So, I have been thinking about this Blog a lot lately. It has been a little over 14 years since I last posted. A LOT has happened in that 14 years. I stopped posting on social media 2 years ago and I find myself wanting an outlet for the things happening in my life. John asked me what I was doing. When I responded I was updating my blog, he laughed and said, "No, really. What are you doing?" 😂
I think since it has been so long, an update on us and where we are at would be ok.
Jack has become a bit of a musical master. He plays the French horn, mellophone, trumpet, piano, harmonica and is learning the guitar. He has also started composing music. He is busy with music all week long. He participated in the marching band at school. They competed for the first time and took 1st place in their division! He also participates in the Premier Band and the Conservatory Symphony at school. The Premier Band was invited to play at Carnegie Hall in March. They were one of 12 bands across the nation to be invited! Such a big deal and we are so excited to see him perform in such a prestigious concert hall. He is in 10th grade and it was a bit of a shock for me when I registered him for 11th grade. He turned 16 in October. He is nervous about getting his drivers license and it has been a struggle to get him to take the test for his permit. Our goal is for him to have his license by the time he turns 17. 😉He is big into video games, D and D and Magic the Gathering. He is one of my favorite people and love the conversations I often have with him. I am grateful for the relationship I have with him. 💖
Mariska is all grown up and has moved to Idaho for school. She is an incredible human being and has overcome so much. She has 3 learning disabilities and graduated high school with a 3.8 GPA. She is getting her degree in music 💖education and wants to be a high school band teacher. She is an excellent Flutist and piccolo player. She moved back in September and loves being on her own. She loves to crochet and is very talented at it! It has been the best two weeks having her home for Christmas and New and Year. She has been studying and preparing herself to go through the temple and received her endowment on January 2nd. It was the best way to start the year! It was incredible to be with her in the temple. She made comment on the number of people that attended with her. She said it was so good to see everyone that is in her corner.💖I have to say, I agree wholeheartedly! She goes home tomorrow and that makes this momma's heart sad. 😞However, I am so proud of her and the woman she has become! I can't wait to see how her future unfolds.
John is amazing! He is still with the same company he started with when we moved to Vegas. He loves the people he works with. The job sometimes is hard and overwhelming but we are grateful for the blessings that his job has provided us. He was working with the activity days boys at church but was recently released from that calling. He and I were called to be Temple and Family History consultants in our ward today. I am very excited to be working with him in a calling. It has been 20 years since we have done that! John is my rock and I honestly don't know what I would do without him. He has helped me so much with my family and my own personal hardships. I am glad he is my best friend. Today is our 23rd anniversary. 💖 We didn't get to celebrate this weekend but we will be celebrating on Saturday with a special date.
I am working as a Special Education teacher at a charter middle school. I love my job most of the time. 😂There are days I wonder what I was thinking getting into that career. I have been at the same school for 5 years. I love the people I work with! I have a great team! As much as I love my team, I am not looking forward to going back tomorrow. These last two weeks have been wonderful! I have been the ward music chairman for the last 3 years and as I said before, now have a new calling. I started taking piano lessons a few months ago. I love it, but I have had a hard time getting into a regular practice schedule.
I have a couple goals for myself this year. I want to read 35 books, practice the piano at least 4 times a week, follow the Come Follow Me program for the Old Testament, walk with John as many nights a week as we can and lose 50 lbs. I have also been thinking about starting up on my clarinet and preparing to audition for the concert band at CSN. I am really nervous about that last one, so we shall see.
I hope that this year brings lots of laughs and joy!
