Pictures from the last few weeks

Courtney riding horses in Colorado

Courtney's new Honda Pilot

Eating at Maddox!

A visit to the Provo Temple

Andrew hiking mountain in China with friends

A trip to conference and much , much more

This week was amazing. Conference was super, met Courtney and her roomates and saw how she was doing and where she works and went to a movie and ate at Costa Vida. Then went to Ashley and picked her up in Logan. We then headed to Salt Lake via Weber campus ( Courtney is considering) and shopped at the city creek mall and met Jeff and then ate at Tocanos which was an amazing experience. Then next morning we went to Kneaders for breakfast and then on to conference. Amazing session, amazing choir, and overall fantastic experience. Then down to Provo we went to shop more, look at UVU campus and the Provo Temple. We ate a delightful dinner at the Brick oven and then hiked a tiny hike on Y mountain. The view was divine and we really enjoyed our time just soaking in the warm air , beautiful sunset and view over Provo, Byu and beyond. We watched conference from our hotel in Salt Lake the next morning, drove Ashley back to campus, walked around a bit, and said our goodbyes. Susan & I headed for Boise for the night and left Courtney to take the shuttle one last time. Courtney didn’t bring her brand new car ( Honda Pilot). Busy week back here catching up, beautiful weather, terrible toothache and much needed root canal and then talk for Kirsten at church on humility. Courtney also left with her roomate, Kelly, to go to Colorado to ride horses on her aunt’s farm. Needless to say, Courtney is in heaven. Rob and I reseeded the front yard and he mowed the back and front. Mom arrives on Friday so I need to clean up a bit more, but hopefully we can make it fun for her. Dinner tonight at Susan’s for the Laron, Adam, Kristin combo birthdays. Lots going on, Ash got hired at the creamery along with her other call center job and got registered for her summer class. She got straight A’s this term, so proud. Andrew called yesterday and is really prepping hard for his proficiency test on this Friday, April 16th. He sounds like he is making some real life decisions about China and it will be interesting to see what he ends up doing. 

Rebecca McCauley got married this Saturday, went to her reception also. 

Lots of love,

Kirsten

Cookies picture and message to make any moms heart burst:)

Tilby just posted this on her photo share. Do you see what kind of cookies they're making? Your berry shortbread dreams! You are such an amazing mom who inspired us so much growing up, I could only help the French people as much as I knew how from how much you taught me. Because of your awesomeness right now somewhere in France people are helping others, and finding happiness and making cookies. Thanks for always being an example for me growing up to continually do the right thing.

Sent from my iPhone

Easter Sunday and Weekly happenings

                                          Easter Sunday- March 27th, 2016           

Andrew is signed up for the proficiency test in Chinese on April 16th. He recently climbed a mountain and has been the bank for the ILP students. He is very busy but happy. I told Andrew I miss his sense of humor which shows through in his texts sometimes and makes me laugh.

Ashley keeps up communication well, is doing great on her tests and planning her spring and summer. She almost got a job for the baby products store but the mountain of car seat laws seemed daunting amidst homework. She then applied for a job at Comcast call center and may have a job there. She recently shared a message and picture with me that was very heart warming and I will include. It has been a difficult time for her with the terror attacks on Belgium being so devastating and the missionaries she knew affected. She knew Elder Wells and Brother Northby especially. 

She is so sweet to have such truely tender feelings for those serving and our many discussions have been focussed on their well being. She continues to follow the Spirit and promptings as she gets them in giving comfort and love to those she knows and doesn’t know. 

Courtney has most of her tax money ($ 1400 ish) and is looking forward to buying a car. She has had a first hand look at Christlike service through the example and experiences of the boss at work - Ruth. This woman is amazing , all that she deals with really puts Courtney’s trials in perspective and she has developed a deep love for this woman. Courtney’s job has been an incredible blessing of companionship and examples and as her mother , I am deeply grateful the Lord blessed her with her work experience. She also has bonded well with her roomates and may go to Colorado at the end of the semester to ride horses. I hope it works out well. 

Rob has worked hard to get the yard machinery fixed. We are going to reseed our front yard since the heat last summer destroyed it. He also fixed our hole under the stove so no litttle visitors come to see us anymore and I love him for that. He played well in his tennis tournament yesterday in Corvallis and will keep playing. He is a source of love and stability and laughter for me and I love him more now than I ever did. 

I am getting ready to go to see Courtney and Ashley and along with Susan, go to conference ( meeting Jeff also) !  It will be the first time we have all gone to conference in Salt Lake City and I find myself rather excited. I can’t wait to see first hand where my girls are living and catch up with them too. I feel so blessed to have found Essie to cover at the office and thankful the money is finally coming in again. Went to lunch this week with Karen and Jodie for birthdays and it was delightful. 

