My 9 Cents: Merry Christmask 2020 & Happy New Year 2021!

Ho Ho Holy Cow! What a year! Rest assured, I washed my hands before writing this letter!

We started out this year by going to see a movie on January 1st with dear friends. We watched “Jumanji: The Next Level” & little did we know that was just the beginning of our very own Jumanji 2020! Ha! However, with all the craziness of this year, I know we can all find our silver linings, for I am convinced nothing “bad” is allowed to happen but that blessings come from it too! I hope you have or are finding your “silver linings”!

Some of our silver linings this year are:

Emily (19): Graduated from Homeschool last December, (see photo finally taken in Feb!) Completed her 1st year of college through the Pathway Worldwide program & has been accepted at Brigham Young University-Idaho where she will attend this January as an Art major; Voted for the first time this year! Also had her first real car accident this year as well as her first “big breakup” (tough.) She enjoyed some brother/sister dates, painting a watercolor of the Teton Mountains for Jonathan’s birthday (photo); cuddled/walked/played/cuddle some more with her adorable dog, Honey; got in several shooting/target practice sessions; got a job at GAP but recently was offered a better job at a local DIY Pest & Weed Control store; spent special bff days (bff’s are the best!); helped Bob strip her carpet/install new flooring in her bedroom & painted the room; progressed in her art skills; donned the traditional Christmas tree skirt when we put up our tree as well as our tree-top angel donning our Mariachi hat ornament! (See pictures) She did miss being part of MCO choir this year, but life forced it.

Jonathan (26): Continues to live in his own apt. in Carrollton, Tx, (25 min drive from us); He also enjoyed his brother/sister dates with Emily; Also got some shooting/target practice in; continues to work for AmerisourceBergen in their IT department & enjoys his work though it’s been tough working from home in ‘quarantine’ with very few social outlets available - so, he bought a 1970 Ford truck as a fixer upper hobby; enjoyed a special visit by dear friends from his mission (the Lurkers) who came to Waco, so we just had to make the trip to meet them in person (what great people!); also helped with Emily’s new bedroom flooring a bit and will continue his online senior classes at Brigham Young University-Idaho where he will hopefully be graduating in the 2nd half of 2021 with a B.S. in CIT (Computer Information Technology) & *Debt-Free!* (So proud of him!)

Jessica (30): Wait! Did that just say she’s THIRTY?? Yup! I can’t believe it! How did that happen so fast!? She & Taylor continue to live in Richardson where they are raising Genna (4) & where Orli (7) spends half her time when she’s not at her father’s. Jessica continues to work for Chase Bank in their call center & Taylor is working at Whole Foods. We got to spend their birthdays & a couple other times with them (social distancing & all!) as well as face-timing "during covid." We can’t get over how fast Genna & Orli are growing. Orli lost her two front teeth this year! She’s looking older with those “big teeth” coming in! We love spending time with those grandkids!

Bob & Teri: Bob continues to work for AmerisourceBergen, too, as end-point manager & I’m grateful he enjoys his job & does so well at it! He has received several “blue stars” of commendation from several people in the organization for the incredible work he does. He is always Johnny-on-the-spot & people appreciate his expertise & kind/friendly/humorous/can-do attitude. We celebrated our 31st anniversary in Feb. & miss attending the temple since they closed over CV19; Bob learned how to install our new A/C, traveled a bit (one of the times was to his old Army-boot camp stomping grounds, Ft Knox, KY; lead us in holding “Church at home” & administering the Sacrament at home (so grateful for Priesthood Authority!); we traveled to Wichita Falls in May for my cousin, Spencer Rowley’s funeral and got to spend some quality-though-very-short time with cousin Sharlet/husband Joe/son Granger, met Spencer's sweet wife, Kimberley & her parents, & Bob was able to host a family Zoom for those not able to attend, a truly special time; we all gathered at cousin Chrissy (and Chris) Wilson’s home in July when cousin Kim & family came down to meet their new/first grandchild (so cute!) & we celebrated all the July birthday peeps; enjoyed going out to eat for each of our children’s birthdays at a restaurant of their choice; Bob learned how to make homemade yogurt from dear friend, Jim Midgley and has been eating that for breakfast the past few months; He realized installing new flooring takes a bigger toll on your body when you’re over 50 than when you’re 30; & helped throughout the year for church (and other’s) activities with sound/lighting, such as our Church’s socially-distanced “Christmas Outdoor Drive-In Movie” event! (See photo) That was fun! He also helps care for/walk Honey when Emily is not home to do so. We learned how to cook with an InstantPot, use Zoom for business, personal, & church meetings; oh! and Teri learned to use the Marco Polo app and loving it; Teri began lifting light weights & started walking for flexibility in January & has since tripled her time/distance! We finally “updated” our 31y/o Christmas Tree with ribbon instead of garland! (See photo / who said fake Christmas trees don't shed??) Bob continues as 1st Counselor in the Bishopric & Teri as Stake Social Media Specialist among other callings.