The ABC's of ME

A - Age - 57

B - Bed Size - KING

C - Cat name - I don’t like cats.

D - Dog Name - currently we have JET

E - Essential start of your day - Water and a walk

F - Favorite color - Yellow

G - Gold, silver or platinum - Gold

H - Height -5’8”

I - Instruments you played - a little piano, my voice

J -Job title- Teacher, Life Coach

K - Kids - 5

O - Overnight Hospital stay - 4 times with my babies, once with a miscarriage and subsequent D&C

P - Pet Peeve - interrupting

Q - Quote from a movie - “That don’t matter Miss Boss.”  Australia

R - Right or Left-handed - Right

S -Siblings - 4

T - Top 5 TV shows you watch - This is Us, Anne with an E, A Million Little Things, The Crown, The Voice

U - Underwear - yes- Garments

V - Vacation favorite - Paris, NYC, A cruise

W - Ways you relax -  read, walk, watch shows, nap

X - XBox- nope.

Y - Yummy food you like- yellow cake with homemade carmel sauce, rich vanilla ice cream, pecans and whip cream

Z - Zoo favorites -  monkeys and giraffes

Truman came to town

Truman and his boyfriend Levi came to town for the Sundance Film festival and to celebrate his birthday with family.    We had a fun family dinner with all of the fixings and we were able to meet and "grill" Levi on all of the things.  

We already have a nickname for Levi.  Back in November, I mentioned him in one of my Welch Weeks as Oliver.  I got confused and in my defense, the word Levi is found in the work Oliver, so the fam already calls him Oliver or Ollie-- Levi has been a good sport about it.  

We all really like Levi.  He's easy to be around and Truman is just Truman around him and doesn't put on any fake fronts, so that's a beautiful thing to see.   They are moving in together, so it's serious. 

The Big 18!

 Our Laila is 18 and I can't believe it.  She is thrilled of course to start doing "adult" things, but I m sitting here shaking my head wondering where the time has gone?

Laila had a great birthday...she didn't have school because of Jr. ACT testing, so she got to sleep in - one of her favorite things to do.  Once she woke up she came downstairs to a Laila shrine and big "18" balloons with 18 cards from family and friends on a string.  She sat on the stairs and read the cards, tears streaming down her cheeks and commented on how loved she was.  So true.  She went to lunch with friends, facetimed George and Eileen in Scotland, got all sorts of social media greetings and nice texts from friends and then out to dinner with more friends.   We are having a big family celebration on Sunday when Truman gets into town. 

The one thing Laila wanted to do when she turned 18 and the one thing Wayne and I tried to talk her out of, even scold her out of, almost punish her out of, her idea of getting a tattoo.   Then I re-evaluated.   I want Laila to know that WHO she is is way more important than how she looks.  

She got an air glider on her side rib. 

 She was just going to sneak off and do it, which I'm so grateful she didn't. Instead she told us what was happening and knew she didn't have our blessing, but she wanted to be upfront about it.  That's the adult thing to do.  I was proud of her for that.    

So now we have 3 of our 5 children with tattoos.  I never thought I would have this as part of my children's lives, but in reality and in the eternal scheme of things, it's a big so what. 

Laila has learned that we won't like everything she does in this life or all of her choices, but we will always love her. 

For her birthday we have opened the door for her to start the process to find her birth mother.  We are just going to say our prayers and trust that this is all going to work out for the best. 

I love this beautiful girl and it's been a joy to watch her grow from a gorgeous baby to a darling toddler, cute grade-schooler, petulant jr. high kid and now a confident 18-year-old. 

Happy Birthday Laila shrine

Life lessons from a snow swing

I went winter hiking up a beautiful canyon Saturday morning. The snow was fresh.  We blazed the trail and the blue sky was making everything sparkle. I didn’t even know I enjoyed winter hiking until this year.  With the right equipment and clothing, it really is exhilarating. I hiked up the canyon with four other adventurous women. We saw fresh bobcat tracks, gazed at frozen waterfalls and made snow angels. 

About a mile and a half up, there is a wonderful tree swing that is just begging to be used.  I climbed up to a small rock landing to swing on the swing, which was totally doable for me. One of the ladies said, “Let’s do a time-lapse video of all of us going off of the taller rock landing. I will help you.” So I succumbed and went to the higher rock.   

Marie held the rope between my legs, while I struggled to get the wooden 4X4 seat between them. At some point Marie let go of the rope, thinking I was ready, which I was NOT!  The seat shot out from between my legs. I swung forward and did a lovely slow-motion dive into the snow. (We got it all on video of course.) Everyone laughed. Thank goodness for a fluffy-white-snow landing.   The good news is I wasn’t hurt-- which is glorious. The better news is I climbed back up to the taller rock and did it again, successfully this time.

