A Whirlwind: January to June

Well, I'm sitting here on a Sunday afternoon with nothing to do. Of course, there are always things that I could be doing...but I realized that I had not updated this blog/journal since January. I feel guilty about it. But guilt does me no good. I'll just start where I am and move forward.

There is no way that I could possibly record all that has happened since January. Part of my thinks that it's been a pretty uneventful year, but it's in the looking back that I recognize that it truly has been a memorable six months. I truly need to to repent and start recording my memories weekly. I owe it to myself and to my posterity.

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I just spent an hour writing and there was an internet connection issue and I lost it all. I'm really upset about it right now so I just need to take a break for a bit. I'll come back in a bit and see if I can write anything comparable to what I had already written.

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Okay, it's been about 4 hours. I'm ready to start all over again, ha ha.

Nana and Grandpa Duncan just called me. I love them so much. I nearly cried when I heard their voices. I feel so close to them. Closer to them than to my own Dad. What a blessing it is to still have two living grandparents. My grandparents on my Dad's side are gone. My Mom is gone, yet both of her parents are still alive. Every time that I talk to them I feel closer to my Mom. I really miss my Mom. I miss her sarcasm and her humor. I miss the way that she built my confidence. No one else has been able to do that for me. She made me feel like a million bucks. I miss the way that I knew, without a doubt, that her children and grandchildren were her number one priority in life. I knew that she loved us. I can't say that about my Dad, unfortunately.

I'm going to make this really quick.

Our ward was dissolved last week. We were all released from our callings. Jon was released from being 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric, I was released as Young Women President, and Lizzie was released as the Ward Organist. It was very shocking and unexpected. I had a difficult time with it. I felt like a part of my heart was ripped out of my chest. I love the young women. I prayed for them every single day, by name. They became a major part of me and my life over the past year and a half. To have it all end so quickly and unexpectedly was a bit of a challenge. Many tears were shed. For the rest of my life, I will treasure the opportunity that I had to serve in the Young Women program. My life was blessed and I am a different and better person than I was before. I am particularly grateful for the chance that I had to serve in the Young Women program when Lizzie was a young women. What a blessing to have been able to spend so much time with her and see her grow and develop spiritually. I love her - she'll always be my favorite young women. I was able to go to Young Women camp a few weeks ago. It was a wonderful blessing and I am so grateful for that opportunity. I know that Heavenly Father loves me because he allowed me the blessing of serving in the Young Women program and being blessed by their wonderful and beautiful spirits. They have changed my life for the better.

I have loved working at Gorman. It is a blessing in my life. I love having my own classroom, my own students, and adults (co-workers) that I can talk to on a daily basis. I love being able to use my creativity to come up with fun activities to do with my students. There is a possibility that Gorman might pay for me to earn a multiple subject credential. That would be an amazing opportunity and I will definitely go for it if the opportunity comes up.

Jon just got a job working for the virtual academy with the high school district. He'll be working from home next year. I hope that it will work out and that it will be a blessing for our family.

I turned 40 last week. When I was younger, 40 used to seem old...not anymore! In reflecting on my past 40 years, I suppose I am in an okay place. However, I'm not finished. I want to be much better than I am. If I can somehow get the confidence and the courage to change, I would like to be a better wife. I need to be. I'm not being the kind of wife that Jon deserves. I am trying my best to be the best Mom that I can be but there is definitely room for improvement. I can be a better disciple of Jesus Christ. I can be more diligent. I can serve those around me more. I can be better at following the promptings of the spirit that I receive. I can try a little harder to be a little better. I can say better prayers. I can study my scriptures more diligently. I can share my testimony more regularly. There are many things that I can improve on in my quest to become more like my Heavenly Father.

Lizzie finished her first year of seminary! She is an amazing young women. She is the most talented 14-year-old (almost 15-year-old) that I have ever met. She is an advanced pianist and organist. She crochets very well (clothing, scarves, stuffed animals, etc.). She writes novels and poetry. She writes music. She sings. She participated in musical theater and drama this year at Gorman. She has made some really good friends. Most importantly, I have seen her work very diligently to strengthen her testimony and spiritual capacity. The sky is the limit for her!

Bryce just finished 7th grade! He made a really good group of friends this year, which makes me happy. He participated in Track and Field this year. He did the long jump and the shot put. I'm so proud of him for putting himself out there and for trying something new. He did well in school this year. He earned a 4.0 GPA - this is a new thing for him. He worked really hard and I'm so proud of him. Bryce has grown so much over the past 6 months. He's not even 13 and he's about 5' 10".

Mason Woodruff is the sweetest boy in the world. He is very sensitive. He had a hard time at the end of the school year because he really loved his teacher. He had a wonderful teacher this year - such a blessing. Mason has been going to therapy for the past six months for his anxiety. We just put him on medication one week ago. I hope and pray that it helps him with his chemical imbalance. I hope that he is able to have a happy childhood and not be so overwhelmed with feelings of depression and anxiety. Poor Mason, my sweet boy. Since taking the medication, he has been able to go to sleep faster and stay asleep. He also seems to be more happy, in general, although Bryce being gone to Young Men's camp last week could have influenced the correlation.

Caitlyn finished 2nd grade and improved a lot academically. She made a lot of good friends this year as well. She is such a sweet girl and wants to help and love everyone around her. She is very observant and pays attention to everyone and knows their stories. Lizzie is her best friend and I'm so grateful that they get along so well. Caitlyn just turned 8 years old and is excited to get baptized in a month. She is developing her testimony and I love watching it grow. She already has $108 saved up for her mission.

William Lincoln Over is still my baby boy, my baby joy. And he knows it. He is still my squishable, kissable, huggable, lovable baby boy. He still lets me squish him. He gives the best and hardest hugs. He says the most sincere prayers. He wants to have a spiritual life. He wants everyone to know that Jesus is always there for them. Every night before bed he listens to "I am a Child of God" or "Crying from the Dust". He loves the scriptures. He loves Come Follow Me. He likes feeling the spirit. He is a sweetheart and I am so grateful for him in my life. For all of my kids. What a blessing it is to be a mother and to be able to create bodies for Heavenly Father's spirit children. I hope I am doing enough to give my children a firm foundation, teaching them the things of eternity.

Here are a bunch of pictures from the last 6 months.
Here's to updating my blog once a week now!