October 2024

 Our 25th anniversary October 16th was the highlight of this month! Our kids threw us a surprise party, headed by Savanna and encouraged and supported by Wendy Snow. We showed up at Wendy's to "pick up a little gift" and ended up being surrounded by several members of both sides of our family and the house decorated backwards and forwards with silver anniversary celebration items! Even a slideshow of pictures of me and Jared throughout the years. Fiora had got a (gluten free) cheesecake since that's what we served at our reception. Savanna and Weston had even rehearsed and performed on of "our songs" from when we were dating. We were surprised and honored and amazed! They even did a toast making Jared and I feel so good about our progress as a couple and commitment to each other and so happy with the life we have built over the past 25 years. I hope to never forget that beautiful memorable and humbling celebration given to us by those we love.

But there were other wonderful things that happened in October. My parents returned with honor from serving a year in the Fresno California mission! We had a wonderful celebration in their honor at the clubhouse at Joseph and Rachel's apartment complex in AF. They shared their testimonies and we had cake and karaoke and pool table and races outside, it was a lovely family reunion!

Savanna's pregnancy photos turned out so beautiful! That baby is coming soon and we are so excited. We had a "nesting party" Oct 19 and cleaned her apartment and made a bunch of freezer meals. I've been so impressed with Savanna and Mckay's preparation for their little daughter. 

We had an "open house" luncheon in honor of Weston on Oct 20 after he spoke in church to report on his mission. So many people came to support! We made a huge charcuterie spread and it turned out so great. Weston is adjusting well! He got back into dog grooming to make a few bucks, is getting housing and registered for school, is dating and hanging out with former friends, and even started the process to be an ordinance worker at the temple. We love having him around, and are trying to savor these few short months with him before he leaves again. 

We celebrated McKay's 26th birthday on Oct 28th which was another highlight! Sav and Fiora and Weston took him out to lunch and then I made him a steak dinner and we played jack in the box games and had brownies. We sure love McKay! He will make a wonderful father as he has made a wonderful husband. 

Lastly was fun on Halloween. I hadn't done anything to prepare for it but Fiora asked me to come pick up a stud finder at her apartment that day and while I was there she plopped a huge pumpkin on my lap! so I was able to carve a joyful pumpkin and harvest the seed and roast them. Savanna and Mckay dressed up like Chick and Wilson from "Cast Away" which was so fun. Then Weston squeezed in to the spiderman costume I bought him when he was 12 somehow! It was totally comical. 

Otherwise October was Lots of service and work--nose to the grindstone! and grateful or the many blessings the Lord has given us as the fruits of our labors.