Blessing and Homecoming

Kaylee was blessed today. Over zoom. It was pretty cool. All of my family was on there, and a lot of Sam's. Matt and Sam's bishop was on there too. It was awesome that my brothers that live far away (and their families) still got to be there. It was weird seeing Matt as the only one in the circle as the blessing was being given. Weird times we live in now. Kaylee is exactly four months old today. She is still on oxygen a lot of time, but is getting stronger and healthier. Definitely don't want her to get the coronavirus. After the blessing we were able to talk to my brothers and their families for a bit. We even played some Jackbox over zoom. Not as easy to do it that way. We had to say goodbye so we could get on our next zoom call.

Brandon is home from the Chicago Illinois mission, Spanish speaking. We had a 'homecoming' with all of Mike's family. Pretty much Brandon told us about his mission and we asked him some questions. It was fun. Aimee was there with her brand new baby!!! Jonathan Levi. He was beautiful. Spencer even got on. And his wife! I'm not sure how to spell her name. I know it starts with an X. She is so beautiful! Anyway, it was great to be able to connect with both sides of the family today!

Jorja also got to do another meeting after that. They had a zoom presidency meeting with the young woman's president. Busy day but so nice.

Preston Passed, Amy Blessed, Ten Years

I have a hard time sleeping. I hate it. I wake up at 4:00 or 5:00 every morning. Even if my eyes sting so bad because I am super tired, I can not get back to sleep. If I stay in bed my back hurts me the rest of the day. Today was no different. I was up by 4:30. I decided to use the time to cut out the flyers we needed to hand out at church today. I couldn't find my cutter tool, but I had plenty of time. I just used scissors. It got the job done. I got Jorja up early than she would have liked to make the Christmas poster. It turned out sooooo cute. Too bad I didn't take a picture. Preston and I went to church early so I could get the flyers there and he could be taught how to pass the sacrament. Audrey came with Jorja and Mike. I didn't know she was in town and was so surprised and happy to see her! So cool she could be here for Preston's first time passing the sacrament! I tried to be sneaky and get a picture of Preston. Too bad Matthew turned in front of him right as I snapped it. Jorja laughed and laughed about that. You can see Preston's leg though. Preston passed to us. I loved it!

Matthew & Preston's leg

I did better the next time, but I wasn't as sneaky. At least my phone doesn't make loud clicking noises when I am taking pictures. That is what Jorja's phone does. Sister Nunes told me that she and her husband were watching us watch Preston. She said it was so cute because our entire bench had the biggest grins on our faces. We love him. I can't believe he's twelve!

Preston

 Jorja & Mike ~ no idea what Jorja is doing here

Sam texted me while we were at church and asked if her mom would be able to lay down in the guest room after church. We are having dinner with our family and Sam's family at my house. Jorja has been sleeping in the guest room for awhile now. Mike and Jorja went home during Sunday school to straighten up the house. Jorja got the guest room taken care of and Mike did the kitchen. Jorja came back for young women. I wanted Jorja to be there with Audrey. She drove Audrey and me home in her bug and did a fantastic job.

We had a few minutes to breathe before we headed down to my dad's church. Jorja drove her bug again. We sat next to Bubs and Ange. Too bad Stockton wasn't here, he would have been able to be in the circle to bless Amy. He would have LOVED that. Mike told me that as soon as the blessing was over he was walking out. Matt gave Amy a sweet blessing. She is adorable.

Bubs and Ange and their kids came over after sacrament meeting. Everyone else stayed for all three hours. We were able to hang out with Bubs' family before tons of people came, so that worked out well. We had a Sloppy Joe Thanksgiving. It is my family's year for Thanksgiving, but it isn't going to work out. We are calling tonight good enough. Sam had her family come up too. There are a lot of them. Lots came from Idaho, so that was super nice.

Amy

Jorja brought the ducks in. Greg was a huge fan! He kept following the ducks around. His grandma was teasing him about being terrified of dogs, but the duck was just fine. Quacky Chan came over and played with Jeff. Jeff thought that was the coolest thing ever!

Greg, Jeff, Quacky Chan

 Jorja added more scratches to her collection

 Stephanie & Amy

 Amy

 Anne gave this note to Jorja

We read scriptures with the ducks after everyone left. The ducks joined us. ~ Jorja & Kiki

 Why Jorja has scratches.

