Congratulations and Accolades to Us All

I mean, no two years can be exactly the same anyway, right?  We may get into a routine of the same old end of the year wrap ups, but they can't ever be precisely identical.  Lets just hope this finish to the school year is one of a kind with nothing like it again!  

Huge pat on the back to the resilient McArthur kiddos!  All finished school with high marks and big accomplishments!  I would also just like to recognize my time as a full time teacher that was thrust upon me was indeed successful as well.  Harrison finished his first year of school!! Kindergarten as a blast and a breeze for that kid.  I need to revise that-in person school was a breeze.  The struggle to focus and finish was real for Harry boy.  He would get going on his curriculum and be moaning about how long it was 30 seconds into the video or assignment.  He barely started work one day and then stood up for a break.  He turned to me and said, "Don't judge me."  Well, excuse me.  It took hours to finish what should have taken minutes.  At his exit interview, Mrs Chandler, his teacher asked him what he did and didn't like about school.  He told her the subject he enjoyed and then said, "I don't mean to be rude, but some of your videos were SOO LONG.  I mean, seven minutes??  Come on!"  We are all praying for in person learning in the fall...and forever.  

Brenna finished grade 4.  Wahoo!  While they didn't get to do a final recital, she showed off all of her dances to us many, many, many times.  I think we got a good taste of how it would look on stage.  

She had some socially distant dance photos.  They photo shopped all the girls together (not these ones, some a professional took in studio).  It is impressive how the world is being creative to make life move along, where we can. 

Grant and Katelee had their final classes at South Hills Middle School.  Katelee has to transfer to Oquirrh Hills Middle next year due to boundary changes and Grant moves on to High School. 

 What the what?  He will be a Riverton Silverwolf!!!  He will not be a "true" Riverton Silverwolf because that involves a kiss on the field under a full moon or some strange school tradition.  I actually wouldn't be surprised if he was a premature true wolf before he even gets to the school.

I took them to the school to walk the halls reverently one last time (and collect locker items).  You had to make an appointment, so that hardly anyone would be in the school at the same time.  I think Grant will miss those smelly walls.  I, for one, would like to forget his middle school years, so yay for being done!!

As we were leaving, the counselors and some teachers had envelopes with awards, their memory books, etc.  We told his counselor his name and she handed him a few things and then told him that was it.  We noticed a Science Olympiad certificate honoring Garth McAdams in the "M" pile and we started laughing.  Mr Talley, the teacher of all teachers, had started calling Grant that right when he was a cute little sevie.  The counselor had no clue that award belonged to Grant, but in the end he was able to take it home. 

We are so excited to have some nice weather since we all need to spend our time outside and slow the flow, stop the spread, whatever you want to say.  

We can't wait to spend our days lounging around in the sun in the a rigged up duct taped trashy make shift hammock.  Just kidding, no way would Dave let that stay up in our front yard long.  I was amazed it never dropped!  Way to be clever and creative, girl. 

Hopefully next year, we get to do our traditional Memorial Day extravaganza.  This year, in true 2020 fashion, we had to make adjustments.  We hosted breakfast at our house so we weren't in public or a crowd, but we were still able to stay outside with family.  This is the first family gathering we've had since it all hit the fan.  It was so fun to see everyone! 

We ate  yummy food...

played outside games (where Harrison dressed as wild west sheriff and spoke as a cowboy all game), 

some people avoided the fun...

some others also found their divinely appointed niche even in these circumstances...

so you could almost say it was normal! 

We finished at Paige's house for a BBQ and outdoor movie.  It was a Memorial Day to remember.  

I would like to congratulate us on making it through the two months of online school! I think a slow clap is deserved for the grit and endurance we are all developing.  We are coming to know better who we are, who each other is and what lasts.

We experienced another accomplisment- our 18th wedding anniversary!! That deserves a standing ovation!  I gave Dave a gift I knew would impact our lives now and in the future.  It is one that I never knew would bring the home so much joy, but that's what is fun with a long going (eternal) marriage.  You become comfortable with the unexpected.  You expect to be changed and surprised.  You know it takes effort and it pays off.  So, in honor of our covid resolve, our marriage dedication and growth, we clap and we play BINGO.

