2022

 It's hard to believe that it is already the year 2022.  So much is happening in my life.  My oldest daughter has moved back to San Antonio and is working at a bank.  She has her cosmetology license, but doesn't want to work in that industry right now.  Jacob left San Diego and has moved back to Utah where he is working as a waiter. He is so good about keeping in touch with Dwight.  Michael is nearing the end of his undergrad studies at BYU and is getting married on May 7th to a very kind woman, Heidi, who he met at BYU after his mission in Argentina.  Johnathon has done awesome on his first year at BYU. He really does the "adulting" thing quite well, which isn't at all a surprise to me.  My youngest daughter is having a strong academic freshman year in high school.  She is so intelligent, but seems to be rethinking the plan to take all advanced placement courses next year in hopes that she can lighten the homework load.  Ryan has had a major year, which you have probably heard about already.

In case you haven't....

In November 2021 Ryan had a T2 to pelvis spinal fusion.  It was a very hard decision to do the surgery and we postponed it for a long time. First, we postponed because it just didn't seem to be the right time to do it. Then the surgeon said it was the right time, but when we fasted and prayed about it, we didn't feel it was the right time.  So, we postponed.  Eventually, it was just the time. It still didn't feel good, but we felt at peace about the decision.   

That's interesting, right?  Interesting how sometimes a decision can still feel really hard, but we can feel at peace with the decision.  

The surgery went really well. He had a tough time with his adrenals after the surgery, but some testing post-op showed that it was just a response to the extreme stress of the surgery.  We are very thankful for that blessing.  He has been healing remarkably well.  We have one area of concern:  the hooks at the top of the spine have pulled away from the spine.  If they stay where they are, it'll be okay.  If they continue to pull away (think of it like a zipper), then he will have to go back in for another surgery.  We are praying that it will stay stable. Well, honestly, I'm actually praying for it to be healed.

This is a tough surgery and it takes a long time to recover from the surgery. He was about to be back in his chair the day following the surgery, but the bones and everything need about 6 months to heal. So, we are not out of the woods and won't be for a few more months.  Honestly though, sometimes with Ryan -- maybe with life -- it just feels like we're always in the woods -- and sometimes the woods are okay, because they're beautiful and serene.

What do I mean by that?  Well, it's hard to feel lost in the woods and to feel like you're wandering around in the woods.  But, I don't feel lost.  I feel like I get to spend lots of time with Ryan, and that time feels special to me, maybe sacred.  And, I feel guided or directed in those woods.  So, although it is exhausting at times and sometimes it feels very isolating, it really is very beautiful and serene in the woods.  

I just want Ryan to feel joy and to experience all the good things in the world.  So, it is nice to be out of the woods sometimes too.  

I hope that makes sense. 

Guys Today

What do you call guys today?  You know the ones that we might have called cute or handsome in my day? (That'd be the 80's, in case you're wondering.)  They're too old to call adorable and I don't think "sharp" is how I would describe them ... at least not this time.  I'm not their age so I'm pretty sure it'd be REALLY CREEPY if I called them "smokin'" or "hot."  In fact, I feel weird even typing that. 

I'm not sure what to call these boys. I don't want to insult these guys.  So, I'll just say they have IT.  They have what Moms liked in the guys they dated a gazillion years ago.  Good looking, great sense of humor, fun, polite, dress well, and just plain cool.... Oh, and a really important one ... really good with parents.  (That's big!)

So, Tuesday night three of these guys with IT showed up at our house and one was carrying a door.  To understand why they brought a door to our house, you have to know that the theme to the local high school prom is Titanic.  (Still not understanding why the door?  Near the end of the movie, Titanic, Jack and Rose were floating on a door.)  Long story short, one of these guys with IT asked Jessica to prom by bringing over a door.  Cool, right?

Day 1: Whew... Success.

We made it through the first day of school! And, the best part ... everyone, me included, had a GREAT day! Whew! Jessica wasn't thrilled to take pictures this morning, but she at least let me snap one quick picture before school.

David worked hard to give me a "mildly interested" look, until he had to sneeze. The sneeze made for a really funny picture, but I decided to stick with the approved pose.

Johnathon was so excited for today! His first words to me when he got off the bus today were "Best Day Ever!"

Deborah ... Well, Deborah was given the assignment to decorate this face. The teacher called it a happy face. Deborah calls it a baby face. Even after I explained that it might be a representation of her, she would just giggle and call it "Baby Face."

Tonight when I was tucking her into bed, she said, "Mom, I'm a Kindergartener, and I have the BEST teacher."

Ryan seemed anxious to return to school today. Thankfully, Ms. Nelda is still able to go with him.

