Luca is DONE with braces

Last night, my darling Luca (no longer Chewkie) had her last night stuck in her braces. For the last 6 months these expensive pieces of specially-molded-plastic have helped heal and retrain her feet and ankles. I am in constant awe at how well she endured walking awkwardly and sleeping even more awkwardly. Her grit, patience, and pluck have left me inspired on so many occasions over the last 7 months (first month, remember she was in casts) and now she is done. She is healed. She is back to her bubbly, hoppy little self and while I will forever be grateful for the hand of the Lord that was manifest in the timing of this endeavor, I am also thankful to be done. Luca is thankful to be done. Everyone is thankful for her to be done. 

The other night, she was sleepwalking and all Matthew and I heard was the sound of clacking. I was so asleep that I had no idea what was going on. Matthew, however, knew and went and put our wandering child back to bed. No more clacking, no more hot and "rotting feet", no more accidentally stepping on and hurting others toes and no more having to pack these things when we go on vacation. Hallelujah. 
 

Birthday Boy

I now have a 9-year old son who is loving his new independence walking to the mailbox on his own. I love how much he still wants to be obedient and the thought of overextending his privilege without parental consent never enters his mind. It doesn't. I asked. 

For his birthday he got legos and A LOT of Gravitrax to add to his collection. It was Matthew's first real experience with them and the three of us quickly fell in love. Today we had a competition to make the best (aka takes the longest) track. It was a lot of fun working togehter, giving Dude some much adored quality time.

Yesterday, after a birthday present treasure hunt (complete with rhyming clues) we had a yummy breakfast, played with his new toy and then it was off to a local waterpark. The park was not at all crowded and everyone enjoyed themselves, though Matthew was having some kidney issues that had him sitting on the side for part of the time.

After Wings and Waves Waterpark we went to Chipotle by way of a cute river ferry for an early dinner before showers and family movie night. 

I asked Dude if he would've changed anything about the day. "No," he said. He never claimed it was the best day ever but he also never once complained. A great day celebrating my sweet boy.

I love him. I love his mind, I love his efforts to be good albeit in his own unique way. I love that he wants to share what he has learned with his sister. I love that he has learned how to save up for what he wants and works hard to earn his money. But mostly I love his love for his family.

Covid Vaccine and Tender Mercies

I got my second Covid vaccine yesterday. After hearing differing experiences from others I knew I would probably be sick but wasn't quite sure what to expect.

This morning, after somehow making it through seminary (sitting virtually the entire time) I spent the rest of the day on the couch. I could not muster up enough energy to do much of anything else.

Matthew was sick with his own issues so when Luca came home from school with three awards I took it as a a tender mercy from a loving Heavenly Father that we should get takeout to celebrate our darling daughter and her efforts to be a good girl at school.

Update to add: I was only sick the one day. The next day I was right as rain and brought my seminary students doughnuts to prove it. They decided I should get the vaccine all the time.

College Girlfriends

I love this group of women who have meant so much to me over the last 20+ years. I think I say it every time we get together but it's amazing how so many of my college insecurities come out with them, even all of these years later. I can be fully functional, confident 41-year old Sara at home, but around them I somehow revert back to my 20-year old self who just doesn't feel enough. 

This time, maybe because it was just the five of us I felt prompted to be vulnerable and share my insecurities being around them. I thanked them for their love and expressed what I love most about each of them. After I shared other vulnerabilities were shared and there was so much love in the room that it became a truly sacred space. When we went to dinner we all felt emotionally spent. 

It's amazing how we all feel like we were led to be together in college, through our most introverted, loving roommate. Heavenly Father knew we needed each other in college but He especially knew we would need each other so much more now. So between tears, giggling, and lots of hugs, I felt ready to be a mom, wife, and daughter of God after a very inspired weekend with these lovely ladies.