Kitten Cuties

 Joel and Jill Gibb got a kitten and asked us to check in on her while they went camping for a few days.  UM... heck yes we'll check in on her.  And bring her home to meet Mira...

Sky was not enthused, but Mira sure was.  Max just hid behind the couch-- wimp!

She didn't stay long because we could tell she was nervous with excited Mira.  I'm pretty sure my family was considering putting ME up for adoption after spending time with her-- I'm super allergic to cats.  Even Mira would happily get a cat if she could.  I best be on my best behavior, otherwise, I'll be put out on the street with a sign, "FREE TO A GOOD HOME!"

Chips & Chopsticks

 Chips with Chopsticks.

Could she get any cuter?!

Brilliancy Dud

 Because of how things worked out in Primary Activities, we did not have Ward Flags done by the kids this year.  I didn't have the energy to get all of the Girls and all of the Boys together for an impromptu meeting to do them, so I came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea and ran with it.

The theme for the Stake Primary Activity was Ready, Set, Glow.  I knew there would be Black Lights, so I purchased some Glow-In-The-Dark paint and wrote their names on white poster board.  I included a black flashlight for them to search for their own names, thinking they'd love the challenge.

It worked so well at home, right after I'd painted it.  I gathered up both flags and dropped them off, feeling relief that at least the Hillview Ward had something.

But when I walked into the hall to see them all displayed, I felt myself shudder at just how plain ours looked.  I was even more embarrassed when one of the Girls who was currently trying to find their own name said, "This is SO LAME!"  I agreed with her.  The paint had soaked into the poster board to the point where you could barely even see the black light writing.

We took the flag into the pitch-black room but didn't have much luck there either.

My idea was a complete and utter dud.  Oh well.  At least the kids know that I love them.

T-bone troubles

 "Mom, I've been in an accident.  I'm OK, but will you hurry?"

While traveling 40 miles per hour, a man pulled out in front of her, not giving her enough time to react, and she slammed into him.  He was crossing the street to return a truck to the autobody shop, where he worked, after taking it for a test drive before they painted it for return.  They'd already called the owner of the truck to tell them they were done with the repairs and that he'd be able to pick it up the next day.  They had to call him back with the bad news.

Because she couldn't drive and traffic backed up, I had to park about a 1/4 mile back and run.  I'd planned to go to the temple that night, so I was in a dress.  It must have looked pretty weird seeing me running down the street, dress flowing behind me, but nothing was going to prevent me from getting to Keilie as fast as I could.  I'm not even embarrassed in the slightest to admit that I literally peed, soaking my dress the whole way.  I was a mess of nerves seeing her sitting on the sidewalk, looking small and vulnerable.  I was so glad Dallin beat me there to be with her.

We found out that the man driving left the scene.  He dropped the truck off and just left.  The police gave him ample time to return.  He'd told them that he was checked into the hospital, but when they called around to all of the hospitals in the Tri-cities to verify, they found out he was lying.  Because of this new development, we were asked to wait for a while.  Brennon and Tyson took my credit card to a nearby convenience store to get Keilie some sugar because she was feeling faint, while I used the heat of the sidewalk to dry my dress.  Keilie was so full of adrenaline that he fingers were curled and she couldn't really function.  *We later found out that this was his second such accident in as many months.  He left the scene there as well...

The cops finally determined to charge the driver with a citation for leaving the scene (he will be prosecuted) and let us leave with all of the information needed.  Matthew's Autobody Shop has been amazing to work with.  They got Keilie a rental car as quickly as they could, even telling us they'd pay for the cost out-of-pocket if it was going to take their insurance a long time to get her one.  

I am so thankful Keilie was watched over.  She told us that she had had thoughts all morning that it was cool that she'd never been in an accident.  She had just had the thought and looked at the odometer a few miles before the accident, so she knew all of the information needed to give to the police and insurance companies.  She locked her arms just seconds before impact, which was good because the airbags were faulty and did not deploy.  She could have easily bashed her face into the steering wheel, but she was protected.  Her shoulders are sore tonight, but she walked away without a scratch.  I'm grateful tonight that my girl isn't hurt.

Voting

In my locker after an Endowment session, I found a note on top telling me that they had been in my bag to turn off my phone.  I felt the heat rush to my cheeks, immediately remembering why they would need to...

Jamie works for our Stake President and friend, Jeff Kreutz, at Tamaki Law.  She asked me to vote for their office for the Best Of in the Tri-Cities.  I take my voting very seriously, as you can tell, when I set an alarm as a reminder.  Repeat: Every day.  Label: Vote for Tamaki Law.  Sound: Blaring Alarm.  Volume: High

Know this: I am loyal.  When you ask me to do something for you, I will go to great lengths to achieve it, even if that means others might get annoyed...  Whether it is my scream or my phone's scream-- you'll always know I'm on your side!

