Text from Dad

The last week of the semester Ginny was struggling with some of her pre-calculus and was getting very discouraged one evening working through problems in preparation for her upcoming exam.  She came to our room and was in there for about an hour for help but still did not meet a deadline for 1 question on the online platform being used. We worked until after 10:00 pm and although she would not receive credit for the question(s) after the deadlines, she persevered.  She was very concerned not to miss seminary but did not get to bed until after midnight.  She did not got to seminary the next morning but I did take Aubree.   The next morning when she awoke, she had the following text from her father that shows his wisdom and counsel we all need to hear at times: "Hope you had a good nights sleep. I am happy that you always go to seminary. I think it shows your strength and faith. Sorry, I lost my patience a little.  You do much better at your studies than I ever did. I know you out a lot of pressure on yourself. Do not think that you have to be perfect for everyone else, including me. Give everything your best for yourself, not to please or impress others. Find happiness in doing things. If it feels overwhelming, step back, breathe, know you are loved for being you and not for your grades or performances or talents. While much of what you do now will influence your future, it is more important to find joy in this journey. This doesn't come from getting math problems correct. I find the most joys in lifting others unexpectedly, praying, taking time to talk to someone, being around my family, completing hard things, and just being around good people even in silence. I am not very good at most of things but you are."
Often as women, I feel we become discouraged so easily when we are unsuccessful or feel we are unsuccessful because we do not meet the standard that we have set for ourselves. We must be forgiving of one another but even more so ourselves.  We can do hard things, sometimes they may not meet our expectations but we accomplish what we are set out to do. And in those moments where the struggle is real, we can look back and say that even though there are very hard times, our track record is 100% overcoming or surviving those times.

Holiday Shenanigans

Christmas Eve was a little rough for a few hours this year as Jake found out about another fender bender Ginny had over this summer pulling into Charity's car.  After months of having a white scratches on the bumper and the blinker light slightly out of place, he noticed and asked about it. With a large gulp and tears welling in her eyes, Ginny was honest and told her dad, as hard as it was.  His reaction was not as well as it could have been.  He was very angry that he had not been told, which is to be expected but the situation could have been handled better. He ended up grounding her until she drives 100 hours with him and will not allow her to drive to school nor seminary.  We have to arrange rides to school for seminary now, home from school, and Aubree a ride home from the Academy. About 6:00, the kids and I planned to deliver cookies and look at lights (we had wanted to go about 4:00 ot deliver cookies but the situation did not allow).  Jake decided lat minute to come but did not speak.  When we arrived home, I told him he was being ridiculous again and it was Christmas Eve.  About 9:00 pm, he joined us in the living room and we played Ticket to Ride.  About midnight, we put the kids to bed. Christopher was very anxious because he wanted to get to sleep so Santa could come.  The kids all sleep upstairs in the media room and we booby trap the house.  This year, we did an escape room and finally got to bed near 3:00 am.  About 7:30 am, Jake noticed the kids were not awake and called Ginny's phone to awaken them.  He was very excited for the kids to try to make it to our room with no noise so we can go open gifts. We all love it!

We spent time in Jackson on the 26th. My mom seemed to not be having a good few days and as I watched Jake interact with her, I fell more in love with him.  Christmas night, he just sat down and talked to her and the next morning, he asked her to cook him breakfast (she prides herself on being a good cook and really is).  That afternoon, he took her to lunch before we headed back home.  The 27th, I took down Christmas so we could celebrate Will on the 28th.  Jake is still fighting a sinus infection, so the kids and I did most of it.  Most years, people are. out of town on Will's birthday, so it is difficult to have him a party so we invited friends to go to a movie and then back to our place for a couple hours to play games.  Five friends were able to attend. Jake was not able to attend the movie due to a sinus headache but did muster the patience and strength to play games with them.  

As this year draws to a close, I am thankful for the hardships I have overcome. I do not like hard times in the moment but realize they make me better. The past few months have been great for our family as far as growing together.  Ginny has made more a conscious effort to be present and play games.  Jake and I do your best to do school work after the kids go to bed to maximize our time with them.  Hopefully with the new curriculum for church and the transition to two hour church, we can make sure to spend that hour together on Sundays building our relationship with one another and Heavenly Father.

Happy 11th Birthday Jacob William

This month, the church announced that young men that turn 12 in their birth year can get the priesthood that same year, that means that Will can get the priesthood in January.  However, I am a believer that just because you can do something does not mean that you should or are always ready for it, so we shall see over the next little bit. Son, you keep us on our toys but you are a source a joy in our lives and we see your heart becoming better daily.

