Mar 18 2020

Extended Spring Break!

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Karin

With the craziness that is happening lately I thought it would be good to keep track of what we are doing to keep busy. My kids school got cancelled yesterday for the COVID-19 pandemic. So far the plans for reopening are March 30th but who knows if we will actually send kids back by then. My mom who lives in Oregon told me their schools have planned to stay closed until April 28th! I choose to believe it’s an extended spring break for us in hopes that school will start up again by the end of the month.

This is what I’ve started to keep us busy. My kid’s first day without school was yesterday. I had them clean their bathroom and pick up their rooms. I spent the day scrubbing and oiling cabinets. That’s right we started spring cleaning a little early this year! I figured each day they are home we could do a little spring clean up and hopefully our home will be sparkling in time for them to get back to school. My kids aren’t excited about this little endeavor of mine but I figured it would be good for them to spend a couple hours cleaning instead of playing video games. Plus this will teach them to appreciate their home and maybe take better care of it. Who am I kidding they probably view it as slave labor.

Yesterday while doing the cabinets my back and wrist started hurting. I find that when I start a project I often overdue it and end up hurting myself because I don’t stop until it’s done. So today I enlisted the help from two of my three kids. We did something a little less intense. We cleaned all the doors in the house. It doesn’t seem like a lot but when you have 29 doors in the house it can be when you have to do it by yourself. Having my two helpers really made a difference.

The worse doors to clean were the doors to the outside. Go figure I mean that is where our homes meet the world right!? The interior doors were better and took less time to clean. To clean the doors all I used was a wash rag, bucket with hot water and some dish soap, and a magic eraser. The wash rag and soapy water help to get the dirt and grime off and the magic eraser is for the finger smudges and black marks. It takes a little elbow grease but we were able to accomplish the task in a little over an hour. It would have taken me twice as long by myself. Once we were done all the doors look amazing!

Mar 23 2019

Mom’s recovery

Posted on March 23, 2019 by Karin

For the past 12 days I’ve had the amazing opportunity to spend some time with my mom as she recovers from her foot amputation. After finding out my mom had her foot amputated many people asked if it was because of diabetes. Although my mom does have diabetes this was not the cause of her amputation. It’s a long story and I could probably write a book about it but because I don’t want this post to be about what happened but more of an update about her recovery I will sum it up in a few sentences. About 16 1/2 years ago she had a very traumatic accident involving a ladder and a trip up to the roof. This accident led to a compound fracture, severed artery, and crushed heal. They were able to save her foot but since she has had 16 surgeries on her foot. With increasing levels of pain and not many options left this has led to the amputation of her left foot on February 19th, 2019.

I wished that I could’ve been there when she had the surgery but because of previous commitments I was forced to wait three weeks after. My dad was her nurse for the first two weeks and my older sister was her nurse for the third week. Towards the end of the third week and before my arrival I asked my sister what I should expect. She was very positive and told me that mom was recovering very well and was very independent already. She didn’t have to do much for her. I was skeptical and was expecting that when I came that there would be more to it than that.

I am happy to report that it is as my sister said. Mom is doing so well. Her pain level right after her surgery was pretty bad. When the the Physical Therapist came she could only stand for about 3 seconds before the pain got so bad she had to sit. This is expected, for heavens sake, she just had her foot cut off. She had a lot of support from her church ward. Many meals were brought in.

By the third week she was feeling 10 times better. This is the week my sister was with her. She was able to dress and shower herself and was getting stronger everyday. My sister said it felt more like a vacation for her. My sister cooked and cleaned and helped mom get her clothes for her. It was during this week that mom got her stitches out and a few days later she and my sister were able to sit in the hot tub. My sister said it was tricky getting in. My mom was even able to tag along to walk the dog. Well really the dog pulled her in her wheelchair down the street with my sister holding on for dear life.

While I’ve been here I’ve pretty much have done as my sister did. I cook, clean, we walk the dog, run errands, I helped plant the garden, and we spent a day on the coast enjoying the sound of the waves. Mom is even more independent. She can get her own clothes, she has started using crutches as part of her physical therapy and strength training. She can maneuver her wheelchair in and out of the house. She can go down the driveway by herself but because of the steepness of the driveway can’t get back up it on her own yet. During physical therapy the therapist had her stand for a minute. She did it without trouble and probably could’ve stood there even longer. Her pain level is very low. She has some phantom pain. She said it’s not super painful but more of an annoying weird sensation that she still has a foot and there is something in between her big toes. You know the toes that are no longer there. She has mirror therapy to help with that. It’s about retraining your brain and should get better over time. She has an appointment next week to start fitting her for a prosthesis.