 

Covid Chaos

This is the face of COVID 19-

Life on a screen...

It is incredible how quickly life can get turned upside down and now we live on ZOOM calls.  Who even knew what ZOOM was before the middle of March?  No one at our house.  But alas, now it is one school, church, dance, family call after another because we are yearning to stay in touch, but are all supposed to be isolated.  It is hard.  We are not supposed to leave our homes except for essential trips. No social gatherings are to be happening and everything keeps getting cancelled-games, performances, recitals, trips, camps, life...ugh.

We are really trying to keep the rules of social distancing, which means we are home all the time.  We have decided to support small business and eat out twice a week-the kids are loving that.  We are doing puzzle

after puzzle

after puzzle.

Thanks to Shannon for dropping a bunch off and keeping us supplied!!

 I think we are up to 9 at least.  The Avengers one is completely appropriate for our home because we took the Marvel challenge.  We've been watching every Marvel movie in order of when they took place.  So, Captain Marvel, while a newer movie, was watched as one of the beginning shows as it takes place in the 1980's.  What we enjoy the most is how Harrison completely embodies the characters of the movies we just watched. When we finished Spiderman, he's somehow in the door frame of our pantry, if it was Captain America, he's throwing shields across the room.  None have been quite as impactful as Black Panther.

As we were watching Black Panther, the kid was already running up and down the stairs to try and tape jewels to his chest, he was acting out the fight scenes, etc.  When the film wrapped up, Harrison crossed his arms and exclaimed, "Wakanda forever."  He insisted that I perform the ritual where the new leader (Panther) of the Wakandan people had to drink some colored liquid.  I went to the kitchen where he had poured milk into a bowl and colored it with food coloring.  After I served my king his ceremonial beverage, I thought we could start homework.  Well, I had the kindergartener write his sight words that had been assigned for the week.  I took a look at his paper that he told me was completed and I was absolutely confused.  I couldn't read a thing he wrote.  He told me then that the words were in Wakandan, but his homework was done.  He said he could read it.  Of course, I have to completely trust him, he is my supreme ruler, but the question is...can his teacher read Wakandan??  

 Speaking of school- they  are officially shut down FOR THE YEAR.  Heaven help us.  We are finishing out the school year at home and it will conclude middle of May.  We feel so bad for the graduating seniors so there are lots of plans to help them finish off their formal education years on a good note.  It's hard to miss performances, graduations, competitions, dances etc that you've been working on all year.  Katelee had a her first big part in a play that she was supposed to perform.  She was cast as one of the main orphans in Annie and had been doing all her rehearsals.  Those are cancelled for now...maybe they will get to perform in the summer.  She was so excited to have a part. 

We are putting forth a big effort to look for the good and count our blessings.  So far, no one in our family (immediate or extended) has contracted the virus.  Shannon's exposure caused her to be tested and quarantined, luckily she was negative.  We were sooo happy to have General Conference at the beginning of the month which brought so much peace as our prophet gave an apostolic blessing, new temples were announced (including one in Dubai and China! I couldn't help but let out a little sob for that news), a new proclamation to the world was read, the saints around the world gathered to declare a Hosanna Shout from across the globe-but the unifying spirit was INCREDIBLE.  I could feel the millions of people in unison praising God and pleading to be saved.  There was a rush of the spirit to our home and heart which was so needed.  The Hosanna shout was memorable not only for me, but Harrison too.  I heard him chanting it as he marched around the room.  It may be sacrilegious but he is 6 so he gets a pass.  

And so, we look for the SUN and to the SON in our days right now.  We made the most of our spring break...

no fruity beverages in a tropical location, but hey, why not some apple juice and bread?!  It's pretty much just as good. 

That boy's skin nearly glows in the dark.  It's remarkable.  hahaha

The middle school principal (in the Tiger suit) along with one of the VP's came to our house to visit Katelee because she had just been awarded student of the month before we were shut down.  

