Collin didn't want to do 8th grade tackle football at ALA but we basically made him. It didn't seem like just doing it only one year was enough of a chance. They had camp the first week of January. They practiced very early in the morning before school every weekday. It was cold and dark and often had icy grass to practice on. I was proud of him for sticking it out. Unfortunately the coaches are turds and treat 7th and 8th grade football like varsity and only play their top guys. No chance for anyone else to learn or have a chance. It's really too bad because Collin had potential but no one likes riding the bench.
Collin was ordained a teacher and Weston a deacon!! So exciting! My boys are growing up. I love watching them learn in the gospel.
Learning how to pass the sacrament!
Teachers taking care of cleaning up after the sacrament.
A date with my girl! Pedicures, Jamba Juice and watching While You Were Sleeping. Gosh I'm so glad I have a daughter!
I got a new car! We didn't like the media system in the other one. The TV screens on the back of the seats were annoying and didn't work right. The problem with this new one though is they didn't make it with a 360 camera!! Or side mirrors that fold in. First world problems but I was so frustrated!
For Christmas, Grandma and Grandpa gave the family a staycation to Great Wolf Lodge!! It turned out so fun! I got the kids out of school a little early on a Friday and we headed over to get the party started! We swam and got dinner then showered and did all the extra activities! They paid for the package that let the kids play on the ropes course, go bowling, get a big cup of candy at the candy store, play in the arcade, do the "quest" with the magical wands that make pictures or items move or make noise and do the maze of mirrors. Tanner and Della both ran smack into mirrors. I'm so glad no teeth or noses were broken! After we got the kids in bed, us adults had a late night in the Goodmans suite. Minus Casey haha. I don't stay up late much these days but I will for my sibs. Christopher and Jael even came into town for this so it was fun to hang with them!
32?!
Weston's first time to do baptisms in the temple was special! I'm sad I didn't take a picture in the temple! He chose Texas Road House for dinner afterward. I love spending time with my kids one on one. Or one on two I guess. ;)
Cardamom bread comes but once a year!
Collin with his sleeping mask is my favorite. Also the fact that it looks like he's sniffing his pitts.
I always have eager brunch helpers on Sunday!
We love having Allie come to church with us! She is the sweetest, most darling girl. Everyone loves her.
Someone had lots of cavities and was very stressed and panicky about getting them filled. Lots of crying.
The homework situation at Leman is intense. We spend 30-60min. every day getting math and reading done. Just needed to document how we spend a good part of our day.
Cannot remember what this cake is all about.
I have always loved to read, but after Tanner was born, I just couldn’t seem to find the time. But my soul ached for it. This past year I made a goal to read 12 books. Roughly one per month. (Ironically, in the fall, a girl in my ward announced her goal of reading 100 books this year which she accomplished by October. That’s fine, I’m fine, everything’s fine.😑😂) On Dec. 29 I realized I had only finished 11, (although Louisa’s journal was soooo longggg and arguably counted as 3 books 🤣) so I spent the last couple days of the year binging Considering the Cross. Olive melted my heart when, every time she saw me reading those last few days, she’d erupt in cheers, “You can do it, Mom! Go, Mom, go!” She was SO excited for me when I finished that book with 7 hours left of 2022.
I enjoyed ALL of them. And even typed up “cheat sheets” about several of them to remember the main principles taught, and have them hanging in my bathroom. My very favorite was Because of the Christ on Calvary by Brad Wilcox. I completely ate this book up and have passages on almost every page highlighted or underlined. So many quotes I could mention, but I’ll just put this one. He was referencing someone who asked, What if I can’t believe? “The answer is: Then hope and desire to believe… To desire to believe does not mean to pretend. It means to open you heart to the possibility of spiritual things, to lay aside skepticism and cynicism.” To take that a step further, the more I learn, the more I realize a logical case can be made for or against every side. So at the end of the day, I choose to believe. I have had spiritual experiences that are testimonies to me, but I can’t reasonably explain away every question or doubt. So I am choosing to act on faith. And the fruits I’ve received as a result have given me so much joy.
I enjoyed ALL of them. And even typed up “cheat sheets” about several of them to remember the main principles taught, and have them hanging in my bathroom. My very favorite was Because of the Christ on Calvary by Brad Wilcox. I completely ate this book up and have passages on almost every page highlighted or underlined. So many quotes I could mention, but I’ll just put this one. He was referencing someone who asked, What if I can’t believe? “The answer is: Then hope and desire to believe… To desire to believe does not mean to pretend. It means to open you heart to the possibility of spiritual things, to lay aside skepticism and cynicism.” To take that a step further, the more I learn, the more I realize a logical case can be made for or against every side. So at the end of the day, I choose to believe. I have had spiritual experiences that are testimonies to me, but I can’t reasonably explain away every question or doubt. So I am choosing to act on faith. And the fruits I’ve received as a result have given me so much joy.
OK. Walker Hayes and Craig Cooper’s book… Glad You’re Here!! GO OUT AND BUY THIS BOOK!! It is so honest and refreshing!! I fell in love with Walker’s song, “Craig” last year. I know every word and can’t hear it without getting tears in my eyes. To me the chorus is about being the kind of person who, when people know you, they come closer to Christ. It is my goal and life’s mission. I was so inspired by Craig and his genuine friendship to Walker and love of God. There are AMAZING people everywhere!! In every religion. In every place. These are the kinds of stories I can’t get enough of. Shout out to Marcie, who tole me about the song and book!
