Cute in braces!

Monday was a busy day for this sweet girl!  I picked her up from school during lunch time and took her to the orthodontist's office, where she sat, tortured in a chair for an hour, to get braces.  She was such a good sport about it all--we took lots of goofy pictures and somehow, magically, she still looked gorgeous. After a week she is eating more than pudding, yogurt, and Jell-O, but she says her front teeth are still pretty tender.  Here's to a year or more of braces-fun!  We love this girl and her bubbly spirit!

About a month and a half ago, Rhiannon showed me her left foot.  She said it was painful and noticed a big bunion at the base of her big toe.  We took her into a podiatrist, thinking he'd order some night splints or something, but he said her bunion was pretty severe and would eventually  need to be surgically repaired.  After getting x-rays and finding out she's still growing, he said orthotics in her shoes would help to slow the bunion growth down until she could have surgery.  He also wrote a doctor's note for school, ordering her to stop running until the orthotics came in.  (Her PE coach has been great about it!  She's walked a lot, haha!) 

So... the day she got braces, she also got orthotics for her feet!  She was a great sport about it all!!!  What a trooper!

Rhiannon goes to EFY Express!

As I type this, Rhiannon is walking a bag full of used Kleenex tissues out to the trash can. Just from today. She was sick earlier in the month, got a Z-pack of antibiotics, and now 2 weeks later she is R-E-A-L-L-Y sick, coughing, coughing, coughing with severe chest congestion.  She took 2 doses of Mucinex-D yesterday which really broke up the congestion, BUT the stimulant in the nasal decongestant part of that equation kept her up all night with a racing heart, so we stopped that in a hurry!  My best guess is bronchitis or maybe pneumonia--we'll see.  Everything is closed on Sunday except for the ER, so we will get her into urgent care first thing tomorrow.  

It's been a tough month for her--missing school, catching up, worrying about grades, getting braces for her teeth and orthotics for her feet on the same day (more on that in the next post), and being SICK and TIRED of being sick.  She has her sad moments, but overall I am amazed at her grace, patience, kindness and humor.  This girl is one tough chick!

There have been some bright moments for her this month, thankfully!  Last weekend she went to an EFY Express down in Lancaster.  I drove her and 5 other girls down, dropped them off at this beautiful stake center out in the boonies, and heard all about their fun time seven hours later on the drive home.

One of the funnier moments was pulling into the stake center parking lot and gasping at the sight of so many young men in white shirts, hahahaha!  As much as I love Ridgecrest, a typical turnout to a stake youth activity here is maybe 30-40 kids, mostly excited young women and few boys.  So it was really fun for them to see that!  There were between 300-400 youth from all over California attending--they played games, listened to two inspirational speakers, had pizza, watched a talent show, and then danced for 2 hours at the end.  $20 and some gas money WELL-SPENT!

Rhiannon said it was one of the best things she'd ever done--YAY!  

Kira, Rhiannon, Tamara, JenAi, Celeste, and Katiana

I had a "mommy day" while the girls were there.  I shopped, bought some clothes, went to Costco, and saw Cinderalla--it was a fun day for me, too. ;)

Wade's first basketball game

Jacob, Aidan, Nick, Wade, Elijah, Usman, Dillon, Coach Becky, Tucker, and Miguel

First game of the season--Wade's 5th-grade boys team won 25-9!   It was a spectacular game--we were shocked to see those boys play that well together!  They were a T-E-A-M!

We love his coaches, Mark and Becky Anderson from our church (3rd ward)--they have done an OUTSTANDING job at practices focusing on skills, passing, teamwork and sportsmanship. Those 9 boys made few mistakes during the game and looked like a well-oiled machine--it was scary cool to watch, haha!!!! Wade made one basket, a perfect "swish"!

Wanna know what my favorite part of the game was, though? It was when Wade was racing back to the other side of the court and started pumping his arms up and down to get the crowd excited. HAHAHAHA! Too funny!

Who knows what the rest of the season will be like, but if this team plays the way they did that night, they are going to have a ton of fun!

Our friend Sundown

This weekend has been very special for our ward family.  A wonderful investigator and friend, Sundown Hittu and her son Ben were baptized last night.  This has been a 6-month+ journey for Sundown, and she has been an inspiration to our whole ward as she has overcome addictions, discouragement, trials and fear.  We have all grown from her faith, and we are all so happy for her!!!

Bishop Washburn, Sundown and Ben Hittu, Sister Taylor and Sister Lazarotto

Elder Haroldsen with Sundown and Ben

When Jason and I showed up at the baptism (at President and Sister Bull's home in their pool--still no stake center here in Ridgecrest to use a regular font), our bishop Ephraim Washburn and his wife Kimm talked with me for a few minutes.  He said that I'd been very helpful to Sundown when I'd shared my testimony of repentance with her, that there were so many like me who were sharing this day and her joy with her.  

I wanted to write about that particular night with Sundown because it illustrates one way the Holy Ghost works and how prayers can be answered in simple ways.