My mom has been an example of strength for me. When the accident originally happened there were many little miracles that happened in order for her to keep her leg. When my mom said she was going to amputate my first reaction was to question the decision. Why when I saw so many miracles to save the foot would the lord allow it to be taken away. My mom’s response that I’ve heard her give multiple times is if she would have had to give up her foot 16 1/2 years ago she would have had a very difficult time with it. It would have been harder mentally and physically to give it up. She has had constant pain for 16 1/2 years . This was the lords way of preparing her to lose her foot.

My mom’s attitude has been amazing with this. Her sense of humor keeps her spirits up. She often jokes that she will change her middle name to Peggy, or Ilene. She also likes to joke that she doesn’t have a foot to stand on. I personally think that it is because of her up beat attitude that she is recovering so well and so quickly. She still has a long road ahead of her. The new prosthesis will have it’s own challenges but I know my mom and she is strong.

Dec 24 2018

Merry Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Karin

Merry Christmas from the Edwards

Merry Christmas! Usually I’m pretty good about getting Christmas cards out by the first week of December but not this year. I love getting Christmas cards each year from friends and family. I’ve noticed that over the years more and more people stop sending cards and I just couldn’t understand the reason for it. Well this year I fully understand. I didn’t get cards out this year. First issue we didn’t have a good picture to put on a card. Another issue my husband takes the pictures and I often need to wait for him to upload the pictures before making the cards. I’m still waiting on pictures for our Hawaii trip from June! Last issue, it gets busy this time of year and I totally get why people don’t spend the extra time on cards. I guess this is the alternative to a card this year. Hopefully next year we will be better.

Corey and I celebrated 19 years of marriage this year by going to Hawaii with my parents. This is my first visit to Hawaii and I fell in love with snorkeling. Throughout the year I’ve kept busy with various hobbies like, tennis, hiking, and sewing. Corey is still involved with the Bonneville County Search and Rescue. He has been an active member now for 9 years. Corey has also really enjoyed wood working the last couple of years. He has built many projects for me and a few furniture items for the home. His biggest project this year was building a podium for the Search and Rescue building.

Preston is now a Junior in High School. He is really involved with the music and drama program at Bonneville High School. The school has an amazing choral program and he enjoys being a member of the Bonnevaires. In the spring they went on tour to San Francisco. He is also in a smaller more elite group of apollo 6 a group of 6 young men who sing more barber shop style. This next year the choir is planning on going on tour to Seattle. He also participated in the Drama district competition where Bonneville High School took first place. He then was able to participate in state for his Musical theater ensemble. He’s a busy kid and we often don’t see him until late in the evening most school days.

Levi is now experiencing his last year in middle school. He enjoys playing the cello in his school’s orchestra. He also decided to stick with piano lessons one more year. He turned 13 this year and is looking forward to passing his mom up in height. He is only about a centimeter away! He just returned from a trip to Disneyland with Grandma and Grandpa Tiffany and 3 of his other 13 &14 year old cousins. He loves playing video games with his friends. To his mom and dad’s dismay he has also become an excellent flosser (not the teeth kind of floss but the dance from the game forte night).

Sophia started 5th grade this year. She is involved in the schools drama club. They are working on the lion king jr. musical. She is also taking piano lessons and enjoys trying to make up her own songs. She is always humming around the house often times Corey and I have to remind her that she is humming. She loves anything to do with animals and was able to participate in the the local junior zoo keeper program at the zoo this summer.

It’s been a crazy year and shows no sign of slowing down for the next year. We hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Love, The Edwards

Aug 29 2016

First Day of School 2016

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Karin

We did it! We survived the first day of school! All the kids had a good day at school and are excited to get the new year started. Now that it’s the end of the day we are all a little tired but in good spirits. Sophia started 3rd grade this year. I love this little girl. She always has a song in her head and a smile on her face. Levi started 6th grade. This is his last year of elementary school. This guy is my sensitive helper boy. He always knows just what I need and is willing to lend me a hand. Preston started his freshman year in high school. Today he was the one who was the most tired when he got home. He is a very bright boy and loves spending time with his friends. I love these kids of mine.

