Family photos from Dec 22, 2024

 As you may recall, the family surprised me with family photos around the holidays. This past Christmas and birthday I was probably spoiled more than I deserved. I am not sure it was so much the gifts as the thought that went into making into special. I guess I am even okay with being the center of some of their games.  Have I mentioned those?  Basically, the day of Reindeer games (12/23), Jake was insistent about everyone meeting at Wal-Mart to pick out a prize or at least their favorite candy for a prize.  That was not at all the intent.  There was a 2-fold mission at hand. First, choose a bath set or gift pack that I would hide and come back after Christmas to buy and secondly choose my favorite my candy that I would open first.  How did it play out?  Well, the 26th we were back at Wal-Mart to see if their gift sets were still hidden and which I would choose.  Jake had chosen a Dove bath set and hid it on top of shelving (of-course it was there as no one can see that high), I do not recall all the gift sets but do recall one being razors and one being M&M mugs with candies.  Will's was the only one that was taken. He had hid his in a bin of stuffed animals.  Aubree hid hers in a stool in housewares, Ginny hid hers behind several things on a bottom shelf, and Christopher took his all the way to the food section and hid it on the bottom row behind all these cake mixes.  It was a cute chuckle.  As for the candy, they are all correct I like chocolate but Will won the prize on that. Not because he chose my favorite but because I had been sick and chose to eat something there was multiple of because my taste buds were off. I chose to have part of a Whatchamacallit, which is not even close to one of my favorites.  They all said they laughed when he chose that because it is not something I really eat and then he won because i chose it first above all else: dark chocolate seal salt caramel Doves (Jake), Turtles (Ginny), Symphony bar (Aubree), and Mini M&M's (Christopher). It was a great holiday to look back on although Jake and I were both sick. Crazy thing, is we are both sick again. 

How are they both so incredibly beautiful?

 

The most handsome and loved men in my life.

 

 

This shows their personalities so well.....how did Jake and I get so very blessed?

 

  

 

The mantle of a Bishop

 Last week Jake and the boys participated in their second “Polar Campout” with temperatures in the 20’s. I decided to do iniatories and then invited several sisters to meet for Mexican since it was just me at home (Ginny went to Nashville and was driving the Prius back). At dinner, one of the sisters shared she was moving. Sunday after church, Jake and I were making visits and he shared with one of the elderly people we visit how the Spirit had been working in the back for several weeks. With the sudden news of the family moving (they were only given 2 weeks notice), they already had the change in callings or names to recommend planned (one is seminary). He continued to share another example of the Spirit permeating the work with primary goals shared in ward council aligning in the sane order goals had been set to work with the youth….meaningful prayer, scripture study, and then service. 

The Lord is working through him and my testimony continues to grow seeing him and hearing his experiences. I have heard the bishop’s wife is very lonely and often a silent casualty but I’ll take it any day to have my testimony strengthened.  

Happy 2025

New's Year Eve was spent playing games and karaoke with the five of us home and it was a good end of 2024.  2024 was good for our family. 

Some of the highlights for the family that I recall are: Aubree went through the temple, Ginny graduated college and started her 1st full time job, trip to Cozumel with the girls, karaoke at my parents and Will shining, Utah and Tennessee football games, Fall break trip with Aubree (DC, Philadelphia, and New York), cruise with Jake's siblings and parents, Thanksgiving with all my family together (except Aubree and Eva), the Reindeer games, and the Christmas holiday. It has been a good year for our family.

Jake still serves as bishop and is a great one. He loves the youth and the ward a lot.  We had snow in January and he loved that. He was able to marry 4 people this year and had no funerals, that was a pleasant change. We went to 2 Utes football games and he ended the year buying a new truck. 

Renee' hit her year mark with UTHSC and has adapted well.  I am learning that my greatest joy really is time with my family.

Ginny described her year on social media as follows: "2024. What a year. The year I tried to remember to be in the here and now because we are never guaranteed tomorrow. I graduated college and survived hygiene school. I got to know so many great people along the way. I started my dream job and found an office that I love working at.I moved back home to my favorite city with some of my favorite people. I started reading again and then read a a whole awful lot.I learned to mostly love running which has turned out to be on the best things I have ever done for myself. I started to feel like me a gain and tried to embrace every part of who I am. I'll always remember 24. Thanks for being my best year yet."

Aubree began the year by taking her temple endowment out. has learned some valuable lessons, we hope, about time management and priorities with her setbacks in school this year. She was a made a director at Chick-Fil A in Logan.

