Book Lover

 I love to read.  A couple weeks ago, I was at book club listing off some of the books I had read recently and one of my friends said "your tastes are really all over the place!"  It's true, I like a lot of different types of books from historical fiction to fantasy to romance.  It seems however, that Summer's tastes are a little less diverse.

When Summer was super little, she loved all books (and trains haha)  

When she got a little older, it took her a LONG time to pick out what books she wanted at bedtime, but her choices still varied quite a bit.

Then she discovered "The Berenstain Bears"...almost every night for probably 3 years.

Then "Pinkalicious"

Then "The Bad Guys"

Now we are on the very last book of "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series (#17).

Heaven help me for what she'll find next...

Mid Winter Break 2023

We always intend to travel somewhere warm during mid-winter break, yet somehow it rarely happens.  This year was another local (try and find something fun to do) break.

I started out with a solo visit to Canada.  My niece, Becca, was going through the temple for the first time and I wanted to be there.  Then that night was Becca's bridal shower.

A friend of mine was headed out of town and asked if we could watch her animals.  She has two alpacas, a bunny, and a hamster! 

Monday was a holiday for Mike too, so we called up Jordan and she and Mikel met us at Dave & Buster's (after the sketchy pinball museum in downtown Seattle was "full") for some arcade game fun.

The rest of the week consisted of playdates, the zoo, the French Bakery, SNOW, hot tubing, and some relaxing and recharging. 

Feeling 22

 Jordan is officially the same age I was when I got married!  

That is impossible for me to wrap my head around!!

We celebrated with a homemade cake, dinner at Maggiano's in Bellevue, 

and Giselle (presented by PNB).  

Happy Birthday Jordan!  We love you!

This year ahead will be interesting for Jordan with all the decisions that come along with graduating from college!  I'm not sure where life will take her, but I do know we couldn't love her more, and are so proud of all she's accomplished so far!

Endure it well?

 I'm the first one to admit, these past almost 5 years, I haven't had the best attitude about being the "Bishop'sWife" whatever the heck "Bishop's Wife" means besides being married to the Bishop.  Geesh, it has been a struggle for me.  

When Mike got called as Bishop, my attitude was fine.  This is HIS calling...all I have to do is support.  Well, I guess for someone like me, that's not very easy.  Being the "woman BEHIND the man," isn't where I stand comfortably.  I have my own calling and my own life separate from my husband, yet somehow there are expectations for me?  There was no list of duties, no sustaining vote, no setting apart, no meetings, no check ins with the stake, no special exceptions or perks. It wasn't MY calling, yet somehow people treated me like it was...like I was supposed to be doing something...like I was supposed to be a certain way.  Nope, not for me.

So, when the release came that last week in January, I said "hallelujah!"  I was ready to be set free from this "gray" area I had been stuck in!  But Mike on the other hand, was not so overjoyed., because while being the Bishop is a lot of work, and stress, and sadness, he developed a love for the people and the work.  Mike was a wonderful example to our family of true dedication to your calling, to your faith, and to the Lord.

After Mike was released, the stake leaders asked me to say a few words in the sacrament meeting program.  I stewed over what to say all week.  I had to say something positive, but I felt so negative about my side of the experience.  I've heard people in the church talk about all the blessings that come to the family of those who serve, but all I could think about was how the last 4+ years of my life had been the hardest I've ever had (not because Mike was Bishop, but all the other stuff I had to go through...like losing my dad suddenly and unexpectedly).  The one thing that stood out to me was Mike's steadiness.  His steadfastness.  His complete unwavering devotion to the gospel.  This was enough to keep me from sinking.  This was enough to keep me from drifting away.  This!  This was the blessing.  This is what I am grateful for as we close the door on the "Bishop's Wife" chapter.  When I was weak, wavering, negative and in crisis,  he was a devoted servant of the Lord; and maybe that was exactly what I needed.

His first Bishopric 

(Both counselors have moved, one to Utah and one to Idaho!!  He's gone through SIX different counselors!!!)

This is what our family looked like when Mike was called to be Bishop.  

Jordan heading into her senior year, Kya 10th grade, Tyson 8th and Summer preschool!!

Here's what our family looks like now he's released!  

Both girls at college, Tyson graduating this June and Summer in 3rd grade. 

Crazy how time flies.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

January 28th, 2023  Summer was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It was such a special day.  

Summer had so many fears about the logistics of baptism (people watching, wearing clothes in the water, someone else dunking her etc.), but she really did want to make the covenant with her Heavenly Father.  Once she pushed past all that other stuff and decided to do it, I watched a weight lift from her.  She was so happy and proud of herself. 

Mom and Dad gave the talks.  Tyson did the baptism.  Dad did the confirmation.  We sang "Search Ponder and Pray" and prayed together. Then we went out for dinner and cheesecake;: I am so grateful for Summer and all that she continues to teach me.

Wearing the same dress as her mama...and all her aunts and girl cousins (who were baptized)!

On the way...

Checking the water levels...

So special that she chose her brother to baptize her

All clean!

A Bad Case of the Januarys

My excitement/optimism for the new year lasts about a week!  This year, was no exception...except maybe I had a a little less excitement because I came into it already a little broken.  Here's a little how it went:

Bruised Tailbone--This was way more inconvenient than I would have thought!  Sitting, walking (quickly), driving, getting dressed (standing on one leg was the worst), showering, sleeping.  Ugh it was not fun.  And lasted at least 3-4 weeks.

