Spotlight on Emma's First Prom

Emma was able to go to her first Prom in April! Cousin Amber came up to go with Emma and some gal pals. That's how lots of the kids do it now days, instead of going with a date, a lot choose to go in groups. Amber came up and she and Em were so excited! They got ready a bit, then their friends came for their day date activities. McKenzie Tizzano and Cambree Dearden were the other girls in their group. They did some felting, which some had better success than others at trying - haha, and then made drip acrylic canvas paintings while sipping on Italian sodas. We had dinner next at our house, which was steak, chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls, raspberry salad. The girls were all sweet and had fun talking and giggling. Then they went their separate ways and got ready. Emma and Amber helped do each others hair and makeup. Then they put on their dresses. Emmas was a black knee length dress with sheer sleeves and embroidered flowers adorning it. They looked gorgeous! Then the other gals came back over and we went by the old courthouse to take some pictures. These gals aren't just pretty, but they have strong wills, they are intellectuals, mature natures, and spiritual minds. It was so fun photographing them. Then Emma drove them all off to the dance at the Events Center. The theme there was Hollywood. They said it was decorated pretty cute. They didn't play many great songs (the kids the Monday after at the high school also complained about this), so they hit up Maverick and got some drinks. While they were away, we invited Jeff & Janie Sharp over, who are friends with Mark and Mayela. So we all ate dinner together and then we played games. The Sharps used to own a game store and so that's how Mark and Mayela got to know them. Then they came home, changed, and headed to Prom after party. They had pizza and snacks, prize drawings (Air Pods and TVs even, but none of our girls won), and watched Napoleon Dynamite. The Interact Club and Rotary Club sponsored it, and Em said there was a good turnout. While they were there, Mayela and I went over to KeriAnne Swasey's house to play games. We laughed so hard and had a blast! We headed out and I got a message saying Emma forgot her wallet, so I picked it up on our way over. The girls barely beat us home, and everyone was tired but happy. We went to bed around 2 a.m., and were glad we could sleep in the next morning! Sunday, Mark, Mayela and Amber stayed and went to church with us and hung out and then Amy, Kolby and boys came up for dinner. It was a star studded weekend!

"Life is Meant to Be an Adventure"

Here we go again.  Dust in the wind. A new adventure. A new place. A new time. 

Dave finished up his last day at Stillwater Billings Clinic on December 31.  His employees and providers were all sad to see him go.  They put on a great party with desserts and Nerf gun wars (inside joke for them), and presented him with a beautiful metal picture of the Big Sky skyline. He was asked to resign, so he told everyone he was doing so to pursue other opportunities. So many came to him, feeling sad he was leaving, many catching the drift about what was really going on.  He got e-mails and calls and texts from those on main campus telling him how well he did and how they'd really miss him.  Dave worked with an attorney for a few months to negotiate and get more out of the settlement.  We are glad he did.  They were ready to restructure things, but told Dave "poor performance".  ?  All of his evaluations were excellent (and they never gave him his most recent one and everyone knows it's good), the hospital keeps getting patient quality and safety awards, they're making more than they ever have, and employee satisfaction is very high.  The BC quality director e-mailed him and told him out of 9 quality measures, this hospital was first on 6 of the 9.  His boss (who pursued another job in March because he was told this was coming), called him more than once and gave him encouraging words. He's done a great job and a great work and while we've loved our time here, apparently, it is time to move on.  

This was a big blow and hard for all of us. One night a few weeks after we told the kids we were likely moving, Cov was very upset.  He had been sad the last few days about leaving his friends.  I told him to pray and take it to the Lord, as He had been there and felt that, too.  The next day, he told me with a huge smile on his face that he prayed and felt the warmest feeling like a blanket around him and knew it would be okay and he was eager to try it again!  We discussed how that was the Holy Ghost helping him feel God and Jesus Christ's love for him.  What a blessing!

As Dave and I ventured down to Silver City at the end of January, we didn't feel 100%. Not what our first choice would be, but if it is where the Lord would have us be, that's where we will go.  We are not sure but for our family, we will trust in the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 keeps coming to my mind - "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  It's always a good idea to trust Him, and we can see it as another adventure, and the next destination in our mortal journey rather than an obstacle. 

"Don't die without embracing the daring adventure your life is meant to be." -Steve Palvina

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." – Eleanor Roosevelt

"There is much more to life than following others’ prescribed path. There is so much more to life than what you experience right now. You need to decide who you are for yourself. Become a whole being. Adventure." – Roy T. Bennett

"The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun." – Jon Krakauer

"Until you step into the unknown, you don’t know what you’re made of." – Roy T. Bennett

"First you jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down." – Ray Bradbury

"Life experience is what defines our character, even if it means getting your heart broken or being lied to. You know, you need the downs to appreciate the ups. Going on the adventure or taking that risk is important." – Nev Schulman

"Life is nothing but a great adventure."

