The baby bug turns 14!

 And gets a phone! That involved Alli finding us a good used phone, which went to Adi, Asia phone down to Frankie, and Frankie’s phone down to Delaney. And 2 hours on the phone with the most patient and wonderful T-Mobile operator ever. With so much shuffling it took forever to make sure everything transferred over to the phone before wiping the next phone and making sure everything transferred over again. 

Anyway, when that was finally done, we wrapped up her new phone and let her open it. 

Matt was in a meeting, so we gathered around him and sang to her for the first time that day and she was so surprised by her gift. 

This was our 4th snow day, but our roads were all clear. We gave the phone to her early because she wanted to have a sissy day and go shopping and get lunch, so we let her have her phone for their festivities. 

She got a Crumbl gift card from her young women leaders. ❤️

Hot stuff. 

Adi said she remembered pictures at Crumbl but then forgot the rest of the day. She tried. 🤷‍♀️

D asked for Adi’s pizza for dinner and crepes with Nutella, whipped cream, and strawberries for dessert. I don’t know what it says about them that they put Nutella and whipped cream on them, but it can’t be good. 

We tried our best to put a few candles in her crepes. 

Good enough. 

I can’t believe our baby is 14. And then again, I can. She’s so fun and funny and smart and moody. She’s the best. 

And she likes really weird gifts. 

Like this plague doctor stuffie. 

So for her birthday she got a whole week off of school, Henry cuddles, and a new phone. Not a bad haul for a fresh 14 year old. 

March 3rd-4th

We had Inklings yesterday. Donna lead the discussion at Sarah’s house. Donna is one that I’ve had next to no actual conversations with and it was nice to get to know her a little bit. I love Inklings and I love that ladies have been hanging out for a bit after. It’s so wonderful to talk big gospel ideas (and small ones too!) and be buoyed up by righteous women.

Alecia and I walked after. It was sprinkling and I would have called it, but Alecia said we should walk and I’m glad we did. It feels good to be outside, even in the cold rain sometimes. 

Frankie loves the teacher academy and is really thriving there. She got a Grit Ticket postcard for her hard work and she was so surprised and happy. 

Made her cute little day. 

Sarah and I (and Ezra) went walking today and the weather was much nicer. It was downright balmy! We went to the 3 different parks and let Ezra play and we caught up and it’s nice to have friend time. I’m getting used to this free time thing. 🤗

After ballet I bought red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple tablecloths and balloons. My staff appreciation event is next week and I’m getting ready!

For young men’s, the priests practiced making phone calls, specifically to girls, and Boshop Wiest asked if I’d be one of their recipients. I fielded a call for a hair cut appointment and 2 dates and they were all cute and respectful and funny. Then when Matt got home I got all the background and it was even more funny. These cute boys and cute ward family. 
 

January 30th-31st

 The one with Alexis and Henry! I love this goofy little guy!

This is our usual when you’ve got lots of aunties hashtag. 

I was feeling this to my core. And i like having kids home, but sometimes too much of a good thing is too much. 

This lazy one-year-old is still not walking, but he does love sitting on one knee with the other leg up.

I thought it was so funny! And his catatonic reaching for the tv. 🤣

Ain’t D helping out. 

We always have fun together. Nothing crazy, just walks and talks and games and cuddles. 

And snackies. He’s not quite ready for Mimi’s snack surprise yet, but he’ll get there. 

He’s just a tender babe that loves his mama. 

Living 6 hours away isn’t exactly close, but it’s close enough and we’re grateful!

February 1st, the one with the release

Matt and I met with President Boyd in December for my formal release. We talked about my service and our family and our experiences and it was very special. It’s been a neat experience working so closely with stakeholders leadership. Monthly stewardship interviews with the stake president are just not something you are blessed with for much of life, and I didn’t take that for granted. 

We drove up to Bowie and we saw Brenda as we were leaving, so I was able to give her a big hug. Later I got to talk to her and share some ideas for people I wanted and she loved them and now has them as her counselors, so that always feels nice to feel like you gave good counsel.

Then the next morning Nicole Davis, the new stake young women’s president called me to get some ideas. Elizabeth was out of town so hadn’t been formally released and Nicole needed to talk things through, so that was also sweet to share some knowledge of the sisters in the stake with her and soothe her anxious heart a bit.

Stake conference was supposed to be January  24th and 25th, but we got a storm. It was really a bummer because after over a month of knowing i’d be released that day, I just felt really ready to rip the band aid. Postponing just felt like prolonging the limbo. And then President Boyd asked me to give one more talk as the stake relief society President on Saturday night, and then a short testimony on Sunday. I was ready for both, but then Saturday night got cancelled. So then my 15 minute talk had to be condensed to an 8 minute talk and no testimony. It ended up fine, obviously, just you know.

One nice thing is that Alexis and Henry got to come with us, and since I was ready the week before, I wasn’t stressing about my talk at all. I worked on consolidating every day that week and managed to get it down to the newly allotted time. I love giving a talk with the topic being just generally something about Jesus. He’s my favorite and I love the freedom of choosing. And really every time I’ve known exactly the direction Heavenly Father wanted me to go. It’s been very faith affirming. 

So we arrived at the stake center early and Elizabeth pulled Adi and Frankie to be greeters.

And just check out those cool greeter tags! Love them! 

I spoke first, then Elizabeth, and then President Darrow conducted the stake business. I am grateful for such a thoughtful stake presidency. It’s not that I love giving talks, but if they’d have been like, Saturdays cancelled, no need for your talk, that would have felt really unfinished. And I’m grateful President Boyd was even willing to move the meeting order around so Elizabeth and I could speak one more time in our official capacities. Little things that make a big difference. 

And then just like that it was done. 

