HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!  AND HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL WEEK ❤
  We had a really nice Iowa visit with Kate, Jonathan, and Sayre, but left a day early on Tuesday to miss an incoming snowstorm.   However, SURPRISE to us, it was snowing in Denver so we ended up with a delayed flight anyway 😀.  It was all worth it  - playtime with Sayre, walks with Clementine, shopping and decluttering with Kate 😊, put together a kitchen shelf (I supervised, Kate did all the work), cards with Kate and Jonathan, yummy food, a manicure by Kate, finished my first book of the year (the Nightengale - so good), and got through a couple of more episodes of Call the Midwife, not to mention some school work - whew!!!

I love this series so much! It begins in the early 1950's and one of the midwives looks a lot like my Mom.  

Kevin kept busy in Iowa with a "to-do" list from Kate.  He put in new toilet paper holder in the bathroom on the main floor, re-caulked the kitchen sink, and most importantly, repaired Papa's duck.

  Remember the duck with the "flappy" feet? Papa's friend, George made it for him.  

 Such fun memories! 

Wednesday, we had a wonderful surprise visit from Emma.  She is contemplating a change in employment and wanted to know what I thought.  I love that she wanted my opinion, that she is weighing all of her options before making a decision.  I don't get to see her too often, but what a treat!!!

She will be amazing at whatever she decides to do ❤

 Shortly after Emma left, this cute girl showed up!  (in case you couldn't tell, Sendai is trying to steal the scene from Sammi)

 We love these girls so much and especially love when they stop by for a visit.  Sammi did a great job of taking care of Sendai while we were gone, we didn't worry once about the good care she was getting.  AND thanks to Eilis who also stopped by to check on Sendai and play with her before she had to go to work.  

Friday, we met Lily and Sammi at Panera for lunch.  

If you notice Samantha has on "floaties".  It is part of the "Senior Assassin" game that Seniors at her school participate in.  I don't know all of the rules, but I just know that Sammi was safe from getting shot by a water gun because she had the floaties on. 😁  It's all new to me!

 

Also, Samantha left early, early Saturday morning for a quick trip to Salt Lake City.  She was meeting Aunt Kelly and her cousin Hailey, who is getting married in May.  Sammi went over to help shop for wedding dresses.  

 

I wonder if it will be like "Say Yes to the Dress"?

Lily had a road trip to Phoenix last weekend for a soccer tournament.  She traveled with a teammate and her family by car - for two days - can anyone relate?  I may be in my own handcart, but I do love road trips.  Lily said the tournament was great and she even scored!  Way to go Lily!  I love that she has loved soccer from the time she was little and she just keeps getting better. 

Chris spent a few days last week in Huntington Beach for a work conference. How lucky to get some California sunshine. 

 However, I will say that any day the sun is out and the skies are blue - it's a great day!!!

Kim and Blythe went to visit their little friend, Miles, who suffered a skull fracture this week.  He is their Bishop's son, and of course, it happened as they were planning to leave for a Florida vacation.

I vaguely remember a time when Dad and I were planning a short weekend trip and Adam got hairspray in his eye and we spent hours in the emergency room with him - I think he was about 2 years-old - just old enough to tell the doctors to stop putting water in his eye. 😢

 

 We are excited to see Hollie and Ben this week. They don't have school so they are going to come spend a couple of days with us.  Hollie helps me clean and she is such a great cook!  AND maybe, we might have to do some shopping 😁

Thursday Kevin and I were released from our callings in the Addiction Recovery Program.  We were invited to share our testimonies in the High Council Meeting that evening.  It was so nice to see people in our Stake that we don't get to see very often and answer the many questions they had about ARP.   The Bishop asked us today if we could help for the next month to teach the Temple Prep classes in our Ward. We are excited for something new and for our ward members who are getting ready to go to the Temple.

 Saturday, we had a great day at the Temple. It was snowy most of the day and when we came out everything was so beautiful.  I was helping a young sister who just received her mission call to Brazil, and when her family joined her in the Endowment Room, we recognized that she was a niece to Kim and Chris' good friends the Pulsiphers.  The more I go to the Temple I realize how much strength and power I receive that helps me through the craziness that can happen during the rest of the week. 

 I realize I don't say enough how grateful I am for Kevin (Dad, and JiChan) - 

He is my rock! He supports me in the time it takes for me to complete my school work and prepare for my primary lessons.  He makes the bed, does the laundry, washes dishes, cooks, and is patient with me when I am at my worst. 

