HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY, EMMA!

 Just can't believe that Emma turned 21 this past Thursday.  We celebrated with dinner and birthday cake on Friday.  I think I say it everytime someone has a birthday, but it is just a little sad to see how quickly these kids are growing up.  But I love them all so much and they are all doing great things ~

Emma has the kindest heart and is always willing to lend a helping hand.  We love you Emma, and can't wait to see all of the good things and adventures that are coming your way ~

 While we are in Fountain I have a cute "Ben" story that Angella shared with me this week.  She said that one evening Hollie came into her bedroom, sad and weepy because someone had been unkind to her, and while she was talking to Angella, Ben was also in the room listening intently.  Ben spoke up and said, "Hollie, take a big breath in like this and then let it out like this (giving a demonstration)", and then he told her to not worry about mean people and it was ok if you don't like them.  I love that these kids are always looking out for each other

Eilis was busy again this weekend with another Robotics competition (I think the last one of the season).  

PAUL has the cutest friend, Maren.  They have been good friends for a long time though they don't attend the same school any longer.  Maren invited Paul Lewis-Palmer's Snowball dance by doing this 👇

 I haven't received photos from the dance yet but hopefully will soon.  We all love Maren (and Paul too) 😁

                

SPENCER got lessons this week on the fine art of baking muffins (banana, I think) from his Mom.  Kim does have the best banana bread recipe ever.  If anyone needs the recipe, here it is -

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup mashed bananas

1 1/2 cups of flour

The recipe calls for baking it at 350° for 1 hour but I make the mini loaves and bake it at 350° for 20 minutes and at 275° for 15 minutes.   Enjoy!!!

Spencer, when are you going to come bake for me????? 😁

SAMANTHA came over after school on Friday, and nonchalantly said she thought Sendai needed a friend, and then began looking up Akita puppies for sale in Colorado. AND then she was showing the puppy photos to Dad. (I am going to check her phone at the door next time she comes over 😃)

 So Kevin spent a lot of time the rest of the afternoon and early evening looking at puppy pictures.  It would be nice to have a friend for Sendai, but I don't think we're ready to take care of another pet.  

 

This is Ben, and this is the one Dad really loved. 

GONE FISHIN'

 It is that time of year and Dad is already gearing up to go fly fishing.  He has new waders, shoes, a fly fishing bag that holds the flies, fishing line, etc.,  fly rod,  and I think just about the only thing left he needs is some warmer weather (which means no snow).

This made me think of Jake"s infamous video teaching us how to fish -

Dad and I did get out this week for some errands and a quick lunch at Cafe Rio -

 YUM!

 Thanks Kevin!

KATE and Jonathan are having fun fixing up Sayre's room and giving him a space to read, and a space to do his artwork.  We are looking forward to celebrating his birthday with him on February 7th. 

SUNDAY SELFIES

I love your Sunday photos - thanks so much for sending them to me -

Last Thoughts ~

This term I am taking a class called Family and Community Relationships.  The focus of this class is on diversity in our communities (which could mean our families, our Ward members, and/or our co-workers, etc).  This week we are discussing gender and racial inequality as well as diversity and tolerance.  It reminds me of a talk by Elder Holland in 2014, "Are We Not All Beggars".

In one part of his address, he states, "Perhaps some have created their own difficulties, but don't the rest of us do exactly the same thing? Isn't that why this compassionate ruler asks, "are we not all beggars?" Don't we all cry out for help and hope and answers to prayers? Don't we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and troubles we have caused? Don't we all implore that grace will compensate for our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at least in our case?"

I hope this week as you look at others you will try not to judge, but instead be patient as we don't always understand the circumstances, or trials they may be faced with. I pray that we can all remember that we are all beggars, in need of the Atonement in our lives, and that God loves us all, equally, perfectly.

Have a wonderful week! 💕

Wow!!! Our balmy Friday morning quickly turned to freezing Friday afternoon and the thermometer has gone downhill ever since!  The temperature dropped from 48° to 11° with snow Friday night.  Yesterday, we had sunny but freezing weather, so we decided not to go to the temple.  I think we would have been fine going but I was worried that the roads might be icy on our way home in the dark.  Today, was another cold, cold day - our high was 12° and our low was -5°. Tomorrow is supposed to be much the same - Poor Sendai thinks she's suffering because she hasn't had walks for the last two days. But Dad did try Kim's trick of throwing a treat down the stairs, having her run down to get it, and then coming back up the stairs - 3 times.  🐕  Watch Out Midwest - I think it's moving your way!

