Today is the last day of Year. I love it when a year ends and a New Year begins. It always gives me a chance to reflect and this year has given me a lot to reflect on as it has been a crazy hard and wonderful year.
This year I:
* had my final prophylactic surgery. For the first time in ten years - I have no looming surgery or decisions about surgery. (cue the long exhale)
* lost a student I cared about to suicide
* was gifted an Eagle Feather from a group of students who had brightened my spring
* John and I began preparations and planning for Moroni's Quest 2020
* experienced some of the most challenging feelings of self doubt that I ever have
* cried, rejoiced, and prayed about my marriage and family relationships
* returned to school and started the journey towards a University Degree
* experienced instant menopause and gained an appreciation for well being
* failed and felt lonely
* tried new things
This year John:
* continued to serve on the High Council (a calling that he loves)
* Gave several kick butt memorable talks
* hosted his 2nd annual school cub car rally
* Grew even more determined to own a Tesla
* Took a legit discretionary day off so that we could travel as a family to Yellowstone National Park
* Tried so hard to remember and celebrate birthdays and anniversaries
* continued to stand behind the principles of a Growth Mindset
* Was awarded the "Knight Award" from his former boss/mentor
* consistently worked out/did yoga/ read scriptures every morning
This has been an exceptional year for my kids:
Abby has blossomed this past year. She is a really remarkable young woman. She grew so much in volleyball and taekwondo, earned her Young Women medallion and her Honor Bee, placed 2nd in her grade for marks (just .5% below the top student) and she has tentatively secured a job for herself at the local Public Library. That is the perfect spot for her as she reads more than anyone I have ever known. Abby has become a poet which is a talent shared with so many of her Toone ancestors. She has done more to reacquaint me with my deceased family through family history work than I could have ever imagined. She is leading our family in so many ways.
I am so proud and so trusting of who she is.
Sam has spent this year being immersed in every sport he could be. He ran and played baseball, volleyball and basketball. He has recently acquired everything he needs to take up Golf as well. He has had moments in each sport where he has really shone. Is is how he has lived this year off the court however that has really made him shine. Sam ran for student body President - and won! He has begun to play Hymns at church during Priesthood Quorum. He worked his first summer job - mowing for 2 elderly neighbors. I have watched him make his siblings laugh, imitate a good quality of his Dads and notice other peoples needs. Just recently he asked a deaf (nearly mute) first nation student to compete in a jive competition. They placed 3rd in the contest and my heart burst as I watched him behave like a hero and treat this young girl so well. Sam has grown in strength this year. (I can no longer dispute that) Though he likes to point out his physical growth - I don't think he has a clue how much growth I have seen in him where it really counts. It is exciting to consider who this young man will become!
Jessica launched a puppy campaign this year that was truly remarkable. She has proven to me that it is possible to be relentlessly determined, yet still kind and sweet. Jess entered Junior High this year and as relationships with her friends changed a bit, Jessica took every opportunity to seek out the lonely. We found out recently (during an annual exam) that Jessica quite literally has an Eagle Eye. Better than 20/20 vision, which apparently is an anomaly. She can spot a bird, coyote or a camouflaged creature long before any of us can. She also can spot a weary, anxious soul or a stranger in need with a compassionate precision that reminds me of both her Grandma Hardy and her Grandma Rausch. She is an old soul. A Mother Teresa meets Bob Ross kind of a person and she neutralizes every unhappy moment. I am so thankful for her influence!
Nate - my little baby "with the tiny hands" is not a baby anymore. At 9 years of age, Nate has taken on so much responsibility. He is entirely competent with getting himself home from school, to and from cubs, making himself ichiban or chips and cheese when hungry. With me working full time now, I have been so grateful for the way he shoulders more on his own without making me feel bad. He broadened his horizons this year and added a few new foods to his list of things he is willing to eat. I feel pretty secure that, if needed, Nate could survive on pepperoni pizza, rice, grilled cheese sandwiches or smoothies. Nate has a real knack for figuring things out. He is a really bright young man! Nate is not greedy. He has a kind heart, and he handles the disappointments that come to him gracefully - even when it is hard. He has demonstrated this year in the sweetest way that he can feel and recognize the Holy Ghost and that sure does his mama and papa's hearts a lot of good. He lets me cuddle with him - which is a gift that I will always treasure!
Grandpa has to be included in this yearly recap too. Grandpa continues to join us each night for dinner. In fact, it has been 9 years almost that he has been at our table each night. 5 different homes. 5 different tables. 5 different versions of chaotic supper time drama. He has continued to put up with it all! Grandpa's presence at our family table may not mean much to him - but it means the world to us. He is an anchor in our lives that keeps us gathering each evening when other families do not. It really is increasingly hard to coordinate a time of day where we all can eat together, but it remains important to us, in large part because of Grandpa. He is a quiet voice of reason and stability. He brings with him each night an influence of goodness and faith and he connects us to Grandma Hardy without even trying to. We know we aren't much fun, we don't take him on exciting trips or introduce him to cool new places. We are an ordinary and everyday kind of experience for him - but is it such an extraordinary gift for us to get to have him near. He watches every game of the kids' that he can, he never complains about a burnt or yucky meal, and never judges me when I lose my temper at the table. We are so thankful for Grandpa!
That is us this year.
