2019 Review

Hi all. Happy Easter! Hope everyone is doing well. It's been a long, long time since I've shared an update. I've pretty much abandoned the blog, but forget that not everyone we'd want to share with is on our social media. My girls have been encouraging me to start writing here again. I'm not even sure where to start with the updates of our world, so this will be more pictures than updates. Since my last update-- Sierra is now almost 17. It is hard to wrap my mind around the fact that we have a 17 year old. Kai'Lani is 14, Phoenix is 12, Zion is 10, Bryce is 8 and Makenley just turned 5. While our ages don't need to be revealed-- :) Ken and I will be celebrating our 18th anniversary this week. Ken is still working at Kirkwood. Winter was BRUTAL this year, with over 600 inches of snow falling. There is still over 8 feet of snow on the ground there. Thankfully, it hasn't been no where near that bad here in the valley, though it was a long winter. I am still doing photography and working as a doula, taking some classes, and keeping super busy. Sierra reached the 4 year mark since her cancer diagnosis. Thankfully MRI and all exams showed she remains stable. Her migraines are pretty manageable at the moment. She will be going to prom next month with her sweet friend, and is super excited about that. Sierra and I started co-facilitating grief support groups for a local non profit organization in the valley that has been a vital part of our own personal grief work for many years. She still does her annual coat drive for the homeless, and is an excellent baker. In October, we were able to attend a conference for girls/women in San Diego that is hosted by Bethany Hamilton--who Sierra has looked up to for years. Such a great experience! Kai'Lani is in her last year of middle school. Her and Phoenix also volunteer at church in the kids classes. She recently started having some weird migraines, that would cause her to lose consciousness. She was sent by ambulance from school the first time, after she was found unresponsive in the field. This happened a few more times...but thankfully after a ton of tests and doctor visits, all doctors agreed that they were a migraine that is common in teens, that she will likely outgrow. She is excellent at art, and is super funny, and almost taller than I am now. All the others have remained healthy. Phoenix will be in 8th grade next year. He used to be so reserved and shy, not wanting any attention drawn to himself, but over the past year or so has totally broken out of his shell, and has no issue being the life of the party. Zion is in 4th grade--and next year will be his last year of elementary. He's very sweet, and very smart. He loves making others feel good by complimenting or serving them. he was baptized in Lake Tahoe this year, and has started volunteering at the church as well. Bryce is in 2nd grade. He's totally empathetic, and feels everything. There is no fooling him on hard days, no matter how well we try and hide it. He's incredibly athletic and fit, and is a ball of energy, and a total comedian. He loves with every fiber of himself.  Makenley will be starting Kindergarten in August. Our baby. She is 5, going on 15. She is an absolute love. So sweet, yet so fierce, and not afraid to use her voice if she feels unheard. She loves all things pink, and the more sparkle, the better. This year has been a continuous roller coaster ride. So much good, so much pain, so much busyness and growth, so many changes, so little down time. The past few months have been especially challenging, but we have a lot to be thankful for. Especially for our tribe.

Till next time.... Love to all!