According to you, Will:
You currently want to be when you grow up: soldier  
Your favorite color is: red Your favorite show is: Star Wars  
Your favorite game is: MineCraft  
Your favorite toy or activity is: playing with my family  
Your favorite girl is: mom  
You are really good at: gaming  
Your best friend is: Walker Orris and Nicholas Clutch  
You want to vacation to: Hawaii  
Your favorite ice cream is:  chocolate chip cookie dough  
Your wish is to be: a Jedi  
Your hero is: Yoda  
Your favorite thing to do with your friends is: watch movies with them  
Your favorite holiday is: Christmas  
Your favorite person in the whole world is: Dad  
Your favorite song is: Radioactive  
Your favorite restaurant is: Casa Mexicana  
Your favorite foods are: chips and salsa  
If you had $1000 you would buy: a soda machine

Happy Birthday Son- We love you.  Continue to be you and grow in kindness.  You will not ever be punished for showing kindness. Become the man you are destined to become and follow in the footsteps of the men's names you bear: your dad, Papaw Eaton, and Papaw.  You are loved more than you know and forever our boy.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

May your days be merry and bright... Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

       This year has been busy for our family and very good. In January, I made a goal to be on social media less and spend more time with my crew, so I will give a brief update of our year. Jake and I celebrated seventeen years of marital bliss and both went back to school to better ourselves. We absolutely love working together! Jake still has a passion for teaching and has been playing a little with learning to day trade. I am not certain what I am doing- but I know I am busy.

          Ginny is a Junior this year (oh my stars!), enrolled in all AP classes, and starting driving in March, which frightens me daily and has doubled our transportation costs. She remains quick to forgive as we are still learning daily to be parents. Ginny has picked playing the piano back up and I love to hear her play. It makes me sad to think in a couple of years, she will leave home. She loves flamingos and dinosaurs right now...a weird combination.

        Aubree ventured on her high school career this year and is a Freshman. It blows me away to think I have two in high school. Aubree is taking all honors courses too and manages to keep a high A in them. She was able to start attending dances this year too but was a little apprehensive. She loves theater, everything about it, from attending productions to be being a part of them. I admire her courage that she auditions with the best of them, not only at school, but in the community and even though she hasn't landed a role in either this year, she refuses to give up and perseveres. She is in the ensemble of "Pippen" at school this year. Aubree loves to bake, loves unicorns, and loves mermaids. Both she and Ginny have hearts to serve and show kindness.

       Will (a.k.a. Jake) is in his last year of elementary school this year. He is definitely the child that keeps me in my toes. He is very hyper active and is the one that tries my patience the most but one thing I have learned this year is he has a . tender heart. He looks for "the one" that is alone or needs a friend and is there. He stays by them and includes them, he teaches me to look for "the one" and to show kindness. Will loves math (and is in the top 99%), eating, baseball, Minecraft, and playing games with his dad.

       Christopher turned 8 this year and was baptized. He is 100% a mommy's boy and strives to say nice things to me and keep me happy. Christopher leaves little notes everywhere around the house that range from "Shhh..Christopher is sleeping" to "I love you, bald eagle" (he calls his dad a bald eagle). He still struggles with his speech but is so courageous. He does not let allow his speech deficient to define him nor does he allow it to exclude him. We practice his oral presentations at home and he volunteers to do them and even the school announcements. He gets so excited when he is about to score high in a board game. Christopher loves food, baseball, Minecraft, the Flash, and his mom.

       Our family is blessed exceedingly. Merry Christmas and may you find the time to remember the Savior and serve others.

The busiest time of the year...

Each day or week seems busy as a parent but there are definitely times that it seems more busy than others. December is definitely one of those times from preparing for the holidays to attending the kids Christmas programs, this year has proved no different.  Last week, it seems we had something every day, beginning with Sunday.  Sunday my sisters and Jake pulled off preparing a surprise birthday meal for me, it was nice.  I was unaware and offered to carry dinner to two families, so I came home from church and prepared that. Our three oldest participated in the Christmas program at church last Sunday and I was so touched watching them sing and moved by the Spirit.  We had plumbing issues arise last week, so Jake tended those one day after school and I attended the boys choir concert.  Jake somehow managed to arrange for us to eat out on my birthday with a few of our co-workers before pack meeting at church on Wednesday.  Will obtained his arrow light, so it was a big deal for him that we attend.  Jake unexpectedly flew out to meet his brother in Montana after school on Friday, the decision was made in less than twenty minutes, and he booked a ticket and was packed within five minutes.  It was one of those situations where he needed to be there for his brother, if only in presence.  He flew back in Saturday evening (it was literally $3000 that was spent unexpectedly but there are some situations where money can not factor into and you just do it). Driving home from the airport getting Jake Saturday night, Ginny called in tears.  After calming her down, she explained that she had a fender bender pulling out of the driveway. She was driving my car and hit her car with the front passenger side of my car as she was backing out.  It has left a nice dent in my car and while they were trying to wipe off the black, they peeled some of the paint.  I am certain it will be at least $1000 deductible for my car and uncertain for hers.  This weekend has unexpectedly costs us $5000 and the though of trying to figure out finances to cover it caused a little uneasiness in rest last night.  However, I know that in the scheme of things, the money is a minor thing as is her accident.  Amongst all the hustle and bustle this season, I have felt overwhelming gratitude for this little family of mine and the times we spend together.  I love that we play Ticket to Ride (a board game) together and decorate cookies, which is a new thing, and stresses me out some in moment leading up to it, but I love it!