G and K and What They Say: Baby Levi Updates; General Conference Weekend; Uncle Joe Passed Away; Golden Girls Win Prizes

We watched the presidential debate. It was very disappointing. I had hoped to see two men, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, speaking and acting presidential and instead, there were two men acting very immature. It was a very cringey hour and a half.

Let's think about something less cringey--something like Sarah's boys who continue to be homeschooled every day (much to their mother's distress because it is so much work for her).

The three school-age boys are "going to" (I use those words loosely since they don't really go into the physical school building for school) a charter school that has uniforms.

The boys donned their uniforms for a few minutes one day when they went to the school for a quick school photo and then it was back home to finish up homeschool for the day.

Eli, Carson and Lincoln were looking picture-perfect that day!

Photos would not be complete without the little Jonah pre-schooler in one of the photos.

Speaking of little ones--here's some photos and update on Ben and Haley's little preemie baby. Levi has been progressing nicely. He no longer needs supplemental oxygen. Next thing to go was the IV attached to the top of his head.

He developed jaundice, so he donned protective eyewear while he was under the lights.

He continued to have the feeding tube in his nose because he wasn't able to get enough milk on his own. It would tire him out too much.

It has been hard on Haley to have her baby in the hospital. We have been trying to help them out with some meals while Haley is recovering from childbirth and dealing with hospital runs.

Kade definitely missed his mom when she was in the hospital. It was so cute watching him watching his mother and being so happy she was home again with him.

Here's a close-up of his cute little happy face.

Sarah was determined she was going to keep her boys occupied with art projects all through general conference weekend so she and Jeff would be able to listen and concentrate on the conference talks.

Her plan worked perfectly!! They started with the traditional general conference weekend ebelskiver breakfast.

They had such a great time doing their diamond painting artwork and it kept them so busy she did not need to use the rest of the arsenal she had on hand to pull out if needed.

We had the traditional general conference weekend ebelskivers breakfast here as well. Rebecca was doing such a great job keeping three pans of the little round puff balls from burning...

...while Glen was busy cooking (and burning) bacon.

Ben and Haley made a quiet escape to go visit Levi in the hospital while Kade was busy playing with his cousins. He got so tired he fell asleep while Glen was rocking him.

This is how it looked around our house while everyone was listening to conference.

I love general conference weekend. All the talks are so uplifting and comforting and help us feel like we can keep on going, despite the struggles we may be experiencing.

Ben was in a cleaning mood the next day and invited me to his house to help him clean out their garage. With Ben and Haley gone to New York for 5 weeks and then only having 2 days at home before Levi was born, Haley hadn't gotten the chance to act on her nesting desires.

So Ben was doing his part to help out and make more space in the garage.

Haley was taking it easy in the chair as she gave directions on what stuff to get rid of and what to keep. Kade was happy sitting by her for a while. I was surprised he didn't get upset when she got in the car and drove off to go to the hospital. He loves being buddies with his daddy.

Kade gets nervous when he thinks both parents are leaving him. He was a little apprehensive with me in the car with him when I took Ben to the shop so he could pick up his car.

I was happy I had been able to help them out that day and I know they appreciated me bringing home lots of broken down boxes to put in our recycle bin as theirs was overflowing.

It had been good to have a project to do that day as I had received word from Dad that his brother Joe had passed away that morning from Covid-19. How sad!!

At the first mention of the coronavirus and how easily it is spread and how deadly it can be had me so nervous about when it would make someone we know sick or die. Now it had happened.

I was so very sad at the loss of my uncle. I was so very sad Dad lost his brother. I was so very sad Aunt Della is now alone. I was so very sad thinking about Uncle Joe's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren mourning his loss.

My cousin Brett re-posted this photo of the aunts and uncles on the Ward side of the family, which includes Uncle Joe with his horse hoof cane.

I read this Facebook post by my cousin Loralee and was very touched by her tribute to her father.

Ben was so good to come and mow our lawn. Glen kept saying he could do it and just not do the edges, but Ben came to the rescue so Glen didn't have to do any of it. Just a few more mows until the end of the mowing season.

Haley was able to have a little nap while I kept a watchful eye on Kade as he kept a watchful eye on a grasshopper.

My ministering sisters, Tiffany Foutz and Carol Pope came by to drop off a beautiful picture and a fall-colored plant as they expressed their concern for me with a grandson in the NICU and my Uncle Joe passing away. It was such a sweet, kind and loving gesture for them as they helped lift my spirits that day.

We now have great news from the NICU. Little Levi no longer has a feeding tube in his nose. He is now able to do all his feedings on his own. It won't be too much longer until he is able to leave the hospital bubble and come home to be with his family. HURRAH!!!!