Random Pictures

We had ward conference today. The stake presidency was there. They told us to plan on meeting with President Clark at 6:00 on Wednesday for Stockton to be released. Yay! Yay! Yay! Also... this is super awesome to see! Jazz are so good this year! It has been fun to watch.

Brett asked for Dad's fudge recipe in our group chat. I couldn't find mine so I sent him corn dogs instead. Hahaha. Brett ate 17 of my mom's corn dogs once and now he can't stand corn dogs. But... how cool to see my mom's handwriting on the front!

Chicken scratches from me as my dad tried to explain how to cook them to my non-cooking brain

I have random pictures. This obviously wasn't today.

Freshman girls???

Paige, Jorja, Giselle

Chips and Jorja

Riley came over for dinner today. He was supposed to come over two weeks ago, but his dad ended up being in the hospital. Then his mom got corona... so today was the day. They made crepes. Mike and I have been after Jorja to get the team pictures sent. These are hers.

Jorja & Riley

This is the picture they ended up using

Stephanie ~ Preston took this random picture of me at dinner

Week 23

TWO YEARS!!!

Stockton left on his mission two years ago today. I am so glad it is almost over! He has loved his mission and it has been awesome watching him love his mission, but I'm glad that time of his life is almost over. Haha. I can't wait to see him in a few days!

Mike came home from the cabin today. He sent pictures of the kids and light switches. Haha. It's great though. The lava room has two doors, but only one of those has a light switch. Mike was able to add a switch by the other door and one by the lamp. 

Preston

Maysen, Bear, Preston

This was in our mailbox, no idea why

Riley & Jorja

Chips

Jorja was at the school for student government for a long time this morning. She went to the hotsprings with some friends later in the day. I spent the day working on her dress. Mike, Maysen and Preston had fun at the cabin. That is about all for today.

Maysen and Preston playing Wizard 101

Stockton's 21st Birthday

I got to talk to Stockton today! He had a great day! Yesterday he was out of the district doing an exchange. He missed his regular district meeting and went to a different one. While he was gone the other missionaries planned a surprise birthday breakfast for him. How awesome is that! Stockton won a piñata at the Christmas white elephant. He brought it this morning. Looks like they had fun, but also looks like none of them know how a piñata works! Why is all the candy still on the floor?

Stockton had dinner with Nikki and her family. I got some pictures from both of them. Yay! There is a Cold Stone nearby, so I was able to order Stockton's traditional birthday cake and Nikki picked it up. I was so excited for this surprise! It was really the only surprise he had. Nikki also called me earlier and asked what his favorite meal was. I gave her a few options. They ended up making Chungus Burgers for him. Hahaha. Basically a hamburger with a fried egg on it. I loved having Nikki there to take care of him. It was so fun!

"Happy birthday"

Stockton with the Kenningtons

I loved talking to Stockton today. He sounded so happy. I'm so excited that I get to see him in less than a week! It's going to be great!

Okay, funny Jorja story. Jorja ordered some shoes for the dance next week. They were supposed to come last night. I was sleeping and I heard the door open. My first thought was someone was breaking into our house. I jumped out of bed and ran to the door. It was unlocked. I looked outside and then called for Jorja. I was wondering if it was her. She came around the bushes. She said sorry and that she didn't mean to scare me. She got a notification that her shoes had arrived so she was trying to find them. Sometimes the delivery people leave packages by the garage. It wasn't there. Sometimes we get notifications that our package has been delivered when it ends up coming the next day, so that is what I thought was going to happen. Nope. That is not what happened. Here is my text thread with Jorja....

Jorja sent me a screenshot of the order. The address had our street name, but not the number.

J: Do you think it's bad it doesn't say 24?

M: Yes

J: I put it in when I ordered it (side note: totally don't think she did....)

J: Uh oh

J: Who do you think they would give it to?

M: No idea. There are three Smiths on our street alone.

J: What should I do

M: Not like the UPS guy is going to know which ones.

M: I have no idea.

J: I'm so sad

J: I don't know how I messed it up

M: Details are important

M: life lesson

M: Sorry though

J: There's no way I wouldn't have put that on

M: I don't think they would have taken it off. Check the confirmation and see if it is there.

J: That is the confirmation

M: Dang it. Not sure what to tell you.

