Tons to update.  We are winding down in the school year, which is extremely difficult to believe.  It seems like we just started, and here we are with two days left.  Sage also graduates on Friday.  It is unreal, and I would be lying if I said that I had not been bawling and crying about the fact that she is going to be finishing school, and of course I miss Jamie every day.  Crying is just something I do often, and no one really seems surprised or shocked by it at all any more. 
     We had Mother's day last week, and it was a great one.  Ryan took me to dinner at the Casa because he likes their seafood, and I like their steaks.  He also had picked a bunch of flowers down by the river for Sage to make an arrangement with.  He had picked cactus flowers even, which is a difficult task.  Sags had gone down by the sewer ponds and grabbed some oleanders as well ha ha!  my girl is very resourceful and talented, and the arrangement turned out beautifully.  Mo, Dill, and Chlo gave me some very nice homemade cards and trinkets.  The youth and primary children sang a song entitled, "you are enough" and it was so beautifully done.  I bawled through the whole thing (big shocker there).  The ward passed out a cookie that was stuffed with a marshmallow and dipped in chocolate...one of the best treats ever.  The best part was talking to our Sister Bundy for several hours at the ranch with Grandma and Grandpa.  She is doing well, and it was good to catch up with her, and hear about how she is doing.  I love my kids and husband.  They were very good to me on Mothers day. 
     Ryan asked Dill the other night who her favorite Daddy was...she told him that Mom was her favorite Dad.  I am not even sure how that even makes any sense.  She also asked him yesterday, if he loved her or mom more.  He explained that he did love her very much, but that he loved mom most of all.  She is really coming up with some deep thoughts.  Right now she has lego fangs and is being a vampire.  She steps out of the house every few minutes with the intent on scaring the dog.  She claims that it is working because the dog doesn't even recognize her in her vampire costume.  The one downer is that she is missing a tooth in the front, and vampires really need their teeth.  It is a good thing that we have legos to make up for the lost tooth.
     Mo and Chlo spent a bulk of their evening the other night pounding stakes into the ground for whatever reason.  They dug a large hole in the lawn where the dog likes to dig, and then pounded a bunch of stakes.  I realize this makes zero sense, but hey, at least it kept them busy.

    Mo and Dill struggled with reverence this week in shrsh.  Dill is also hitting that stage where she is wanting to wear nothing but underwear for the most part.  At church she began getting that urge to strip because her dress was "spiky".  I cannot tell you how much like Sage that girl really is.  It is almost like deja vu.  Sage used to remove her tights if the seam did not line up across her toes quite right.  She would complain that they were "wiggly and jiggly" and off they would come.  Often Dill removes her clothes, because she wants to play in a blanket, and having clothes on makes her feel "too soft".  She complained about her quesadilla the other day because she claimed it tasted like "dirt."  This reminds me of Sage refusing toast that was "sad".  Sage would also tell me that things tasted like dirt if anything was even remotely moldy.  Yes...I am raising Sags all over again.
     Speaking of Sage, it is time to brag about her a bit.  She had awards ceremony last week, and she walked away with a ton of awards.  She is graduating Salutatorian (they gypped her valedictorian status because of one measly class that the high school labeled an AP class, but the district disputed)  She got an award for her grade point average, the honor roll, she was awarded the FFA award, the English department award, and the yearbook commitee.  She has excelled in academics, and deserved every award she got.  I saw first hand all of the hard work, late nights, early mornings etc.  She also refused to do homework on Sundays.  The Lord truly did bless her for her dedication.
     Sunday evening was seminary graduation, and she was released from the seminary council.  She will also be speaking in her high school graduation this weekend.
     Yesterday Sage turned 18.  It is hard to believe.  She and I took Jaylee Whipple with us and we spent the day in St George.  We went to the temple and did baptisms first.  I had not participated in baptisms for probably twenty years.  It was awesome.  We then went to lunch and bought some much needed items for Saggers wardrobe.  We also got to talk with Jamie yesterday evening.  We all kinda needed her strength and light.  It was a blessing. 
     Sage had asked for pasta with alfredo sauce for dinner last night.  Really, a simple request that should have been a simple undertaking.  Just as I was about ready to serve the family ( and it was late because of our phone call with Jamie)  Jerusha inquired if I had really cleaned the pan that I was using.  She explained that she and Ryan had used that pan to catch some anti-freeze in. They are working on fixing up a truck for her. I just did not want the riskthere was even a drop of antifreeze in myfood.  So, I had to start that portion of dinner over.  Sometimes I cannot help but wonder why the heck.  Why was my pan utilized for such a thing?  Whose idea was that one?  Who's idea was it just to stick the antifreeze pan in the sink??? Oh my heck that one could have killed us.  I had rinsed and cleaned the pan as a precaution, but I did not know that it had antifreeze, and so I wasn't really confident in my cleaning.  Anyhow, we just have to have a sense of humor about this stuff. 
