Jeff, Tiffany, and Their 3 Little Baers: Star Wars Exhibit

Jeff and I thought we hit the jackpot when we left the kids at Mama Baer's after Christmas. And they obviously had a lot of fun.

We thought they would stay until Wednesday, but then they said they could stay until Thursday! We both had so many things on our to do list, and we managed to get most of them done.

My mom sent me some emergency supplies so we have some starter packs that I will just add to here and there.

Jeff didn't have to work Monday, so he had some appointments and I worked on the house and catching up on my blog, and then we went on a date! It was so fun to be together and I haven't laughed so hard in I don't know how long. We used our Olive Garden gift card and then saw La-La Land. It was just a fun, fun day. It was so nice to be able to feel like we could go through areas of the house and declutter and get a handle on things before bringing back new toys.

Trevor and Heather were driving through on their way from Utah to Kansas, so we met them at Cracker Barrel. It was a very fun visit!

I met Sarah, Diana, and Michael half way to bring them home on Thursday. The kids did so great the whole day and this was our easiest transition yet from them being gone. I think it was because we didn't have to make the two-hour roundtrip visit, which includes packing them up, loading the car, then driving home, unloading it and seeing the house explode. We put everything away pretty quickly, Ryan had a friend over to play, and Jeff worked with the kids to carefully wrap their ornaments, put the tree away, and vacuum the front room. It feels very good to sit in a home that is somewhat organized and where there's order.

We were so grateful for our time together these last few days, but I will say that we missed our kids. We talked about them every day and laughed as we remembered things they had said or done. It really is so fulfilling to live life for other people and to help them grow and develop. I will never say no to an opportunity for a break, but it's always nice to recognize that I'd much rather have my kids in my life than out of my life. We love them so much and love having their sweet and fun little personalities in our home.

Jeff and I have been talking about our finances and the potential of buying a house. I'm excited to budget and take control of our finances and savings and make a plan for our financial future.

The kids came home on Thursday, and on Friday we turned around and went back to Denver for chiropractic appointments and the Star Wars costume exhibit at the art museum. Ryan kept telling me he really doesn't like long car rides. We had forgotten some things at Mama Baer's, so we made a quick stop there, then made it early to our appointments. The timing of everything we did today worked out so perfectly, it's rare that happens, that I just attribute it to the prayer we said in the morning about making it to everything we were doing on time today. Jeff's legs were off by about an inch, and he was putting 25 extra pounds on one leg. He has been in pain from his tailbone and just back pain in general, so hopefully this helps!

After appointments we went to Chik Fil A. The kids at and then played for a long time. Jeff did a call for work out in the car, and I just sat at my table reading scriptures and other good books. Max would come out to tell me every once in awhile about a girl not letting him get on the slide, or someone saying he was a bad guy when he didn't want to be. I told him to say "no thank you" to that last one, and he came back to report that he said that. It was a very pleasant lunchtime.

Afterward we found the perfect parking spot (which was great since we forgot strollers) and the kids did a great job walking so much in the museum. They liked having their little audio devices, Lily loved all of Queen Amidala's dresses, Ryan loved the stormtroopers, and Max loved BB8 and friends. It was very crowded, but the kids really handled everything so well and there weren't really any meltdowns. I forgot to mention that Max fell asleep in the car for 15 minutes, but when we got there he woke up in a great mood.

The kids were excited that the blue guy's name is Max.

Our drive home had some traffic, but again, the kids did a wonderful job and we listened to good music and passed the time happily. I came home absolutely exhausted, but Jeff helped out so much with bathing Max (I cleaned his car seat since a diaper spilled out), organizing some legos, and helping with laundry. He went to a game night with friends, so I was grateful for all he did before he left.

On Saturday Jeff spent a lot of the day working on the U-Wing lego with Ryan (Ryan was so excited!) that Michael gave us. Jeff said Ryan put all the pieces together, he just directed him. It was pretty impressive.

Lily loves putting together these pillow craft kits.

We celebrated New Year's Eve by playing picture apples to apples (Lily's favorite game), and drinking Martinelli's then watching a fake countdown.