Today is the tenth anniversary of my blog. I have written everyday for ten years. I can not believe I have lasted this long. Granted, I get behind and have to play catch up often. Still. I hope my kids love this. I really want to get this printed out because I don't want to lose this. When you go back to the old ones sometimes the format has changed and it looks weird. Anyway, I'm glad I have done this. I wish I had this record for all of my kids. Preston has such a good record for all of his life. I wish my other kids had that. I have loved every second with these kids. They are the best.

Jorja's Blessing

Maysen and I worked on her new spring schedule yesterday and today. She is able to register Tuesday at 10:00. It's a little nerve wracking because a couple of classes she wants today only has one class offered and there are very few seats available. Here's hoping! I took Maysen back to Logan this morning. Mike had ward council he had to go to. I was planning on getting my primary lesson done this morning, but things changed. Mike said he would teach my lesson for me. Yay! The teachers in the class just older than us didn't show up, so they were put in our class as well. Mike did a great job and I was so thankful that he did this for me. While Mike and I were in opening exercises for primary he snapped a picture of Asher giving his first talk and sent the photos to Jaime. She loved them.

Burke & Asher

Here are some random chocolates we brought back from Australia. One for everybody. They looked pretty cool. I think Jorja picked the kangaroo, Preston the platypus and Stockton the crocodile. I can't remember the others.

Jorja received her patriarchal blessing today. She has had this appointment set up for awhile. She said that the only thing that helped her get through this last week was thinking about getting her blessing on Sunday. Several months ago Jorja was asked to speak on patriarchal blessings in sacrament meeting, which was a bit weird because she had not received hers yet. She studied a lot about them and did a great job. Maysen told Jorja that she came with a list of about five questions she had prayed over and each one of them was answered. One was answered in the very first sentence. That about blew Maysen away. It was the word choice that struck her most. The patriarch later told her that he had never said that before. We have a new patriarch in our stake, Maysen's patriarch died in June. It was so sad. Jorja had three questions she was hoping for help with. She has prayed hard these last few weeks about them. Especially since she felt like her heart was shattering, this is what she was clinging to. She fasted Wednesday, Thursday, and came fasting to her blessing. She went downstairs and said another prayer right before we went. She told Heavenly Father that if he didn't want to answer all three questions, it would be okay; but could he just answer the most important question she had. Here is a picture of Jorja as we were leaving.

Jorja

The patriarch and his wife spent a lot of time with us. They talked to Jorja, they asked her to read her favorite scripture, they had Mike and I both share our testimonies with her, they had Mike say a prayer and then had me say a prayer right before the actual blessing. It was really great. Then the blessing was given to her. Jorja was devastated. Not one of her questions was answered. Not even a little bit. Some of the wording was strange and she came home with more anxiety than she has ever had. I don't understand what happened. This sounds awful, but I feel slightly betrayed. I'm hoping when she gets the physical paper of the blessing, she will be able to read it and find the answers to some of her questions; but neither Jorja or I heard anything about what she desperately needed help with. The patriarch told us before the blessing that if something isn't in the blessing it doesn't mean it won't happen. I understand this. The thing is, Jorja has been an emotional wreck for the past few weeks. She needed to know Heavenly Father knew her. She needed to know how important she is and how loved she is. She needed to know that everything was going to be okay. She didn't get any of that from the blessing. Again, maybe it is there in words that we didn't realize, but still. I wanted her to have an experience like Maysen. Jorja was so sad afterwords. She was crying, saying things like, "Maybe I'm not faithful. Maybe I wasn't prepared. I really thought this was the right time for me to receive this blessing." Seriously, there has never been anyone more prepared going into their patriarchal blessing than Jorja. We were sitting next to each other on the couch and I had her head against my chest. She was sobbing. She didn't want to go to school tomorrow, she doesn't have hope anymore. I literally had no idea what to do. I know we aren't supposed to talk in detail about our blessings, I just need to write down experiences that are hard. This is hard. I feel this is a huge trial of her faith; and it is coming when she is already extremely emotionally battered. I really, really, really, really hope and pray that when she gets to hold her blessing and read it that she will be able to pull out things that she needs. There were some cool things in there too, it's just that the things that she felt were missing were overshadowing everything else. When the patriarch was walking us out, he gave Jorja a hug and said, "You are going to have a great life." Anyway, Jorja was so sad and I was at a loss as to what I could say that could help her when the doorbell rang. The missionaries were here! We had no idea they were coming. They randomly stop by a lot because Mike is the ward mission leader, but this was perfect timing. Sister Hutchinson came in, looked at Jorja and said, "Why are you crying?" We had a long talk with them and it was awesome. Sister Argo and Sister Hutchinson were both perfect at this moment. I told Jorja that Heavenly Father was still aware of her. Her patriarchal blessing was given to her the way it was because that is what will best help her become the person Heavenly Father wants her to be; this is a blessing of a lifetime, not a moment. Heavenly Father knew she was sad and she was hurting and that her parents weren't able to give her any comfort. So what does he do? He sent her Hutch and Argo. Probably the only two people on this planet that could have helped her in that moment. I am so thankful for these sweet missionaries. Transfers are coming next Monday. I hope, hope, hope, hope, hope these missionaries stay. They are so good to Jorja. They are so good for Jorja.

