A special night

The kids did some family history work for FHE, and made an appointment for us, and tonight we went together to the temple.

It is very special. The feeling is peaceful and sweet and the work is true and sacred. I ❤️ the temple and especially love to go with my family.
Also Andrea just heard back and they got all the cancer with her surgery and she doesn’t need any more treatment!! That is an answer to prayer!

• Grace has musical practice after school and before school most days.
• If not that then solo and ensemble practice.
• Ethan has tennis team try outs this week. He has limited tennis experience so we shall see.
• It’s been cold, not North Dakota cold but cold enough!
• I registered both kids for EFY yesterday and felt very happy about that!
• Our dresser drawers are looking very neat and organized.
• I finished Madison’s book “of rioters and royals” and am happy to report that I really liked it.
• I also read “the girl who wrote in silks” because my friend Alecia said it was her favorite book of last year and I really liked it a lot.
• Now I am starting “a gentleman in Moscow”.
• The YW are in charge of the ward picnic coming up, we also have a camp over night planned so we are a little busier than usual with several weekends booked up.
• I made crock pot roast yesterday and the house smelled so good!
• I am subbing tomorrow and Friday.
• Tonight we are doing skits for YW and Sage asked me to make a treat so that’s on the schedule for today. 
• After two awesome weeks on rockets the cubs are learning about dinosaurs tonight. I think Rob is getting the hang of cubbing:)
• The world is a mess. Just putting that out there. I literally feel sick at the news:(
• Yesterday I listen to Pres. Uchdorf’s BYU talk “the music of the Spirit”, It was awesome. 

A small miracle

Ziva went to the vet today and she is bladder stone free! The vet was not expecting to see it completely cleared up.

This miracle wasn’t free: she’s been on a special diet, and has upped her water intake and was on meds so we did our part. Also we prayed for her. If we can pray over our fields and flocks we can certainly pray over our useless little spoiled pets. I am grateful for God’s blessings and care. Modern medicine is very much a miracle, as is having the $ to pay for it and the faith to ask for it.  Sometimes we get exactly what we ask for. Then we say Thank You!!

*when we don’t get what we want we still say Thank You. 
The rest of the day was anticlimactic. 

I did laundry, took out the trash and cleaned the kitchen. 

At dinner I got a compliment on my Brussel sprouts, Ethan said “this is very tasty for regular food..not just for a vegetable.” So that’s a win:) 

For FHE we did genealogy. 

Grace had musical practice after school and lots of homework today. 

I am reading a book, written by my friend, and it has been fun to read! Yay!

Sunday

A week or so ago Hannah and Sawyer played in the snow with their friends Susie and Spencer Thacker. They were all friends in CA and after S3 served missions they came home, married, are going to the Y and now they are couple friends!

School is going well for our newlyweds. Hannah got a job on the school paper, and another one working for a birth photographer. She is very excited about both. They ❤️their cute little apartment and many classes. I’m happy to hear good news from them as they navigate college , broken cell phones, making time for friends and each other. 

I love these fun snow day pictures!!

Last month my sister, Andrea, got diagnosed with endometrial cancer. We were so sad and so surprised. Yoho had his fight with cancer just 3 years ago and surely that is enough for any family. They have faced this challenge with characteristic good cheer and optimism. I am sure there have been private moments of despair and heartache but they are a good team and seem to face the hard parts of life with each other’s back.  As a family we are praying and hoping for the best, quickest, easiest route to full health. Mom and Dad are in Arizona with them helping out with the boys and chores and whatever needs done. 

Today was our ward conference. It was good. Brad sang a beautiful song and the bishop and Pres Basserios spoke. I thought the whole thing was really good.

Small world story. I was sitting in the pew with Grace and Rob. Ethan was taking care of the sacrament. Next to me sat a couple who is here for a few weeks escaping the cold from Kentucky. They sat with us last week too and are very nice. I was chatting with them until the meeting started then I turned forward to sing. Out of the corner of my eye I saw another older couple walk in and they sat down at the end of the pew. As I looked over I saw that it was my friend from MD Jacque Munns and her husband Roger! I couldn’t believe it!!! We looked at each other in shock! 

