23 Jun 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 561
Children at movie theater
Okay, this week I was a little bit crazy. At work we had one of my co-workers quit with no notice, so my boss scrambled to get people to cover the missing shifts. When I was asked, I said yes, just to help out my manager.
So I went into work the next day, and worked from 10:30am to 10:30pm. It was exhausting! Not only that, but I got a text while I was at work, and it was from Isaac letting me know that we were going to go watch Inside Out 2 in theaters when I was done with my shift.
Monte, Aiden making Spider-Man costumes
Yeah, I was expecting to sleep through that whole movie. When I got to the theater, I just wanted to go to bed, but when the movie started, it pulled me in, and I was able to stay awake.
Let me just say that Inside Out 2 is the best Pixar movie that they've made in a long while. It was entertaining and funny, with actual things that you could relate to. There was no political agenda, and no message that they were trying to shove into your face—just a fun movie with a well written story.
Gloria, Quinn, and Joanna on the deck
This week was kind of busy and fun. On Monday, Dad and I went to Walmart to see how I drive there without him saying anything or giving any advice. When we got to Walmart, we didn't go inside, but Dad then had me drove home for another text.
When we got home, he said that I was going back to Walmart by myself to buy some milk. So it did it. Driving by myself was a bit scary at first, but then I got used to it, and I felt more relaxed. I think Dad was more scared than I was, since I was driving in the new Tesla!
Children in movie theater
On Tuesday I went on a triple date with Riley, Isaac, Sophie Zimmerman, Austin Duncan, and Austin’s friend, Lana. We went to see the new Inside out 2 movie. The movie was super good, and it was really relatable in some scenes.
After the movie was over, we went to Panda Express for dinner. I had an amazing time going on a group date. It has been awhile since my last triple date.
Dad and Uncle Keric talking
I got to spend a lot of time in West Jordan this week with the family. I always love going home, and all the games and conversations. The Hawaii Hills came over on Saturday as well, and that was nice to connect with them again. They prepared a delicious meal for us!
This week also marked my one year anniversary at work. It’s incredible how much has changed just in that year, but I definitely feel more confident in my role.
The seminar for new mission leaders was also happening this week, so the apostles and general authorities were all around the campus. The spirit changes a bit while they are there, and it is special to be a part of.
Ellie
This week I went on my first date with Sophie Zimmerman! We went on a group date with Gloria and Riley, and Austin and his date, to go watch Inside Out 2 in theaters, and then afterwards we went to panda to get some food.
I had a really fun time, and hopefully Sophie did too. It was really funny, because at the beginning of the date, when I found out that Austin was driving his dad's truck, I said to him, “You better make sure not to hit a curb.” (Dad is always reminding us about this, especially with a new Tesla). Austin told me, “Oh, I don’t ever hit curbs.”
Ginger, Aunt Rebecca, and Mom cooking
However, when we got to Panda, his date Lana came over to me afterwards, and said, "Don't tell Austin that I told you, but he hit a curb on his way to the restaurant."
When I confronted Austin later about it, he denied it, but when I asked him again, he said, “Did Lana tell you?” It was pretty funny, especially since he was bragging earlier that he never hit curbs!
Family playing chair game
I had an orthodontist appointment this week. They said that my teeth are moving very well, so I can't wait till I don’t have braces anymore, but after my appointment, I was sore for a couple of days.
We also watched Inside Out 2 in theaters. It was so fun and funny. I liked it.
Misha resting in one of her favorite spots
Me, Isaac, and Kai went to Aunt Amy’s to go swimming with the Zimmermans. We also played games in the pool. We started with a game called Categories. It was so fun and hard.
Then we played a guessing game. If the category was something like “jobs,” then we would jump off the diving board, and do a stunt that looked like a different type of job.
I had a fun time with the Zimmermans. We also had pizza with them, and then we went home.
Quinn at family dinner
We watched Inside out 2. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a movie in a theater. It was a pretty good movie—not my favorite, but compared to other Disney movies being made, it was definitely one of the best.
The whole movie was based on the main character going through puberty, and she gets new emotions that stir up trouble in her life.
Charlie eating
As always, we got snacks for the movie. We usually get Junior Mints when we go to the movies, but this time Dad mixed it up a little, and instead bought a bunch of movie candy boxes at Walmart, and let each of us choose two.
