Family and counting blessings

It is such a blessing to have Spencer in his own little spot and being monitored for medical issues. He does better for them going to doctor's appointments. I am happy I have access to his chart and that I can see that I did take him and trouble shoot through his medical problems and that this will need to persist. There is help and my help is still needed and it is somehow fulfilling. He changed housemates and a is looking at getting a new place sometime this year. Growing and becoming more independent is such a neat possibility for him. He has his own little life with friends and caregivers and professionals and we are definitely still in his life. He was so giggly last time we went for a ride after the rain and it was sunny and he enjoyed the time. We did too. I often think on him and what I can do for him and somehow hings come up and I am needed here. Celia even said she likes that her food isn't being stolen by Spencer. Others have needs here in the family and he isn't the only child.

We had malakai for a while, but it is nice to get back to me taking Celia to school and back and spending that quality and quantity of time together again. She is cute learning about snapchat and keeping me in the loop on who her favorite youtubers are and the latest on her earnables. Hatchimals, arts stuff, amibos and webkin cards. She is turning into a mini Emmy too. It feels like history is repeating itself with another daughter, and it makes me stop and enjoy because I know these years fly by.

Joe is having more time with his friends and finally getting some school work started, phew. It could be the threat of not coming to Hawaii that spurred some interest, but we will take the work none the less. He has come to young men's and church more which I appreciate. We have fun going to get drinks and eating out together. Bri had a late meeting today, so we three went out the breakfast. I love our family time together and it wasn't even play games. We have been a little sick this month, but I am hoping for better health just as we are seeing better weather around here. i saw blossoms today already and a few days we have seen 70 degrees. I counting my blessings and working hard to keep all that is important to us going well.

Month by Month

The past month has been good and challenging. I think that is going to be the theme of 2019. I sure loved having Emmy in town for three weeks. We all did. When I asked Celia what was her favorite part of Emmy coming to town, she said Emmy. Just everything about her and being here.  Christmas was great and Christmas Eve before hand with the grandparents and steak was good too. On Christmas Spence opened his gifts in the van, his favorite place, and we all got to see him at once and we loved his smiles.

 Spence spent a few nights in the hospital after Christmas, but it was such a joy to come and help him get released. We are creating a new relationship together, He was snugly and smiley, yet gave eyebrows when I spoke of going home. The step home and his people are normal for him now and I get to be His mom to visit with. I love that he has a life he is calm and comfortable with and I hope he can take that good attitude through more transitions this year.

Emmy is off to start her transition to work in her field instead of just studying in her field. I think she will do great things and learn a lot and be happy. We had a great "Post Christmas" here with gifts and going out to restaurants, and for car rides and even a visit to the bay area. The sunset and music we were listening to were amazing, yet time together with each other made it the best. Making memories and keeping old traditions really solidifies our family ties.

Bumps in the road or hick ups help with that too. Joe's car gave out on him after the New Year and I had to rescue him at 5 am. We are still trying to revive his new to him vehicle, but  am glad the dealer is working on it. Joe and I are practicing patience and tenacity together at this time. We'll need it for gunning for graduation time this term.  I was happy we got his admittance to BYUI and little pieces of a plan for the next step is coming together. I am still in aw of how the dynamic of the family can change as the children get older and move out.  Good thing Celia has a few more years. I'm sure I'll shift into a new gear and it will be exciting and freeing. Visits from them will be wonderful though.

I keep busy with my calling in Young Women's. We had a fun tacky Christmas pajama party and did a great nativity outing with the youth. I will be mentoring younger and younger youth this year with that and having Malaki over while Celia carpool's with my friend from church. I have been cooking a bunch and hosting people for dinner. It was great to have Jason and his girlfriend Robyn here on Thursday. It was a joy to relax and have a great time together. Lots of newness, but I am looking forward to a new year and all the places I'll go and people I'll see and help.

Seeing the snow and feeling Christmasy

What a blessing it was to go to Utah with Brian for a little get away. We had providence wherever we went. I was happy to be moved to the exit isle on the way there. There was so much room for our legs, it made me really happy, not to mention i got to watch a movie I had been wanting to see. We had a great opportunity to upgrade our room to accommodate Emmy visiting with us for the weekend and it made for a lovely stay.  Temple square was gorgeous and we thoroughly enjoyed dinner at the garden room (especially the desserts) and visiting the conference center for a practice of the Tabernacle choir at Temple Square. We walked in on them singing and playing a song from he Messiah. My heart was open and it was a neat experience. I loved seeing from a far the picture I just framed so giant in scope on the wall of the conference center.

I enjoyed seeing the beautiful snow and it was nice having a little bit of warmth on our walks trough the city creek mall. I was happy we could see Henry B Eyring's visual journal at the church history museum as well. He has great talent to elect and portray his memories. I felt inspired and humbled. I know so little and haven't traveled very much, yet we have had so many family memories in our state and surrounding areas with family. I loved the Gordon B. Hinckley display in that area as well. He was so instrumental in making the temple more available to all and my testimony and love of the temple has grown.  We got to see the Payson temple as well as both the Provo temples on this trip.

Provo is finally not covered in construction and its looking a bit more clean and organized. The river woods put on a gorgeous light display and I enjoyed vising all the shops and restaurants we went to up and down the Wasatch front. Some were permanently closed and things were different, but we still had a great experience. Everything seemed more christmasy there to me and I loved my jacket and layers to keep me warm. It is so nice to go and visit elsewhere sometimes to get perspective and to appreciate home. This trip will be a wonderful memory to cherish for quite some time.