BRUH- Tucker is 12!

​Can you even believe it? Tucker is 12!

It feels like yesterday he was my little train- loving two year old. Time is a mean thief. 

But Tucker is an awesome kid. He works so hard and is so tender. He’s artistic and creative. He loves to bike and play pickleball. He loves lego and drawing. He is a great student and every teacher’s dream. We are so grateful for him and we had a great time celebrating his birthday. We kept it small this year with just a family party but I did set up a little table of his favorite snacks and drinks  and I picked him up from school by blasting the “Happy Birthday” song and stuffing my van full of balloons. He loved it all and told me it was his best birthday ever!

Chris was also able to take him out to lunch on his birthday. Tucker loved eating ramen with him.

Because currently, every other word out of Tucker’s mouth is “bruh”- this birthday theme seemed appropriate. 

So I don’t know how we can possible top that next year- but I’m glad he felt so loved. Happy birthday Tucker-boy!

Life and whatnot

​I just thought it was time for a quick life update on normal stuff. 

Don and Deveney were able to stay after the promotion ceremony and spend some time with us. We enjoyed having them here even if life was a bit crazy. I’m still in school and Chris was able to take a day off work, but not the whole week. It wasn’t their most exciting trip, but we just enjoyed having them here. The little boys really enjoyed getting to have lunch with Mimi and Grandpa while they were here. 

Tucker had a camp out recently with his deacons quorum and had so much fun. He came home completely filthy and exhausted so I think those are hallmarks of a good time. 

We’ve also been enjoyed time at the temple- together and with friends. 

 

High school band is about to start back up and so we are preparing ourselves for that mayhem.

school is winding down with only a month left. We are so excited. 

Mostly, we are healthy and happy. 

Major Herb Reporting for Duty

​Yesterday we drove down to Little Rock to attend Chris’ promotion ceremony at Camp Robinson. Nanny, Papa and Aunt Laura also drove down to meet us there, and Don and Deveney flew in from Oregon. It was so fun to have everyone together to celebrate my hard working husband. 

The ceremony was pretty short but so sweet. One of the public affair officers read a short bio about Chris’ military service and it reminded me how long and hard he has worked. His military serves has spanned more than two decades, beginning as an enlisted soldier and culminating in his current role as commander of the 119th MPAD. His service includes a deployment in support of operation Iraqi Freedom and command of the 875h Engineer Battalion support company. He has completed multiple trainings and attended school at Fort Lee on two different  occasions. This promotion was a long time coming and I’m so proud of my man. 

During his speech, he acknowledged and thanked me for all the hard work and sacrifice that happens at home while he is away and it had me reflecting on the many years of annual trainings and weekend drills- especially when are kids were little. It was hard. But we did it. And I’m so proud of us but mostly him! 

Chris deserves all the acknowledgment and respect and I’m so glad we had this day to celebrate him with our loved ones. 

Holy Week and Easter

​We got home from Spring break just in time for our Stake’s “Holy Week Walk” event. I had been helping put this event together and I didn’t want to miss it. It was the perfect way for us to kick off “Holy Week” leading up to Easter. 

This even focus on the last week of the Savior’s life and it was so cool. Each room was designed and decorated to depict one day in the last week. I was asked to decorate the room for the last supper and the garden of gethsemane. 

Once we had the whole church decorated and setup, people walked through in groups to hear a beautifully written program and enjoy the rooms meant to depict each day. It really was incredible. I was grateful to get to be part of it. I didn’t get pictures of all the rooms, but I was so impressed with how well it all came together. I hope I can be a part of it again next year. 

We made some time during the week to color eggs and then we drove to Mtn. Home for Easter weekend. 

We ended up having our Passover feast in Mtn. Home with all the family that was there. This year, to make it more accessible, we decided to have our feast at the kitchen table. It’s getting really hard for Papa to sit on the ground. This was much easier. The food was amazing and the script helped us focus on the reason for Easter. 

Also, focusing our thoughts this year, we had General Conference on Easter Sunday. So that was the perfect way to keep our thoughts on the Savior. Conference was wonderful. We got to sustain our new prophet, Dallin H. Oaks and the spirit was definitely felt. It was a much needed reprieve from the craziness of life.

Since it was conference, we had to have our traditional cinnamon rolls. But this year- Papa made them, with some help- and they were “PAPA ROLLS”. They were massive and delicious. He did a great job. 

I also made our favorite conference charcuterie. 

That afternoon the kids had a little egg hunt and peep taste test. 

Oh and since Nanny’s birthday was the following day, we had a little birthday celebration for her too. We felt so lucky that we were able to celebrate so many happy things together. 

This Easter I’m feeling very grateful for the blessings of the resurrection. The fact that I can be with my family for eternity is something that will never stop being incredible. Mortality is hard, but it’s not forever. Someday, we will be perfected and live together forever. The more my Dad’s Parkinson’s progresses, the more precious that promise is to me. I find comfort knowing that this time is fleeting and someday, he will be whole and well again, forever. As will we all. Because of Jesus Christ, this is possible. Hallelujah!

Happy Easter!