Family Update

So, I'm not so good a blogging anymore. In fact, the last activity I have on here is a draft from a year ago. Glad it wasn't posted, as it was a committment to write more. Whoops. 

Now that it's out there that I'm not doing well, let's throw perfection out the window and aim for the occasional update. 

Here is a quick family review:

Jason of all trades is always busy learning a new skill or exploring a new hobby. Lately he has been becoming quite the wood artist and learning how to make bowls and utensils on a wood lathe. He checked out the Wood Turners club here and enjoyed being surrounded by men with great talent and a willingness to share their skills and equipment. He was entertained by being the youngest person in attendance by at least 20 years.  Jason made a huge change in our house by making and installing a beautiful hardwood floor in our kitchen and dining room. We were NOT sad to see the outdated linoleum go. It’s quarter sawn oak which we stained dark walnut. It looks fantastic with the crown molding and shelves he built for me. We are still working on that space but I’m blown away with all the updates Jason has done. He’s now working on a kitchen table. It’s too nice to eat on.

Jason’s other recent interest is trapping. I seriously married a mountain man (who really loves sports). Speaking of mountain men, have you seen his beard?? First he said it was for no shave November. Then he said he needs to grow it to protect his face for snowmobiling season. We’ll see. I’m pro beard but we might need to draw the line somewhere. Like above the collarbone.

Mason’s favorite part of school is riding the bus. And chasing the bus. Apparently that’s the new cool thing for second graders. DON’T wait nicely at the bus stop but instead wait far away at the end of the street and then dash like mad to try to get to the stop before you get left. The other day he told me his shoe came off in the shoe and he almost missed the bus! Mason will soon be done with speech therapy. He said he’ll miss it but I think he means he will miss the treats. He is doing much better in math. Spanish is coming slowly but we encourage him to speak Spanish when he can, so I suppose I can’t be upset when he calls us funny insults in Español. Mason was asked to speak in primary at church about Christ-like love. He was having a hard time knowing what to say. I told him to try thinking of someone he knows that follows Jesus’ example. He picked his uncle Joe and gave such a tender talk about helping others. We love that Mason is such a reader. I adore finding him with his nose in a book or when he reads to his brothers. Mason’s typical attire is soft athletic pants, a t-shirt, a hoodie, and inside out socks and shoes two sizes too big. He is very sensitive to how thing feel and how people feel. It can be trying but we are proud and how he’s found ways to adapt and overcome. I’m especially happy that he is recently into hugs.  Moms always need hugs. Mason still misses his best friend Jaxon and talks about him often. Mason is enjoys writing and illustrating short books. They always entertain. The latest is titled “Happy Death Day”. It’s funny, I swear…

Eli, who we call the Sunshine Boy, has shown us there are many emotions that are just as strong and blinding. He feels things strongly and sometimes they are not so sunny. We are still trying to get red permanent marker off the furniture, clothing, bedding, books and CD player in the boys' room if anyone has any suggestions. He is strong willed and funny. He is always cracking us up with his goofy dancing, exuberant retellings, and crazy antics. Eli is part of an online preschool, which he loved, and now hates.  We had his speech assessed recently. His missing sounds are pretty age appropriate and if he slows down a bit it really helps us comprehend what he’s so excited about. He is always eager to join one of his brothers in some game or project. We love when he sits at the piano and fiddles around. He makes such beautiful music. He is a total champ at brushing his teeth. Eli is very excited his birthday is coming up soon. Lately he doesn’t play with friends but then again he has his brothers….

Sam the Sweet seems to be arrested in time. My wish for a two year old forever seems to have come true. I’m sure a big growth spurt is around the corner but he still fits into many 24mo/2T clothes. I’ve kept him young, and need to help him become more independent. Apparently I forgot to tell him “No” for the first three years of his life. Now at 3.25 years old he has to come to terms that he’s not really the boss.  He is the champion of “The Flop” which is just what it sounds like. When he is unhappy he will flop in the doorway, in the hall at church, at the entrance to a store, off a couch, or in the middle of the street. And he won’t budge until we physically pick him up. It has lead to some rather awkward and dangerous moments. Man, he is powerful. He is also very sweet. I love hearing his stories (although our latest endeavor is to encourage him to fully pronounce each word with beginning and ending sounds). Sam will play for hours with two of anything. I mean ANYTHING. Two cars, two rocks, two puzzle pieces, or even a chunk of cheese. He slips into his imaginary world. We marvel at how he can play for so long, quietly talking to his invisible friends. His chuckle is so sweet and happy. I think it is one of the best sounds in the whole world…

I started another job in addition to SkyWest Airlines. I am the Guest Services Coordinator for the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Once again, I have found a job I absolutely love. I am surrounded by brilliant and passionate people. My position is to help groups plan their visit. Tickets and tourism. Just my thing. We have been so lucky to find some great places for the kids to be while I work part time. I am amused on the days where I work both jobs. I quickly change from my airport uniform, where I basically look like a mechanic, into nicer dress clothes and shoes. I laugh at myself as I catch myself walking differently depending on the clothes.  We aren’t left with much leisure time but my list of places to go and things to discover gets longer every day. This summer I went to Istanbul to travel with Lindsey. That trip will hold me over for a while.

In other family news we have a sweet and fun girl staying with us. She is a student at SUU and we’ve been so lucky to have her. She is a great fit for our family and I feel like we are better humans because she is here.

Our prayers now include two specific missionaries as Jason’s little sister and my nephew are out in the field. This has been a year of babies for the Starr family. The boys love all their cousins. Jason’s parents stay busy with work and family. My parents apparently don’t know how to retire and are busier than ever with temple callings, church positions, and running the NAMI support group in our area.

We feel blessed to have goodly parents, healthy children, a roof over our heads, jobs that provide, and a religion that gives us purpose and support. It is always a good practice to sit down and summarize our lives. I’m astonished by the good life we have.  It’s not always easy or predictable, but even in the hard times we feel God’s love.