Gratitude is the memory of the heart (12/2021)

Reviewing the highlights of our year for the annual Christmas card is a truly treasured practice of gratitude. (Along with the art of blogging - long after blogs are cool!) Most of the highlights are written in indecipherable code to a general audience; however, most Christmas card receivers were somehow intimately involved in one or two key phrases on the card and appreciate a nod to being an important part of our lives! The year in review is a priceless reminder of all that's good in our lives - particularly, the fun things we do when days feel mundane or ordinary and in highlighting the growth we see in ourselves over time.  

Dalia's in print! (3/2022)

We were caught off guard when Mom received an influx of texts about Dalia being spotted in the Friend magazine! A two year lag from submission to publication meant that it had long since dropped off our radar. In fact, we no longer subscribe to the magazine - now opting for the teen version with Dalia nearing the youth program. In addition, Dalia had gotten a formal rejection letter long ago so we had written it off entirely. It was a nice surprise and when you're published, you need the official copy so we asked Omi to scout some out in Utah. She came through with a few so Dalia could see her name in print!  

Here's the original content:

I was at recess playing when my friend asked when we could have a playdate. She suggested, “How about Thursday?” I said, “ I can’t, I have dance.” She then asked, “How about Sunday?” I said, “I am so sorry that does not work either, I have church.” Then my friend said, “Well then let’s go head and do Sunday.” I reminded my friend one more time that I had church and I could not get together on Sunday. My friend was familiar with church but she has a different religion. She then insisted, “After church we can get together!” I was getting pretty impatient with my friend so I took a second to think of how to say what I wanted to say in a nice way. Then, I calmly said to my friend, “My family believes that Sunday is a spiritual day to worship God and be with your family.” She said nothing after that and was ok with the way my family’s feelings about Sundays. That night her mom asked my mom if another day would work and it did! I still got to play with my friend but most importantly I could spend my Sunday spiritually and make it special. My friend also never asked about Sunday again. I felt warm inside after I had taught her about my sabbath day.

The condensed version:

My friend invited me to play on Sunday. I thought of a nice way to explain to her that Sunday is a spiritual day for me to worship God and spend time with my family. I felt warm inside after that.

Dalia P., age 9, Nebraska, USA

There's another household member who was in the Friend magazine. Mom can't find her official "Friends in the News" story but her photographic memory remembers the photo submitted:

trying track & his other past times (3/2022)

Jack made a last minute stab at running track after wrestling fizzled. He loved it. He loves speed. He did a fairly good job for a first attempt and even made it to districts for a race. 

In his free time, he plays basketball on the driveway for hours with his earbuds in jamming to music.

He also loves fitting into tight places for a good read

He eats bananas (which he loves) with a spoon when his mouth is sore

And he still enjoys looking for Pokemon (disguised as walking around the lake with mom.)

"highest quality" award (2/2022)

Dalia and Mom spent hours on her very last Valentine's Day box. Dolly is always up for zany, showy ideas and she was all in on Mom's overly thematic idea. She was awarded with the "highest quality" award. 

she plays doubles like a singles player (4/2022)

Kindin's second tennis season was a goofy one. Besides being an extremely windy and cold spring (every match with wind and layering blankets and one or two with 42 mph winds), her coach started playing her as doubles. Having started in the first singles spot, it was hard not to feel demoted to second doubles and she certainly felt handicapped in that spot with no experience or practice at the net. Her coach praised her for positivity but she was disappointed and didn't ever catch an enthusiasm for the quicker-hitting, more aggressive game. Her doubles partner was an experienced doubles player whose mother played college tennis - both were so forgiving and patient, joking that Kindin continued playing doubles "just like a singles player". Kindin did learn a lot, eventually left the baseline, and even got paired with one of her very best friends in a few matches! She still hopes to be placed as a singles player next season!

rolling out the red carpet for her 11th (4/2022)

Dalia loves the spotlight, dreams of being famous, is intrigued with glam, and has an affinity for fancy hors d'oeurves so a Hollywood affair was the perfect party for her!

Mom went all in because experience has told me that this was her last home- grown birthday party. It was quite an undertaking but well worth it! Of course, we had a red carpet:

All the games (celebrity guessing game, Grammy trivia, product endorsements, and Who Wore It Best?) were just icing on the proverbial cake. And it was fun to find out a bit about Dolly in the process as she filled in a 'would you rather' and awarded each friend with a personalized award.  

The girls loved creating their own silly glam looks. 

"Can you get gas in the rain?" and other driving quotables (5/2022)

"Can you get gas in the rain?" 

"All the exits are dive numbers" 

discovering that 2 wheels is a little tricky:

"Mom, I just hit that car!":

Words no one wants to hear at 5:45 am. Our tired, inexperienced driver backed into the neighbor's car on her way to early morning seminary. She was in shock for a minute and reported intrusive crashing sounds and images over the next few days. The poor girl was so disappointed in herself and one of her first worries expressed was for the other car who would be inconvenienced and unable to drive their car for a few days! Unfortunately, what was a pretty small bump wasn't able to be settled reasonably with the neighbor and we ended up having to file an insurance claim. (Quite frankly, that was the most upsetting part of the whole incident - that the neighbors who had negligently and illegally parked behind our driveway were so unreasonable.) But I suppose "Mom, I just hit that car" is all part of the teenage experience!

2021 George (12/2021)

Christmas in George this year was as fun as it always is. The kids insist on traveling to see their far-away cousins and always pick right back up on these friendships. The adults have a good time too - goofing around on the pickleball court, teaching kids to drive dirt bikes, and racing through the city on Omi's scavenger hunt.

rainy lala land (12/2021)

We have used the past few Christmases to capitalize on our time as a family by both visiting extended family and taking side trips to new destinations. It wasn't the ideal season to see LA but a quick 5 hr ride with access to a free car was a no brainer. Dave let us splurge for a beach hotel and we planned a must see visit to Universal Studios. We woke up watching surfers on the beach and hit all the quintessential Hollywood sites. Unfortunately, there was an unexpected amount of record rainfall throughout the few days we stayed and covid precautions were the strictest in the nation but we wandered around wet and were tested as needed to make it work. I was also able to reunite with Amber who I hadn't seen for 8 years! Breakfast at Grand Central Market was the most pleasant surprise and creating soda pop at Galcos was unpleasantly non-hygienic. Dolly loved all things famous and Kindin said, "I've never seen so many people in one place ever. "

John and Renee met us for an overnight stay in Las Vegas before we flew home. It was fun to spend some quality time with them on the strip. We stayed at the Excalibur, kids swam in the heated but frigid pools, wandered in front of the Bellagio fountains for Mom, and hit the outlets.