Weekly update

I had a good visit with Eric yesterday. He came in and hugged me and visited, hot tubbed and ate dinner and played games. He asked about each of you and genuinely enjoyed being here with his family. All this after I deeply offended him years ago. I am so very grateful for forgiveness. The kids are growing so quickly, Paige is 10, Robbie is about to turn 8 and Hailey is 5. They are all busy in swimming, hockey and dance and school. Eric says they could think about moving if the new high school is not in their zone. Melinda is going to Utah this summer again, but later in July and August. 

     Mom has been here a week now. We went to the tulip farm on Friday and walked around the outlets. She shops in the afternoon and then we have dinner and visit here. It has been great so far. 

    We haven't heard anything from Andrew this week, he may be in Korea. 

Courtney is having some car trouble which is sad, hoping that gets worked out. She finally confided in me that she is seeing Max again and she is happy. I am so happy if she is happy. I just want her to be with an active, happy person for life. I appreciate her willingness to confide in me again. She is glad she is not taking classes. She needs a break. She always expresses how much she loves her work, what a blessing that job has turned out to be. 

Ash has been super busy with the group of friends she found at the bonfire. She held a crepe party this week, took finals, worked scooping ice-cream and basically keeping super busy. She is so happy, and that makes me happy. She has some friends who all just instantly get along great and that is pretty special. 

 Rob and I are thinking of getting a lawn mower brand new. I am hoping we can figure something out soon. Work is going well, spring is here, life is good,

Lots of love to whomever reads this,

Kirsten

April 17th update....

Mom arrived on Friday afternoon and her flight was great, so good to see her. Courtney has been working full time now and finding the days long, but loving her job. She is going to look for different car insurance. We'll see what she finds.
Ash took her food handlers license and is ready to start work at Aggie Ice Cream. She is busy with school still and lots going on, but happy. A few more weeks until the end of her semester.
Andrew took his proficiency test, and said it was very difficult. He is not daunted, telling us he will study more vocal and comprehension and take it again. He is waiting of a new teacher from Norway to relieve of some of his classes. He seems happy.
Rob and I reseeded the lawn, but no sprouts yet. Weather has been wonderful!! Matt and Rachel came for dinner and games. Wedding plans are progressing.
Meagan had her baby this week and it was two weeks early, but a eight pound baby. Tyler's mission blog is awesome, love reading his letters. Kiaya is doing well too. Rob is going to Edith Nicolaysen's funeral tomorrow. Not much else to report, Mom and I did a fun craft day at church!
Until later!

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