The BEST news is…. There’s a coaching lesson in all of this.

I know you are thinking “when you fall off of a swing try try again. “ 

Which is a good one, but this week I’m going with circumstances vs. thoughts.

The circumstance was I didn’t get on the swing and fell into the snow.

My thoughts could have gone to many different places including I’m so dumb.  I’m so embarrassed.  Why do I try these things? I wish I was stronger.  This shouldn’t be that hard.

I’m too old for this. 

But

These thoughts NEVER serve me or lead me to a full, FUN, fulfilling life.

Instead

While lying in the snow, after a body check to see if I was all okay, my thoughts were- That was crazy.  That was funny. I’m going to try this again and do it.  

Same circumstance, different thoughts.

I’m glad my thoughts served me and got me back up to the rock to try try again.  

Life is good even when face planting into snow.

We have a 6 and 2 year old!

 Alfie turned 6 and he's amazeballs!  HE is such a great help to his parents and sweet to his sister, Poppy.  Alfie is so smart.  HE reads as a kindergartener on a 3rd grade level.  He loves games and family time.  HE is really good at running around with his cousins playing pretend games.  Alfie loves me and Poppa and always enters our home with a big running hug.   Alfie is an amazing theatre kid-- not on stage bt as an audience member.  He can sit through the most dramatic show and have it keep his interest.   I love watching this kid grow and feel blessed to have him live near by so we can be a part of his day to day life. 

 Little Adelaide Joy who we all just call Lady turned 2 on Jan 19th.  She is a "handful" and we just love that about her.  She is stubborn and sassy and sweet.  She loves her daddy best and then me second.  I love that I'm her favorite which makes her, even more, my favorite.    Lady will NEVEr do anything she doesn't want to do, but she is excellent at taking a nap and going down for bedtime.  Her favorite snack is string cheese and she loves ordering our dog Jet around.   She's a hoot in every way and she insists in talking in complete sentences, even though half of it  is gibberish. 

Lady got a matching Elsa dress  with her cousin Poppy.   These two Elsa's sang "Let it go"  and  " Into the Unkknown " over and over again. 

Happy Birthday Wayne

Who is the BEST technology explainer, movie cuddler, road trip driver, potato masher, sister Holly teaser, In-N-Out shake buyer, car accelerator, family supporter, good sport, motorcycle buddy, cheeseburger maker, and YSA bishop???
My Wayne!
Wayne loves his family! He loves the gospel of Jesus Christ and discussing gospel principles. He is compassionate and kind to all.
My Wayne’s birthday is today and he is a treasure!
Anyone who knows Wayne thinks he’s a pretty awesome guy and I would agree.

Today he’s been loved and alive for 58 years, or 695 months, or 3,024 weeks, or 21,170
days, or 508,080 hours 🤪(take your pick)

I’m glad there is a day to celebrate him

The Buzelli's came to take Wayne out to Texas Road House for his Birthday.  Sophia loved the peanuts and Andrew the hot rolls...and they loved when Poppa Wayne got on the Saddle and the whole restaurant cheered for him and his 58 years.  Andrew and Sophia made Wayne the sweetest cards--- Sophia even put games to play with Poppa Wayne on the back of hers.

 When we got home from the Dinner-- Wayne was surprised with a "It's A Wonderful Life"- Jimmy Stewart type moment when YSA's current and past gathered at our home to say Happy Birthday to Bishop and express their love for him.  Wayne stood in the doorway and teared up while they sang Happy Birthday to you, then we had everyone come in and talk and take a picture.   We even had his current counselors ( Mark Bateman and Kurt and Cate Gentry) and his former counselors come.          (Mark Johnson and Dale and Linda Muir)

We have loved this calling.

Wayne is getting a trip to ISRAEL for his birthday.  

Time Capsule

We opened our Family Time Capsule.

 We put it together at the end of 1999, twenty years ago, as we were heading into this new Millenium.  It has sat in Wayne's closet for twenty years gathering dust.  Last night we had an opening.  Wayne and I filmed it and sent it out to all, it was fun, and kind of anti-climatic.    It was good to read what the boys Monson (7)  Truman 8 almost 9, Landon 11 and Addison 13 thought about life and what the next 20 years would bring.  We had each boy select something to put in the time capsule so we got a plastic dinosaur, Pokemon cards and a Star Wars watch, Landon put in a dollar bill.   An XAX business card and a bullet, and 5 state quarters from Wayne. I put in news articles about the Cole Collection singing group and Guys and Dolls that Wayne and I had just finished performing in at Terrace Plaza Playhouse in Ogden, and dice and fake money.   We had a family picture and we traced our hands to see how big they were in 1999.  You do this when you have growing kids still.

