Poppy's Surprise

The day after Christmas I got the best gift and surprise.  A surprise that I really had no clue was coming.  My father!

Through the giving of my parents, Ronald, and Hannah, Dad was able to come to Utah and stay almost 6 days with us.  It was such a sweet sacrifice given by these people so that I could have my father near me during kind of a difficult time of year; the anniversary of my Grandmother's passing.  I think of my Mom, more than anyone that really had to sacrifice the most.  She had to sacrifice the physical support of her husband while dealing with the reminder of the loss of her mother.  I won't soon forgot this.  I love her anyway, but this act of charity makes me feel that love for her even stronger right now.

Poppy watched the boys for David and I while we celebrated our anniversary, he took the boys to a Trampoline/bounce place, we ate out a lot, we went up in the mountains to play in the snow, Dad and I just sat in bet and watched funny TV shows, and the men/boys went out to see a movie.  I think that was quite a lot for being in the middle of a pandemic.

I love my father.  We have a special bond that is obvious to others and personal for ourselves.  How do you put that into words?  I'm not sure that I quite can.  But we know.  I guess that is all that matters.

Christmas 2020

Christmas this year was a little quieter than usual.  It was simple.  Maybe because of Covid-19 and presents not getting here on time.  Maybe because we didn't go to Oklahoma this year.  Maybe because I was a little sad with the anniversary of Grandma's passing coming quickly.  Who knows but it did feel different.  But sometimes with "different" things comes little blessings like how you can learn from a simple Christmas.  We played games, we ate, we loved, and hopefully we'll remember.

Grandma couldn't come inside because of Covid but she did come over later and we exchanged gifts.

A few days later, some packages arrived.  This was one of our favorites.

 

December Mashup

David, Ruger, and I were out and about earlier this month when Ruger wanted to call his Grandpa Adams.  Somewhere along the conversation (he was on speaker phone) Steve said something about remembering letting his boys handle the steering wheel when they were real young.  I went inside the store to get something and when I came back I found this!

Tumbleweed galore!  The first picture is of one of our neighbors drive way.  The second is a picture of one of the many pileups we saw in our neighborhood one very windy day.

Annual gingerbread decorating. But this year, the 2 older boys decorated theirs and then let Ruger "Hulk Smash" them afterwards.  As you can imagine, absolutely destroying a gingerbread house was something Ruger could not pass up.

So many people have these beautiful, themed Christmas trees.  Not us.  They are full of Primary and Elementary School yearly ornaments made by the kids throughout the years and Nanny's yearly homemade Christmas ornaments.  And then there is that weird, now yearly, trumpet on top of the tree that the boys insist on.  But I wouldn't change it if I could.  

 

Levi is an adult!

My baby.  My first born.  On the 20th he became an adult.  Sorry bud, you'll always be my baby. 

As a toddler, his own personality started to show.  Obedient and kind.  Still is.  When he became a little older, he showed interest in taking things apart and them assembling them back together again.  Still does.  At a young age, he challenged himself to read the Book of Mormon all the way through.  He still loves the gospel and asks questions, showing me that he really does have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Then he became a pre-teen and showed love for babies and toddlers.  Out of all the siblings, he still gets along best with Ruger.  As a teenager, he discovered his love of welding.  We'll see if he follows that passion after his mission, but as of now that has not changed and he wants it to be his profession.

At 6 food whatever, he towers over his Momma, he loves Sweedish Fish and Coke, he loves playing his piano, he's a hard working man (Little Creasers), he studies the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he hugs his mother without me asking, he enjoys hanging out with his Dad when fixing the cars, bikes, or whatever Dad is perfecting, he laughs with Brigham and Hyrum at silly stuff, and loves messing with Ruger.

  He is the ideal product of parenting that any parent could ever ask for.  

Thanksgiving 2020

 Our food portion of Thanksgiving didn't go as planned but the activities went perfect.  Grandma Helen couldn't come because of Covid-19 so we thought we'd be spending Thanksgiving by ourselves but about 2 days before, Rachel and Stephen contacted us that they would be in Utah and would like to spend it with us.  I'm so glad that they did!  They are such good young adults and I truly love them very much.  

We ended up eating much later than planned but with having FHE with Rachel and Stephen and then playing games, it just went perfectly.  Plus, we had the opportunity to bring food over to a single mom who's children where at their Dads for the weekend.  She was sick and alone and it felt really good to not just help her, but to show the kids.  I often bring meals to people, actually, but I usually do it in private.  But this time I talked to the kids about it because I realized that they will never learn from me to serve in ways like this if I don't show them.

6-year-old little man

I don't think of Ruger's birth Mom a lot.  Don't get me wrong, I occasionally do but not like I did when we first adopted Ruger.  Maybe it's because I don't often think of him being adopted anymore.  I used to be really conscious of it; so afraid we'd do or say something wrong.  Fearing we'd ever trigger thoughts of him not feeling like he was a permanent part of our family.  Now, I'm more relaxed and so all this stuff just doesn't enter my mind as much.

But I'm thinking of her tonight, on her firstborn child's birthday.  Wondering if she's cried today.  Wondering if she has forgiven herself.  

As I think of her, of course I can't help but think of our blessing that came out of her pain.  Gosh, I hope she has forgiven herself because her boy is fiercely loved.  And he loyally loves back!

Here is a picture of Ruger with Leo, a neighbor friend, who is only 2.  Ruger doesn't care that he is 2 and still in diapers.  He just loves Leo!  That is just Ruger for you.  He wants to be everyone's friend.

Leo and Ruger went to Coconut Cove for Ruger's birthday last night.  It's hard celebrating his birthday so close to Thanksgiving and during a pandemic.  But it worked out nicely for us because Ruger doesn't care about how many people show up.  He just wants to play!

