Driving in Tucson without AC June 9th

This summer we have had such car drama at our house. My little "college car" has no AC. It is miserable. It has also died twice. Luckily it has been at good times, if there is such a thing to have a car die  "at a good time." Our gray truck died. It was a terrible purchase from the beginning and lasted a year. I affectionally say that cars come to our place to die. We bought as new red truck arms folded fingers crossed that it performs better and lasts longer! We buy our cars outright and cant bring ourselves to pay a lot of money, thus the revolving door of cars.

Renters at our Airbnb needed more ice so I picked some up at the McDonalds and this little trip was amazing

 

Lessons from funerals

 In the past 2 months we have had 4 deaths in our Stake. These are three lessons I learned.

1) You never no when it will be your time to go.

2) Life is not fair but the judgement will be. Some people have had terrible childhoods, or have had terrible sorrow and loss. Their life circumstances will be judged a whole lot differently than those who have not had so many difficulties. President Lewis likened it to an Olympic score for diving or gymnastics, where athletes who have harder routines have higher scores and they will be compensated for their trials.

3)A husband spoke at his wife's funeral and spoke how he prayed for a miracle but knew that ultimately it was up to Gods will. He told of the Old Testament story of  when Shadrach Meshach and Abednego were thrust into the fire for not worshipping idols they were told to denounce their God they responded with our God will deliver us BUT IF NOT we will not worship the idol. They were delivered but they accepted the fate before they new the outcome. 

These funerals were surprisingly uplifting because of the lives these people lived and the knowledge that they will be reunited with family again.

First year teaching public school!

My last day of school finally arrived...this year has literally felt like a decade. Going from 9 hours of classroom time a week to 40 hours per week was.. extremely difficult. Going from a private school that I was in charge of including the ability to fire students who didn't follow school rules to having no ability to get rid of difficult kids was the biggest obstacle I never saw coming. The tears involved and frustration I felt can't be adequately described in a few short lines. I had 4 kids that rocked my world. They took the wind out of my sail. The 1st had anger and control issues. He had been in an abusive household and suffered from PTSD. He would rage for the slightest reason. I had him for months before the school finally invited him to attend solely online.The 2nd kiddo had ADHD he was a happy but uncontrollable boy. For months he bounced off the walls. Luckily his parents were involved had started him on medication. It helped greatly and his comprehension improved immensely. The 3rd little girl started out great and then a flip switched and she was ragey and so temperamental. She was defiant and aggressive. Her parents noted the change and worked with a counselor. It was touch and go till the rest of the year. Number 4 was my most challenging in a lot of ways. She did not obey, she had no concept of appropriate consequences and continued this behavior from 8am to 3pm Monday through Friday. It was relentless. An example. She ran to the bathroom and wasn't coming out. When she finally came out she was hiding something in her shirt. She wouldn't tell me what it was. Finally I looked and it was a water bottle full of yellow liquid. I asked her what it was she said she peed in the cup. I was horrified. I opened it up and it smelled like lemonade. I went into the bathroom and sure enough age had stolen my crystal light lemonade packet and had mixed the drink in the bathroom. This illustrates her behavior All. Day. Long. 

I signed my contract in the spring when they said next year the class would not be more than 18 kids and when we thought we still had half days on Friday. Later they said oh classes will have about 25 kids and we will have early out days on Friday, which means schools ends at 2  not at noon....

I have committed to teach one more year and I will see if the first year was just difficult or if teaching itself is just extremely difficult. It's been a marathon that I was not prepared for. I wish I could say I'm hopeful for next year but it's a race I have run before and I know the sand that awaits.

Olivia's Graduation 2021

May 19, 2021 Olivia became a High School graduate!! It was a bizarre year but the class of 2021 finished strong! The school did manage to host a graduation albeit with limited numbers. Each family got 5 tickets but we needed 6. We told them this is the size of our family all kids have attended this school and that's how many will be going. We got 6 tickets. Unfortunately grandparents couldn't attend. They graciously watched via zoom. We hosted a family party so that we could celebrate with everyone. JC's crew came down and Hillary and her daughters came down too. All Tucson Howes came. We had a barbecue and then we watched a slideshow about our fabulous Olivia. It had photos of all stages of her life which had a lot of sibling and cousin love. Her bestie from school also made an appearance. Olivia will be attending the UofA (our kids bleed red and blue). She has a kick but scholarship (which for 2021 kids was hard to do!). Many colleges gave her money but the wildcats had the next offer. With a sister and two cousins down there I'm sure some great fun will ensue

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New puppy Appa

 I'm not sure how the kids managed for us to get another dog but they did. This little guy was being sold for only $25 normally Grand Pyrenees Huskies sell for a lot more. Holman actually has been researching these two different breeds for years. So to get one all rolled up in one was his dream! he is a cutie and is named after one of our favorite TV series Avatar. 

Appa decided to go for a swim, it was hilarious! 

May 3rd Parkin's 14th birthday!!

 Sweet Parkin turned 14!! He is such a joy to our family. He is happy, helpful and kind. Covid has been crazy but Parkin has managed to keep everything together. He really missed going to school and when it opened back up he was eager to attend. He is a friend to all and best friends with Holman. He has lots of inside jokes with Anna and he has his two older sisters wrapped around his finger. He is the first to give compliments and support so naturally we all want to support him too.  This year he has developed his own style and we all love it. He is independent and accepting. 

I heart attacked his door before going to work and Liv and Bella bought all the ingredients for his birthday dinner. He wanted home made mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, gravy and bread bowls...all comfort food. it was yummy! We had an éclair cake for dessert. Both grandparents came and Danny and Bekah too! It was a great day honoring one of our favorite people!!

New tile in The Cottage

What a coloso undertaking this was!! Removing the carpet wasn't that bad, it was leveling the floor and laying it that proved to be an arduous task. Clint Whetten, Scott Howe and my dad helped for hours...nay days!! Especially my father. I honestly don't know where my dad gets his energy. He is 72 and he is a total OX. Benjamin and the many volunteers saved us thousands of dollars but the cost was a bit of our sanity. I think for the second portion of the guesthouse we might hire out. Who am I kidding, when we can do a project ourselves we usually do. Fingers crossed we will actually just hire it out next time!

Finished product!