Stake Conference

There is good and bad to COVID restrictions. Today we had Stake Conference but virtually. It was nice to just watch it from the couch but I also know I paid less attention. And I am not sure I will get used to everyone around me wearing a mask. It feels disconnecting somehow. Still the messages were good and I had many cuddlers on the couch with me. 

 

Where to next?

Because of how everything fell apart with the endo program (long story short - Jason and the director did not see eye to eye on anything and he was forced out), we are up for a PCS this summer. I thought we would retire from Fayetteville. That's why we bought this house. However, plans have had to change. It's been hard for me. There were a few posts available this cycle that we liked. Jason called around and talked to the people in charge at each one. We thought we had the one in Virginia locked down. However, today we found out that our new post is Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. That was WAY down on our list. Being an EFMP family there are only so many posts that we even qualify for. I guess Fort Bliss can handle our autism needs. To say that we are disappointed is an understatement since the officers in charge of the places Jason contacted said they would rate him high. I am trying to work up enthusiasm for this move but it's hard.

A family in our ward, the Lovejoys, just came from Bliss. When she heard that was where we are going she brought me a present. She handed me these flowers and told me that if I ever needed green, I could just go buy some to bring into the house. It was sweet and she has been helpful in getting me information about the area.

We have decided that we want to live in the Westside due to good schools and right by the mountains for Jason to run in. But the rental market is really tough for a family of our size with a dog and BAH for Bliss does not cover rent prices. We are looking into buying again if we have to. This move also means we have to put our house up for sale as well. We are pretty sure it will sell but this is all a hassle. And I love our Fayetteville house, ward, neighborhood, and schools. 

The good news is that there are a lot of active members in El Paso and on the Westside there are 4 wards, each covering a MUCH smaller geographic area than our wards in Fayetteville. And I only hear good things about them. Looking at houses I have to refer back to the Church's ward locator because a few streets away can be an entirely new ward. 

There's so much to do and consider when moving and I am trying to just put my head down and plow through, knowing that the Lord has a plan for us.

Children's Broadcast

In the past there have been many adult, young adult and youth broadcasts from the Church. This time the broadcast was for the Primary children. It was great! They had songs, talks, videos and even a drawing lesson. Paige and Darby were very engaged. 

 

Mildred Wiser Lufkin 1926 - 2021

My dad called me a while ago to tell me that my Grandma Midge had passed away. She was nearing 95 years of age. I feel sad but also happy for her. Her health had been declining. Also, my mom told me that the last time they talked she said that she missed my grandpa very much. I am sure Grandma was excited to see Grandpa Morris again.

I don't feel like I knew her as well as my other grandparents as we usually lived far away but I still feel the pull and love of family. Even though my parents are divorced, my mother still recalls that Grandma was always kind to her, even in her youth. I remember Grandma just sitting amongst her grandchildren and beaming with happiness. She was a miltary wife too and that makes me feel closer to her as well. 

Her memorial was today. I looked up Washington's COVID restrictions and it said that gatherings still had a limit. If I attended then others who lived closer would not be able to. But the memorial was streamed online so I was able to watch. I learned quite a bit about my grandmother and her early years. My dad gave the eulogy. It was lovely. I asked him to send me a copy but it hasn't arrived yet. 

Here is part of her obituary:

Mildred Wiser Lufkin Telford 94, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021, Mildred was born in Shelley ID to George and Venus Lufkin on Thanksgiving Day. Mildred grew up in Shelley and graduated in 1946 from Cheyenne High School in WY.

She married Morris in 1948 from that union came 6 sons and a daughter. Mom and Dad lived in Kansas City MO, Shelley ID, Oceanside CA, San Jose CA, Sacramento CA, and Seattle WA.

As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she served in many Primary, Youth, Relief Society, and Stake callings. She loved working with the youth and she and Morris served in the Seattle Temple and an Employment Service Mission.

Mom spent her whole life in her chosen profession, homemaker, taking care of her family giving her much joy. Mildred is survived by her older brother Richard Lufkin and her children: Allen (Gail), David, Mark (Hope), Ron (Lynn), Brad (Colleen), Rebecca Larson (David), and Derek (Barbara), 29 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way.

 

Dancing in the Rain

When you're out dancing in the rain in your pajamas and notice that your umbrella is inverted.

Oh well. You can still stomp in puddles. :)

 

Anniversary

Jason and I have been married 17 years today.  Since our anniversary is on a Sunday, we went out to celebrate on Saturday. Due to COVID-19, it was really hard to find a place to eat. We ended up with an hour wait (instad of two hours at other places) and decided to eat dessert first at a frozen yogurt shop to pass the time. Not a bad idea. 

Dinner was really good, if somewhat belated. And my date is pretty good-looking. 

We exchanged gifts today. I bought Jason a Dewalt jigsaw and he was so excited he didn't even look up to see me open my present. 

He got me a new Willow Tree that I've been wanting becasue it reminds me of our girls. He also bought me the Trogdor board game because, well, it's awesome and funny. 

 Happy Annivalentine to us!

The Wolf and the Princess

Paige asked Dad to play make-believe with her. She dressed up as a princess and he was a wolf. He slung her over his shoulder and kidnapped her. It was so cute to see them play together.

Just about everything about this picture makes me smile. 

 

GirlDay 2021

Its GirlDay! This year the girls wanted to start the day with Superior Bakery donuts and then go to the trampoline park. Jason jumped just as much as the kids. Due to Covid restrictions, we each had to wear a mask, which made them tire out more quickly. They were worn out!

Jason stayed home and prepared the Alton Brown rib recipe that the girls requested while I took them to the secondhand bookstore. 

Back at home, they opened their present from Grandma Caren. It was a lot of Barbie clothes! Then we played Balderdash at the girls' request and I beat them all. Next was a jigsaw puzzle. 

We ate the ribs while watching The Two Towers because Jason just finished reading the book to the girls at bedtime. 

We paused the movie halfway through to eat the ice cream cake. It was delicious!

Happy birthday Eva, Darby, and Paige! We love you!

A Teenager

And just like that, I have another teenager in the house. Eva turns 13 today! It was a school day so major celebrating will hold off until this weekend but she chose IHOP as her birthday dinner spot. It was all decorated for Valentine's Day and looked awesome! She loved it. 

As per usual, she opened cards and presents while waiting for our food. She got cards from her grandparents and some money too.

Her sisters wanted to get her presents so they gave her a necklace, a new doll and some doll clothes. Judging by her reaction I think she liked them. 

Jason and I gave her a new book and a stuffed corgi. I know the time will shortly come that she will want things like an iPhone, makeup and clothes but I am enjoying this innocent time before she grows up too much. ;)

 Happy birthday, Sweetheart! We love you!