As soon as the meeting was over we hopped up and shared a big, happy hug! They will be in Orlando for a month so we will get together for lunch soon! 

Right after church I texted Tara and Becky to tell them! 

I love that the gospel keeps us close even when the miles keep us far apart!

Birthday Celebration

Grace had her “last” friend party two years ago when she turned 12. 

Then we moved and there is no better way to get to know friends than to throw a party, so here we are again. 

We invited all the YW and then Grace also invited 7 school friends. 

We had quite a crowd.

Our original plan was to heat the pool and have a swim party. This week it has been quite cold (in the 50’s) and with air temps like that a pool party was not going to work. 

We decided on art, games and a movie.

We played catch phrase and 2 truths and a lie to break the ice.

Then we had dinner. Chick-fil-A and chips and soda and ice cream cake.

Next came our art project followed by snacks: popcorn, chips, red vines.

We played mother elephant and Tarzan and finally watched “Small Foot”.

It has been very loud and very fun!


Ethan escaped to the church to play basketball with the boys. 

Happy 14th Grace! I can’t believe my baby is almost grown!

Scavenger hunt

Yesterday Rob and I went to the temple. We had a good evening. It is a sweet reprieve from the noise of day to day life.

Today I made a new recipe for dinner. Coconut curry chicken stew. I thought it was delicious but next time I might use less cayenne and jalepeno and more coconut.


We had a fun scavenger hunt for our combined activity tonight. The kids had to do all kinds of crazy things!

Bekah and I did our ministering visits yesterday and today, and my sisters visited me so I had a lot of fun visiting time. 

MLK

We got a bonus Monday off!! So excited!

Yesterday was a nice day. After a church we went to the Walkenhorst’s and had lunch with them and did Come Follow Me with them. Everyone enjoyed it.

This morning we slept in then when Z and I went on our morning walk we saw these guys right across the street! 

Also this flower was blooming in our yard! It was a fun surprise.

We went to Blue Springs. Ethan drove both ways and is getting to be a good driver.  The manatees were amazing. The count was 347 for today and we saw tons of them in the beautiful clear water! 

Look at the cute little baby!!

It was so pretty. We did some walking and enjoying together. 

Then we went to Cafe Rio per Grace’s birthday request. It was a bit of driving but worth it:)

Ethan said I looked like a babuska;) I said that I was so that’s fine with me!!

Dance

Rob and his friend John went fishing this morning. 

This afternoon we ran lots of errands:

Goodwill drop off

Gas the car

Lowe’s

Home goods

Petco for Ziva’s special dog food

Grocery shopping.

We also did chores inside and outside.

Tonight the kids went to a dance and I was a chaperone. There were lots of kids there and the music was good and the snacks plentiful. 

I enjoyed spying on the kids as they danced, hung out with friends and had fun.

After the dance Ethan went to McDonald’s with some friends and Grace and I came home. 

Bro Cole, Ethan’s seminary teacher, the boys love him!

Friday

I worked .

Grace went after school with Ashlie and Ashton shopping for a dress for the 8th grade formal.

Rob and Bub and I went to Yellow Dog Eats. It was yummy and really cute. They had live music and we ate on the patio where they had twinkle lights and fun decor. Also you can bring your dog there. We didn’t but lots of other people did.

At 10 we went to Ethan’s soccer game. He scored 2 goals and played keeper the second half. After he showers he’s going to meet up with the other priests at Braden’s house for all night games.


Dani and Greg went to the Jazz game! It was star wars night. Look at our little Princess Dani. “help me Obi-won”

Date night

The kids have busy weekends ahead so Rob and I went on our date tonight.

I made meatloaf and potatoes and cheesecake for the kids to have for dinner (which they did not like) and then we left them on their own.

We walked around DS (my fav). Ate a delicious dinner at Terralina and then made a second stop for desssert.

Then we came home and talked to Grace about the dangers of fentynal laced marijuana.
(we love to do that from time to time, call a kid in and talk to them about some random danger or moral issue....or life skill...or whatever)

Wednesday

Ziva went to the spa and now she smells good.

