IT CAME BACK!!!

The most exciting thing to happen today was Stockton's lost package came back! The address we were given was not correct. We have searched and searched for this. Most important thing in here was his Crambone shirt. He loved that thing. We also had his cactus jammies, coco pebbles shirt, $20 gift card to Subway, a letter and homemade cookies. I mailed this package back in March. I was SO EXCITED to see it come back! I cheered and cheered when it was dropped off. The mailman looked at me like I was crazy! I hurried right to the post office and mailed it again. Without even opening it. This time we went straight to the mission home. Didn't want to chance losing that again! Mike made fun of me for not taking out the cookies. I thought Stockton would think it was funny to see what I sent.

Brother Heaton also came over and gave Mike giant pumpkins seeds. He is a seed guy. He owns a seed store, so we'll see if we can get this pumpkin to grow. Also, here are random pictures from Jorja's phone.

Emily & Jorja

 Madison & Jorja

Also, I picked up Jorja and Madison from school. Jorja had to stay after for math. I thought I saw Ian Mogensen on the way down. I wasn't sure if he was walking to his car, but I told myself to keep a lookout for him. I saw him walking on 13th East. I pointed him out to Jorja. We slowed down and Jorja rolled down the window and asked if he wanted a ride. He did and was able to jump in the car before I had to hurry away. I told Jorja never to do that. It was so dangerous. We were lucky. Anyway, Ian thanked us over and over for stopping. Jorja is always asking Ian to go to church with her. Ian told her he would go to Sunday school with her because we stopped. Jorja was so happy. They are now in the same Sunday school class, so that works out nicely.

I watched Matt & Sam's kids today. We had our ward dutch oven party. Matt and Sam took Anne to see Matilda while I had the rest of the kids. Maysen and Preston helped out a lot. We saw Ian's parents at the party. They told us that Ian was going to church with Jorja. They were so happy about it. Matt and Sam came at the end of the party. They were able to have dinner before they left with their kids. Nicely timed Matt!

Drama

Jorja got in trouble in theater today. It is frustrating because I tried to pull Jorja out of that class at the beginning of the semester. Jorja and I talked to Strucks for a long time about it. Jorja was so sick and theater was at the end of the day. Jorja was completely exhausted by the time she got to her class. I was hoping I could get her into some kind of study hall class. The district started counting digital photography as an art credit, so Jorja didn't need the last semester anyway. Strucks told her to stay in her class and drop out of Region and State. She told Jorja she could just sleep in the back and she would understand when most teachers wouldn't. Well, it didn't turn out that way. Jorja said Stucks was only nice to her when I was around. She was not sympathetic to Jorja at all. Jorja texted me on Tuesday and said, "I'm so sick of movies!" She sent that in theater and that was the only text she sent. Strucks got super mad at her for that. Today Jorja needed to go to the bathroom. Strucks let her leave. She went to get a drink of water. We couldn't find her water bottle this morning. Ever since she got sick, when she doesn't get enough water she goes downhill fast. So, she got some water because she felt herself sliding. On her way back to class one of her friends walked with her. Strucks came out and saw Jorja walking back to class with someone. She lit into her. Yelled at her to just leave. Jorja went back to class. Strucks dropped her grade to an A- for this. Jorja said she just never wanted to deal with her again. That is sad. Strucks was originally her advisory teacher before Jorja got into student government. I was so excited for this. I thought she would be perfect for her. I guess I was wrong.

Conner brought Jorja home from school for the last time today. He likes to honk his horn while she walks to the door. He honked for a long time today. She came in laughing. She said the entire ride home she just kept saying, "This is sad. This is so sad. I'm going to cry." over and over. She gave Conner a hug and tried to thank him, but her voice caught. End of an era right there. I can not believe he brought her home every other day for an entire school year. There is something special about that kid. Jorja said she is going to repay him by taking his little sister home every day next year. Good thing she likes his little sister!

On an unrelated note: Mike's contact is not doing great

Poor Mario

Mike caught two rats. Our neighbor's cat, Mario, wanted to play with them so bad! He sat and watched them, walked around their cages, pawed at the cages. It was pretty funny.

