More February

February 15-28, 2023

This sweet baby boy is 7 months old!  

Looking good for school pictures!  We had no idea class pictures existed at this age and it was definitely the talk on our family group text.

Bath time with Aub Daub

When I got to the house to visit my parents, my dad often attacks me.  It's always best to be on guard!  I think he was putting his cold hands on me here.

She is pretty sweet with her baby.  

I sent this one to Nate because that little doll is a likeness of him that he gave her at Christmas.  

My mom with Heidi.  She and our other two caregivers, Julie and Alma, are amazing.

Tanner got his wisdom teeth out.  We were all hoping for some great videos with him loopy, but we got nothing.  Well, he something funny about school.  I asked him where he wanted to go for college, and he said, "Oklahoma."  What the heck?  Then I asked him what he wanted to study, "Geology."  He absolutely has no interest in Oklahoma or Geology, so that was funny.  Fewer than five minutes after leaving the dental office, he let me know the medicine had worn off.  It had.  He was not loopy.

We came home and Erin stopped by in between classes.  The missionaries asked to stop by as well.  They brought him a Frosty and laughed and joked all together for awhile.  That was pretty fun to watch.  They really are his best guy friends right now.  

Morgan got married!  I wish I would have gone.  It was the same weekend as Tanner's wisdom teeth, but if I had it to do all over again, I would have flown to Arizona anyway.   I love this girl.  She was such a big part of Brinley's teen years.  Morgan brought sunshine and silliness and excitement and creativity into Brinley's life and our home.  She was a wonderful friend to Brinley during those hard Junior High and High School years.   I really do wish I would have just gone.  I will remember that for future events with friends of my children.

We bought this furniture for Brinley off of Craigslist 12 years ago for $350.   Aubrey was ready for something new, and I sold this furniture on FB Marketplace for $350.   Woot woot!

Celbrated Megan and their new baby GIRL due in April.  She and Adam have three little boys.  

Aub and friends had a Galentine Day celebration at our house.  She has always been good about getting ready for them and cleaning up afterwards.  With her driving, it was taken to a new level!  She was able to go out shopping for all the things she felt she wanted for the gathering.  I think I donated $10-$15 and she paid for anything beyond that.

They made and decorated cakes, hung out, did a photo shoot and watched a movie.

Bri was teasing them that he needed to be part of the photo shoot.  He's a fun dad.

My faithful dad watching "Don't Miss This" and studying Come Follow Me.  He's a good example to me.

This happened…. my nephew Kyle Gwilliam got engaged!  I got to meet Sarah in October, and she seemed really sweet.  He is getting married a week before school gets out here which doesn't work great for us, but Brian is going to be able to make a quick trip out to Utah.

I designed this shirt for my friend Alma.  She wanted to send a few to family members.

The missionaries are over quite a bit these days with discussions with Erin and Tanner.  They are always asking how they can help, and we never really have anything that we need.  My new heat press stand had just arrived though so when they asked I said, "y'all could put this together."  They jumped at the chance.  Then I felt badly because it took a chunk of time and it delayed their appointment with Tanner and Erin.  I kept saying, "This is enough.  Brian can finish it.  Really!  Go ahead and start your lesson."  They were all in though.  I think it was fun for them to serve us in this way.  Tanner, Erin, Kaide, (eventually, after school) Aubrey & I just visited and joked around while they built my stand.

Pros!  Also, I think it was Elder Fairbanks first day in the field.  Welcome to the Lubbock Texas Mission.  He has two AMAZING trainers.  

Elder Nate Quilter, Elder Matthew MacDonald, and Elder Landin Fairbanks

G-pa and Kaide reading books.  (I am trying to go by GiGi....not sure it is going to happen.  The other day I referred to Bri as G-pa.  Those would be some nice grandparent names!)

We had stake women's leadership training.  I made dirt pudding and banana pudding in individual servings for the luncheon.  I was drowning in gigantic bowls on deliciousness.