We loved how much they went the extra mile and are reaching out to students and our family in particular.  We are all trying to see what we can do to lift spirits.  Harrison's cute kindergarten teacher celebrated a birthday and so many people showed up to drive by her house in a parade fashion.  It was adorable.  I love seeing things like this.  Everyone is trying to be creative to create unity and bring some joy.  We can't technically do YW/YM activities together yet, so we decided to have the youth make cards that we could mail to a care center.  Care centers aren't allowing any visitors, so their poor residents must be so lonely.  We had the kids put the cards on their porches and we told them we'd come by to pick them up.  But of course, we had to make it exciting...hence the 80s clothes, songs and sites coming at them from the street...

I am so glad these ladies are good sports and made it fun!  We broke the rules in this picture by standing by each other, so we had to post one that was socially distant and acceptable on the ward page!  shhh...

And so, we are hanging on.  Coping with food...

movies, puzzles, walks-we've discovered we like to walk to Sodalicious-it takes some time and it results in a delicious treat! We are hanging on to the uplifting messages from conference.  I particularly liked a bit from our prophet when he said, "Why do we need such resilient faith?  Because difficult days are ahead...how you deal with life's trials is part of the development of your faith.  Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth."  He also said "You will have days when you will be discouraged.  So pray for courage to not give up!!  I promise as you follow Jesus Christ, you will find sustained peace and true joy."

So, the days that we just keep feeling knocked down or beat up...

(Black eye, courtesy of the wrestling match of the day)...

we are going to keep our heads up and develop that resilient faith and have courage! When we can't go to the movies, we will rent them, when we can't see our friends, we will facetime We will make our fun!  When we can't swim at pools, hey, we have bathtubs...

when we can't dance at the studio, we zoom call in and let everyone see your moves.

Life is anything but "normal" right now, but we have been healthy and for that I am grateful.  Now, back to a zoom call....

What is Happening?!

Well, March started out like an old month.  Sure, there was a little unease in the air with things happening around the globe, but typically those things seem far from home.  Lets just start with the fun events and life that occurred before the world shut down...

Katelee had a career day at school.  She was able to spend the day shadowing someone while they worked.  We threw around ideas, asking one of her old elementary teachers, watching dad make phone calls and write emails...nope, then we thought about how fun it would be to go on a flight with Shannon.  We didn't think that would be an option, but lo and behold, Shannon worked her magic and Katelee spent a day flying the friendly skies.  

She had an unforgettable day working the aisles of the aircraft, sitting in the pilot's seat for a little tour, hanging out with Shannon (and grandma tagged along, just in case someone didn't get on the flight back).  She flew to Portland and back and was one happy flight attendant!! HUGE thanks to Shannon for making it happen. 

At the beginning of March, Katelee also was able to perform in her school production of Aladdin.  She had a couple of shows in the ensemble with her friends.  Here she is with Coco and Capri.  

A couple of days before the show, one of the cast members had a family emergency and they needed someone to fill in last minute in a featured singing role with lines.  Katelee was pulled out of class by the theatre and music teacher because they knew she could rise to the challenge!  And she did!  She worked hard and memorized harmony, lines, blocking in a super short time and impressed us all!

Middle of March, life started to get more eerie as news of a novel virus hit closer to home.  One of the NBA players on the Utah Jazz was positive for the Covid-19 virus-if officially had made its way to Utah.  No one really knew what that meant-is it rampant?  are we all in danger?  do we need to hunker down at home?  Grocery items-particularly toliet paper and lysol spray/cleaners started flying off the shelf.  The masses are in mad panic rushing to stores to supply their homes with necessary goods.  I totally get the cleaner, but lets contemplate the shortage of bottled water...even if a family was quarantined their water would not turn off.  I thought it was ridiculous...then, an earthquake hit.  But, I am getting ahead of myself.

