2020 started off with a drive to South Carolina to deliver the weigh set. It was fun to go as a family and just spend the day together. You cannot go all the way to Columbia, South Carolina without stopping by the temple. Just being near the temple brings me peace and makes me happy. (Spoiler alert!: With everything that is happening as of March 20th, this was the perfect way to start the year and focus on what is most important.)
When we got back from South Carolina we had a funeral for Faust. Naomi was really sad, but she said she knew it was coming. He is buried in the back corner with Dennis and Woody. RIP Faust.
We all went back to school on January 3rd. I was supposed to work a half-day, but ended up staying a full day, which was fun. I missed the kids over the break.
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| She is definitely my child. Why sit on a chair when you can sit on the counter!?! |
January 4th I took down all the Christmas decorations and got the house back to clean for the start of seminary. I also got to help the Cuillards move a couch and then spend the evening with them being introduced to Indian food. It was incredibly helpful to have a guide when choosing which menu item to try. I decided I like Indian food more than I thought I would.
Sunday we started our new time for church - noon. It was nice but weird to get to sleep in that long. Back at home I got ready for seminary to start back up the next morning, baked bread and went to bed.
January 6th I met the coolest person, Arielle. She was buying Faust's cage for her gecko. We had a good time talking about pets and she even sent me a picture of her gecko in their new home. It was a win-win.
January 9th was New Beginnings for the Young Women. This year was different in that the Young Men were also invited to attend since a lot of the new aspects of the youth program were being discussed. Nick and Naomi both had a part in the program. They were each given one of the goal areas to discuss and give ideas. The theme of the night was the Wizard of Oz. Nick was the tinman and talked about physical goals and why they are necessary. Naomi was the scarecrow and shared ideas about intellectual goals. It was a fun night.
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| I love these boys! Ben, Brian, Carson and Nick. |
January 12th we did our Come Follow Me lesson together as a family while making sushi and doughnuts. Anything to get the kids to participate. It was fun.
January 13th I got to serve lunches at the high school. It is fun and weird to see the kids all getting so grown up. That night we sold the treadmill. I am loving this "weight loss" system. Our house is already feeling much bigger and more organized. We are also meeting some really nice people in the process. This person happened to be a neighbor of a mutual friend.
January 15th I met Jill at Cafe 100 for brunch and then we went to the high school to help with lunches. I loved spending the day with Jill. Afterwards, I went to the middle school to learn how to use the phones in case Mrs. Shipman needed backup. My kids school is the best!
January 16th we started a major Media Center reorganization. Ms. Tedder is working on her masters degree and needed a media center project as part of one of her classes. Mrs. Rogowski and I have been discussing how to make the media center more functional and Ms. Tedder's project was the perfect excuse to do some moving of books and weeding to make the collection more appealing to the kids. I am in heaven!!!
January 18th - Steve went to Tennessee to learn how to forge a knife from scratch. While Steve was off playing the mountains I went to a baby shower for Mimi Nowland, watched the Young Men almost beat the Harrisburg Ward (Sooooo Close!), attended a Mary Kay party with Naomi hosted by her math teacher and got Nick and Naomi ready for the 80s dance. (Pictures of the forge experience and the kids in their 80s garb are below). With the kid off at a dance and Steve happy in the mountains, Jeremy and I went grocery shopping and watched "The Witcher". It was nice to have some Jeremy time. Everyone got home about the same time after having so much fun. Nick and Naomi said the dance was crowded and the music was great. Steve had many stories to tell about his day. It was worth the drive. We all slept well that night.
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| It doesn't look like much, but... |
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| Starting out with a rectangle of metal |
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| Patiently shaping it into a knife. |
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| The finished product complete with sheath |
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| Gorgeous knife. |
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| Gorgeous handle |
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| Naomi or Madonna?? |
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| Straight out of "The Breakfast Club" |
January 19th we found out that two of Naomi's pieces of art she entered into the Scholastic competition had won silver keys. To put it in perspective, a gold key is the highest award with a silver key coming next. WHOA! I looked at the list of winners and she is one of the only 8th graders to win. Most of the winners are high school juniors and seniors. Mrs. Mervine, her art teacher, was so excited!
January 20th Naomi got her hair dyed. She has been wanting more red in her hair for a bit and we finally took the leap. She likes it!
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| Getting her hair did! |
January 24th we went to the basketball game at LNC. Naomi was playing with the band during half time and we went to support her and got to watch an excellent game as well. We ended up losing to East Lincoln, but it was some good basketball.
January 25th was another church basketball day. Naomi got two baskets. It was fun to watch the girls, both teams, cheer for anyone that got a basket. That is just how the girls are. I love it. Nick played some amazing defense during his game and came away with 5 points as well.
January 28th I kept Nick home from school. He was really sick with a monsterous cough and a sore throat. He slept the whole day and felt much better.
January 28th I finally used the massage that the kids had given me for my birthday. Renald is my new best friend. 80 minutes of relaxation and hot stones. I am a fan.
On the last day of January, Steve took the day off and went to Asheville to talk to a gentleman about building his own forge. He has found a new hobby to replace scouting. This will be interesting and fun. I spent the the day in the media center subbing for Mrs. Rogowski. As an added bonus, I got to stay and help with Book to Movie club. We watched "The Giver". Naomi and I hurried home to eat and the get back to the school for the basketball game. I loved cheering for the band and for our team. We ended up winning this game.
January was a great way to start the year. Welcome 2020!
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