Happiness

  This past week one of my younger kids- Declan- turned 10! I can’t believe it! He is such a fun kid! Happy, smart, willing to try new things (like giant zip lines). He loves Big Nate books, reading, playing video games and riding his scooter around the neighborhood. Oh, and soccer too. He invented a game called Evil Spleen that a lot of the kids play at recess- he is so creative! We’ve applied for a new school for him in the Fall- we’ll see if he gets in. Love you, Declan! You make us so proud!

  Last Friday evening- April 5th, after waiting 10 days, Asher got a text that said his mission call was ready! He texted me from work and let me know. We were all excited! I asked him when he wanted to open it and he said Sunday night with his friends and ward leaders. I said ok! I scheduled a Zoom call for family that lived out of town and we got ready. I can't believe he waited two whole days to open it!  Right before, he got nervous and said "I could be going anywhere!" His friend had asked him where he wanted him to go and he replied "Oh, somewhere random!" He opened his mission call and read "You are called to serve in the Columbum, Ohio Mission." English speaking. Starting Sept. 2, 2024. So excited! Kinda random, so of course, the call was to OHIO! We just laughed about it later- Ohio! Seems so random but perfect for Asher! We are so excited for him to go serve the Lord!

  A few weekends ago, we gathered to celebrate the 100th Birthday of my Grandma Betty- my Dad’s Mom. She lives in Glendora, CA in the same house my Dad grew up in and that my Grandpa built. She does so well- maintaining a regular routine of eating, napping, watching tv and seeing her family. Oh, and eating dessert of course! My Mom and her niece Karen take turns living with her and helping take care of her. She’s so spunky and cute- she’ll probably live to be 102! And so we all came together the weekend of the 16th. Her birthday was the 11th of March born in 1924. We drove up a few days before and visited with my sister and brother. That Saturday, we drove down and popped into Grandmas before heading to the park where everyone would gather before the big party. We ate pizza and had fun catching up. The official party was at the Church and we had Armenian food- complete with hummus and baklava- and met distant family we hadn’t met before- children of my Dad’s cousins. The birthday g...

This week has been one of wonder and amazement for me. I usually celebrate the Holy week of Easter by remembering what took place each day of the week. This week has been extra special for me. I'm not sure why- maybe it's because we are studying Easter for Come Follow Me for Church or because I have two missionaries out serving who are sacrificing their time and talents to serving the Lord full time and I know what a sacrifice it is for them. They have taken Jesus's name upon their chest and represent Him full time. Or maybe it's because I have another son who is getting ready to serve just like they are- his mission papers just submitted this Tuesday evening. My life seems embedded and imbued with the thought of Jesus Christ and His Love and Sacrifice for me and for us all. It might be too, that my social media accounts- mostly Instagram- has been filled with post after post of Jesus Christ. How on Sunday He entered Jerusalem for the last time under waving palm fronds,...

How exciting! It's a New Year- 2024!- and there are a lot of exciting things on the Horizon for us! Ethan and Jonah will be coming back from their 2 year missions to Idaho and New York City, Asher will be headed out on his own mission in the Fall, Elizabeth has started classes at the local community college (majoring in Conservative biology). Josh is working towards his program in Complex Adaptive Systems while working at ASU, Rosie will start Preschool in the Fall and Declan will be in 5th grade in the Fall as well! Such exciting things happening! In June, we are going on a 5 day cruise with Josh's whole family to Mexico. We haven't been on a cruise yet, so we are excited! Some of my personal goals are to go to attend the Temple 3x a month, go on a social outing once a month, go to counseling once a month and exercise 3 times a week. I have 5 year goals too, but had to think hard about those. Happy New Year!! My Mom came to visit us and we had. A great time hanging out and...