Gregory's Blessing

Happy Father's Day! Gregory was also blessed today. I made Mike breakfast in bed while the kids slept in. Funny how they sleep in now. They have been super busy though. We opened presents before church. Mike got a new kindle that he was hoping would be easy to read pdfs on. The text didn't enlarge easy, so he was disappointed. His eyes have gotten really bad recently. The kids and I got Mike two games and one present that hasn't arrived yet. We got him One Night Ultimate Werewolf (Stockton's suggestion) and Betrayal at House on the Hill (Jorja's suggestion). Preston had helped me stash the presents. When I went to get them, I also found a Mother's Day card from Preston that he had hidden and apparently forgotten about.

Preston, Jorja, Mike, Maysen, Stockton

 Stephanie & Preston

Matt and Sam were in the back of the chapel, so we sat a few rows behind them. We still had soft seats, so that was nice. There were a lot of people on hard seats in the cultural hall behind us. We usually sit close to the front when we are at our regular ward. I did not like sitting in the back. I couldn't hear anything and found it hard to focus. Mike said that the speaker above us was not turned on. We did see Mr. Ward there. He was the Student Government advisor when Mike was a SBO. We talked to him for awhile and Mike introduced our kids. He asked about all of Mike's siblings. It's crazy how he can remember so many kids!

Mike got a lot of ties on Monday from Nathan. He joked about giving everyone a tie on Father's Day. Well, I thought he was joking. He was not. Everyone wore their ties to church except Jorja.

Stockton, Maysen, Mike, Jorja, Preston

We had dinner at our house with my family, Sam's family and a few of their friends and there families. There was a lot of people! I guess I should have asked how many people they were expecting so we would have been better prepared. It turned out fine though. Sam had asked us to provide the drinks and chips (and location). They brought pulled pork and lots of other food. Sam even had Preston's favorite caramels. I talked to Ange a lot about sleeping arrangements for when her kids are staying over while they go on a trip with my dad. Brett & Rachel will also be here at the same time. I'm really excited about that!

Gregory

 Stockton & Gregory

After everyone went home we played Mike's new games. We didn't finish the Betrayal game because it took quite awhile, we will finish it later. It turned out I was the traitor. Now I'm a giant two headed snake monster and everyone else is trying to kill me. Whoops. We stopped that game to play the Werewolf game before bed. That game is fast. It was fun and we discovered both of the werewolfs. (Jorja and Preston) Preston had no idea he was a werewolf because I was the troublemaker and switched cards on him.

We have had a long, busy week and from the looks of things next week is going to be just as busy!

Leo's Blessing

Derek and Melissa blessed Leo today.  Mike and I went to it.  The blessing was about an hour from our house and it was the same time as our church.  Maysen was teaching a lesson, Stockton had meetings and Preston had primary program practice.  We decided to have the kids go to church without us.  They were all ready when we left.  They walked to church and sat by themselves.  I'm glad that worked out okay.

Leo's blessing was great.  Derek did a good job.  He held Leo up like Simba afterwords.  Leo looked adorable.  We went to Derek and Melissa for crepes afterwords.  Melissa had quite the spread. Everything you could imagine.  They were delicious.

I asked the kids who spoke in sacrament meeting.  I couldn't believe it! Payton's mission president!  Payton is serving in the Salt Lake City East Mission.  We are just out of the boundaries, but Mike's work is in them. I would have asked him if there was any way we could take Payton out for lunch.  Payton is serving around Murray right now.  I can't believe I missed my chance!  (Maysen grew up with Payton.  He was in her primary class in Georgia.  His mom is one of my best friends.)

