New Life- Week 59 and 60 (Carrigan Gets Baptized)

These last two weeks were huge for our family.  The big events kicked off with Carrigan's birthday.  It wasn't just any birthday, but her big 8th birthday!  She had a day to remember with all her favorite meals (cinnamon rolls, Taco Bell, and potstickers) and a designed by her ice cream cake.  She got spoiled with tons of presents, especially crafts and crafting supplies. She also chose to go swimming and to lacrosse and had a Zoom birthday party with her friends.  This was Carrigan's second  Covid birthday, but I think we were still able to make it pretty memorable for her.

Just a few days after her birthday, we were so excited to have most of Jeremy's family come to town.  Jeff, Carolyn, Jensen, Garret, Breanna, and Capri all came to town and stayed with us.  They came for Carrigan's baptism and Merrick's ordination (more on that in a minute), but we also had time for some other fun.  We watched lacrosse and multiple baseball games.  Merrick was really excited that they got to see him pitch.  We also went on a hike, ate yummy foods, visited several parks, and Carolyn took me to get a pedicure.  It was a happy accident that we also got to be with them for Mother's Day.

The real reason for the visit and the biggest of the big events over the last two weeks was Carrigan's baptism and Merrick's Priesthood ordinations.  We had the baptism on Saturday evening.  It was a beautiful program and we were able to Zoom it for family and friends that were not able to attend in person (one of the blessings of Covid).  We had talks by Becca and Breanna and Jensen sang "I'm trying to be like Jesus".  Both Jeremy and Carrigan talked about how cold the water was in the font.  Jeremy said, "I baptized someone in the a horse trough in the middle of Mexico and that water was warmer". Merrick and I got to act as witnesses and, while she went all the way under the first time, Jeremy got turned around by our left handed girl and held up the wrong hand so she got to get double dunked in the cold water.  After the baptism Jeremy was also able to confirm her and give her the Holy Ghost.  Immediately following the baptism, we held Merrick's ordination and he was able to receive the Aaronic Priesthood and become a deacon. Jeremy was also able to do that ordination.  It was a busy day for him!

Immediately following the baptism and ordination, we had everyone over for a nacho bar dinner and dessert.  Carrigan had chosen the menu for the night and it was a huge hit.  It was so fun to have everyone over to our new house and the house handled all the extra people like a champ.  I am excited for many more events to come (Jeremy might have different thoughts on this).

By Tuesday everyone had gone home and it was back to business as usual, but it was so great to have everyone here.  We made precious memories that won't soon be forgotten. 

New Life- Week 58 (Extreme Risk)

 This week our county moved back into the "Extreme Risk" category for Covid 19 and I couldn't be more annoyed or baffled.  We (those of us in Oregon) have had one of the most extreme shut downs in the country and yet our numbers are still climbing.  Honestly, I am so over it!  In many ways I feel like we are moving back to a more normal life despite our local government telling us we can't.

Exhibit A: I went shopping more this last week than I have in a long time!  We got a new bed and I needed new sheet and a new comforter.  We also had to get things for Carrigan's upcoming birthday and baptism.  Since I am fully vaccinated, it isn't really a huge deal for me to do shopping, but I haven't done it a lot because I am not ready to take my kids out and about to stores.

Exhibit B:  Sports!  Sports are back!!!!  I know I have already mentioned it, but Carrigan is playing lacrosse and Merrick is playing baseball.  Merrick had his first game this past week.  He is mainly playing first base and pitcher, with a little outfield sprinkled in.  He is doing a great job.  The biggest change I have noticed this year is his confidence.  Especially at the mound, he seems focused and relaxed.  It's so nice to see.

Exhibit C: Family.  For several months at the the beginning of the pandemic we didn't see our family.  Now, thankfully, many of us are vaccinated and we are able to get together more easily without fear.  The family got together on Friday for dinner at Emily and Tala's and much of the family has come out to the baseball games (Merrick, Jason, and Kai are all on the same team).  This coming week we will be gathering (with the Clifford side too) for more baseball, Carrigan's birthday, and her baptism.  Also, yesterday the girls all had a girls' night at Emily's and Carrigan got a big birthday haircut.  No reveal pictures today, you will have to wait until next week for those, but she cut off about 6 inches and she looks adorable.

So, as you can see, despite the "extreme risk" we are a still living life and doing the things most important.  One day this will all be behind us...one day...

