18 August 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 569
Monte and Hazel at region dance
I had my date with Hazel this week. As I got ready that morning, it was raining pretty hard, so some of the original plans had to change, but that wasn't a big deal. I went to Walmart beforehand and bought a new shirt for the date, and I bought Hazel some flowers.
After I picked her up from her house, we went straight to Swig because I had been talking about this date to some of my coworkers, and they wanted me to stop by. There we met up with Riley and Gloria.
Our next stop was back at our house, where we had lunch. For fun, we had a little race home. It was completely legal, but Hazel and I unfortunately lost because of a stinking red light!
Making grilled cheese hot dogs
We got to the house and did some activities. I had Hazel play Five Nights at Freddy's in VR, which is always fun to watch.
After that, we taught Hazel how to make grilled cheese hot dogs for lunch. They turned out well. We had a picnic inside as we watched The Incredibles, per Hazel's request. After we finished, we went and played crazyball up at the stake center.
After crazyball, we all went to the region dance. It was a really fun date, and I'm glad that I was able to go out with Hazel again, after almost a year.
Hazel and Monte watching The Incredibles
I have been trying to hang out with friends more this week, because summer is ending. On Tuesday I went to the theaters with Riley, Tray, and Ian. We watched Twisters. I liked the movie. For our activity, we had a fun escape room. Afterward, we played crazyball with a few friends, once the activities were over.
Last week, I asked if Riley’s family wanted to go to the temple with us. Only Riley and Taylor came, but I had a great time having them there.
Braden and Brooke’s family snuggling
They haven’t been to the temple very often. so it was also Taylor’s first time going, and It was a bit funny. When we were getting ready, Taylor came out with her jumpsuit, and it was backwards. That normally happens to new kids on their first time.
On Friday, Riley’s uncle and wife invited us to go to a Royals soccer game at Real Salt Lake Stadium. I had never been to a game and I enjoyed watching it. We scored three points, and the other team scored zero points.
Ellie and Charlie
On Saturday we went to Zeleah’s baptism. She was super cute, and I loved her dress. After the baptism, I went on a double date with Monte and Hazel. Monte asked Hazel out a few weeks ago. Our plan changed because of the weather.
First we went to Swig, and then back to our house, where we played Five Nights at Freddy's. Then we made lunch for the family and had a picnic. We made grilled cheese hot dogs, which are very good.
While we ate we watched The Incredibles. After the movie was over, we went to the church and played crazyball, and then we went to the region dance.
Mckay, Brigham, Mateo, and friends
This week, I drove down to Natalie's with Mom to drop off some mattresses. I got some good hours in for driving, and I'm getting a little bit closer everyday to getting the hours I need before I can get my license.
It was a little scary driving to Natalie's because there was a storm that was really, really bad, and you could barely see in front of you. When we got to Natalie's it was also really bad there, and her basement started to flood through the window wells.
Girls sorting through clothes
A few weeks ago, I applied for a job at Costa Vida. At the interview, when I told them I was graduated from high school, they basically told me I had the job and could start in a couple weeks! It’s only about a mile and a half from our house, so it’s pretty easy to ride there on my bike.
This week, I started working there. On my first day, I worked on salads, which is working with all the cold food. I like my co-workers, and I like how this job is more social than my last job, and I get to interact with customers. I was also getting a little tired of the environment at Falcon Ridge.
Isaac working at Costa Vida
This week we had the opportunity to do baptisms with Taylor and Riley. It was Taylor’s first time doing baptisms, so we tried to make it a good experience for her. When we were done, we went to Dunford and got donuts.
Then Isaac convinced Monte to do crazyball with us, because Monte is now an adult, which means he could supervise us at the church!
On Saturday we did crazyball again, and then after Monte and Gloria’s double date, me, Monte, Hazel, Gloria, and Riley all went to the region dance. I danced with four guys. With Monte and Hazel’s help, I got asked a couple of times and then I asked the other times.
Sometimes it was awkward at the dance, like trying to start a conversation, and how to lead, but I am getting better. It was a fun dance.
Monte, Hazel, Veidi at the region dance
Going to the temple every week has been an incredible blessing for me. I've felt a lot more at peace each time I go. It's been really helpful because there's been a lot of stress within the family for a while, so being able to take some time off from the day and go serve in the Lord's house has been amazing. I'm so grateful that I get to go every week!
Ellie playing Jenga
Dad had us clean the window wells, and I was a little nervous, but I have done this once before with Isaac. Dad needed us to clean out all the weeds, and then put weed killer in the bottoms of the window wells, and bug killer in around the basement windows and foundation of the house.
Safety first as always! We got in heavy clothes and even put Nerf masks on. Some of us even taped over where our pants and socks, sleeves and gloves meet, just to make sure to keep the spiders out!
Monte, the bravest of us all, jumped in first to clean out the big weeds. Then Kai used a hose to spray down the spiders. Me and Veidi would hold open a garbage back so that Monte could throw away all the weeds.
Children suited up to clean window wells
After a long time on the first one, we all separated to do the other four. One of of the window wells is kind of under an overhang, so opening between the house was pretty small, and I was the only one that could easily fit into it.
Then we started to put the bug and weed killer down. Kai put the bug killer around the hosue foundation, and I would put the weed killer into the window wells. After that, we put the grates back over the tops of the wells, and they were beautifully clean! I felt amazed at all the work that we did.
Children giving Mom a spa treatment
This week, Zeleah's baptism was on Saturday, and we went to it. We sang songs when we got there and listened to talks.
Then they opened the doors to the font, and I felt very, very happy that Zaleah made the right choice in getting baptized, like I did. When it was over, she hugged me, and we talked for a while. Then we all went home. I felt very happy for her.
Joanna at her cousin Zaleah’s baptism
We went to Zaleah's baptism. We sang songs. Zaleah was sitting in front, and once the talks were over, we went to the Relief Society room, where Zaleah got into the water with her brother.
Then she was baptized. After that, she got the Holy Ghost. Me and Zaleah hugged after she got the Holy Ghost. When it was over, me and Zaleah took a picture together.
Dad’s students working on team projects
This week, I finished another semester at BYU. Both my spring and summer semesters have gone really well, now that my class curriculum has been finalized.
As Aura continues to worsen, and it appears that her time is drawing near, she has given assignments to several family members. Yarima has the largest responsibility, since Yaretzie and Itzel will be living with her after Aura goes.
Endia and Owen visiting Aura
Aura also asked Natalie to be in charge of funeral preparations, and Mom to be in charge of Aura’s medical care and decisions in these last few weeks. We are to the point now where Mom has scheduled times for family members to be there around the clock. Dennis Sr. does a lot of the caregiving, but family members are still needed when he has to work.
We are at least happy that they have given full control over to Aura and her caregivers to administer as much pain medication as Aura needs, but even then, it is obvious that Aura is in constant discomfort.
I am so grateful that she has such a large group of family and friends who are able to surround her and help her in so many ways. Every time we go over, it seems like we run into another work friend visiting with Aura, or a ward member cleaning the kitchen!
Joanna playing