December Fun

 

Mom and Sam make Christmas cookies-at his request!

Gingerbread house with the last kid at home.

discovering an authentic Peruivian restaurant in Hurricane

Hiking in Zion

December Angel's Landing hike-stunning

Goodbye to Carlos

St George Temple Dedication

Goodbye dinner with Carlos, our temporary renter

Christmas 2023

Christmas Eve Sunday

Tony's amazing brisket-best ever!

Grandma and Wendy listening to Uncle Bob's beautiful poetry

Dad (way too) into laser tag.

 

A visit to see the lights in the botanical garden

Harlow's new hat from Great Grandpa Jim. Harlow immediately said, "I'm a real cowboy!"

Grandpa's temporary birthday bidet-actual bidet arrives soon.

Santa brings laser guns!

We started a new tradition adopted from Iceland.  We all receive a new book on Christmas Eve!

Eliza with her stash

 

Max opening gifts

Christmas pajamas for the big boys

Christmas Eve dinner

Eliza visits temple square with the Kolbs

Grandma and Harlow

Christmas Eve Sunday

Understanding the Abrahamic Covenant

 At the end of November, life became overwhelming for Wilson.  He got on a greyhound bus and rode until they told him to get off.  For the next couple of weeks he wandered; staying in homeless shelters and on the street.  He spent most o his time hungry, cold and lonely.  Wilson was angry that he couldn't come live in our home where he could be warm, fed and safe, but that kind of help doesn't help Wilson become an independant successful man.   When he finally reached out to us, we extended an offer.  We would help him with his rent so he could have a place to live.  He could always come and get food from our pantry.  He was always loved and part of our family.  Wilson would need to go back to work,  communicate with the people who love him and can help, and try again.  

While studying the Abrahamic Covenant I was wrestling with the promises God makes of property posterity and priesthood power.  These promises just didn't seem either motivating or relevant.  Then I shifted my paradigm.  I focused less on the promises as a reward, and more as God's desire to fulfill my deepest human needs.  Instead of focusing on specific property, I saw God offering me a protected place,  a location of belonging, a home.  Instead of focusing on family-defined posterity, I saw God offering me a people, a community of belonging.  Instead of focusing on the overwhelming responsibility of priesthood power, I saw God offering me purpose.  

When I feel overwhelmed with life like Wilson was, I hope the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant bring me home.  As a covenant keeper, I agree to go to work every day,  keep communicating with God,  and try again (repent).   What he offers me is a protected place, a people and purpose.  

Birthdays!

 

Harlow turned 2! She came for a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpas.  We had bath, stories, snacks and prayers then snuggled into bed by 9:00 for a long birthday sleep.  Instead, she woke up at 2:30 and wanted to eat applesauce and play tickle monster.  Tony and I are definitely too old for this kind of birthday celebration!

Two days later Sam turned 17.  He celebrated with friends, Eggo waffles and wings,  and watching his favorite Ducks football team lose to the Huskies.   

My dearest baby boy,

This year, especially the last few months, you have done something that has made me so proud.  You asked for help.  You came to us indicating that you weren't doing well and wanted to see a Dr.  We did, and came up with a solution.  I know school is hard, and you don't have a job right now.  I know social pressures are real and being the youngest isn't very easy.  But reaching out to safe people and asking for help is true adulting.  

You have a sweet relationship with Harlow right now.  She likes to give you knucks and calls for Uncle Sam when she sees you.  Your siblings continue to adore you.  Lately you and Dad have been working hard to get along.  You still feel embarrassed if Dad says something awkward, but you have the social skills not to embarrasses him.  You have been compassionate with me when I shame-parent.  Thank you for that forgiveness.  I'm also proud of the way you are owning mistakes and the accompanying consequences.  It is easy for me to forget how capable you are and sometimes I overfunction.  This year will be a great opportunity for me to get to know you as an adult.  I'll try hard to treat you that way, although you will always be my sweet brown, crazy-haired, Guatemalean baby boy, Marcos Samuel.  

Thanksgiving 2023

 This was our quietest Thanksgiving in 20 years.  Only 8 at our table and our only guests other than family were Jake and Dad.  Grandma got Covid and didn't even get to enjoy the perfect pear cranberry pie she made.  Cooper was in Boise, Wilson was AWOL and Callie was working. She joined us later that evening when she finished work.  It was a peaceful, low stress evening.  Tony's turkey was as delicious as ever.  It was nice to have Max and Eliza home too.  

Friday and Saturday were filled with lots of doing nothing.  A hike, Harlow's first

movie, helping Eliza with homework and organizing her clothes.  Plenty of leftovers and relaxing mornings.  

Rippy Cruise

 Cruise # 5 for Tony and I was another wonderful week of making memories with the Rippy family.  There were a few things that made this experience a little rough,(like horrible lines) but the good entirely outweighed the hard.  The highlights for me were: 

1.    our family dinners and the really good food like lamb, beet salad and fish. 

2.    meeting Lana, a woman my age from Burley Idaho,  celebrating her parents 80th birthday with her 4 brothers and their spouses.  

3.  games at night including Fruit Salad and Swipe.

4.    Our "sailboat experience" in La Paz with stunning water, gorgeous beaches and delicious seviche

5.    rowing coaching from Tyler

6.    Not being the couple who fought (Cam and Jill's turn)

7.    Our family's ability to repair after hurt feelings and miscommunications

8.     Body surfing in Mazatlan

9.      Spa day

10.     Family counsel with honest discussion about the temple and death and anchoring to Christ

What Anchors the Rippy Family

Dad

Whatever I can do, have, or have not done,  will be forgiven because of the Atonement and mercy of Christ, as taught by the parable of the Prodigal Son.  

Jeff

Don’t trust just one anchor.  Anchor in as many ways as possible to the rock of Christ.

Cameron

The gospel of Jesus Christ is universally beautiful and accessed through difficult paths.  This knowledge anchors me to Christ.  

Stacey

Each experience of our hearts being touched anchors us to Jesus Christ.  A poignant example is when the Holy Ghost touches our hearts through music (such as the Lamb of God).   

Jill

I am Anchored in the knowledge that Jesus is my Redeemer.

Dustin

The Book of Mormon and undeniable promptings of the Holy Ghost anchors me to Christ.

Sue

My life is literally a miracle. In spite of physical issues, I have been yoked and carried whenever I have been asked to be on God's errand.

Kimberly

Undeniable experiences of personal revelation and promptings of the Holy Ghost anchors me to Christ.

Tony

God is Alpha and Omega and everything in between. The Book of Mormon is where we learn this principle and anchors me to Christ. 

Kelly

The prophet Joseph Smith helped establish what anchors me to Christ: the Book of Mormon, priesthood power and personal revelation.

Chelsea

My experience with personal and direct revelation from God anchors me to Him.

Tyler

The Book of Mormon is a tangible anchor that connects me to my belief in God and the Savior.