She's no longer a teenager

We have reached the age where we can no longer say that we are the parents of young children and teenagers, as Ginny is 20 today.  She is a credit to our family and a beautiful young woman. It is true that our kids grow in the blink of an eye….one day they are learning to crawl and soon after learning to navigate life. Happy birthday to our eldest. She is level-headed (in most situations), obedient, faithful, and loves Crumbl Cookies. Ginny, I am proud of the young lady you are becoming. We love you and hope your day is full of sunshine and happiness. I miss her being at home but am happy to know that she makes wise choices and want her to experience the tings in life that bring joy. 

Happy Birthday Jake

 Here is the man that I love more than chips and salsa, popcorn and cheese, and ice cream.  The world is a much better place because he is in it.  He is selfless, loves unconditionally, and makes me feel nothing less than wonderful.

Happiest of birthdays to a man who loves God, invests in people, and has high moral character. Jake is intelligent, kind, righteous, and a hell-shaker. He has instilled in our family a love for the scriptures, the Savior, and of music (although his playlists can be questionable). Our lives are better because he is at the helm of or family. He loves our children unconditionally and helps me see the good in myself when I can’t. He has established fun little family traditions and keeps us laughing (even if I’m the target most of the time). Happy birthday! We love you and are grateful for everyday with you

Spring Break 2022

 Spring break was last week for our family.  We were fortunate that Ginny was able to come home to travel with us, that Riley was able to come along, and that we were able to spend time with Jake's parents.  Ginny was not supposed to get home until Friday early afternoon but she likes to surprise us and was home Thursday when we arrived from school. We left Friday (3/11) right after school to try to beat the snow that was expected.  It was predicted to hit Little Rock after 6:00pm, however, within an hour of leaving Memphis at 3:45, we were in snow.  It slowed traffic some but we were planning to spend the night in Ft. Worth and made it in there about 1:00am.  We were able to take the kids through Hobbs where Jake grew up. We went by the house he was raised in on St. Anne, our first home at 722 W Silver St, and to get a shake at his favorite shake place, Saturday's.

 We spent the week mostly in Cloudcroft,NM but did drive to Silver City, NM for City of Rocks and to take the kids on a catwalk in a state park.  We were also able to have lunch with Jenny on the way back to Tennessee and spend the night with Tommie on the way home.  Driving allows quite a bit of time for reflection.  As we were driving through the oil fields, Jake mentioned that he could not see his kids growing up there and I told him that the kids and myself would be happy anywhere that he is.  He is a light in our lives. 

 My chickens are growing by the day it seems. Now they do not like to be held at all. We have spent more weekends helping clear broken limbs from people's yards, as exhausting as it is, we hope we are teaching the boys the value of work.  This past weekend (March 4-5), I attended Time out for Women in Atlanta.  I had initially invited my sisters but they were unable to make it, so I went to my girls.  Ginny had to work and Aubree was planning to go but found out the week before that she had qualified to compete for national qualifiers in her forensic class, so I invited Britny Young to go with me.  My friend Eileen Seaman was going as well with a group of family members. I enjoyed the program more than I anticipated.  Aubree did qualify for nationals and will be able to compete in June, so she is super excited about that.  

Valentines

 It is on a rare occasion that Jake gets me a Valentine's gift, I do not expect them but he out did himself this year.  I have been asking for chickens for fresh eggs and he has been very hesitant, so much so that I did not think he was going to allow me to get them.  I was even trying to convince a couple of the youth to gift me a chicken and he wouldn't tell me I had to give it back. Little did I know that he was paying them to hatch me chicks.  They starting hatching the 15th and we got them today.  Now, I just have to keep them alive and hope none are roosters.  When I asked for chickens, I was thinking grown ones and not chicks but this can be fun and the kids are loving holding them tonight.

 It is days like today where I feel alone.  Everyone I know is gathered with friends to watch the Super Bowl and out little family is here alone with no invites. It is perfectly fine and we are not huge NFL football fans but sometimes thinking you have friends who would want you around is nice.  Fortunately, we have each other and when Jake gets home from his church responsibilities we will eat dinner and most likely play a game or watch a show.  There are no other people I prefer to be with anyways besides my crew. 

On a happy note though, we were able to attend the temple with the boys and youth on February 10th.  It was Christopher's first time, so I wanted to be there as well.

Helping neighbors

 Ice storms are beautiful but this was not pleasant for many.  We were fortunate and did not lose power except for the occasional blink and about 20 minutes once, so we did our best to open our homes to others for showers, warm meals, and to warm their bodies.  Saturday afternoon, Jake, the boys, and I went and help move broken limbs that had fallen from members yards.  it was great what a small group of people (2 families- us and the Young's) could do. Jake told the boys that is how things get accomplished in the world by small groups or individuals just doing it. I am sad for those without power still. 

 

Yesterday (Sunday) was the first time I felt like I had seen the weight of being a bishop on Jake's face.  I could tell that there was a lot on his mind or many things he may be dealing with. He did not get home from church until late (I was already gone for a camp meeting), then he took sacrament to a couple families, and came home to prepare a meal since we had people coming at 6:00 for dinner (no electricity of them still).  However, dinner was filled with the family complaining about things at church (classrooms, music, primary, teachers, etc.), so I felt that did not help Jake's day.  There is nothing I can do except be supportive and try to handle things outside of church such as home and school assignments but it makes me sad to see him weighed down.