Better Than Happy… Jody Moore… need I say more?! I’ve gathered from various conversations with people that you are either a fan of “coaching” or you are a skeptic.. maybe even an eye roller. But can I just plead with you to give it a chance?!!! It is honest to goodness life changing! A completely different way to look at relationships, life, problems, etc. Bottom line: our thoughts dictate our feelings and emotions and we are in control of those thoughts! When I first started listening to her podcast, I had to baby step it because it hurt my brain. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around so much of it. I’m still learning line upon line, but it’s getting easier and I swear to you, I am happier now that I was in the past. This book was wonderful! Highly recommend!
Better Than Happy… Jody Moore… need I say more?! I’ve gathered from various conversations with people that you are either a fan of “coaching” or you are a skeptic.. maybe even an eye roller. But can I just plead with you to give it a chance?!!! It is honest to goodness life changing! A completely different way to look at relationships, life, problems, etc. Bottom line: our thoughts dictate our feelings and emotions and we are in control of those thoughts! When I first started listening to her podcast, I had to baby step it because it hurt my brain. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around so much of it. I’m still learning line upon line, but it’s getting easier and I swear to you, I am happier now that I was in the past. This book was wonderful! Highly recommend!
Maybe by the titles you can gather that I love non-fiction. Particularly self-help and church books. Sure love a good biography or memoir too. But a trusted friend recommended A Place For Us, so I was all in. I cannot begin to describe the nuanced, intricate tapestry of words that the author produced in this book. She is an artist. It is a labor of love… a SLOW and elaborate building of relationships and ideas. So be prepared for that. My patience struggled some, but I’m so glad I took the time. By the last page, I was absolutely OVERCOME as the Spirit testified to me of a central and important theme: God’s MERCY. He is not a God who stands by with a ruler and iron fist. He gives us commandments out of love. And as a parent, I want to teach the gospel with happiness and love, not fear and anger.
As you can tell, I could talk for hours about books and all of these are winners!! Especially How to Talk so Kids Listen… if you’re a parent, add this to your list! And if anyone wants to sit on my favorite porch swing and talk books with me, come on down!!
As you can tell, I could talk for hours about books and all of these are winners!! Especially How to Talk so Kids Listen… if you’re a parent, add this to your list! And if anyone wants to sit on my favorite porch swing and talk books with me, come on down!!
I volunteered in the snack bar at ALA for the 7th grade football game. It was hoppin'! Two hours flew by. Collin's game was right after and Grandma and Grandpa came to see him!
Sweet Livy Law got baptized! She's two grades under Olive, but they have been good friends.
Another 007 game night in the books. I love having these boys over. They play hard and have a lot of fun together. Lindi got to join Olive for the night too!
Twas the 100th day of school!! These kids are aging right before my eyes!
Lots of nights at the football fields! It's tricky getting him to the various schools and getting Olive to dance. So fun to see my kids in action though. Go #31!
Olive does not like to be home alone with Tanner but she is the cutest babysitter when it has to happen. She's everything she wished her brothers would be for her when they babysit!
ALA only allows plain hoodies or school hoodies. I just thought it was hilarious that my son was busting out my old, college sweatshirt.
It is Grandpa's birthday on January 27th so we gathered at the cemetery to remember him. Leah brought citrus to put on his gravestone. I brought grape juice so we could give him a toast! I really enjoyed being together.
We were able to sneak in a weekend in Gallup to visit the Shaheens! We try to do this once a year and the whole family loves it. The kids play nonstop and us adults talk nonstop. We went sledding at McAffe on Saturday, which always makes my mama heart stop beating a few times, but luckily all spines and skulls made it out ok. As we were preparing to leave, a man had just approached the house looking for Bron. We were literally in our cars about to pull away but Bron got out and we watched him listen to the man and put his arm around him. We found out later that he was coming for help. His girlfriend was in jail and they have a baby together. He was struggling with his own drug problems and knew he couldn't care for the baby so he had decided to put it up for adoption. I didn't even know what the situation was at the time but just watching Bron with that man put tears in my eyes. The Shaheens do SO MUCH good in Gallup. Megan sacrifices so much for Bron to be the stake president. I'm inspired and humbled by their examples. They are making a big difference there.
We rustled up all our snow gear for this trip and as I slipped on my thermal top I noticed something.... two dots. My mom always dotted mine and Shelley's clothes so we could tell them apart. Mine got two dots. Shelley's got one dot. This old, thermal has been in the family for awhile!!!
The kids got pizza and partied Saturday night while us parents had our own night out!
How are these teenagers so olds?!
Lil' Ruby and Olive are the cutest friends!
Biscuits and gravy Saturday morning and coffee cake Sunday morning. This woman can't be stopped!
It was a 5th Sunday combined lesson and the boys all stood up to say the Aaronic theme together. Even though it's been almost 8 years, we still love the Gallup ward so much and had fun seeing familiar faces.
Can you tell they had a good time?! We left after church with full stomachs (thanks to Megan bending over backward to feed us) and happy hearts! So grateful for our lifelong friendship with the Shaheens!
I guess the air track can be used for more than just tumbling. Amazing that nothing got broken.
Marcie wins Aunt of the freakin' Year!! She had all these yahoos over for a sleepover! I guess Lucy was extra talkative and Olive is not the nicest late at night when she wants to go to sleep. Poor Marcie had to referee. I think they all had so much fun though. I don't think it was this particular time, but whenever I think of sleepovers at Marcie's I remember the story of her making pancakes for the kids for breakfast and Olive emphatically telling her, "There is nothing I hate more than pancakes." OY!! Tell us how you really feel, Olive!! And then she scarfed them down and declared Marcie's pancakes to be delicious. What a turkey haha!
