Wrapping up 2023
On the 26th Corwin and Lynette Lewis took us to see the play: Savior of the World. We were so moved. How I love our Savior, Jesus Christ and desire to stand as a witness of His love at all times and in all things and in all places. My appreciation for Mary and Joseph and the early disciples was also heightened. We are His disciples in these last days and look forward to His return to the earth in glory to rule and reign as King of all Kings!
Ty (23) Attended BYU-Idaho and dated a lot. He was ordained an Elder in April. Took a summer job in Washington and made good money as a pest control technician. He drove a company van and enjoyed the laid back work, visiting with customers every day. We had several lovely, long telephone conversations. Ty had his wisdom teeth removed this year and stayed with us for a few weeks between work and school. He’s really applying himself these days and has perfect grades. Ty likes to play video games with the younger siblings, most recently: Roblox and Bee Swarm Simulator. They all adore their older brother.
Kaden (21) Started the year out selling solar, but didn’t do as well as he had back in 2021. He decided to join Ty as a Pest control technician in Washington and did very well. Yellow Jackets fear him! Haha. He likes to visit his dad and friends in Alaska and made a few trips this year. He’s got his first semester of college under his belt now, studying Cyber security. He and Ty went on a fun river rafting trip with their company in July. We got to see him at Thanksgiving.
Nephi (18) Also started the year out selling solar and decided it wasn't for him. He moved back to Montana and lived with a wonderful family that employed him in construction and encouraged him in living the gospel. He graduated from seminary at the end of May. Attended FSY in Missoula in July. He has a good friend group in Montana that he hikes with, works out with, plays ultimate frisbee with, etc. He helped us move our belongings out of storage in Montana and into our new place in August, then stayed for Education Week at BYU. Nephi sold his little old, red Mazda truck "T-Rex", and bought a sleek Toyota Camry. He's obsessed with chess, challenging anyone who will sit down with him. He has an eye for detail and has become quite skilled in finished carpentry. He had his wisdom teeth removed as part of his mission prep, but has taken a detour and decided to join the Montana Army National Guard. He’ll start Basic Training in Fort Moore, Georgia next month. He proposed to his darling girlfriend, Janis, just before Christmas. Stay tuned for a wedding date. We all love her and look forward to having her join our family.
Abish (16) Has her driver’s permit and takes advantage of every opportunity to drive! She was in track this spring and really pushed herself, taking 3rd place in the mile at the final and biggest meet. She was on swim team this summer for the first time and did very well. She enjoyed taking art classes, seminary, attending FSY, Girls Camp, and Youth Conference. She was happy to see friends in Montana at the end of July when she went to help move our belongings out of storage and bring them to our own new (rental) house in Orem! She went from sharing a basement bedroom with 2-3 brothers at a time, to her own upstairs room with a view. :) She started karate at the beginning of the year - something she has dreamed about for years! - and is steadily advancing. She also decided to enroll in her school of choice and having set her hand to the plow, never looked back. Going from a relaxed homeschool environment, to an intense early college high school was a huge adjustment, but she pulled it off!
She never misses a temple trip or a dance. :) She takes time to read to her little brothers and snuggle her favorite sister. Abish spoke in sacrament in our new ward and wasn’t the least bit nervous. She said she enjoyed it!
Jared (14) Enlisted in Civil Air Patrol (CAP) a branch of the United States Air Force, with the intention of acquiring his pilot’s license as soon as possible. He’s had the opportunity to fly once so far. They meet every week and the program is excellent. I feel like it’s a good substitute for the scouting program. Jared was so disappointed that he couldn’t do all the fun scouting activities that his older brothers did, but CAP has filled in nicely and he’s happy. Jared played on a soccer team for the first time this year and was on swim team as well. He attended Youth Conference, High Adventure, and FSY this summer. Also went with Ben on the trip to Montana in August to help with the move. He loves having his own room (mostly - Elijah does sleep in that room) and study area. He started an online school and enjoys it very much, especially his percussion class (he plays the glockenspiel) and musical theater which he does in-person once a week. He landed the role of Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins and will be performing in March. His grades are outstanding. Jared has a lot of ideas about how to run the household more efficiently, and I’m happy to have his help. He does his chores very well and is home in the early afternoon while Elijah and Pearl are napping so that I can run errands before picking the 3 boys up after school. Jared honors his Priesthood and is a joy to raise. He loves planes.
Daniel (11) Mastered the splits and a back walkover this year. He attended gymnastics once a week for a few months and practiced a lot at home. We’re hoping to find a good place for him to level up soon. Daniel didn’t want to leave the Whitney’s house and the close association with his cousins, but he has to admit that his new bedroom is a nice upgrade from sleeping under the stairs, (his choice!) Haha. He was on the swim team this summer and is making small improvements with his allergies and asthma. He started 6th grade at Franklin Discovery Academy in Vineyard and got to go on a very special class field trip: the Mighty 5, visiting 5 Utah National Parks in 5 days. It was a growing experience for him, he’d never been away from home and family for that long. Daniel is following Ty as a bookworm. He’s doing very well in school and as always is beloved by nearly every adult. Daniel is also a very good brother to Noah, giving him lots of hugs and snuggles, which are as important to Noah as food and water. He’s excited to enter Young Men’s next week and be able to do baptisms at the Orem Temple.
