February 2021, I qualified for a trip to California with Optavia Health Coaching. It was fun to hang out with fellow coaches and my husband in a beautiful location. I also made sure to get in my dates with the kids. February also marked the healing from my first laser surgery on my birthmark. It's really come a long way in 5 treatments this year. Just one or two to go.
April we celebrated Lily's 15th birthday with a surprise party with a few of her friends. We took them downtown to Austin and basically walked up and down Congress Ave. She also got her permit. Now to practice driving so she can actually drive this year. Yikes!
In May, I learned that Joe Fullen was not doing well and would soon pass. I was able to visit him with my friend Steve Ellis in his final days. Then I went to his funeral and visited with Coach Bradford for a while. It was nice to catch up. Fullen truly was a great teacher and I was pleased to get to honor him at his celebration of life.
After school let out, the Theatre at the Ridge put on Fame, the musical. Jessica came home from school and was able to see Lily in her first high school musical. It was a great show and nice to get back into the auditorium after such a long wait during COVID.
In June we celebrated birthdays for Gavin with a hike and Jessica with a pedicure. Then I went on a sister retreat with mom in Oregon. I have always wanted to visit Ginger, so it was something I decided to just go and do. We hiked, swam, kayaked, ziplined, saw the Redwood Trees, the Coast and drove in a convertible. I had a great time and far too soon, it was time to go home.
After my return home, we packed up for a 18 day road trip to the north and east coast. We started in Nashville and saw the Ryman Auditorium, Grand Ole Opry, Music Hall of Fame and the Belmont Mansion. Then we drove up to the Mammoth Cave on our way to Kirtland. We toured Kirtland and found some records of my ancestors. After that we made it to Niagara Falls just in time for fireworks. Monday, we rode on the Maiden Mist and saw the falls up close and personal. It was fabulous. Then we traveled to Palmyra and saw the church history sites Sacred Grove, Joseph Smith's home, Publish company of the first Book of Mormon, the Hill Cumorah, Susquehannah river and place where the Priesthood was restored. We also stopped by the Whitmore Farm. Then we landed in Pennsylvania and checked out the American History sites. We just happened to be there for the reenactment of the Declaration of Independence. We saw the liberty bell, Independence Hall, Ben Franklin museum, and most importantly, Dixie's Cherry Tree. Later we went to the Art Museum where Rocky is famous for running up the stairs. Then we took a hike through the city to see all the cool things like the LOVE sign, the Temple, a fountain and some flags.
The next day we drove to Fort McHenry where the Star Spangled Banner was inspired. We spent the weekend in Washington D.C. and walked a LOT. We decided before getting to our family reunion that it would be cool to stop at Myrtle Beach for a night. We spent some quality time with our family at the reunion in Georgia where Jake is stationed for the Army. Then it was time to finish our trek and get home. On the way, we tried to pick up Xavier, but they wouldn't release him yet. That came a few weeks later and we took in another kid. Well, a 22 year old kid, but a distant cousin of Jhonny's. He is the nephew of Jhonny's aunt by marriage. So they share an aunt in common. He crossed the border illegally and we decided to sponsor him and help him out. He is now staying with the Mayfield's in Utah and working while being put up for free. He's waiting for his papers so he can be legal to work in the country. The end of July, I went to Convention back in Atlanta and enjoyed reuniting again with my fellow health coaches.
The weekend before Jessica went back to school, we went to the temple and then the beach. Unfortunately, Jessica didn't make it to the beach, because she was in a car accident where her car was totaled. We sent her back with my parents to drop her and Xavier off. The rest of the kids soon returned to school again in person - Ammon in 3rd, Gavin in 8th and Lily in 10th grade. Gavin has enjoyed playing the trombone in school, Lily is dancing and performing in theatre and Ammon is growing and enjoying 3rd grade.
In November, my Grandpa Ellis returned home to be with Grandma on the other side of the veil. I took the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends from Idaho that I hadn't seen in quite some time. Others I saw in person who I have been health coaching this past year. It was great to see them and see their success.
I've also been very involved with the 7-11 yr old girls in Activity Days at our fall overnight campout and other activities. It's been a lot of fun.
Jeannie, one of my first clients wanted to do a hike and so Gavin joined us on a 4.2-mile hike in Austin.
Over Thanksgiving, we visited my parents and decided to go ice skating with the kids. They had a good time. Just before Christmas vacation, Lily was involved with the 24 hour musical, Elf at school. She was cast as one of the office workers and did a fabulous job. The next morning we had an early Christmas with my parents before flying to Utah for our vacation.
We stayed with the Mayfields and had a great time. I went to lunch with Denise Bartholomew and Michele Weight, and Megan Mayfield. It was great to reconnect after this many years. It was also great to see Jessica again. I've missed that girl. School is good for her, but it's hard to have her so far away. We found a house in Pleasant Grove that we are now under contract for, swam in the Mayfield's indoor pool, saw movies, went tubing at Soldier Hollow, Skiing in Sundance, and contracted COVID. Probably from the 24 hour musical as we found out half the cast were positive after we arrived in Utah. We were negative at first, but by the time we got home, Jhonny and I were NOT feeling well and decided to get the family in to test. 3 of us tested positive so we're quarantining for the next 5-10 days. oh darn! I'm kind of happy to let our vacation extend a few days more.
2022 - I am looking forward to changes for our family. We are preparing to move to Utah which is a surprise to me. I have mixed feelings. I will miss our home and the friends we have made here, but I'm looking forward to something new. I know there will be difficult things that we will face, but I am ready to see what the Lord has in store for us. I pray that whatever comes will be for the best. It's hard to see into the future, but I am feeling more and more compelled to go so we continue to get things in order.
I hope this year to continue to focus on Christ, reconcile my will to God's, turn my burdens over to him, find joy in my life and pray that my children will thrive and grow. I also hope to connect with my family and friends. I miss them and hope to be able to visit them more when we are closer next year. I will miss living close to my parents, but hopefully, even though I know some things will be hard, this will be a good move for our family. I am not looking forward to living in snow, but I am looking forward to the other 3 seasons that Utah has to offer. I am also NOT looking forward to packing up this house and decluttering all the stuff, but somehow, it will get done.
Goodbye, 2021 - you were a great year. Hello, 2022 - I have some big expectations. Let's see what you bring.