    Jamie got a new companion this week, and absolutely loves her.  They get along really well, and she feels like she is finally getting the hang of things.  Her new companion is Sister Christensen from Riverton I believe...maybe it is West Jordan, but kinda same thing.  We all prayed and fasted she would get someone she worked well with.  I am so grateful those prayers were answered.  Cache was also made a district leader this past week.  I just love my missionaries.

   

     I have a few updates, and would like to remember all of the crazy and funny things that happen every day.  I also would like to do better to recognize the blessings that I am constantly blessed with daily.  It is always fun to go back and read about all of the miracles, blessings, and funny things that the kids have said and done.
     So, Ryan had been invited to speak at the Patriot Summit in Virginia, and he had agreed to do that.  I was a little annoyed because it was Ivy's wedding that weekend, and yet, I didn't growl too much because both of us figured that he would not be able to fly.  I still tried to make preparations to go alone.  My first concern was the van.  It is seriously still hobbling, but driving that far, and in large portions without phone service, and with seven kids, it just wasn't a good idea.  I toyed with the idea of just flying myself down there, but I did not jump too quick at that idea, and the longer I waited, the more expensive tickets became.  That would have also slammed the door of Ryan going with me all together, and I really figured that he would not be able to fly to his speaking assignment.  Finally, I just arranged to ride down with Troy, and ride back with Doug.  That ticked the kids off, as they really wanted to see the Huntington family, and be a part of the wedding, but they are ticked off at me a large bulk of the time, and I am kinda used to that feeling.  Anyhow, I enjoyed the rides.  It gave me an opportunity to chat with Troy, and with Doug and Larissa. 
     Ryan was grilled for five hours in Vegas.  His ticket is still marked with the SSSS label, meaning that he is a terrorist.  Coupled with the fact that his wallet was missing, along with his photo ID, and I am still surprised they allowed him to fly.  Somehow, the interrogators saw through the BS.  It just goes to show that if God wants Ryan to speak, He will provide a way.
     When we arrived, we caught wind that Gary was sick to the extreme.  This put a damper on things, because Gary is tons of exciting fun.  He had literally eaten a pizza with a gallon of orange juice the evening before as he watched the NFL draft.  I could not say that I was too surprised that he did not feel great after eating an acidic pizza, along with acid juice.  I would insitnctively know not to try such a combination, and as I am always trying to maintain a heifer appearance,so I would not have eaten more than two slices ha ha.  I admire Gary for his ability to live life to the fullest....no holding back.  But, in this case he should have held back ha ha!
    It had also been my plan to stay with Gary, but I was now concerned about making him feel like he had to play host and entertain me.  Having your daughter get married is a huge deal, and a huge day, and so I scrambled around for a bit, and found a Marriott room for a good price, thanks to Jeff's employment there.  This was a nice room, with a king sized bed, and a smart tv.  I felt kinda guilty just being alone and having it all to myself.  I missed the kids, and Ryan, but I soaked in the silence and the ability to just do whatever.  I didn't get too wild.  Watched a dateline on Youtube, and then fell asleep.  All night, the bed seemed to go on for miles, and I could picture myself calling the lobby and asking for pillows or something to take up the extra space...but I didn't.
    The next morning, we went to Gary's and he was sicker than I had ever seen him before. This prompted me to book a room again.  The wedding was beautiful, and the groom's family had provided a full dinner buffet, and Kristiann had done a dessert bar with every dessert imaginable.  I tried really hard to cover her portion, and Kelly helped me.  Ivy was beautiful in a dress that Krisitann had made, and I really enjoyed being with the family.  Gary was forced to stand most of the evening, and I could tell he was ready to pass out.  But, things rarely ever go as planned, and he made it through it.  It was also Julia's prom night, and I was very flattered when she asked me to do her hair.  She even left it in for the whole evening ha ha!  She looked gorgeous.
     So, I returned Sunday evening, and after being interrogated for three hours on the other end of the country, Ryan returned at like 1 or 2 am.  It was good to get him home.
     Sage and Jerusha had like three FFA deals on three different evenings.  Jazz and Oak insisted on going to the new Marvel movie that was like a gazillion hours long, and the week flew by.  I spoke with Jamie again, who was struggling a bit, but I had her laughing before we hung up, and I am grateful that they modified that rule.  I think it helps those missionaries get past sticky spots as they serve. 
     There is a boy from Moapa who has taken an interest in Jerusha.  I am grateful that he is interested, and he comes from a great family, and seems nice, but she is still 15 and so I have been pretty annoying about limiting their time, and providing chaperones.  He came up a day with his sister because he had some errands to run.  They included Dill, which made her feel extremely important.  He also spoiled her with four king sized candybars, and she was thinking she was it for the remainder of the day.  She wouldn't really share, and was very selective on who she would break off a piece for.  The hour break from being bossed around was nice too.