March 13, countries are suffering, Italy is pretty much on death's door, New York City has hundreds of people in the hospital and we just don't know what will happen here.  Shannon, Paige and I have tickets to Dear Evan Hansen and things are shutting down left and right.  Our governor calls for a soft closure of schools-we have 2 weeks of online learning while we try to understand the reach/spread of the virus.  Stinking Eccles theater will not give me an answer as to whether the show is on or not.  We enjoy a lovely Mexican dinner and as we are driving to the show (because earlier that day the theater company said they weren't sure what the governor's orders meant for their venue.  We weren't supposed to be in large gatherings of a certain amount of people.)  As we were driving to the show, the theater called to let us know the production was cancelled.  Booo!!  We were so sad.  We had been looking forward to this for, hmmm, forever!  But, little did we know it was just a drop in the bucket.

March 17th-Katelee's birthday!!  While we knew we couldn't be at school or in large groups, we thought we better postpone her celebration til we can have friends over.   It was a general rule in our neighborhood to only be outside with friends and no one indoors where the virus would be able to spread more easily.  Katelee did get to walk with a couple gals to Sodalicious while Harrison, Brenna and I decided to get out of the house and put on quite the dancing show while we walked to their school for exercise.

We had to play it safe for her party, but that didn't stop us from highlighting this amazing gal.  None of us have ever had an emergency quarantined bday, so we didn't know how to make it work, but she was understanding and flexible and we love her for that...and many othe reasons!  Shannon came over (grandma and grandpa stayed home due to their high risk group)

Katelee is so awesome.  She is pretty much a baby/small child whisperer and can calm Harrison down better than anyone.  She's always been very emotional and we think that translates well to her talent for the stage!  She is wicked smart and so much fun to be around and is growing into a gorgeous young lady.  We adore her.  

We thought we needed to document how our family is handling this unprecedented time, so we began a little book called 'The Corona-vella'   

The first day we recorded entries went something like this (remember it was St Patrick's Day)...

Harrison: "The toliet water was green.  Something that was freaky to me was that Grant almost cut off my ears if I touched him"  (Sounds like the wrath of the creator has not yet struck a chord in Grant even though the world is in turmoil- just business as usual for him)

Brenna:" Me, Mom and Harrison went on a walk and our friends acrossed the street were playing outside and we had to cross the road so that we were not close to them."  So sad and strange to be avoiding contact with people...

Katelee: "Today was my birthday! I went on a walk (outside) with some friends to get a soda and got some fun presents.  Sadly, though, my grandma couldn't come tongiht because people over 60 were required/encouraged to stay home unelss necessary.  So, it felt weird without her but I still had a good day."  Everyone is really encouraged to stay home and isolate, but people in high risk categories really need to take extra precautions. Everyone is determining what is 'essential' because that is the only thing we are supposed to be out of the house for.

Grant: "I went to Walmart to get some snacks but there was nothing on the shelves to steal.  Also I couldn't hang out with any of my friends." Telling a teenager they aren't allowed to socialize with friends for weeks is pretty much a nightmare-for you and them.  He obviously has a different idea on what is necessary as he openly documented he went to Walmart...

So, here we were dealing with a holiday in the midst of a global health crisis, trying to stay calm and keep perspective.  Then, what should happen on March 18?!  YEP- an EARTHQUAKE!!!!!!!

Now, flashback to last year when we experienced our first recognizable earthquake that caused a bit of a jolt to our hearts.  This one was bigger.  It was a 5.7 epicenter in Magna, so not right at our house, but it was loud and startling.  Dave and I both woke up (he's counting his lucky stars he wasn't woken up to me yelling at him).  I was calm as a cucumber in this one and even was putting my hand on him telling him we were ok.  I've officially learned my lesson!  Ha!  He ran to the little kids after the initial shaking, I went downstairs to bring Grant and Katelee up.  Grant thought the earthquake was in his dream and just wasn't sure what I was doing in his room!  There were lots of little aftershocks through the next day or two, but we were all safe.  There was damage done to other homes and parts of the valley. Here is a picture of a wall at Dave's office...

 

March 18th was also our first day of online schooling.  We were told it would be two weeks of at home learning.  First day was mostly a success-had a bit of a tricky time getting everyone logged into their chromebooks, but we did it!  Harrison asked me if he could be British for home school and he then legit spoke with an English accent for the duration of the day.   Of course, I had to join him and it was a jolly good time.  

