August Axiom

 Axiom -- Something worthy; a self-evident truth

Dale found out that his mom, who's living at Maple Springs, a retirement care facility, has been retaining more water again, as well as has started into kidney failure, and she also has been dealing with diabetes. The family decided to have her get help from Hospice, and by doing this, it gave her kids and their spouses opportunities to visit her in person instead of through the glass window in the foyer. The Hospice nurse called and said that she was in the beginnings of a seven day slide, or decline. However, with a change in her medication she lost 40 lbs. of water and having personal visits she's doing better, which is great, but kind of bittersweet because we can't do in-person visits anymore. We are glad she's doing better though. 

Having the NBA Play-offs start up helped her spirits too because she's been able to watch The Utah Jazz play and that's her team. Go Grandma!! We love you!!

Our garden isn't producing as well as we'd like it to this year. We've had some weird weather that's messed things up a bit this summer. We've had beans, onions, a volunteer hybrid squash of spaghetti, yellow, and zuchinni squash, yellow squash, zuchinni, red and orange grape tomatoes, corn, and slicing tomatoes, but just not in abundance. Our blackberries haven't done very good this year either, but we'll take what we can get and share as much as we can.

The Cache Valley Center for the Arts started up Random Acts, which are hour long performances done by individuals or groups that are trying to start up their own show. All the proceeds that are made go to the performer. It's a way of giving back to the community for the great support they've shown to the cultural arts here in the valley. I was able to usher for a few of the shows-- Time Traveling Magic of Professor Habbrockson and Salduro (I had signed up for the Zootah one, but it got cancelled).

 

Dale's been busy closing down the books for the 2019-20 school year and getting things ready for the 2020-21 school year. With the pandemic still going strong there's been a lot of extra precautions put in place for school to open. The District also felt the percussions from COVID-19 when the principle of Nibley Elementary, Kelly Rindlsbacher, passed away due to attracting the virus from a family member who wasn't aware that they had it. He was Dale's age, and they had gone to Jr. High, and High School together. He will be missed.

 With the temperature getting into the high 90's we got out on the water with family and friends as much as we could to help cool us off. What a blessing it's been to have the boat working this summer!!

 

I started literacy testing with my A Team (Acadience testing team) and even though the kids, staff, or really anyone on the school grounds needs to wear a mask, we're finding that it's not as bad as we thought it would be and that the kids as a whole say it's worth wearing the mask the be back in school. We have to sanitize our work book, etc. after each child tested, and it takes a bit longer, but it's gone pretty smooth thus far. Kudos to all of the teachers, staff, kids, parents, and administration in the schools and district for all their efforts to get the schools up and running for the kids to return safely. I work with some great women and with great kids.

We hitched up the trailer and took it over the mountain to Bear Lake and stayed two days and a night with Andrew, Lindsay and their kids. Andrew pulled his boat over as well. We made the most of it by enjoying some time on the water, as getting the kids to throw in a line.......

                                       

With all that Nate's been up to with his rock climbing, trail running, and climbing to the tops of mountains it's amazing that he found time to celebrate his 38th birthday, but he did it in style by going sailing around the San Juan Islands with his girlfriend for the weekend. Happy Birthday Nate!!

Dr. Hansen does work during the week. He posted a YouTube he made of where he helped a client with gout at his Mill Creek Foot and Ankle Clinic. If you want to be grossed out check it out on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjrAvkz6908&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2rO5C_P1N3j9zCHEsVoBmHNzNHp4j5Amn82_c38MNT1890tgelZ2kjrek . However, I think the picture below speaks volumes alone.

The Mallory's have been involved with soccer full swing. Jaxson, Kennlyn, and Langston had a soccer tournament in Layton. I went one day with them to catch all three play a game. I must of been bad luck because they all lost, but they all played their hearts out, and it was way hot outside. Those on the sidelines had to wear masks (players, coaches, and spectators), which made it even hotter, but they did it. Kennlyn and Langston's teams improved each game and learned a lot. Both are new teams so it will be fun the see how they do during their soccer season.

Dale and I went to see Jaxson play in the championship game. It was against the team that I watched them play. They were two divisions above them, and this game they came out to play and gave them a scare. Here's what Amie posted about the game on Facebook: 

Had a fun week with 3 kids playing in the Strikers Cup coaching their soccer teams. Jaxson’s team made it to the championship and ended up losing against a P1 (one of the best teams in the state) 2-3! They played a great game and we can’t wait for their fall season to start! Go Riverhawks!!!

It was in the low 100's or high 90's during the tournament, but they never gave up and left with sweat rolling down their backs, but knowing they had played their best. It was an awesome game. Winners in my eyes.

After the tournament we went to a fun seafood place, "Kickin' Seafood" to celebrate. We had bibs and gloves and dug in. It was pretty tasty and Kennlyn had fun playing with the food too.

Amie ended up going back under the knife so she could get the metal out of her ankle. It all looks great, and will give her more mobility. Now she's back to wearing a boot for awhile until the holes from the screws heal over. Then she'll be good as new. It's amazing what can be done now days.

Matt got a job change at work. Instead of working at two schools he'll be focusing all of his time at Heritage Elementary this school year, however, until they hire a new counselor for Cedar Ridge, he'll be covering that school for a few weeks. This will help him and the school out a lot more. Go get 'em Matt!!

Jaxson started 9th grade, Kennlyn started 6th grade, and Langston started 2nd grade. They all don their masks each day, but enjoy being back in school. 

Mazin started on-line pre-school with Waterford's Up Start program and will also go to a pre-school that Langston's Kindergarten has started in her home. He's feeling pretty special having his own backpack to wear to school now too. We wish them all the best.

