When I think of 2019 I think of church work. I was called to be the Stake Camp director and spent the first 7 months of the year completely immersed in planning that event. It turned out to be a wonderful experience where I met some lifelong friends and stretched my abilities to my capacity, but in the moment it was the most scary, stressful thing I have ever done. I had to be in charge at every gathering talking in the microphone as well as take care of all the behind the scenes goings on. Man I still don't know how I did it. In fact, the Stake Presidency gave us a bracelet at the end of camp and I still wear it everyday--never taking it off, even to shower--to remind me that I can do hard things. Really hard and uncomfortable things. Smack in the middle of serving in that calling I was called to be the Primary President. I was like "your kidding me right??" but I said yes and moved forward with faith one step at a time and the Lord made it possible that the first 6 months of being president were a very smooth ride. I finished camp, learned and became a much more capable woman, and then Primary began to have a few hiccups and take more of my time. The Lord truly did provide some solace for me in the first few months, reassuring me that it was all in the master plan and that everything happens for a reason.
Shane also got called in October to the biggest calling of his life. He has spent the last 8 years in Webelos (the 10 year old boys) doing church work one hour a week. Now he is the Executive Secretary and has to plan and coordinate the Bishop's entire schedule. Now he does church work everyday and he actually really likes it. I am having a harder adjustment as I am used to his brain being more available for our family and to be able to talk to him about everything, but I am praying hard for understanding and patience that I will get used to this new normal. It is also proved to be a bit of a challenge that we are both gone Sunday Morning to meetings, but the boys set their alarms and get themselves to the church to set up chairs. Everyone is growing in this process.
In 2019 I also took on a new job teaching preschool. I love it. I had to give up one day at Bella's in order to teach, and took a bit of a pay cut, but it has been so good for my soul. Little children have always been my passion and they fill such a void that isn't filled by teenagers. I love working with Amber Dunn and love watching her amazing ability to teach these kiddos. She loves them fiercely and that is what I do, love them oh so much.
Braxton still worked at Bella's in 2019 and is learning to hate having a job because he has become very social. He fills like it is cramping his social life, but spends a ton of money being social which requires a ton of money. He hangs out with his friends often and still loves playing Lacrosse. Being the oldest child is quite difficult because he is breaking us into curfews, girls, friends, texting, cell phones, you name it and it is a first for us. He went to his first dance and really had a fun time. He has 100 hobbies such as ice fishing, skiing, snowboarding, duck hunting, deer hunting, biking, motor biking. He never stops that is for sure.
Dakota started taking classes at the WIC where he is learning engineering type classes as well as being a part of the robotics club. He played baseball with some friends and had a really great time. He is also enjoying Young Men's and had a great high adventure with them last summer. His robotics club keeps him busy on every other Saturday. He is learning to code and is loving our 3D printer designing and making all sorts of things.
Cameron spent the whole year passing the sacrament and doing fast packs and loving being a Deacon. He also loves Lacrosse and Shane is his coach. He is taking robotics club 4H as well as cooking club. He went on his first Mid-adventure last summer and rode horses and hiked and loved every minute of it. He is such a happy boy that enjoys most everything that is put in front of him. He is getting taller, but is still way shorter then his brothers who are both way taller then me approaching 6 feet tall. Cam is still skinny as a rail and is living up to his nickname "Bones".
We are excited for 2020 and have much anticipation of going on two week long vacations as a family one to Puerto Rico in April and one to Lake Powell in July. The kids will also have High adventure and FSY for Brax and Dakota, a new week long church thing they go to. It will be a year packed with adventure and probably the last year I will have my entire family under my roof for the entire year because next year Brax will serve a mission after graduation---so scary and hard and oh so good all at the same time.