Light the World 2020

 We were able to participate in another year of the Light the World initiative.  The kids were so excited about Bob and Rose coming back to help us! This year, they put notes all over the house to direct them to go into Lucy's room so they could be welcomed in the book nook they decorated for them.  They left out notes and cookies.  Then, they made beds and a little setup for them to stay.  They were so excited to wake up each morning and find the challenge and do it. 

My heroes are the ladies around me. My Mom is amazing and has always been such a pillar of strength. I look up to her so much and only hope I can do half of who she is and what she has accomplished! My sister Amy is always there for me and really cares about people. My sister-in-law Meghan is so kind and buckets of fun. My sil Mayela is dedicated to doing good and would give anyone the shirt off her back. My mother-in-law Sue is sweet, saucy amd spiritual. My sil Shirley is very thoughful and creative. My sil Stacy is a happy soul and has a good heart. My sil Erin has a genuine interest and compassion for all. My sil Julie is so helpful and always serving others quietly. Of course these are just a few of their many countless positive attributes. These women all exhibit charity, the pure love of Christ and I am grateful for each of their examples to me and everyone who knows them! Glad they're in my village. Love you ladies! #lighttheworld

"I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentance gives!" This hymn helped me gain a testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ and His role in our lives as a young teen. Paired with the beautiful artwork, this video might just be one on loop over and over here! "He is my kind, wise Heavnly Friend. He lives and loves me to the end. He lives, and while He lives I'll sing, He lives, my prophet, Priest and King". #lighttheworld

35

I had a wonderful birthday!  I woke up and did my normal routine, prayer, scriptures, exercise, shower, pack lunches, make breakfast and then got birthday wishes from my little fam.  Then it was off to preschool.  Another little guy in my class had his birthday so that was fun.  My assistant teachers made we wear a birthday crown…pay back, haha!  Carol made us some little M&M cakes so that was fun! 

The day before we had a baby day for preschool and got to share a picture of us as a baby.  The kids figured out pretty quick who I was. After prepping for the next day of preschool, we had piano group lessons with the home schoolers.  Then a little quick cleaning, then our kids got home and we did another round of group lessons.  Had some calls, texts, and Facebook messages from family and friends throughout the day. For the activity we did a relay game with balloons and time signatures and had some cake.  Dave came home early and made some fish and sides for dinner.  Sweet guy!  Then the kids wanted to do presents.  Lucy gave me a card with a picture she drew of us.  Cutie!  Covey wrapped a picture of Jesus from his room.  He is such a sweet giver and always gives his favorite and the best things to others. And he told me “Mom, really I want you to have this because I know you’ll like it!” So heart felt!  Cal said he wants to go to the store and get me something with some of his money next time we go to Billings.  I told him spending time with him is enough.  Emma made me a peppermint cheesecake (we did part of it together).  Talented girl!  Then I got a sweater and necklace set.  Dave gave me a sweet card that said "Flying higher, further, faster, the past 35 years than this F-35 lightning II jet.  Love ya tons!  Thanks for lifting me higher every day!  Love, your Dave XooXoXXXOOooxX. Happy 35th Birthday, Melanie!"  Then on the back it said "Flight Orders - Who: You, the best co-pilot ever. Where: Scenic Fly over with Dave in April. Food: Dinner date to follow.  Attire: "lightning" sweater to be worn."  Cutest guy ever!  Then we played a bunch of games with balloons I made up on the spot. We had a walk with the balloon between your knees and then ankle races, best hair static contest, use a balloon and try to make everyone else laugh, and did a dance party.  It was a fun night with lots of laughing!  

Saturday, we went to Billings to celebrate a bit more. We went to the Ice Arena in Billings to go ice skating.  Emma sat out, as her knee has been popping and giving her troubles lately and Dave's favorite thing isn't ice skating, so he sat out and helped with the kids when they got tired and needed to sit.  Everyone who skated had a blast and Cov and Lucy keep saying we need to do it more often.  They did great!  It was nice that they had chairs there you could use to help with balance, and to push the littlest skaters on, like Sydnie.  She had so much fun.  Though it had been a while for Cal since we did this, he picked right back up like he's done it a bunch!  The best part for the kids though might have just been the zamboni clearing the ice after we were done.  We went to lunch at Applebee's after, yummy!  We played some games we made up and talked and tried not to make too big of a mess (we always leave a good tip!).  Then it was shopping time, which is always fun for me. 

There is no one I’d rather spend these special moments with and am thankful I have my family.  They are the best gift!