Gwilliam cousin get together.  I love that they make the time and effort to hang out.  According to Bryn, they went to a restaurant that we used to go to on Gwilliam family reunions.  She couldn't remember the name, but they had a fun time laughing and joking around together.

Andrew, Bryn, McKayla, Kyle with his fiancé Sarah, Lindsey, Megan and her daughter Grace

And to wrap up the month....

Brian got to go on a boys' trip to St. George.  Well, I guess I should say a brothers' trip.  Jeff invited them out to his family's new vacation home in St. George.

Bri, Mike Fontaine (brother-in-law), Jeff, Keith & Bruce (Missing Eric and Scott.  Eric was supporting his son Max on his basketball team state run, and Scott was in the midst of a move, job change and triplets.)

They played pickleball, did a hike, hot tubbed and just enjoyed being all together.  I am really glad Brian was able to go.  

The Big Five-O

February 14, 2023

It's official. I am a half of a century old!  

Monday morning, the day before my birthday, Brian kept telling me the plumbers were coming.  He kind of apologized that I would need to stay home.  I assured him it was no problem, but he kept reminding me.  (I was sitting in the family room in my pajamas and the house was kind of a mess.)  Then he did something that just shows how much he knows and loves me.  He gave me a big hint.  He said something like, "You know, it's your birthday tomorrow, and I'm not saying anyone in coming over but it's that time of year when random people might show up at the door."  Bless him!  

I got off my duff and brushed my teeth, fixed my hair, got dressed, picked up the family room and cleaned the kitchen.  It was fun trying to imagine who might be knocking at the door.  My best guess was Brit and Ang got a few friends together and were showing up to surprise me.

I was very surprised and even a little teary when I saw these three ladies there.  These are the three sisters I serve with in the Stake Relief Society: Marci, Laura and Heather.  They had taken time out of their very busy lives to drive over from Midland to wish me a happy birthday.  It was a great example to me on ministering and building relationships.  

They also know I like sweets, and they hooked me up!  Donuts, Crumbl Cookie and Mini Nothing Bundt cake.  Perfect!  This was a great start to my b-day celebrations.

When I woke up, Brian had the mantel decorated with our b-day banner and balloons.

He gave me the cute jacket I'm modeling, a matching Addidas visor, chocolate covered strawberries, some candy bars, a dozen roses, and a coupon for trip to Fredericksburg.  I love that he had a specific place in mind.  It's a cute little tourist town in the hill country in Texas.  He also told me he had dinner taken care of for the family and came home during the middle of the day to put a crock pot meal together.  He's amazing and very thoughtful.

Tanner was going to get me chocolate covered strawberries until "Dad ruined it" and already had some. He bought me this super cute chocolate bouquet which I loved.  

Aubrey gave me a sweet homemade card, Dove chocolates and this really pretty smelling hand soap for my bathroom.  Perfect.

Brinley texted, called and sent a sweet song that reminded her of me. (Mamas, by  Anne Wilson & Hillary Scott)

Ang brought by a mini bundt cake and a card.

These beautiful flowers arrived, and I had no idea who they were from.  Well, my youngest sister, Beckky, and her family sent them.  I guess when it's the big 5-0 it makes for an extra special gift.  (We usually just exchange b-day Marco Polos and texts, ha!)

Britney wished me happy birthday and apologized that my gift was delayed.  She made it up to me about a month later with a box of Crumbl cookies and a General Conference notebook.  Poor Brit.  She has triple duty on V-day taking care of all the people she loves: her husband, her daughter Charlotte who has a v-day b-day, and me, of course.

My Parker Bryce was able to call.  LOVED hearing from him two days in a row.  Monday was his p-day, and then he gets to call on special holidays.

The evening was pretty quiet.  Tanner, Erin, Kaide and Aubrey all went to the PHS/OHS basketball game.  That is when Brian pulled out another gift/surprise.  He had contacted many friends from over the years. He asked them to write a little something or make a video of what they appreciated about me and to wish me a happy birthday.  It was beautiful to hear from these sweet ladies from all parts of my life as they shared birthday wishes, memories and things they loved about me.  I felt very uplifted, celebrated and loved. 

