Spring has Sprung and its been Busy~

April has been fun filled and is going by fast. I love how Joe had a natural birthday get together. His friends just congregated and then I saw that and went and got Pizza. Joe got his Oreo ice cream cake he wanted and had a trip to Albuquerque to visit the family and Grandma Jean for her 97th Birthday.. He will have so many vacations by the end of summer. He went to Boise to visit Josh with his Friends Jake and Ethan. I'm glad they learned about driving far distances, the snow and how life works in far out areas like Idaho.~ Emmy got to come home for Easter and Celia's Birthday which was fun. We picked her up from the Oakland Airport and enjoy the ride to get her which made her cancelled flight much more bearable. For Celia's Birthday we wen to the mall and had the steak meal and made it tot he arcade. Joe and I had a lot of fun on the Jurassic park game and Celia and Joe both got first place one some racing game. I guess making the leader board at an arcade is what happens when you'r kids grow up gaming and playing board games wit h the family too. Celia really wanted to swim on her Birthday too, so we went to Grandmas. It was cold in the water, but 90 degrees outside, I even got to sunbath which was a dream come true. It is so relaxing for me to  n nature and feel the sun on my skin. I guess that is from when I grew up in L.A. Some things don't change. I'm glad Emmy comes with me to stuff and enjoys socializing too. Her and I went and got Spencer some gifts for his Birthday as he has a big one this week! So proud of him and all his growth out of the home.
 Much more is to come and I am trying to be hopeful and faithful for a another transition in life for him.

March Madness

I can't believe things are progressing for Spencer's growth and for his Independence. He had another procedure checking out his GI and overall health. He was so patient and happy and willing to endure well, the things asked of him. I love him so much and am so proud of how he communicates non verbally that people can't help but announce how sweet he is. He changes everyone he comes in contact with for the better. It is so nice to support him through his hard times, He is so worth any care and special time and effort given to him. I'm looking forward to a good meeting tomorrow for taking the next steps for him to be moving into his own Duplex soon.

The weather had been rainy and bad and now we have seen the sun shining a while and it is a wonderful reprieve. I love all the blossoms on the trees around town. Joe and Celia are collecting Pokemon on and playing the game together. Brian and I are getting a lot of car rides in with each of the kids around here separately. We are liking our dollar tree runs for Pokemon cards and little chances to go out to eat and spend time together. I can't believe Joe will be 18 very soon. I go thim a few dapper clothes and can't wait for him to wear them to church and anywhere else he may need to dress up for. 

 Emmy was accepted into Graduate school .BYU Special Education We are so proud of her. It was no easy feat to interview and prepare and work in all the fields and places necessary to be admitted Next month will bring gradations and trips all around. It will be another busy month, but family time together will be a high priority and such a joy.

February Festivities

Plans change and weather is in the way sometimes. We have had a lot of rain on and off, but also some lovely sunshine and beautiful clouds. I like to focus on the beautiful green grass around town and the trees blossoming in with their white and pink fluffy flowers. While on a car side with Spence, I felt like a good alternative to going to Utah for Uncle John's daughter's wedding would be to have a valentine dinner at the Zinfandel grill in fair oaks. I'm glad I had this idea because it turned out to be a lovely time. I went to visit Spence as school for valentine's day and had a cupcake with him. He like to see me then he seemed over it and smiled when i left. It is hard to switch gears and I'm so glad we are changing our relationship and seeing him for a few minutes was just fine. No car ride, but yet he knew I cared and he could move on with his daily routine at school.  The grandparents, Joe and I had the most delicious food and  were happy to have Joe drive us to dinner with a break in the rain.  We stopped by Ettores bakery and visited a consignment store nearby. these are kind of our things and the boys were good sports. Brian and Celia had a daddy daughter date to In n out and target where Celia got her new favorite electronic toy that she couldn't live with out. All these pet wannabes, I may have to break down and let her have a dog or cat sometime.  I felt like spreading the love yesterday.  We played love letter with Bri and my folks and had a lot of chocolate covered strawberries. I hope all my friends and family know they have me as a valentine! I sent Emmy a package and we greatly missed her. I feel so grateful for all my loves and want the best for each of them. I pray and am concerned for my neighbor. I try to smile at folks I pass while walking and the mall and it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Prefect for enduring this wintery time of year.~

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.