January Happenings

January Happenings

Aubrey got her driver's license!  She is a very good driver, and I had full confidence she would pass the driver's test.  I haven't been able to say that at testing time about all of my kids...no names mentioned, Tanner, cough-cough.   He was so confident he was doing everything just right that he wasn't very willing to listen or to be taught.  That makes things a little tricky for parent taught drivers ed!  But back to Aub...she’s loving the freedom.  My van is getting borrowed a lot after school so she can run to Target or to buy some fast food.  She's a happy girl.

At the DMV...  

We had a terrible time scheduling online for the driving portion of her test.  We were able to book the appointment, but it was confusing.  I actually booked the wrong one.  (Maybe I booked her for an adult driving test or ?  I really have no idea, but when after 30 minutes, when our number was called, we found out the bad news.)  Luckily, the lady had a coworker nearby who had not logged back in from lunch and agreed to take care of us once she did.

Looking good!

The officer who took her on the test drive pulled me aside and said two different times, "She did really well on her test.  She did great." Go Aub Daub!

I have been teaching my kids to drive since 2015.  It can be stressful all around.  I graduated from Drivers Ed today, and I am a happy momma.

In Odessa, we've had some very warm weather.  I feel like it's been a beautiful, mild winter.  Brinley, on the other hand, is getting dumped on in Utah. They have had one of the snowiest winters of the past 20 years!  She's taking advantage of it by sledding, snow shoeing, skiing, and building random snow structures...and just trying to survive.

I think this was Steve the centipede.  She and her friends also made this sphinx.

This boy is six months old this month.  I made him this outfit for Christmas.  Well, made the words on the outfit.  This is the evolution of his name.  Tanner and Erin mostly call him "Bug" right now.  Aubrey calls him "Mister."  

We surprised Aub with a trip to visit her good friend, Londyn Brown, in Arkansas.  We love the whole Brown family and were so sad when they moved away several years ago.  These two don't communicate a ton in between visits but are tight when they get together.  I'm grateful for good friends who are so much fun to be around and have similar values and beliefs.  It makes for the best combo!

They did some shopping, went to a movie, enjoyed eating out, and just had fun together.

Until next time....

Meanwhile in Ghana...

This smile!  I miss my Parker Bryce

Parker was finally able to go inside the temple.  He's been out about 18 months, and due to, I think, Covid restrictions, his was his first time.  

Tanner and Erin making us dinner.  Woot woot.  Erin's mom makes some enchiladas that Tanner loves.  He decided to get the recipe and make it for us.  He even did the shopping.  The enchiladas were delicious.

Erin made the rice and helped Tanner with the meal.  Next Tuesday, she is going to make us tacos.  I know they will be good, and I LOVE that I won't have to make dinner that night.  Woot woot.

Sunday night fun...

The cute Bird family.  We were wrapping up Sunday night and showing them a video.  I love how her kiddos gahered around to see.  (Braddock, Adam, Hudson, Brit and Ella)

Another Sunday night this month: La attempting to deadlift Aub.  The adults in the room were very concerned with her back.  

Shirts!  I've had a few orders which has been fun.  I made Regional shirts for the Permian swim team in both gray and black.  I have also started posting Valentine's shirts and received several orders.

Tanner put Kaide in my boots.  

Grandpa is still taking great care of Grandma.  

I'm currently serving with these amazing women in the Stake Relief Society presidency.  They all live in Midland which is about 30 minutes away.  I only knew one of them, Laura, before we were called.  I have really enjoyed getting to know them more as we serve our sisters in the Odessa Texas Stake. 

We were finally able to travel to Lubbock together and go to the temple.  We actually scheduled this event on our calendars months ago.  It was the first day everyone was available.   Heather homeschools one of her four kids, and Laura works part time.  Everyone's kids are involved in activities: volleyball, band, soccer, football etc... My schedule is definitely the most flexible out of the group.  

They really are sweet, faithful, willing, talented, inspirational women.  I feel blessed to know them.

Heather Johnson (2nd Counselor), Marci Goodman (President), Laura Shannon (1st Counselor)

Aubrey's Sweet Sixteen

January 9, 2023

We celebrated Aubrey for three days straight, and it was so fun.  Her actual b-day fell on Monday, so her main celebrations were on Saturday with friends and Sunday with extended family.

Saturday morning she woke up to this fun sign in the front yard.  She had a huge grin.  I was impressed with the card lady.  I told her two colors and mentioned v-ball and she did the rest!  I love the shopping bags, car keys, phone, nail polish and emoji.  It turned out really cute.  It was really fun to have it up for her friend party and our Sunday night gathering.

The fam: Aub, Bri (aka Dad), Me (aka Mom, aka Erin), Tanner, Erin Flores & Kaide (6 months)

La & Aub    La gets the award for making sure Aubrey's b-day was extra special and amazing.  She was adorable.  She had a party for her at her house and secretly invited more friends.  She had cute decorations, yummy food and made a beautiful cake.  She also took pictures of Aub and her tight school group of friends before the party.  So cute!

Aliaya, Maiya, Aub, Macy & Nissi (Parker was out of town.)

We gave Aub a v-ball, a gift card to American Eagle, a hair curling thing, lots of treats and I can't remember what else.  

