March

March 2025

A little bit of March. It's June now. I have no idea what really happened in March, but here we go.

No pictures, but Brian started a new job at Medical Center Hospital. He is going back to his roots and working in Physical Therapy again. It's a change from the oil field. Overall it's working out well enough so far. 

We are sharing a car right now because he had a work truck when he was a safety guy in the oilfield. I sometimes take him to and pick him up from work, and I like the 12 minute one-way commute together. It's nice to hear about his day or to visit about some upcoming event. I also like to park the car and utilize the stairs at the hospital. When he had his finger amputated in September, I would walk the hospital stairs two or three times a day. I realized it was really good for my back. Now I can start my day with 27 flights of stairs, and I love it!

I've been trying to work on my personal history. I have probably 20 journals, spanning from when I was  thirteen years to now. However, I want to just type out a 2-4 page highlight reel. It's daunting, and I'm not making much progress, but a girl can have goals. 

When I was on ancestry.com, I found this cute picture of my Gran Vore I had never seen before. What a beautiful smile she had. It made me happy.

I'm still caring for my mom two days a week. It can be challenging, but I have come to cherish the hours I get to spend with her. I love this picture. She was going back to her roots by chatting on the phone while caring for her baby. I am trying to soak in the good hours when she is content (not agitated): snuggling on the couch, going on a walk when it's not too windy outside, and helping her eat. She is a blessing in my life.

It's fun to be at the house with my dad those days too. We get a chance to visit some, and I get a peak into his everyday schedule. (always taking care of my mom, exercising, family calls and visits, lunch dates, pool cleaning, etc) I also get to see him in action as he is online teaching his BYU Pathways. Those students are lucky. He is an excellent teacher. 

The other day, I had to interrupt his class. That was awkward. My mom was in her wheelchair and had bent over and gotten her finger stuck near the wheel. I could not get it out. I had to call in the big guns--my dad. We both thought we were going to have to call in the very big guns--the firemen. Luckily, he thought of dish soap, and it worked. Whew! We both have funny stories/adventures with my mom like that nearly every day.

Visitors! Brit, Ella & Char stop by several times a week.

He took Aubrey out to lunch one day. I like this picture because it is SO him. Notice his hand poking Aubrey's waist while I was trying to get a nice picture. He is always teasing.

Parker sent this crazy picture. I think it was mafia poker...or something like that. He is having lots of fun up at school. He is third to last on the right side. He is up at BYUI and living in Rexburg-kind of. Almost every weekend he is taking a road trip with frieto somewhere else in Idaho or Utah.

Brinley & Derek celebrating the day they got engaged last year--which happens to be Brian's and my anniversary.

When Bryn & Derek called to tell us the news last year, we were celebrating our anniversary--and Aubrey was included. (One of the bonuses of being the last born.) This was our anniversary picture this year-28 years.💗💗💗

We've had a couple of Relief Society activities this month, which I have enjoyed. I've always been social, and I am at a point in my life where my evenings are very open. Bring on the gatherings!

I love these Odessa 1st Ward sisters. I have grown up with several of them, served in callings with many of them and been served by literally every one of these ladies. 

Back row lft -rt: Melanie Ormsby, Anita Williams, Donna Thompson, Kimberla Payan, Olena Sanders, Natalia Winfrey, Angelique Vore, Cathy Bonifay, Taylor Wiest, Shari Martin, & Monica Jackman

Front row lft-rt: Darlene Williams, Emily Ormsby, Airi Billings, me, Britney Bird

Family Home Evening-We had Hudson with us for a couple of days so it made it feel a bit more happening.

I had a "GiGi day" with Kaide and introduced him to feeding the ducks. He was a big fan, more so before he tipped over (straight as a stick) and fell into the water, but still.

After feeding the ducks, we walked around the pond and then headed home to play some more.

Once we were back home, he got to try out his new shovel and pail. 

I love that his face was dirty from our morning outside.

He usually won't make time for books when he is at our house. However, Papa got him a new "Spidey and Friends" book and he was interested. We sure love having this little boy in our lives.

And for history's sake...have I mentioned we now have a jumper in our front room...and a ping pong table, a piano, and my t-shirts and heat press? We are not very formal around here, but we do like to have some fun!

Lastly, whew, Aubrey's SIP project was carried out in March. She worked very hard, and it was amazing to see it all come together. I am going to make a separate post with more pictures and a few more of the details.

Community Captain SIP Project

March 2025

Aubrey's SIP project was carried out in March. It was literally a part-time job (on top of full-time school, early morning seminary, and her actual part-time job). She worked very hard, and it was amazing to see it all come together. I think she learned a great deal about project management, community service, and public speaking along the way.

The community project they proposed was to make comfort kits for the West Texas Crisis Center for women who are at the hospital following a sexual assault. They had $10,000 to carry out their vision. The kits included things like sweats and underwear, a journal, a fidget toy, a phone charger, and a fidget toy.

