Valentines

 Stephen I don’t normally celebrate Valentine’s Day, but this year I made cookies with Blair and Stephen got me flowers. We went to Les Mis at UNM pope joy hall and then to see Jim gaffagin on Saturday night.  Both shows we saw with Craig and Blair. We had a blast both nights. I love Stephen and even though things aren’t perfect, I love what we have together. It is truly beautiful. 

Celebrating Edward's 16th Birthday

 Today, my sweet Edward turns 16! I love him.  These last 16 years have just flown by quickly! Edward is so incredible.  He loves all things airsoft, so naturally, he had all his friends join him for airsoft on Saturday.  He has been going to airsoft every other Saturday for the last year and enjoying it.  He was finally able to get Titus, his best friend, to join him.  Stephen and I drove up and brought pizza, soda, and cookies.  It was a cold, wet, and snowy day.  

For Edward's birthday, I took him to his therapy appointment then we stopped and picked up an ice cream cake and sushi.  Edward opened his gifts which were all pieces for his airsoft gun.  Edward is still interested in flying and joining the military when he is 18.  He doesn't really enjoy school so I can see him taking a break from it when he graduates in two years.  I adore my sweet Edward and I love his calm demeanor.  He is kind and quiet.  

 

Still just a boy

 Edward loves to play outside when we go over to my dad’s house. This week my dad took these photos of Edward’s war set up. He uses my dad’s tools to create war zones. It is just adorable. I love his creativity and hidden fun side. 

Projects on top of projects

 I made it a goal this year to complete some of my projects I have been putting off. I mostly get things done, but then lazy Julie takes over and I push aside hard and expensive tasks. I hired a roofer to repair the roof and a drywall patcher to fix the hole in our front porch ceiling. My sprinklers broke and I needed to order new parts. The new parts arrived but it was freezing outside so I waited until it was warm enough to touch water. Ha! Stephen, Edward, and my dad spent the day fixing the sprinklers only to find a bigger leak. Stephen dug out the entire sprinkler box in two hours. Thankfully, while digging them out, he found an emergency shut off valve! Just like the one I installed in January! We turned back on our house water while we tried to figure out what to do. After four days of working outside, we finally got everything put back together. Phew. Just in time for warmer weather. 

The boys

 Edward and Nolen have a great group of boys as friends at church. Two of them are moving in May and things will be a lot different when they’re gone. They all jumped on the couch on Sunday and brother Moses snapped a photo! 

Stephen and I tried our hand at making sourdough bread this last week. We have made six loaves and I’ve basically eaten them all myself! 

Nolen has officially had his braces on for a year. He still hates them but his teeth are looking good. I hope he gets them off in august just before he starts high school. 

We had a fun black light volleyball game for our youth activity on Tuesday! I think the kids really enjoyed it. I have loved being the young women’s president in the Taylor ranch ward for the last two years.