Lily spoke and did a beautiful job and I really loved President Boyd’s message about the blessings of fasting and then it was a feelings fest with our wonderful stake. So many hugs and kind words and love. Several of my presidents were there and it was just tender and sweet. I really loved that calling, almost from the beginning. It was new and challenging and I felt the Lords guidance so strongly. And it was also among the most difficult years of my life. In my testimony that I shared in my ward the following Sunday I talked about the cute missionary we heard in Alabama talking about the difference between enjoying something and finding joy. I found a lot of joy through serving, and it was at a time that I wasn’t enjoying a lot of things in everyday life. 

Now with a month under my belt, I am so happy I had that opportunity and I’m also so happy to be done. It’s so sweet enjoying slow Sunday mornings and going to church with my crew and then enjoying slow Sunday evenings too. 🤣 I mean, someone’s often got a meeting or visit or something, but it’s good. 

For the months leading up to January my prayer has been just please help me be ready for whatever comes next. I knew it would be a huge adjustment because so much changed while I served in relief society. Just please help me to be humble and prepared and willing. Reshape my heart and help me to trust. I’m ready. ❤️

Snowy

Wild weather up in here. It feels like we’ve had so many weather swings this year! It was warmish a few days ago, but we got several hours of snow yesterday. Nothing on the roads since it’s been so warm, so just a pretty dusting . I’m a fan. 

I talked to Lu for 2 hours while I did my household work. They put an offer on a bigger house that got accepted and are preparing their home for renters and to move. Christian and Jeanne also got their renters to sign a lease and will be leaving Alabama on April 2nd! So many big and exciting things!

I took Frankie to piano then D to dance then ran errands. Target, gas, dollar tree, Harris teeter, and Aldi. Adi and I planned a little more spring break trip, Frankie and I planned a little more 16th  birthday party, D and I planned a little more summer dance, and I planned a little more for my last staff appreciation event before teacher appreciation week. We know how much I love planning. 🤣

Found a new to me picture of our cheerleader. They’re gonna start their new conditioning program after school today and hopefully meet up twice a week. 

Also during our summer dance registering we found this cute pic of D about the A for Caliente. ❤️

February 2nd-3rd

 Alexis finally changed her last name legally, so made a trip up here since she’s still a Maryland resident with all her military moving. That meant we got a weekend with her and our not so sure about us at first baby boy!

They made it here on Delaney’s birthday, so that was fun. Bubba and Jeanne’s gift arrived a few days late - a cd player for one of our 90’s girls that still loves cd’s. 

The groundhog saw his shadow so more winter blah blah. 

The girls went to piano and Johnna sent them home with a pair of new jeans she couldn’t use and I could. I’m a hand-me-down lover!

Alexis left and then I truly felt the let down of allllll the busy-ness and emotions and winter greys and all.the.things. It felt like I had been running since before Thanksgiving and I finally could rest, physically and emotionally. Rest is good. I’m grateful I had time to process and be safe and warm in my little home. 10 years is a long time. I’ve been a relief society President for half my marriage. My girls don’t really remember a time when I wasn’t. It’s been such a huge and blessed part of my life every day for 10 years. I feel so fortunate to have these experiences. It’s so bittersweet. I will miss visiting the wards, working with my presidency, the ward presidents, the other stake relief society presidents, and the stake council. And I’m also pretty excited to be in my ward and with my family. Adi is leaving this year and I’m craving all the time with her. It really feels the way I imagine coming home from a mission would feel. And like, I knew it wouldn’t last forever, and I wouldn’t want it to, but there’s also a sadness because it will never be the same. I can say now that I’m a month out that the sweet is overriding the bitter, but it’s been a process for sure. 

In other news, Laura was visiting Megan in Georgia so Christian and crew drove up to spend time with them. 

I love these people and the special relationships we have. ❤️❤️❤️ They got to hold Katie’s new baby and I’m so jealous!

Also this. 

February 4th-6th

 President Brenda came down on the 4th and I officially passed the baton to her. She stayed a few hours and we talked about all the things. Kitty gave me bags of stuff, but i put most of that into our closet at the stake center. I passed on birthday cards and baby onesies and lifesaver mints and temple hankies. And 5 years worth of collected knowledge. And, I think maybe most importantly, my full confidence that she’s the lady for the job and that I will be cheering her on and supporting her stewardship as she makes decisions and changes and leads. It was wonderful and after I texted with Elizabeth to see how she was doing passing the mantle to Nicole. Having a friend to transition with - 10/10 recommend. And a sweet family scripture power hour in our room.

I love when my dad’s Facebook memories come up. This was when Matt and I were dating and he took us flying over Seattle. He let my dad fly the plane and it was just a fun and social evening, 21+ years ago. 

More of Ruby’s fashion adventure!

I call this one “Ruby is my spirit animal.” I loooove her disgruntled face and wrist roll and snazzy ensemble. 

Delaney found a fun and cute phone case. And because Alli loves yellow so much, our family had lots of yellow phones and iPads. (because we buy her old ones when she trades up)

A very excited Mimi watching a very loving daddy dress up a very precious Ruby!

Ruby’s fashion adventure! I suggested they make her a Facebook #, but they have minds of their own. 

❤️❤️❤️

The young women came to one of Frankie’s games, but the weird 4:39 time made it hard for most of them to come. It was fun to have some of her leaders sharing their love. 

I call this one “Teacher Frankie goes to school!”

The future educators have been going to the different elementary schools talking to the 5th graders. 

Most of the TAM students go to one or two schools, but this week Frankie will hit her fifth. 

She loves going and it was fun to see her picture in the Tech Center newsletter. I sometimes don’t read through the 3 newsletters I get, but I was glad I did this week.