3rd grade

6th grade

9th grade

Aug 27 2016

The Week Before School Goal 10

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Karin

The week before school goal 10: Since today is the last day of summer vacation our goal is to have some fun. We usually go to a drive in theatre but the movies playing tonight aren’t really kid friendly. So we will try a matinee at the local theatre. Our goal is to spend time with the kids and enjoy freedom for a day.

Aug 26 2016

The Week Before School Goals 8 & 9

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Karin

The week before school Goal 8: As I’ve said before I’m not a morning person so making a big nutritious breakfast for my kids before school is not on my mind in the morning. Usually it’s cold cereal. I like to make some things to go into the freezer to give a kids a better option for breakfast. Yesterday I made some french toast sticks. I get the big texas toast and make french toast than cut them into strips. I’ll freeze them so then my kids in the morning can just grab a few and stick them in the microwave and wallah yummy breakfast. Today I’m making breakfast burritos. These freeze really well. It takes about a dozen scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, & cheese. I’ll scramble the eggs until they are just a little runny and then layer in a tortilla egg, hashbrown, bacon, and cheese. Roll them up and wrap them in saran wrap put them in a ziplock freezer bag and put them in the freezer. To heat them up we just unwrap them stick them on a plate and microwave for 2 mins turning half way through. I also made chocolate chip cookie dough this week and portion it out and froze that for the after school snacks.

french toast sticks for breakfast

Cookies for snack

The week before School Goal 9: Haircuts! I usually cut my kids hair at the beginning of summer and then let it grow all summer. By the time school starts they all really need a good haircut. I’ll probably take Sophia to a salon to get hers done because I’m not that familiar with cutting girls hair. The trick for this goal to be accomplished is convincing my boys that they need a haircut. My 14 year old is going to be especially tricky. Did I mention that I hate cutting hair and getting it all over and having to clean it up? Another reason this is going to be a difficult one to accomplish.

Aug 25 2016

The Week Before School Goal 6 & 7

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Karin

Goal number 1 is still as tough as ever. It’s probably the toughest thing for me during the school year. I just can’t wake myself up! Anyway still have the same problems as before. Yesterday’s shopping was as horrific as I thought it would be. By the end of the day we were all tired and cranky. Next year the oldest is going to go with his dad. He’s the one I had the most trouble with. Can you believe that? My 14 1/2 year old was the worst. It doesn’t help that he hates shopping and didn’t want to be there in the first place. I’ve tried shopping for him before and just bringing something home but that doesn’t work either. He’ll usually complain about how it fits and then never wear it. He has to be there as painful as it is for the both of us. Anyway, that goal is done and I shouldn’t have to do that again until next year.

The first week of school goal #6: Today we have a big goal to obtain. It’s something that I usually do at the end of the school year but I just kept putting it off and here we are it has to be done now. It’s cleaning up all the old papers and clutter from the last year of school. My kids have some baskets that I let them put their school papers in. Throughout the year we’ll sift through them and throw away anything not worth saving. I can’t tell you how many times this has saved us with Levi and missing assignments. Before school starts the next year we clear out the baskets and make room for the new year. I swear my kids alone bring home enough papers each year to kill a forest. Here is a picture of what we have to deal with today.

Sophia’s dresser

Sophia’s basket

Levi’s dresser and basket

Levi’s shelf

As you can see we have our work cut out for us. I’ll try and take pictures when we are all done so you can see the results. It’s crazy how it only takes a short amount of time before it’s out of control. I know the kids are going to hate doing this but they’ll appreciate it when it’s nice and tidy (at least I hope they do) One way a child learns best is in a clean and uncluttered environment. I’m just prepping them for homework later right?

The first week of school goal #7: Tonight we have Back to School Night for the elementary kids. So we are going to tackle all those school supplies. We went school supply shopping back in July before our trip to Oregon. I had to stop by the store yesterday because I needed a few last minute items. Don’t you love it when they change the school supply list the week before school starts?! We’ll get them all organized and ready to take to the school tonight so we can drop them all off. The kids will also get to meet their teachers tonight. As much as I don’t like back to school night I think it’s great for my kids. It helps them get familiar with the environment and ease some of their night before school starts jitters.

Aug 24 2016

The Week before school Goal 5

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Karin

Goal number 1 is going to be the death of me this week. I actually woke up before my alarm because of the smell of smoke from the fire burning in the hills. Getting out of bed though was a joke this morning. Even my normally chirpy 3rd grader had a difficult time. She eventually climbed into bed with me which made it even harder to wake up. We eventually got out of bed at 7:00. We would never make it to the bus stop on time if we kept doing that. My oldest, however, had an easier time getting up. I woke him up around 7:05 and he was up eating breakfast less than five minutes later. I’m not sure I’ll ever win this battle but hopefully it’ll get easier.