We spent much of the day/week facetiming and texting people to make sure everyone was alright from the earthquake and hanging in there with this crazy virus situation.  Don't worry, the next day, amidst a couple tiny aftershocks, a big rainstorm came in.  Our power was out for a good 3 hours.  Remember all those prophecies about the ushering of the second coming...yea...pretty sure that's happening.  For reals though. 

The next few days were a relief to just be in isolation-earthquake free and power on!  Ha!  Counting those blessings.  I wanted to keep with Harrison's kindergarten schedule, so we did rotations-we worked on Art on Art day, extra exercise/game for PE day.  For Fairytale Friday, we listened to Hansel and Gretel on the Ipad and then made Gingerbread houses.  

I love when Grant participates in kindergarten curriculum...maybe it had something to do with the candy houses, but I think it was just the pull of our company.  

We have tried to burn time by having some sort of a checklist of things to do each day.  Getting outside is a requirement for the day and we have had some great races at the field of Kauri Sue by our house.  

Harrison decided to wear a face mask to protect him from Covid 19.  So far, it has worked.  

On March 23rd, we got some news that felt like a punch in the gut...no returning to school until at least May 1st.  Deep breathing practice immediately began.  The kids are struggling not being able to connect with friends. They are facetiming and texting but everyone really has to hunker down at home until we can figure out what is going on with this virus.  It is an comfortable and shocking month to be sure.  It is insane how quickly your regular routine/life in general can be halted. 

I am so very grateful that our lives are built on a solid foundation-Jesus Christ.  Scary things happen in this world and it is effecting everyone, but there is a perspective and peace that comes as we turn to him.  It is still so hard, but the burden is shared and 

hope is a gift.   Church, of course, is cancelled.  So for now, it looks a little like this:

Brenna and Harrison have taken turns conducting.  We do a song, sometimes a musical number, the sacarament hymn and ordinance and a little lesson. At my parents house, it looked like this:

Shannon is quarantined because she was exposed to the corona virus through her work.  So, they can't be in the same room.  It is such a funny picture to me!!  

 It is pretty special and amazing that the church has truly been preparing for this for years.  The rolling out of Come Follow Me, at home lessons, shorter church, etc- great confirmation of a prophet and the Lord guiding his people.  

We were put in a new ward one week before the world was locked down around here and we got to go to that church once.  I was put in as the YW president, so we will even see how that will work.  

So, for now, we live a life isolated.  It is full of online school (which is really so short if I could get Harrison to cooperate).  Brenna is done in 30 minutes...and then we need to find things to do! We are starting a puzzle challenge...

We've borrowed a few from neighbors.  Then, grandma was nice to drop off a box of books and Shannon threw in some puzzles, so we will work on those.  

It was a sad day when she just had to place the box on our doorstep and run.  I literally threw a book at my mother (she had to take it back to her work, I wasn't angry!).  We stopped by her house for her birthday and had to sing from the grass.  Shannon sent us this picture...

So, for now, we are just trying to keep track of this wild time of our lives.  We miss being together and at school and church so hopefully this dumb virus goes away soon!!  For now, we band together...

Brrrthdays and Other Winter Fun

February at our house is pretty much party month.  It starts off with Grant's birthday!

  Grant turned 15 and cannot wait to start practicing his driving skills.  I, on the other hand, am not in a hurry for my child to be behind the wheel.  So, off to the drivers license division soon to get that permit...eek!!

Grant is old and cool and just requested gift cards,  clothes and shoes.  

It was actually really fun to watch him open his Nike Air Force shoes...

He even had an inkling they were going to be part of his day, but the excitement was still genuine.  It was so fun! Grant has been busy with swim, working at Brick Oven-handing out that pizza like a pro, and snowboarding-his most favorite thing to do.  For his birthday, we let him miss a day of school and head up the canyon with his cousin Michael for some legit boarding.  It was the perfect day for him... and me.  I would have just fallen down every run he goes on now.  He has far surpassed any snow skills around these parts.  We love that he enjoys this winter sport so much!!  

