April in Utah

I spent many days in April In Utah. I love that our little family went to Visit Joseph for his birthday. We drove through the night which helped curb some winter weather, but we proved that we were young again and can have fun on only a few hours of sleep. Joe got a phone for his birthday and I loved seeing how excited he was about as it was a surprise to go and pick one out. I was surprised there was $200 difference between the two t-mobile stores for the same phone, but we weren't complaining. The kids and I went to a store nearby to check on getting a case and it snowed on us. I haven't had that experience in quite sometime, so it was a little magical. Cold, but magical. We had a great evening and enjoyed soo much brazillian BBQ and met up with Maddie and Kieran. They came back to the house and we played games toegther late into the night. It was greeat family time and we were making wonderful memories. Well, just a couple weeks later Celia and I were back in Utah with my sister and folks. We got to go to a wedding, see Kieran in concert, have more game nights and shoppoing fun. The weather was wild again and I did get hailed on going into Target, but over all spending time together was amazing. It is hard that half of my kids live so far away, but visiting them and them visiting us makes it all worth it. Celia had a great 18th birthday party at home then got to celebrate with everyone in Utah as well. Emmy decorated a Hello Kitty cake that turned out so good! They all know and love Celia so much, it makes me happy!

Learning to make it through

Someimes investigation is needed. I wondered how I could have an extremely itchy and burning part of one portion of my back on one side. For weeks I was trying to figure it out. After seeing a dermatologist, my results were conclusive. I do have a nerve that got pinched. Thankfully, I have resources that have helped relive the discomfort. There seemed to be one thing after another this month, but It gave me the appreciation for times when things are little more straight forward. I've found reserach and thinking about what has been true in my experience and pray have seemed to help find lost things, diagnoss sickness for Celia, as well and know how to proceed. Prevention and routines help, but if that can't be done then thinking on what is normal for me or the things that bother me physically.Then generally, I can come up with ways to exsist. I feel grateful for Brian's support through all this as well. I will say going out each weekend and now sometimes on Tuesdays for date night has helped in keeping me happy as things have been different or more complicated. Spencer's washer is out of commission again, but we have a system down to help get things cleaned for him while we wait fdor warranty parts. I've been reading so much with two book groups, it is so nice to keep thinking and seeing perspectives and its so funto be social and go out and talk about the books with friends.

Getting in to the groove

February came and went. As soon as school gets going, it seems we have so many things lined up surrounding Celia. She and I went to the musical High School Musical at the Harris theatre in Folsom and it was during a roll of activities. We broke up our schooling also with heading to Monterey with Brian. We stayed in between Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz. We loved seeing thebeaches a long the coast and eating at Pizza my Heart and of course on Cannery Row. THe aquarium was beautiful as always and we experienced the 17 mile drive in windy weather. The ocean was impressive with strong high waves and color. Capitola was a first for us and it was soo cute. We got out and walked and I fell in love all over again with the coast. Yes, Id love to be there as much as possible, but it is good to be in Roseville where we can have inland weather most of the time and be close to Spencer! I will go back in late May to that areaa, so its fine. Celia got a beautiful dress, it was so nice to see how happy she was about it. It reminded me of her pink princess dress she wore all the time for years to every Father Daughter Dance at Junction Elementary and to church every week. Celia was able to go to Winter formal. Celia really does love her fancy dresses. We'll see if she gets another chance to wear it.For Valentines day time, I got red roses from Bria nd we went out to pizza with the jones, They've shown us a new spot that is fantastic.I got to go have crepes for galentines day and hang out with friends all month. Even though things look like they've been rainbows and roses, I've been battling teeth and back stuff, but I feel supported and blessed beyond measure. I feel like out of these struggles, I will be stronger and more prepared for the future. I'm not out of the woods yet, but I feel healing in my life and its exciting.

I felt a visit was coming

When the holidays were winding down, I told Emmy that I was sure I'd be coming to visit her in Utah sometime soon. Little did I know, I was right. Unfornately, a fryend of mine and her husband lost both their mothers in a matter of a month. I felt the need to go and comfort in person and was asked to attend a celebration of life. Having a few days before the funeral, I was excited to hang out and be in Utah with the youth adults I call my own. Times worked out when Joe was just getting off of work as I made into SLC. We went to lunch together. It wasn't cold and the sun was shining. It was so fun to travel easily to Utah and have drivers around. A bunch of us went to see Kieran in Provo as he played live music at a Hawaii themed burger joint named "Seven Brothers". The whole weekend was filled with great quality time, comfort and fun with my kids who are growing up so fast. The Loveland Living plant aquarium was pretty cool. Ever since I heard that the large structure in front of the aquarium was U2 concert stage once, I was intrigued and wanted to visit there. The South American area was impressive witht he climate control, giant fish and piranas. The penguins and sharks were a highlight as well. I plan on seeing a few more aquariums in the next few months and I'm so excited. In the beginning of the year, it fun to fill my calaendar with little visits to places. Every time that I'm with the kids and the nehoews adnd exploring, I'm pretty happy. Heres to a fun filled New Year!

So far, its Fair

This month started off slow, but then got so much going so quickly. In preparation for Joe heading back to Utah, the guys fixed his windshield wiper container. I watched supervisingly as they worked so well together Father/ Son style. All was ready and the ride back went well. The day after he left things got real. Celia's bf broke up with her, I caught my ankle and recieved a cut and all the mishaps insued. The frolicking season was over and it was time for school. Celia did finish off well and got such great grades. I remembered that there is opposition in all things, so all the opposition feels like its meant for growth. I was asked to photograph a friend's daught for her missionary farewell and it was a creative distraction. We went to the dentist a lot and I played pickle ball a bit. I cant complain as the wonderful routine that has been in my life. Ward Temple Night is always good and I even got to teach family history and temple prep to the 12-13 year old young women. We got to visit the grandparents with Spence and had dinner at Rah Rah and Papa's. The rain and snow are visiting pur families a bit, but the sun bursting through the clouds makes it all worth is andn help remind me that all is well and I am fortunate. January feels like a Monday, but yes there are other days of the week to come. I will learn and grow now to enjoy more later. Celia has been pulling weeds for me and they are easier to pull now and Spring will be quite fulfilling. I can't help but think of all the paralells in life and that brings me joy.