Date with my favorite girl

This morning after Joey and I got home, Harlee told me that she had no plans for tonight since Ari had plans already and Nicci had to work.  I asked her if she would want to go see a movie with me.  Joey does not love to go to the movies so he fully supported me taking Har.  We decided to go see a movie called "A Man Called Otto".  Besides the guy chomping his popcorn right next to me, it was amazing.  The movie was so good and made both of us cry.  After the movie we went and got Smart cookies.  Pretty perfect night.  I am so grateful to have a daughter that is also one of my best friends.  

21 Years

On Wednesday we celebrated 21 years of marriage!  It is hard to believe that it has been 21 years but at the same time it seems like we have been together forever.  I love Joey so much and feel so so lucky to be his wife.  We have been blessed with the most beautiful family and the most amazing life.  I am so thankful that Heavenly Father lead me to Joey.  To celebrate we went to the Aplenglobe's this morning for breakfast.  It was so pretty to eat in the warm globe and enjoy the company of my best friend.  Here's to an eternity of making memories together.  

Another week in Paterson

It was so amazing to get to message and talk to Luke again today.  It feels like the longest days in between each call.  Once I hear his voice and can tell he is happy, I feel peace again.  It was so amazing to chat with him.  He updated us on his investigator Bunny and her grandson.  She is loving the gospel and making her way towards baptism.  Luke is so excited.  He has completely thrown himself into missionary work and it is beautiful to watch.  He is doing hard things and growing so much.  I am so beyond proud of him.  Here's to another great week!

Nicklecade and Taco Amigo

Because it was Martin Luther King Day, the kids did not have school and Joey was off from work.  We were going to go to TopGolf but it was super snowy.  Joey gave us a whole dissertation on white balls on white snow.  It was a thing!  So we decided to do something fun that was inside.  We went to the Nicklecade in Orem.  The kids had a lot of fun playing games and earning tickets for prizes.  After the fun, we stopped at Cafe Rio to grab lunch for Har and I then we all went to Taco Amigo to eat.  It was so fun to have a little family time before getting back to the grind with swim practice and dance.

She's employed

Today Harlee had her first job interview at Viewpoint.  She was applying to follow in Luke's footsteps and be a sweeper.  The interview went well and she got the job!  She starts on Tuesday.  She will work Tuesday through Friday from 3-7pm.  Those will be long days for her but I am so proud of her for choosing to work hard.  She will be the prettiest sweeper I know!

First week in NJ

It was so good to chat with Elder Childs today!   He is doing so good.  He really likes his trainer Elder Mower.  He has been thrown into the work and is loving it.  I am not loving the fact that he is in a super scary area but I know that he will be protected.  He is one of the few walking missions so he does not have a car.  The elders may be some of the only white people in the area.  Definitely an answer to prayers that he is doing so well.  Love him so much!

Harlee is 16

Happy Birthday Har!  Cannot believe that you are 16.  What an amazing young lady you are!  Harlee started her day by skipping school, getting her driver's license, and having a little conversation with our favorite missionary.  Then Harlee and I went to get facials at Sanctuary spa.  It was kind of amazing.  After a little relaxation we went to Olive Garden for lunch.  Minus the waiter's body odor and his desire to stare at Harlee, it was great.  I just love spending time with her.  When we got home she drove for the first time by herself to show Nicci her car.  After dinner she opened presents  and we had her dessert of choice, krispie kreme donuts.  We ended her birthday chatting with Elder Childs.  Hope you had an amazing day!

She is a licensed driver

Harlee took road the week that Luke left on his mission.  At the end of the road course she had her driver's test and she PASSED!  This morning on her birthday, we went to the DMV where she took a picture and an eye test before being given her temporary license.  It is kind of unfair how beautiful her picture looks!  So proud of our new driver.  The BMW is now hers.

A Little Surprise

Har's sixteenth birthday is coming up on Monday.  I worked with Ari to do a little surprise get together for her.  I know Har and she would hate a big party so this was more what she would want.  Ari invited her friends and then also invited her new friends that she met at the Benson Boone concert.  Her usual friend group all had other commitments but her new friends all came.  Ari had asked Har to go to Swig and while they were gone, her friends showed up.  They went to hide in the basement.  When Ari and Har came in they sat down to chat with me.  I asked Har to do me a favor and go down in the basement and grab me a drink.  I thought this was a great idea until I remembered I had a ton of snacks on the ottoman down there.  Ari said "They're all for you!"  So funny and so awkward.  They went into the kitchen down there and the friends were hiding in the game room.  They jumped out and yelled surprise.  Har was so excited.  They hung out and the laughter coming from the basement warmed my heart.  Har ended up saying that she was glad that her other friends could not make it so she did not have to mix groups.  I am so glad that Harlee had a great time and felt celebrated.  She is the best.  So grateful that she has such cute friends.

