I don't think I have any big news this week! I don't have any pictures, at least. My biggest news is that I cleaned the garage yesterday! Kevin joined me after he was done teaching. He was a good sport because my foot gave out after about six hours and he had to finish up! And take the trash to the dump and the other stuff to the DI. And mow the lawn. And take care of bishop stuff. And edit his podcast. And he had been working all morning teaching for IITAP. Which is all to say, while I'm glad I cleaned the garage, I also am sad that I cleaned the garage because Kevin sure didn't have time for it yesterday. Also, there was no one else to ask for help yesterday. Cali, Savannah, and Ben were all sick. Chey ran 16 miles that morning training for the marathon (and had other things planned during the day--so did Cali) and Bethany doesn't have the energy. So, yes. Eight kids and a husband and I planned to clean the garage by myself. Which I was fine with. I had the time and it was a project I wanted to do! I didn't know my own energy would give out and that it would take so long. I guess I need to plan better in the future and recognize that I will need to get help from others and are they available? Frustrating, though. I want to believe I can do everything myself. I am self-suficient! I guess none of us really are, though, are we? That makes me sad but also makes me want to laugh at myself! How fun for you to get all my introspection on cleaning the garage. Actually, there's a lot more where that came from! This is real life!

Benjamin ran all week and made it to school until Friday when he stayed home feeling just too sick. He missed a meet on Saturday. I'm hoping he's using his saved strength to get better!

Bethany worked twice and made it to school thrice. She got the cast list for Les Miserables and is in the chorus! She is disappointed to not have a solo but also glad to be a part of it. Real life.

Savannah went on a date on Wednesday and had a good time, but he didn't want to go on a second date. Foolish man. Real life.

Cali came back to us on Tuesday! She had a great time in Virginia but was sick, sick sick. We took her to the doctor when she came back. She is on a new antibiotic, but she is still sick, sick, sick. She had to ride a bike instead of run during the 16 mile training run on Saturday and she is feeling so discouraged. On the good side of things, she started her job training as a student mentor and loved it! She loves the environment and the services she and her co-workers are being trained in and will offer. It will be a great job for her!

Chey started school this week! She is back at UVU for a semester of classes she is excited to take! She also started her training for her job as a tennis coach and she loved that! They learned a bunch of drills and games that she is excited to use. She continues to be busy meeting up with old friends and old mission buddies. She is glad she doesn't have a boyfriend but she also wishes she had one she could be with all the time. Life is a funny thing.

School started again this week for Beth and Ben! It's Ben's sophomore year, but because of the way the schools work here, this will be his first year at the high school! Open house was on Monday, and Beth showed him around to see where his classes will be as older sibling Skinners have done since 2012 when Sarah started in the same high school. Ah, tradition!

Ben was excited for school to start. He likes the idea of having a schedule again and he is really looking forward to his AP World History class! The day before school started, the last day of summer vacation, I was getting hours for my internship (which is usual for Tuesdays) but when I came home for an hour, he wasn't there. I checked my app and he was at the Payson Temple! Some of his friends got together a group to go before school started. Isn't that cool? So, he started school on Wednesday and because he's staying after for Cross Country, I don't see him from 8am to 5pm. Crazy! He is liking everything so far!

Yes, Bethany is there with a backpack, too! She is going to take four classes at the high school this year to partake of the social atmosphere of her senior year. Plus, this way, as a homeschool student taking some classes, she gets to audition for school plays which she did this Friday! She sang, "I Dreamed a Dream," from Les Miserables. She did not make callbacks for a character but she sounded so amazing! If you get a chance, ask her to sing it for you!

Yes, that is Cheyenne hugging Beth in that picture. She had a busy week working her two jobs and accepting her third as a tennis coach for elementary girls!! She's also been running with her sisters, missing Calianne, and breaking up with boys.

Calianne has been in Virginia visiting the hometown of her roommate from freshman year. She's really loved the places she's got to visit and being with Kenna! However, she has a super bad cold and in some ways, has been miserable! We are looking forward to getting her back on Tuesday.

Savannah has made a goal to go on 30 dates before she turns 30 on February 13. Feel free to send any recommendations her way! She went to FHE this week and got a date for Friday. She had a good time! On Saturday she went to a job fair for the ward, too.

On Saturday, Ben had his first Cross Country meet! It was pre-regions and a 5K. He ran 19:33 and felt really good about it! Mariah is one of the assistant coaches this year and she is hounding him to do the mileage and focus on his goals. After his race on Saturday, he ran 8 more miles to get his mileage in. Ack!