I went to the temple this morning. I missed the session just barely, so I did initiatories and a session. It was very peaceful. While I was waiting for the session I spent a lot of time working on my lesson. It is about signs of the second coming. My dad came over after I got back and worked with me on it for awhile too. Jorja stayed after school to work on decorations for Senior Dinner Dance. Luckily she was able to get a ride home with Taylor Johnson. That was nice because I didn't have to leave my dad. Jorja showed me this Venmo notification. She thought it was hilarious. Ben goes to a different school and she hasn't talked to him for awhile. He randomly sent this to her. Haha. It is true, he did introduce Spencer to her.

Jorja's new phone came in the mail today. Her old one has been glitchy lately. She wanted a phone with a good camera to take to Taiwan. Mike and I paid for 1/3 of her phone and she paid for the rest. She must have really wanted it because that cost her a pretty penny.

Sherry came over and brought me clothes. Yay! I love it when Sherry does that. She drove Miah's new car. This cute black jeep. Hopefully Jorja and Miah can go on fun adventures in that!

Miah's car

Flyers

Jorja did her TED talk today in English class. She said it went better than she thought it would. She was first. She did not want to be first. It ended up being good though. She was not nervous when she gave it and she thinks she would have been if she would have had more time to think about it. Glad that is over with though!

Random picture of Spencer

That picture is the only one I have for today. That was too weird, so I took a screenshot of a conversation I had with Mike. Well, Mike was the only one texting. I guess I am still on the missionary committee. I wasn't aware of that. We were sent a message saying to meet at the church to get flyers about our ward dutch oven event. I was the first one there. Well, it ended up being just me, the Elders Quarum presidency and the ward mission leader. Also, the flyers had not been printed, so we waited while a slow printer spit them out. I was given two streets to put the flyers on. Anyway, my phone was on silent and when I looked at it this is what I saw:

Oh Mike! I did tell him where I was going, he just forgot. And didn't realize it would take me that long. I didn't realize that either. After we put Preston to bed, Mike walked around with me and we got all the flyers delivered. It was a lot, but we had a nice walk and the weather was perfect.

Chicken Run

We went and saw Aladdin today. We were lucky to be able to find a time to squeeze it in before Jorja went to work. All of us (except Stockton) were able to go. I enjoyed the show and we had a great time. I rode home with Jorja in her bug. Mike took Maysen and Preston. Right as they left, Maysen got a text letting her know she didn't get the job at Chick-Fil-A. That was really disappointing. It would have been so much fun for the girls to be able to work together. Maysen thinks she was too serious during the interview. She would have been great. Mike took the kids to Zupas before they came home. Mike also caught rats. I think the second picture is funny. That rat looks HUGE!

Jorja had a Chick-Fil-A swim party at our house. Mike set up the movie screen for her. They had Chicken Run playing as they swam. We had pizza and smores too. Jorja had a great time. I'm glad she has made so many friends at work. It took her several months to realize people liked her at work. Now she loves it.

Preston's First Talk

Quackletta ~ Mike is sooooo happy!

Preston gave his first talk in church today and did a fantastic job. Tonight Ashley Jansson texted me this message, "I didn't get a chance to tell Preston what a good job he did today but his talk answered a prayer and some worries I've had on my mind lately so I thank him for his words today." Ahhhh. How sweet is that? Anyway, this is Preston's talk:

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was crucified, conquered death, and was resurrected. After his resurrection, many witnesses saw his glorious, perfected body. When Christ visited his Apostles after his resurrection, and when he visited the Nephite people on the American continent, he invited them to come and feel the wounds in his hands and feet. Although he had become perfect through the resurrection, he chose to keep these wounds. Why did he do this?

We know that one reason is because these wounds testify of who he is and what he did for each of us. However, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland told us another reason why Christ retained these wounds. He said:

"in a resurrected, otherwise perfected body, our Lord ... has chosen to retain for the benefit of his disciples the wounds in his hands and his feet and his side --- signs, if you will, that painful things happen even to the pure and perfect, ... that pain in this world is not evidence that God doesn't love you."

Sometimes people make the mistake of thinking that if they are obedient, they won't have challenges in life. Or that because someone has had bad things happen to them in life, it must be because they are a bad person. Christ himself shows us that this is not true. In life, sometimes bad things happen to people who are trying their best to do what is right.

