fed up and cooped up

I have been cooped up with sick children for days on end. I'm being dramatic. I've been cooped up since Thursday, or was it Wednesday? 2 of my kids have had 103 fevers and coughs that sound like the black lung. I have been doling out medicines and herbal remedies and soup and herbal tea like a medicine man or a medicine woman. I am tired and I don't want to hear the sound of a croupy cough echoing through my house. Tonight was opening night for my little kids school play. Luke has a lead part with solos and Sarah is in it as well. They were both way too sick to perform. They were so sad to miss out and I have been really bummed too. They have worked so hard for the past several months, learning songs and dances. Their counter parts had to fill in for them tonight. I pray they will be well for Wednesday's performance. 

I thought I'd post some pictures of some happy things from the past few weeks, 

 I need to be reminded of the good things in life. 

Like this front pack for my pets.

I laughed until I cried when I put my kitty Max in it. I'm thinking if I had to evacuate in an emergency (us Utahan's think about that kind of thing) I'd strap my kitty to my chest and make a run for it. I really like my kitty and I'd like to take him with me everywhere. 

Emmaline and Kaytlin had their first gig. They sang for 2 hours at our local Chick Fil-A. They were so good. I felt so proud and bragged on facebood and instagram. I am pretty jealous of their guitar and uke skills!

On Presidents Day I decided we were going to go on a family outing no matter what. 

I have 2 teenage daughters and it is getting really hard to do anything with all 7 of us. 

After some fights and slaps and tears and drama (I did not slap. My kids slap each other when faced with the task of getting ready to go somewhere as a family)

 After a rather miserable car ride to go get daddy from work, we were finally off to Spanish Fork Canyon to hike to some hot springs. 

The pictures of the waterfall and natural hot pools were so beautiful. 

We finally get there with maybe 2 and 1/2 hours of daylight left. When we arrive, the road to the trail head is closed. It's 6 miles to the trail and another 2.5 to the waterfall. We had to accept the fact that we'd just have to wait for another day to see the hot springs. The closed canyon road was snow packed and a beautiful walk. We walked up the canyon for about an hour with many other people who were hoping to see the springs. 

I have 5 children. There are only 4 here  because my second daughter was too ticked off to get out of the car. She slept and sulked in the car while we enjoyed the beauty of nature and the semi warm weather. I had my coat on but my kids are very warm blooded and ran around like it was summer. 

The happy family, minus the pouty one in the car. Isnt' that how it goes in a family? 

Somebody is always mad. 

We went to Slab Pizza in Provo. It was yummy and all the employees were beautiful, young, hip college students. 

Once again, somebody is mad. 

Can you spot the pink lump pouting in her coat? She wanted "healthy food", not pizza. 

Hooray for ice-cream, we all scream for ice cream. This was the magic moment when all 7 of us were happy about the same thing at the same time. I guess in Sarah's book, ice cream counts for "healthy food" because that's what she had for dinner. The BYU creamery is so good. Wow. We are going back there. 

So as you might know, I love animals. I need animals in my life like I need air and trees and a cozy bed. 

Here are my cats grooming Luke's head during family scripture study. 

We try to read the Book of Mormon every night and pray before bed with our kids. It makes things better in our family. Our pets always attend family scripture study and never complain about it. They set the example for our kids who are usually good sports about it. I think they know we need it. It brings Heaven's help in a wicked world. That's right. A wicked world. I am beyond concerned about the state or our nation. I think things are really bad and most of us are oblivious to how bad things really are. Pretty soon we won't be able to stay oblivious because it will be knocking at our doors and affecting our pocket book our schools our health care our grocery bill more than it already is.

Do I sound negative? I feel a bit down and fed up tonight. Maybe I shouldn't blog on a night when I feel fed up with the wicked world, plus the fact that  I've been cooped up with sick kids I'm a little nuts.

Back to happy things. 

For Valentines day Nate and I went to Park City over night. It was beautiful. The inversion was really bad and it was a miracle to drive up to the mountain city where the air is clean and the sky is blue. It was 55 degrees! We walked around art galleries and ate breakfast at our favorite place. 

Here is a huge crystal cluster in a beautiful jewelry store. I love crystals. I have become quite the collector of rocks, minerals, and crystals. I Love them! 

Here is one from my collection. It's called Labradorite. I love the meanings and uses for crystals. They aren't just pretty, they are helpful, like nutritious food or warm sunshine, they can help us physically and spiritually. 

I love to learn about and use them in my personal life and in my Reiki practice with clients. 

Organic Cauliflower of new and beautiful varieties. Bright Orange, soft purple and one that looks like a sea creature. They were so pretty and so delicious. My kids loved them as much as me! The purple one turned the water the pretties violet color. It was so pretty I drank it. Purple cauliflower "tea" is pretty good. My kids thought I was weird, but that's OK by me. There is something satisfying about embarrassing your kids with your dance moves or loud singing or  cauliflower water drinking. 

I have finally gotten out of my house and started exercising again! 

Miracle.

 Spring has srpung in Utah and I am hiking in the snow and slush even if I slide off a cliff. 

I need mother Nature so bad. 

When I go up to the mountains I feel so good. I feel the spirit of the earth heal me and soothe me and clear my head of all its clutter. 

I feel my angels hike along with me. I feel their love and joy for me and for the life I am creating. Even though I'm so flawed and make so many mistakes I feel my angels cheer for me and reassure me that I am doing great. I need Heaven's love and encouragement. I don't think I'm very well suited for this wild world. I think I'm a bit of a pansy.

 I want peace and happiness and rainbows and unicorns. 

I also want to look nice in pictures so I only took a picture with half my face, that way I can't see how my face is aging. 

It's odd to see your face change and age. 

It's actually fascinating in one sense but also a bummer to see your face get a little wilty. 

The sunsets have been beautiful. We have had some storms that have cleaned the air and made for glorious skies. I love it. I hike up high enough to get a good view and then I stand there and praise the Lord for his creations. 

I have had some wonderful Reiki appointments with some special clients. I learn so much and I feel so good helping people in this way. It is a powerful and uplifting experience. 

I look forward to many more rewarding experiences. 

I have a show coming up in April. Our Christmas show feels like it was a year ago, not 2 months ago. I really need to make a set list and get practicing with Ryan, Emily and Bridget.  My head hasn't  been focused on music lately. I bet it would help my head and heart if I could get myself to write a song or practice the guitar. I don't know why I haven't had the heart for it. I think I do know why but that is another post that may or may not get posted. 

My friend and owner of the recording studio where I record got me this show in April.

 It is in West Bountiful on April 8th. 

I'll post about it as it gets closer. 

Well, the coughing kids are finally quietly sleeping. Poor things. It's nice to be the only one awake. Sometimes being alone is the only time I can hear my own thoughts and feel peace. I don't feel quite so fed up and cooped up after blogging tonight. 

Thanks for reading. Have a lovely day/night. :)