Friendly Farewells

We had a drop in Tuesday night from Parker O and ZVan. Then Brightyn appeared too. Q is the first from that friend group to be leaving on a mission and I think it is starting to get real to everyone that she won’t see people for a year and a half. We sat around the fire and each caught us up on highs and lows of their semester and plans for the upcoming year. Then a last hug for Zach (“Zach-with-an-H!”), who headed out of town today and will miss her farewell talk. I’m sure big tears are coming, but all anyone heard from Quincy all evening was how happy she is that her time to serve is finally here. 

Another evening, she went out for a Sonic treat run with Millie and Lily, who wanted to say goodbye before they leave town for Christmas trips with their families. When she got home, she facetimed Allie and Ryan and listened to a couple p-day emails waiting for her with voice memos from friends who are out serving missions already. Her heart is already in the field and she is so ready to go do hard things, and she’s doing great things testifying with all her heart right here before she goes.

 

 

Holy Places

 Spent a beautiful early Saturday morning in the temple with the girls, and went to bagels after. 

 

Christmas Sunday

Yesterday was Christmas Sunday. My fave! 

When Aaron and I got we saw that our early riser, Bear, had made a monster batch of french toast for breakfast. What a guy. This kid loves to be in the kitchen.

We went to church and sat with my parents (my mom may have overdone it, but brought a stool to keep her knee propped) and our neighbors Carol and Terry. The Durbins are such kind friends to my parents. 

Our meeting was great! The primary children sang the cutest little carol in French. They had hand bells and smiling faces and it as perfect. Other favorite music were all the awesome string arrangements from our super talented Ward, the Chandler guys, and a piano piece by Tommy F who is just a few years older than Bear. The Spirit was present and it was a perfect Celebration of Christ.

And of course a favorite part of Christmas Sunday is the reuniting of all the adult children who come home to visit with family and friends. Joyful, Joyful, Joyful! 

Reese and Quincy love these Gordon brothers. Quincy and Scotty hang out on the Reese and Gordo go waaay back to jr high orchestra days. Greg pulled a flex and dusted off his violin after 4 years and decided on a whim to perform with the ward orchestra and totally ate! 

Luke h, Bethany S, Corbin, Benson R, Richard A, Dan H,  Soren, Lucas A, Sloane 

It was like a ward party at the Giving Machines 

Santa/Cam C, Robyn S, Greg G, Santa C, Corbin, Tommy B, Benson R, Cameron D, Ashley F, Hyrum J, Bethany S. Richard A, Luke H, Dan H, Soren, Lucas A, Heidi S, Sarah H, Ella R, Lily J, Gisele G, Jenni C, Zara G, Esme, Sophie S, Cami A(director), Sloane, Sarah H. Not pictured but SUPER deserving of an honorable mention is Amy Bingham, who coordinates everything from communication and rehearsal scheduling to printing music for everyone. Incredible effort there. 

We love the Giving Machines! 

We came home and Aaron smoked a tri tip for dinner while I made a garlic flatbread, sweet potatoes, and green lemon roasted beans to go with. Sloane’s lifeblood is tri tip. She was a very happy girl. 

There were some Sunday naps by the fire and some family games and after naps and dinner and then a Christmas movie with snuggly Littles 

After Littles went to bed, the 2nd Shift of excitement began. First, Reese tried on her wedding dress, (no photos, gotta wait until

Wedding day!) which turned into a dance party with White Muffin Baby Q and little Timmy T

These girls together. Oh my. I don’t even know what hour of the night this was but they were unhinged. Good news is we managed to put together a playlist for Reese’s wedding reception. I hope their friends like to dance as much as they do. 

At some point, Corbin joined and we dialed Ryan in. 

Around 11pm, Scott and Greg rolled in and I gave haircuts after barbers at school betrayed them terribly. In Scott’s words, “trying to get a good cut in Provo is like an episode of Chopped”. What a night. I love the energy in a home full of good young adults and teens so much.  

And a 2am photo of the the quiet at the end of the night after friends went home and Aaron, Corbin, and Soren went to bed and it was just Reese and Quincy and I with a fire and a twinkly tree. Having all of my children home is the best thing in the world. It feels like air in my lungs. 

Life is so beautiful. I know this Christmas is a special one and the holidays will forever look different after this one. Quincy will be in Seoul next year, and Corbin plans to be serving a mission for the two Christmases after that. There will be growth and loss over the next 5 years and the chemistry will change with the coming and going of which family members are here to celebrate. I’m here for all of it, but intentionally cherishing every moment I am snuggled under these trees, with this crowd, this year. 

Twinning is Winning

Corbin and I are both into sporting denim on denim, right now, and frequently find ourselves twinning. Aaron happens to think this is ridiculous, but we happen to know it is awesome. 16 yr old son matching his 43 year old mom? Green Flag. Protect this trend at all costs 

 

Giving Machines Charity Night: SHP

 The chapter president at SHP asked our family to come speak on charity highlight night at the Giving Machines and have the kids play a song or two. Quincy, Corbin, and Soren played carols for 30 minutes. The boys each played a solo, and Corbin and Quincy played a pretty duet of Silent Night, which was a nice finale since the lyrics end with the name of the non profit we were there to support. This was a wonderful experience for our family. Quincy and Reese had just flown in the night before and Quincy’s luggage was marked as missing and not make it off the plane. This was particularly upsetting because Quincy moved home of this flight and her luggage consisted of two huge suitcases that contained pretty much everything she owns. A bothersome and triggering reminder of what it feels like to be displaced. We have since tracked down and received all of her baggage, but I think this inconvenience enriched their experience and hearts to service. Small comforts and familiarity go a long way 

After I spoke, a sweet couple approached us introduced themselves twitter questions about our family. They moved to Arkansas from out of state just days ago, and were experiencing the Bentonville square for the first time. They had ventured out in hopes of finding ways connect to their new community. After talking for a bit I learned they are interested in doing CASA work. Kasey was also at the Giving machines to show support for SHP. She met this couple and they really hit it off and exchanged phone numbers. We plan to do lunch or something after the holidays. This was not a coincidence, it was divine providence. Big thanks to my kids for their courage to share talents and support good things. 

Next Gen Krusty Krabbs

Aaron is helping out as assistant coach for Soren’s basketball team, securing him a spot on the next gen “Krusty Krabbs” with buddies Lucas and Titus (younger brothers of the OG Krusty Krabbs team), Sugar Creek ward friend Dean S, and fellow Lost Boy Max M. and half a dozen awesome little ballers. These kids can hoop! 

The first game is in the books and even with some out of town, this season opener was a total blow out. Soren put up several points and had a lot of assists. They had quite a crowd there to watch them play, and since it’s winter break, there were some former OG Krabbs and Steezy supporters there to support. Corbin, Neal R, Ethan and Richard A, and Seth G stood with Reese and Quincy and pumped their younger brothers up. 

These boys are in for a fun season! 

 

All is Calm (feat: my pajama pants and sweatshirt)

Um…excuse me? 💀 

The girls made it home. They’re already both wearing my clothes and breathing in my same air. I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Except the waiting until I’m finished peeing to have a conversation part. I do prefer privacy while using the restroom. 😂