The week before school Goal 5: Today I have activity days at my house so we can’t really get going until after lunch. Remember Goal number two? We made room for new clothes. Today is the day to go and get those new clothes. One thing I like to do is go to any websites of places I plan to go to and download any coupons that we could use. It’s expensive to buy new clothes for the kids and any kind of break I can get I’ll take. Shopping is not my favorite thing to do especially with three children in tow. As my kids have gotten older it becomes easier in some ways and harder in others. Easier because they are more well behaved harder because they have become more picky on what they want to wear. I may need a long nap by the time the day is over. Wish me luck!

Aug 23 2016

The week before school Goal 3 & 4

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Karin

This morning was rough. My oldest still didn’t get up until 20 minutes after I woke him. I was very sluggish. After I woke the elementary children I tried to sneak back to bed. I’m really not a morning person. I really appreciate my youngest brightness when she wakes up. When I told her wake up she said “hold on I’m still sharpening my dream pencil”. She makes me smile and helps me be better.

Goal 3 for the week before school: I have to go lunch shopping. My kids usually take a cold lunch to school so I have to stock up on things like chips, juice boxes, fruit cups, and granola bars. This means a big box store run. Which I really hate because I always spend way more than I planned. While I’m there I also need to stock up on tissues. We all know that when school starts so does the spread of germs. It doesn’t take long before my kids come home with a cough and runny nose. My sister’s kids started school where they live a couple of weeks ago and only 3 days after the first day of school two of her three kids were home puking. Not fun! I hope our first week goes better than that.

Goal 4 for the week before school: Since my kids take a cold lunch I try and have something besides a sandwich that they can choose from. I make muffins. I usually have a couple of varieties in the freezer that they can take instead of the sandwich. My kids favorite is chocolate zucchini muffins and huckleberry muffins. I’ve also done raspberry, banana, lemon poppy seed, blueberry, and bran muffins. The bran ones didn’t go well I think each kid took one and the rest I got to eat. That was okay with me. My kids love having this option. Sandwiches all the time get old really quickly. So today I’m going to make some muffins. Might as well start with their favorites. I’ll cook a couple batches and stick them in the freezer where they will last about a month before they have disappeared. Then I restock. The kids stick a frozen muffin in their lunch box in the morning and by lunch time it is thawed and ready to eat.

Aug 22 2016

The week before school Goal 1 & 2

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Karin

We have had a great summer and it’s hard to see it gone but alas summer is almost over. My kids start school one week from today. The week before school starts I like to prep my kids so I know they are ready. My first goal for the week is waking my kids up at the time they would get up for school. That is 6:30 am for my elementary age kids and 7 am for my oldest. During the summer our sleep hours become lax. Bedtime gets pushed back and I let my kids sleep as long as they want in the morning. If I waited until the first day of school to start waking my kids up their bodies would not be used to the deprived sleep. They would be grumpy at school and want to sleep. I can’t do that to the teachers who work so hard to give my children their all. That is why we prep them for school. That way the first day isn’t a shock to their system and they are ready to learn. This morning was tough. My alarm went off at 6:30 and automatically my hand flies up to push the snooze. I’m usually up at 6:30 for my morning walks but I’ve taken a little break and it’s already tough to wake up. Once I was up I went and woke the little ones. My 3rd grader had an easier time getting up. She is really a morning person. She will wake up all year round with a song and a smile. My 6th grader is a different story. He took a little longer and usually I pay for it later when tempers flair and he isn’t quite awake. It’s now 7:30 am and my two oldest are already arguing. My 9th grader who has been a morning child before has crept into that teenage cycle of wanting to sleep all the time. He gets to sleep in an extra half hour than the others because his school starts later. I woke him up at 7:05 this morning and didn’t see him until 7:20. Hopefully this gets better during the week.

The second goal for today is cleaning out my children’s dresser drawers. We will at some point need to go get new school clothes this week. So today we have to make room for those clothes. We will remove anything that isn’t being worn or is too small or worn out. We will fill a bag of slightly used clothing and take it to the DI (Deseret Industries). This is a must. I let my 6th grader hang on to too many shirts last year and now his drawers have a difficult time closing. He doesn’t even wear half of the shirts in there.

In A Nutshell

Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together– Elder M. Russell Ballard

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