One of Ruger's best buds is his cousin Stephen.  He truly loves Stephen.  I mean LOVES him!  I wouldn't be surprised if seeing Stephen on his birthday actually was his birthday present in his eyes.

 Right now Ruger loves Taco Salad, children YouTubers, Seiiki, hanging out with just about any of our neighbors (and that's including the adults!), loves his Daddy the most, thinks farting is the funniest thing ever, and is the life of every party he comes into contact with.  People just love Ruger.  They really do.  He is at an age where his antics don't drive me crazy anymore.  I don't need breaks like I used to.  He makes Daddy feel so good about himself as he watches Ruger and I fighting to get to his car first, every Friday, to see who can touch Daddy before the other.  He's smart.  He's still incredibly active but is finally learning to control some of those impulses that used to get him into trouble.  All in all, Ruger is just a loved and loving kid.

Who Loves Me More?

I felt very loved this weekend.  And though I know that Seiiki loves me, I'm pretty sure David loves me more!

 

Stuffed Animal or Bichon?

 

Halloween 2020

 Halloween was different this year with less get togethers.  The night of Halloween, we noticed the amount of bowls out with candy raised significantly than years past.  Covid-19 has changed so many things this year.  Nevertheless, we tried to make it as normal as possible for the kids.

The Steed's house was the one house that we HAD to go and visit.  Ruger has 2 favorite "men friends" in our ward.  Brother Steed is one of them.  When we found out that he was dressing up at Captain America too, there was no way we were going to miss out on these 2 getting together on Halloween night!

Hyrum dressed up as well....as a cultist.  I still don't know how I feel about that.  It's a good thing I love that kid so much!

What We Are Willing To Do For Our Children

Without going into personal details, Hyrum was in need of an Emotional Support Animal.  After much research and introducing him to different breeds of puppies, he fell in love with this sweet Bichon.  Let me tell you why she is so special. Hyrum is not a dog person.  In fact, they used to scare him.  But after talking to him about different resources in helping him with his mental health, he felt he needed a dog.  After meeting a few breeders, this Bichon went straight to his lap and did not leave until we did.  All the puppies he met after that did nothing for him!  She still is a puppy and needs to be played with here and there but for the most part, she just wants to be in Hyrum's lap!  For the first time, in much too long of time, Hyrum is smiling again.

Meet Seiiki (Say-Key)!  It is Japanese for sanctuary.

Sometimes when Hyrum goes to bed, I'll have some Seiiki time while doing homework.  Lets just say that not much gets done with her around.  Heaven knows that I'm not a dog person.  I know they are loyal and show unconditional love better than humans but, just know I have my reasons.  But this sweet girl is changing my son's life.  I will always love her for that.  But honestly, she is melting my heart daily.  Hyrum and I both decided that we are still not dog people but we are Seiiki people!

 

Levi's Senior Pictures

My first born has had his Senior pictures taken.  There were many taken, and they were all amazing, but these are my favorite ones.

This one was just for fun as Sam got Levi to play around for us and get the grunge 90's look going on.

I know Sam from college.  My memories of him were of going to a dance with him and many hang out times in my apartment with my roommates.  I remember him being a great cook but more than anything, he was just dang funny!

A few days before Levi took his Senior pictures, I was talking to Levi about what he wanted to wear in his pictures.  He said he wanted to wear a flannel shirt.  After a little bit I just started laughing because I realized I had taken my Senior pictures in a flannel shirt 20 + years ago!

Most of September and October Update

 Not in order but here are some pictures of some of our September and October happenings.

Watching conference all crammed in mine and David's bedroom.

Hiking with Christine.

Pumpkin patch (Covid-19 style)

Bacon and hot chocolate, anyone?

Gift from Mom and Dad

Levi's first car (that he bought!)

Suicide Prevention Week 2020

Ah, a happy face.  The image of a woman not coping with a mental illness that lies to her at times.  Would you believe that this week of national suicide prevention would mean so much to her?

Well, it does.  She has figured out her own coping mechanisms that work for her, throughout the years.  She has a wonderful support system in her husband, children, family, and friends when the lies in her head get too loud.  She prays for familial guardian angels to give her extra strength to listen to that support system; to recognize the truth and push out the lies in her head.  Because of these things, she has lived to 42 years old.  And she is grateful.

The following is something Alisa Rene' Adams wrote on her Facebook timeline in hopes to help others struggling with similar issues.  It's never easy openly discussing such serious flaws.  But if she can help just one person...

"I saw a quote indicating that suicide kills more than the person who has died at their own hands.  There is some truth to this.  How many of you have experienced the waves of grief that comes along after seeing a picture of your loved one who has left you?  How many times does a piece of your heart die a little when you hear an old familiar song that reminds you of that beautiful soul that you loved so much?  How many times does an old inside joke between you and your lost friend now resemble anything but laughter? 

For those of you who are, or tend to on occasion consider suicide, please stay with us.  I know that in the moment you are convinced that your loved ones would be better off without you.  I know this from personal experience and for that, I would never judge you in calling your thoughts selfish.  But I also know from experience that it is a lie!  Trust me, ending your life would break the hearts of many.  Killing yourself would kill a part of them.  Read that again.  Killing yourself would kill a part of them.  Stay with us.  Talk to us.  Reach out for help and we will do the heavy lifting for you until you regain your strength. "

 

Quail Creek Reservoir

On Sunday, we borrowed some kayaks and tubes from the Hastings family and went to Quail Creek Reservoir.  It was over 110 degrees and the water was perfectly cold.  There was a bunch of Hispanic families there playing Hispanic-Pop music and it just felt like a family party all around us.  It seriously was perfect!