Nephi is another example of this. Throughout his entire life, Nephi tried his best to be righteous, to obey God's commandments, and to be a good example to the rest of his family. Did things always go right for him? No. They definitely did not. Here are just a few of the bad things that happened to this good person:

• Had to abandon his home and everything he owned
• Fled for his life from Laban's guards
• Mocked by his own family
• Beaten by his brothers multiple times
• His brothers threatened to kill him and their father
• Tied up on a ship (that he had built with his own hands) in a storm
• Chased out of his own land in the new world by his brothers and their followers

Being righteous certainly didn't mean that Nephi's life was easy. Like all of us, he had hard challenges. However, Nephi was blessed with eternal rewards, just like we can be after this life.

Let us realize that hard challenges are just a part of this life and that God will help us overcome them if we ask him for help and do all that we can. I know that we will be blessed if we do.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I was so proud of Preston. He was easy to understand. He is a fantastic speaker. Mike is also awesome. He helped Preston put together his talk. They are a great team.

I finished Marie's stocking today. I love it! It's perfect for her!

Rachel will sew it together into stocking shape, thank goodness! I would mess it up. Mike and Preston had fun playing with the ducks. Quacky Chan was out by himself since Quackletta was sitting on her nest. Preston fed him mealworms.

Quacky Chan & Preston

We met Steve and Shannon down at the cemetery by Grandma Honey's grave. It was so crowded with memorial day being tomorrow. We saw the Liu's while we were there. We were able to visit Grandma & Grandpa Hirschi's, Grandma & Grandpa Smith's, Grandma Honey, Grandma Millburn, and Jessica.

Mike, Steve, Maysen, Weston, Jorja, Preston ~ Walking from the Hirschi graves to Grandma Honey's

 Jorja & Preston

Jorja & Weston ~ these two make me laugh

For some reason, Jorja sent me a picture of Brynlee & Chloee's mom. No idea why.

Nest

We left Lagoon early this morning so we could be back in time to clean the church at 8:00. Not the best timing, but at least we got our turn over with. Maysen also had a job interview. She thought it would be fun to work at Chick-Fil-A with Jorja for the summer. After the interview we went to OHOP to breakfast.

Mike is so happy to see that Quackletta is sitting on her nest now. He has estimated the chicks should hatch the end of June. He is so happy! Quackletta is such a good mommy. She protects those eggs like nothing else!

 Quacky Chan & Quackletta

Overstock Lagoon Day

Yesterday Mike, Maysen and Preston drove up to Lagoon to camp. Jorja and I weren't able to come until today. I dropped Jorja off at school early so she could take her math test. She did that and then did her Chinese presentation, which was also her final. I checked her out after Chinese. Instead of going home, she finished her math test during the rest of advisory. I picked her up when she finished, stopped and got her a bagel and then headed home. We were home for about five minutes before we headed to Jack's house. Preston asked if Jack could come with us. Preston has never, ever, ever asked for a friend to come over. I called Jack's mom a few weeks ago. I see her at the gym often, so we have been able to get things figured out. Jack was great and it was so cute to see Preston with him. They are a lot alike. Jorja kept whispering to me, "Why doesn't he play with him more often? You need to make sure they get together." They had a great time. Lagoon was a bit rainy, but it wasn't bad. We were still able to go on everything we wanted. The only bummer was Maysen got sick. Luckily we had the motorhome that she was able to go back to. We stopped by there a couple of times to recharge. Maysen stayed there after dinner. She felt awful. That was no fun for her. I didn't get many pictures. My favorite picture from Lagoon was taken by Jorja. She put it on her snap story. I went to take a screen shot of it later, but I was too slow and it had disappeared. Boo. It was a really cute picture of her holding hands with Preston.

Jack and Preston with random girls

The girls followed the boys onto three rides. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, but it was funny. Jorja ran into two different people she new. Ethan from her Chinese class who did the presentation with her this morning. Haha! And one of her friends in her Chemistry class. Jack really wanted to play a game. He bought this hat of rings and had Preston help him throw the rings. They didn't win a prize, but got to keep the hat.

