London Turns 13

 

Happy Birthday Sweet London.

You are officially a teenager. A few things that I have seen about you this last year. You have really grown in your ability to self-motivate to do the things you know you should do. You are awesome at cleaning your room. You’re awesome at being self-leading with our weekly Sunday night overhaul. You are really good at knowing what to do and following through on them. And honestly, it's a big skill.

You have a natural leadership to you, and although you can still be sometimes very sassy and very intense in your emotions, I can see how your mind and brain are developing to be able to self-direct earlier and faster. You are a phenomenal helper, and when you want to, you can really be so self-motivated. Sometimes we come home, and you've completely cleaned the house all on your own. That, as always, it does have to be your own idea. You can never be told what to do.

You've really gotten into doing your hair more this year. You've loved to wear it down instead of always in a ponytail, which is really fun. You've gotten into fashion this year, wanting to still be comfortable but still be cute. You've also really embraced a full year in your women’s camp and loving being part of young women's camp. And just the older activities.

 As always, you still adore babies, and the biggest thing that you love more than anything else at church is being able to hold baby Arthur. You still have this sweet, sweet caregiving ability to you, which is so awesome. Your cooking skills continue to improve, and you are constantly trying new things in the kitchen. Some fail, some are big ones, but you have this really awesome ability to want to continue to grow, which is so great. You continue to grow as a friend, being willing to try new things even though it's really hard on you. I'm really grateful for it.

You are such a jokester, constantly making us laugh. I continue to have repeated confirmations of how vital you are to our family and how hell, if Father really specifically put you in our family to round us out, you and Sydney are very opposite but at the same time really helped each other grow.

You helped me and Dad grow, and I'm really grateful for you. I love you, and I'm so grateful that you are part of our family. I love you, sweet girl

love mom.

Love, Mom.

January 2026

 

January 2026 Family Highlights

January was really good. And also, I am very ready to turn the page.

We started the year with family, which felt grounding in the best way. Tyson’s parents stayed with us through January 3rd, and it was honestly such a sweet way to enter a new year. Slow mornings, shared meals, and the comfort that comes from having people you love under the same roof. Tyson and his dad even spent time reviving the snowblower, which now feels like a very official declaration that we are prepared for winter. There is something deeply satisfying about that.

We also did indoor skydiving with them, which was wildly fun and slightly surreal. Not something I ever pictured doing with grandparents, but it turned out to be one of those memories that feels both unexpected and perfect.

One of my favorite new rhythms this month has been Saturday morning ice skating lessons for the girls. They are learning real skills and gaining confidence in a way that is so fun to watch. Ice skating was never something I felt good at, so seeing my kids glide and try and fall and get back up feels oddly healing. I love watching them become brave at things I once avoided.

Mid January we escaped to our Silverthorne cabin for four days, and it felt like a true reset. We saw the ice castles, went tubing at Copper Mountain, wandered around town, and soaked up that cozy ski town feeling. This was also Kingston’s very first vacation with us. We got him a new coat and he absolutely loved the snow. Watching him play and explore was pure joy.

That said, he also struggled. New place, new routines, and lots of tummy issues made the nights harder than expected. During the day he was a champ. No accidents, happy to visit new places, curious and playful. It was a reminder that growth often looks like progress mixed with mess, especially with puppies.

One of the biggest things this month was Tyson’s PFO surgery. The surgery itself went well, which we are incredibly grateful for. The recovery was tougher than we anticipated, and there were moments where it felt heavier than we were prepared for. But now, nine days out, he is sleeping better, has more energy, and feels more like himself again. That alone makes everything feel lighter.

So overall, January was full. Full of family, learning, snow, firsts, challenges, and relief. It was a good month, and I am thankful for it. I am also ready for warmer weather, a little more ease, and whatever February brings. Hope feels closer now, and that feels like the right way to step forward.