UPDATE: 8/25/2023-- Tamaki Law WON!!!

21... NO, 22!!!

If you know me, you know that I am a numbers and a birthday girl.  I remember birthdays numerically.  I love that Caden's has 2 zeros, 2 ones, and 2 fives.  05/15/01.  I wish Keilie would have been born on 08/24/03 because eight goes into 24 three times.  I love that my first four kids' birthdays are numbers that go right down the calendar-- 15,22,29.  I just love numbers and birthdays.

So, I was doubly hurt when I realized that I'd been telling everyone for WEEKS that Caden was going to be 21.  I got the age of MY CHILD wrong!  Not only that, but I lost an entire year of his "life" in my mind.  He went from 21 to 22 in an instant.  When I realized this, I cried hot tears of shame and sorrow.  I just cannot believe that my mind was stuck on 21.  Grief is weird.  Grief still hurts me deeply.

We celebrated as a family by going to Caden's favorite-- Taco Bell-- and our favorite show choir-- Forte.  While there, Brennon and Tyson both said they wanted to join next season!  We were able to immediately sign Tyson up since his age group isn't audition-based yet.  We'll wait to see when Brennon can audition!  I would love to attend these shows as a Proud Parent!

It was a beautiful day despite my mental error and resulting sadness.  I miss my Caden something awful, but I love the thought of him working on the other side of the veil while we work on this side doing ordinances for those who cannot do it for themselves.

HAPPY 22ND BIRTHDAY, CADEN!!

Join you?

 Randy put up the hammocks for me tonight.  While reading, Tyson asked if he could join me.  It was such a nice night-- company & weather.  

I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

Bruising Buddies

Randy, last night, "Man, it hurts right here," as he pokes, prods, and mutilates an area on his left hand.

Stephanie, this morning after grabbing onto the shopping cart handle, "Ow! That hurt!"  And then I see it: a bruise in the exact spot that Randy had been complaining about the night before.

Lesson Learned: 23 years of marriage means that if your spouse bruises, you will too."  

It's science.
 

4th Kid

 Brennon may have been signed up for Driver's Ed earlier than his three older siblings (I waited until they were 6-months away from 16 before beginning the class and getting their learner's permit), but he's gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to actual drive time.  He finished his last class today, passing the exam with a 91%, but he's only been behind the wheel of our Focus twice and did his first of six "Drives" with an instructor two days before his last online class.  At this rate, he'll finish all requirements to get his actual license around the same time the others did, so I guess that's my own personal way of equalizing everything.  I guess, in this way, I can make life "fair" for my kids.  What can I say, except, "You're Welcome."

Famous words

 Keilie started a new job today as a substitute para-educator.  She worked from 8:30-3:30 doing whatever needed to be done, from helping kids with reading, math, lunchroom, and recess.

"There were two little girls that were so rude and would not listen to or follow directions.  I was getting so mad!"

She then proceeded to tell us a bunch of different examples of these two little girls.  (It should also be mentioned that the boys listened and were so good.  I'm not altogether convinced that she wasn't talking about the Dirks' household, I'm just saying.)  And then came the famous words that I know she won't remember in the future, so I thought I'd write them down for her:

"I will not have a child like that!"

I smiled, pat her knee, and didn't say a single word.

I'm going to take this moment and just revel in the knowledge that I am going to be blessed with THE BEST grandkids!  Ones that will follow all directions given by authority without complaint, and will respect that authority the way they should be respected because their mother, my daughter, refuses to have children that act so shamefully.  I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

Peter, Peter

Emily Bass asked me to watch her Peter tonight while she hosted the BYU Singers.  She was nervous to leave him with just anyone because 1) Peter had never been left with anyone, 2) Peter wasn't used to bottles, and 3) Peter has a set of screaming lungs that are well exercised.  I was all too willing to take him, the little cutie!  I need to freshen up my babysitting skills if I want to be a great Grandma after all.

We captured some happy pictures before he realized that he was hungry, tired, and wanted his Mommy.  Not only did our household get to experience his screams, but our neighbors did as well when I tried for over an hour to get him to calm down.  

I won over in the end.  Not only did he drink a bottle, but he also snuggled right up to me.  It was a taxing night on the nerves, but not once did I get frustrated.  My heart was just so full of love for this little Prince.  I cannot wait to snuggle my own Grandbabies someday.  

