Trying to Loosen My Load

My best blessings are always my people. 

1. The Book Babes. I read and listened to the audiobook of Their Eyes Were Watching God while I was flying to and from Utah last time. It was an amazing experience! The audiobook was outstanding, and it made the words fly off the page and come alive. Then I got to discuss it at Karin Thomas' house with Betsy, Carrie, Emily and Linda. We were missing a bunch of people but it worked out fine.

2. Right after book club ended (we had to kick people out early so we could leave) we hopped in Karin's car with Tammi Iba and we went to the temple to be there for Mallory Sheldon's endowment. It was such a joyful morning! So many people I love were at the temple and we all met in the celestial room! Ken and Sharon and Mallory, of course, and Tom and Leslie Frederickson, Alyssa Haughton, Aubrey Odle, and as a bonus the Yanos were on the stairs! Oh, and Frankie Harper, who was a nursery leader for Mariah and Eliza in Texas. I taught her daughter Nikki piano, and her husband Dennis was my orthodontist when I had braces for the second time.

3. My family. This will only be a partial listing. ;)

Alan really likes: basketball, football, biking, excellent literature, and serving in our ward.

He doesn't like: Volt (a messaging app at the hospital), over-exuberance, or being still unless it's time to sleep.

Mariah really likes: Mac, Buddy, living near sisters, High Fitness with Eliza, and a really cool house in Mapleton.

She doesn't like: disorder in her house, football, or finding out someone else's offer on the house won.

Eliza really likes: Evan, Juliet, her job, doing fun things with Mariah and Willa, and a clean house.

She doesn't like: two teaching callings that keep her a little too busy and always away from Evan at church, when the house cleaner doesn't show up, or football.

Willa really likes: funny TikToks, fun school projects, having sisters nearby, beautiful images, and being so close to her classes at BYU this year.

She doesn't like: messing around with her medications, shoes that hurt, or getting to that one class that is farther away.

Wyatt really likes: making really good food, members who fed the missionaries regularly in the Linton Ward, when his companions are funny and fun, meeting and helping good people, and having a predictable schedule.

He doesn't like: I'm not sure! He has been pretty equanimous in the face of transfers, new companions, disappointments and other things I'm sure are hard on the mission.  So far I'm mostly still hearing the good.

Griffin really likes: me, checking out new anime series, dreaming up business ideas, taking baths and showers (great developement!), and "going to town", which means biking to Corinth Square and usually buying fun snacks.

He doesn't like: ANYTHING IN THE WORLD when he is hungry or tired, many boys his age or younger, or having tasks hanging over him.

Best quote of the week: "This game makes time go so SLOW!" while playing Yahtzee with me. We obviously weren't having enough fun!

Eve really likes: playing with makeup, playing with friends (especially Addie and Emma), math, nature photography, treats, and having her back gently scratched.

She doesn't like: most breakfast foods, being left behind, or time pressure in school.

Best quote of the week: "Fourth grade boys are uncomfortably weird." 

From our Sunday walk last week.

I compressed the medicine cabinet a bit too far and had to insert a shelf between the top and bottom white bins because we needed to access the bottom ones more than we thought.

It's monarch season!

Griffin said hi and then took off for home while we waited for Eve.

Alan has taken to walking outside barefoot. It's best when the cats come with us in the evenings.

This is a hide and seek picture. Can you find Eve?

Friday night we went to the Iron District, which is a fun newish collection of restaurant and boutique startups in shipping containers in an industrial area north of downtown. It was a cool venue!

I made Griffin get a haircut. From me.

I also made a couple of floral arrangements.

And I cut Eve some bangs and layers.