Music Class. It's the time to show everyone just how bonded they are. I mean really, could these two be more attached at the hip?
And I document this simply because it's beautiful. A full tank, a full gigantic tank, under $100. In fact, $20 under $100. I mean, there are no words.
So here we are, another end to another season. This has been a great season for us. We've loved every weekend, every game, every improvement the boys have shown. It's been a big year for them and I'm so proud of them both. Luckily for us, Jackson and Ryan will have the chance to play in one more game - the All-Stars game. This should be so enjoyable!
And on top of that, Jackson's hockey team, being in third place, played the second place team this past Saturday. Jackson played a fabulous game demonstrating a lot of strategy and teamwork. In the end, he gave a beautiful assist which lead to the winning goal. So he now has one more game; the Championship game. So fun!
November 21st
The morning of November 21st, I went to work, Andrew took the kids to school, Cole to grandma's and then he went to work. And then it hit me, this day marked the seventh year of Wes' passing. Is that not insane!?!? I was thinking about it and the fact of the matter is his impression on me and the memories we have shared are so incredibly strong, it's always as though I can't miss him. I miss him when we have gatherings and he's not there, and I smile when I pick up a penny on days he would have been there (carving pumpkins with Jill, setting up Friendsgiving, etc) but overall, I still feel him with us. I still feel his friendship and so I can't be sad, I can only think, "till we meet again".
Cole had a super sleepy day with grandma - I'm talking a three hour nap in her car even with pit stops, valet line, kids entering and leaving, you name it. This month has been a tough one for him and I realized after looking at him tonight, he's really grown this month. Growing is apparently exhausting.
And Ryan, he lost his FIRST TOOTH! I love that he lost it the morning of his last soccer game. It was so super cute. And I kept thinking I'm so glad he lost it just before our annual family picture. It'll really mark this time for him. The best part is he ended up pulling it out himself.
Sunday morning Andrew had to work and I had a presidency meeting. So, the meeting came to my house and I came up with a plan to distract the kids. They can be super thoughtful with the right probing - I chose guilt. We discussed how hard Andrew's been working and how much he's been gone lately and how nice it would be that after all the work he's doing for them, that they would help organize and clean his disastrous closet. They got into it and I was stoked. By the time my meeting began, that had already started a shorts pile, a pants pile, a t shirts pile and they were even hanging up nice shirts. I don't know where it went south.... all I know is that after my hour long meeting, I returned and could no longer see piles. I just saw lots and lots of toys, hangers, clothes, chaos. It was truly too good to be true.... or so I thought. That night, Andrew actually organized his closet. Whatever it takes, huh!
I guess having a picnic outside in the crazy wind was more appealing than organizing dad's closet.
Remember that growing I mentioned.... this week when we headed to Music, Cole was flying solo. At first he was mad, but then he just passed out. I guess going anywhere without Jacob isn't worth going. I pulled into the parking lot and sat there trying to figure out my next move. I sat for about a half hour taking care of emails and what not for our upcoming ward Christmas party and just as I put my hand on the key to start the car, he woke up. We joined music quite late and really, he never even joined in as he was still a bit of a zombie. But here's the deal... remember my 2014 life lesson. Things don't always go as planned. Here I am though, things not going as planned, but it could have been a much bigger deal.
For Michalle things didn't go as planned that morning, either. Allie was supposed to be at a play date but woke up complaining of a stomach ache. She had no symptoms, just complaints, so she came to music and slept in another room. The next morning as I was headed to Acton to meet up with my mom and Bri, I received a text from Michalle asking me to take Toby because she was at the doctor's and they were thinking Allie may have appendicitis. I turned around at Red Rover and headed back to Canyon Country to get Toby. Allie looked sick. It was so sad to see her and I can still see her in my head. Fast forward... she's at Tarzana hospital now for her second night because her appendix did burst and they now have to kill the infection. This process will take 5-10 days.
My friend Torey has been in the hospital now for a week because pneumonia hit her suddenly. So suddenly she was sent home by urgent care the morning the er admitted her that night. Crazy. She still doesn't know when she'll be able to go home.
So the fact is, things don't always go our way but some things truly aren't that big of a deal. We're all thrown curve balls throughout our life and it's just a matter of taking it and going forward with faith. As I spend Thanksgiving with my family tomorrow in a happy comfortable setting, I can remember that there was a year we spent it shocked over the loss of Wes. There were years we spent mourning because it still hurt. There are those that are celebrating in hospitals or away from their families for reasons that aren't too happy. There are soldiers out there not celebrating, families wishing their loved one was with them. There's no use in sweating the small stuff.
Excited for the shoot out!
I had to miss Ryan's last two games (double header) because I was at hockey but I was so relieved to know he'd be playing in the all-stars game because I'll be able to get pictures then. But from what I heard, he did a great job as goalie on his first game that morning. He claims he's, "now not that good at defense because of being goalie" but I doubt that. The second game these poor kiddos were pretty tired and the fresh legs they played against kicked their butts. But man, how can you expect these little guys to play two games back to back!? I'm proud of Ryan - out on that field, he's fearless!