Sarah had her baby yesterday!! He was due on August 6th so we were all getting impatient but especially Sarah who was ready to be done being pregnant!  When she started having regular contractions on August 9th, she was determined that this would be it. She went to the hospital at around 1:30, and he was born at 7:11pm. He was 8lbs 11oz and 21 1/2 inches long. He's soooo cute!! Sarah didn't have an epidural this time and is feeling the feels but her back isn't hurting which it did with her other labors so she is hopeful she will recover more quickly! We all think she is a hero! Go Sarah! Way to bring another beautiful person full of possibilities and potential into the world.

That day was especially poignant for us because in the morning we went to a funeral for our dear family friend, Annette Holm. She was the Relief Society President when Kevin was bishop. I eventually served with her in that calling. She was an incredible example of being a mother to everyone in the ward. She and Savannah in particular made a strong connection and Annette taught Savannah to make jewelry and go antique shopping. Her funeral was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. Her daughter challenged all of us to treat ourselves to ice cream cones in her honor after the funeral. So we did. And we will continue to ponder on her example of a life well lived.

Benjamin passed his lifeguard test on Monday and is now officially an official! He applied for a job at Springville Rec. We will let you know how that goes!

Bethany worked this week and continues to love working at Funfinity! We also found a teacher for singing lessons and Beth is loving it! She is praying and planning and making goals for the upcoming school year.

Calianne spent the first part of the week in Bear Lake with Richmond's family for a reunion. She had a good time and got to show off her ring! Then she went to a wedding in Idaho with Ellie and made her way back home for her temple shift Friday night.

Cheyenne worked 25 hours for her hospital job and 9 hours at her care center job. She went on 2 dates with 2 different guys. She played tennis 3 times including applying for a tennis coaching job. Also, she and Cali and Megan and Mariah and Kolby continue to train for the October marathon and on Saturday morning they ran 15 miles.

Savannah mourned Annette. She did manage work most of the week. She has been making a lot of jewelry down in her room and this seemed a fitting tribute.

Kevin and I work and went to the temple and enjoy our kids and grandkids. It's a beautiful life!

        Kevin and I left on Monday of last week to go to California for our anniversary! On Tuesday we had been married for 31 years. I have to honestly say that it no longer feels like a recent event. Ha ha! Which makes sense considering all the things that have happened. Children especially mark the passage of time, and we've had eight of them and they are mostly grown! We even have almost five grandchildren! Crazy. But they are all accomplishments that make me happy about what we have dedicated our time to.

    We had a great week. We stayed until Friday. Kevin had to work Wednesday and Thursday, but on Tuesday we rented a jet ski and played with it on the ocean. We had a lovely lunch looking over Dana Point Harbor. That afternoon we swam at Salt Creek Beach and sat in our chairs, talking, watching the ocean and the happiness of people at the beach. That night we went out for Indian food. Yum!

    On Wednesday while Kevin worked, I did homework and read on the beach. That evening we went back to San Clemente Pier (we ate there Monday night, too!) and watched the sun set. On Thursday while Kevin worked, I did homework and read on the beach. That evening we went to Crystal Cove historic district and reminisced about our time there. We got shakes and burgers at the Shake Shack and watched the sun set again!

    On Friday, we went for a last walk along Doheny Beach (right across from our hotel) then drove along the Pacific Coast Highway until we got about parallel with the John Wayne airport and found a big Barnes and Noble. We had fun shopping for books and had a last yummy lunch of Thai curry before turning in the car at the airport and flying home!

    Our kids were doing great, and the house was clean! Beth and Ben had spent the week at FSY. We got to pick them up on Saturday morning. They both ranked the week 10 out of 10 for spiritual growth! They shared some things they learned and resolutions they want for their lives moving forward, and I am impressed. They are great kids with great thoughts, and I love that they had such a great experience!

    On Saturday, I spent the day with ward members because we had a funeral and I'm the new compassionate service leader. I love those people. 

    That afternoon we had dinner and a party to celebrate Mariah! Because, guess what? She finished her Master's degree! She is now a certified secondary health teacher with an advanced degree. All the family came over. We ate food and reported on our various trips. Then Sarah had a ceremony for Mariah! She brought the graduation regalia to wear, gave a speech in her honor and had Mariah speak. We all cheered! It was really fun and we are so proud of that girl!

        We were not done with big events, though! After Mariah's graduation party, Ben and Chey talked Cali into going for a quick walk up the trail to see the view. But guess who was up the trail with pictures and flowers and a RING?? Richmond Durfey. He asked Cali to marry him. As soon as Cali saw him, she knew what was happening and ran toward him. I love that. Cali running toward a future she has decided will bring her the most happiness. So exciting! She, of course, said yes and we are planning a wedding for December!