Life Update: 5 Years on YouTube

It’s always amazing to take a moment to just take in what’s really going on in one’s life and one’s family! Though it was really challenging to make this little update video happen because there’s always a lot going on, I am so grateful now that we did it, because it affords just a little snapshot of another really precious time period in our life! 

We moved from Pennsylvania a year and a half ago into a nice little rental home in Mapleton, where we would stay until we were certain of where we needed to be here. Though it was one of the hardest things our family has ever done, it ended up one of the best things we have ever done. We were right here where our 4 oldest children were attending college and we have enjoyed so much so fully in just a year and a half!!

We enjoyed getting to know Isaac’s Marie and her family (who are closeby & we just enjoy so much!) and then helping Isaac set up his proposal to Marie! What an unforgettable evening!!!! We have all rejoiced with Isaac and Marie and loved being close as they prepared for their wedding last spring! It was awesome to see them as newlyweds buying their first home nearby, and working hard as students, and still getting opportunities to travel so much- including visiting their missions together! We’ve seen them work so hard and be so strong! We LOVE to hear them sing together and hope they get a chance to publish some songs someday! It’s been wonderful to enjoy a few family dinners together as every Sunday at 5 there’s an open invitation to dinner here! We’ve had soo many wonderful memories to keep come along with Isaac and Marie! 

We were SO GLAD we were here to witness what happened for Anna and Hyrum, as things moved so quickly in a different direction than we had all expected! I don’t think we would have handled it well if we were far away, but being here and meeting Hyrum in person we could sense immediately his strength of character and knew he could be completely trusted. It was wonderful to see Anna in their relationship and talk in depth with her, and it won our support for their quickly developing relationship! It was wonderful to meet and know Hyrum’s family as well. They also live nearby- we even see them at church most Sundays as their ward meets in the same building! We love and respect them very much! It was fun to prepare the couple’s wedding reception together! Hyrum’s Mom was sooo much help bringing items we could use to decorate the church nearby! And I’ll never forget putting the corsages and bouquets together with Hyrum’s mom and sisters and their dear friend family Elaine. Was really a wonderful experience! Our little Addie & Sarah just love Hyrum’s siblings so much too! (We’ve been blessed to find favorite friendships with each of our newlywed’s families!!) Of course, the blessings of being here have just grown as love has, now it’s a wonder to welcome a brand new little being into our family through Anna and Hyrum!!!! Mike & I are Grandpa & Grandma now!! Wow!!!!! 

We were able to be part of some absolutely unforgettable moments with Emily and Joseph too in their courtship and wedding last year! We were grateful to be here in person, with Emily and Anna actually staying in the basement ‘college dorm’ after their missions when they met their and fell in love! It was pure joy to see and hear them in love!! Emily gave us special delight each night by being pretty much speechless about the whole experience, just sighing in joy as high as heaven, saying “He’s just SO WONDERFUL!” We were also glad we were here in person, for it allowed them a road trip to CA (to a baptism from Emily’s mission) that we could approve only because we saw firsthand what a shining pillar of light and righteousness Joseph is! We knew she would be very safe with him. The time to talk together in depth as they drove, about things that were very important to each of them, drove their relationship forward also and they were quickly officially dating. We were delighted and amazed just watching these 2 grow in their love and careful commitment! I feel especially blessed Joseph asked me to help the day he was going to ask Emily to marry him. It was just the happiest I’d ever seen her to that point and I feel so blessed to get to witness it!!!!!! 

What a wonder to be close enough to go to Mikela’s harp recitals here!! And get to meet the young man she started dating last year also. It was wonderful to have her home for summer, for the weddings and for her younger sisters to get wonderful, close times together too as she kept up her job and school preparation too. She and Emily each had their turn teaching YSA institute at a church nearby, and each of the 4 oldest children attended the YSA ward just a minute from our home at one time or another the past year. Was just SO MUCH FUN having them in and out of the house this past year! We are really glad Mikela and her friend Mike came to almost every Sunday family dinner as we also got to know him better. He’s adored by the younger girls  ️. What an amazing thing when Mikela completely surprised me with a mission call IN HER HAND for Christmas!!! We are thrilled for her in this unique, challenging sacrifice that will bring her so many more blessings than she, or we, can now imagine!!

Kate immediately found friends that also just moved into Maple Mountain High and they instantly became connected. And I really like each one of them!! She’s had so much fun finding her awesome little job, her singing voice, her hopes for college, and her footing as sub-mother in our family this year. She’s driver extraordinaire! She’s loved having the horses nearby and gallops fearlessly on Serendipity! She’s thrived having time with big sisters and brothers too! 

Esther’s found great friends, abilities at the flute, enjoyed riding the horses also, and super excelled in school!!

Zoie Grace and Clara immediately found friends nearby and walked or ripsticked to school with them until the cold got too much! Zoie’s grown up SO MUCH this year! Suddenly becoming taller and thinner, she can’t wait to go into Young Women’s at church when she turns 12! She reads like crazy and still loves cheer and was on an all-star team this year. 

Clara is fondest of all of life in Mapleton. She has LOVED walking, or riding, to and from her elementary school nearby. She LOVED riding her horses nearby in such an extraordinarily beautiful setting. She’s LOVED (& excelled!) as a dancer here this year at such a wonderful studio! She’s LOVED her teachers and friends here most of all and feel very sad to leave them now that we are moving again! Closer to Daddy’s work so he doesn’t have such a horrendous drive every day (including weekends) and a few nights a week! 

Addie and Sarah and Mom LOVED preschool together this year at a charming preschool nearby with 9 little students in the class! Mom’s loved every minute with them, and their new friends! A precious opportunity! They finished school last week….

And now we are off! -to a new adventure! -to a new time period! 

So treasure every moment of tender, loving times with your family!! Whatever stage you are in right now, strive to see the good for soon it will be just a memory in your heart and family history!! But what a lot of wonderful memories can collect over time!! Happiness!! 

My heart is full!!