Blessing and Gingerbread

Turns out Maysen does not want to go to Trek.  Really doesn't want to go.  There will be too many people, she would have to walk for days, it is outside, there will be bugs, she already knows the pioneers went through hard things. . .   Maysen had quite a big list.  I have always heard that trek is the most amazing experience.  I don't want Maysen to miss out on what might be the most incredible memory of her life because she is worried that it will be hard and uncomfortable.  Plus, how will I convince Stockton that he should go if I let Maysen stay home?  I am really at a loss.  I want both Maysen and Stockton to experience this, but I'm worried that if I force Maysen she will not have a good attitude and will make the entire trek miserable to herself and those around her.  Also, the youth are going to spend half a year getting ready.  If Maysen isn't going it might alienate her even more from the other girls.  That is definitely not what I want to happen.

On a brighter note, Maysen received her patriarchal blessing today. She set up the appointment herself.  We had our family fast this weekend instead of next week.  President Christensen spent a long time with us. We were there for about an hour and a half.  First he talked with Maysen alone.  Then he called us in and talked to us.  He would tell different stories and then say, "Who's in charge?"  He told us that after he was made Stake President, President Hinckley came to his office and talked to him.  After that meeting he etched a P in the chair President Hinckley sat in.  When he was being released, he was asked if there was anything he wanted to remind him of the experience of serving as stake president.  He asked for that chair.  President Christensen had Maysen sit in the same chair while he gave her the blessing.

Previous to the blessing Maysen had written down a list of concerns that she had.  She prayed about them most of the week.  She would not share with me any of her concerns - Boo!  But, she did say that every one was answered.  I cried through most of her blessing.  I didn't expect to do that!  It was just so tender to know that Heavenly Father was giving Maysen guidance for the rest of her life and to feel Heavenly Father's love for her.  Obviously I'm not going to write about the details of the blessing that was given her, but let's just say that she is (and will be) quite amazing.  Although I already knew that.

We got home from President Christensen's house a few minutes before 4.  People were coming to our house at 4 to make gingerbread houses!  Ahhhh!  That's okay, the kids played while I got the frosting ready.  We started about 45 minutes late.  When Lincoln walked in the door he said to Maysen, "Why do you have dots all over?"  Maysen answered, "Because my shirt has dots on it."  Lincoln said, "No, the dots on your face?"  Haha!  Made everyone laugh - even Maysen.  Kids are funny.

I now have a ton of pictures from out gingerbread making extravaganza!  My dad, Bubs and Ange and their family were here.  We had our neighbor Audrey over as well.  My kids are donating their house to Festival of Trees this year.  Jorja said, "It's fun decorating a house you are going to donate because then you can decorate it with things you don't like."  I think she was talking about the coconut.  I love this time of year!

Maysen and Mike

 Lincoln

 Stockton

 Mike

 Ange and Abbs

 Dad

 Ella

 Audrey

 Jorja

 Preston - notice the gingerbread strapped to the roof...

 Abigail

 Dad

 Mike

 Dad

 Audrey

 Gingerbread Land

 Steph, Bubs, Abbs, Dad, Stockton, Ange, Millie, Ella, Jorja

Lincoln, Preston, Maysen, Audrey

 Ella, Millie, Bubs, Abby & Ange, Lincoln

 Smith houses

 Jorja, Preston, Maysen, Mike, Stockton, Stephanie

 Audrey

 Ella

 Bubs

 Abbs

 Lincoln

 Ange & Amelia

 Bubs & Ange

 Dad

 I told him to open his eyes.

 Jorja

 Jorja with her front yard

 Preston

 Stockton

 Maysen

 Mike

 Rarely do I get a good smile on camera!  Had to put both.

 Usually I end up with this.  Haha!
Reminds me of his campaign posters from high school.

 Stephanie

Lincoln put six Snicker Nutcrackers on his house.  Three on each side. He said they were guarding the house so no one would eat it.  Maysen and Stockton were laughing about the flaws in that plan.  Mostly that the guards themselves were edible.  Something like, "Maybe you shouldn't use edible guards if you want that plan to succeed."  I really need to write things down!  They say things much funnier than I can re-create.  One of the many reasons that I am the worst at telling jokes!