Last night I was sitting in bed with Russ, I looked over at him and had this overwhelming feeling of gratitude for this man that completes me in every way. He is so good, so kind, and loves me far more that I probably deserve.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and this time of year tends to bring out the gratitude in all of us, and with the year we've had, a little dose of thankful is just what I've been needing.
I turned 40 in February. It was weird. So good in so many ways, but so scary in others. My amazing friends threw me a beautiful dinner party with some of my favorite people and gathered kind words from so many people that I love and had it framed. I got to stay 2 nights at a hotel downtown, the first night with Jennie, and the 2nd with Russ, I was truly spoiled. Everyone was so incredibly thoughtful, but the most meaningful gift of all was from Russ, he showed up at the hotel on the morning of my birthday clean shaven! He finally shaved that dreadful beard that I had hated for almost 3 years... and I know how much he (and everyone else) loved it, so it was truly a sacrifice and an act of love for me. I literally cried when I saw him!
It seems like we were celebrating 40th birthdays all year long. Jennie's was just 2 weeks before mine, Brigit was in May, and several other friends were scattered throughout the year, so we took a weekend girls trip to Lava Hot Springs in May and had a blast.
We had a great summer, abnormally busy, but good nonetheless. I built a bunk bed for the boys that took a pretty good chunk out of our summer but I love how it turned out! We also did a family vacation with the Ringwood's to the tree houses in Oregon, and then to the Redwoods. I've decided that I love traveling with friends. I heard a quote in a movie just the other day that said "Friends are the family you choose", I concur. Anyway, knowing that our poor old minivan was on it's way out and would likely not survive another road trip, we said goodbye to the van that I had loved for almost 7 years and got a new car. It's a nice car, a Honda Pilot, but I cried and cried over my loss, so many memories. Russ thought I was crazy but it was like letting go of a very big chapter in my life. I still miss those sliding doors.
In September we had the opportunity to go to Lake Powell, again with the Ringwood's and the Brambles as well. We had never been so we were excited to go, and it was wonderful! Absolutely beautiful and such great company.
As for the crazy... With the instability going on at Union Pacific, Russ picked up a second job back in April at UPS just in case something were to happen. I can't believe we're back to this, it's been frustrating to say the least, and now we are in limbo trying to decide if we will hang in there with UP, or make a switch to UPS. For now we'll just keep on keeping on until an answer comes.
Taevin started High School over at SHS this year, and he made Chamber Orchestra! He is such a good kid and has an amazing group of friends, I couldn't be more proud.
Ryler is in 6th grade, which is middle school at Bonneville, he is such a smart kid and so cute. He still plays trumpet and teases his sisters incessantly. He just turned 12 so for his birthday I checked him out of school early and took him out for sushi then to Temple Square for a few hours. It's always so nice when I can get some one on one with the kids.
Zoey had some testing done this year which revealed some executive functioning/ processing disorders, and also some anxiety. Her and I have been seeing a therapist to help us both navigate this process. I think our first instinct is to see these things as a negative, but there is so much more to my little Z than her differences, and it breaks my heart when she doesn't see her value. She may struggle in school, but her creativity, attention to detail, and kind heart will take her so far in life.
Aspen is just as goofy as ever, she always has something funny to say and keeps me on my toes. She started taking dance in the fall and seems to be loving it, her teacher tells me she has a natural ability so I'll be excited to see her progress. She'll be turning 7 in a week!
As for me, I'm still working at Bonneville. They cancelled the Food Science class I was teaching which made me super sad, but gave me a position as the Tier 2 coordinator, which means I gather DATA, find out which students are falling behind, and figure out how to help. I was a little unsure in the beginning, but I've ended up really enjoying it.
After 3 years of serving the Young Women, our ward split in March and I was released. I love those girls so much so it was a tough change, especially since we started a new ward and so many of my girls stayed in Porter Way, I had never been so attached to a calling before, but I came away from it with a deep love for teenagers, and a strong testimony of their worth and their crucial role in the future ahead of us. I was called to serve in the RS presidency in our new ward, it's been 8 months now and I'm still trying to get to know everyone, but I serve with some fantastic ladies and I'm sure we'll get there.
Being 40 has not been very kind to my health. My eyesight has gotten worse, my metabolism is disappointing and my stomach has been bothering me a lot lately. I've been trying to figure out what's causing it all and will be seeing a hormone/ thyroid specialist in January, but in the mean time, I'm trying to cut out sugar and scale way back on junk carbs. It's hard because carbs are delicious, but I'm going to make it.