J: Do you think they'll come?? Should I order new ones??

J: Do you have the other smiths numbers so I can contact them?

M: I don't know.

J: Or whoever lives on #1??

M: I don't think it will necessarily be delivered to a Smith. The UPS guy won't know there are other Smiths on the street. Has it been delivered? Is this what you were looking for last night?

J: Yes

M: Absolutely no idea what you should do.

J: I'm so sad

M: Maybe wear your black shoes.

M: Sorry

J: I'm so stupid

M: Just need to slow down to go fast (I have been talking to her a lot about this concept)

M: And notice details.

M: Double check everything

J: Do you think they delivered it though??

J: There has to be something I can do

M: I don't know.

J: Ok well I might buy new ones

M: No

M: You don't have money

M: I don't think you should and it might not come in time anyway.

M: Chalk it up to a life lesson.

J: Everything is going wrong right now

J: I'm sick of it

M: No it isn't.

M: Some things are going wrong, but not everything.

J: Do you have the umber of who lives on 1

M: No

J: I will txt everyone on the street

M: Good luck

J: You don't have anyone's number?

J: Can you look in lds tools???

M: I have Becky's, Karen's and Yolanda's. I'm a terrible neighbor.

M: Do you think they would have left it at the gate?

J: Maybe

J: I don't know

M: I have that number

J: Could you call them?

M: No

J: Or maybe I could after school

J: Send me the number

I ended up thinking that if the driver just had the street address they might just drop it off at the first house. So, I went on a walk and this is what I found. I tried knocking, but no one answered. I wonder what Larry Smith would have thought when he saw a Nasty Gal package on his porch.

I sent Jorja this picture

M: You owe me so much, you have no idea.

J: Where'd you find it???

J: Yayyyy

M: I took it off of the porch at the first house

M: Like a thief.

J: I was going to check there after school

M: You have made me a criminal.

J: The Pepperwood guards will come arrest you

M: I knocked, but no one answered

M: I hope no one saw me and I hope there are no cameras.

J: I'm sure you're fine

M: Don't ever think I don't love you

J: Larry Smith is fine without a package from nasty gal at his door

J: I love you too!

Anyway, that was that. Jorja and the other sbos went to visit Brighton highschool and meet with their sbos. One of the students at Brighton killed himself a few days ago, so they were going to show their support to the Brighton community. 

Jorja & Layla

Sadler, Dallin, Jorja, Joe, Bode, Layla, Brenton, Marshall

I texted Dallin's mom today. I didn't know what to say, but I wanted to let her know how much Jorja cared about Dallin. We also saw that Dallin's dad started a scholarship for Dallin and they wanted that instead of flowers. Jorja donated to that. Cassie texted me back and asked if I got the direct message she sent on instagram. Whoops, I never checked those. She sent me a message Monday. I didn't even find out about Dallin until the next day, this would have blown my mind. The message said, "I wanted to reach out to you and Jorja about Dallin's passing. It isn't real to us yet and we are still in the depths of despair. Jorja was one of Dallin's bestest childhood friends and we want you both to know that we love you and will keep you posted on funeral arrangements." Can you believe that? I was shocked at that message. Here Cassie is facing the worst moment of her life and she is reaching out to me to let Jorja know she is loved. I know Dallin's parents loved him so much. They were always there. Both of them. So involved. I can't even fathom what they are going through right now. They will always be in my prayers.

On a happier note....here are pictures of Jorja's new frog....

Chips

Chips and Jorja

Jorja and her friends went to watch their friends play basketball. They decided they wanted to dress up like skiers. Don't know why.

Jorja

I knew Jorja was with Ella and sent her this picture of the two of them at the end of sixth grade

Jorja & Riley

Mike sent me a picture of Maysen and Bear

I spent today getting Jorja's end of the yearbook think ready. The other years they just had you send pictures and your caption. This year they had us put the pictures in a template. I accidentally sent the wrong picture for Stockton. I wrote to them and asked if they could use the new picture instead, they didn't. Oh well. Anyway, this is what Jorja's is going to look like.

Stockton's

Maysen's

Dallin's Obituary

Mike took Maysen and Preston skiing today. It was not crowded at all. Lots different than last time! Mike said they had a great time. I mostly worked on Jorja's dress today. Hope it turns out!

