Missionary Monday

I seriously could not wait to chat with Luke this morning!  It is the only reason I get up and go to class at 5am on Mondays.  Luke had another great week- thank goodness!  He had several lessons this week that went well minus a naked daughter on house arrest interrupting one of them.  Yikes!  Oh the things that he is seeing in NJ.  He had stake conference this week and got to see his BFF Elder Brewer.  They gave each other one of their missionary tags.  I teased him that it reminds me of the heart lockets that split in half for best friends.  They are both really hoping that they will get to serve together for Elder Brewer's last transfer but they are not too hopeful.  The mission president told them that they will go where Heavenly Father wants them to go.  I am just going to keep praying that means together.  But if not, I know that they have developed an eternal friendship and will have plenty of opportunities to hang out together.  Maybe they could even go to college together?  Who knows?  Luke also had a moment to commiserate his hard work- he walked a hole in the bottom of his shoe!  So proud of him working so hard.  Here is to another amazing week and one week closer to having him home! 

Carving Pumpkins

Tag has been begging Joey to get pumpkins to carve.  Joey came through on Saturday with four pumpkins for the kids.  They all worked super hard and were so creative.  I love how they all turned out.  Joey and Tag also decorated the porch for Halloween.  It is officially Halloween at the Childs.

Har's Patriarchal Blessing

When Luke had his blessing I told Joey that it was one of the most amazing "parent" moments.  Today was just as amazing.  So special to be there to witness such a beautiful moment in Har's life.  Her blessing was beautiful and so specific to her.  There is no doubt in my mind that those words were spoken from her Heavenly Father.  She was promised so many blessings and told several times that she will have a happy life.  What more could you ask for?  I feel so blessed to be Harlee's mom.  She is truly an example to me in every way.  She continually proves my thought that Heavenly Father sends parents children who are so much further along the path than they are to teach them.  She is truly one of the best!!

Tag's Date

Finally finishing up the last date for 2023!  Today was Tag's turn to have his date.  He was so excited.  We went to Nickel City down in Orem.  We got $30 on the card and he was in heaven.  That got him over two hours of games. He is seriously so good at the games.  He is especially good games that require accuracy.  There is one where you need to stack buildings on top of each other.  They get smaller which each one you stack.  He got 49 out of 50.  So so good.  I love watching him.  After hours of games we went to Holiday so he could get an icee.  Such a fun time.  I love these dates and cannot wait to come up with fun ideas for 2024.

Solar Eclipse

We almost missed the eclipse until Mindi saved the day with a pair of glasses that we could have.  Tag was so excited to see the eclipse.  It was super cool.  Looked like a ring of fire.  The sky got pretty dark right before 10:28 when it was the best part of the eclipse.  We all took turns looking through the glasses.  Harlee thought it was almost worth getting up to see it. 

Missionary Monday

I swear I have a hard time sleeping Sunday night knowing as soon as I get up I will have the opportunity to chat with Luke.  Today did not disappoint.  Luke is doing so good and loving mission life.  He had a great week of finding and teaching.  It is so great for him to see the fruits of his labors.  He also had zone conference and got to see some of his friends.  I love seeing the lifelong friendships he is forming.  He is such a great example to all of us and I am so happy that he chose to serve a mission.

Gray's Date

I am finally getting back to the dates.  It has been a stressful few couple of months with changing companies for work.  I was so excited to take Gray on his date.  We went to Chubby's for lunch and then went to take Gray to do the flowrider.  Lunch was so fun.  I treasure the one on one time that these dates bring.  It was great to chat with Gray and catch up on what is going on in his life.  He is such an amazing kid.  After lunch we went to Provo Beach where he got to do the Flowrider.  Gray has natural athletic ability and only fell the first time trying the board.  After one fall he was surfing.  So impressive!  He had a great time and was only one of five people there so he got to try over and over.  After the flowrider we went to Ike's for icecream.  I'm so grateful for the time we had with Gray today!

My Best Friend's Birthday

How can we be celebrating Joey's 52nd birthday?  I remember celebrating his 30th birthday together less than three weeks before he proposed.  Where has the time gone?  I love any opportunity to celebrate the man who helps make our wonderful life possible.  We ate some Korean beef bulgolgi for dinner and had his requested caramel brownies for dessert.  We also got him a few presents and cards.  I really hope he felt loved and appreciated as he is such a blessing to all of us.  Happy Birthday Old Man.  52 looks great on you! 

School Pictures

Many years ago we started putting the school pictures in frames on the basement wall.  Each year when we update the picture, we take out the others and see the growth over the years.  So fun!  This year, the kids cleaned the basement for Joey's birthday and Har updated the pictures.  She took a picture of each of the kids though out the years.  Cannot believe how much they all have grown.  I am so beyond blessed to get to raise these five beautiful souls.  They teach me, challenge me, and make me a much better version of myself.  I love each of them so much.  

I LOVE Missionary Monday

It was so great to talk with Elder Childs today.  Some weeks are easier than others and this week I just missed him so much this week.  It was so great to hear that he had a great week.  He worked hard this week and was a little bummed because they lost a few of their "friends" that were progressing.  But they did not let this halt their work.  Luke is working hard and I know that they will be blessed for their efforts.  They went out everyday in rough neighborhoods and in the rain.  Such amazing examples.  So proud of Luke and so grateful for his example.

Early Birthday Celebration

Joey's birthday is coming up on Tuesday.   I wanted to do something fun together to celebrate him. No we are not going to Sadie Hawkins suggested by our matching outfits!  We actually went and did something way more fun.  We went to watch Nate Bargateze, a hilarious comedian we love, perform at the Delta Center.  He had two opening acts and they were both super funny.  When Nate came out he did not disappoint.  He was so so funny.  Joey and I laughed the whole time.  After the show, we went to Squatters for dinner.  We shared some amazing fried pickles and the best conversation.  I just love spending time with Joey.  After dinner we drove through Park City and made our way to Erika's cabin.  So nice of her to let us stay.  It was so great to have the whole night together in a beautiful place.  I am so grateful for Harlee being willing to hold down the fort so we can enjoy nights like this.  I am beyond thankful to be married to my best friend.  Joey is so good at taking care of us and it is so nice to be able to do things to help him feel loved and appreciated.  Perfect night with my perfect person.