Each day is important

September was crazy busy just like the rest of the year so far has been! Good and bad, stress and blessings are layered all over the place. Right after getting back from Hawaii there was the Open House for the Feather River Temple. I loved participating in escorting for that day even though Brian was volunteering on a different 7 hour shift than I was. It is such a gorgeous temple, full of beautiful art of the Savior. We had a wonderful Ward Temple Night with sealings at the Sacramento Temple and refreshements after our worship. I was peased it went so well! Celia had quite a bit of back pain this month and will start physical therapy next month. Many challenges came to Spencer this month. He had no washer and dryer, then no kitchen to speak of due to mold. His swing broke and he had a lot of pain caused by a few different potential health problems. Things have been resolved or have begun to be resolved, but wow that pressure was palpitable. I stepped down from writing for the Auburn Journal, but I am feeling less pressure and finding more happiness in serving the family. I figured out all the right decisions for Celias Senior year and she loved statring her new job as a dog whisperer. We had Murphy over night and it was so fun having him around. Other fun things we did was get Grandpa's new book in the mail. I finished almost in one sitting. I'm glad his work turned out great and that it was a fast read. Im on to the next one now. With all the things going on I forgot about self care and got a terrible jaw pain. It is better now, but I know to take care of myself as well. Emmy and Jordon came to visit for a concert week and general conference and of course Brian's birthday, phew! We played games and visited Yuba County a lot. It was so fun and many good memories were made. I especially liked The Killers concert. It was the best I've ever been to and and I am hooked! I'll be reviewing the set list and making a spotify playlist to remember all that went on there. There are always hiccup and concerns, but I am glad to have an eternal perspective and asavior to lean on. I have hope that all will be well as we navigate this pivitol time in my family's lives.

Beginning of a year, end of a semester.

After the Holidays, I packed up Christmas and Celia and I worked on her semester end. It was so much work and Celia worked like a trooper. We had an extension of time. This was a godsend, a tendy mercy, or relief. many great gains were made. Because of the extra time, moving back to in person school wasn't made a viable option to the disdain of Celiabear. She wants friends and daily interaction with kids her age. She earned getting her hair cut and colored. I felt like her extra time working hard paved the way for success with so many B's and and A. I was glad the boys (Joseph and Patrick) were coming around, even to the house. Celia had some other friends from Westpark High School over here as well. With the big push to finish and all the excitement with friends, there has been a little bit of burnout. During this busy tme, Im still writing for the Auburn Journal and going to Admin meetings for the Demonstration Garden at Loomis Library. I attended book group and have been doing so much for Master Gardeners that I've logged 100 total hours, which should earn me a busy bee pin. All these busy days are a shift in things we do, but I feel there is significant growth in Celia and I. I can't forget Spencer. There were two spcialize dentist appointments and a Quartely meeting for him in January. He has quite a few changes going on in his world, but is supported and is so smart. He finds ways to get himself more groceries and popsicles by demanding a second ride to the store and refusing to eat the normal Little Ceasars Pizza we order for him. January did not fly by, but much was accomplished. We also had three weeks of significant weather. Raining and flooding were abounding. I feel fortunate that our home and property remained in tact. Im hoping for a wonderful February getting into the groove of things and healing up any wounds that needs to be bound, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Not too bad of an April

Even though celebrations can be stressful, It was nice having so much family time and celebrations this month. Joseph turned 19 years old right after a spirit filled General Conference. We got him insurance so he was happy to get out a little for soda runs and help me with my job getting groceries for Spencer.  We have been so productive this month as well.

Emmy came to visit onthe 7th and we reorganized two bedrooms and closets. Emmy found enough space for her stuff she keeps here to fit in the cupboard under the stairs( or full bed) we have in the guest room. Joe like a gentleman let Emmy stay in his new room for the entire time she was visiting. (21/2 weeks)

We loved Easter and had our fill of candy, eating steak, and being outside in the backyard. We enjoyed the Sabbath at home and bearing our testimonies to each other.  The schedules each day were layed out for Celia and I and we did excercise, art, chilling and a lot of reading for class.These classic books are cornell notes for them are no joke! Emmy played the guitar for real and guitar hero and she sketched my garden on the side of the house. And if that wasn't enough we went for walks around the neighborhood and in nature. We saw the golden hour and sunsets together and celebrated two more birthdays.

 Emmy and I did DYI ballon swags and had many yummy cupcakes and cakes from various stores. We did pickup at our favorite resturants this month as well. I heart teriaki, CJF's and of course Little Caesers. For Celias birthday we even hit Boudin's since mom needed a break and we had gift cards for there. Most of the time we have been home cleaning and playing games and doing a lot of school work. Joe started Spring semeester remotely at BYUI, Emmy continued her grad program and work in research which inclueded a lot of Zoom meetings while she was here and work training videos. Emmy and I set up school videos at Spence's house for him and we zoomed a few meetings for Celia. Celia does zoom each friday for homework passes in math and socratic deisscusion weekly for humanties. We are getting in the groove of using more technology to socail distance and have been enduring fairly well. Some days I feel really down, but for the most part, it has been better days and beauty in the home and in the community.I have loved going out to get groceries and seeing people I know even if it just a wave from a far, I need that interaction with others.

I had my mom make masks for Brian\s workers and the comminutity of quiters she knows helped fill a tall order of 25 masks. I gave one to my minsteree family as her husband is high risk, and I love that my mom made cute doggie ones for the granddaughters. We use our masks and wear gloves when going out. We are really trying to help out and stay safe.

Spence doesn't go out with his people since he is high risk and he is homebound, but what a blessing that he has been happy there. It is a gift from our heavenly father that he isn't freakingout during this time of change. I told him yesterday on his birthday that he isn't going back to school and that he is graduated and is too old for school now, and he just smiled and giggled. We went and took him for a long ride in the mountains on his birthday. We went through grass valley and took hiway 20  to smartsville and down through a bunch of meadows to Linda. It was nice to stop for a pit stop off at Brian's work and then went our way.

I feel grateful to have so many family members in town and nearby, to have so many friendly and home like places to stop at and to shelter in if needed. Our home is open and spacious and if we have to be confined, it it best to be where we are comfortable. It may been for a while that we are like this, but I am trying to take it slow and enjoy all the good things in life, remembering to self care and to reach out to all those who I care about who would need or want my help at this trying time.