PLENTY

 This was the word I chose at the beginning of 2020.....PLENTY.  I liked how it rhymed and it felt abundant.

Well that word just kept coming up all year long.

Plenty of learning, growing, stretching, vulnerability, change, and of opportunities to be more flexible.

Plenty of patience, waiting, of the unknown.

Plenty of memories, time with family and plenty of Love as our family banned together around social justice and sticking up for the marginalized.

Plenty of prayers, seeking, pleading and handing things over to my Savior.

2020 was a year of plenty.  A year I will never forget.

Word for 2021.....HOPE

Thoughts and Gifts

Truman did not get me or Wayne a Christmas gift.  

I couldn't believe it.

I am a gifts girl in the 5 Love Languages...and I like gifts... I put a lot of belief that when I receive a gift it means that person thinks of me and loves me.  I know in my heart of hearts that they love me with our without a gift, but at Christmas time, at least something should be given, right?   

I know this is just a thought.   And actually, this thought didn't serve me.

I stewed on this for days.   

Truman didn't get us a Christmas gift!  "What's up?  Is he not grateful?  Am I not a good mother? Does he not believe in Christmas?"

I was distraught and sad about it.  

"Why didn't he at least say something?"   

I believed this for three days, then on Dec. 28th, as I woke up I remembered the LuluLemon jacket and LuluLemon exercise pants that Truman gave us the beginning of December as our gifts, and said, "Merry Christmas."  

The sun came out!

I felt loved and respected.  I felt happy and relieved....and devastated that I had so many ill-feelings toward Tru.  

Actually, nothing had changed except my thoughts surrounding it all.

Once again I can see how thoughts create feelings, and how thoughts can change on a dime.  I can believe a new thought instantly and new feelings are generated instantly as well.   

 IT was a good reminder lesson for me. 

20 good things in 2020

20 good things in 2020. 

1. Ran a Black Lives Matter Rally. Learned about systemic racism and privilege and held monthly anti-racism calls with family.
2. Put on a Prom for Laila and Max.
3. Laila graduated from BHS. 
4. Successful Family Bear lake and Welch cabin trip. 
5. Lost 20 lbs.
6. Learned a new curriculum system for my online school.
7. Did daily/weekly Come Follow me Study.
8. Moved Monson and Lexi closer to us.
9. Moved Truman back to Utah. 
10. Continued to serve in the YSA ward.
11. Wayne pivoted his business and brought in masks and continues to find ways to stay in business. Kept up on all our payments.
12. Made Covid music videos and Read books online to my grandkids. 
13. Weekly friend zoom/ phone calls. 
14. Got an updated family picture.
15. Voted Democrat for first time in my life and proud of it.
16. Sent a life coaching email 52 straight weeks to my mailing list. 
17. Walked Bountiful Temple to Salt Lake Temple. 
18. Put in a Doggie Door.
19. Don't set a morning wake-up alarm clock anymore. I just organically wake up.  It's beautiful.
20. Laila got the covid vaccine...and Wayne got Covid...so both will have antibodies!

My Top NINE Insta posts:

Christmas Day

CHRISTMAS MORNING... for the three of us.  I was determined for this to never happen while Laila was growing up.  Bre agreed  ( since she was years behind her siblings, and didn't like small Christmas mornings, of just her and her parents. ).... and was always willing to have her, Addison and the kids with us for some little kid excitement and squeals, but with Covid.. we slept in til ten ( I had a headache ) and then moved into the living room.... it was just us three.   We made the best of it.  Laila never asked for anything for Christmas and we totally surprised her with a Nintendo Switch... she was overjoyed!!

Wayne got me some books and ruby and diamond earrings.  Plus I got me some fun clothes, and a necklace.  Laila got me some perfume.   Wayne and I are still trying to go to Israel this summer.. so for the second Christmas in a row that's what we gave each other.  

Wayne came out of the basement for a bit, and satin the corner masked and with an air purifier at his feet.  HE's being such a good sport around all of this.  His covid symptoms have been no taste, no smell, sinus issues, fever etc... at least he can breathe.  

I made a roast beef and mashed potato dinner with hot homemade rolls and Lail and I ate... then we packaged it all up and delivered the rest up to Monson's family.  Monson is still not doing well with his covid symptoms.. it's been three weeks, two hospital visits and still on oxygen.  When he goes off his oxygen drops and his heart races...at least his cough has stopped. 

I love this poem that my cousin wrote around Covid and Christmas. 

The gift we gave our children was food storage and batteries.....boring...but essential.  It all went along with our thoughts of if you are prepared, you shall not fear part of our  YEAR OF AWESOME - Hope for a better WORLD!!

We are going to do Monthly gatherings, service projects and challenges together!  

 

Christmas Eve

With a Covid house.  Christmas eve began with me putting on my mask and Santa gear and delivering presents to all of my boy's households.   I was Meema Claus taking around the presents, but also distributing my food stuffs for Christmas Around the World that I purchased... macaroons, Onion soup, Pain au Chocolat.... etc...  And French flags.  

