Blog Archive

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Happy Birthday Cooper

 Happy 24th Birthday dear Cooper,

Every year I try to write a birthday letter to my kids.  They may never read it, but every word I write, I mean with my whole heart. 

Dear Coop,

This year my heart is so full of gratitude for the tremendous gift that you have given Max, and us, in giving him a place to live.  It has been a sacrifice of money, patience, time and self.  You have a natural gift of compassion and empathy, and this year has put those gifts to the test.  You have proven to be unselfish and generous.  I think you are also learning some important lessons about setting boundaries, and communicating your expectations and needs.  I really hope that these hard earned skills mean better relationships in your future.  It brings Dad and I so much joy to see you enjoy and succeed in your job.  We will never forget the day you received the clear impression for your future.  From that moment on you have been laser focused on achieving that goal.  It is another of the strengths we admire about you.  This year was also the year you broke up with Jes.  Our hearts broke with you as you navigated that most painful experience and have learned to grieve.  We are grateful for the times you reached out to us for comfort and hope you know that we will always be here to support you.  I love you so much.  I love being your mom and can't wait for our relationship to grow as you experience being a parent some day.  

Happy Birthday!

Cross Country Ski Day



This month we have been able to continue to consecrate our home as a place for people to come and stay.  Kimball has stayed with us as he works to prepare for his next step.  Jake and the boys came for a wonderful weekend while Callie and Amy had a girls weekend here in St George.  Jake graciously took Kimball and Sam skiing.  Sam learned a good life lesson about wearing a helmet.  Harlow has been growing!  She has two words:  uh oh and bye bye, plus signs "all done" and "all done."

















 

Valentines in Tijuana

A service trip to Tijuana with no kids is about as good as it gets for Valentines Day for Tony and I.  Add in a temple session, overnight stay with Blake and Lori, Sunday walk on the beach and some of Amy's amazing cooking and our trip was exceptional.

We both felt like this must have been an important time for us because forces were working against us before during and after.  It seemed like each member of our family had a crisis or need.  Tony and I had a significant rupture.  While we were gone, Sam made some really poor choices including taking the truck without permission and having a girl sleep over.  Despite these adversarial efforts, Tony and I were able to completely immerse and enjoy the experience.   The parts of the trip that we enjoy most include: 

Being with Brad and Kim

Meeting fascinating, good, people with real life experience.

The food: tacos, birria, mole, chiliquiles

hard physical labor that means we sleep like rocks every night

speaking Spanish

the pure joy of service 

learning new things together-like how to build a truss

being together







people with real life experience.

The food: tacos, birria, mole, chiliquiles

hard physical labor that means we sleep like rocks

speaking Spanish

the pure joy of service 

learning new things together-like how to build a truss