16 February 2025
VOLUME 13 – NUMBER 595
Valentines roses from Dad to Mom
Happy Valentine’s Day y’all! Most years, I’ve kind of hated Valentine’s Day—seeing all these couples and their happy relationships, as I just stay home…alone.
But not this year! I decided to actually do something about my Valentine’s Day blues. After a little back-and-forth banter with myself, I ultimately decided to just ask Hazel if I could bring her flowers. Nothing crazy, no asking her to be my Valentine, or anything like that. Just the simple gesture of bringing her flowers on Valentine’s Day.
Gloria helped me pick out the best flowers we could find. I also added in some chocolate for good measure. Then I went to Hazel’s house to giver her the flowers.
Now here’s where things get interesting. I pulled up outside her house, and noticed through a very large kitchen window that she had some of her friends over. I sort of froze for a second, but then I shook off the nervousness and walked to her door.
Watching a Valentine’s movie with Dad
I knocked, and I could hear the chatting from her friends go quiet. Then I heard one of them ask, “Who’s at the door?” And almost immediately responded to her own question with, “Wait, is this the guy that’s bringing you flowers?”
Hazel then opened the door and I gave her the chocolate and flowers, and wished her a Happy Valentine’s Day. She then told me that she had something for me, so she closed the door and went back to get it. Then the high pitched giggling started.
Everything went quiet again as Hazel came back to the door and handed me a heart shaped donut. I then said goodnight, and went on my way. I’m glad to say that this was the best Valentine’s Day that I’ve ever had.
Ava
I have the unique opportunity at work to teach a district again. They just came in person to the MTC on Wednesday. It has been such a great learning experience to be back in the classroom.
Now that I am in my current role, I only go into the classroom every so often, and never get to teach in that setting. However, me and two other managers on my team were given permission by our boss to teach a district together.
It is special to have this chance to remember everything that is at the forefront of their minds. Some of them have some serious challenges going on at home, but still serve and chose to go because they felt it was the right thing to do. It is so inspiring!
Quinn and James sleeping
Tessie, our white Tesla, has old tires, and one of them is leaking and has to be filled every few days. So Mom had me fill up Tessie’s tires. It was the first time I put air in a car tire and it was easy, but I had to do it multiple times because the PSI setting kept going down.
It got a little bit frustrating but once it was over I was relieved. I probably won’t have to do that again soon, because this week Tessie finally got new tires at Costco.
For stake sports, Eisley Horner came, and I had so much fun not being the only girl for most of the rounds of Nine Square. After doing some Nine Square, I went to go and do basketball. I like going and spend time with my friends and be able to play sports.
Dogs at the door
Saturday was a crazy day because we had 11 dogs—tied for our all-time record! Also, on Sunday Monte and Gloria were gone with Mom at a Utah Foster Care training, so it was mostly just me and Veidi taking care of all the dogs!
Dad said that if we got a perfect day on our doggie duties that we could get two Top Dogs (we usually get on Top Dog each day we complete our doggie duties). Once we get 25 Top Dogs, we get paid. There is also a bonus to whoever gets to the top first.
The 11 dogs in the house made us work nonstop. We regularly had at least one whining dog, and each dog needed one or sometimes two walks per day. But we got a perfect day, and I am so close to the top I want that bonus! Right now I am one ahead of Veidi.
Children watching dogs
I was so excited! This week I got a whole box full of things for school. At first I was just getting on the computer to do my school work, and I saw that my science class was open. I was really excited, but Mom said that I had to get caught up in my other class first.
I finished math already, so I just had language arts, and I finally got caught up. The next day I started science and I got a 100% on my first lesson I was so happy. There are so many cool science experiments in the box!
Gloria at work with Geri, a resident
At work I have been working in memory care a lot more this week. I might become a permanent back there, because they like how I work and that I’m flexible with my schedule.
By the way, Dad just made me write about winning the Employee of the Month award last month—I forgot to write about it. There are about 55 people working at Sunridge Assisted Living, so Dad said it’s a big deal to win Employee of the Month.
There is one resident there that I care a lot for. His name is Bob. He has been declining a lot more this week. About every 30 minutes I would check on him to see if he was still alive, or if he passed.
Gloria babysitting at foster care event
My last hour I checked on him and he was doing good. He would be very anxious and would shake a lot and I would hold his hand to calm him down.
The last time I was with him I started singing I Am a Child of God, and he stopped shaking and fell asleep. I got emotional and I could tell that he loved it and really appreciated it. He passed away on Friday with family by his side.
Later on Friday, Riley and I did a Valentine’s date. We had dinner and watched a movie at his house.
On Sunday Monte, Mom, and I traveled with Mom’s co-worker Tammy, and we all went to Vernal. Monte and I babysat some of the kids while Mom and Tammy held a training meeting for a foster care support group sponsored by a stake. There were about five kids we watched, they were a crazy bunch, but by the end the kids were calming down.
Monte babysitting at foster care event
So after I went with Mom to her work, we went to the store to get me some new clothes. I got a purple sweatsuit, shoes, dresses, and a purse.
Then we drove home to pick up Isaac from work. When I got home, I tried on the clothes. They fit perfectly, and I was so excited!
I also got Pajamas and slippers, which had bows, and the PJ's had hearts on them for Valentines. I liked my clothes because they were pretty and they were also soft.
Joanna in her new dress with Mom
After such a great job last week, Aura’s house and yard were finally cleaned out and the house is ready to sell. Yarima hired someone to come in and do a final cleaning. This Sunday, Yarima asked if I could help her. The only thing left in the house (besides the empty fish tank) was Aura’s couch, which they had sold online.
Yarima just needed someone to come unlock the house, so that the buyers could load it up. I was happy to help. It didn’t take too long, and as the family loaded up Aura’s couch, I wandered through the empty house. I was impressed at how clean and empty it was.
After the family left, I spend a couple more minutes all by myself in Aura’s home. She and her family were no longer there. It was quiet and empty. Memories flooded back to me, especially when I paused in the doorway of the room where Aura died.
For some reason, I felt like taking a picture. Here is the room where my beautiful daughter died. This is where she passed into the next life, and where all her physical pain faded away. I wish I could see what amazing things she is doing now. I love you Aura!
The empty room where Aura passed away