drops. When we got to Perrett Park for the Junior High races, the grade 7 girls had already started and the rest of the students were milling around waiting for their races.

Cassandra ran in the first race with the grade 7 girls. (We missed the start of her run.) Followed by the boys. Sequentially, Aaren and the grade 9 boys were last to run.
We had fun playing at the park and waiting for the runners to finish. It was even more fun when Sheralee brought little Hardy cousins to play with.
The kids had fun running up and down the hill by the lake.  Rebekka kept asking me:
Mom are you ready?

Are you ready?

Mom are you ready?

Mom, are you ready??

It's raining on my head.

Mom, mom, mom, are you ready?

Are you ready?

Rebekka asked the same question EVERY time she ran down the hill. My answer? YES!  Every time. 

Cheering Cassandra on to the finish line. 

Cheering cousin Jaylin Rasmussen

Cheering cousin Ammon Hardy

Cheering Aaren at the finish line.

After the races, we ran a couple of errands, then picked up Brandon from work. Then headed home.

Tonight, most of the family went to the "Celebrating Dads" night at the Parent Link Center.

Cassandra and Brandon weren't able to attend because they had shooting in Coaldale. We missed them!!!

We were fed a meal of hotdogs and hamburgers. And watermelon and ice cream. Dixie cup ice cream!! (I think our family ate a whole package alone.)

We found a place beside the Evanson family! Yay for cousins.

Yellow watermelon from McMullins. 

The kids played dress up and played with the toys until it was time to go to the gym.

In the gym, the kids and parents alike had fun playing with ropes, balls and scooters. The sibs were thrilled to have Devin pull them crazily around the gym. It was much more fun when dad joined the train at the front and put Devin on the end. I loved watching the laughter and positive family energy.

And the fear. (There was fear.)

Thanks for a great evening sponsored by the FCSS and Parent Link!

After we got home, daddy put the kids to bed. But not before reading stories first!