A weekend with just me and the kids

Abbey was away this weekend. She was coaching the high school drill team in Florida. That left me with the kids—Beau, who is 3, and Blaire, who is 1. I want to share a detailed snapshot of our life right now and some insights from the weekend.

Parenting is one of the most fulfilling experiences, and also the most exhausting. Blaire is our lively one-year-old. She has cute blonde hair and a chubby, curvy body. Plus, she is just beginning to talk. She's fearless, always exploring, and loves to eat. Beau, our three-year-old, is easy to impress—give him attention, and he thinks you're amazing.

Abbey prepared us well, organizing family members to help while I worked. I gained deep respect for single parents after observing their challenges and dedication. Balancing work, childcare, and household tasks is really tough, even with a lot of help.

Here's exactly what our weekend looked like:

I keep my non-negotiable routine of sleeping by 9 pm and waking by 5 am. I spend early mornings reading, writing, and getting deep work done.

A critical realization: it's essential to stagger my schedule from the kids’. Eating at the same time creates chaos. I eat early, then I focus on their meals, making the day flow much smoother.

Saturday began early with reading and focused work. Around 6:30 am, Beau comes into my office, with his white stuffy in hand. He's excited to tell me he slept through the night, a big milestone. He climbed onto my lap, and we read a book or watched a show while I finished work. After that, it was downstairs for a workout—either lifting weights or running a few miles. Beau brought his blanket and snacks, sitting nearby in his camping chair.

Blaire woke up around 7:30, hungry as usual. I made waffles or oatmeal for the kids. I had eggs, yogurt, fruit, and granola. After cleaning up the kitchen and getting the kids dressed, we headed to a park in Highland. With warmer weather in the low 60s, the kids ran around, laughed, and played.

At home, Blaire took a nap around noon. Beau and I had leftovers—sausage pasta for me and a waffle for Beau. We watched a show, and I even managed a quick 20-minute nap. Next, we went to Thanksgiving Point Farm. Blaire happily looked at the animals, while Beau milked a cow. My mom came over to watch the kids. I had dinner with my siblings at Aubergine -- Kaela was in town. After dinner, I spent a little time with Dad. Then, I went home just in time to say goodnight to Beau. I fell asleep by 9 pm.

Sunday began with an early 6 am bishopric meeting. My in-laws picked up the kids at 8 a.m., allowing me to fully focus on church. Conducting the Fast and Testimony meeting was meaningful. I felt great hearing afterward that my words had a positive impact on a member. Moments like these make every effort feel deeply worthwhile.

On Sunday afternoon, we went to my parents' in Draper. We had a barbecue and cooked smash burgers on the flat-top grill. Beau was so thrilled he exclaimed, “Dad, are you kidding me?” It was great seeing the kids play in the backyard. My dad, even though he stayed inside, enjoyed providing all the food and loved our company. Seeing him happy and engaged was incredibly meaningful.

This weekend, I feel very thankful for my family, our routines, and the special moments we share. Parenting is busy, messy, and exhausting, yet it’s genuinely one of life’s greatest joys.