HOCO 2021

I think all of the girls in Tanner's life were stressing about the fact that he hadn't asked his girlfriend, Erin, to homecoming yet.  (The girls being his mother, his sister, his cousin, and his girlfriend.)  A week before the scheduled date, he got on the internet and came up with a cute way to ask Erin.  Whew!

I appreciated that he asked for my input and help to get everything together.  I loved working with him. We stayed up late on Friday night making plans, and I used my Silhouette machine to cut out the letters.   He wanted to buy a huge bear but there weren't any in stores around town.  I like the one he chose from our gift closet.  On Saturday morning he mad the sign and put together a basket of some of her favorite treats.

Then, when he picked her up for their Saturday morning breakfast date, he surprised her.  They look pretty cute together, huh?!  (They did breakfast because she was going to be at her mom's house in Midland for the weekend.)

Luckily the game was cancelled and homecoming was pushed back a week.  We had one more week to find a mum, and Erin had an extra week to get a garter.  Aubrey and I went on a search and Michaels and Hobby Lobby were cleared out of supplies.  I found a few places that were still selling mums.  Some of them were so pathetic and still cost so much.  I was very pleased when we found this one at Mark Knox Flowers.  It was really so much better than the ones I found that were still available.  Tanner was sweet to thank me several times for going on the search.

Aub and I blinged it up a little more with some bows, ribbon, silver star chain and a black boa. We both wished it were a little longer, but it turned out pretty cute.

She did a great job on his garter.  I think the orange basketball additions were pretty cool.  Tanner was dreading going to the game.  He says they are so boring, but he survived.  Permian got stomped.  Afterwards, they went to Rosas afterwards with her family.

All in all, I think they had a fun night together.

Tanner's 17th Birthday

Tanner turned the big seventeen.  We celebrated him at our Sunday night get together and then the night before his birthday.  

Tanner is generous, stubborn, funny, hard working, smart, determined and handsome.  I'm so glad he is part of our family.

Sunday night gathering at Kerry's.  Holden gifted him these little glasses he messed with this summer when Gavin Brown was in town and the three of them hung out together at Holden's.  They also gave him $20.

I forgot to take pictures!  We actually forgot to open presents while most people were there too.  Whoops.  We had some yummy candy bar cake and ice cream too.

We opened presents the night before because we looked at our schedules the next day and it was rough getting them to line up.  (I think Tanner had early morning basketball practice and Aubrey had a volleyball game that evening.)

We gave him new basketball shoes and a large container filled with his favorite treats.

Aub was super generous.  He took good care of her in January on her birthday, and she wanted to reciprocate.  She gave him a case of Dr. Pepper, three individual ice creams and some candy.  He was appreciative!

Darn boy doesn't cooperate with pictures much...always makes weird faces.  I'm glad we got the one together below.

When I think of Tanner, I still think of him as my little boy.  However, here I am looking up at him.  I guess he isn't so little anymore.  Happy 17th Tan Man.  We love you!

Stake Women's Conference

Sept 18, 2021

We had our Stake Women's Conference this year, and it was so amazing!  It was a morning of service and then a yummy lunch.  They ordered t-shirts for all the women who planned on attending.  We all signed up on JustServe.org for the service project we were interested in doing.  They had outdoor work with Keep Odessa/Keep Midland Beautiful and the Sibley Nature Center.  They had cleaning at an animal shelter or organizing at a thrift store.  They also had opportunities at the Gateway chapel for those less mobile: putting together packets for the Rainbow Room, helping set up or make the food for the luncheon, sewing blankets for the Crisis Center etc.  

I love this picture of some in our group heading over to the area we were working on.  These ladies just look determined to make a difference!

Erin Smith, Me, and Tarryn Colsen

I chose the Sibley Nature Center.  It felt amazing to be outdoors with so many amazing women working  together to clear a garden space.  (Maybe the next big thing I need to add to my juggling routine should be gardening.  It seriously felt so great.)