Jack & Preston

 Jorja & Maysen, Jack & Preston

 Mike & Stephanie

 Jack & Jorja

This peacock was funny. We always see peacocks walking around Lagoon. This one was in the car area. I thought he was going to get hit! But he jumped over the fence and then hurried and jumped over the fence into the kid helicopter area. No one was on that ride, but it was crazy to see the peacock move that fast.

 Jorja & Preston

 Jorja, Preston, Jack

 Jorja took my phone and posted this picture ~ Stephanie & Jorja

We got Bear Claws to share and were eating them when Jack's parents walked up! That was funny. They let them in because the park was about to close. Things are a lot more relaxed on Overstock Lagoon day. We talked to them for a bit and they walked back with us to the motorhome. We gave them a tour before they headed back to their car with Jack. Today was a success. Except for Maysen's sickness. Other than that it was really fun.

Red Eye

I proctored my last AP test today. AP Physics. There was only one kid, so we got to leave when she finished instead of waiting for the time to run out. That was nice. Jorja stayed after for math. She was hoping to take her math test, but that didn't work out. She rushed from that to the new/old PLT thing. She got there right as it finished, so that was a bummer. She did find out she is on the white team. Jaren and Dessa are not. Shafer is. Lovely. At least there has been about two years since all the Shafer drama, so Jorja doesn't need to worry about that anymore. I would rather her be with Jaren or Dessa though.

Mike has been trying super weird contacts. They are the only thing the doctor says will work for him. They are terribly expensive too. It is not going well so far. Mike's eyes are so irritated. Mike has now had two different contacts made for him. He has to fill the contact with saline before he puts it into his eye. He can't take them out regularly, he has to use a plunger. The first time he tried to take them out the plunger got stuck and he pulled part of his eye through his socket. SO CREEPY! Anyway, I hope these can work for him. It would be great if he could see again.

Mike

NEW GARAGE DOORS!!!

This calls for a celebration! You wouldn't think it would be so exciting, but our old garage doors were B-A-D. Mike texted his work to let them know he would be coming in a bit late because of the doors. People texted back about how that is number 9,341 on their to-do list. Mike sent them a pictures of our doors and asked if theirs looked like this. And note, none of the doors worked. They wrote back 'you win'. Yes, this needed to be done. Not a fun thing, but very needed.

Old, rotten, broken garage doors - one propped up with a garbage can

I was at school proctoring a psychology test during the beginning of the day. Eight kids. Super easy. Sydni Smith was in my room. I told her that my daughter had been trying to kill her. (in the assassin game) She laughed and said she had been doing an excellent job of hiding.

It has begun . . . 

 Progress

 The new doors!

Yay! Yay! Yay! This looks so much better. Our garage sits on a hill and when you come down the street this is the view our neighbors see. I don't know why they set up the house this way. I wish it was flip flopped. Anyway, I am so happy. We also have working remotes. WORKING! And a working keypad. W-O-R-K-I-N-G! Life is good!

Struggling

Almost the end of the school year. We - can - make - it.

Twenty-Three Years

I hate May 20th. I always will. I especially hate it when it is on a Monday. My mom died on May 20th. On a Monday. For some reason when it is a Monday the memories of that day are more vivid. I went to Alta today to be trained on how to proctor the make-up AP tests. It was super easy, so that was nice. Jorja was at lunch when I was leaving. I went to say hi, then started crying. My mom died at lunchtime. I think I was talking to Jorja at the exact time my mom died 23 years ago. Have I mentioned how much I hate cancer? I stopped by Zaos and picked up some food and then went to my mom's grave. Her grave is looking slanted for some reason. There was a lot of dirt over my name. I tried to get it off with my fingers. I knew I needed to go back. Luckily Bubs came down and he brought her flowers and weeded around her stone. It looks so much better!

I did get to talk to Stockton today. That is the best!!! He is really liking his new companion Elder Alia. He switches off from riding a bike and riding in a car. Week by week. That will be a lot nicer. I wonder how he will enjoying biking in the Arizona summer. Stockton is also super excited to have a washer and dryer in his apartment. His last one he had to bike with his laundry on his back to the other Elders' apartment. He will not miss that at all!

