2 Jun 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 558
London canyoneering
I went canyoneering for this first time this weekend! I’ve wanted to go for years, but after looking into it, it just looked really expensive to go with a guided group, and I could never really justify paying a few hundred dollars for a couple of hours of canyoneering. Well, my boyfriend, Keaton, has gone a few times, and he has friends who have all the gear to go.
I ended up really loving it! The rappelling was so fun, and the slot canyon was breathtakingly beautiful. I’ve really loved going on so many fun adventures with Keaton, and I feel so lucky that I get to try out so many fun new hobbies!
London and friends canyoneering
We watched Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and I liked it! It had been a while since I had watched the movies, and it was nice to watch them with the family, especially since I have wanted to watch it with the family for a long time. We all liked it and it was fun watching it together.
It was also the first time in a while going back to the 2nd Ward. It was awkward at first. It felt like being in a new ward, partly because we have been gone almost two years, and because some of the 7th Ward was moved into the 2nd Ward when the ward boundaries changed last year. This means there are a lot of new people in the ward that we don’t know very well.
Caleb in the hospital to get his port out
Quinn, Troy, Joanna, and I all had a fun time fighting with swords and shields in the back and front yards. It was pretty spontaneous. It started as a little society game. I made a lot of money for us to play with, Troy started making wallets, and Quinn made a safe for the bank.
We were in the creative, crafty mood, and there was a lot of cardboard at home, so I started making swords and shields for us all. The battles were quick, but they were supper fun, I love playing with those three!
Troy getting ready to walk dogs
So during this week Caleb had his port removed, which is the thing that he used to get his chemotherapy in. For the past few months, he wasn't able to do a lot because he had cancer. When we used to go on bike rides he had more energy, and now it has taken a toll on him.
I know that he was tired, but he still wanted to play games with me. I know it was tiring for him, so I am so grateful for Caleb!
This week, Dad told us all to come downstairs, and to our surprise he was looking at new cars to replace Oakley, our Rivian. We found out that we are getting a new car and selling Oakley.
Sophia on a run with Natalie
I did a challenge in May with my friends. We decided that we would each run a mile every day in May. This is a picture of Sophia accomplishing that goal with me.
She’s also got a thing for stuffed animals and blankets. As soon as she has one she puts her thumb in her mouth!
Here’s another photo of us fishing at Utah Lake. It’s really fun to go there, and it is also very emotional for me to take my kids there, becuase this is where my Dad took us fishing when we were growing up.
Nate and Mackay fishing at Utah Lake
We are coming close to finishing up all the Spider-Man movies. Spider-Man: Far From Home is the second to last movie, and more and more people are coming with us each time. This time I went with Aiden, Hazel, Kade, and Gloria. It was really fun, but I have a surprise for the finale next week, so stay tuned for that.
I witnessed something crazy at work this week. I was making some drinks, and in our drive thru camera, and I saw a car that was missing the entire front hood, and the driver was sitting on the right side of the car! We were a little confused, and this did make our job a little harder in the drive thru.
As you may have heard, the 5th Ward has left our stake to be added to a newly formed Spanish stake. It's crazy that there will be an entire Spanish stake, and it's really cool, but I am bummed because we won't be staying with our ward in that transition.
Children with Uncle Keith
We decided as a family that we should stay in our stake, which means that we are going back to the 2nd Ward. It's really hard for me, because I have made some really good friends in the 5th
Ward, and they're like family to me, and now I have to leave them.
It's not all bad. I can still go to sacrament meeting with them, and still go to activities, and it's not like they are physically moving away, so I'll still see them around. Just because we aren't in the same ward anymore doesn't mean that all ties have to be cut. Genuine friends stay friends.
I'm gonna miss being apart of the 5th Ward, but I do see opportunities for us to help people in the 2nd Ward, and everything is gonna be okay.
Veidi with children
This week is Monte's and my second-to-last week going to the movies and watching Spider-Man. I have only been at the Tom Holland ones. I love those movies so much. I'm grateful that Monte was able to let me go him and his friends.
On Tuesday I went on a date to see Escape from Germany with Riley, Austin, and Sophie. I really liked the message it had. It’s about how they got missionaries out of Germany before World War II started. This shows me that God wants us to turn to him when we are in need of being saved. After the movie we went to Cold Stone and got ice cream.
For our combined activity, we learned about first aid and what we need to do if we are really in need of help and no one is around.
I just want to end by that I know God knows and loves each of us, and wants us to go back to him. If I keep my promises that I made he, will bless and guide me to the right path.
Joanna and Quinn at the temple
Since working at AARC-360, I’ve developed an interest in the show Survivor. One of my co-workers puts together a competition where you can choose contestants you think will do well, and then you get points if you chose correctly. Brooke has watched the show with me, and we both look forward to new episodes and seasons as they air.
We learned that there’s a couple in our ward about our age who also loves Survivor. They learned about a watch party close to Charlotte for the finale and invited us to go with them. The reason it was such a big deal was because one of that season’s finalists was from Charlotte and was going to be there.
Braden and Brooke at Survivor watch party
The watch party was more like a sporting event because every time something positive happened to this contestant—Kenzie—everyone clapped and cheered. The awesome thing was that this contestant ended up winning the whole season, and we were there to see her reaction to everyone finally finding out.
If you haven’t seen Survivor, or if you haven’t watched in a while, you should give it a try. Start with the newer seasons though because they are much better than the older ones.
Owen playing in his bouncer
Last week Mom and I sat down with Endia and she shared what she is learning in the Dave Ramsey book she and Cougar are reading. She invited us to think about the things we discussed, and I am grateful that she had that discussion with us.
As a result, Mom and I finally admitted to ourselves that we could not afford to keep the Rivian, a decision that we avoided, since the Rivian is probably our favorite car ever. We decided to sell it, and look for less expensive options.
Mable sleeping
Our price point for a new car was about $20,000. I started looking at conventional gas cars, but I also looked at Teslas. I didn’t think I could find anything in our price range, but I was also aware that Tesla had recently lowered prices and was offering great financing incentives, not to mention a $7500 government credit for electric vehicles,
I was surprised to find a brand new Tesla Model Y for $35,000. With the 0% financing that was also being offered, we would save an additional $5000 on interest over a conventional loan, bringing the price to $30,000. Finally, I calculated how much we are saving on gas with the Rivian. The savings is $2000 per year, or $10,000 over the length of a new car loan.
We realized to our surprise that buying a new Tesla would be about the same price as buying a $20,000 used gas car, so we decided to move forward. We had to purchase the car by May 31 to get the 0% financing, so we scrambled to get everything in by the end of the month.
Quinn and Joanna with Mom at the temple
On Monday, we picked up the car. It was the smoothest car purchase ever. Before going in, the Tesla app on my phone guided me through the entire process, including all the financing and paperwork.
When I showed up, they immediately walked me over and synced my phone with the new car. Suddenly, all my previous settings were in the new car—contacts, addresses, seat and steering wheel preferences—it was crazy. I was out the door in less than 10 minutes from when I entered!
New Tesla Model Y (Nico)
This week Dad invited me to help him look for prices on cars to replace the Rivian, because we're gonna sell the Rivian, for multiple reasons.
I'm grateful that Dad invited me to do this. Even though it might’ve been a little boring at some parts, I know it'll benefit me in the future, when I become an adult and start looking for my own car. So thank you, Dad for teaching me this valuable lesson!
Tessie and Nico in the garage