Life has gotten challenging and it's easy to dwell on it, but I know that Jesus has my back. I'm trying so hard and am so grateful for the incredible support system I have. God is good and has blessed me with so much.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and this time of year tends to bring out the gratitude in all of us, and with the year we've had, a little dose of thankful is just what I've been needing.
I turned 40 in February. It was weird. So good in so many ways, but so scary in others. My amazing friends threw me a beautiful dinner party with some of my favorite people and gathered kind words from so many people that I love and had it framed. I got to stay 2 nights at a hotel downtown, the first night with Jennie, and the 2nd with Russ, I was truly spoiled. Everyone was so incredibly thoughtful, but the most meaningful gift of all was from Russ, he showed up at the hotel on the morning of my birthday clean shaven! He finally shaved that dreadful beard that I had hated for almost 3 years... and I know how much he (and everyone else) loved it, so it was truly a sacrifice and an act of love for me. I literally cried when I saw him!
It seems like we were celebrating 40th birthdays all year long. Jennie's was just 2 weeks before mine, Brigit was in May, and several other friends were scattered throughout the year, so we took a weekend girls trip to Lava Hot Springs in May and had a blast.
We had a great summer, abnormally busy, but good nonetheless. I built a bunk bed for the boys that took a pretty good chunk out of our summer but I love how it turned out! We also did a family vacation with the Ringwood's to the tree houses in Oregon, and then to the Redwoods. I've decided that I love traveling with friends. I heard a quote in a movie just the other day that said "Friends are the family you choose", I concur. Anyway, knowing that our poor old minivan was on it's way out and would likely not survive another road trip, we said goodbye to the van that I had loved for almost 7 years and got a new car. It's a nice car, a Honda Pilot, but I cried and cried over my loss, so many memories. Russ thought I was crazy but it was like letting go of a very big chapter in my life. I still miss those sliding doors.
In September we had the opportunity to go to Lake Powell, again with the Ringwood's and the Brambles as well. We had never been so we were excited to go, and it was wonderful! Absolutely beautiful and such great company.
As for the crazy... With the instability going on at Union Pacific, Russ picked up a second job back in April at UPS just in case something were to happen. I can't believe we're back to this, it's been frustrating to say the least, and now we are in limbo trying to decide if we will hang in there with UP, or make a switch to UPS. For now we'll just keep on keeping on until an answer comes.
Taevin started High School over at SHS this year, and he made Chamber Orchestra! He is such a good kid and has an amazing group of friends, I couldn't be more proud.
Ryler is in 6th grade, which is middle school at Bonneville, he is such a smart kid and so cute. He still plays trumpet and teases his sisters incessantly. He just turned 12 so for his birthday I checked him out of school early and took him out for sushi then to Temple Square for a few hours. It's always so nice when I can get some one on one with the kids.
Zoey had some testing done this year which revealed some executive functioning/ processing disorders, and also some anxiety. Her and I have been seeing a therapist to help us both navigate this process. I think our first instinct is to see these things as a negative, but there is so much more to my little Z than her differences, and it breaks my heart when she doesn't see her value. She may struggle in school, but her creativity, attention to detail, and kind heart will take her so far in life.
Aspen is just as goofy as ever, she always has something funny to say and keeps me on my toes. She started taking dance in the fall and seems to be loving it, her teacher tells me she has a natural ability so I'll be excited to see her progress. She'll be turning 7 in a week!
As for me, I'm still working at Bonneville. They cancelled the Food Science class I was teaching which made me super sad, but gave me a position as the Tier 2 coordinator, which means I gather DATA, find out which students are falling behind, and figure out how to help. I was a little unsure in the beginning, but I've ended up really enjoying it.
After 3 years of serving the Young Women, our ward split in March and I was released. I love those girls so much so it was a tough change, especially since we started a new ward and so many of my girls stayed in Porter Way, I had never been so attached to a calling before, but I came away from it with a deep love for teenagers, and a strong testimony of their worth and their crucial role in the future ahead of us. I was called to serve in the RS presidency in our new ward, it's been 8 months now and I'm still trying to get to know everyone, but I serve with some fantastic ladies and I'm sure we'll get there.
Being 40 has not been very kind to my health. My eyesight has gotten worse, my metabolism is disappointing and my stomach has been bothering me a lot lately. I've been trying to figure out what's causing it all and will be seeing a hormone/ thyroid specialist in January, but in the mean time, I'm trying to cut out sugar and scale way back on junk carbs. It's hard because carbs are delicious, but I'm going to make it.
Life has gotten challenging and it's easy to dwell on it, but I know that Jesus has my back. I'm trying so hard and am so grateful for the incredible support system I have. God is good and has blessed me with so much.
Comments
Post a Comment