     On Saturday, Ryan had a potluck dinner with the Sons of Liberty group and we were meeting at Cove Fort.  Jerusha and Sage were both informed of this get-together pretty late in their defense and neither one of them wanted to go at all.  Sage had volunteered to babysit for Megan Teerlink for the day, and it was her plan to switch off with Jazz.  Jerusha volunteered to babysit instead because she had her friend's quincenera and she insisted that she had to be there.  Sage just couldn't possibly go because of all of her math homework.  It was a full morning of bantering and bickering, and I finally just told Jerusha that she was going with us.  Jazz was not going to be available to team babysit, and that was that.  Sage would have to handle the babysitting job alone, and she needed to work harder to try to come to family events. 
     The ride is almost three and a half hours from here, and there was plenty of annoying bickering the whole way down.  Oak had thought to bring a pillow, but wasn't using it.  Jerusha was using it to lay down with and read her book, but of course, once Jerusha decided to use it, Oak just wasn't having it.  He definitely needed the pillow and he needed it now.  Mo was kicking Chlo, and she would pinch or hit him back.  Dill really didn't need any reason at all to bawl, and plenty bawling was happening.  When we finally reached Beaver, everyone was hungry, and Ryan volunteered to stop at the creamery and buy some squeaky cheese.  He also purchased some crackers, and the kids wandered around, and learned a lot.  Of course, all of the kids were begging for ice cream at that point, and yet we were 20 minutes away from a full blown pot luck dinner.  Ryan had a really difficult time telling Dill "no".  She bawled and bawled for the remainder of the drive at that news.
     Jerusha was still quite mad that she was expected to attend the event and refused to do anything of the social sort.  There were kids her age, and she finally did come out and visit with a young man dressed in a Confederate Uniform.  They also took the kids on a hike so that the adults could have a discussion about the scriptures, and freedom and liberty. Dill got a little bit of pee in her underwear and so she stripped.  I had to put her in the car, find her underwear, and I simply stuck her back in her pajamas.  Oak kept climbing the tree that we were gathered around and the bark would fall on everyone seated...that was annoying, and so typical of Oak.  The little kids had a war with wooden swords and shields and they seemed to have a really good time.  Jerusha was very antsy to leave, and what was so very typical, was that Ryan had fallen asleep in the middle of the meeting, and so what really was the point?  She hounded him to leave, and I was kinda surprised when he agreed to leave.  Normally if you hound him to leave before his time, he will stay longer than necessary just to prove that he can. 
     Dill began bawling as soon as we left.  At this point she had removed her clothes again, down to her underwear.  She claims that she cannot cuddle down in a blanket with clothes because it is too "fluffy" or too "soft."  Once again, she makes zero sense, but I have never had a kid that didn't go on the clothes protest for a period of time.  I guess we are in that period of time with Dill.  Anyhow, the bawling continued until Ryan promised to stop and buy her an ice cream cone if she would stop bawling...which she did.  Is that rewarding bad behavior?  Quite possibly, and I guess it explains a lot.  Anyhow, once she had eaten her ice cream cone, she fell alseep in a cozy bed that Wazz had made for her, and she slept most of the trip home...which came back to haunt me later when it was time for bed.  My thought at the time was to just assume that Ryan would not need to sleep much overnight because he had snoozed most of the trip up, slept through most of the meeting, and slept most of the trip back...but guess who was snoring by 9:30?  Yep, which left me wrastling with a restless Dill until pretty late that night.
     Sunday dawned and we were pretty unprepared.  Oak could not find his church pants, Mo could not find his church pants, and Dill's hair was in literal knots.  We washed the hair, and added plenty of conditioner in an attempt to soften things up, but it took quite a lot of work with happy brush to start seeing some results.  Chloee needed happy brush too and asked Dilly politely if she could use it as soon as Dill was done with it.  Dill told her she could, but continued to hold happy brush captive for a large portion of time.  Chlo would ask for it repeatedly with no luck or brush from Dill.  I finally could hear Chlo once again begging for happy brush, and I had decided it was time to go and intervene on behalf of Chlo.  I will never forget the little sight I came in to find.  Dill was kneeling on the floor in front of Chloee in her lovely shrsh dress with her hair brushed and styled nicely.  She was explaining to Chlo that she was welcome to use the brush as long as she paid Dill a dollar for each use.  There were no words, I was so surprised.  Where does Dill get that kind of nerve?
    While I was gone yesterday for awhile, Avery came to pick up Jerusha for a softball game that his sister was playing in.  While he was here he got bombarded with mexican peanut butter candy that the kids crumbled and threw at him, along with the batch of clean clothing that was sitting in the basket on the couch.  Needless to say, I am so grateful we always make such a great impression.  It didn't even scare him off either.  I was a little ticked off and embarrased when I learned of those turn of events.
     Today, Dill and I cleaned up the office.  Dill was excited to find her little stuffed lamb "Rachel".  She has been playing with Rachel most of the day, and obviously blankets are involved because once again...clothes have come off.  It is going to be a long summer with that child. 
    Sage and I are working on grad announcements, and I expect Jerusha will have an orchestra concert any day.  Oak is hounding me over some summer activites, and it is just difficult to believe that summer is almost here.