Sunday Monday

Sunday Joe had to work a 12 hour shift.  Haylee and I went to church.  The talks were about charity and kindness.  My Sunday school lesson went pretty well.  I am not loving my calling but it isn’t about me.  The Lord has asked me to serve in this capacity at this time.  And so I will.  And I will have faith that it will get better.  It was hard to hear two boys in my clsss report they had the same lunch as Haylee and that she sat at a table next to theirs.  Hard because she sat alone. And they saw her. But they didn’t say anything. 

Lame.

Today brought day 3 of school. Haylee forgot her lunch today, I gave her $$ last week before school started for just such an occasion. After thinking about it this morning I knew she would feel awkward about taking cash up to the register so I quickly set up and put $$ in her account so she wouldn’t stand out for paying with cash. I texted her and she said she would be ok.  I knew she wasn’t going to eat. And she didn’t. I also know that she is going to have to do things that make her uncomfortable in  life.  I wish I could give

her anxiety the boot so her awesome self could shine through.  But her anxiety makes her who she is. And she’s awesome so there ya go.  I can’t imagine being a junior at a new school. She sat alone again today.  Clubs start next week and she will find people.  Her people. ❤️ I made chocolate chip cookies for her that were coming out of the oven when she got home.  

Each day after school she and and I sit in the study and chat about her day for a bit.  I make sure my phone is in the other room and that I don’t have anything pressing at that time.  It has been great!  

After we chatted I got a text from a friend that her daughter needed help with her geometry homework and asking if Haylee would be willing to tutor her.  Chelsea came over and Haylee spent about an hour going over her homework.  Haylee had her own homework but ya know “Service before self” I am thankful for my smarty pants kid.  

Keva and I went to lunch today and to run an errand.  It was so fun!!!  I am so thankful we are stationed here together.  I think we could talk for 17 hours straight!  Seriously. Lol.  It has been nice getting to know her better. ❤️

Ice skating

We spent our Saturday planning to do things but doing a bunch of driving around lol.  We left base, Joe forgot something so we went back home.  Left base again and drove to the mall, no sooner had we parked the car than Joe got called into work.  We drove back to base and dropped him off then headed back to town to the ice skating rink.  Lol.  Haylee’s favorite thing to do is skate. She hasn’t gone a bunch since tbe rink in Missouri was an hour away.  Good news for North Dakota it’s only 20 minutes! Yay. We will be singing her up for lessons in a couple of weeks.  I skated with her today. For about 20 minutes, the rental skates really hurt your feet!!!  The bottom of my feet felt like they were on fire.  I did ok though and didn’t fall down. Haylee was surprised I was as fast as I was :) I did jam my pinky finger at the beginning when I was pulling myself along the rail.  Lamest skating injury ever.  Lol.  After skating we went to Target, WalMart and Hobby Lobby.  It was a fun girls day. 

 Bonus picture of Joe since I thought he looked extra cute today.  Not too shabby for 40. 

Skates off!  Ouch! 

My skater chick 





On the way home the sun was shining through the clouds and if you squint and use your imagination it looks kinda like the bat signal.  :) 

First day of school, first formal event with Team Minot

This cute girl started her junior year yesterday!  How cute is she??  

Big smile before the bus came. When she got home I asked her how her day was “it started out pretty rocky!” Uh oh!  Poor kid had left her brand new phone on the bus.  Thankfully the bus driver had it for her after school. A little sad she spent the morning in panic mode. She said a prayer though and felt peaceful about the situation. She sat alone at lunch but was ok with it.  She gave the day a 7 out of 10 overall.  Today was day 2, she came home feeling kind of down.  She was just missing her “tribe” that is in Warrensburg.  This part of moving stinks. I know it will get better, and so does she, but it is hard in the moment.  

Tonight Joe and I went to Airman leadership school graduation.  I didn’t think it was a nice as the ceremony at Whiteman but the club is smaller -sort of- and it was hot in there!  However, the Chief that spoke was great.  Boring speakers are the worst.  Lol. Brian Noetlich was funny and relateable. 5th AMXS had a lot of award winners so that was fun.  