We stayed busy this week with school, Dad with Institute, Addiction Recovery, and Grandkids.  My group Zoom mtgs this term are on Wednesday mornings, so all of the reading and assignments are due before then.  It makes Monday and Tuesday a little chaotic, but it is nice to have Thursday and Friday not so crazy.  After my class on Wednesday, I picked Lily up from school because she needed a mental health day😀.  (I only do this if mom and dad say it's ok). We had lunch and then went to Goodwill, and finally to Old Navy.  Such a fun day!  Thanks, Lily 

- One of the best things about doing this blog is getting to look through all of the photos and videos of when the kids were little 💖

We met with our Stake Presidency this morning to give an overview of the Addiction Recovery Program - what is working and what needs to be improved.  We have a release date of February 14th.  

I think I mentioned that we have an older gentleman named Troll, who has been coming to our meetings for about the last 7 -8 months.  He has been sober for 20 years, but comes to share his experiences and faith with others who attend.  This past week he came wearing a coyote hat (?) that his daughter had made for him. I just had to take a photo of it and share (with his permission) -  He is a character, but humble and honest in telling the kids what his addictions did to his life.

FOUNTAIN NEWS

All of Fountain is busy, busy, busy!  Angella was offered the chance to be mentored by a supervisor and learn some of the more detailed intricacies of other job opportunities with more responsibilities within her company. What that really means is down the line a promotion is waiting for her.  Yay! Angella!!

Emma is still working two jobs but would love to whittle that down to one.  She is an on-the-go girl and, hard to slow down.  I love that even though she has her own apartment, she still finds time to spend with Ben, Eilis, and Hollie - and occasionally has them for sleepovers.  (oh, and Emma will be celebrating her 21st Birthday this week 🎂)

We don't get to see Ben near enough but he is such a sweetie! He is doing well in school and if you need to know anything about trains - just ask him.😀

 Eilis is great role model for working hard and saving her money.  She is still very involved with the Robotics Club at Fountain-Ft Carson High School, and works several afternoons/evenings at Canes.  Josh just sent me this video of Eilis' Robotics competition.  I have never seen one before and am amazed how well these kids do - It's a fun watch

Hollie has the end of her Junior year in sight - time is going by so quickly.  She keeps eyes on Ben after school, and loves to experiment in the kitchen (she's a great cook).  

Wednesday, I took Shannon to get a haircut and a bite to eat at Panera.  She is always happy if she gets to go home with one of their chocolate chip cookies.  I am sad I forgot to take a picture of us, but thank you to all of you who ask about her.  She has declined cognitively quite a bit.  She always says the care center is closing and she doesn't know where she is going to live.  This week she tried to give me her bath towels because she said she couldn't pack them.  The ladies who take care of her are very nice, and understand her malady.  I feel she is happy there and the nurses that took care of her this summer when she had a couple of melt-downs have told us that it is probably better if we don't take her out too often.

Friday afternoon, I slipped over to see Helma and took her a Valentine's cookie from Panera.  She was happy and coherent - the best I've seen her in awhile.

I LOVE OUR SUNDAY SELFIES 💖

From Chicago today -

From Iowa - 

Sayre with his headphones on and Jonthan's top hat

I also love this pictures that Sayre drew today in his Primary class - the Sacred Grove, and Heavenly Father and Jesus appearing to Joseph.

 

AND, this is my contribution to our Sunday Selfies.  Adam sent it to me last week and I don't remember doing this or being there at all 😃

YOU ARE OUR WORLD!  WE LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH 💖

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAKE!
 It's just hard to believe that Jake celebrated his 9th birthday yesterday.  

I remember the day he was born, and I think I left school (Liberty) around noon so I could get a peek at him. DadDad and Brama (?) were there as well as Sammi, Paul, and Lily. He has been a handsome heartbreaker from the start!

He celebrated the day ice skating with friends, milkshakes, and chocolate cake waffles made by his Dad.  

One of my favorite memories of Jake is the time Cory took him shopping at Sam's Club and suddenly he disappeared - only to be found in the 

refrigerated foods, with the cheese 😂
 

Our family would not be the same without him!!!

