A New Year Welcomes Us!

It's 2014--We greeted this new year by enjoying a movie on New Year's Eve, then tried to stay awake until midnight--and we made it.  Barely.  :)  This ended officially an amazing season which started for us November 27, when we boarded the plane to Phoenix, via SLC.   All our family were waiting for us at Jenny's.  We photo'ed the occasion, and my heart smiles at the memories of all of my adult kids and husbands in the kitchen finalizing the dinner preps.  Megan's table decos were lovely, too, and so fun for the kids as well.  Hanging out, time with the GRANDS and Polar Express, "Frozen,"  shopping, OG-!! -- so much in just a few days.  Then all were off to Disneyland/California Adventure.  We shared a door with Lindsey's, Jenny's shared a door with Erin's, and Megan floated between.  The Shutterfly book and new calendar captured so many great shots.  Loved our graphic on the T-shirts Meg designed, sweet memories with all plus individuals.  A great way to start our season.   Still cherishing.

Megan joined us for the remaining weeks of December, so we saw her some while she reconnected with Hawaii HS friends.   Her life is changing from being a full-time employee to student at UVU.  Finally achieved in-state status, a two-year goal.  Her decision does affect us also, mostly since she's needing assistance in housing and insurance.   But she seems motivated to complete her course of study, so we support her in striving toward economic independence and happiness in her life's chosen profession.

Meanwhile, the Jensens continue to settle in Arizona, the Pierces made the move to Utah and settled in Saratoga Springs, and Erin and Will and Avery enjoyed the 3-week getaway from AUS to the mainland including Iowa, Nevada, California, and Arizona.   Grandma Neal loved their trip to see her!  So did the Hauschildts. 

And more Meanwhile, we now need only TWO tickets for our basketball game attendance at BYUH--quite a change from recent years of 8 - 13 seats.   Downsizing?   Oh, yes, indeed.   We've also lost a few hundred pounds !!  these two weeks when we've had a temple recess for cleaning.   So, the temple got cleaned, but we did too here at home.   Christmas things, Erin's and Megan's and Bill's and my tubs of remembrance, plus things we no longer need, and about a half ton of books have found new residences or places to depart this existence.  It's always liberating to do this.  We are streamlining so we can make a more efficient move to the mainland one of these years soon.  Scanners will continue to assist with that, so we're counting them as late Christmas presents to us.   5 boxes of piano music, and that many boxes or more of memories we hope to digitize this year.  Still continuing digitizing the videos, too, for family future reference.   Glad they were captured, just need to have access.

Since it's been since May that I've posted, a few catch ups are also in order now.

MAY and JUNE:  Temple time mostly, but enjoyed a trip to KC for Enactus Team's support in their 2nd place national win and Bill's surprise induction as an officially-recognized, permanent Enactus Fellow.  Kaleb left here for his new Enactus position. We prepared for two weeks on the mainland, AZ and Iowa. Lindsey's family sold their life's possessions mostly in preparation for their move. 

JULY:   The two-week Temple recess allowed us to visit our Jensen family in Surprise and enjoy them and their new digs. It WAS hot--as promised.  But Betty joined us, and we all enjoyed a great visit, including 4th of July fireworks, with caramel corn in the van.  We saw our Iowa family and friends while in the Midwest.  No plane challenges this year, thank goodness.  Iowa was much greener this year, so beautiful.  While there, Lindsey's family camped out at our house in Laie for 3 weeks prior to their move.  We resumed Temple service upon our return.

AUGUST:   Dalein T. moved in for a few months, moving into what has become our Enactus/SIFE housing space.  :)  She was a delight, and so accommodating.   Some guests are just so easy.  We missed 5 GRANDS' birthdays this month, but we are grateful for Facetime which does help melt away the miles for at least a few minutes.  Big news was a surprise move to Hawaii for Betty!   Her position interview came up fast, with the offer right after, so she is once again on island with us.  We are happy, so happy, about that. 

SEPTEMBER:   Midway through, Jenny and the 3 kiddos joined us here so Jen could prepare for the Party in Pink.   Lots of walks, leaf collecting, yard cleaning, pool time, and toy time, too, were included in this sweet visit.   Daddy Aaron surprised the crew for a long weekend, and Jenny then had help to get this young and energetic family home to AZ.  

OCTOBER:  More Temple time, evenings, and enjoyed Jenny's still.  After she left, I became aware of the opportunity to take Madelyn N. for walks each Monday on our P-day.   She had a massive stroke last December, and though she is making progress daily,  still needs assistance in many ways.   The walks have become a joy for me that I anticipate, a distraction for her, and perhaps a break for her family.  They have been so wonderful to her.   Husband is an MD, son is a physical therapist, daughter and family live with them, son is the chef and caretaker, too, so family is sustaining her in giant ways.  She taught my girls to dance or love dance and folkdance.  I look forward to the day she can dance again.   That's my not-so-secret wish and continuing prayer, anyway. 

NOVEMBER:   Preparing for the Thanksgiving trip was foremost on our minds when we weren't at our second home - the Temple!  Many new patrons, sealings, and wonderful ordinance workers and presidency make it a wonderful way to spend our days. Peace, Power, Protection.  Couldn't ask for more.  We feel inadequate in so many ways to be partakers of this great privilege of serving. The books we acquire and read have enhanced our learning so much. 

What a great getaway for Thanksgiving, though, as mentioned and described above.   Truly looked forward to this, and the times and experiences delivered even more than expected, indeed.  We decorated the house before we left as knew it would be a short Christmas season when we got back on the 4th.

DECEMBER:  Always a busy temple month with graduation, and with others having sealings prior to the temple closure.   We  were    B U S Y   indeed, so our days sped by.    Our anniversary on the 21st was a special one.  Although a day off, Bill was a sealer for a much needed ordinance.   And, we too got to be across the altar once again when Pres. Pierce assisted.   This year--I counted---was the best year ever for us in being able to perform needed ordinances.  I learned it's one of the reasons, rewards, we have of serving now.  New Christmas electronics for us all--and dinner at Tanakas instead of S. Factory.  But some traditions don't change.   Christmas Eve was quieter, but still enjoyed our traditions plus missionaries the Hoopes, plus friends Ben from England and Nowah from Togo.  Christmas Day we three enjoyed a Disney movie, Saving Mr. Banks.   A Hanks film--can't go wrong. 

And now a new year --  where will these next months take us? ? ? ?    We're doing a cha-cha with our home legal issues. . . . but that is no surprise.   We will continue to serve, to stay, to downsize, to digitize, to teach online, to cha-cha, perhaps, but still enjoy paradise a little more.  Who knows for how long  ? ? ? ?   Only He knows, and we are grateful for all these blessings, but always to be in His hands.