Kennlyn celebrated turning 12 this year! Happy Birthday Kennlyn!! She's pretty excited about the new bike she got, so I think it's going to be a great year for her. Dale and I went to her birthday dinner at Olive Garden to celebrate. She knows good taste too.

Andrew spent his work tour in Ohio, and was able to visit and see some of the areas where he lived while he was serving his mission. He also got to attend Sacrament Meeting in one of the wards that he served in, and was able to see some of the people he served among.

Another highlight was being able to go to Cedar Point (a Roller Coaster Amusement Park), with his co-worker. They had a good time and got top treatment because their weren't many people at the park due to COVID-19. They did have to wear masks though.

When Andrew got home Lindsay had a puppy waiting to greet him. It's a Boarder Collie, German Shepherd, English Lab, mix and they named him Tank. Titan's got a buddy and the girls are slowly warming up to him.

Andrew and Lindsay's neighborhood did a surprise front lawn concert for one of their neighbors, that is battling cancer. Alex Boye' a musician that lives in the Salt Lake area had set up a contest for people to enter and the prize was this concert, and he picked their neighbor because someone in the neighborhood nominated her. I got to go with them and see the concert. It was fun, and touching to see the neighborhood pull together and show love and support for one of their own. It was a hot day, but we enjoyed the show.

I watched the kids for a bit while Lindsay took Nora to a Doctor appointment. Titan's quite the builder. It brought back memories of when his dad would play with the Lincoln Logs and build with them. 

Lindsay put Andrew to work and they created a fun look to their basement by making the area under their stairs look like a little house. Lindsay comes up with the idea, and they work together to get the finished project. I'm sure the girls love their new playhouse.

Titan, Eloise, and Nora started school. Titan's in 4th grade, Eloise is in 2nd grade, and Nora's going to pre-school to help her with her speech and motor skills three times a week. They all go to the same school, so she can ride the bus with he big brother and sister to school.

Andrew and Lindsay drove to Moab, UT and helped their friend, Josh Knuckles, with his quest to bike around the state of Utah. Andrew was the support vehicle for a few days, and gave Josh's wife Nicole, a break from being behind the wheel. Lindsay and the kids hung out with Nicole and her kids in their motorhome, and at the hotel that Andrew and LIndsay stayed at. 

Then they went to Dinosaur National Monuments Museum in Vernal, UT. The kids thought that was pretty neat. 

Garrett and Zandra went a day earlier to support Josh on his ride as well. Zandra and Garrett each took a turn and road their bike with him for awhile as well.

Zandra's friend, Grace Jones, visited them for a bit and they showed her a great time. The kids call her Aunt Grace. 

Grandma and Grandpa got to have Jorie and Luke stay with us for a weekend while Garrett and Zandra went to Park City to spend some time with some friends (They had the kids with them for awhile and then spent the weekend with friends). 

We had fun playing games, making brownies, building, playing school, watching movies, and helping in the yard. They got to go see Grandpa be "Bishop" at church too. 

Garrett helped with and was a part of a fundraiser that Academy Mortgage sponsored. Here's what he posted on Facebook with these pictures --  Great morning sponsoring with Academy Mortgage at the NWAOR Affiliates Golf Tourney. Got the slingshot going full throttle! Great group of professionals we got here in the wasatch area! #AcademyMortgage #IveGotYourBack

Jorie started Pre-school and Luke is going to a shortened version of pre-school as well so that he doesn't feel left out. They both love it! What will Zandra do with a couple of hours to herself for a couple of days a week?

Danica decided to take advantage of a good deal and ended up getting PRK surgery (kind of like Lasik) on her eyes so she doesn't have to wear glasses. She had to stay in the dark for a bit and wear sunglasses for awhile. Jason kept calling her Ray Charles (a musician who was blind), but I think in the end, she's glad she did it.

They've had a few get-away trips at Bear Lake with family and friends and stayed in Jason's mom's house she has there. 

They've also been putting in some miles on the road and trails with their bikes. With the warmer days, getting out in the higher elevations to ride I'm sure has helped.

Both are staying busy working COVID-19 style, and Danica's still putting smiles on peoples faces by using her artistic talents.

The COVID-19 Pandemic is still an issue, but our area has lifted wearing face masks as mandatory, but strongly suggest social distancing, and wearing them inside stores and areas inside where you can't social distance. Here's the latest numbers for the last of the month.

LOGAN – Utah’s coronavirus infections from the weekend were elevated — 458 Saturday and 448 Sunday — and that has pushed the state’s seven-day rolling average to 387 positives a day. Gov. Herbert’s target is 400 cases a day by Sept. 1.

Sunday the state health department reported the rolling seven-day average for positive tests grew by 40 a day in the last week while the rolling seven-day average for percent for positive laboratory tests is up to 9.1 percent; it was 8.4 percent last Sunday.

The BRHD reported nine new positive cases Saturday (nine in Cache County and three in Box Elder County) plus 12 Sunday, all in Cache County.

There have been 2,563 positive tests recorded in the Bear River district with 2,109 in Cache County and 443 in Box Elder County plus 11 in Rich County.

Also, among the total 2,563 positive cases in the Bear River District, 2,297 are described as recovered.

Utah State University started classes, but anyone on campus needs to wear a mask. They've also started preparing for football, but a schedule hasn't come out yet.

Our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is holding social distance Sacrament Meetings and the members have been asked to wear masks. We go every Sunday, but family wards go once a month and then do "home church" the other months.

Our temple is open for couples that have been previously endowed to do temple sealings, but groups are limited to immediate family only. The church did set up a way that members can add names to the prayer roll online as well. We're getting closer to being able to do more in the temples. I'm looking forward to that day. 

We've been dealing with the coronavirus for 5 months now. It's becoming more of a way of life, but I sure hope that we can get back to the way it was before soon. I guess we'll see what next month brings.