Sunday was nice to not have to rush to church since it was at 1 and Jeff had to speak and we both had lessons. We even put Max down for a nap before church, which was kind of nice. I now teach Lily's class so she helped me get things ready for my lesson. She is such a big help, I'm always grateful for her willingness and eagerness to find ways to be helpful.

Jeff gave a great talk and focused on goals and what kind of goals would be aligned with what the Lord would ask of us. He said in doing it, he wants to improve in that area of life and it motivated him to try and focus more on goals that will help him spiritually. He and I got a lot of compliments on it. Jeff now teaches the 13 year olds and he said that will be interesting. They essentially told him they want to be entertained for Sunday School. Lily is happy I'm teaching her class and I am excited to be in there.

Sunday was kind of a funny day because we came home, took a little break, ate dinner, had FHE, then got ready for bed. With little kids though I think it's kind of nice, it did make the day go by faster.

On Monday Jeff worked hard all day organizing legos. Lily and Ryan helped him so much and were just good little workers.

It turns out organizing by color is the way to go. This has made it so fun for the kids to create when they can find the pieces they want.

I organized a lot of food areas (pantry, cupboards, and the fridge) because as we work on budgeting, a huge thing is to not waste food. Just cleaning things out and knowing that I only have a certain amount of money I'm wanting to spend for the month has really helped me use what we have. I often waste food because I have good intentions to cook, but the execution of cooking is harder to do when I'm tired. I feel so happy though because I made a few meals, put out some veggies and dip and fruit, and the kids ate! They were simple but healthy meals and they were successes. I just felt like that was such a victory to use the foods I'm buying, to make healthy meals, and that they are eating. I truly feel like Heavenly Father is blessing me and us for trying to live more frugally and for my great desire to provide healthy food for my family. I have been praying about it for so long and I see it coming to fruition now.

Lily is great at cutting veggies and using the big knife.

I woke up to use the restroom in the night and saw the light on downstairs. I came to find Jeff sorting more legos. He couldn't sleep so he thought he'd work a bit, it was so funny to me, but I was extremely grateful for all he got done.

The kids have been so pleasant and fun and play well together that I truly feel blessed by Heavenly Father. There is a loving spirit in our home and I know it's from just trying to do what's right. Jeff and have so much fun and feel very content being home as a family and working together as a family.

It snowed Tuesday morning and Jeff was so kind to shovel before he left to the airport, when it was already going to take longer to get there. I prayed so much he'd be safe, and he was. He did spin out a bit and went to the median on one turnoff, but there were no cars around so he was able to safely get back on the freeway. We had a lazy day at home, for which I was grateful, but I think we are all a bit stir crazy from being inside so much. I just haven't felt much like going out in the cold, and this body of mine is tired and not wanting to move too much. We just pray Jeff will be home when the baby comes, but I can't believe it is so soon!

Lily and Ryan have both been sleeping in Lily's bed, on opposite ends. They love playing card games before going to bed, or waking up and playing.

They kept waking me up, so Jeff said if they wake me up, unless it's an emergency, they will get a toy taken away. They have been doing great and finding quiet ways to play. And for Max, just telling him that he can have the tent unzipped unless he gets out, then I have to zip it, seems to be working.

As I prayed today I expressed so much gratitude for our beautiful, sweet family, for the gospel, for a husband who lives and believes in the gospel, for prayer, for guidelines to follow that will bring peace and the spirit in our families, and for the blessing of Jeff's job which provides a life for us in which we can enjoy having a warm home, cars, food, clothing, and the other things that so many go without. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior and for all the goodness they share with me.

Wednesday Lily said it was the best day she's ever had because she got to play at Taryn's house for 7 hours! I can't believe they lasted that long, but she had fun. I took the boys with me to my OB appointment and they did great I prepped Ryan that when they called my name, if he wasn't finished coloring, then he could just bring his paper with him and not cry (since every other time if he didn't finish coloring he cried). He transitioned great and he and Max got to hold the transducer on my belly to hear the heartbeat. They both found the heartbeat first try, which was impressive since the baby was moving all over. Dr. Little was so nice to let them hold it and moved the chair for them to stand on so they could reach. I'm very impressed with her. It was a snowy morning and we had to park far away and Ryan kept saying, "I don't like zero degree weather."