Our little group.  Fun to visit with friends from around the Stake.

There were so many awesome things about this activity.  I loved that so many sisters attended!  The energy and love was palpable.  It was fun choosing the project you were interested in and then serving/mingling with women from throughout the stake.  When we all met up at the church, it was amazing to see the sea of turquoise....so many beautiful ladies!  

I loved the little luncheon they provided.  They packaged it in cute little boxes so sisters who were hesitant to meet in such a big group, due to Covid, could grab and go.  Almost everyone stayed.  They had more ladies than they were expecting and even had to do a grocery run to get a few more food supplies.  We had to drag in extra chairs and some ladies chose to sit on the floor.  But back to that lunch...the had yummy turkey and avocado sandwiches on croissant bread, two small containers with fruit and tossed salad, a bag of chips and a homemade chocolate chip cookie.  Perfect! 

Amberly Jackson, Wanda Perry, ? and Marisa Young

Christie Applegate, Cathy Bonifay and Shari Martin

Deliliah Atchley helping with the sewing.

Christie A, Cathy B and Me (and some other sisters I don't know)

Some of the extra chairs we set up for our sisters without tables!

There were two short messages.  Heather Leverett is our Stake RS President, then a sister translating and then Sister Mead gave an uplifting message with encouragement to help sew more blankets for the crisis center.

It was great to have Kristi Phillips there.  Her family has been out with Covid.  Her husband was hospitalized for two weeks due to getting phemonia on top of Covid-19.

I think all of the sisters loved having the opportunity to together again, and it always feels good to serve.

Mondays are THE BEST!

Mondays have been pretty amazing this past year.  Brinley gets to call on her p-day (preparation day) each week.  The past two months, Parker has joined in the mission service and it has doubled our p-day excitement.  It's just awesome catching up each week.  I can't imagine how different/hard it would be if we could only email.  Luckily that policy changed about a year before Brinley began her mission.

The phone calls never come at the same time.  Ghana is 5 hours ahead of Texas time and Idaho is one hour behind.  Brian is at work.  Brinley has planned p-day activities with different districts in addition to normal p-day responsibilities. Parker has to make time to prep food for two weeks, sometimes travel out of town to the market and leave time to hand wash/hang dry his laundry.  I am pretty open. 

It's been soooo fun to have all of us on the phone together.  We use FB messenger and can video chat.  I love seeing my kiddos' cute faces.  Most weeks we all share a little bit about our weeks and take turns chiming in.  Often Brian just listens or hops on and off the call depending on what is going on at work.

Here are a few recent fun things with our Monday calls.

Two weeks ago it was Labor Day and Tanner and Aubrey were able to join the call.  It was amazing to have our family all united over a video call.  It was cute too because Tan and Aub both stayed on the whole time.  (Probably 30-60 minutes that time.)  We had fun teasing and joking and jabbing one another.  It kind of felt like we were all hanging out in the family room.

As you can see, Tanner entertains himself (and sometimes the rest of us too) with the app functions.

Last week , September 13, Brinley and Parker were chatting it up about missionary life.  They have been doing that some since he got his call, but this time was different.  They were using missionary lingo and just relating on a different level.  For a good twenty minutes, it was as if Brian and I weren't even there, and I loved listening in!  I know they will be closer because of their shared experience of being full time missionaries.

Last week, Parker had to leave the call early, and at one point Brinley said something like, "I'm going to go into missionary mode here."  She then asked me and Brian to share something we had learned in the past week from our scripture studies.  Brian and I had to think a bit.  I think we felt a little like deer caught in the headlights.  We pondered for a minute and then we all three took turns sharing.  The spirit was there, and I loved that Bryn turned the conversation to something so important.  

(Also, later in the week when I was doing a ministering call, I asked that same question to one of the sisters.  She is often gloomy, and she admitted she hadn't been reading or studying lately.  I know reading God's work will bless her.  She committed to read with the intent to learn something knew and share it with me next week when I call.)