New Life- Week 57 (Adventures in Potty Training Part III- Elsie Edition)

The main event this week was potty training Elsie.  If I am being honest, this should have happened long ago, but between having our house on the market for a year, a pandemic, homeschooling the children, living with my parents, moving into our new house, and remodeling, it got put on the back burner.  Her readiness for potty train is evident in how it has gone.  The first day and a half she had a couple accidents.  We spent to first three days in just undies while we were getting the hang of it.  Since then she has not had a single pee accident.  It took her until the third day to figure out number two, but now she is off and running on that too.  If we are going to be gone a while, more than an hour or so, we still take a potty with us, but she is getting really good at holding it too.  We are on day 7 now and mostly she just takes herself potty when she needs to.  This is a bit of a double edged sword because she is still going on a training potty that needs to be emptied.  Unfortunately, when she doesn't give anyone a heads up, we have to hope we find it before our puppy, Millie does.

I can't tell you how much I have been dreading taking on potty training, but so far Elsie has made it relatively painless.  If I could go back in time maybe I wouldn't have potty trained the others until they were three too.

   

New Life- Week 56 (Spring Has Sprung)

This week Spring officially sprung in the great PNW and actually it has felt a bit more like summer than spring.  It has been a busy, but uneventful week spent outside among the beauty.  We have been jumping on the trampoline, playing in the backyard, and at parks around town.  I continue to be in awe of the beauty around me.  Unfortunately, now that was are homeowners with a decent size yard, there are always weeds to be pulled and they don’t seem to pull themselves.  That’s ok, the weeds are worth it.

Last night we took advantage of the wonderful weather and got together with our old neighbors for a happy hour dinner to celebrate some birthdays.  The girls decided to use some extra bowls and some flowers blooming on the tree to create hats for everyone.  Carrigan wants to be a wedding photographer, but if that doesn't pan out maybe she could maybe have a future as a haberdasher.  Everyone was such good sports.  I think I have mentioned it before, but I love our old neighbors.  I am just so glad that I they still include us in the get-togethers.

I am looking forward to the weeks ahead with more sunshine and fun.

New Life- Week 55 (Welcome to the Family)

 This week has brought a big change to our family.  On Monday we went to see a puppy.  Well, let me back up. The kids have been anxious for a puppy for a long time.  In fact, Merrick has been walking our neighbor's golden retriever, Millie, for a year to save up money for a dog.  Anyway, about a month ago Emily found a litter of lab puppies that were about to be born and we got on the waiting list.  So on Monday they were big enough that we were able to go see them and pick out our puppy.  They were all adorable and we did eventually pick one out.  We drove home excited and picking out names.

The next day the kids and I were at the park and I got a phone call from Millie's owner.  She has been concerned that if we got a puppy we would have less time fore Millie and with her work schedule, Millie would end up spending everyday in her kennel.  She told me that if we wanted Millie, she would give her to us. She just wanted a better life for Millie than she could giver her. We had a family meeting that night.  Tears where shed, but in the end, we all decided that we wanted Millie.  We all knew and loved Millie and felt like she would be a good fit for our family. 

For the rest of the week, Millie split her time between our house and her old owner's house.  Tonight she is spending the night and, if all goes according to plan, tomorrow she will officially be ours.  Welcome to the family, Millie.

New Life- Week 54 (Arizona and Easter)

Once again its been two weeks and so much has happened.  Last week we went to Arizona for Grandpa Clifford's funeral.  It was such a time of mixed emotions.  The funeral was beautiful, but it was hard at the same time.  We had the funeral in Arizona and then drove to Safford for the burial.  It was special to be able to go down to Safford and see the places that are so much a part of the history of the Clifford side of the family.

While we were in Arizona for the funeral, it was also the first time we have seen Jeremy's side of the family in a year and a half and it was seriously SO good to see them.  Like I said, very mixed emotions.  We really didn't do anything big or exciting with the family, but mostly just hung out, talked and ate...a lot.  It was so wonderful just to be together.  The kids loved meeting their newest cousin, Capri, and playing with their cousin, Betty.  We did venture to a few parks and had an early Easter egg hunt.

Today was Easter, and a very special Easter with it also being Conference Sunday.  We started the day with Easter Baskets.  The Easter Bunny brought WAY too much candy, but he also brought me a basket full of sugar free gum since I am trying to cut back on my sugar.  After baskets and cinnamon rolls, we settled in for conference.  There is something special about hearing from the prophet on Easter Sunday!  In between sessions we snuck up to visit our old neighbors.  They had made Easter baskets for the kids and we had brought them some souvenirs from Arizona.  After conference, Papa and Nana, the Lundbergs, and the Ioapos came over Easter dinner.  It was our first time hosting and it felt great to finally have a place where we could. 

It's been a really busy couple of weeks.  I would say that maybe it will slow down but I know that it won't.  Carrigan started Lacrosse this week and Merrick starts baseball next week.  Things are picking up.  Maybe we will get back to real life someday.