Will started home school and got his first job at Chick Fil A.  He also attended his first SEC football game, watching the Vols in Knoxville and loved it. 

Christopher embarked on his high school years and attended his first church dance. He has started taking an interest in the kitchen this year.

New Year's Eve 2024

 We spent the night playing games, singing, and dancing.  Initially we watched the ball drop in New York because I rarely make it to midnight but we brought out karaoke after that and all made it until midnight our time.

And he is 17....

We all have one, or for some of us two. The child or loved one that contributes to lack of sleep and much worry. I have mine, you have yours. But today, one of mine celebrates his 17th birthday and it seems like yesterday, I was watching him ride his hot wheel thing in his underwear and Toy Story hat. Our boy loves big. As much as he helps me grow, he has the biggest heart. He takes time for the one, who needs to be noticed (if he’s not lost in thought). He’s funny without trying and oh so witty. He’s a gentle giant of a kid. We wouldn’t trade him most days and we know he’s destined for good. He is the clumsiest kid we know and our miracle boy (ax in foot, bitten by a black widow, and Steven Johnson's from his medication).  We love you and believe in you, Jacob William! Happy Birthday to my Will!  

Facts about Will by Will:

I love my family and friends.

My favorite thing to do is hang out and play with friends

I love learning new things about piano

You currently want to be when you grow up: A Marine Biologist

Your favorite color is: Teal

Your favorite show is: Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Your favorite game is: Fortnite

My favorite activity is playing games

Your favorite girl is: My mom

You are really good at: Fortnite

Your best friend is: Walker Orris and James Jones

You want to vacation to: The Caribbean on a cruise

Your favorite ice cream is: Cotton Candy

Your wish is to be rich and successful

Your hero is: My dad

Your favorite thing to do with your friends is: Hang out in real life

Your favorite holiday is: Christmas

Your favorite person in the whole world is:  I have no favorites

Your favorite song(s) is: Born with a Broken Heart and Lucid Dreams

Your favorite restaurant is: Texas De Brazil

Your favorite foods are: Steak

If you had $1000 you would buy: A personal laptop and Gas

 

And they’re off….

 Two parts of my heart left this morning for Texas and only one will be coming back. Aubree was initially flying out Monday but was able to change her flight to leave from Texas and go to Houston with Ginny. Ginny was driving up for a wedding and will be staying with Chris and Crystal. It was not my ideal of letting her leave early (she decided last night) but I did not say anything negative. I’m trying to help her see that I’m trying my best to let her be an adult. Jake did have a heart to heart with Aubree last night and expressed the importance of her getting back in school and applying multiple places with nursing programs. He told her Logan is a distraction if it’s keeping her from pursing intently her goal. I miss her fiercely and love her even more fierce. As much as I may have not wanted to give up three days with her (most likely it’ll be another six months before I see her), I am glad my girls are bonding. 

It was been an incredibly wonderful week with our family, even if some of us were sick at different times. I love them. 

Reindeer games, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day

Merry Christmas- I am so thankful to know of the babe born in Bethlehem so long ago. I am grateful to know not just of his birth but the why of it, the Messiah who makes second chances possible and families eternal. 

What joy I gave felt this past week with all of my kiddos here and seeing them happy. This year they gave the most thoughtful gifts for my birthday and Christmas, both completely unexpected. I like to get for them not them necessarily me. However, it allowed me to feel the spirit of the season from a different perspective and reminded me we are all recipients of His gifts and love. 

Christopher used his own money and bought everyone small gifts tailored to them. I was the recipient of a candy I ate as a child- he remembered it from over a month ago when I showed them in the store. 

Will used his money and bought me the most thoughtful birthday card and what made it more special is he had all his siblings write a message in it too. 

Aubree gifted me a beautiful necklace and a minky blanket. Little does she realize though the best gift is her here now. 

Ginny bought me a nativity that I have wanted and then completely arranged (including outfits) and surprised me with family photos. 

Jake, well I’m pretty sure the kids helped him, but he helped make family photos happen and helped arrange the girls and I to get matching bracelets. He also had me a stocking with my favorite candies from the kids perspective (although it was also part of his reindeer games). 

The gifts were nice but my favorite and fondest were being together. From Sunday in Jackson to Reindeer games Monday night to Christmas Eve concert to Christmas Day. I love every minute of our annual reindeer games, our Christmas Eve concert and story, and the kids waking us to share obstacle course adventures and videos (we almost did not do but I’m so glad we did….these (stories, laughter, and videos if it) are some of my absolute favorite Christmas memories). 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!