january=basketball

We are having a lot of fun watching kids play ball, even though most of the games end up in losses.  Cooper is often the high scorer on his team and is a monster defender.  Eliza is a great team player and is so aggressive she gets herself into foul trouble.  Max is so smooth on the court he looks like he's floating.  Marcos actually gets the game--he understands cerebrally what to do and makes the plays.  Tony is in heaven watching them all play.  I am surprised to admit that I am enjoying it too.

Today was Ward Conference and Tony gave the best talk he's ever given.  He talked about how to endure to the end.  We were really taught by the spirit and edified.  I enjoyed the processes of hashing out his ideas on our morning runs.  I have told two non-member friends recently that the most noticeable blessing of Tony's time as Bishop has been our unity.  We have been through some hard things, but they have not driven us apart.  We have improved our communication skills and are more tolerant of each other.  We will have to work hard at it when he is released.

Not much news from Wilson.  President Pennington testified to us that God knows what to do with Wilson.  We can focus our efforts on our other children and on feeling the spirit.

happy new year

I think that the New Year's holiday is a little over-rated, but we sure did have a nice evening with the Tollett and Larsen families.  We played Bingo and ate lots of beef and cheese.  We laughed a ton and felt the joy that comes from kind friends.  Tony and I have a had a few beautiful runs and snowshoe hikes this week.  It has been so cold and breathtakingly beautiful.

I am grateful to have 2015 behind me.  Some of the hardest challenges to date happened last year.  Tony and I started to take a survey that helps couples set goals and determine their priorities.   A few questions in, we realized that we are way past that stage in life.  After 20 years of marriage we have pretty well determined our priorities and goals.  We know what makes our family work, and how often our efforts don't affect anything.  My overwhelming impression this year is to keep doing what we are doing, but do it more consistently.  My goals are simple too:  Pray more.  Agree more.

Wilson finally came home yesterday.  He ran my truck into a ditch when he slipped on the ice, but the blessings of AAA and Bob the flat tire magician mitigated the damage and trauma.  He opened his presents and we had dinner together.  He and Luke helped move food storage in the basement for the continued flood repair.   I just keep reminding myself that he is doing his best.  His agitation is from trying to quit smoking.  His detachment from his family is an attempt to be independent.  He's trying to figure it out.  I can only continue to testify that all good comes from Christ.