Addison is finishing up Covid...so they felt fine being around me for a bit for this pic of Alfie and Poppy.  

SO this is Christmas!   I did a quick costume change and put on my french scarf and beret and did our 6th annual Christmas Around the World celebration for just Laila and I.

 This year we visited 🇫🇷 FRANCE. With Covid at our house and Wayne quarantining in the basement and everyone staying away, I served  up stinky cheeses, macaroons, quiche, black truffles, croissants, pain au chocolate, Martinelli’s and French onion soup ( in FRANCE they just call it onion soup). Laila tried to like it but in the end she was starving, so we ended up at the McDonald’s drive through for frites and a ham-ber-ger... 🤷🏼‍♀️ that I ordered in my best French Accent of course.  When I was in FRANCE and when Laila was in France we went to a McDonald’s for drinks and a bathroom so it seemed fitting.  Oui oui. 😂Joyeux Noel🎄😍

We Zoomed everyone in for an hour... Addison's family entertained us all with Alfie singing "Let it Snow"complete with choreography. Poppy sang ALL of " Partridge in a pear tree" while she danced around in her Christmas dress. And Addison and Bre put faces on their chins, and lay upside down singing us a song. I sang everyone "So this is Christmas" and I cried. We had everyone talk about a christmas memory or something they like about Christmas and ended by singing "Were you There." It was sad for me... I told them all I might as well be on a mission since we can't be with everyone.

Laila and I watched "A year without a Santa Claus" and then she went to bed. Wayne was down stairs... not around.... so I did a puzzle and watched and cried through "It's a Wonderful Life." For the first time I saw Wayne as George Bailey... giving up so many dreams in his life, working so hard, struggling with health issues ( dizzy) yet earning so many freinds, that his life is truly Wonderful. I know if we were in any kind of struggle, or financial difficulty that we would be surrounded with love.

I like my Christmas's full of family and hugs and snuggles and noise and mess and littles running around and acting out nativities and no masks and ..... I know at some point we will return to this. Even with this different type of eve I still love Christmas. It will continue to be my favorite holiday. It’s a time to celebrate my Jesus so what’s not to love?

2020 Emoji's

Wayne, Melinda, Addison, Bre, Alfie, Poppy, Landon, Alex, Andrew, Sophia, Truman, Levi, Monson, Lexi, Tayla, Lady, Elsie, Laila

Elf Magic

I picked up Tayla’s Elf on the Shelf.  WHAT!?!  Tayla saw me do this and she panicked.    She was so disappointed in her Meema.  My Tayla had tears in her eyes, fearing that her Christmas was ruined.    I didn’t understand the rules associated with these elfs on the shelfs  which include you DON’T TOUCH THE ELF!!    I immediately dropped the elf and told her not to worry, Meema’s have powers that can put the magic back into Christmas elves.  I did a most convincing incantation, waved my arms, mumbled some jumbo and “poof” all was restored.  Tayla was so grateful.   

A few days later Tayla accidentally touched her elf.  She was mortified.  Tayla was alone, looked around, then she waved her arms like she was doing a spell, muttered the magic words…and poof…a relieved smile. My Monson told me that he saw all of this on their ring door bell video camera. He didn’t know what she was doing at the time, but  then Tayla informed him that Meema taught her how to restore her elf’s power.    Turns out my mistake saved Tayla’s Christmas after all!  

2020 Reflection

2020 has been an interesting year - but in ways we never imagined…

Wayne’s work collapsed because of no importing and relations with China….but he continues to pivot and find ways to make $

Melinda’s online school teacher workload tripled because of Covid…but she got extra help and teacher aides and new ways to do this work.

Laila had no normal High school graduation and end of year festivities…but she had a private prom, and a fun, outdoors, small graduation. She is not attending any University, but she is involved at Smith’s as a Pharmacy tech. 

Tru thought Portland was his place to be…but he has since moved back to SLC with his partner Levi because jobs and mental health support is important to have. 

Monson had jaw cancer…but came out of it, with surgery, free and clear.  He got sent home to work ….but has become the #1 salesman on his team. Lexi loves being a mom of three girls, but decided to get her real estate license as well.  

Alex liked his work with Thumbtack ….but got recruited into a new job during covid.  Landon closed his salon…moved it back into his home…but started managing a Great Clips store and is the #1 product salesman of all their stores. 

Andrew and Sophia have attended public school and done well….but because of Covid and safety are doing homeschool with Utah Online and are excelling.

Addison and Bre are not in many productions, because there aren’t many to be in…but have increased their Pepperfox podcast audience and photo studio work.  

Here’s what we learned from staying close to home this year… 

We really do like each other. (We do our best to find creative ways to get together- including spreading out a bit, but still maintaining our yearly Bear Lake vacay )   

We can make lemonade out of lemons. ( You should have seen our 4th of July Neighborhood parade complete with firetruck)  

We all want to learn and do better around racial issues.  (We either ran or supported a Black Lives Matter rally in Bountiful and Portland.)

We got a doggie door that has been life changing for the in and out movement of Jet.  He’s so demanding.  