Easter is sad without the kids being here to do hunts and activites but the meaning of it is real. I know Christ lives, and loves us all. Dinner at Susan's tonight should be nice also.  We had Matt and Rachel over for ham last week for his 39th birthday and dessert with Susan. 

Later,

Kirsten

Feb 28th, 2016 update

Andrew is busy teaching like crazy. He is about to sign up for his proficiency test. He and Ru broke up, and he shared with Ashley the details. He just doesn't feel right about Ru coming to America.
Courtney and Thomas broke up and she and I have not communicated well. She is carrying on with life in general.
Ashley is working hard on getting good grades. She scored an A on her chemistry test which made us all proud. She finds there is a fair bit of drama with her mission friends but manages to stay grounded just the same. She is going to meet with Ashlyn this week and come home one week from today for spring break! She continues to call daily, and I could love her more for it. She is very ready for a relationship and  I hope love finds her too.
Rob played tennis all weekend and qualified for sectionals in Seattle in September which he looks forward to in mixed doubles. He found playing with the women much more enjoyable than with Jeff who is routinely sour. We are working on taxes and all the other busy work of life. Kona sheds like crazy so she got shaved again and Kirsten washed everything in the house to try to stay on it. Life carries on.
Until next time - Kirsten

Weekly update February 16th, 2016

Well, where to start. With the kids as always.
Andrew is back in China , just hanging around, Ru is in Vietnam and he is just killing time till school starts again. He got hot water back and has been studying Chinese, hanging out with Michael and laying low. He calls frequently so we are glad to see him back and better.
Ashley calls daily ( I love it) and we talk about life. She loves Chemistry, finds Sociology tedious, and likes her pilotes class. She is planning on going up to visit Courtney this coming weekend and I hope it goes well. She also booked her trip home for spring break and we look forward to a week with her then. Already planning haircut and movie. She has set many goals and continues to study her scriptures and attend institute classes faithfully.
 Courtney and Max finally officially ( I say that with bated breath) broke up. He wanted a break again and she was just done with that behavior. I am so proud of her for finally taking a step back and trying to move on. This has been a long time coming. She has not been happy with her classes this term in particular. She has two online classes which seems to be quite a trend for her school. They have not worked out well and she has been very disappointed. Her job is going well and roommates are good but I worry about her overall happiness. I have suggested maybe a move to different university in the fall and she is considering it.
Rob played tennis in Eugene and it is fun to watch him play in tournaments. We both found out the results of our lab tests ( done for the sake of life insurance) and he was high in Triglycerides and I was high in cholesterol! Go figure - finally my lack of cardio is catching up I guess. He blames his on eating a donut before his tests. ( Who knows). Either way, all is well basically here on the home front. The new girl we hired at the office is working out super well, very glad for that.
Mom is down at Jeanne's home still, and Jeanne is to have surgery on her disc soon.
Susan and I and maybe Kacey are planning on a trip to conference in April, I look forward to that very much. Later-
Kirsten

Weekly update Feb 7th, 2016

Andrew made it home from Thailand safely except with stomach issues and weird sores picked up in the jungle. He saw and did amazing things however and contacted us along the way. He told of a very nice man who helped him when he was so sick, thank goodness for good samaritans all over the world.
Courtney got an A on her Realestate test and played with her friend Alex's puppies all day today after working hard on a Stake activity all day yesterday.  Court got paid her first really good check and is finally reaping the rewards of having a job she found all on her own. We are proud of her.
Ashley did very well on all of her tests, is challenging some, and continues to cry during the commercials and scream on a dime. ( Had me in stitches telling me about her exploits). She is busy after speaking to the counselor trying to figure out her schedule for the upcoming months.
Kirsten started a sewing project this week which is pure therapy to get away from office paperwork. I also hired a new lady to work at the office ( with Rob's permission) and is hoping for some relief especially for Karen but herself also. I certainly feel confident about her and hope it is a step in the right direction.  I also can proudly say, I attended my first Stake conference all the way thru - Saturday night session and there was an early session for single sisters that I took Cynthia to as she is who I visit teach, but also a friend. All sessions were inspired, and truly revelatory.
Rob cleaned his car, played in a tennis tournament, played golf, and watched the Super Bowl  which by the way, the Denver Broncos won.
All in all , a busy week for all of us.
Update on extended family -
David and Amy are coming to visit this 4th of July.
Amy and Todd are enjoying a break. Mom is in Texas visiting , however, Jeanne has been laid up with pain and Abi is getting a bone marrow scan too. Not good news there.
It is Melinda's birthday tomorrow and wishing I'd sent something last week or had a chance to get up there.
Rob and I really enjoy the hot tub lately. We are in process of trying to buy much more life insurance and redesign our retirement plan and finances. Kirsten is feeling the crunch of taxes.
Weather today was glorious, not so great  for the girls who've had a lot of snow. Not sure what its like in China now, but just glad he made it back safely.
My how quickly the weeks float by-
Later-
Kirsten