Squeezing in a Ski Day

Our friends invited us skiing at their PRIVATE ski club. 

We shared the whole ski resort with maybe five other people.

The snow was perfect with groomed runs for those of us who prefer that,

and plenty of powder for Dan.

Funny story that I can't resist sharing...

I put my ski pants on this morning and they had shrunk!

(I can't think why else they'd be too small... 😅😉😂)

Thankfully I had a bigger size, but they weren't too much bigger

and as soon as I started skiing, the snaps blinked open and the zipper crept down

and I skied the entire day with my pants undone.

And if I'm being honest, it's the most comfortable I've ever been in ski pants.

 

Desolation Overlook w/ Sheree

Hiked to Desolation Overlook with Sheree today.

I might abandon all my other goals and just go to the mountains every single day.

It's so beautiful being outside in the snow and even 

better doing it with a sister. 

(She's so lucky she looks cute in a snow hat with a pom pom!)

We were sad to say goodbye because we still had so much we wanted to catch up on.

Here's to more winter hikes with my sister!

(Although she just started classes at BYU to pursue her dream of  becoming

a landscape designer! She already knows so much about plants and flowers and habitats.

I'm so excited for her! See this post... And this one!)

My Baby is 20!

As I got ready for church this morning, gosh, I was emotional.
And then I realized it was because it's Nick's 20th birthday and I miss him so much.

I'm so proud of his optimistic attitude and treating trials as no big deal and just part of the mission experience. I admire his work ethic--he works hard and desires to make the most of each day.

When we talked to him on Monday,

(okay, you got me, I'm back-dating this post to Sunday--his birthday--even though it's later in the week!)

he said it had been a week of miracles. What every parent loves to hear!

They've been teaching a family--a mother and her two 30-something children. 

Last week the son committed to baptism.

His mom attended the ordinance, and then asked if she could also get baptized that day!

Nick has been so excited about teaching this family because they found them knocking doors.

Also last week, while they were contacting less active members, they reached a guy who'd just moved to the area and Nick and his companion were able to help him get moved in and settled.

There were several others miracles, including he had his first hot shower in four months

and the power is on more regularly now.

He loves his companions, feels close to the other missionaries in his zone

and thinks Ecuador is beautiful and loves serving there. 

For Mother's Day a year ago, Marty and Lizzie gave me a book of essays, So God Made a Mother.

Yesterday I read one called, "The Bittersweet Last Baby," by Casey Huff.

"...when it's your last baby--when your family is complete and tied up with a little pink or blue bow--

every milestone marks the closing of a chapter. Not just for your baby, but for you too.

...it's not that parents set out to spoil the last baby--it's that they're desperately

grasping for the precious season they see dissolving before their eyes, 

one they're not quite ready to let go of.

Watching your last baby grow up is like breaking off pieces of your heart to store away in a vault. 

You can revisit the memories whenever you want, 

but it will never be the same as experiencing them in real time."

So forgive me for being extra sentimental as Nicholas turns 20

and parenting four children through childhood and teenage years is now officially behind us.

It's just those youngest children finals are so final.

Except that... except that... I suddenly remember, we have so many firsts to look forward to!

What Today Looked Like

I woke to the sound of shovels in the driveway,
I dashed to the window to peek, wondering if we'd had a surprised snowstorm.
But no, we only got a dusting. 

Wow, the snow-clearing crew we hired is very responsible.

I lay in bed and did my NYT puzzles. 

Then I moved to the sunroom to study another Book of Mormon sentence,
write in my journal and read my ginormous book about the Doctrine & Covenants.
I also read some of the book "Do Your Prayers Bounce Off the Ceiling?"
which is suuuper cheesy because the examples of prayers are from the 70's and entirely about praying to marry the right person or praying about having another baby and I'm a lot embarrassed by them.