It's Friday night, and I'm looking forward to hearing and seeing my Brinley Kate and my Parker Bryce in a few days.

Brinley is doing good things in the Boise, Idaho mission.  Above she is helping paint the Salvation Army and below she is with friends showing off their matching stamps?  I'm not exactly sure what is going on, haha!

Park is adjusting to mission life and Ghana life very well.  Above, he is helping a family make mash the food. (I think?)  Below: hanging out with some kiddos.  I love this picture.  Park and the kids look so happy!

Juggling Life

I have come to realize lately how much I struggle with juggling life.  I am really good at doubling down on one or two things but add one or two more and things come crashing down.  For example, last year when I went into my business at full force I was focused.  It was invigorated.  I learned.  I earned.  I felt inspired.  However, dinner was neglected and the house was somewhat of a disaster with all of the crafting and shipping.  

Recently I went on my organizing binge.  I've listened to and watched hours and hours of organizing tips.  I've applied many of them.  Have I been doing my business?  Not so much.  Have I been doing great at cooking regularly?  Good enough.  Has the house been clean?  Yes!  Because I have put organizing systems in place that make it more doable.

I have taken time to read/study the scriptures everyday for years.  However, some months I have a plan.  I pull out my student manual.  I take notes.  I ponder.  I compare.  Recently....I've listened to a lot of podcasts and conference messages.  They are awesome, but I haven't been as diligent about being deliberate.  

Exercising....usually cardio 2x a week and a walk 2x a week.  When I'm on fire....a set workout 5 days a week plus a walk or two.

Blogging....I blogged 5 days a week for almost two years.  Now...not so much.

Blocking out a schedule for each day?  Making and following a to do list?  I want to do it.  I see how helpful it is when I do.  It's not really happening lately.

I could go on and on.

It's frustrating to me.  I want to be good at All the things All the time.  I'm not.  

I think I am good at making family time a priority most of the time.  (Being present when the kids are home, keeping FHE and family scriptures a priority, making time for Bri etc...)  

I am hoping one day everything will click, and I will be better at juggling life.  But until then, I will just keep juggling what I can keep in the air.

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The day after I posted this my dad sent me these two pictures with the little story by one of the artists.  He also sent a text saying, "Don't beat yourself up so much."  Thanks Dad!

I wish I was this good at juggling!!

This lady looks pretty calm as she handles her daily responsibilities.  I guess this is a better goal to have: take care of what is needed and what you can do with grace and serenity.  

This painting is an homage to artist James Christensen's wife, Carole. He began to contemplate all her roles in life and the many weighty responsi-bilities she shouldered as a full-time wife and mother of five young children. Women everywhere relate to the need to confidently soar above life's troubles and challenges. In a given day she may shuttle the children, prepare a gourmet feast, keep to hectic time schedules and more, but she always keeps her head up and carries the light of hope to those around her. A delightful gift to honor a wife, mother, grandmother, sister or any heroic woman in your life.
Among the important women's roles portrayed in this painting are:

- Mother

- Pet caretaker

- Chef

- Housekeeper

- Leader (Lighting the way with wisdom)

- Scheduler

Random Picts from August

Park made the Chic Fil A mural!  Bottom center #12  Sure do miss my boy and his big smile and great hugs. 

I sent this picture of me and Ang to the family group chat.  She was 14 and I was 13 1/2.  We are just babies.  I wasn't expecting some of the replies.  Brit pointed out the difference in 14 years old today vs back in the day.  Kind of crazy.  (So much pressure to look like a celebrity these days.  Also, a huge difference in modesty.)  Kerry mentioned Holden wasn't the only one who rocked a mullet.  Kerry Vore!!  Also, lots of comments on how this looks just like Joseph except with a wig. Ang always looked sooooo young.  I was tall and looked older...strangers often thought I was a few years older than I was.  I thought that was so cool then, but jokes on me!  Ang still looks much younger than she is, and I'll just say I look all of my 48 years!

