Due to the fact that this has taken me so long to get written, no pictures will be added, but next time I will find some, I promise! I just had to get my 2011 started...! Isn't that always the hardest part!
Dear family,
Not very often have I gotten so far behind in my updates that I dread writing them, but this is one of those times. I must record some events and feelings though and will try to categorize them so you can pick and choose what to read! If this is as far as you want to read, know that I have thought of you often, prayed for you, and am so thankful for you in my life. Know that “Life is Good” in the Allen home.
Grandma Webb: if you don’t know, these updates are mostly for my Grandma Webb. Writing to her over many years has kept me connected and increased my love and respect for her. Grandma spent a month with us in November, including her birthday and Thanksgiving. I enjoyed spending time with her. She is now back in Wyoming, her home. Before Christmas she was put in the hospital for pneumonia. It didn’t get better before it got worse. But, in time, she has gotten much stronger and last week was able to move from the hospital to a rehabilitation center. My Mom was able to go spend some time with her. Mom describes the 10 days she was there as a ride of ups and downs. All of Grandma’s children were there taking care of her as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren. When Mom left Grandma to come home, she said, Grandma told her “I need to be here (earth) longer. I don’t know why, but I need to.” So Grandma has put up a fight and is winning, growing stronger everyday, and surprising everyone. I’m sure “surprising everyone” is the right phrase, though anyone that knows my Grandma knows she is strong and capable of anything she puts her mind to. She is faithful to the end. She has a deep love for her family on both sides of the veil and a strong will to be obedient to Heavenly Father. I am happy she is doing better and pray for her daily as I know many of you are.
Christmas: Ahh! What can I say about Christmas? I describe my Christmas 2010 as living in a bubble and enjoying every minute of it! The phrase “Family is Central to Heavenly Father’s Plan” ran through my head several times throughout the season. It was one full of family and I loved every minute of it!
Amy left Provo and drove to Arizona, with all of her college possessions (and cousin Nathan) on December 19. It was a safe trip and Amy is home to stay! (more of that in the Amy section!) Taralynn and Kory took a direct flight from Idaho Falls to Mesa Gateway Airport on December 24 and their flight was EARLY! They were here for a week—so fun!
The Andreasen tradition of Family Home Evening happened at Dawn’s house, also celebrating Grandma’s (Mom’s) 75th birthday, complete with M&Ms with her picture on them! Dawn asked the question that caused Lynette to tell the news that she is expecting! Jill reminded us of the symbol of the star and we read the Christmas story from the scriptures. Some members were missing, but we thought of you too! Games were exchanged so we can enjoy more family times playing them in 2011! There is nothing better than family.
The weather in Arizona was quite warm for December and I was loving every minute of it! Christmas with the Allens was celebrated in Strawberry and it was almost like a spring day! That’s my kind of Christmas! Jason, Mel and I drove to Strawberry on December 23 with the rest of the family following on December 24. We had all the Allen bunch there except for Matthew, Sarah, Andy, Nicki and kids. Full cabins, good food, gifts and laughs. Little Alex kept us young! He is sooo cute! Especially when he tells you what a cat says! When to get up on Christmas morning is always a decision made on Christmas Eve. John lost, wanting to get up at 4 a.m. (and he sounded serious!) The compromise (?) was 8 a.m. John was up, bright eyed and excited. We had Chinese food for Christmas Eve with Heather, David and girls (in Pine) and Mexican food for Christmas day with the Allen clan and fellow firefighters! Of course, games were played, The Christmas Story was watched and memories made. The Utah and California family members drove and arrived safely. Their trips were too short, but so fun!
FAVORITE GIFTS: from my observation the favorite gifts of the season were…Jay, family time. Taralynn, trip to Arizona in February (I want to think that’s her favorite!). Kory, golfing in Arizona in December. Amy, new clothes. Scott, snowboarding trip to Idaho in January. Jason, the long awaited phone. Lori, watching family open gifts and be surprised and grateful.
Taralynn and Kory: It was so great having them here for a week. They loved the sunshine and the restaurants! Taralynn always has all her meals planned out when she visits Arizona now. Some of her “must eats” are Someburros, PeiWei, Serranos and Sweet Cakes. Kory had his golf days planned out as well. They golfed in some spectacular Mesa December weather and the second golf day they enjoyed Mesa snow! Yep. It snowed here just for him! It was windy and freezing (for us) but I think Kory was right at home that day (and was silently laughing at the Arizona wimps!). We played games, watched games on TV and went to a Suns Game. It seems like every time I am with Tarlaynn and Kory they are happier and more content. It is a good thing. They made it home in time to bring in the New Year with Kory’s family. They share their time with family very well and we love our time always.
