February 2022

February came rolling in and with it came some new health issues for me.  Just another hill in the rollercoaster that I needed to climb.  Giving myself B12 injections and retaining water were some of the new things that I would experience this month.  

Quincy's Birthday was the first joyous occasion on the docket and man is it fun celebrating her. She turned 12 and it has been such a delight to watch her grow.  She discovered her passion for volleyball and has shown a determination to excel at it that we have never seen before. She still loves to tease and make people laugh and always seems to be smiling. It seems like all of her friends consider Quincy to be their best friend. She is an amazing artist but would never admit it. She hates to hike or go on family adventures... at least until we get there and she realizes how much fun it is.  She has consistently kept her grades up but hates when she has to work for it.  She amazes us with the things that she creates and frustrates us with her stubbornness. We sure love this girl and look forward to watching her grow this next year. 

Lemon Raspberry Rolls for breakfast, sushi and steak for dinner, and Menchie's for dessert!

I decided that it was time to have our family pictures redone since Coco was still a baby the last time they were done.  I asked around for a good photographer and after several attempts of scheduling a day, finally just decided we had to do it February regardless of how busy we were. I am pretty happy with how they turned out, even though we were all freezing towards the end and Coco did not want to cooperate. 

Our next joyous even was Coco's 4th Birthday!  How? How is this girl 4? We just can't believe how quickly she is growing up.  She has been such a joy to have as our caboose.  She is so loving, remembers everything, still prefers to be with me all the time, loves to talk about the things she can do when she's older, mauls Cubby to death, LOVES her friends, surprises us with the things she says, and keeps us guessing at what is coming next. She is stubbornly defiant, hates doing things on her own, always wants to watch TV, and has an insanely loud scream.  She gives the best hugs and loves to cuddle.  She loves to dance and cheer and we are so looking forward to seeing all the amazing things she will do as she grows.  We couldn't love her more. 

A few months ago we found out that Tess had befriended a boy who was going through a difficult time.  His parent's were so grateful for her friendship to him and wanted to set up playdates.  We decided that once a week we would switch off houses so that these two could play together.  They really have the sweetest friendship.  Luke and Tess. 

When 3 little girlies get into make-up!  Coco has had several new friends move into the neighborhood in the last year and we are loving it!  Aubrey, Andelynn, Coco. 

Welp... I have never had a blender explode on me. Until now.  I could not believe all the places that I found sauce.  It was insane!

I had a feeling that I really needed to have another sleepover with my grandparents as soon as possible. I knew my Grandpa's dementia was getting worse and I really just wanted some time with them.  So I took Quincy up north for her Wayment Grandparent Birthday Sleepover and I went and stayed with my Grandma and Grandpa Wayment.  Grandpa didn't always remember me, repeated things over and over, told me about his family, talked nonsense, didn't know how to dress himself, and kept asking to go home.  And then, he would remember me, make the same kind of jokes he used to make, gave me that look he always gave when Grandma was mad at him, and told Grandma he loved her.  I knew he was still there and I was so glad to be with him and grandma.  We watched movies, talked, took walks together, and went to dinner at the Olive Garden.  I watched as Grandma helped him navigate this difficult new life of his and how much it wore her out.  I felt their love of 65 years still very present even during this trial.  I am forever grateful for this time that I had with them and will never regret my decision to go.  

Coco loves taking charge when it involves Cubby...

Up next was our annual Valentine's CandleLit Dinner.  This is one of the few traditions that we have that only involve our family and it started about 17 years ago when Devin and I were dating.  I love that we have kept it going and included our children in it.

Tess decided that an elephant box was what she needed for Valentines Day.  This girl goes above and beyond!

The bench on the right is my Grandma Johnson's cedar chest.  They let me have it and I love how perfectly it fits right in our room. 

Tess decided she wanted to cut her hair short this month.  She always looks so cute!

We always get the most amazing sunsets in St. George. Just gorgeous!

And then it was Devin's birthday.  Poor guy was overshadowed by a funeral and a volleyball tournament so we ended up celebrating him early and very simply (which is exactly what he prefers!) It was definitely a throwback to his youth with presents wrapped in plastic bags and 90's inspired gifts. Even if its a simple celebration we all love to honor this man that works so hard for us. He is always taking care of us, making us laugh, finding fun things for our family to do, lifting us to be better, and doing all that he can to make us happy.  He is never quick to anger or to judge but always quick to love and serve.  He is a friend and an example to anyone he meets and loved by anyone who actually knows him. He started a new job (after 12 years at eBay) back in November and it has been awesome watching him take on this new challenge and stress with patience and strength.  We are so blessed that we have him forever. 

Quincy's Volleyball Team

As I mentioned above, we were saddened to hear that my Grandpa Wayment had passed away.  He hadn't been feeling well and was at the point that he needed to be placed in a care center.  My Grandma discovered that she wouldn't be able to afford the care center but really didn't have a choice because he was becoming violent.  The day before he was going to be admitted he and grandma had a nice lunch together, he told he loved her, went back to his chair, waved to her in a way she had never seen before, and fell asleep.  Later that day she went to wake him and he never woke up.  Although it's never easy losing the ones we love, we all couldn't help but recognize the merciful blessings in his timely death.  I will forever remember him as the strong, hard working, generous, kind man who loved to serve, always greeted you with a smile, loved to be outdoors, and loved his wife and family fiercely. He was a giant of a man in my eyes and I had a great love for him.  I will miss all that he was until we are able to meet again. 

Angie sent me this picture that she found. Such great memories with such a great man. 

My siblings and I took Devin out for a Birthday dinner after the funeral.  It was a lot of fun and Angie even paid the band to sing him Happy Birthday!

Then we had another Birthday Dinner with my parents the next day before heading home.  We love spending time with Grandma and Grandpa. 

After a month full of many emotions we have come out stronger and with more wonderful memories made.  We celebrated life and a life well-lived.  We shared special moments with those we love and felt deeply the loss of others.  We look forward to the future carrying those memories and a legacy that we will treasure.