San Francisco together

 This past weekend I was sent on my first work trip with UTHSC. It was to a conference in San Francisco where I only had to be there 3 hours at a resident open house on Saturday, so we decided Jake and I could go together and have some time.  We left early Thursday morning and flew home on a midnight flight Saturday night.  We could have stayed through Tuesday but he needed to be at work Monday and we wanted to get to our boys. We arrived Thursday early afternoon and were able to spend much of the day exploring. We ate in Chinatown, saw the Golden Gate Bridge, went to Muir Woods to see giant Redwoods for the first time, and to the ocean for a few minutes.   We explored all day Friday (Oakland Temple, Alcatraz, and Pier 39) and up until about 2:30pm Saturday (some air carrier/launch ship). It was just a fun little get away together.  I love that man.

 

Fall Break for the boys

 The boys and Jake and are on Fall Break this week.  Jake flew out to Portland last minute to attend Braden's wedding.  When I say last minute, he decided about 9:00pm Thursday and left Friday afternoon.  I think it is something he needed after a couple heavy months with church things.  He always enjoys seeing his brothers.  The boys and I worked market (selling Freeze dried candy) and then I took them to dinner. While I miss my girls, I cherish the time with my boys.  I worry fiercely for them and want them to find joy in this life. 

It's Fall

 Today is the first day it has felt like cooler weather and wahoo, I am ready.  As for an update on our house, it is still not complete. We also are having some work done on the exterior that started three weeks ago but we are at a standstill there too. Honestly, I am just ready for home to feel like home again. Jake is flying out this evening to attend his nephew's wedding, which he did not plan for until last night. Honestly, I think it will be good for him to see his family and have some happy.  He has had some long days and weeks bishoping lately.  All of that is fine and I can handle the long nights alone but it makes me sad when he is sad or to hear other people question decisions he has made.  The best thing I figure I can do is to hold down the homestead and continue to pray for his strength and in tuneness with the Lord. It would be a good weekend to go see my parents after market tomorrow but both of my parents have Covid right now and are sick.  

A blessed life

 In life, we can choose which path to travel down. As I lay here reflecting on this last year and all the crazy events, I choose to see the good. Our family has grown tremendously this year and had opportunities to love and serve. I feel like things are going to be on the up from here too. It was just a little over a year ago when Aubree fell asleep at the wheel and totaled her car but that led to a friendship with the Dickey’s. Living out of our home for seven months has helped me become more calm in the mess still because I’m glad to be home. People reached out and lifted u; most Sundays we were invited to members homes to eat. Money taken from the hotel, a fire pit taken, and three cars broken into has helped me realize the Lord is protecting us. Things do not matter, people and relationships do. Will’s ax and black widow incident remind me he’s just a boy and after the funeral this past weekend, to always say I love you. 

A weekend to mourn and heal

I am not sure at the moment which is harder for a momma’s heart- your babies leaving home or seeing them hurt. An unexpected event led to our family of six being together for the weekend. While circumstances weren’t ideal for a visit, Ginny and Aubree  lost a friend last Saturday, and my heart aches for our girls, Jake, and all those who loved him (Dallin Floyd Baum). Jake and I know this was an important life experience that can lead to growth for our girls but mourning is hard. It was a weekend of piano, song, laughter, tears, friends hanging in the kitchen, and hugs. It ended too quickly, less than 48 hours together. I hope the mourning leads to healing quickly. It’s so hard to let them leave when they’re still mourning and sad.  I told Jake I just wish I could keep my kids with me forever. He jokingly said we could build a compound, followed by “Aren’t we glad our parents didn’t do that because I’d be missing out on the best parts of my life.”  He also said he was sad when they left too but if he has to be alone with anyone, he’s glad it’s me. 

On a side note, Saturday watching Jake on the stand, I realized even more that this is the time Lord needs him to be bishop. He is a comforter and in the almost two years as bishop now has done 8 funerals. He says the most beautiful things and shows up for people. My girls told me that he comforts and I make people do what they don’t want to do that needs to be done (I guess kinda like a reality check person). 

Aubree’s story with her singing one of the songs Dallin liked.

When Aubree arrived Friday, we took her to Gus’s friend chicken.

Saturday night group hug after a long day (funeral and celebration of life bonfire that night).

Laundry is not one of my favorite things to do but having 4 stacks waiting to be put away reminds me my little crew is under one roof. 

Ginny left right after sacrament Sunday but they all appeased me with a picture.

Happy 19th to our girl

She’s beauty but not much grace, she’s our Aubree Rae. Happy birthday to our determined, beloved, hard-working, Jesus loving, Aubree. We are so proud to call her our daughter and of the young lady she’s become. She loves fiercely and always worried for others. She has a righteous heart, loves to give to others, and scatters light where ever she is. We miss her like crazy but are so happy she’s enjoying college. 

The last two years she hasn’t felt much like celebrating with her totaling her car last year (9/3) and thus year her friend, Dallin Baum, was killed in a motorcycle accident (9/2).  

Jake is a good man and bishop...that is all.

Will had the opportunity towards the end of July to attend FSY. He seemed to have a great time.  We enjoyed hearing the stories he shared and hope he had experiences to treasure forever.

Over the last two weeks, Jake has done two funerals. He does an exceptional job and is eloquent with his words.  He is a comforter.  Last Sunday after church, someone else actually told me that too.  He is soft spoken, kind, and in tune wit the Spirit.  I am blessed to be able to call him mine. Ginny got home a couple of days ago for about two weeks. We are always happy to see her, now if we can get Aubree to come home some.