He made it to Jersey

On Tuesday Luke had a long day of travel.  Joey and I were nervous wrecks and actually set our alarms for 2:45am on Tuesday so we could text Luke and make sure he was up.  He had to be at the travel office at 3:30am.  They flew to Chicago where they were supposed to have less than an hour of a layover before flying to NJ.  I was super nervous that they were not going to make it.  Well my nerves were right- the flight from Salt Lake left an hour late so they did miss their flight.  Thankfully 11 of the 14 missionaries traveling together were sisters.  They were able to work it out for all of them to get on the 8:45pm flight.  They had 7 hours to hang out at the airport which was probably pretty nice since they have been on such a busy schedule at the MTC.  Luke was especially happy to have McDonalds for lunch and dinner.  The the last thing I had heard that night was that the flight was on time.  Yesterday Luke sent me a message saying that he was good but could no longer message me.  I am so proud of him for following the rules but I seriously felt like he was breaking up with me.  Today the mission president sent us a letter and a picture.  He let us know that Luke had made it there and that he would be serving in Paterson NJ. I should not have googled the area because it looks super sketchy.  Definitely going to be leaning on the inspiration I received in the temple.  There was a picture of his trainer.  He doesn't really look like Luke's type but hopefully he is cool.  He sent a picture of the 22 missionaries that arrived on Tuesday.  I am so excited for Luke- he is doing this!  Can't wait to talk to him on Monday. Only 4 more days.

See ya 2022

Another year has come and gone.  I cannot believe that we will be starting 2023.  2022 was another great year.  Here is a little update on everyone:

Luke-  This was a big year for Luke.  He worked hard to graduate and then was promoted at his job to head sweeper.  He got a raise to over $17 an hour.  So amazing.  He got his mission call in August took the given four months to prepare.  He said goodbye to four of his close friends as they left on their missions: Callin left first to Maryland, Garret left next to England, then Mac went to the Philippians, then Tyson to Chicago.  They got through by having a call every Monday.  Luke left on his mission a couple of weeks ago and PJ was the only one still home.  Just a couple of days ago, PJ announced to his friends that he is going to put his papers in.  Such amazing friends.  I miss Luke so much it hurts but I look forward to watching him grow.  He is off doing a little good and will be so blessed for it.

Harlee-  Harlee had a great year in 2022.  She finished junior high school and started high school.  She was moved up to a higher dance class and she is loving it.  I love watching her dance- she truly lights up the stage.  She has become really good friends with Ari and they spend a lot of time together.  They are such cute friends and I love that they have each other.  The biggest thing for Har this year is she got to go to the Benson Boone concert.  It was amazing as her mom to live this moment with her.  I am so grateful for Har and for our relationship.  She is truly a gift to me.  

Nash- This was a wonderful year for Nash.  He finished up his first year in junior high and then moved to the eighth grade- no longer a sevie!  Nash managed to get straight A's every term in seventh grade and so far both terms of eighth grade.  AMAZING!  Nash worries way more about his grades than I do which is nice to take something off of my plate.  Nash has such a great group of friends: Dylan, Tracen, Gabriel, and Tanner.  He actually got to go on a family camping trip with Gabriel and his family this year.  This year Nash has been serving as the second counselor in the teachers.  He is also still swimming and works hard at that five days a week.  He makes me so proud.

Gray- Gray had a great year also.  He finished up his sixth grade year and moved on to junior high.  He did amazing his first two terms of junior high- straight A's first term and then all A's and one B+ the second term.  Amazing!  Gray has wonderful friends that helped make the transition to junior high so much easier.  His closest friend is Sam but he is also close with Erik, Andrew, and Easton.  Gray has also continued to do swim and has become such an amazing swimmer.  He actually made state for the 50 back a couple of weeks ago.  He will compete in the state competition in 2023.  Gray has continued to include Tag in so many of his friend hang outs and is such an example to him.  Gray is such an amazing brother

Tag- This was a big year for Tag.  He finished up his fourth grade year and started fifth grade.  He has an amazing teacher named Mrs. Hurst.  He has so many friends at the school- our neighbor Jack Blood was telling his mom that Tag is the most popular kid in school.  I am so glad that he loves school and the kids love him.  He was discharged from ABI because he masters every goal he is given.  Tag is doing great in all subjects.  He loves playing video games and going swimming at the indoor pool.  Tag is our healthy dose of reality and honesty.  I really do not know what we would do without him.

Joey and Jamie- This was a good year for both of us.  Joey's job has been crazy busy which is pretty opposite of what my job has been like this year.  Not the best time to be in the mortgage business but we know it will someday improve.  Joey and I were the building cleaners for the first 9 months of the year.  Then Joey was called to be an Elder Quorum instructor and I was called to be a YW specialist.  We got to go to five concerts this year which are by far my favorite dates!  I think that we both agree that Charles Wesley Godwin was our favorite for the year.  We also had to go through one of the hardest things together- saying goodbye for two years to one of our favorites.  It has been such a blessing to be able to lean on each other knowing exactly how the other one feels.  I really don't know if I could get through it without my best friend.  We are looking forward to another amazing year surrounded by our favorite people and our Monday calls.