Happy New Year

Calder, Did you realize that I didn't write to you last week? I am SO sorry! I've been trying to write to you on another day than the day we talk. First of all, Sundays are just so crazy and I feel like that's the day you hear the most from people. But last week it backfired and I didn't even write. Ok...I feel like I need to apologize for making so much fun of Elder Wallbruch on pday. I just couldn't get over his basketball outfit. Hah! I found this list on how to lower stress and thought of you: 1) Go to bed earlier 2) Exercise 3) Decrease sugar and caffeine 4) Quit multitasking 5) Organize/plan/list 6) Turn off the phone and get to work 7) Talk it out with friends 8) Wear comfortable clothes 9) Get outside 10) Say NO to good things to have time for important things 11) Drink more water☺ I added number eleven, but I think it fits. Anyway, I thought the list - although simple - was good to read through. It seems like you are doing better. I hope and pray that the transition to Elder Hasson goes smoothly. I'll be anxious for a report on pday. I loved hearing your 2021 and 2022 goals...so I thought I'd share mine with you. In 2021 I had four goals: 1) Intellectual: read 25 books 2) Spiritual: fall in love with the Doctrine and Covenants by studying Come Follow Me 3) Social: Invite 12 families over 4) Physical: Run a race with sisters. The only goal I didn't complete is number four to run a race with my sisters. I've had some serious feet issues this year! Bone spurs and the like. That's one reason that I die when I see you playing basketball in old vans!! Honestly, it will kill your feet in the long run!! So besides trying to heal my feet in 2022, here are my new goals 1) Intellectual: Learn to knit a temple shall & learn a piano piece and play it in church 2) Spiritual: Memorize "The Living Christ" and memorize the new Young Women's theme. 3) Social: 6 intentional dates with each child and Dad that I instigate and invite 10 new families into our home this year 4) Physical: Lose 15 pounds and ride lead for DPMS mountain bike team I've been really thinking hard and long about my goals but this is the first time I have written them down. In the new youth program for the church, it says to have two in each category. I feel like it's a total win if I accomplish the first goal I listed and icing on the cake if I get the second. But there you have it. If you write it down, it makes it permanent. I have a lot of work to get my 6 intentional dates with both you and McKay since I'll only have half a year with you both. I included some fun pics from Hawaii and christmas. I hope you enjoy them. I think they are all pretty self explanatory. One you will find interesting is McKay's pic. He's got a new style he's exploring. His hair is waaaay toooo long and you know what happens when hair gets too long, his attitude goes south....I'll say no more. I've been thinking a lot about some of the things you were telling us on Pday about transfers. It's been so interesting as a mother to watch your mission from my perspective. When you've been down on the mission and wishing for something to go your way - like being so busy or the right missionaries being in leadership positions, etc. - it's so interesting how over time you make it happen. It makes me think back on our life. I remember that Dad was so down when we were at BYU and he had interviewed for a position with a consulting company and was turned down. He wanted that position so badly and was very discouraged. He felt like there was no way he would have that opportunity because his work experience wouldn't lead him that direction. Fast forward 3 or 4 years and he was graduating business school and had a job to work for a consulting company. I guess my point is that getting discouraged is ok and part of life. You should totally work through it and give it some time because it might just happen as you'd hoped. Here's my favorite scripture this week. It's from Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." I hope you are having a great week. I was at the temple today - Temple Tuesday - and saw Rosie Neilsen on my way out. She is an avid reader of your email each week and always wants to talk about your weekly email. Thank you for always writing. Your a good one...that's for sure. Keep up the great work. Keep changing lives. Keep the faith. Love you TONS!! Mom