Maiya Morgan, Parker Huse & Aubrey Gwilliam

My dad took lots of pictures of her in action. There were fifty student volunteers, several media outlets, Chevron reps, and two Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders present. The SIP students from PHS and OHS helped at stations such as: check-in, serving lunch or bag packing  

Julisa, the cheerleader on the left, went to PHS and was one of Parker's friends. (boy Parker-my son, not girl Parker who is one of Aub's best friends.)

Chevron and the Dallas Cowboys sponsor the program and provide the grant for the winning team. They had cheerleaders there for publicity. 

Aubrey was interviewed quite a bit by several news stations. Someone on the Chevron team dubbed her the main spokesperson and so she was pulled aside several times for interviews. Aub mentioned to me that growing up giving talks in Primary and Sacrament meetings gave her the experience and confidence she needed to be comfortable presenting and being interviewed. 

Grandpa was able to come and support her. He loved taking pictures of Aubrey in action. I'm glad he was able to come especially since Brian couldn't. (Brian was only at week one or two at the new job.)

This is Julia Vickey who works for the Abell-Hanger Foundation which created the Students in Philanthropy programs in the area. She worked very closely with Aubrey's team to help them be successful in this endeavor.

This is her SIP teacher, Jessica Orrosco. She was very proud of the girls and closely with the whole class to help make the event a success.

This was the note-writing station. The students could write a personal note to include in each bag. 

The next day, there was a luncheon for all of the Students in Philanthropy students in the region. Aubrey had the opportunity to speak to her peers and share a little more about their project.

It was a huge undertaking and a unique opportunity for her to stretch and grow in many ways. She was glad when she could move on from this very busy project but grateful for the opportunity to serve the community.

February 2025 Recap

February 2025 Recap:

Parker has been a trooper with his knee surgery, which repaired his meniscus and ACL. He has been nonweight-bearing and in a brace that keeps his leg completely straight. He has basically spent 6 solid weeks sitting on our living room couch. He has always been happier when he was busier. He likes people, new places, fun activities and adventure.  

None of that occurred on this brown couch, but he hasn't complained. He has worked on his BYUI online classes, gone to therapy and faithfully done therapy at home. He has patiently waited for someone to bring him breakfast or lunch or a drink of water. He has started and stopped lots of Netflix series and started and finished lots of others. He has Facetimed roommates and counted the days he could get the heck out of Dodge.

Halfway through February his hard work and patience paid off, and he was able to go back to Rexburg. This picture makes my momma heart so happy! He was able to fly with a friend who has his pilot's license. I can just feel Parker's joy.  FREEDOM!

The same week Parker flew back to school, Brian and I headed to Austin for a catheter oblation procedure he needed for his heart. (PVC issues)  Everything went well and the best part of the trip was going out to dinner with Linda Vore. She is a ball of energy, light, and positivity, and we don't get to see each other enough. The three of us talked for two hours straight, and it was awesome to catch up on life.

I tried to get Brian to call our Austin trip 'good' for my birthday, and I thought I succeeded, but I did not. He surprised me with a Ninja blender I had been eyeing but just couldn't pull the trigger on. I love it! It has a 32 oz single-serve cup that attaches to the blender and makes it super convenient to make one or two servings of protein shakes or fruit smoothies. With only three of us at home, individual portions are becoming more and more of a thing.

I also woke up to this cute setup from Aub Daub along with a really sweet homemade card. In addition to mentioning some attributes she admired, she had coupons good for playing games and going on walks: two things I love but she does not. I am definitely going to be cashing those in.

Brinley and Derek worked through Aubrey to have a gift waiting for me when I got home from work: a pretty candle and yummy TruFru (frozen chocolate covered strawberries). Parker called to wish me a happy birthday, and when he didn't reach me on my birthday, he followed up the next day. We had a great phone chat. Tanner stopped by my parents and gave me a sweet card from his fam with a thoughtful gift: several massage gift cards! Ang, my dad, and Brit helped me celebrate with thoughtful gifts, and lots of friends texted or dropped a little something by the house. Overall, I felt very loved by family and friends.

Not one, not two, but FIVE gift cards for a massage--can't wait!

In February I added a lot of extra work hours. My dad took a trip with Chris and Ang on a ten day European river cruise. I'm glad he had the chance to have a little break from the day-to-day of life. 

In addition to my 8-5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I volunteered to cover the 8 pm to midnight time. I think I worked almost 70 hours in the first seven days. The crazy days were Tuesdays and Fridays when I worked from 8 am to midnight. Brian was really good at relieving me for a few hours some evenings so I could leave my parents house. (I felt a little like Parker...stuck on the brown couch!) I would go outside for a brisk walk, run errands, wander around my own home and have time to visit with Aubrey. It was blessing to be with my mom so much and also to have the extra income for our family.  

She usually can't express her feelings, and for the most part, she seemed pretty good while my dad was gone. She just is living in her own world/mind for a lot of each day. She did ask me one day when I was getting her ready for bed where her husband was. That was pretty sweet because every evening he tucks her in, and they have scriptures and prayer together. They sing a hymn, and he reads to her for a while.  I loved that she was thinking of him and able to express it.