Overall, it's been a great day, with only one small hiccup. Hopefully, tomorrow will be even more smoooooth. :)

Back To School

You probably know that I've home schooled for the past 13 years.  Last year we did Texas Connections Academy for Johnathon and David, which technically is not home schooling, but I still had 3 children home with me all the time (except on Tuesdays when they spend most of the day with other homeschooling friends). 

Well, are you ready for this?  This year everyone is going to school!  Are you super surprised??? 

Ryan is going back to the same PPCD class, which we loved.

Deborah is going to Kindergarten at the same school, which she is SO excited about.

Johnathon is going to attend 4th grade also at the same school. He's happy about it now that he learned one of his friends is also in 4th grade at the same school.

David is going to be a Freshman at the High School.

Of course, Jacob and Jessica will continue going to High School.  Jacob is a Sophomore and Jessica will be a Senior.

AND, I'll be going back to college, too.  With everyone else back in school, I've decided it's time for me to finish my degree as well. 

So... it'll be a HUGE change around our house.  I've NEVER had all the kids in school before.  I'm not even sure how to manage it.  I'm sure I'll be asking some of you pro-Mom's how you handle different things that come up during the school year.  It'll be interesting.

It was a hard decision to make, but I feel it's the best for each of the children right now.  So, let's just hope I can handle it.  ;)

My To Do List

In the past 18 days, I have visited the ER three different times and had a weekend hospital stay. Once with Ryan because his right ear kept bleeding.  Last Friday, I took Ryan because he was turning grey due to low oxygen levels that did not seem to be seizure related.  And, yesterday, I took Jessica because she had basically been asleep since Sunday evening and wouldn't really wake up except to tell me that her head hurt or that she wanted to gouge her eyes out.

It was different this time with Jessica because I was on the adult side of the ER, but as usual I was very impressed with the entire staff, especially Doctor Ramirez and Hank, her nurse.  She had a lot of tests done and thankfully they just found it to be a severe case of sinusitis and strep.

But you might have noticed the title of this post is "My To Do List."  So, what does all that have to do with my to do list?  Well, as you might imagine 3 ER visits in 18 days took up a lot of time which meant things at home did not get done, which meant my list of things to do didn't get done.  On a daily basis it seems I add more to my to do list than I ever get done from my to do list.  It's a constant battle. 

But, I stand in awe at how God works.  During the ER visits and Ryan's hospital stay, inspired friends received promptings that took care of things on my to do list.  I wouldn't have even thought to call and ask for help with those items.  I tend to be a very independent person.  It's not that I'm too stubborn or afraid to ask for help.  It's just that I know I'll eventually get to it. 

Visiting teachers who texted at just the right moment which reminded me that I should let them know that we were in the ER.  A friend who offered to bring me Quinoa salad:  one of my very favorite foods.  Another mom who knows the joys and pains of special needs who just called because she was thinking about me.  Dinners provided for the family.  Rides for the other children.  A friend thinking of next year's seminary ride arrangements.  A blessing for Jessica.  A nurse willing to stay a little longer.

Three trips to the ER and a weekend hospital stay might be overwhelming, but because of friends who respond when inspired by God, my family's burdens are made lighter.  I am not surprised, but once again I stand in awe and gratitude for the blessings. 

Thank you, my friends!

Jessica's Vase Art Competition

This is Jessica's Vase Art piece for this year's competition.  

She has studied a lot this year about the Holocaust and 

felt inspired to do a tribute piece. She received an award for her work.

My Beautiful Lady

Jessica had her hair done today. 

Doesn't she look absolutely beautiful?

Now, I think I want more red in my hair.  What do you think? 

PS  If you're in San Antonio and you're looking for a GREAT place to get your hair done, check out Emali Lane, particularly Emali.  She's the very best and super fun!

A Conservative Mom Freaks Out

What would you think if you were a conservative Mom and you saw your teenage daughter's hairstylist putting this color on her hair?

Really?  We had agreed on nothing too extreme, right?  We had agreed.  I know we had agreed.  The three of us.

Hmmm?  Perhaps trusting isn't my strong suit. 

Les Mis

David, Jessica and I went to see Les Miserables tonight.  It was great! except for one scene, which I wish they would make more family friendly.  Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but I would not go see such a scene on the big screen and if I had known ... or remembered it being choreographed in such a graphic way, I would not have gone to see it at the Theater either.  I just don't think it's necessary.   I was embarrassed to be there, and even more embarrassed to have my children there.  Shame on a theater for rating it as a family friendly show.  It was not family friendly.

Where Can I Turn For Peace?

I recently found this sketch by Jessica titled "Where Can I Turn For Peace?"  She apparently sketched it while sitting in a class at EFY this past summer.  Isn't it amazing?  I hope she finishes it.

Looking gorgeous

It's rare to get a picture of Jessica. It's nice to get one of her smiling, looking confident, and just beautiful.  I love that girl!