 Love you, Jake 💖

CONGRATULATIONS TO JONATHAN!

This week ended on a high note for Kate and Jonathan.  We all know that Jonathan has been teaching Trombone at the University of Iowa.  Last year the school decided to create a new tenure-track position and open it up to applicants nationwide.  So, in essence, Jonathan had to reapply, go through the interview process, perform, and a few other stress-causing requirements, and then wait to see if he still had a job next year.  Friday, they found out that Jonathan was hired for the position and they are so happy and very much relieved!  We are excited for them and know that Heavenly Father has helped them see this long process through to the end.  Ji-Chan and I are excited to see them next month as we will be going over for Sayre's 7th birthday, and of course, to get a new Hawkeye's hoodie. (and go to Aldi😀)

YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHO YOU ARE GOING TO RUN INTO!

 Our favorite United guy was in Houston this week and just happened to run into our favorite, Elder Uchtdorf, who just happened to be on his way to South America. 

 I love that Elder Uchtdorf always seems to be happy, and he is always smiling and he always has a great story to share.  He is the epitome of the joy that comes from the Gospel.  Way to go, Chris!

This reminds me a little of the time Kate and I missed our flight to Korea ( because we were in line behind a bazillion missionaries).  We were staying with Kim and Chris in Salt Lake and we walked down to the neighborhood market across the street from the Temple to get some drinks for lunch and we ran into Elder Faust.  Kate told him we were on our way to Korea and he wanted to know why in the world we wanted to go there.  Then we were behind him in the check-out line and he didn't have his wallet so we were going to pay for him, but the clerk just told him she would put it on his tab.  

THIS WEEK JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!

 We had a great start to our week as Adam and Cory both had work but the kids didn't have school until Wednesday, so we got Jake, Lily, Ben, and Hollie for two whole days!  We kept super busy, did some fun things, and the kids were so great! Kevin thought Jake needed a new hat so they went up to Scheels and found one that fit him perfectly.  Lily and I took Jake to Sky Zone, and he didn't stop jumping, sliding, and playing dodgeball and soccer for the whole 2 hours we were there.  We got home just as Hollie and Ben arrived so we fed Ben, and then we had a girls' trip to Barnes and Nobles.  Pizza for dinner and then everyone went to bed early!

 Tuesday, we went back to Sky Zone and this time Lily stayed home to read her new book, and Hollie went with me to help with Jake and Ben.  When their time was up we dropped them off at the house and had a girl's lunch out and we were just getting ready to head over to Goodwill when Adam called and said Paul had sprained his ankle and they needed to take him to urgent care - so Lily didn't make it to Goodwill with us and we were not able to get haircuts for Jake and Ben.  When we got home Hollie volunteered to cut Ben's hair so she set up a beauty salon in the kitchen and I provided the scissors.  She did a great job, though Ben was not 
happy about it.

WEDNESDAY, Spencer called us.  He is doing well, loves his job, and has a new friend, Sonia.  

  This photo is from one of their dates at Ulysses S. Grant Park in Chicago. Spencer has become interested in the arts, painting, etc.  I love it when the grandkids keep in touch and let us know how they are surviving this crazy world.

 

EARLIER in the week, Paul brought me 4 t-shirts he needed to have hemmed up.  I have never been very comfortable working on t-shirts so I called my friend Kathy has two sewing machines, an embroidery machine, a long-arm quilting machine, and a serger to see if she could give me a lesson.  I thought you needed a serger to make hems look good on t-shirts, but she showed me how to do it on my machine - I just needed a different type of needle.  Anyway, we pinned, cut, and hemmed all of the shirts in just a couple of hours, and I was so happy I learned something new.  

SUNDAY SELFIE

Kate, Jonathan, and Sayre win the Sunday Selfie award today 😁

 Kate said Sayre was grumpy this morning so they were trying to make him smile.

Also, has anyone else ever felt like this during Church?  You just want to snuggle up in your Dad's coat and take a little snooze. 😁

  Words can't describe how much we love each and every one of you.

I hope you have a wonderful week and know we are always here for you.

Last night when I crawled into bed I was looking for a talk by Elder Holland and came across this short video.  When you have a free minute it is a good reminder that Heavenly Father is always there for us too!

Elder Holland