Thank you, Kevin!  You are amazing and I am excited for whatever adventures we will have this week. Love you! ❤

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SAYRE!

Sayre turned 7 years-old on Friday, February 7th.  I well remember the day (or I should say early morning) he was born.  I think I got to the hospital the evening before so Kate (and Jonathan) had a very long and painful wait before he finally arrived.  But definitely worth the wait!

 He had a Sneaky Sasquatch party yesterday with five of his good friends. They had pizza, lemonade, and Kate made this really cute Sneaky Sasquatch cake and cupcakes.

Sayre loves Harry Potter, sports, Sneaky Sasquatch, reading, swimming, crafts, legos and playing with his friends 💖
 

 Kevin and I had a really nice flight over.  I had to make a change in our tickets after I realized I had mistakenly booked us on a flight that would have made Dad late for his Institute class on Thursday.  When I called United to make the change, the gentleman I talked to not only changed our flight but also upgraded our seats.  Thank you Mr. United!

Then Chris came to my rescue when we looked at our boarding passes the night before we left and saw that I didn't have TSA pre-check.  I had put the incorrect ID number in so Chris repaired that mistake for me.  I am so thankful to each and everyone of you who take such good care of us! 😳

Samantha has been so kind to take care of Sendai for us this week. She even let Milo have a sleep-over and I know Sendai was in heaven because not only does she love Sammi, but she really loves it when Milo comes to visit.  Though Sammi said sleeping does get a little tight when both dogs try to get on the bed, and Sendai wants to stretch out.  You really have to claim your own foot territory. 😁  Thanks also to Eilis who stopped by on her way to work one day to check on Sendai - it's so nice to not have to worry about our girl!

Lily is in Arizona this weekend at a soccer tournament.

 Rumor has it she is advancing to a new team. 

Max had friends over to help set up a new computer, and then looks like a New Year's celebration - Vietnamese style 

So happy Max is enjoying BYU and doing well in his classes!  

Kate has the day off tomorrow so we are going to unclutter the kitchen and to to Scheels so I can get a new Hawkeyes hoodie 

Speaking of uncluttering - this is what I accomplished this week - 

AFTER

BEFORE

I also got part of the linen/medicine/game closet cleaned out on Monday in between school work. It just feels so good and I'm embarrassed to say how many bottles of over-the-counter drugs were past their expiration date.  😲

If you missed reading the blog last week I added a form that Kate sent me to give you a head-start on spring cleaning/decluttering. It is really great and the best thing is you can go at your own speed - 

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK - 

In my class this week we have been reading about Positive Psychology which is a change in psychology from a preoccupation with only repairing the worst things in life to building the best qualities in life. Their premise is that strengthen our weaknesses may be less useful to lasting change than knowing and building upon our strengths. They also suggests that preoccupation with our problems or wallowing around in the muck of our lives is not the key to good mental health or happiness. We must build from our strengths and use this focus to solve life's problems.

Then today in our Relief Society lesson we talked about how unfair life can be sometimes.  Brother Hales related a story about his mother - 

My mother did not have an easy journey through mortality. She received no accolades or worldly honors and did not have educational opportunities beyond high school. She contracted polio as a child, resulting in a lifetime of pain and discomfort in her left leg. As an adult, she experienced many difficult and challenging physical and financial circumstances but was faithful to her covenants and loved the Lord.

When my mother was 55, my next older sister passed away, leaving an eight-month-old baby daughter, my niece, motherless. For various reasons, Mom ended up largely raising my niece for the next 17 years, often under very trying circumstances. Yet, notwithstanding these experiences, she happily and willingly served her family, neighbors, and ward members and served as an ordinance worker in the temple for many years. During the last several years of her life, Mom suffered from a form of dementia, was often confused, and was confined to a nursing facility. Regrettably, she was alone when she passed away unexpectedly.

Some might say that is lady lived a life with so many challenges that it just didn't seem fair - and maybe you feel the same way or know others who have unimaginable losses in their live that it just doesn't seem right. 

Chris sent me a quote this afternoon that I loved so much and really pointed out how much Heavenly Father loves us. It comes from a talk by Elder Renlund ~

In unfair situations, one of our tasks is to trust that "all that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ."  Jesus Christ overcame the world and "absorbed"all unfairness. Because of Him, we can have peace in this world and be of good cheer. If we let Him, Jesus Christ will consecrate the unfairness for our gain. He will not just console us and restore what was lost; He will use the unfairness for our benefit.