Another time, when he Facetimed, at the end of the call she was able to say, "Come back."  When he did in fact come home, she gave him the cold shoulder for a couple of hours!  She was not happy that he left her. He had to wiggle his way back into her good graces. They love each other, and I am very grateful to get to see some of their sweet interactions in this phase of their lives.

Well, a monthly post would not be complete if it didn't include our favorite grandchild. I love this picture of Kaide. He is thrilled watching this video I sent of me warming up a can of soup. Lately when he comes over, he wants to check out the pantry. He points to each can of food and talks about what is inside. He mixes his own little language with a few words I actually understand, and it's so cute. 

So when I had a bit of the stomach bug and was resorting to soup and crackers and missing this little guy, I sent a video greeting. I walked into the pantry and pointed/described all of his favorite cans of food.  "Oh, look over here. I see the red beans. And here are the oranges.  Ooh, some peaches. Hmm, what sounds good today?" Then I grabbed some soup and videoed myself opening it and pouring it into a bowl.  Then I warmed it up and showed him how much I was enjoying eating it. I was glad Erin captured his reaction and sent me this picture. Pure joy.

When he comes over, in addition to the pantry, he likes to shuffle through the list of fun things to do at GiGi and Papa's: walking down the street to see the monster house, playing catch with the football, bowling, ping pong, visiting Buttercup in the backyard and occasionally things like painting or coloring.  

Brian and I thought it would be fun to take him to the family dance, but Kaide didn't think it was very fun.  The music was blaring, and lots of our friends were approaching us and asking him questions. He wanted nothing to do with it. We grabbed a cookie and retreated to the nursery for the rest of the evening.  We loved that the Bird cousins and a few little kids joined us in there as well.

Hard to tell he is wearing his mittens, but he is! He eats with them, sleeps with them...and goes to family dances with them. Gotta love two year olds!

February also brought a very hard goodbye. My sweet friend, Alma, moved to Pennsylvania to be with her son and daughter-in-law. We started walking at UTPB when she first moved here and a few months later, she began caring for my mom a few days a week. Alma has loved my mom fiercely over the past couple of years and served our family in so many ways. I think she and my mom must have been friends in the preexistence.  They have a beautiful bond.

I made Alma a Shutterfly book filled mostly with pictures of her and my mom with a few others from missionary dinners or Vore family gatherings she attended. I will miss our walks and talks, family dinners (sometimes at her house and sometimes at mine), temple trips, breakfast dates, family history gatherings, RS activities, and of course just visiting when I stop by my parents and she is caring for my mom.

One of the sisters in our ward organized a small going away luncheon which was very thoughtful and a lot of fun. 

Gena, first on the right, went all out in making this luncheon special.

Shari Martin, Melanie Ormsby, Britney Bird, Alma Merriman, Kimberla Payan, Gena Davis, Julie Proctor, Olena Sanders, and me

I don't have any pictures from the newlyweds to share, but Brinley and I call or "Marco Polo" back and forth 4 or 5 days a week, and it's so much fun. She is thriving in the second semester of her Master's degree program, which is nice because she was drowning somewhat during her first semester. Derek is super busy with school, work, and student teaching (practicum) this semester. They moved from a studio apartment in Provo to a two-bedroom apartment in Orem and are so grateful to have more space. They both recently received callings in their new ward. Derek is the executive secretary in Young Men's. I think he is functioning like an additional leader as well as helping keep the Bishop organized when it comes to the youth. Brinley is very excited to serve as the Primary chorister. 

I have been making a lot of shirts this month (150+) to support a loved one fighting cancer for the second time. My dad had a big banner made too and friends and family signed it. She lives several hours away so we can't help much in the day-to-day fight, but we wanted her to know she is loved.

Sunday night gathering at the Birds

Christian

Char, Ella, Braddock

Quetta

Wrapping up February with something that I never would have seen coming: Tanner participating in a fashion show. This is my kid who glares in family pictures. When we saw his middle school picture, Brian whispered to me, "he looks like a kid who would shoot up the school."  

Somehow, someone at UTPB decided he would make the perfect addition to a "what to wear" fashion show. He is a handsome guy-but they just don't know about the no smiling bit when it comes to pictures. He needed to find a place for Kaide for a few hours. Erin had class, and we were going to be out of town. Tanner was interested in participating for the free lunch and the clothes he would get to keep. I still couldn't believe he was so casually mentioning "this modeling thing they want me to do."  Is this my son Tanner? We let Aub skip school to watch Kaide, and luckily a friend from my PTA days was the MC so we even got picture proof. (and look at that handsome mug!)

Tatum Fulbright, Tanner and a sponsor-Tatum told me later he was very well spoken and seemed very driven. That was fun to hear and he is both!

Tanner did mention that the lady running the show kept telling him to smile. I can just imagine his steely glare when he was on the runway. He was somewhat annoyed that he and the other participants didn't get to eat.  The University cleaned it up before they were released from their duties. However, he has been wearing his new suit combo to church, getting lots of compliments and looking so sharp!