Amy: Where to begin with Amy? She’s home and we love it! Christmas with her was wonderful. She was settling in just great and looked forward to her internship starting on January 10. January 10 she woke up not feeling too great. Since Jay had had the stomach flu the day before we weren’t sure if it was the flu or nerves but she was quite pale and I was a bit nervous about her driving. So I took her to her training and dropped her off. She made it through the day. It was long but she was feeling better and was scheduled to go back the next day for her official first day, working from 9-5. She interviewed with this organization a year ago and about every other time she called about something the person she had talked to before was no longer working there. It was like she was new every time she went or talked to someone. But now she had been “trained”, and had talked to people that she would be working with, had a schedule and was ready to go. That evening a little before six she got a call. The woman from the office informed her that she could not do the internship, as she was not 21 years old. Amy’s whole world collapsed for several hours at that moment. I couldn’t believe it, actually. How could they not have asked that question over the many months of planning this internship, or seen her age on her application she turned in a year ago? What were they thinking?! Before Amy had left Provo she was very careful to make sure everything was in order for her to do this internship on both ends (BYU and AZ Family Foundation) so she would not loose any credit, or scholarship and be on target to graduate this April. How could this have slipped through that careful planning? But, I must say, that even through her tears, Amy thought of solutions. She made some calls, I made some calls, she e-mailed her BYU supervisor and tried to find another opportunity. She had some great contacts and wonderful friends who helped her. By the end of the next day she had several options in motion. The Lord is aware and answers prayers. I am confident that the opportunities she will have will be greater than those she would have had before. Thanks for all who have helped her! The next update will update you on what she is doing and how she is liking it!
Amy attends the singles ward in the stake. She is looking for fun people to do fun things with. She loves the sun and doesn’t miss the snow. She is taking a parenting class on line and has suggestions for us now and then! Oh boy!
Scott: Jason said at the end of Christmas break, “Scott is spoiled.” At which I replied, “yes, as we all are.” But really, if you listen to all the fun Scott had over the break you will come to the same conclusion. Scott got to go to the Dunes the week before Christmas with some great friends. He didn’t give a lot of details but had a GREAT time and friends tell me he is fun to have around always. He did take time to go to Strawberry with us for Christmas! Then he came home, went golfing with friends and the next day went snowboarding with friends. He was home for another two days—golfing again, this time with Kory, Jay and Jason, then got to go snowboarding again on New Year’s Eve day. I decided I am sending Scott snowboarding on New Years Eve day every year. He got home about 7 pm and was so tired. He was home for the night by 10:30 and asleep before midnight! His alarm was set to go to breakfast at Waffle House at 2:30 a.m. but didn’t get up! I always sleep better knowing all my kids are home in bed (especially on New Years Eve) Scott got to go to Idaho the next weekend to visit Taralynn, Kory and the ski slopes. He had a great time and we are grateful to Taralynn and Kory for having him. Scott is in his last semester of high school! Oh wow! He keeps us jumping as he scares us every time we turn a corner and laughing as he tells funny stories! We love him. Still waiting to hear from BYU and hope to have that report to you soon!
Jason: While Scott played Jason played too…played basketball. He is right in the middle of basketball season and so practices continued through some of the Christmas break. Jason plays hard and we love watching him. He is a great defender. His team is doing well. Thanks to those who have come to cheer him on. But, don’t feel too bad for Jason. He always finds time for fun and friends. With Arizona fireworks becoming legal (?) Jason and friends enjoyed some. For the record, I bought none. I still don’t like them! But I will admit it was fun listening to Jason and friends come in and tell us about each one, whether it was worth the money or not. Jason is a bit disappointed in “his Suns”. The games are not quite as fun to watch. Jason is always thinking of new creative ways to become rich. He is bound to be quite successful in life.
Missionaries: The missionaries moved out this week. It was sad. But, having Amy home is better! We have enjoyed “our missionaries” this time around since April. I especially miss them coming in about 9 p.m. and giving a report on their day. We will miss having them in our home. They were fun, hard working and brought a wonderful spirit into our home. They were great examples to us and the boys especially enjoyed having them around. It was good to see how missionaries live. I wouldn’t be surprised if someday again we have missionaries live with us.
Jay: He’s the best! Never once does Jay complain (well, except this week after I clogged the kitchen sink…but he had good reason, I suppose!). He loves Christmas more than all of us put together (and that’s a lot!) and makes it a good time for all of us. For Jay, it is not about getting. It is all about the lights, the stories, the Savior and giving. He gives the gifts that last. I love him and memories made with him and our family.
Extended family/random thoughts: We had a very fun cousin party in honor of Austin—and getting to know the soon to be Mrs. Austin Christiansen, Monica! We are excited for them. I had a dream that Ted/Erin and Aaron/Chanelle were having baby girls! Weird since they both have pretty new baby boys! But in my dream, Jill was going through her childhood things and dividing them out to her soon to be new granddaughters! Funny things, but her most prized possession was a ballerina doll! Luckily in my dream she had two so they both got one! Random, I know! It’s Erik’s birthday today! Uncle David broke up a fight in the Poston parking lot after the Poston/Taylor basketball game. I think Scott will always remember his voice saying, “Walk away. Just walk away.” We heard it, thought it sounded like a familiar voice and then saw the familiar voice was our loving uncle! I guess that’s enough for today!
Me: Well, I’m great! But it has taken three days to write this so you’ll have to wait til next time for more about me! I MUST get this out and get back on schedule of writing these updates regularly.
I love you all. I love life and am so grateful for my time here on earth to learn and grow, with you.
with love,
Lori
