Ok so once again
I have been terribly delinquent in writing…. No excuses, just poor planning and
execution/ time management on my side. Good news is that a lot has happened!
Ill give a broad rundown and then from now on get a bit more specific in each
of your personal notes near the end.
First big thing
is we invested in ski gear…. And then proceeded to get injured/ sick! This past
year we went skiing with the Login’s to Purgatory- just north of Durango CO.
First day started off well enough- ski school was open this year so that’s
where you all went for half a day. Well on our second run Mrs. Gabby had a bad
fall and tore her ACL and I believe MCL- good news is she is on a good road to
recovery. That happened about the same time that Cora was getting very sick, so
by halfway through day one we had two back at the house recovering. Then I took
Deacon for our last run of the day…. After a fall he caught by binding with his
ski while I was getting him back up and wretched my leg around so hard I felt
like I tore something. I managed to make it down, but I skipped out on skiing
the second day. I made it back to the slopes with Cora by day 3 and we got some
good runs in- but all in all it was a rough trip from that perspective. We did
however have a great time as families together
Next on the list
I guess that was eventful was spring break. We did a camping trip to a place in
AZ I had actually never been to- near Aztec Peak. It was beautiful, a creek
running right by our campsite, a great overlook from the mountain top over
eastern AZ, you guys all exploring and being brave. We took some time at the
summit of Aztec peak to stop and pray, thanking God for the works of his hands,
the beauty he has fashioned for us, the time we had together as a family and so
many other blessings. That night we made hobo pie which consists of hamburger,
onion and potatoes wrapped in tinfoil and thrown into the coals of the fire.
You guys wolfed it down, and then Quinn proceeded to ask every 5min when we
could make smores! We had to gather a lot of firewood as it was in the 40’s at
night- cold for us Phoenicians. It was fun climbing into the tent and getting
all snuggled in. Dixie waited patiently at the door as we got settled and then
darted in and greeted each one of us. Quinn, she picked you to sleep on for
most of the night.
The next day we
checked out a waterfall and then headed to explore the creek some more before
departing. You guys were doing great crossing the creek and climbing on things,
being brave and appreciating how beautiful the area was. We stopped for a snack
in a spot with a really pretty waterfall and Cora found a seat on an old log
hanging over the creek. Well that log was not as strong as it looked and as she
was bouncing on it there was a crack- down went Cora, and the log, on top of
her leg. Quinn you were also sitting on the log, and I turned and grabbed it
quickly as you fell off in the direction it was rolling towards. All in all it
could have been much worse.
Cora could not
walk and was in a lot of pain, so I carried her to the truck and gave her some
Advil. Luckily, we were packed up already, so we headed for home. One visit to
the Urgent care and two x-rays later we learned she had broken her tibia and fibula.
Cora, you did well and were brave through the whole thing- in one more week you
get your cast off and will be able to walk again!
Shortly after all
of this I began my new role as the Western Sales Director. I had been wanting
to get back into sales for a few years now and this was a great opportunity to
do so. I was offered another position that was perhaps more glamorous and would
have been better for upward mobility in the company, but more and more my goals
are to have the lifestyle I want, not to trade too much of my time for a little
more money that wont begin to buy back the things I am giving up to get it. We
also would have had to move to Atlanta. As much as I like GA too much of our
lives is here, and we have such a fantastic community I just don’t see being
able to replace it, or that even $2M a year would be worth doing so. This world
measures us in very different ways than it should, and I feel drawn to pursue
that which it would deem of value, but the longer I live the more I know the
true worth of things, first and foremost is my life with Mom and all of you.
Lastly and quite
tragically another reminder that you have to enjoy the present moments without
too much worry or security about the future. Our sweet Neighbor Lisa has passed
away from cancer. She was on the path to recovery but unfortunately it spread aggressively
and took her life. She was always a very quiet reserved person, with a very
gentile spirit. Cora she would put out tons of arts and crafts stuff for you
and Adam to do, and she would always clean it up without complaint, quietly
serving and taking joy in you two playing. Deacon she would also put out a
garbage truck for you, even if Adam was not out. You loved tearing up bits of
paper and loading it, then dumping it from the truck. Quinn she would get chalk
and paint for you and help you wash up. Lisa was one of those quiet unassuming
people that you wish filled the world more than they do. I was filled with
grief at her passing, for Adam, for John, and for all those who loved her. I
know later in life you may not remember her- but when you get older and read
these pages I hope you can reflect on the kindness and love she showed you all,
and that hopefully we will all see her again.
Cora, well lately you have been mostly interested in Olivia Rodrigo as well as the old standby Taylor Swift. Perhaps it is because you also have your first love interest at school. His name is Hunter, we call him bugger Hunter because when you were in kindergarten together, he used to put buggers in your hair! You don’t like discussing it very much with us, but we are doing our best to let you know your feelings are normal and helping ever so slightly to guide you a bit. As expected, you are dealing with your broken leg very well, showing some good toughness and adaptability. At the same time it is good for you to empathize and deal with some hardship and I believe you are learning from that as well. It was fun again on the ski trip and camping trip to see your bravery and self-confidence. It seems the confidence level has shifted so much in the past few years, which is great to see. A super fun part of you being 11 is your tendency to argue, complain, or disagree before really knowing what you are talking about! Much fun to work with! We will get through it though, typically just takes us sitting you down and having a less emotional driven conversation. Love you so much, my very grown, but still plenty of growing to do big girl.
Quinn, You are
such a bright light in our house. You are always quick to compliment and be
kind, you always have sweetness radiating from you. When you sit next to me for
very long you will start rubbing my beard, face, hand or arm. There are never
enough hugs or kisses goodnight, and almost every night you request and get a
piggyback ride to bed. Lately your best little friends have been Etta, Lulu,
Pippa at school, and one or two boys who you refuse to leave alone. We tell you
you’re too young for boyfriends and you defiantly say “I’m not gonna listen” or
something like “I just like them so much”. Needless to say I am a bit scared
about the future….. but you sure are a joy in our lives and quick to make us
all laugh and love you. We still often call you our crested screamer, ask for
2min of no talking, and or refer to you as a little monster, but we monstrously
love you dearly.