I made cookies for an after school treat for the kids ...and Rob.

I have spent the last 3 days waiting for a drywall guy to come. It has been super frustrating. Last week I set up an appt for Monday morning. Sunday night I texted to confirm a time. No answer. Monday morning I texted “are we still on for today”. No answer. Monday after noon I texted “I’ve been waiting are you on your way?” Finally he answered. He said yes. 2 hours later “sorry I was hung up I’ll come tomorrow. 

Tuesday morning I wait. Tuesday afternoon “I have to run to Clermont I’ll call you when I’m on my way”. Tuesday night “my mom had car trouble and I had to help her, I’ll come first thing in the morning.”

Wednesday he comes. Works for 1/2 and hour and says I’ll be back tomorrow to finish. 🤯

Sadly we have searched for someone else and there is no one available. This is an issue covered by our home warranty and they looked for someone and couldn’t find anyone so told us to find our own guy and send in the receipt. I am not sure why this is such a rare skill but we are stuck waiting on him day after day. 

For YW tonight we planned our year. We’ve got some fun stuff in the works. 

For cubs Rob and John had the boys build rocket launchers. They loved that.

The YM played games at one of their homes. 

Ethan played soccer after school.

Grace had an orthodontist appointment and had to go to school early for solo and ensemble practice.

And that’s a Wednesday.

This. That and the other.

I haven’t done a catching up with everyone post in awhile. 

Cat: continues to try and fit in bags and boxes. Runs around like a crazy guy. Attacks Ziva with “purr”- poseful glee. Keeps Grace company.

Ziva: seems to be doing better with her bladder stones. We are anxious to see her progress when we go to the vet at the end of the month.

Grace: busy! She’s in the school musical so stays after for rehearsals until 6 most nights. She’s also preparing for solo and ensemble competition for band. She likes her new private clarinet teacher, would like to find a place to take riding lessons, hates her science teacher because she loves science and doesn’t feel like she’s learning a lot. She has lots of friends. Struggles with EDS. She’s a lot of fun to be around and has a very kind heart. She’s growing up to be a lovely young lady.

Ethan: doing well. He’s practicing driving and we are all anxious for him to be liscensed. He loves to play video games with his CA friends. He has made some good friends here and they do crazy stuff like put on speedos and jump into the alligator lake at 10pm off the end of the dock in January! Doing well in school. Likes his seminary teacher. Tries to play sports as often as possible. Goes running regularly. Is funny and kind. Never puts his dirty clothes where they belong and joins me in the can’t sing a note contingent of the family. He loves to play and to watch all sports.

Hannah and Sawyer are busy at school. Their new apartment is so cute and they are happy to be living there. They’ve had friends over for game nights. Hannah is enjoying being back to classes and getting her ceramics grove back.  They are looking for part time jobs and not loving the cold.  22 degrees is no fun!

The Johnsons are doing well. Ruby and Cora can pull themselves up into stuff. They eat everything but just as a hobby. Mostly they nurse. They are sleeping better but are still fussy pants! Jenna is planning a big birthday party for them and they are the cutest bambinos ever! Luckily J & C have a big circle of friends to help them weather the trauma of a twins first year, and yet another frigid Akron winter!

Sierra moved into her own apartment. She has 2 roommates that she likes. She’s driving Lyft and Uber. I wish she’d move here and work for Disney! But she’s happy and figuring out what to do so that’s good.

Dani is starting a new business, “Dash of Sun”. It’s a spray tan business. They are converting their laundry room into a spray tan room and she already has a couple appointments set up! The girls are busy going to school and Marshall and Bentley do “preschool” with Dani. I actually haven’t heard any Greg updates lately. I think he’s not serving in YM right now. I’ll have to ask. I also wish they would move to Florida but you know what they say about wishes? !

I am trying to be better. I am enjoying my wide margin Book of Mormon and am trying to read it faithfully. I did awesome during the challenge and want to keep that up. I also am trying to add some more good thing to my life. Like yoga ...so far I have only thought about doing it. And developing my talents. 