Paige took the girls to the pool, so we went straight to the Rec center after the appt. Lily was just leaving, but Blake, Jake, and some other people from the ward were there, so it was a lot of fun. The kids needed to get out and do something active so badly, so I was glad I went. There were a ton of people there and it was so cold outside, but we did it and it totally wore the boys out. I showered them there, we got home late and Max was so tired. Ryan fell asleep looking at Justice League books and toy magazines, Lily was still playing next door, so I had some hot chocolate, read some of my Hamilton book, then took a nap.

It was such a nice relaxing afternoon. The snow keeps coming down so I go out every few hours to shovel so that I'm never shoveling too heavy a load.

There was a lot of snow. I'm just so grateful I didn't go into labor while Jeff was away.

Once Lily came home she and Ryan were fighting about who got to do this large puzzle, but they eventually worked it out.

Lily and Max helped me with dinner, I made Macaroni and Cheese with many of my Thrive ingredients and Lily was thrilled when I told her what I was making for dinner. After it was done, Max wanted to keep stirring it, so I put it on a cool burner and let him stir. He kept telling me, "I'm still making dinner." The kids ate great and Lily and Ryan ate their veggies too. I am seeing so much of why it's good to have a sit down meal as a family. It's nice to just reconnect and come together as a family, do sweet, sour, service, and to eat a balanced meal. This has been such a successful week for me and meals that I just feel so grateful to Heavenly Father for helping me make easy, good food that my kids are eating.

I went out to shovel again after getting kids ready for bed them came back to read. When we read about The Flash, Ryan got up to show me how fast he could run. Then Lily then Max joined him. For about 5-10 minutes they all ran back and forth through the front room saying how fast they were. This lead to them putting more jammies over their jammies so they could rip them off and become the flash. It was so fun and funny and they had the best time being superheroes, and getting totally worn out.

I talked to Jeff and he said it is so cold in Ohio, it's unbearable. He loves the portable squatty potty I gave him and said it feels like home :) When he worked from home he was creating a training that was going to be given at leadership conference. He presented that today and all three of his colleagues couldn't say enough about how wonderful it was and how it was just what was needed. That if they were able to teach these concepts, that would make the conference worth it. Jeff felt really good about his contribution and I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for inspiring him and answering prayers that included giving him the inspiration he needed for doing his job.

I gave our neighbor Mindi the Lamb of God CD that Jeff and I love. She texted today to say how much she loved it and how it puts her always in the right frame of mind for wherever she's going or whoever she's going to be with and fills her with love and awe and joy. I felt inspired to give it to her and I was so happy to hear how it is blessing her life.

I was grateful how the day turned out and how the timing of everything was so great. Lily was able to play with friends, Ryan saw friends at the pool and he so desperately wanted to play with friends today, the kids loved dinner again, I got a relaxing afternoon, the boys did great at my appointment, and I was able to get up before the kids to pray and read my scriptures. So I just feel so pleased with how everything went, even though there were some hard times here and there.

Jeff came home on a Thursday night after a big snow storm. He said some of the freeway he was on was treacherous and he didn't get home until 11:30. I was just so grateful he made it home safely to us. I pray so much every time he travels and it's hard when the weather is not great.

Lily loves reading scriptures before bed.

Some puzzles the kids had fun putting together.

Me taking a break from organizing Lily's room.

Ryan has been scared for weeks to jump off this height. But finally today at the gymnastics open gym he did it. He was so proud of himself and so was I!

And Max had no fear jumping off the red mat.

I was shocked when I looked up and saw Lily doing a flip. I guess it's from jumping on the trampoline at friend's houses.

Lily wonders why I move her to her bed when she's asleep (she got scared and wanted to sleep in my bed). So I took a photo to show her how much of the bed she takes over.