Back/Hip Pain--Because my bed is a little firm, after I injured my tailbone, I started sleeping in Jordan's bed (which is super soft).  Well, at some point I slept wrong and my back/hip have been bothering me ever since (and it's February).

Eye infection--My eyes started itching...mildly at first and then more intense.  Finally one morning I woke up and my eye was so red and sore I could barely keep it open.  After a few days it cleared up...then a few days later it happened to my other eye.

Vertigo--One night while sleeping, I turned my head and the room was spinning.  This started happening every night and made sleeping really difficult.  It lasted almost an entire month...becoming milder and less often after the first week, but still happens every once in a while (and it's February).

Throw in my car breaking down, our fridge finally giving up, both kids home from school with colds and having to wait over 2 weeks to get in to see the doctor, and that makes up our lovely January.  

We did manage to squeeze in TWO absolutely wonderful things during the very last weekend, which I will blog about separately.  Always more good than bad, right?  Maybe not in January haha.

The view from my bedroom window on a gloomy day in January

 

Gifts of Time and Love

 "Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas"--Peg Bracken

So grateful to be all together this Christmas 

(just missing Paul...and Grandpa)

This was the first time all the cousins had been together in probably over 3 years.  So, we annoyed them all by making them pose for endless pictures.

I've been wanting to redo this height order picture for maybe even longer.  I guess we'll have to do it again in another few years since we've still got a few who are still growing.

Tyler, Trevor, Ben, Tyson, Luke, Amanda, Holly, Becca, Brooke, Kya Janae, Jordan, Jill, Alaina, Eric, and Summer

And look who showed up matching:)

So nice that Tina has lots of space at her house for all the big kids!

Mike and Alaina bonding over a puzzle:)

And these two monkeys!  So glad they have each other:)

Tyson's new favorite Canadian chip = Old Dutch Ariba...although he will still inhale an entire bag of Zesty Cheese Doritos (my personal favorite)

Sleeping arrangements at Grandma's sometimes get interesting haha.

Peeta was exceptionally excited to bond with Mike:)

Such a wonderful thing to be part of a family.  I love them all so very much!

Christmas 2022--The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

A few interesting kinks in our Christmas this year, but always much more good than bad:)  I am so grateful for this magical time of year!  I cherish these memories so so much.   

The Good

Kya home:  

Mike picked Kya up at 9:30am, then we met Jordan at Maltby cafe.  So fun to be together for breakfast (while Summer was at school haha)

Jordan home (and brought Mikel):

Jordan had to work for most of Christmas break.  Luckily she was able to spend the night on Christmas Eve and then Mikel joined us for Christmas dinner.  I love having a house full.

Presents:

Everyone is always thrilled with their presents, and this year was no exception.  All the kids bought for each other this year, which made the sibling gift exchange on Christmas Eve that much more exciting.

On Christmas morning, somehow Dad ended up with the most gifts--first time ever.

Turkey:

I was so stressed about the turkey this year because it was huge (20+lbs) and it thawed out super quick.  But it cooked up absolutely perfect, and it fit in the pan--yay.

Pulla/Sugar Cookies:

We waiting for Kya to get home before making cookies!  And the pulla almost didn't get made because of my injury (see the bad/ugly section) but I powered through on Christmas Eve. for that sweet smell of pulla.

Stanley:

Only forgot to move a time or two, but showed up on the last day with this adorable bathrobe and slippers.

Snow:

Snow makes Christmas magical right?  Well, it came a few days early and Christmas morning was actually green, but I'm not complaining.  The kids had some solid snow play during the holidays, so we are all good.

Christmas Jammies were a hit (kind of):

Love when the jammies match...and fit!  Summer didn't love hers as much as last year, but she wore them for the picture, so that's a win.

Christmas Sunday:

Christmas Sunday was actually on Christmas this year (which made dinner a little late), so we were all able to go enjoy worshiping together, which is always lovely.

The Bad and the Ugly

Wisdom Teeth:

Kya got her wisdom teeth out 4 days before Christmas.  It put a damper on the festivities because she often felt too sick to do anything and she couldn't open her mouth very wide or eat anything crunchier than mashed potatoes.

Skating:

Kya was nauseous and white as a ghost after one lap around the rink (from all the medication she was on from her recent surgery)...not to mention car sick the entire drive there.  Mike had unbearably sore feet as soon as he put on his skates, and Summer was less than thrilled with the whole experience.  Tyson and I seemed to be the only ones enjoying ourselves until I fell and bruised my tailbone:(   After the rest of us took off our skates, Summer and Tyson went back in for a few more laps...it wasn't too long before Summer came hobbling out saying she was bleeding.  Not sure if we'll go sating next year.

(she fell and her skate hit her leg)

Ice storm:

A couple days before Christmas we got hit with the ice.  It made it impossible to do any last minute errands including running to the store to get pickles for the pickle tray.  We even missed Evergreen lights this year, which was super disappointing.  

I had to watch my favorite Christmas movie alone:

For some reason my family is the only one who doesn't like "It's a Wonderful Life", but I must watch it every year, so I watched it all alone again this year.

Despite the bad/ugly, it was an amazing, wonderful, beautiful, very merry Christmas.