I had planned to apply at Disney right after Christmas and now Grace is in the musical and is having a very unpredictable schedule and Ethan’s ride home from school when I can’t pick him up, Hailey, moved to Utah over the Christmas break. So I’ve hit a bump. Seriously how do working moms do it? How do they take care of home and hearth and get their kids where they need to be and go to work??

Rob is having a growth year at work. There have been many changes and challenges for him, that he chose for himself, but that hasn’t made them any easier. And he’s been having health struggles. And he had a challenging calling (cubscouts). So he’s good but it’s not easy:) He loves to fish, is getting back into biking and also loves his video games (is that still what you call them if you play them on the phone?) He also loves to watch college football. We have a couple shows we watch together on tv too. And we’ve been doing well at going to the temple each Tuesday night. 

Concert, car, cat

Grace and I got up quite early and did some emergency pants hemming. We stopped by Walmart for a quick breakfast and then she was at the venue.

I walked around the river walk one last time. It was very pretty early in the morning but not quite and peaceful. There were lots of walkers and runners and dogs with their humans, lots of rowers on the water and people meeting for breakfast at riverside cafes. I walked 3 miles round trip and went back to stand in line.

Ethan and Rob drove up for the concert. They didn’t come Friday because Ethan had two soccer games that night. I was sad to miss them but they won both and he said it was fun. 

The performance was wonderful!! I can’t even say what an awesome, amazing job they did. Rob had tears in his eyes the whole time. It was fantastic. I guess we’ll have to buy the DVD and feel grateful that Ethan plays xbox because that is the only dvd playing plaform in our house!

We stopped for lunch on the way home and then Rob’s car had car trouble. So that was an $$$ and time intensive detour to our day. Everyone felt grouchy but in the end it was fixed and I am grateful we could get it taken care of quickly and safely.

The cat missed Grace and she missed him. We came home and needed to do some grocery shopping and some house cleaning. 

Besides the car problems the whole experience was wonderful. And exhausting. We were up early, out late and walked miles and miles every day. The kids sang for hours and hours. It was well worth it.

Tonight Ethan went to the Roddy’s to watch a football game and Grace and I got her birthday invites ready. I meant to go to bed early... but it’s too late for that:)

More music

During the kids morning rehearsal the parents walked the riverwalk. We checked out the concert venue, watched some rowing teams and enjoyed the pleasant weather and sun rippling on the water. 

We had lunch with the kids then went to watch their afternoon rehearsal. They are really good! I’m excited for the concert.

Poor Grace has been having a lot of pain and dizziness so that’s been a bummer. She’s been a real trooper though and has just kept plugging away.



Candida, me and Lorelle.

After the rehearsal we rode the trolley to the end of the line and went to a Spanish restaurant called “Columbia” Its the oldest Spanish restaurant in the US, it’s been called one of Florida’s top 25 restaurants and it is huge and so pretty. The food was good. We had a lot of fun. They have flamenco dancers there and I had the best flan of my life. Seriously so delicious.



Then we rode the trolley back and went “home”. Mrs Lynch (the kids school choir director) went to dinner with us too.

It’s been an interesting couple of days for me. First of all I have never seen the behind the scenes of how a choir worked and that has been so fun to watch. I can’t sing and had no idea the kind of work that goes into making a beautiful choir.

Secondly I just met the other parents yesterday and we spent basically all of the last two days together. Everyone has gotten along really well and we’ve had a good time but I don’t think I’ve ever been in a social situation quite like that. I like getting to know new people so that’s good:) 

Candy is from Mumbai. She has two kids and is a stay at home mom. She’s a little bit tiger mom-ish (in the best way) and very kind. Lorelle and Jason are from Puerto Rico. Ayanna is their only child. They met when he was a musician and she a tango/flamenco dancer on the island. Now she’s a physical therapist and he is in production. They are very loving towards each other and very nice to everyone. It’s been really fun to wander the town with them and to watch the kids learn and have fun!

I over use that word : fun. I use it all the time to mean pleasant, pleasing, entertaining (sometimes), positive and joyful.

Dinner break

Grace is having a really great time and learning so so much:)

Ayanna, Grace and Aryan