On Wednesday, March 11th, I had the random idea to text a few friends and see if they wanted to ride together to the Relief Society dinner that night.  Sundown was the only friend able to go that night, and I was happy to pick her up.  (Now, I rarely offer rides to RS night--I like making quick getaways, haha!)  The activity was wonderful and we all enjoyed the sisterhood and love that was felt there!  As I pulled into Sundown's apartment complex afterwards, we talked in the car for a bit, and Sundown talked about the process of the baptismal interviews she had to do and how painfully embarrassing it was for her.  She was so sad and upset.  I paused a moment, feeling impressed to share some personal experiences but feeling awkward about it, but I took the plunge and shared one of my own experiences with repentance, how I had felt those same feelings, in the beginning.  But I also said that I was grateful for full, true repentance because ultimately that embarrassment gave way to deep gratitude to the Savior for His Atonement and an understanding that it was real, that it was for me, and that Christ knew me and loved me.  

It was a quiet, special moment that I will never forget.  How grateful I was to find out later that those few minutes, talking in my van at night in the parking lot, helped Sundown jump those last few hurdles.  I hope she knows how much she is loved and admired and cherished!

Love, Mom

Swade,

I’m sorry for being hard on you for being hard on yourself.  The irony of that bothered me all morning.  I’m sorry.  Your dad and I did not encourage you to try out for basketball because we want you to be the star player and score all the points.  We encouraged you so that you could:

• Try something new
• Widen your circle of friends
• Learn new skills
• Get good exercise
• Work in a team, together, supporting each other
• And have the experience of working with probably the best coaching duo you will ever have in your entire life, for realz.   

It’s so much more than making the shot.  It’s trying to make the shot and dealing with the consequences well, either way.  It’s about, in the famous words of my new favorite movie, having courage and being kind (to YOURSELF, too!)

Have a great day!  Have fun!  I love you!

Love, Mom

5th Grade Field Trip--Riley's Farm

Riley's Farm was the perfect spot for Wade's big 5th-grade field trip.  I am so thankful for his school teachers and staff and volunteers who put it together!

This place is about 2 hours away (3 if you have to follow the school bus like I did as a chaperone).  We had gorgeous weather!  The kids were great!  And even though the grounds were P-A-C-K-E-D with several other school groups, the experience and rotations were managed very well.  I probably loved it so much because it reminded me of another favorite place--Mount Vernon from our Virginia adventure!

The guides were fantastic--all spoke in a colonial, British accent and kept the kids very engaged.  They experienced what it was like for colonists and got an appreciation for why the Revolutionary War started in the first place.  

I was so glad to be there with Wade and his friends.  It was a neat place, and I hope we go there again as a family so that we can enjoy the good food they make there!  My sweet friend Christian Speredelozzi rode down with me and Becky Anderson, and she bought us both these HUGE, delicious apple pies.  Becky and Christian were great company--they kept me laughing and talking so that my 6+ hours driving didn't bother me one bit!!!

I've been on a lot of field trips, and this was probably one of my all-time favorites.  We were down and back in a day before it got dark, the kids were well-behaved, I had wonderful adults helping me with our large group, AND Riley's Farm exceeded expectations!

Link:  Riley's Farm

EPIC Valentine's Day, Part 2--Ontario Mall and a hockey game!

After Willow Springs, we continued our family Valentine's Day experience!

In-and-Out was the unanimous choice for lunch, and then we drove to Ontario.  First stop was the Ontario Mills mall which was SUPER CROWDED but fun.  The stop at Ghiradelli's at the very end made it all worth it--thanks for the chocolate, Daddy!  Wade bought a Lego set, Rhiannon bought a shirt, and we all enjoyed Bath and Body Works, haha--we desert rats are pretty easy to please. :)

Then we went to an Ontario Reign hockey game--it was a ton of fun!  The Ontario Reign won in a shoot-out against the Alaska Aces.  It was a nice arena and ticket prices were decent--we'll have to go again sometime!

It was a long, busy, fun day.  We drove home that night pretty quiet, basking in the memories we'd made together.  So thankful!

Oh, and before I forget, since we weren't going to be home on Valentine's Day, Jason surprised Rhiannon and me with flowers the day before, on Friday.  So thoughtful and sweet!  And those flowers bloomed and stayed beautiful for a solid 3 weeks later!!!  Love you, babe!  Thank you!

An EPIC Valentine's Day 2015--Part 1: Willow Springs

Why did it take me almost a month to blog about this incredible weekend? Probably because there's SO MUCH to tell!

On Valentine's Day we had an all-day family adventure. Adventure #1 was watching Jason drive some sweet cars down at Willow Springs in Rosamond.  He'd been there once before to drive his own car, but for his birthday present to himself, he bought a couple Extreme Experience packages and drove some FANCY cars that day instead.  (website for more info:  Extreme Experience)

He drove his long-time dream car, a GT-R, but he fell in love with the Porsche 911 GT3!!!

SO FUN!  The picture below accurately portrays Jason's time there that day, hahahaha!

I have a feeling that Jason will do this again some day.  A perfect way for our favorite dad/hubby to celebrate his 40th!

A very special service project!

