Is it Spring?

Feb. 22, 2016

Dear Sister Kristina,

How fun that I got to see you having dinner with members in your new area twice this past week! Sounds like it might just be a wonderful ward when they’ve already had you for dinner and haven’t even met you at church yet. I love that. That text on Saturday night came at just the perfect time for me. I really needed that, so thank you!!

I can’t wait to hear all about your new area and new comp. 

Our week here was basically getting back into real life after our fun weekend away to Utah. The week went by fast since Monday was a holiday. The usual school and Taekwondo for Nikki stuff. I’m really hoping that Leah will try getting back into Taekwondo soon. She really needs to start doing something physical and pushing herself a bit. She’s basically been sitting around for 8 months now and it’s really taken a toll on her (and us, haha). 

Last week we met with her new counselor on Thursday night. I had heard such great things about him and I was very excited to see what he had to say. He was all that and more. What a character! Very smart, very crazy and also funny. Leah started out very quiet, not saying much, but near the end she was really opening up with him and it was just our consultation. She was very honest with him, which was great, but some things are kind of hard to hear. She doesn’t like being around groups of people very much, they “bug” her. Nikki “bugs” her, etc etc. She broke down and cried over some things, which the Dr said was very good because she was finally being very real. She even admitted to cutting herself when she is trying not to feel any emotional pain. We knew she was doing that, but it’s still hard to hear her saying it. (her cutting herself is why we started taking her to a psychiatrist in the first place). She said she’s trying to feel strong by doing it. The Dr. was great cuz he said he wasn’t there to judge her, nothing shocked him at all (he’s heard it all before) and he was so positive with her. That’s what she needs. For two days afterwards, Leah was so happy and even went with the Laurels to 

Leah has a lot of problems she needs to work on, but we’re making little steps forward all the time. It’s an illness she will have to work on her whole life, so we’re really trying hard to give her all the tools she will need in life and I’m so happy she’s willing to work on them too. The fact that she wants to actually meet with a counselor and take medication is a positive thing. 

So blessed to have a lot of people who keep coming into our lives not by coincidence who have helped me, helped Leah, Nikki, dad. I have learned where to turn for peace and hope my children will also learn where true peace can come from also. It doesn’t take away the adversity, but I know that I am never alone and that our Savior is aware of everyone, their struggles, their desires and will always be by your side if you let Him.

Enough of that, it’s just very heavy on my mind these days. Dad and I are looking forward to going to California next week to spend some time with my dad. The girls are going to stay with Sally. I’m so happy dad will be with me. I never like making these trips alone, it’s way more fun with my buddy. We don’t go until next Monday, but I’ll take lots of pictures while I’m in SoCal.

The weather has been beautiful here. I’m not sure we really got a winter this year. If so, it only lasted a couple days. Of course, now that I’ve said that, we’ll have a crazy March probably. haha

Nikki has turned into a very good student!! She has a goal to go to BYU Provo and is trying super hard to get straight A’s. Last semester, she got all A’s and a couple B’s so she’s really on track. I love seeing her have this goal and really working hard to get it. She’s not sure what she wants to do or major in, but she just wants to be at BYU. She checks her grades online pretty much every other day so that she doesn’t accidentally forget to turn something in or have anything slip. I love it.

Speaking of BYU, I’m going to call them again today. You did not defer before you left and I think you actually have to turn in a deferment now. I’m hoping they let you do that or else you will have to re-apply and get in that way. If I hear anything today, I’ll write you again and let you know. Are you thinking of something you want to major in there? Or are you just keeping it as an option? Either way, Provo will be a great place to go back to.

I got a new debit card for you in the mail, so be sure to send us your new address. I think it’s one of those new cards that has the new chip technology in it. I’ll try to make sure it’s actually a debit card first, cuz it says it’s your cashback college fund card. Don’t exactly know what that is, but it might be the name of the account we opened for you to get your debit card.

Yesterday at church, I got to see Kade Anderson for the first time. I guess he reported last week, but we weren’t there or maybe he reported while I was at a ward conference, but anyway, it was good to see him. He looks happy and pretty much the same. The Shavers in our ward (Iverson’s parents) left for their second mission to Fiji. They’re going to be working in the temple there and it was just rededicated, so they were able to be there for that.

We facetimed with Kirk and Sarah and Addie last night. I’m going to have Sarah send you an email of Addie showing a little sass. Sooo funny. She is really starting to talk now. We can’t really understand what she’s saying, but it sure sounds important. haha Then we face timed with Sean and Blair. Sean is still really busy at work and is having their grand opening of the place next week, so there are a lot of little details he’s working on now and Blair is only working two days a week at the Zoo at the ice skating rink, but she has a second interview at the Zoo next week for a job that she’s hoping to get. She’s realizing though that living in a big city means there are tons of other applicants for the same job, so she’s not so sure she’ll get it now. I hope she gets something, because it’s been hard for her being home so much. That’s why they got a cat….I don’t know if they’ve sent you a picture, but it’s named Scout and Blair loves having the company at home.

Savannah just finished with the Cougarettes big end of the year performance. She said they did great. So she just has one more thing with them….the big competition in Florida. She loves helping coach them and has also been earning good money choreographing dance teams. She even did one for BSU. She’s so talented.

Dad is working at the VA today. He’s working hard these next couple of months until we see how much we owe for taxes. He’s making “just in case” money. Then hopefully, he’ll be able to cut back a bit. We need to be able to spend a lot of time in Utah this summer with the new baby. :)

Last night Leah worked really hard on the T-shirt design for girls camp. The theme is Boot Camp, but she has to only work on it when Nikki can’t see cuz it’s all still a surprise, but since Leah is a YCL, she’s been going to the meetings, etc and I’m so happy that she is loving designing the T-shirt. I think they’re going to look great. 

Well, that’s about it around here. I’m finishing up Leah’s book (her 16th birthday book). Yes, I know it’s a tad late, but I’m almost done and so excited to get it here to give to her. Karli Moss has been helping me gather some pictures of her friends so I can include them in the book. And I can only work on it while she’s at school, so better get to work.

I hope your first week in Fairfield was wonderful and that you found your way around. :)  I love you so much and love Mondays when I get to hear from you. We’ve gotten one box that you mailed home so far. I was thinking you said there would be a couple of boxes. If so, maybe they will come today, but I’ll let you know. If there’s anything you need, let us know. We love sending you boxes!

Have a beautiful week!! Enjoy all the new people in your life. Relationships are what make life great.

Love you so much,

Mom xxoo

ps. Remember to send your new address