A New Chapter..

I know I know hardly anyone I know blogs anymore! But don't you always wonder what happened in an unfinished book or movie ....like the continuing sega which we call life in this instance. Its been a few years, years of growth, heartache, joy, tears, prayers, callings, milestones achievements and there's the end of the world as we know it pandemic which changed so much and hopefully is behind us because it caused more grief for so many physically, emotionally, mentally and so much more!   

Well all these years later two kids have grown up graduated and spread their wings K is serving a LDS mission he began durning covid called to the Georgia Atlanta North Mission Nov 18th 2020 Reassigned to the Canada Montreal Mission and got to his original call in Georgia finally at the end of April he now has three months left. 

I firmly believe serving and surviving in a covid mission time should be worth great rewards in heaven for all they have been through lockdowns, restrictions a different way of finding and teaching the gospel and some never getting to their original calls. But through it all I could be wrong, but great lessons in resilience, adapting, finding and doing all they can has provided a stronger love of the people and places they serve and in self discipline, study and companionships. Its been so amazing to watch Elder Bevans learn grow and gain more empathy love and a stronger testimony as much as we miss him he's right where he's meant to be but we can't wait to see him again!! 

Miss L kinda grew up too graduated this past year and moved out for the summer to work at a national park and is loving it!  She will be done in the fall and will have to find a new job. But she wants to work towards a mission for next august, but it'll be fun to see where her adventures take her. Whatever she does she does well. She is a gem, fun, faithful, kind ....yet still that wonderful, quirky, sarcastic girl we love even more. She is such a rock and inspiration to so many, especially me, she inspires daily.  She loves people and helps people, is quick to forgive and makes everything better when she's around.... except when she's peopled out;) then she loves to sleep;) But she really has blossomed (that sounds cliche but she has!) Covid was rough for her but we all made it out alive not having all the things you're used to and missing out on pretty much all of high schools important fun things was hard. At the end of grade 12 she got to go to her first dances and take tests;) and do normal things once again.  They got to do there show choir show and she loved every minute of it! She's had a great group of friends that all got each other through the lockdowns and restrictions. Which were far more damaging to our youth and young adults than anyone is willing to admit I think. But we see the results of it everywhere now. She is excited living her own life and not far enough away that we don't get to see her every now and again! She turned 18!! last week so hard to believe I have an 18 and 20 year old now!

Mr. M my little wild child the one who was wild when he was young yep he grew up ....you can feel sorry for me now;) So that cute little terror with nine lives.... still lives though I think he's lucky he's made his16 lives now.  He is every bit as wild, impulsive, inquistive, independent, a disappearing act etc etc.... add a few other things yep pray for us. He is going into grade 11 looks like a man, thinks he is one is hard to pin down thinks he should be able to choose for himself and do what he wants when he wants! He's had some struggles and life has not been easy for him or us the past couple of years either but hopefully we are all moving forward in a good direction never to go back . He has Adhd, like a lot of people these days.... Its a little out of my circle you know the one where you do this.... this will happen ....you do this.... earn this.... listen... we are all happy.... but no ....not quite but we are working through it finding a new approach everyday trying to understand how an adhd brain works ...winning somedays, losing others. But he works hard at the ranch gets up early works all day long in the summers, loves football, his phone and keeping busy from one thing to another. He's taught us many lessons outside our box of our understanding. But life would not be the same without him he always keeps us on our toes makes us laugh & cry but we carry on!! 

AND K2 where do I start he is 13!! How is that even possible I know!! and going into grade 8 this boy loves life and people. He is sensitive, strong, caring and kind.  He has a strong knowledge of good, and empathy for those that struggle and choose otherwise. He is funny and smart and loves being home but loves to be with friends.....And still loves his mama:) He plays a lot of instruments from percussion to piano he loves samba a marching band he's in near the end of school and summer and always loves learning new things from science to facts, swimming and tennis and his switch too {which I hate and could burn with the xbox ha ha} But they live on and come out occasionally:) I can't even believe that time has gone by so fast! K2 misses his two oldest siblings more than anything and can't wait for K to get back! We are so thankful for k2 he is a blessing!

My life has changed so much the kids get older and pretend they don't need us as much yet need us even more. Then the first two graduate and it changes things.... I miss my littles when things were much easier! But I love seeing the good they are doing. Its just weird to go on family vacations with two kids and most of the time its just k2 a lot hanging out with me and D:) But he's a good sport! In feb 2021 I started part time at the clinic in town as receptionist which I have loved, but now do a little of both mostly in the back as a Dr.'s assistant or MOA as its called .....most just think I'm a nurse though I am not, but I'll take it. I always wanted to be one ha ha.  But sometimes I feel a little guilty working but this day and age everything is going up and honestly its nice to get to and feel appreciated, and feel like I matter.  A lot of times everything we do at home is so redundant and nobody notices or appreciates anything we do. Feels like the kids all just want something or need something which is the highest priority but its nice to feel productive and nice to have a work family I love too! Its been good for us adapting and growing together and seeing what works. Though summer is really hard because k2 is by himself a lot but really he loves planning his days and scheduling things he's the best! I feel like the older I get the more the extra things don't matter what matters most is right here, right now and doing what is best for our family and doing the best we can. Nobody is perfect, no family is perfect we all have something we are all working, learning, growing together in and through things and that's pretty much the extent of our past few years. Teenagers are not easy but we love them and the new adventures each one brings to the table. 

We've had a few heartaches at the top being that my sister Holli passed away last Good Friday 2021 from cancer and only early 40's and left 6 kids.  Our hearts were/are broken and not a day goes by that we don't miss her and think of her. Or have some much gratitude that on our worst days we are blessed to still be here and healthy. There are so many why's in life, but one thing through all these trials I've/we've grown closer to our Savior and his peace & love and through other people have felt that love when we needed it most. Life is hard to understand on the best of days, but I can't imagine how we would survive without the knowledge of a Savior who loves us, atoned for us and knew there would be hard days but has a plan for each of us. This life is a test and we sure feel that lately I think every one of us. But for me the tests the trials have brought me so much closer to my Heavenly Father and have built my faith, my testimony and my knowledge that he Hears our hearts and our tears through which have gained empathy for those that silently and knowingly struggle each day through hardship. We don't walk alone if we see the needs of others and act on it. 

....And Mr. D is as busy as ever at work, and in his calling in our new stake presidency, dividing his time between all the things that matter is something he is really good at....Or is getting better at he's a busy busy man.  This summer he took the boys a different times on his work trips and they all made new memories and had fun. L  and I are taking a trip in October and looking forward to that!  Life is always easier if we're on the same page and work through things together, communicate,
listen and help each other.  I'm so thankful I have this guy by my side because I know I couldn't do it without him. 

Good Advice right here: 

"Be Peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. 

You are doing better than you think you are." 

-Jeffrey R Holland. 

I need to read that everyday!  So after all this time of being blogless, it feels good to catch up and see progress and time.... get some things out and one day we'll all look back on our lives the good and bad parts and hopefully know we are all trying our best. 

It truly is all about our focus and our attitude with what we do we are given.