A Little Bit of February (1st-13th)

We have some great missionaries.  They have been so good in sharing inspirational messages, reaching out through sports activities, asking Tanner to go with them to appointments and just being relatable to my teens.  Since last fall, we have been better at just enjoying them in our home.  When they come for dinner, we fit in a few rounds of ping pong if there is time.  We've invited them to join us for volleyball at the church over the holidays.  We've had them over for Family Home Evening a couple of times.  It's been a big blessing for our kids.  Instead of moaning and groaning when they hear the missionaries are coming over, they actually look forward to it.

Lft-rt: Aub, Tanner, Erin, Kaide, Elder MacDonald, Elder Martin, Elder Quilter & Elder Dunn

Tanner and Erin felt comfortable enough to reach out one night, as the missionaries were leaving our house after dinner, and to ask them to start meeting with he and Erin for the discussions.  Yea!

Tanner has always been an independent man.  (For example, at four years old coming to me with a high fever and tiny body, "Mom, I don't feel good, but I don't want to go to the doctor.  I'll take care of it.")  He and Erin meet with the missionaries on their own.  We haven't been invited to sit in, and we don't hear a ton about it, but that is just fine.  I'm so glad for both of them for the opportunity to learn and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ together.

Kaide goes to daycare w/ ECISD a few hours each day.  They are always sending home these cute little surprises.

A girl and her Dad💕

On tippy toes vs true height.  I think she is about 5'10"

Taco Villa Monday on Wednesday.  Great Uncle Kerry (my brother) and Kaide

Tanner is a cute daddy.  He takes very good care of his baby boy.

Aubrey is not very snuggly.  She's kind of a prickly pear....right now anyway.  Glad every once in a while she will snuggle with me.

With my Stake RS calling, I travel for ward/branch conferences and also speak in wards and branches.  It is usually about 1-2 times a month.  I went to Big Lake this month to speak.  It took 1.5 hours to get there, and their church is a converted house.  It was a very small gathering and a unique experience for me.  I felt so much love and hope in this little branch.  I felt the spirit during the meeting. 

I was very impressed with the missionaries, especially the one on the right because he was obviously the branch president's right hand man. (The other missionary was brand new.)  During sacrament meeting, the branch president whispered something to this elder.  I later found out he was asking him to teach the combined RS/EQ class.  

During Sacrament meeting, there were four other adults (including the branch president) and two kids present.  However, the picture above is who stayed for 2nd hour.  One sister!  (The other man was the visiting high councilor.  The branch president had to leave to possibly take his sick wife to the hospital.)  The Elder led an impressive last minute discussion.  He was great about including each of us with reading, questions and comments.  I kept thinking about how "the work" is in good hands with these young missionaries serving all around the world.  I also wish I would have gotten their names and home numbers so I could send this picture and shared my experiences with their families.  

And here is our missionary doing amazing things in Ghana.

From his letter on February 6th:

"I got my new companion, Elder Brima. And when I show him things like my contacts, or the very small washer and spinner, and other westernized things he likes to say, "ohhhhh white man, you go kill here for we."   He is from Sierra Leone but grew up most of his life in Liberia. He has only been a member of the church for around 3 years. It's really cool for me to see how willing and excited he was to serve a mission. I had a sister who was on a mission, parents who both served, all sorts of other family members who served, and had been singing "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission" my whole life. But when I had grown a foot or two, I thought "now I am not ready."  But here is Elder Brima who has only been a member for 3 years and the only member in his family and was more than ready to go on a mission. "

It's incredible that Parker is immersed in another culture around the world.  His testimony has grown.  He loves the people of Ghana.  Missions are the most amazing opportunity.  I'm so grateful I was able to serve.  I love that he and Brinley have had this experience as well.  Missions are amazingly foundational for every aspect of life: teaching, testimony, relationships, hard work, enduring, planning, serving, church callings and more.