For the record: Peter still comes willingly to me and still gives me smiles galore.  I love babies.

Skills

Tyson earned "PBIS Points" (don't ask me what that stands for!) to "purchase" Randy a gift for his birthday.  He designed it himself and was so excited to give it to him.

I found a place on our Gallery Wall to display it, but I actually think maybe I should have just asked Tyson his thoughts because I found this picture he'd taken...

I love it when my kids do something that I love doing better than I could have ever imagined doing myself.  In this instance, it's "decor" and "photography."  I might have also added "design" but I don't have those skills.  Mine lay in "Copying."

 

Family Feud

 We got the game Family Feud for Christmas this past year.  Brennon has blessed us with two extremely funny laugh sessions.  

*Quick thinking between opposing teammates where the number one answer allows the choice of keeping the category.  Brennon was the first to raise his hand both times.

"Name something that's hard to do with your eyes open."  Brennon: "Read!"

"Name something you ride that might leave you with a sore bottom."  Brennon: "A Rhino!"

Not surprisingly, he confessed that Family Feud isn't his favorite game to play.  But we love playing it with him!  He makes it more fun than intended every time.

Drive Time?

Graduating to the Big Leagues!

I wonder if we can count this toward his driving hours for Driver's Education...

 

This Side and His Side

 Our Youth had a Baptism appointment tonight, our third Friday shift as Temple Ordinance Workers.  Because Shelby had a birthday party to attend, we needed to find rides for Brennon and Tyson.  Dara Porter not only drove them, but she took these pictures and helped in the Baptistry, which our coordinators put on our shift for both hours the Hillview Ward had scheduled.

Brennon, Sean Porter, Eli Bass, Tyson, Roman Cleaves, Jason Porter.

I love that our sons have memories of their parents working in the temple.  Their Dad has baptized their Mom as they witnessed or waited.  Randy has laid his hands on my head for Confirmations.  And now they have seen us dressed all in white, working, as Temple Ordinance Workers.  Their eyes lit up as they realized that I was the one that was going to help them get their jumpsuits.  "Thank you, Sister Dirks," said with a cheeky grin as they looked me right in the eyes.  

At one point, as I was helping at the Recorder's desk, I looked across the font to see Brennon and Tyson waiting side-by-side for Confirmations, Randy standing in his white suit just behind.  My heart was near to bursting.  It was at that second that Tyson looked up and smiled.  We were both caught etching this moment into our memories, seeing a glimpse of Heaven, capturing a snapshot of what matters most.  

We may not have seen Caden with our earthly eyes, but I know he's seen us "Gathering Isreal" on this side of the veil, as he's gathering on His Side of the veil.

Swinging Pups

 Tyson and Cassidy have been friends from the moment we moved here.  When they were just 3 years old, they'd play "Pretend this" for hours.  Today, Jamie captured a moment I want to remember-- Cassidy swinging with their new dog, Luna, and Tyson swinging with his dog, Max.

So fun!!

The "hood"

My day started by watching Wren Hawks, something that I am paid to do a few times a month while her mom goes to a yoga class.  It is my absolute favorite, my Wren Time.  I use it as a practice exercise for when I am a Grandma.  When she showed up, excited in her shy way to show me her braids, I simply had to copy.  Lesson Learned: Keep your hair long for as long as possible.

My day ended by watching Peter Bass while his mom went to the BYUsingers concert she was in charge of as President of this Alumni Chapter.  I also used this time as a practice exercise for when I am a Grandma.  It wasn't as carefree as my time with Wren, as this was the first time he has ever been left for any amount of time and he is not used to bottles so he cried and screamed bloody murder for about an hour straight, but that didn't mean I didn't have the time of my life.  Lesson Learned: At times, your braids will be pulled by a screaming babe, but it doesn't really hurt that much.
 

I am working hard to learn the do's and don'ts of Grandparenthood.  I cannot wait to enter that "hood!"

Sad Smiles

Sometimes a scene will be a memory that makes me smile and makes me sad.  This was one of those scenes.
 

Both were taken on a Sunday afternoon.

Miss This

"Mom, will you braid my hair?"

I'm gonna miss this someday.

 

Calling Count

April 6th, 2023:

Randy-- Richland Stake Executive Secretary

Stephanie-- Hillview Primary President, Primary Chorister, and Primary Activity Girls Leader (until we can find someone to take over)

April 7th, 2023:

Add "Columbia River Temple Ordinance Worker" to both!  Friday nights.  Beginning April 21st-- exactly one week after our child gets married!  

Surreal!  And, oh, so amazing!