I missed 1 big thing for each kiddo while I was in FL. Our primary program (thankfully Ben has one more and I could zoom in to watch), Sarah's first YW lesson that she taught by herself, and Libby's first Drill Competition.
The Nortons helped represent me at the comp. I also got to watch via Facetime live.
Libby looks so great!
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| Norton Representation! |
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| Maren and Sarah even representing with their shoes. |
I got to go to Florida for a quick trip to help out Rachel & her family. She is about 5 weeks out of her surgery, and did her first infusion while I was there. It wiped her out more than she was hoping it would...so I was glad to be there. I cooked and cleaned and helped her finish getting Devin registered for kindergarten. The best part was teaching Devin to play Go Bling, a Randall family classic. I also loved reading with him. He is doing so well! But school will be good for him.
It was so good to hug my sister. So hard to see the challenges she is facing. But I got to go to church with her and see her ward just envelope her a a huge embrace. Her boys sang in the primary program. It was ADORABLE. And hilarious. I love her so much. I couldn't do much, but I cleaned out the fridge (my specialty), did some laundry, and made some meals. Oh how I wish we lived closer!
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| I love the FL warmth! |
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| I got to watch Devin play some t-ball! He's a headstrong boy--wouldn't play anywhere but pitcher or first base, haha. Even when the coaches asked him to move. |
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| Rachel has cut my hair so many times, so it was an honor to give her a little trim. |
Well, I finally gave in. And I'm glad I did. Derek has been suggesting a dog for our family for many years. Especially in the last year. But I wasn't having it at all. No way. Too much work. Too much worry. Too much liability. I was barely making it as it was!
But then, I finally saw the need. For all of us. To have someone to love and care for. To pull us together. A new family member that would give unconditional love to all of the kids. And honestly, to me too (although I didn't realize it at the time.)
Derek was sending me listing for dogs that were like $2000. I wasn't having it. But apparently that's the going rate...Dogs are a big industry. I was praying for how to find a dog for our family that was more reasonably priced...and that would be a good fit. After my prayers one morning, I felt like I should message Josh, our friend in Salmon Idaho. I was guessing that dogs might be a bit cheaper there.
Josh assured me that dogs in Salmon are much cheaper... but that usually they are mostly bigger and hairier that we wanted. But then the next day he got back to me with an ad for our dog. I just knew it was our dog, just like I knew our house was our house.
So, the arrangements began. Thankfully I knew my dad loved road trips. And he had a new Tesla he's been wanting to put more miles on. And he loves a trip to Salmon. I also called my Aunt who lives in Salmon. She knew the family with the puppies and let me facetime with the pups. The wife of the breeder helped me pick out the one that would be best for our family. My dad drove to Salmon and picked up Buddy, then drove to Boise. I drove to Boise and met my dad. I was so nervous about all the driving with a puppy, but he was great! He just snuggled Libby and had a great ride. (He did vomit after we got home, but thankfully that wasn't in the car.)
We decided on his name pretty easily. D. Buddy Norton, DBN #5. Love it.
And, it has been so great. From the surprise and delight on the kids faces (lots of Libby tears of joy,) to the fact that he has slept through the night every night. He has had some accidents in the house...we are still working on that.
But I'm glad to have our buddy!
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| He's already gotten so much bigger! |
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| This photo is the best. It is the night before we got Buddy--Libby snuggling with the kitty at Andrew and Melissa's house (where we stayed in Boise). She's pouting that I won't let her have a pet! haha! |