A new picture by Jessica

Another cake by Jessica

Jessica made this cute cake for one of her friends at church. Her friend just turned 14 years old and is thus joining the church's young women group called "Miamaids." It's the class for young women ages 14 and 15. The decorations on top of the cake were carved from rice krispy treats and then covered in fondant and painted with edible paints.
She really loves making these cakes and just keeps getting better. I love that she's so willing to share her talents with others.

Happy Birthday, Dwight and Jessica!

Today is Jessica's 15th birthday and Dwight's 42nd birthday! We had a very nice day.
Jessica had the day off school. Unfortunately, Dwight did not have the day off work.

We had yummy cake and ice cream. I made the cake. Can you tell?

One of Jessica's sweet friends brought her a fun Sponge Bob balloon and a cupcake. I'm glad Jessica has such good friends.

We don't get many pictures of Jessica or Dwight.

So, it was fun to get some good snapshots of both of them.

I love the two of you! Don't ever forget it.

Christmas Update

I'm late with the promised update.

Christmas was wonderful. We have said for years that we need to do smaller Christmases, and this year's Christmas was smaller. Yet, it was just as wonderful as any other, perhaps even more so. I think everyone was happy and content with their gifts. That's an accomplishment when you're buying for 6 kids.We received so many generous and thoughtful gifts this year. Thank you all! For the tree! (It's still alive!) For the Angel of Hope! For the yummy smelling candle! For the luxurious robe! And, the slippers! The pampering bath items! The kitchen stuff! The fondue pot and chocolates! The talk CD that I really needed to hear! The loaded tree! (Still in shock!) The basket! (We really did "snicker"!) The treats! The acts of service! The games for the kids! The frog eye salad! (still one of my favorites!) The food ... oh, the yummy food! And, of course, I can't forget "the freedom!" You all are so generous!

On Christmas eve we had the best carolers come to our door! Not only did they deliver yummy treats, but they really sang beautiful songs. It was fun to watch the little children. I wonder how the parents convinced their children to do it. I'm not sure my boys would actually sing. I suspect I'd find myself doing a solo as soon as the door opened if we ever went caroling.

We also had a traditional yummy ham dinner delivered to us on Christmas eve by our good friends. It was so sweet of them to spend their time on Christmas eve serving our family. (Sorry it took you so long to get to our house. Have I mentioned how much I dislike the gate?)

Last year I heard about another family's tradition of taking pictures as the children came down the stairs. I thought it was a great idea and decided to adopt the tradition. Unfortunately, I apparently wasn't awake for some of these pictures.Really late on Christmas night after all the children were snug in their beds, Dwight and I heard this Christmas music coming from downstairs. At first I thought, "Who would be caroling at this hour?" Dwight went downstairs obviously not suspecting carolers and found the offending phone. One of our brilliant children had figured out how to set an alarm for midnight Christmas night on our house PHONE! Seriously. It played Christmas music. I didn't know our phone had any Christmas tunes. And, I really didn't know that we could set alarms on it. I guess it takes a child. (You suspect David? Me, too.)

A couple of years ago, I was awake at a crazy early hour on Christmas morning and after finally convincing Dwight to get up we discovered that all of our children were sound asleep. So, Dwight turned on the Christmas version of the Crazy Frog song ... really loud. On Christmas eve, Johnathon checked several times to make sure that Dwight was going to maintain this "tradition."

So, Christmas morning was started with the Crazy Frog ... and this dance performance by Johnathon. You'll need to turn your head to the side ... or lie down to watch this video. Sorry, but I have NO idea how to rotate a video.

Visit to the Park

Today was a beautiful day in San Antonio! I took 4 of the kids to the park and we played for a while.Johnathon buried David in the rocks and Johnathon overcame his fear of climbing the curved ladder. If you look closely, you can see him at the top of the ladder in the picture below.It was a beautiful afternoon!

Legendary Holidays

I took the kids to a local holiday celebration tonight. It was a lot of fun! Unfortunately, Johnathon wasn't feeling well and so he was unable to go with us. I took lots of pictures. We decorated and ate some cookies, talked to Santa, had some apple cider, and enjoyed some Texas "snow". =)







Remember, I said I took lots of pictures. Did I mention that I was going to show you each and every picture?



Remember a few days ago when I told you that Jessica always has a pencil and some paper. See? Always.

The lady who took this picture for us was so patient. Deborah was so excited by this point that she couldn't sit still. This isn't the best picture of 6 people, but it's the only picture where Deborah isn't just a blur.
Just kidding. These aren't all of the pictures. Only about half.

When we first arrived, Deborah was feeling a little unsure about everything. Needless to say, it didn't take long for her to overcome the shyness.

Merry Christmas!