I challenge you that in the face of all of your challenges this week, you will remain positive and will remember and acknowledge all of your many blessings.  Life is Good ❤

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CORY THIS PAST WEEK!

Wife ❤ Mom ❤ Daughter ❤ Chauffer ❤ Teacher ❤ Nursury Leader ❤ Girl's Camp leader ❤ Part-time Psychologist ❤ Avid Reader ❤ Best Friend ❤ 

We love you, Cory, and can't imagine our family without you!!!

Instead of living in the past, I decided I should probably be a little more forward-thinking, so just so you will be aware - 

Sayre will celebrate his 7th birthday this Friday,  February 7th, and in March we will be singing "Happy Birthday" to Grant (8th), Kim (21st), and Ben (24th).

 I didn't get many photos this week but that's ok, I have a treasure trove of images that I love to browse through.  It is such a blessing to live in the era of cell phone cameras where we can take a picture at a moment's notice and capture these amazing memories.  

Two weeks ago, Kate sent me an outline for "decluttering" your home.  I didn't have time to do a lot, but I did clean out my bathroom drawers and countertop.  By the time I was finished, I had a garbage bag completely full of old, outdated makeup, medicine, creams, etc., and jewelry that needed to go back into the bedroom.  It felt soooo goooood!  This past week Kevin and I were asked to minister to a new sister in the Ward.  Her husband passed away during Covid and she decided after living without family close by for four years, that she needed to move closer to her son who teaches at the Academy.  I called her Sunday evening and she said she could use help assembling some shelves for storage, so we went over Monday and Kevin was able to get the shelves together for her.  The shelves were mostly for food storage but she had everything so well organized.  These two experiences really hit home to me!  

 1.  I love the feeling of minimizing and getting rid of things we don't use or need anymore.  I realized that we have lived in this house for 20 years (can you believe it?) and without a military move, we have accumulated a lot of "junk".  

2.  I love feeling organized - my desk, my drawers, I don't have to spend 20 minutes looking for something,  And I love having my days organized so I know what we are doing, what needs to be done, what our priorities are for the day - my school assignments, meals, etc.  

This is the link to A Home That Heals (this is what Kate sent me)

https://www.icloud.com/iclouddrive/068XqSr0xe0ylkMk5PBmRXu2A#07543b18-4f86-4d65-b67a-70f93651ae48

Even if I can only get one thing done on one list during the week, I feel like I have really accomplished something.  

HAVE FUN 😁

Kevin and I also took a morning this week and finally got all of the Christmas decorations put away and the downstairs room cleaned up.   We had fun looking at the collection of grandchildren "mementos" on the bookshelf -

 A well-worn pair of little shoes (I'm not sure who they belonged to)

    

Spencer's airplane pacifier

 Eilis' pink glasses. 

A Phantom of the Opera Christmas Tree Ornament that Adam gave me when he was little 

and it really played music 💖

I know I am decluttering, but some things you just can't get rid of 😁

THANK YOU KATE AND JONATHAN for the Sunday Selfie!

AND Sayre practicing his drumming skills 😄

We are excited to see you this week!

As I was looking for some "Cory photos" tonight, I came across some others that made me smile - 

  I think Eilis has the pink glasses on!

  

Once upon a time, I was taller than these boys

 Blythe and "Trouble" 💕

FINAL THOUGHTS - 

This week in my Family and Community Relationship class we talked about family structures from the Colonial era to the present day. It was just a little bit funny when we got to the 1950s thru the 70s, from the white picket fences and nuclear families to drugs and free love, girl power, etc. - and I could say I actually lived through the times.  We read a lot about tolerance in diversity and my favorite quote came from President Kimball - He said, "The most lovable quality any human being can possess is tolerance.  It is the vision that enables one to see things from another's viewpoint. It is generosity that concedes to others the right to their own opinions and peculiarities. It is tolerance that enables us to let people be happy in their own way instead of ours.

My other last thought 😊 - Brother Graham in our Ward is an Army Psychologist/Therapist who spent all of last year in the Middle East, sometimes under heavy missile fire.  One night when things were exploding all around them, he said he just felt that everything was going to be ok - not necessarily that he would make it home alive, but that even if he didn't, it would all be ok. No one on this earth is immune from heartache, disappointment, challenges, illnesses, or death - but even when these things come into our lives we can know that we will be ok - through the Savior's love and Atonement, we will be ok ❤

DO GOOD THINGS THIS WEEK!!!