Here are the little things that brought us gratitude and happiness this year…  

rainbows, home church, so many of our children have steady jobs and incomes, still working with the YSA ward, pizza, grandchildren, technology, tv shows, long walks, connecting with friends, biking, pie, puzzles, alone time and for the first time in the history of our marriage we do not set an alarm clock.

Lights On Party

 Our Lights on Party was a success!!

We had families in person and digitally. The Buzelli’s FaceTimed in.  

( I delivered a box of crowns, gingerbread house kits and Christmas jammies in advance to the Buzelli home) 

First we had Fondue fun Covid style.  Salty cheese and delicious chocolate. We kept all of the food stuffs on the counter and everyone got their own little cup of fondue for dipping.  The kids love dipping and dunking.  Our fave is potato chips dipped in the chocolate.   Lexi's mom Rebecca joined us. 

Second a costume change for the kiddies— Christmas jammies. 

Then lights off and in the dark house we turn on three different trees and oo, aah and sing a Carol at each one.  “Silent night,” “First Noel” and “Oh Little town of Bethlehem.”  We move in silence from tree to tree. It is very reverent and magical.  I cry every year while we stand in the Christmas tree lit dark and sing, and I look at my awesome family and just feel the love!  We sound great too!  

At this point we gather in a circle and pass a candle around and share our light and love by talking about the person next to us and saying why we love them.  Wayne did a little devotional on the light of Christ and shining our own lights. We sang “This little light of mine” and our favorite “Running Over.”  

THE KNIGHTING OF THE CLAN

We added a new twist this year. I’ve been thinking about it for awhile and it was the perfect time for this ceremony. Wayne and I knighted our grands with special names and qualities that we see in them or want to cultivate. We made crowns for everyone in the room. Wayne and I put on capes and crowns and Wayne got an awesome sword for this from the Belnaps. Then one by one, oldest to youngest we had them kneel in front of us and as Papa of the clan Wayne spoke beautiful words over each grand then dubbed them with their new titles.  

Andrew the Creator. Sophia the Confident. Alfie the Courageous. Tayla the Kindhearted. Poppy the Joyful. Lady the Brave.  Elsie the Sweet. 

The kids eyes were big as saucers as the sword touched their shoulders.  Then I announced their new title and everyone clapped. We are going to remember to call them these titles when they come and go from our home instead of telling them how cute, pretty or handsome they are. 

All the kids did fine kneeling or standing in front of us, but Poppy saw the pillow and immediately lay down on it.  Bre and Addison and I all tried to help her get to her knees, but she wasn't having it.... in the end we just did it with her laying down. Then she jumped up and clapped with all of us when we announced her new title.  She is joyful! 

We did this in person and also over the computer with Sophia and Andrew kneeling in their home.  

We talked about being a part of the Welch clan who’s foundation is built on faith and family.  Then we made gingerbread houses.  It was so fun!!!  The kids loved it and I loved watching them create.  

(Pro tip hot-glue the gingerbread shapes together  then use icing and candy everywhere else. )

Sophia the Confident

Andrew the Creator

Poppy the Joyful

Tayla the Kind-Hearted

Lady the Brave

Alfie the Courageous

Laila with her finished Gingerbread house in Blue and White

Elsie the Sweet!

Layton Lights and Christmas Carol

Addison was part of a Christmas Carol in the park reading with Layton City and Davis Arts Council.  Layton goes all out on their Christmas lights in the parl and while you walk around, there are 5 narrators that tell the Christmas Carol and then at the end they give you a nice Christmas Carol book. 

Wayne and I, Lexi, her mom and girls and Bre, Alf and Poppy all went through together.  The kids were totally bundled up like the Christmas Story little brother.   It was so well done...and SOOOO COOOLD.  I don’t know how Addison was able to stand out there for 3 hours  for 3 nights.    He had to put on three pair of socks, and then hand warmers on the top and bottom of those socks in extra big boots.  

 

Elsie!

 This was an Elsie Adele week.   

We finally had her baby blessing...and two days later her first birthday.

Elsie is a joy.  She is the sweetest, most content baby.  She never fusses and is really so enjoyable to be around.  We all think this.  Elsie loves to stare at you until she catches your eye, then she smiles really big.  Elsie loves to be held and cuddled and will just sit with you for hours.  It's truly amazing.

Monson gave a beautiful blessing in his home...because of covid.  (Monson and family, Wayne and I, Lexi's mom Rebecca, Addison's family in attendance.).  They waited til Lexi's mom from Michigan could fly out and be a part of this.  Lexi's grandpa Syd passed away this year, and her aunt took one of his white shirts and sewed it down into a blessing dress for Elsie.  She looked so cute in it.

It's different blessing a one-year-old, instead of a newborn, Elsie did not want to be held like a baby, so she sat up on the hands and was squirmy.  Monson blessed her with love and power and a memory that she is a beloved daughter of God.  I'm grateful for Monson and his constant faith in Jesus Christ and involvement in the church. 

Lexi has had a donut theme all year with taking pics of Elsie to see how she has grown and changed each month.    Elsie, just played with her frosting... she didn't put one bite or one lick in her mouth.