It's interesting to note that Laila wasn't a part of any of this-- still just a spirit and an idea.

New Year, New You, Seafood

We welcomes in the NEw Year with our now traditional SEAFOOD New Year's Day.

We don't get together much on New Year's Eve.  Everyone kind of does their own thing.

This Wayne and I had some YSA's over to watch the Utah Football Bowl game. ( Utes did horribly) and then when they left, we watched a movie, kissed at midnight and put ourselves to bed.  IT was lovely.
Landon and Alex had a quiet night in and were in bed by 10:30.  Laila played with Ty Callister at a UVU college dance party.  Addison and Bre spent all day and a sleepover at their friends Danny and Wendy Inkley's home making vision boards, taking the Elf spaghetti, syrup and candy challenge and frying everything in sight.  Monson and Lexi threw a neighbor hood party and were up til after 2 am. Truman had to work and do inventory, then was partying with  some friends after midnight.

BUT... we do get together at Joe's Crab Shack right when it opens the next day.  As in years past, we are the only ones there,  we can hear each other talk and share our new words for the next year and the kids play in the play place while we eat our seafoood boil, crab, lobster, shrimp, salmon, scallops, and Monson eats Chicken strips and the little girls corn on the cob.  It's a great family tradition that Bre started for us.

Poppy and Lady kept touching their corn cobs and saying CHEERS.  So funny.

2020 is Here

When 2010 came I was 47...and now you guessed it, I’m 57 and I’m looking back at the last ten years.

What’s happened in this decade….?

Lost my mom, dad and Marcie.  They are all my heavenly angels now.

Took up road biking with my Wayne.

Ran/walked two Half- marathons with Si and Landon.

Wayne said goodbye to Crestware and opened his own business Bountiful Industries

Started painting in my “ish” style. Created MANY paintings and a paint room in my basement.

Became a Life Coach.

Traveled to Scotland, England, France, Mexico, China, Canada and my love NYC many, many times.

Still teaching for Utah Online school. 

Changed from my big family car to a small Elantra-Yelo car and then back to a big Honda Pilot.

I’ve gained and lost the same 35 pounds.

Had another son come out as Gay.

Been in 8 shows-- favorite being Dolly in Hello Dolly and 5 Carols for Christmas by Jim Christian-- I met my theatre besties. 

Added in-laws-- (or in-loves) Bre, Alex, Lexi to our family.

Added 7 grandchildren..which truly is a great by product of having children. I get to be their Meema!

Chaperoned 1 more choir trip  ( still have Laila’s to go this year)

Sent two sons on a mission… Truman to England and Monson to Michigan

Had foot surgery.

Put on three Women’s retreats.

Served in the YSA’s for three years with Wayne as Bishop.

2019 in Review

A highlight for each month of 2019 

Jan- Laila's wisdom teeth out. 

Feb- St George with our Belnaps 

March- NYC with Cindy and Krystin

April - Cruise for Spring break with Laila and Wayne 

May- Sharing Sheri. CPT Gala honoring mom 

June- Philadelphia with my school

July- YSA camp, Laila European choir tour

Aug- Bear Lake Condos with all my people.

Sept- Life coach school in a Texas

Oct- Portland family road trip 

Nov- Scotland wedding

Dec. Elsie Adele born 

I love a good end of the year reflection and of course, I make all of my family play along. Some play along better than others. 

Melinda

1. One word to describe past year:  Learning 
2. Best thing you did for someone else this year: Re- Painted and decorated Laila’s room 
3. Movie: Yesterday
4. Show: Dear Evan Hansen.  Bre in Matilda. Addison as Tin Man and Captain Hook 
5. Most Embarrassing:  I didn't know my phone dropped into the toilet from my back pocket.  and after I #1 and #2'd  I stood up to flush and then I saw my phone and screamed, plunged my hand in and ran to the sink.  It was shocking and embarrassing since it was at a public restroom which was full of people.  
6. Laughed the hardest:  Laila getting her fish pedicure. So many fishes eating off her scaley feet.
7. Learned to do:  Get along with and help train, walk and be nice about a new puppy -Jet
8. Most newsworthy event:  Slept in a Scottish castle. Castle Culzean for Gilardi wedding.
9. Biggest lesson learned:  Life is 50/50 
10. Favorite place visited: Oregon coast
11. Memorable moment: On stage with Brooke Castillo and having my movie shown that Nano helped me with. 
12. Best advice: Generous Assumptions--people are all doing the best they can. 
13. Achievement proud of: Graduated Life Coach School. 
14. Compliment received: You make a perfect life coach - and  - You have amazing hair. 
15. What/ who most thankful for : My close family. Like to be together and are kind to each other. Thankful I got to vacay to NYC with my cousins Cindy and Krystin. 

