Corbin lately

When did this punchy little pumpkin grow up so much? Did I approve this? 

Corbin has a cutie date to BHS Homecoming. He asked her in the cutest way (that he came up with on his own) by showing up at her house with Raising Cane’s and a poster that said “Cane’s you be my date to HOCO? We would make a great combo”. Brooklyn is adorable and Corbin had fun meeting all her little siblings, who were eager to do what little siblings do when a teenager drops by to see their big sister. He also met Brooklyns parents, whom I already know, but it was delightful to watch him squirm a bit anxiously. 

15 has been pretty funny for Corbin. He has an entourage of bros with him at all times and they run around playing basketball, going to the square for whatever excitement is happening that week downtown, watching every kickoff or sporting event they can, working out at the gym or one of our houses, swimming, pickleball or volleyball courts, and of course a million trips to Don’s (Mc Donald’s). They are crazy active and always on the go. 

The other day, I noticed a mirror leaning on the dumpster at a local storage unit and the boys decided it would be perfect for our home gym. So we took a little field trip and I died over the amount of flexing they did before putting said mirror into the van. Landon picked it up and gasped “there’s a baddie in this mirror!” They’re so funny. 

Corbin currently serves as Teachers Quorum President in our ward, and one Sunday, the bishopric and Elders Quorum presidency were all out of town. Our stake High counselor sat on the stand, but we joked from our pew that if Brother Cutler hadn’t been there, Corbin would have been the presiding priesthood holder in the meeting lol. Corbin takes his calling seriously and does a really great job leading the quorum and finding opportunities for them to serve the members in our ward and out in the community. He also serves on our ward Activities Committee and helps set up and take down chairs and tables for ward gatherings. My dear friend was hospitalized after an aneurysm two weeks ago, and there was an invitation to fast and pray for her before she went into a very complicated surgery. Corbin prayed for his friend and Steezy teammate and for his mom that morning in our family prayers and texted me around 3:30 that afternoon “how long do we fast for?” I was really touched that he had decided to participate in exercising faith for his friend’s mom. 

The kids Corbin runs around with are all great, and there seem to be new faces coming by our home with him every day. This week, he brought the Steezy Boys over to watch the first NFL game. He did text a few minutes before they arrived, “can I bring a few friends over for kickoff?” Which translated to aaron to pick up 3 cases of soda and some snacks.  I love that he is so inclusive, and an inviting host.

Quincy plays cello for stake conference

Quincy was invited to play in a small strings ensemble for Stake Conference a couple weeks ago. They played Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, which was a piece the same group prepared for Stake Youth Conference. She also serves on our ward Self Reliance committee and just accepted an assignment on the Stake Youth Committee. even though her senior year is getting busier and more academically challenging than ever before, she is always willing to serve. 

I was able to hear their dress rehearsal for stake conference right before the meeting, and stood with Dave H, and Sarah W and the Spirit filled the room as it swelled with beautiful music praising our Savior. The three of us were all moved to tears and it was a lovely moment witnessing our youth and their peers use their talents in an amazing way.

Soren is 12

Soren turned 12 on Friday. For his special day, I picked up donuts at 6am, then Aaron and I checked him out of school for lunch at Chick Fil A (his choice), and he went to a Naturals game with the deacons quorum and dads that night. He loved the fireworks. 

He asked for a really soft orange blanket from Target, and a pudgy penguin stuffy for his bday. He also got some feastables and nerds clusters, a game, and the big hit, a Darth Vader magic 8 ball that tells random fortunes like “your future is “Luke” warm in a Darth Vader voice.  It’s so funny and we’ve laughed really hard at the answers all weekend. 

Oh my Soren. 

We rocked out to Pete Yorn life on a chain on way to school. 

“I was waiting over here, for life to begin. Always looking for the new thing. And you are the sunshine in my front line, always just arohnd the corner from me.” 

He really lights up my life in an indescribable way. 

Happy Birthday Soren! 

Aaron and I interviewed him during lunch: 

What Makes You Happy? Playing my cello, drawing, being with our family or my friends 

What Makes You Sad? When I get hurt

What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do? Draw, write comics

What Is Your Favorite Food? Rice/haystacks

What Do You Like to Learn About? Science is cool, math is interesting. Animals are cool, especially weird ones. I like to learn how to make things 

What's Your Favorite Subject in School?

Who's Your Best Friend? Corbin

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up? No idea! 

Where Would You Like to Travel? New Zealand to see a rock hopper penguin. My favorite animal is the king penguin but the only live in the arctic and I’d rather go to New Zealand 

What's Your Favorite Place to Be? Home. Anywhere really. I like to be with family.

What Would You Buy Right Now If You Could? A passport 

What's Your Favorite Show to Binge? Star Wars movies

First Day of School 2024

We have a senior, a sophomore, a 6th grader at the middle school, a 4th grader, and two 3rd graders! 

The night before school started I crept outside and painted Quincy’s car. It wasn’t great since it was midnight and I only had a flashlight, but I put a cello and little music notes, hearts and stars, seniors, class of 2025, and the ignite lightbulb on there. She was so surprised in the morning. I also ran to Walmart and picked up pink donuts and strawberry milk for the kids. It was a pretty chill morning! 

Quincy’s Senior Sunrise

Attracts a crowd

A typical day at our house involves a half dozen teens coming in and out to hang out with Corbin or Quincy. I try to have snacks and good music available, and give haircut or solid mother-advice to anyone who asks. It’s important to Aaron and I that our home is welcoming and that our children are inclusive friends. My

Mom always advised me, “your circle can ALWAYS get bigger” and she was so right. I tell my teens the same thing. Social groups are called “circles” because they don’t have edges or walls to keep people out. Circles can always expand.  And so we often have a gathering of young people who congregate throughout our home and I think/hope they all feel welcome and loved here.

The other night, kasey, Brendan and Laura were over here when a group of Corbin’s buddies stopped by to grab basketball shoes or something. All those youth gravitated to Brendan with magnetic force and they kept on coming. It was such a touching moment to see all these youth love their bishop so much that they just want to be around him on a Saturday night. They told stories and talked sports, school, pop culture, Olympics, and everything in between. Every kid there felt super important. As a mother, it means everything to me that my kids have such great and approachable role models in their lives to encourage them, counsel them, and always point their paths toward the Savior.