I chose Whoppers and Reeses Pieces. I didn't finish either box cause I wasn't really feeling the snacks vibe. I had a good night watching at the movie theaters with the family!
Smith family at end of Nate’s softball season
We took this picture at the end of Nate’s softball season. He’s been playing the last few years and we’ve enjoyed watching him play.
Brigham, Mateo, Mckay at softball game
On Saturday, the adults went to an endowment session at the temple. I think it ended up being just Dad and Endia that made it.
We stayed here home with Mom because she had work, but since our internet was giving us problems, she had to drive into work, instead of working from home.
We then watched Survivor, and while we were watching Cougar, Ashton, and Caleb came to visit. They said that they missed the endowment session.
Family playing chair game
Then after a while, the others came home. We wanted to play crazy ball. The stake center was occupied, so we went to the Wakefield Chapel. It was so fun. We each ended up winning once on different teams.
Then the Hawaii Hills came over. We talked a lot, and then we had some chicken with potato salad and some salad. It was delicious.
Then they watched a movie called The Burial. Me, Quinn, and Joanna were not able to watch, so we played The Big Bluff with Endia and Cougar, and then went to bed.
Family playing games with Hawaii Hills
Around midnight on the way back to Provo after celebrating Fathers Day with the family, Ashton's car came to a rolling stop right before a red light and would not start! A good samaritan came over and helped us push his car to a parking lot.
After a lot of struggle, we got the car to start and got it to a repair shop, where we left it. Cougar picked us up and drove us to our apartments. It was pretty wild, but a good story.
Also, earlier this month I did a fundraiser for Mirtha and Casandra, two friends from Chile. I made cookies and a lot of people contributed! I raised a lot more money than I was expecting, and this week I was finally able to send the money down to Chile!
Kai and Veidi at family dinner
This week we had a family dinner, something we haven’t done in a while. We’d like to get back to doing that once a month.
After dinner, we also had a meeting to discuss the upcoming river trip. We are excited that Jen will be coming with us this year (her last river trip was 10 years ago!), and Selvin will also be coming (Yarima says he is a little nervous).
Aura was planning on coming on this trip, but it’s looking like that will not be possible because of her declining health. We were looking forward to having her with us, and we will miss her!
Dad’s students in Scrum standup meetings
After finding Aura on the stairs writhing in pain several weeks ago, I asked Aura if she would like me to go with her to her doctor appointments to see if I could help her get the care that she needed. I feel like when Aura has someone with her to look out for her, they take her needs more seriously.
Aura once shared an experience with me of going into her pain doctor and needing some relief from her pain. She was dressed in comfy sweats, a beanie, and some floppy slippers, because she wasn’t feeling well, and her doctor told her to try changing her shoes and to see if that would help with the pain. Really?
Dad holding Mattias at family dinner
We also couldn’t figure out why her pain doctor seemed to be so concerned about addiction. Aura is a terminally ill cancer patient who has only been give a few months to live. At this point, why aren’t they just focused on lessening the pain.
So I suggested that she switch providers and go up to Huntsman Cancer to see if she could get better care. I went with her on her first visit to Huntsman, and they immediately admitted her to the hospital to help get things under control.
Huntsman determined that she should get a pain pump put in her abdomen so that she could have access to more powerful meds at the push of a button, and Aura has now had this procedure done, so now she can get a dose of pain meds whenever she starts to feel the pain.
Family playing games at family dinner
As a family, we have been praying every day that Aura’s pain can be lessened, and I feel like Huntsman Cancer Institute has been an answer to our prayers. They have helped manage Aura’s pain better than her previous doctor. It’s not perfect, and she still deals with pain almost all the time, but she says it has helped a lot.
We all know that Aura is not one to complain, and rarely brings attention to her needs, so after this experience, I decided that I would try to go to as many of her doctor appointments as possible to help fight for her cause.
Aura in the hospital
On one occasion, I was with Aura when the nurse asked how she was doing. I know Aura was in a lot of pain, but Aura answered in her unselfish way by saying, “I’m fine.” That’s when I jumped in and said, “Aura, you are not fine. Please tell the nurse how you are really doing.” Aura burst into tears, and then explained to the nurse just how much pain she was really in.
Bless you, Aura for being so kind and unselfish, always worrying more about others than yourself! You are an amazing person and we love you very much, and now we’re going to try our best to fight for you, and help you get the help that you need and deserve.
Mom with grandbaby Mattias