Wayne
1.  One word to describe past year:  Busy 
2.  Best thing you did for someone else this year?  Took the whole family to the Oregon coast.
3.  Best Movie:  Ford v. Ferrari
10.  Favorite place visited:  Oregon Coast


Laila
1. One word to describe past year: growing-up
2. Best thing you did for someone else this year: Just listened to people when they needed to be heard    3. Movie- 10 things I Hate About you 
4. Show- Avatar the Last Airbender 
5. Most Embarrassing: my mom catching me with a hickey 
6. Laughed the hardest: When Peter Richards got his car keys stuck in between two aisles at Dicks and they had to pry open floorboards to get it
7. Learned to do: be okay with hanging by myself 
8. Most newsworthy event: I went to NINE different countries!! 
9. Biggest lesson learned: things come and go 
10. Favorite place visit: Switzerland 
11. Memorable moment: doing the Face to Face event with Elder Gong 
12. Best advice: don’t take life so seriously. You only get to live this moment once :)
13. Achievement proud of: getting so freaking good at making videos 
14. Compliment received: I did really well with the Face to Face Event 
15. What/ who most thankful for: my parents (of course) because they’re the most understanding people I know

Lexi
1. One word to describe past year:  Survival
2. Best thing you did for someone else this year?  Made and Delivered Elsie. She’s welcome. Also, helped my sister postpartum. 
3. Best Movie: Murder Mystery
4. Best Show: The Masked Singer
5. Most Embarrassing? Pants ripped in front of all the dance moms/dads on the first day of Tay’s dance class.
6. Laughed the hardest? Friend Sierra thought I was sending her to an authentic restaurant and it was Del Taco. Miscommunication. 
7. Learned to do? Make Donuts
8. Most newsworthy event? The birth of new baby, Elsie Adele. 
9. Biggest lesson learned.: Three kids isn’t easy. 
10. Favorite place visit: Rockaway Beach Oregon
11. Memorable moment:  My kids meeting Elsie at the hospital. Something we did not experience with Adelaide. 
12. Best advice:  Don’t have three kids (kidding... kind of)
13. Achievement proud of:  Completed our family via my body. 
14. Best Compliment received:  You are a thoughtful gift-giver
15. What/ who most thankful for: My Monson and all he does for our family.

Addison
1. One word to describe past year:  Business trip
2- Movie- knives out
3- Show- dear Evan Hansen 
4- Laughed the hardest?  Erin Carlson in the Addams family video- “large, and in charge”. Also “samantha” in frozen 2
5- Learned to do? Make a font, 
6- Most newsworthy event ? Finishing book 2
7- Favorite place visit: NYC 
8- Memorable moment watching bre perform in NYC and Hawaii
9- Achievement proud of- finishing Christmas underwear book
10- What/ who most thankful for. Pepperfox


Bre
1. One word to describe past year:  feast/famine
3. Movie- Where’d you go Bernadette
7. Learned to do? Record and edit a podcast
8. Most newsworthy event? Singing in NYC
9. Biggest lesson learned:  A job done is better than a job done perfectly
10. Favorite place visit: New York
15. What/ who most thankful for: my family

Alex
1.  One word to describe past year:  Growth
7.  Learned to do? Start a company and get set up online. Look up Crown: a salon. 
10.  Favorite place visit: Eastern Caribbean or Philippines 
13.  Achievement proud of: becoming head of my department at work - Thumbtack
15.  What/ who most thankful for: Landon, Andrew, Sophia. 


Landon:
1. One word to describe past year:  New
2. Best thing you did for someone else this year?   Showed up
5. Most Embarrassing? Splitting my pants at the beginning of an 8 hour haircut day. And just cutting hair like that all day. 
6. Laughed the hardest? The kids at Uncle Candys Christmas were a riot. 
7. Learned to do? Run a salon with online booking etc. 
8. Most newsworthy event? Started my own Salon
9. Biggest lesson learned.  Taking a breath, changing my thoughts about who and what I am so they are more serving. 
10. Favorite place visit: Oregon— I looked forward to this all year. I was in heaven having all my people together for a bit. 
11. Memorable moment: I’m trying to be better at locking into memory moments with my kids. 
12. Best advice: Don’t judge others on their worst moments 
13. Achievement proud of: opening Crown: a salon A
15. What/ who most thankful for: Alex, my kiddos, and my family. Gosh I love them.