Mike is still super happy with his ducks. Quackletta has an official nest. She is always on it except for two short breaks during the day.

 Visiting duck, Quackletta & Quacky Chan

Rats

Jorja did her dance post on Instagram. I got a kick out of her photoshopping. She cracks me up. I was too lazy to crop them, so.....

Mike is so happy with his ducks. He has a camera set up in their house and checks on them all the time. He sent me this picture.

Quacky Chan and Quackletta enjoying their front porch

 Mike has also been catching rats that like to eat the duck food and pond liner

We had dinner today with Steve Lovell. He was a high counselor speaking in Jordyn's singles ward. She went up to him after and said, "I think we're related." Yep. Uncle Ray's son, I think. Anyway he invited us over for dinner. They are doing remodeling on their house, so I wasn't able to invite my brothers. Heather had already invited her brothers before she found out, so they left their kids home. It was so fun to be with my family. I just love them.

Nathan, Bobby, Devin, Jordyn, Steve's daughter, Stephanie, Heather, Maysen, Steve, Preston, Jorja, Mike

Russell and Kevin

Mike has been so happy that Quackletta is laying eggs again. He has dreams of baby chicks hopping around. Soon Quackletta will gather these eggs to her nest. She is such a good mommy. Hopefully her eggs will hatch this time.

Mike spent the day getting things ready for Jorja's after dance party. They are going to go night swimming while watching Megamind. They also have stuff for smores.

Jorja and Emily spent most of the morning getting everything ready. They planned on painting at the park, but it was cold and kind of rainy. Instead they set everything up at Emily's house. When Jorja and Emily were at Smith's Jorja saw Hadley-Kate. Emily was supposed to assassinate her. Jorja pointed her out. Emily jumped out of the car before she completely stopped it, ran up to Hadley-Kate and assassinated her. Emily said it was the best moment of her life. Haha!

Spencer & Jorja (Katlyn and Emily as well)

Jorja and Spencer

The theme for Sadie's was 'Night at the Movies'. Jorja wanted to be Kevin from Up and convinced Spencer to be Russell. She looked adorable, as always. Jorja went with a group of close friends. This is Jorja's 7th school dance. The crazy thing is that out of all 7 dances, every girl and boy has been different except one. Ellie Anderson was in her Sadie's group last year and in her Sweethearts group this year. I love that Jorja has such a wide variety of friends and that she feels comfortable with so many different people.

Spencer (Russell) and Jorja (Kevin)

 Madison & Jorja

 Jorja and Spencer

Spencer and Jorja

Chick-Fil-A friends

Josh & Madison (Ken & Barbie), Jorja & Spencer

The girls . . . Emily, Madison, ???, Jorja, Sami, Hailey, Katlyn

Jorja went to Pizza Limone for dinner. She has been carrying around her nerf sword religiously. Well, wouldn't you know it. When she went to dinner she forgot and left her sword in the car. While she was in line she saw Jordan coming up to her with a big grin on his face. She backed away saying, "No! No! No!" But there was absolutely nothing she could do. She is glad that she didn't get out on the first two days though, but she wishes she would have lasted a bit longer.

I helped Mike get ready and then snuck down to Thanksgiving Point to Paige's wedding reception. Paige is my first beehive to get married. Wow! Her reception was beautiful. There was lots of dancing. I hung out with Ron and Javita Henderson. It was a good time. Paige changed her first name when she was changing her last one. She is now Samantha Paige. Her mom convinced her to keep Paige as a middle name. She told her how much of a pain it would be to try and get birth records/transcripts or whatever if it was gone. Her husband has always known Paige as Sam. That is what she was introducing herself as in Hawaii when they met. I hope my kids like the names Mike and I picked out for them.

Stephanie and Paige

This dance was the last dance that will be held in the Commons. Next year all the dances will be in the gym while the commons is under construction. Jorja had such a good time. The kids then came here and watched Megamind. It was so cold outside, but Mike had the pool at 98 degrees. They did not get out of the pool until they were ready to go! The firepit was untouched. That's okay. Fun to see so many kids enjoying the pool.

 Jorja & Spencer