Tanner hooked her up with some of her favorite treats.

She got lots of fun gifts from friends, but I didn't get pictures of most of them.  I thought this blanket Maiya got her was the cutest: pictures of them together this past year.   (Some other gifts from friends that I remember: a rolling nightstand, a soft blanket, candles, jewelry organizer, a novel, a water bottle, & makeup.)

One legged girl...not sure how this picture worked out in just this way.  She is posing with the nightstand from La.

Sunday night celebrations.  Hudson, Aub, Tanner, Kaide, Erin, Char and Ella 

Our favorite family candy bar cake.  It's delicious.  (yellow cakemix w/ chocolate pudding, whipped topping mixed with eggs, powdered sugar and butter and then topped with crushed Butterfinger.)

My great nephew Noah Vore.  He loved playing with the balloons.

The beautiful cake La made for Aubrey.  

Sixteen things I love about this girl...

1. She is spunky. 

2. She has a great sense of fashion.

3. Organized (You should see her closet!)

4. Smart

5. She works hard to get great grades.

6. Multi-talented (Successful at anything she puts her mind to.  It's impressive.)

7. Creative (making Tik Toks, doing makeup, being crafty, hairstyles, nails, teaching church lessons etc...)

8. Appreciates/maintains a clean space (Her room, the kid car)

9. Athletic

10. Determined 

11. Fun to be with

12. Thoughtful

13. Prickly on the outside but loving when you break that barrier (We have to break it often! Ha)

14. Fun to wrestle/play with (I wish I could do this more....my back limits these interactions these days.)

15. A loyal friend

16. Trustworthy

Happy Sweet Sixteen Aub Daub!  I love you very much and am very grateful you are my baby girl.

Wrapping Up the Holidays

A few more highlights of our time together after Christmas and before school started.

Aub and friends are continuing their tradition of celebrating each holiday together.  They had to celebrate after Christmas due to family and work conflicts.  In the evening of the 29th, they hung out at Parker’s house. The next morning, they met at our house and had a breakfast and exchanged gifts.  Don't worry, they are still making New Year's Eve plans even though it is just a few days away.  I love that she has a group of girls she enjoys spending time with.

Aub, Maiya, Macy, Parker and Aliyah  (Nissi had b-ball practice)

We had the funnest visit with Parker's two bestfriends: Harper Terry and Cole Brannan (w/ Kaide).  They wanted to say hi to everyone and meet Kaide.  I had them peak into Parker's old room.  Their reactions were priceless.  (Dude!!!)   It is now Tanner's room.  There is a crib under the window and a changing table beside the bed.  Otherwise the furniture and wall decor is pretty much the same.

We got to hear all about their freshman years at college and catch up on their old friend group.  I didn't know what a baby lover Cole was.  He was 100% comfortable w/ Kaide and wanted to hold him as much as possible.  Also, we probably heard Cole talk more than ever before.  And both Cole and Harper were shocked by how much they heard Tanner talking.  Park would try to get him to hang some with his friends when they came over, but Tanner would mostly just be silent.

I'm really glad they stopped by.

Brinley had a mission friend, Carl, stay the night at our house as he was traveling back to A&M.  He stayed here in the fall as well.  Poor guy had to stay in the spare room which has a bathroom that is out of commission due to remodeling.  He didn't care though.  He appreciated a free meal, games with the family and mostly a place to sleep for free.

After a bitter cold week, we enjoyed some 60 degree weather.  I walked with Kaide and with Brinley a couple of days.

We got some more v-ball in with friends and the missionaries.  (a little v-ball break below)

Brian and I have been talking about getting a car for Brinley to take up to school but hadn't gotten serious about looking.  I took a few days to do some research on the computer and narrowed down a few possibilities.  We decided to buy one from a dealership in Utah, but when I called to let the Dallas salesman know, he knocked a few thousand off the price of the car we were interested in buying.  It was too good of a deal to pass up.  So, we literally made that decision on New Year's Eve, and Bryn and I left at 5:00am on New Year's Day to make the purchase.  Craziness.  She was very grateful and excited.  (2021 Toyota Corolla)  

We drove up on Saturday and drove home on Sunday.  So, when the group wanted to go bowling again on Monday, I desperately needed a nap.  I was torn but made them promise to take lots of pictures.  They were champs!  Here are a few:

One last goodbye before heading back to school.

Tanner and Erin made a point to stop by and visit since they missed going with us on Christmas day.

The beautiful print Brinley gave me for Christmas.  I love it.

My super buff nephew, Logan Fontaine.  WE were impressed!  He's Brinley's age and the Gwilliam cousin Parker has been the closest to over the years.  He is in the Coast Guard now.  These were sent in Brian's family/spouse text, and I wanted to save them.

We were able to put away Christmas decorations, have a girls night at the movies (Whitney Houston), play games (Dominion) with family and extended family (Skull King w/ the Vores), pickleball with the Birds, Sunday night extended family gatherings, eating out w/ extended family (Taco Villa Monday on Wednesday at Rosas), and more.  

We were sad to see Brinley head back to Utah.  Kierstin, her roommate, flew here, and they drove back together.  I was extremely grateful because I was going to be the one driving up with Brinley and then flying back the next day, which sounded exhausting.

Back to real life...wish us luck!