Real Thanksgiving

 

We ended up going to Travis' for Thanksgiving dinner today.

I imagine the day will always be hard for the rest of my life. 

I still my mom. 

But Makenna sent this picture and it made me so happy. 

I am so grateful that pie plate was spared in the fire.

I am so grateful Makenna uses it to make pumpkin pies that my mom would have made for her. 

That plate is a testimony that God is real and He cares about us! 

Electrical Is In!

 

The rough electrical is in.

Little by little we are getting it to the stage where we can move in.

It will not be finished when we move in.

The insurance does not cover a full rebuild and we are almost out of money, but it will be okay. 

We will figure it out. 

Every little bit that gets done is exciting. 

Next up is insulation and the garage concrete getting poured. 

 

Gather Together

 

There is a scripture in Moroni 6 that says we should meet together oft "to speak with one another concerning the welfare of our souls."

I walked in to RS and saw Sam sitting in a row with a seat next to her. 

Normally, I would take that seat, even though we are entirely too disruptive together and have an attention problem, and I did take that seat. 

But before the lesson started I noticed my friend, Linda in front of me. 

I got up and visited with her for a second. 

I could see she was not doing okay, but it was also clear she didn't want to talk about it. 

So I sat back down with Sam.

The lesson began and the teacher started with a song and as it continued, I knew that I needed to go sit with Linda. 

I quietly moved my coat on to the chair next to her and then walked around and sat down.

I put my arm around her and she began to cry. 

Sam took a picture of us.

I still do not know what was going on, but I hope she felt the love I have for her and the love of the Lord. 

Sometimes this season is hard. 

Region Inservice

 

 

Rosario Beach was the location for our inservice again this time and I am so grateful it was there.

It is a healing place for me. 

Being able to be around people who have consecrated their lives to serving the Savior is the best people to be around. 

Our boss's boss's boss was there, in fact all three of the boss's were there, and he is a patriarch and he did a Q&A with us about patriarchal blessings.

It was really, really good.

One evening several of the girls gathered in a cabin and talked about therapy and our lives.

It was uniting.

We did a photo scavenger hunt one of the days and the following pictures are from that.

I love these people so much and am so grateful for their influence in my life.

 

A Happy Purchase and Sunsets

 

I have had a hard time finding joy in any items since the fire.

I have bought things, but mostly I feel zero happiness and the thought that nothing really matters when it comes to temporal items. 

Don't worry, I have a therapist.

But I found this lamp on marketplace and I just fell in love with it.

It brings me joy and I am glad to feel that again with something I have purchased.

I look forward to turning it on in our new house to light up the room.

 

Hayes Family Thanksgiving

 

We knew it might be a little hard this year without Mom, but I honestly believe that even though we didn't get to eat any of her food, she was definitely with us.

It was loud and kids were running everywhere.

There was tons of food.

And there was a lot of conversation with the adults.

It was really so, so good.

I'm grateful for this amazing family I have. 

 

 

He's Off Again

 

This time feels more real.

We are now officially empty nesters.

We flew to Juneau to live with Kenna and Kyle today.

He received his IT certification and is looking to get a job at the school district.

I'm never okay when they grow up, but I also recognize that it was time for Corban to move forward and do something else than be with us.

So off he goes! 

Winter and Some Art

 

Winter came.

It always does.

And I always think it is too soon. 

 

I also created a piece of art that was like something I saw in Washington at the last inservice in May.

This tree had been chopped off and in the middle a new tree had started to grow.

I thought about how I feel like that is our life. 

We were chopped almost to the ground and we are starting new.

I want to hang this piece in our new house somewhere.