I also went to lunch with the Spouses Club President today.  I am going to be the Sunshine Chair (it’s my job to make people feel welcome ☀️- love it!) so I needed a binder and a box of stuff since I was gone during the first board meeting. It’s going to be a fun board position and I look forward to getting to know some new people.  It seems really well organized so that is awesome too! 

Another good North Dakota day. 💜

My baby

This picture is from 7 years ago, my sweet fourth grade baby. 

Tomorrow she starts her junior year of high school!  Only two more years with her at home.  Time goes too fast!  Tomorrow she starts a new school.  I can’t imagine doing that my junior year.  She is so brave!  I know she is going to be a rockstar.  
Look at our family 7 years ago.  I treasured those times when they were all at home.  

We toured the school the other day.  This is Haylee by her new locker.  The locker bay has a super 70s vibe lol. 

It’s going to be a great year!! 

Tuesday

Fed the sisters, I had signed up to feed the Elders to but Joe attended a memorial service for his Airman that was killed last week,  Haylee wore makeup today!  I have been trying to get her to do that for forever!  Ok just last year but still.  She was adamantly against it but I talked to her about it the other day and she was really open minded.  Awesome!!

 I also visited with a good friend today and played with her cute six year old. It was so fun!  We had breakfast for dinner and the missionaries seemed to enjoy it.  Also, FaceTimed with this cute boy.  I am so happy when his little face lights up when he sees “Tia” my sweet Dean-o boy! 

Too cool for school with his sunglasses on. 

Auntie is funny even through the phone.  ❤️

Today

Haylee and I went and toured her school again.  I think she is ready for Thursday. The juniors and seniors attend the same campus. Today Is the first time I realized all the juniors are new to the layout of the school.  Haylee won’t be the only one searching for her classes :) and how cute is this? 
We also did some school shopping.  Haylee is not a shopper. She usually rejects “trendy” items and hates trying things on.  Today she actually seemed to enjoy it!  And she got a couple of “in” shirts and two new pairs of jeans.  Fingers crossed she jumps in with both feet Thursday.  Can’t believe she will be a junior!!!  

I thought this shirt would be great for the first day.  Haylee said it was a shirt that I would wear and that this is the face I would make when I wore it. 🤣

That girl cracks me up. Looking at this pic makes me think I should go back and buy that shirt for me though super cute!  Hmmm...maybe a trip to the mall for me in the future.  

Christmas Eve

The last couple of months have been busy of course.  I’ll tell the story with pictures to sum it all up.  

This baby girl turned 16 years old. I surprised her with treats at seminary. Then surprised her again that night with treats for the cast of Bye Bye Birdie. 

We had her party the first Saturday in December. I offered her all kinds of big ideas but she chose to go ice skating with her closest friends.  There was a lot of singing in the car. They had a great time. 

Aly, Haylee, Katelyn, Vickie,  front Rebecca and Abby. 

Afterwards we went to Pizza Ranch for a buffet.  The food was not fab but the girls were happy since they were starving. 

November also brought the grand opening of the thrift store on base.  It was SO MUCH WORK. But the new store is really nice. I am thankful for the friendships I have made there. This pic left to right:

Nicole Gray, Lynda Wilcox, Col. Mark Ely, Katie Phillips, me and Chief Robbins. 

Haylee was in the ensemble of Bye Bye Birdie.  The kids did an AMAZING job. The two male leads were kids from our ward.  It was a fun production and Haylee had a BLAST!

All the kids from our ward in the production.

My mom came and so did Joe’s parents.  

The end of November Sierra had shoulder surgery.  This is the morning of. 

She had a rough recovery (in the pic below she had sparking strawberry daqeri to help her feel better lol) 

It was a tough few weeks but we made it through and she is feeling a lot better. 

Haylee got to go see her hero Scott Kelly talk about his book a year in space.  She LOVED it.  She even got to ask him a question and got a signed copy of the book. 

When he called on her he said “this girl right here in the gang colors” lol. 

The very next night Haylee went on her first date.  Tanner Young had called her earlier in the week and asked her out.  She was ecstatic.  They went zip lining, had a bonfire, then did some service and went out for frozen yogurt.  She had so much fun!!! 

CUTEST! 

Ok I’ll update December soon!  I gotta go find a jolly guy with some presents to put under the tree.  🎅🏻😜🎄🎁