Memories of 2019

Dear Kids (Written Dec 2019),

It's almost 2020.

Can you believe it? Everyone thought the world was going to end 20 years ago, and here we are, still ticking forward.

At the beginning of a New Year, I like to give an accomplishment list from the old year. I think it's important to do an emotional inventory of accomplishments! Here we go:

-THE BIG ONE: Mom and Dad's trip to Italy!! It was amazing! Seeing the Rome Temple, doing work there, touring all over Italy, seeing all the famous sites and places. Tasting the food, hearing all the sounds, the language, the monuments, soccer game, IT WAS AWESOME! We had saved up for 10 years to make that trip. Totally worth it!
-We did the Play "The King and I" together as a family! The show started in Jan. 2019 and finished in Feb. 2019. We made new friends, had a great experience, the kids got GREAT stage time, it was awesome.
-I went to Boise to help Shayla, post cancer treatments. Then I shaved my head together with the other girls in my family to show support for her going through it all. I must say, that shaving my head was one of the most liberating things that I've done for a long time.
-The kids did two craft fairs, one in the spring and one in the fall. They did pretty good!
-The kids and I started a dog-sitting business. They've had a BLAST with it. They have learned great new skills for taking care of animals, they aren't nearly as worried about being around dogs, they aren't afraid to pick up poop anymore, it's been a win-win for sure.
-Gabe did his first big painting art project of a lioness and her cub. I helped him just a bit, but he did about 80% of it on his own! It was awesome.
-The Robbins moved into our neighborhood in July, just about five doors down from us. It's been fun to have the cousins so close to play with and keep in contact with.
-Tate and Paden came to St. George for a couple of weeks while Shayla recovered from her last chemo treatment. It was so fun to have them here! We played in the river, went to the pool, did rock climbing. It was nice to spend more time together with the cousins.
-Talia and I went to quite a few stage shows together this past year. We went and saw "The Pajama Game" and "When You Wish Together", those were her favorite for sure. She is constantly wanting to go shopping, or "just go" somewhere with me to have quality girl time.
-We went on quite a few homeschooling field trips with the homeschooling community here. It's such an active community.
-We joined a Co-op in the fall! It's a nature based co-op and the kids have LOVED it. They have made some really good friends there already. I have loved the ladies that are part of the co-op, they have helped me so much with my motherhood, and homeschooling endeavors.
-Did a Kvarfordt family reunion at Bear Lake, and Mimi was able to come! We went to the lake, did crafts, did family pictures, did a water slide (I took pictures), and lots of stuff.
-Gabe interviewed the mayor of St. George, Jon Pike. That was a GREAT experience for him. He was really excited about it and felt very important doing it.
-Talia started violin lessons, Elijah started parkour lessons, Gabe started Ninja warrior classes. Gabe and Talia still took piano all year, and Talia's piano mind has TOTALLY turned on!
-I taught a leadership class at Fire Canyon Academy this past semester, and I also did "Hi Five Live" videos for Women of Worth about "Living Spiritually Centered". I LOVE teaching the gospel and the application of the gospel in daily life. I love doing it.
-I hoped to chair a homeschool mom's retreat in September. The Committee planned it for quite a few months, and my good friend Ganel-Lyn Condie, came and spoke at it. It was very fulfilling to be part of the planning committee again this year, and I will be on the committee again next year!
-Gabe and Elijah both did community football this past year, and also basketball through the rec center. Talia and Gabe did a pottery class during the summer time and LOVED it!
-Gabe, Talia and Elijah were part of the "Epic" Choir this year, performed at Christmas time and practiced every Friday.
-I prepared over 1,000 meals for my family this year, did 1,000 loads of laundry, swapped out clothing multiple times because of all growing bodies in our home, bathed and showered my kids 200+ times, read books with my kids 500+ times, finished multiple chapter books myself, Gabe read 40 chapter books this year, Talia read 25 chapter books this year, Elijah read 200+ books with me this year, Joshua read about the same. I helped with 30+ efforts of my kids to earn money, I hosted five birthday parties, one friend dinner party for Talia, and.... all that other mom stuff!
-I was there during Shirlyn's baby delivery! Jeremii Wanlass. I LOVE attending births of people that I know and love so much.
-Dad and I completed the 30 day meditation goal challenge. IT IS AWESOME.
-Went camping with the family to a GREAT little spot by Baker Dam. The kids had such a great time and we needed to unplug something fierce. I want more of that, it leads to heart time for sure.
-Dad went to the "Wild at Heart" Retreat for Men and it was life changing and life saving for him.