January kickoff

The beginning of January kicked off without much changes to speak of. Except for the obvious one, which is Rowan turned 11. He had his first friend birthday party. He invited 2 friends. It was the simplest of all birthday parties. 

We took him to the Sun Mountain fun Center and gave them each a card for the arcade, got pizza, played laser tag, and brought cupcakes. Rowan seemed to really like it, and I think it made him feel like an older kid. We opted to have the other kids stay home, so that Rowan could have this chance with just his friends. 

It's strange having your kids get older. It's strange talking to friends with even older kids than mine. Hearing the stressors in their voice as they explain how hard it is raising "almost adult" children. They don't listen. You tread lightly because you know the decisions are theirs, and you just hope that your advice will land somewhere. I have heard friends wonder if they have taught their kids enough, or they feel like they failed because they feel like they didn't It's nuanced and complex. The friends I speak of have children old enough to think about missions, but they haven't decided if they want to go. My kids get excited to be older. I don't remember being all that excited. I feel like maybe I just enjoyed the age I was at the time. Except for maybe...13, 14, 15 I don't know who enjoys that. 😂 Or the lucky kids these days who seem to be unphased be puberty. When did that become something? I have these beautiful girls that I work with in Young Women's who seem to flawlessly be going through it. Good for them, but really??

We took Rowan to a Choice school option this last week. He didn't really want to go. Mind you- it was a bit my fault- because I had not prepared him at all, because it had actually completely slipped my mind, and Sam got home, and asked about it, and then we rushed out the door. We ended up missing it, but there will be another in March. I just have not known what to do when it comes to middle school and Rowan. I wish he really had one more year in elementary school. It is also weird to think that 3 kids out of elementary and not one of them will go to the same school?  I sure know how to make it harder on myself.  

We will see. In Young Women's the goal for each week is to look for God's hand in our life. I have been slow to look. But, I want to see it. I hope I can see it more. 

 

The Holiday Break

We are just finishing up a bout of holidays. We had Thanksgiving with just our family this year, we were expecting Grandma and Grandpa Jo, but last minute they got sick and couldn't make it out. We enjoyed a walk together with some friends in the morning and then had a  very nice dinner. We had someone from the ward join us, and it was very easy going. 

We are just about to finish the couple weeks off we had for Christmas break, and for the most part, I would say it was very enjoyable. Sam had a lot of time off of work, we had a lot of easy going days, but we also had a great visit with my parents, we had days playing basketball in the gym, we had ski days, we had days building legos at home, and building puzzles, and playing games. I have tremendously grateful kids. Kaj and Josh said thank you so many times Christmas Day, and I just felt very lucky to have such great kids. 

Some other highlights: We enjoyed a Beatles impersonation concert with my parents. Kaj has been hilarious with planning a chocolate milk mile on any occasion he can, and we were able to pull off the first one the day before Thanksgiving ( I truly don't understand why 😂) 

learning how to tie their christmas ties

Marshmallow men with the J's

first season playing basketball

Sunriver

Christmas Eve Christmas Crew

 

Season Wrap up

Well, it's no secret how long it has been since I have caught this up, and the more behind I got, the more I didn't see how it was possible to have sufficient memory enough for all the things going on. 

I will often find Rowan in the office reading and re-reading the other blog books I have written. He will talk about the pictures, or reference things I have written about and want to talk about those times. He will ask me when the next addition is coming out 😂 which is quite sweet. 

Jonah and little friend Miles

I even thought I could just skip ahead and just start from here, January 4th, 2025 but, as I look through all the cute pictures, I just can't do it. 

I dedicate all my books to my children. I have even spelled out how my hope is to one day have them read them. That day is here. Rowan is 11 tomorrow. Kaj will be 15 this year- he just came home from a baby sitting gig for heaven sakes! 😳 I mean- I am here- I am fully in the space I never thought I would be in when I felt like I was drowning in small humans.

Let me clarify, I really do love this place. I just don't think it will last long, I would love to pick up 3 year Joshy and spin him around just to make him laugh, I would love to sit with Kaj as my only child and have little conversations with just him, I would love to build blocks with Rowan or watch him play with potato head parts and observe his wonder. I would melt to have Jonah hugs, and to look upon my baby girl for the first time all over again. I can feel, I can see all of these memories clear as day. But, I truly also love these days too. I want to enjoy the now with my family. The now is powerful. 

Today, before I got out of bed officially today, I had Lily, Jonah, and Josh all jump into bed with me. We all got ready to go skiing, and listened to a delightful little book while we drove up the mountain. We all skied together today. Jonah and Lily went up to Manzanita - the run up from the bunny hill. Jonah did awesome, and Lily crushed it. We were all up on that mountain today.

Avi wearing a "hat"

Halloween 2024 Kaj stayed home to pass out candy with his friend, and Josh went with buddies