On February 16th, we drove down to Loma Linda and did a service project at the Ronald McDonald House with some wonderful Ridgecrest friends who also stayed there while their children were at the children's hospital.  Thank you, thank you, to the Kimbler family for organizing it!  We had a great time with them and the Rossers!

It had been 14 years since we'd been back to the Ronald McDonald House, about 6 months for the Kimblers, and 2 months for the Rossers.  I was happy I held it together and didn't get emotional. :)  We were just so happy to be there, providing lunch and talking to the families who were guests there at that time.  One of the men noticed Benjamin's BYU shirt and asked us about that--come to find out, that family was LDS and members of the Victorville stake. Good times!

Rhiannon with Jackie Rosser--I admire Jackie so much!

These kids were a little too young to be in the kitchen, per the guidelines there, but they loved the 25-cent soda machine, the free snow cones, and the play area out back.  I sure was glad the Kimbler kids could come so that Wade wasn't bored!

Rhiannon never stayed here, but her parents and Grandma Donna did!  What memories! Our girl was staying in the Loma Linda NICU--a crazy beginning, but look at her now!  Love this girl--we are blessed!

A very happy day!!!

Where's Waldo/Wade?

Geez, I've got a lot to catch up on from the past few weeks!  This post, however, will be all about Wade.  He has been a very, very busy boy!

Over the past month or so, Wade:

1.  Got a hair cut.  After the haircut he looked like he grew a foot taller--weird!  He misses his longer hair and curls, but he likes the cut, too.  (Oh, and his braces were taken off temporarily--he's done with the palate expander but has to lose about a gazillion baby teeth still, so they gave him a break.  The nice thing is that he's paid for!)

2.  Did a fantastic job with 3 other friends in an ensemble recital.  The left piano had a damper pedal stuck during their performance, so we couldn't hear those two boys as well--their piano teacher felt so bad about this that she asked the boys to perform at her ward's talent show next weekend.  Another chance to play a fun song!

3.  Completed the 6th Grade Common Core Accelerated Math library--this is a big deal because he's the first kid to do it this year!  Woo-hoo!  (We had yummy Bacon-Wrapped Little Caesar's pizza to celebrate!)

4.  Made the school's 5th grade basketball team!!!  We encouraged him to try out "for kicks," saying we'd be happy  no matter what and that he needed the exercise!  He went to 3 or 4 practices/try-outs, and then found out he made the team.  The really fun part is that 2 of our neighbors (and Wade's buddies) across the street made the team, too.  He practices twice a week and is learning SO MUCH with Coach Mark and Becky Anderson (some dear friends of ours--Mark is in our stake presidency and Becky does Battle of the Books with me).  The team's first game will be next Wednesday night!

5.  Went on his first for-realz Boy Scout campout.  The only proof I have of that is his packing list:  

Yep, I made him pack ALL of that, and he probably used a 1/4 of it, hahaha!  Jason was able to go and be one of the adult leaders--they both had a good time!

We are proud of Wade for trying new things and doing his best!  Way to go, buddy!

"There is great purpose in our struggle in life."

Rhiannon was a bit grumpy this morning.

She has good reason to be.  

She gets fitted for orthotics at the ripe ol' age of 14 this afternoon.

She gets braces and a palate expander next week, just before her EFY Express outing in Lancaster, where there are bound to be lots of cute boys.

Her honors bio class is HARD, really, truly HARD.

There are ZERO vacation days in March.  It's a long, slow month.

One of her really sweet friends got in a crazy accident during PE on Friday during a capture-the-flag game and needed stitches.  The other girl involved in the accident is going to need some serious dental work done.

And on and on.

I was feeling a little helpless this morning, I'll admit.  I understood how she was feeling and knew it was normal, but I wanted to help move her gray cloud a little bit.  While she was at seminary, I printed out a bunch of great "happiness" quotes and scriptures and made a chain out of them, one for each day of the month.  

One of my favorites is this one from Elder Packer:

"Teach our members that if they have a good, miserable day once in a while, or several in a row, to stand steady and face them. Things will straighten out.  There is great purpose in our struggle in life."

We love Rhiannon so much!  She is a gem, a shining light, and she will be okay!  

I Brake For...

A couple weekends ago Rhiannon and I were running errands and saw this car just up the street from our home.

I learned that I brake hard for DeLoreans--I might have left tire marks in the street, haha!  Need to watch some Back to the Future STAT! :)

Family in California!

These guys.

They are wonderful!  Brant, Chris, and Greyson were in Indiana, and Brant took a position within his company at the Sherwin Williams plant in Ontario, CA a few weeks ago.  He and Chris sent me a text on Saturday afternoon and asked if they could come up for the afternoon on Sunday--what fun!

They are about 2 hours away, driving north, and then they have worse traffic going home to San Bernardino/Ontario (Las Vegas...) adding an hour, but, boy, it was sure great to be with them and visit!  We gabbed, had dinner, and enjoyed their company.  

I think this "family in CA" thing is going to be pretty great!

Daddy Daughter Dance

Jason and Rhiannon went to a ward activity on Saturday night--a Daddy Daughter dance and dinner.  I'm glad they went and made that memory together!