Dallin's obituary is up now. It is heart breaking. "Pain and grief this intense and dark can only be a reflection of the amazing love and light Dallin brought into our lives for nearly 18 years." He had so many accomplishments. Dallin was so smart. 35 on the act his first try, just like Jacob. He was so creative. I remember that about him. It is so sad that his parents aren't going to be able to watch him become an adult and see what he would have been able to accomplish. I can't even imagine. Dallin's parents wrote to him at the end of his obituary. I don't think I have ever seen that before, but I loved it. This is what they wrote...

"Lastly, to our son Dallin, we thank you for blessing our lives for the time you were here. Your broad amazing smile. Your infectious laugh. Your exclamations of "I did a thing" whenever you finished your most recent amazing creation. Your treats. Your mentoring of your younger siblings and cousins. Your kind, generous heart. Your wit. Your intelligence. Watching movies with you. Your desire to organize fun. The late-night talks about life. We will see you again, but until then, we will miss you dearly."

Dallin

I have been procrastinating writing this post. I don't really have words to describe what happened. Over the weekend Jorja found out that a student at Corner Canyon had died. The student body officers made a banner to show support for their school and brought it to them yesterday morning. Jorja couldn't go because she hadn't been cleared from quarantine. Anyway, this morning while Jorja was in class she was talking with Ella. Ella told her the boy who died was Dallin Walker. Jorja's heart dropped. She texted me immediately and my heart dropped. Dallin was Jorja's best friend in elementary school. They were always together. They played together every recess. Jorja was always with Jazzie and Dallin. Dallin was over here many times, Jorja was at Dallin's even more. Dallin and Jazzie went to a different middle school and high school. Jorja and Dallin emailed a bit in sixth grade, but eventually they grew apart. Just because they didn't see each other. I'm sure it would have been different if they had cell phones and an easy way to keep in contact when they started going to different schools. (Glad they didn't have cell phones that young though.) Anyway this has been a rough week for Jorja, I can't even imagine what Dallin's family is going through. I'm so thankful Dallin was a part of Jorja's life. Middle school was hard and she had a hard time figuring out where she belonged. I'm glad she didn't have to worry about that in elementary school. Jorja told me that Jazzie had other friends too but "Dallin and I just had each other." This boy was the sweetest and I'm grateful Jorja was able to know him.

Dallin & Jorja ~ last day of elementary school

Dallin, Jazzie and Jorja swimming in our backyard

Dallin at Jorja's 12th birthday party

Dallin swimming at our house again

The last time Jorja saw Dallin was in 9th grade. You would think it would be easier to keep in touch once they got older, but life gets in the way. Although Jorja and Dallin went to the same elementary school, the way the boundary's worked was kind of weird. He actually lived quite a ways from us. Not terrible, but he didn't live close enough to just drop by. Anyway, the three of them got together at Bahama Bucks around Christmas time their 9th grade year. Man I wish they would have done this more. I am so very thankful for these two great friends.

Jazzie, Jorja, Dallin

Chip and Guac

I took Jorja early this morning to get a covid test at Overstock. Her appointment was at 8:30. We did that then drove to school and waited for the results. She was negative. Shocking. She couldn't come back to school until the results were emailed. We waited. And waited. I called back and asked again about the email. Jorja hurried in and was able to make it to part of advisory. She is glad to be done with quarantine.

Mike picked up Jorja a little early from Chinese today. They drove down to American Fork and she got two red eyed tree frogs. This was her Christmas present. Well, the plan was to get her one, but they had two and Mike thought they needed friends. After Mike took Preston to Play it Again Sports and got some used ski boots. Anyway, Jorja is very happy. She named them Chips and Guac. I'm not sure if they are the final names, but I think they are.

Jorja and Preston at Animal Ark

Guac

The rest of these pictures are out of order again. I have no idea why they do that sometimes, but it is super annoying. So, the out-of-order pictures of Jorja's frogs.....

 Chip and Guac

Guac got a little nervous on the ride home and changed colors

Jorja with Guac

Guac

Chip and Jorja

Mike, Maysen and Preston all left to the cabin tonight. They are going to spend the week up there. Preston loves online school.