(Good things to pray about, but in this book you can 100% predict the outcome and I'm full of gratitude that as a church we've expanded our mindset and have room for a whole slew of different problems and solutions and variety of answers to prayers tailored specifically to individual needs.) 

I remember the title of this book clear back from when I was in jr. high or high school, and I've always meant to read it. I bought a used copy in December and am trying to glean gold nuggets in spite of me not vibing with the situations presented. But that's probably good for me too.

I rode the Peloton trying not to put weight on my wrists (have I mentioned that I may have two broken wrists? That's a more involved post for another day, but suffice to say for now I followed up on my goal for the year to get physical therapy for my hands that have hurt for over a year and now we have a sneaking suspicion as to why) and while my wrists were relieved with biking upright, my tailbone was not and I'm wondering how in the heck I've turned into the person who needs a padded seat. 

(Hold, please, while I shop Amazon and buy the padded seat cover I meant to buy earlier.)

Done.

While it snowed big fat fluffy flakes, I did the laundry, reorganized my closet and

finally snuggled under a blanket on the couch and read Harry Potter.

In the evening I went to ward Temple Night,

picked up a salad at Pizzeria Limone for dinner and bought groceries for 

tomorrow's dinner at Target.

It's been a very lovely snowy cozy day.

 

Los Angeles Fires

I've been keeping my eye on the fires all day. 

I keep refreshing the map and making sure it doesn't grow.

But this evening the mandatory evacuations moved east,

taking in Crestwood Hills and Tumbleweed Day Camp and it was just too much.

Not too much later, the evacuations moved further south and east to Roscomare, 

the street below our home Somera, and just north of our home in Santa Monica. 

I've been texting Leslie Stokes who was evacuated several days ago,

but now firetrucks are positioned outside their home. 

I just can't take it in. It's so, so heartbreaking.

 

Hike Up, Sled Down

Last week Carol sent me an Instagram post about sledding in Neff's Canyon

and because I'm making a renewed effort to nurture friendships

and also be proactive in doing fun things, instead of leaving them for "some day,"

AND, I'm committed to spending time outside in the snow (because, Antarctica).

I sent her some dates I was available to go, and in no time we had a plan!

We didn't have the special sleds (but I ordered some!) so we just used regular ones

and they worked great!

I'd done some research ahead of time which suggested we take the left trail 

(up a snow covered road), which had way fewer hikers and several sledders.

I forgot my yaktraks, but KT brought three. Not three pair, three.

So we each wore one, and were glad we had them.

An hour hike up (maybe slower than normal because I'm a little out of shape!)

And lots of laughs down!

I wore my ski helmet because I really like myself and my life.

It was a gorgeous day and so fun to be with friends.

Next time I'll wear glove liners or thicker gloves.

I was soaked through and one time I even had to bail as my sled went over the edge!

We had a blast and it was a good distraction from watching the new of the 

Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. We already have word of one friend who lost their home and their entire neighborhood. Several friends have been evacuated. I just can't process the devastation of these beautiful neighborhoods being ravaged to rubble.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Beautiful light while I studied this morning.

A fun new surprise on my walk.

Beautiful light this evening.

And the most festive decorations at Tuscany

where we gathered to celebrate my mom's 78th birthday.

My mom is effusive about her love for her children and grandchildren.

She thinks we're the most wonderful people around and never tires of saying so.

"I have the best kids and grandkids. It's really true! I'm not biased at all!"

She loves her big sister, Marge so much and throughout my life she always told me and Michelle,

"You'll be best friends when you grow up. My sister is my best friend and you'll be each others as well."

She and Dimitrios complement each other so well. 

They have the best sense of humor and make each other laugh. 

They also joke about everything that comes with getting older and 

greet the challenges with humor and optimism.

My mom is creative and passionate and a loyal friend. 

She loves meeting new people and makes best friends whereever she goes.

She's wise and talented and always sincere when she tells her people she loves them.

I'm so lucky she's my mom. 

Mom, I love you too!