Weekend in SG

 On Saturday morning we drove down to SG to spend two days in our favorite place.  We were a little bummed to show up and the pool was green but we still made the best of it.  We arrived around 11am on Saturday and went to Porkbellys for lunch.  It for sure did not disappoint.  Then I took the kids to the rec center pool for a bit since the we could not swim in our own pool.  After swimming, Joey and I went to Costco to grab pizza for dinner.  After dinner, I took Harlee shopping.  We went to Ross and then to the mall.  I seriously love spending time with her.  We then just relaxed while Joey took the boys to play pickleball.  It was a great day!  Sunday we slept in and then just relaxed most of the day.  We got the basement kitchen all cleaned up and ready for the countertops to be installed on Tuesday.  Har, Nash, Joey, and I went to dinner at Chilis.  Joey then surprised me and took me to Arctic Circle for a huckleberry shake- my favorite! Har and I then ran over to visit Tammy for a bit.  So good to see her.  We cleaned up a bit and then went to bed.  We woke up early this morning to make our way home.  Short trip but so much fun.  Love spending time with my family.

Me, Joe, and Gregory

Today is the day and we were so excited.  Joey got home a little early and we went to Goodwood for dinner.  Then we made our way to the Gregory Alan Isakov concert at the Eccles Theater.  It was so amazing.  I joked that this venue is for old people because everyone stays in their seats.  The opener for him was a married couple called Shovel and Rope.  They were super good.  Then our pal Gregory came out and he did not disappoint.  He sang a lot of his new album Appalloosa Bones.  He is just so talented and it was pretty magical.  I love that Joey and I get to enjoy the magic together.  Concerts are my favorite dates!  Pretty much the perfect night.

The week of learning why we fart

Yay for Monday!  I seriously love when we get to chat with Luke.  It is probably the only reason why I get up and go to class so early.  It makes class bearable knowing that we can message in between sets.  So good to hear from him.  He had a great week again which is such a blessing to hear.  He did a ton of work and loved every minute.  He met a guy that said he was Satan.  Interesting!  And then he met a Muslim guy that told him this evil demon thing enters through the mouth and out the rear.  This is the reason why you fart.  What??  Oh the fun experiences he is having.  I miss him so much but I am so proud of him.  He is loving his mission and loving the work.  What more could I ask for!

Finally his turn

Nash has been begging me all summer to let him try driving.  He is studying for his permit test in December- how can that be?  So yesterday, I went to pick him up from mission prep and decided it was time.  We had Joey's truck and Nash was a little nervous.  But he did an amazing job.  Definitely more cautious like Har and less like Luke.  We will need to get some more practice in so that once he gets his permit he is a little ahead of the game.  Stop growing up Nashie!!

Living it up in Orange City

Another week down for our missionary and he is still loving the work.  This week was a little different because Luke's comp, Elder Everton, had to have surgery on a verrucous vein.  His surgery was on Thursday so they spent a few nights at the mission home.  It was fun for Luke to get to know the mission president and his wife a little better.  They hung out and played ticket to ride.  The best part was that the beds were so comfortable.  Luke loved that part.  The rest of the week they worked hard.  I am so glad that Luke is doing so well on his mission.  He is loving this trio and it is such a blessing for him after the last comp that he had. 

Our night with Chuck

 It was finally time for a summer concert.  Concerts are our favorite date nights for sure.  We went to see Charles Wesley Godwin at the Depot.  This is the second time seeing him there and it is crazy the difference that a year can make.  Last year there were maybe 150 people there and tonight the place was packed.  We splurged and paid $70 each for a seat since it is a standing concert.  We are way too old for that!  While everyone stood, we sipped our diet cokes and enjoyed some fries.  Colby Acuff was the opener and he was pretty good.  He performed for about 40 minutes and then Charles came out at 9:15pm.  He put on the best show.  He is amazing.  I loved his stories and how humble he is.  My favorite songs that he did were from his upcoming album: Minor Imperfections that he wrote for his Dad and All Again.  It was such good show and so grateful to enjoy it with my best friend.  

First Day of School 2023

I cannot believe the summer is over already.  Truly the fastest summer ever.  I remember at the beginning of summer telling my friend Jackie on a walk that the only good thing about the summer being over would be that Luke would have hit the 8 month mark on his mission.  Well he did four days ago.  Time is flying!  Here is to a great year for our cute kiddos.  Harlee is going into her junior year, Nash is in the 9th grade, Gray is in the 8th grade, and Tag is in the 6th grade.  Praying this is the best year yet.  So blessed to get to be the mom to these amazing ones.

Great Day for Elder Childs and for me

When we chatted with Luke on Monday he told us that Elder Johns was already back visiting in NJ with his parents.  He was so excited because he was going to go to lunch with him on Tuesday.  Today I got the sweetest text from Elder Johns mom.  She said, "Hi my name is Lori.  My son Spencer Johns returned from the NJMM about 6 weeks ago, and we came back to visit and see his mission.  We met some other elders today and your son was one of them.  Such a great young man!"  She then responded to my text by saying, "I know Spencer thinks the world of your son too!  I can see that they are both kind and hilarious young men.  We just thought Luke was awesome!  He looks like he is just thriving!".  This totally made my day.  I love that Luke is making friends that will be friends forever.  Such an amazing missionary and such a blessing to me.

Loving the mission and serving in Orange City

Yay it is Monday!  I seriously love when I get to chat with my missionary.  Luke was not in the mood to write and email today but I am so glad that he did.  He writes a recap of each day of his mission and I know that he will be so grateful that he took the time to do this.  He will seriously have a journal of each day of his mission.  Such a blessing!  This week was full of highs and lows for Luke.  They had a baptism for Desmond.  What an amazing blessing to help bring others to Christ.  The low for the week was that Gerry passed away.  Gerry was such a blessing in Luke's missionary work.  It was amazing for Luke to watch him give his life to Christ and become so prepared to work on the other side.  He was baptized last September and the strides he made in less than a year were amazing. He received both the Aaronic and Melchezidek priesthood, he received his patriarchal blessing, served as ward mission leader, took out his endowments, repaired his relationship with his daughter, and spent everyday loving and serving the missionaries.  What a great example.  I know that Luke will see him again and it will be a beautiful reunion.  

Our day with the Virginia Lovelace's

Jeremy's family planned to come to Utah for a family reunion backpacking trip with Steph's family.  They camped last week and then had a few more days in Utah before heading back.  We were able to meet this afternoon at South Fork park in Provo Canyon.  When they pulled up it was so crazy to see how old all of their kids look.  We sat around and talked for a few hours.  It was so good to catch up and for the kids to spend a little time with their cousins.  I sure love their family.  Jeremy and I have always been super close.  He is a safe space for me and such an example.  So grateful we got to spend some time with them.  Love his family.