Me and Thelma Lou! (Thelma Dahl Davis) I love this girl.  We were roommates at BYU our Freshman and Sophomore years.  She's amazing.  She taught me how to be silly with girls.  (My sisters are so much younger than I am.)  She taught me the concept of journaling for myself....that it is rewarding, not a looming expecation.  She comes from a wonderful family and has raised a wonderful family.  We still keep in touch to this day.

Back row: Camilla, Landry, Aubrey (6--backwards 6 in the photo), Jaquelyn?, Kaydence, Kaydence, Coach Paz  Front row: Kyler, Macy, Dylan, Maya, Parker

LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of volleyball around here.  I'm not exactly sure how or when Aubrey's supposed to do school?  She has missed a ton due to games, and then they get home between 9-11 at night.  Her weekends are filled with tournaments.  It's A LOT.  She is really doing great though.  She plays front row and can block and slam that ball like nobodies business.  Here is a team picture from a tournament they won.

Morgan is the cutest.  She is off to USU and the weekend before she left, she made plates and plates of cookies.   Then she delivered them to all the people she loves.  I'm glad we made the list.  She stayed and visited for a good thirty minutes.  We love this girl!

Birthday Boy!  We celebrated Brian's b-day with gifts in the morning and calls from our two missionaries during the day.  August 16th fell on a Monday this year and Brian felt a little ripped off.  He wanted Bryn and Park to be able to call on another day in addition to their p-day.

Isn't he so handsome?  I love this smart, kind, hardworking, fun guy of ours.

This post is getting realllllly long, but I guess that's what happens when I don't blog for awhile.  Aubrey was asked to dog sit Joseph and Kate's dog, Rocky.  She was ecstatic.  Even though I'm not a big animal person, I was happy to help because Joseph and Kate have been so good with my babies this summer.  (They helped get Aubrey too and from the airport and her basketball camp in June, and they helped Parker before the MTC in July.)

This was pretty cute.  After school I saw Tanner outback snuggling both the dogs.  Buttercup definitely got more attention this week because everybody wanted to love on Rocky.  (And then, of course, we couldn't leave Butter out.)

Butter and Rocky did well together which is surprising because Butter hasn't been around many dogs.  She tends to growl and snap at other dogs, especially if the kids are with her.  Butter growled a few times.  Rocky got the hint.  They did fine.  Aub was in heaven taking care of Rocky each evening.

Morgan was AWESOME and helped me make a few purchases and changes to our main room the week before she left for college.  Decorating is not my forte so I'll take all the help I can get.

New pillows

New huge mirror with cool frame for my mantel.

Grateful for Tanner and Brian securing this huge thing.  Also grateful for Brian for teaching Tanner some handy home skills.

Finally got the pictures printed and hung that Grandpa took for us last summer before Bryn left.  LOVE THEM!!

With all of the animals at Chris and Ang's house, we have been having Sunday night at our house. (Pax-kitty, Rocky-visiting, Zeplin-Charity's dog, Jake-their dog.  Gram and her allergies don't mix well with pets.)  Also, the Birds hosted most of summer but with school starting, they need to get their kids to bed earlier.  We are happy to host!  (Well, I am happy to host.  I don't know if Brian cares one way or the other.  Our teens would prefer for us not to host it...more fun at their cousins' houses.)  .

Ella adores Kate.

Jersey day at school.  Tanner was sweet and hooked Aub up with a jersey and tips on what to wear under it. 

He shaved his mustache last week.  I'm soooo glad, but I try to act really casual about it.  

Aunt Beth, Nate's girlfriend, made it to a volleyball game.  She was in town because her father unexpectedly passed away.  My heart hurts for her and her family.  It was really sweet of Beth and her mom and grandma to come support Aubrey and Kyler.  

Temple trip to support Sister Wood going for the first time!  This is the lady who stayed with us during the freeze in February.  She was so ecstatic about this opportunity.

And finally....cute Ella repping GHANA!