This year I:
* had my final prophylactic surgery. For the first time in ten years - I have no looming surgery or decisions about surgery. (cue the long exhale)
* lost a student I cared about to suicide
* was gifted an Eagle Feather from a group of students who had brightened my spring
* John and I began preparations and planning for Moroni's Quest 2020
* experienced some of the most challenging feelings of self doubt that I ever have
* cried, rejoiced, and prayed about my marriage and family relationships
* returned to school and started the journey towards a University Degree
* experienced instant menopause and gained an appreciation for well being
* failed and felt lonely
* tried new things
This year John:
* continued to serve on the High Council (a calling that he loves)
* Gave several kick butt memorable talks
* hosted his 2nd annual school cub car rally
* Grew even more determined to own a Tesla
* Took a legit discretionary day off so that we could travel as a family to Yellowstone National Park
* Tried so hard to remember and celebrate birthdays and anniversaries
* continued to stand behind the principles of a Growth Mindset
* Was awarded the "Knight Award" from his former boss/mentor
* consistently worked out/did yoga/ read scriptures every morning
This has been an exceptional year for my kids:
Abby has blossomed this past year. She is a really remarkable young woman. She grew so much in volleyball and taekwondo, earned her Young Women medallion and her Honor Bee, placed 2nd in her grade for marks (just .5% below the top student) and she has tentatively secured a job for herself at the local Public Library. That is the perfect spot for her as she reads more than anyone I have ever known. Abby has become a poet which is a talent shared with so many of her Toone ancestors. She has done more to reacquaint me with my deceased family through family history work than I could have ever imagined. She is leading our family in so many ways.
I am so proud and so trusting of who she is.
Sam has spent this year being immersed in every sport he could be. He ran and played baseball, volleyball and basketball. He has recently acquired everything he needs to take up Golf as well. He has had moments in each sport where he has really shone. Is is how he has lived this year off the court however that has really made him shine. Sam ran for student body President - and won! He has begun to play Hymns at church during Priesthood Quorum. He worked his first summer job - mowing for 2 elderly neighbors. I have watched him make his siblings laugh, imitate a good quality of his Dads and notice other peoples needs. Just recently he asked a deaf (nearly mute) first nation student to compete in a jive competition. They placed 3rd in the contest and my heart burst as I watched him behave like a hero and treat this young girl so well. Sam has grown in strength this year. (I can no longer dispute that) Though he likes to point out his physical growth - I don't think he has a clue how much growth I have seen in him where it really counts. It is exciting to consider who this young man will become!
Jessica launched a puppy campaign this year that was truly remarkable. She has proven to me that it is possible to be relentlessly determined, yet still kind and sweet. Jess entered Junior High this year and as relationships with her friends changed a bit, Jessica took every opportunity to seek out the lonely. We found out recently (during an annual exam) that Jessica quite literally has an Eagle Eye. Better than 20/20 vision, which apparently is an anomaly. She can spot a bird, coyote or a camouflaged creature long before any of us can. She also can spot a weary, anxious soul or a stranger in need with a compassionate precision that reminds me of both her Grandma Hardy and her Grandma Rausch. She is an old soul. A Mother Teresa meets Bob Ross kind of a person and she neutralizes every unhappy moment. I am so thankful for her influence!
Nate - my little baby "with the tiny hands" is not a baby anymore. At 9 years of age, Nate has taken on so much responsibility. He is entirely competent with getting himself home from school, to and from cubs, making himself ichiban or chips and cheese when hungry. With me working full time now, I have been so grateful for the way he shoulders more on his own without making me feel bad. He broadened his horizons this year and added a few new foods to his list of things he is willing to eat. I feel pretty secure that, if needed, Nate could survive on pepperoni pizza, rice, grilled cheese sandwiches or smoothies. Nate has a real knack for figuring things out. He is a really bright young man! Nate is not greedy. He has a kind heart, and he handles the disappointments that come to him gracefully - even when it is hard. He has demonstrated this year in the sweetest way that he can feel and recognize the Holy Ghost and that sure does his mama and papa's hearts a lot of good. He lets me cuddle with him - which is a gift that I will always treasure!
Grandpa has to be included in this yearly recap too. Grandpa continues to join us each night for dinner. In fact, it has been 9 years almost that he has been at our table each night. 5 different homes. 5 different tables. 5 different versions of chaotic supper time drama. He has continued to put up with it all! Grandpa's presence at our family table may not mean much to him - but it means the world to us. He is an anchor in our lives that keeps us gathering each evening when other families do not. It really is increasingly hard to coordinate a time of day where we all can eat together, but it remains important to us, in large part because of Grandpa. He is a quiet voice of reason and stability. He brings with him each night an influence of goodness and faith and he connects us to Grandma Hardy without even trying to. We know we aren't much fun, we don't take him on exciting trips or introduce him to cool new places. We are an ordinary and everyday kind of experience for him - but is it such an extraordinary gift for us to get to have him near. He watches every game of the kids' that he can, he never complains about a burnt or yucky meal, and never judges me when I lose my temper at the table. We are so thankful for Grandpa!
That is us this year.
As I have reflected on this past year, I have come to the conclusion that John and I are simple people and I think we may always be. We are simple minded, we make simple plans, and set very simple goals. We aren't perfect, and we aren't always blissfully happy - but neither of us can deny that we are blessed beyond any degree that we deserve. We are surrounded by extraordinary people and have been given some extraordinary experiences this past year.
For that, we feel so very grateful.
Here is to a simply extraordinary New Year!