Just a few days later, we held Brenna's very special celebration shin-dig...

The little red headed lady has been planning and counting down to her Golden Birthday for ages.  I mean, 10 on the 10th-it can't get more exciting for your first double digit year!  Double digits hit me like a double punch in the gut.  I feel like that's the hump for transition to big kid and tween just around the corner.  I would think that Brenna might hang on to the kids side of the slope, though, because she must have spread the word about her lack of boy barbies because nearly each of her buddies wrapped up a male counterpart to any Barbie she owns. 

So, thanks to Kate, Keira, Kloee, Emree, Brinsley, Lilly, Kinley, Sami and Natalie for fulfilling her dreams of pairing up each Barbie and then spending the day swimming at the rec center.  It was such a fun party-swimming in February is a unique treat! 

We wanted a turn to celebrate the double digit lady with a dinner at home with family.  We ate, opened gifts and indulged in angel food cake after she blew out the candles.  

She was so enamored with her planner and colored pen set that we could hardly get a word out of her.  

It was not surprising that Brenna was so engulfed in organization-that is her life.  She is crazy about things being in their place and I love that I never have to worry about her room being a mess! Actually, she drives some family members wacko because she is always following behind them picking up.  She has big aspirations for being a CEO of an organization company and can't wait till I let her loose on my closets and cabinets.  I have no doubt she will be a million times better than me at getting things in order.  Brenna is loving dance and could be there all day, everyday.  It seems like she is sometimes.  She is at the studio 7 hrs a week.  She is great at piano and school and so driven.  We adore her.  

Valentines Day is always special-not just because we get to be all mushy and the kids just LOVE that (not!) but because we get to commemorate the fateful day Dave and I met over a cup of orange juice.  We skipped our annual Valentines breakfast though to head to Island Park with friends to stay at their heavenly cabin!!  Thinking of this winter wonderland,

it was a no brainer to join them!  It didn't hurt that we got to miss making those dang Valentine boxes for elementary school parties!  YES!! We spent the most glorious weekend snowmobiling (Grant, to Katelee's chagrin was included on the adult run-guess he is ready to drive after all!  All the kids (except for the 6 year old, of course, took a loop around the flat meadow, so she did get to drive a little). 

We frolicked in the snow...

were blown away by the gorgeous surroundings, sledding, 

and spent the time hanging with our friends.  Huge thank you to Jill, James, Jesi and Brett McAree.  Nothing like throwing a southerner, a gal from Columbia, a Scotsman and some crazy kids together for fun.  Harrison's exclamation of "I saw it with my own eyes" shouted in a western drawl while playing cards will forever be a perfect catch phrase between us.  

We made chocolate fondue for Valentines Day, had yummy food and lots of time playing games.  We loved every single minute.

 Basketball season is in full force here.   Dave and I went to a BYU cougars game with our friends the Gowens and sat right by the head football coach.  Dave wanted me to snap a quick photo.  Sitake was so friendly and turned around and chatted with us for a bit after this too.  When we sent the picture home for Katelee to show the littles, Harrison was so impressed.  He is such a sports obsessed wacko.

Harrison is a super fan of the Rockets...it is quite unfortunate.  ESPN is constantly on and logos are printed daily so he can come up with games and potential scores.  We have a tiny little tikes hoop that our little guy practices on since its too cold to go outside.  Daily slam dunks are in order.  It is hours of entertainment-for him and me, honestly.  He sported his James Harden jersey at the jazz game.  Wow.  He got down close to the court when the Rockets were warming up and felt pretty dang cool. 

He wanted to continue the smooth feel with his basketball photos...The little dude told me that he wanted to look cool and that this is how the basketball players look when they are trying to be cool.  Judge for yourself...

Maybe I am more for the preppy vibe-must be, I mean look at Mr David McArthur himself.  That must be in Harrison's heart somewhere, because I walked into my room and found this the other day...

Only a McArthur man would find it comfortable to be lounging about in a sports jacket and instinctively strike a pose.  

Many people don't love cold and snow and winter-but those aren't the kind of people that live at our house!  We love our winter and cold brrrthdays!