Nathan (9) 4th grade. His first time being in public school, since a few months of Kindergarten at LoneRock in Montana. He LOVES this charter school. It’s very hands-on, curiosity led, with wonderful teachers and mentors. Long recesses and no homework. His teachers report that he is quiet and respectful and is doing very well academically. He’s an excellent reader and loves to read out loud during family scripture reading. He’s made some good friends (girls and boys) and likes to initiate get-togethers. The class I’ve seen the most growth in is choir. He has always loved to sing, and to my absolute amazement, Nathan has learned to carry a tune! He and Daniel learned a song for their choir concert that has become my new favorite: “The water is wide. I cannot cross o’er. Neither have I the wings to fly. Build me a boat that can carry two, and we shall row, both I and You.” I love hearing them sing in harmony and I appreciate their wonderful teacher and the songs he selects.
Nathan played soccer and took swimming lessons this year. He loves to ride his bike and play board games.
Noah (6) Has brought the “Golden Student” award home from Kindergarten a few times now. His teachers report that he’s a good friend to other children, especially the ones that can be difficult to get along with. That makes me so happy! He’s a delightful boy, full of energy, enthusiasm, and excitement. He’ll try anything and will absolutely get into trouble if not constantly supervised and given lots of hugs. He likes to color, draw, paint and make crafts. He jumps on the trampoline and does flips on the couch. He loves to play with his brothers and baby sister. He enjoyed playing soccer this fall and made wonderful advancements in swimming lessons. He asks to be in swimming all the time. He learned to ride a bike while we lived with the Whitney’s and a kind neighbor let him borrow a bike just his size. Noah is a friend to everyone. He loves to get together with his cousin, Braylon, and play football at the park with the older boys Braylon rounds up. Nathan expressed interest in preparing for a spelling bee, so we’ve been quizzing everyone at home. Noah has surprisingly been holding his own! Well, maybe it shouldn’t surprise us, he is Noah Webster (Lewis) after all.
Elijah (3) Definitely has the spiritual gift of bringing people together. By nature he is inclusive, gentle, obedient, and cautious. He’s such a sweet little love bug. Wakes up with the sun. He’s graduated to a toddler bed and potty trained very quickly once the big kids went to school and he got a little more of my attention. He loves to be read to, always asking for “one more book”. Plays by himself very well, with an active imagination. Loves Paw Patrol and Thomas the Tank Engine. Reading him stories about children learning to be obedient, or honest, has been super helpful. He relates so well. He loves going to nursery, especially in our new ward where they welcome the children by sitting in a circle and singing songs accompanied by their teacher on a guitar. He was scared to death of swimming lessons, but did get into the water and participate a little each time. He can put together a new 24 piece puzzle in just a few minutes. His gift of recall is incredible. He notices when you deviate in the slightest from his favorite books and has a wide vocabulary. He can frequently be heard singing the ABC’s. He fiercely defends his beloved “Noah-Boy” against any perceived injustice. If Nathan and Noah are fighting; it’s Nathan’s fault! Haha. He loves his Papa and is so happy to see him come through the door each evening.
Pearl (1) is working toward becoming a dental hygienist. J/k She’s constantly sticking her fingers in people’s mouths. She’s musically inclined and likes to sing along and wave her arm to conduct. A speedy crawler, there’s no room she has left unexplored. A very picky eater, with three teeth, she gets most of her sustenance from nursing. You’ve got to WORK for a laugh from this girl, unless you’re a dog. Throwing food off her tray to Daisy is her favorite pastime, and about the only time we get to hear her belly laugh. Pearl goes to sleep in her crib so easily, as long as she has her favorite blankie, from Kaye Whitney, which we’ve nicknamed “Fuzzy”. She took to swimming lessons like a fish and loves her bathtime. She seems to be striving to beat her own record at crawling up and down the stairs. She sits down at the top and surveys how far she’s come with a look of immense pleasure at her accomplishment. Then she scoots back down to try it again. Needless to say, we all adore her. She'll give you the stiff arm though if you go overboard on hugs and kisses. She took her first steps a couple of days ago - toward Grandpa. :)
Ben and I are SO thankful for each of these precious children. Our love for each other and our faith and trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ, has grown immeasurably through the adventures of family life. We’re so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost to guide our path. We're thankful for our dear friends who bring such joy to our lives. We're thankful for the Whitney's who welcomed us into their home in October of 2022 and let us stay as long as we needed. We’re thankful to be in our own house again, and to have Ben’s dad living with us as well. He moved in at the beginning of October, and has been such a blessing to our family. He loves each one of his children and grandchildren and emanates a humble faith and deep spirituality.
A few highlights from the year: Volunteering at the traveling Tabernacle, attending the open house for the Saratoga Springs temple with the Owen Family, and the Orem Temple open house with Hyrum, Nephi and Janis. Having the Anderson’s stay with us during Education Week as well as Caitlyn and Kimber Jensen. Speaking in Church twice - in 2 new wards. Hopefully now we're HOME for a few years at least. Juicing grapes and laying sod with our new landlord. Harvesting apples from the backyard. A visit from Caleb and Kim's family, attending birthday parties with the Bakers and Whitneys, getting together with extended family at Arlene’s office. Cousin Brendon’s homecoming and Kimberly’s farewell. Grandma and Grandpa Baker visiting for Thanksgiving. Kindness from secret Santas at Christmas. A living Church led by our Savior Jesus Christ. Health, growth, and the guiding, comforting influence of the Holy Ghost.
