Out with the Old and in with the New!!

Last year was so significantly different. I am liking the family time this year more than that of any other. My younger sis and her family just moved into town from Southern Utah! It is so wonderful to have them here. My brother-in-law and I study together. We make family dinners on Sunday and my 3 year old nephew has just taken the top spot in my friend list. Today he asked me to marry him, when the answer was, "That isn't the way it works in our family," his response was, "Will you be my new best friend!" So cute I could have melted right there! Why do some boys turn into men who don't know how to say the right things anymore? Even when they explode later, you still forgive them because you understand why they say things in haste. i.e.-This evening, I went to leave and Isaac asked, "You aren't going to stay forever? (I answered I needed to leave-as empathetically as possible) Well then I am going to kill you!" was his response. One extreme to the other, but man I understood he just wanted me to stay. Ike is too honest and sweet to ever even dream of killing anyone, let alone his BFF. I felt even worse when he got sent to his room for the off-color comment. When people are obscenely honest at least they nuzzle into your heart and forgiveness comes frankly.

We are also awaiting the arrival of a new addition to our family on the 14th-a love baby! It is so refreshing to spend time reminiscing, strengthening eternal relationships, and being an intimate part of each others lives. I wish all of my family were this close to me.

Another opportunity I have had since Christmas is to care for my grandmother. She is stricken with Parkinson's and her health is quickly declining. She has always been the busy, independent, and outgoing woman of great devotion to our family-a true example of stellar womanhood in my life. For some reason she trusts no one else for her care and to do the tasks of daily living on her behalf. It has been a vast challenge for me to spend the needed time caring for her, staying up to date with school work, seminary, relief society, and then just trying to have a life. Well the later-I've lost my life almost entirely and find great hope in the promise I am actually finding myself. I am grateful for the time spent with those I love and admire with so much of my heart!

I have been able to find the priority and time to spend with those friends who mean the most. Making meals with Ty and Mi, Megs and Matt, and spending some time with D on my travels back from Ogden during the week. I have yet to hit the slopes in the evening-which allows this frigid chill to become bearable. One of these eves, hopefully sooner than later, I will be where the flakes fall in abundance and the sound of swooshing fills the air and my soul with delight.

The highlights of this week is making time for an unplanned visit from Uncle Michael, the joys of childish straightforwardness, and celebrating with those I love most-making more memories with forever friends!