Wake Me Up When September Ends

Another month has gone by and to me it seemed to be very busy and also very long.  Hence, we used the song, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" as the title of this post.  You would think that because it was so busy, it would have gone by quickly.  Not this year.  There are reasons why it seemed to go by slowly.  Sleeping through the month might not have been a bad idea....  anyway, here are the "noteworthy" events from the Lloyds this last, long month....


Nathanael and Lindsay Ann celebrated their 1 year anniversary of becoming "a thing".  They have both been extremely busy with school, work, and wedding plans.  They also went up to Salt Lake to do bridal portraits before the beautiful flowers all got taken out after conference.  I helped Lindsay Ann with her hair and even though I am not even close to a professional-I don't think I did too badly.  I also got to go up with her, Nathanael, and her parents to help for the photo shoot.  I just really can't believe that my oldest son is getting married!  After the pictures, Lindsay's parents took me to dinner at a Mexican restaurant that I had never been to before. I love Mexican food and this little place did not disappoint.  It was a great day.

One of the reasons this month seemed so long was that this is the first month that Lindsay Kaye has been gone.  One down-17 to go.  She celebrated her birthday in the MTC and left for San Diego the next morning.  I was able to send her a package to arrive the same day that I sent it.  I packed a lot of her favorite treats in it-including cotton candy and a cupcake for her birthday.  She had asked for a new dress and I spent a lot of time looking for something that she would like that is missionary appropriate.  I think she liked it because she wore it the next day as she arrived in her mission.  I also sent her a cheap pink "Happy Birthday" tiara and sash that she could throw away.  They were kind of silly little things but I knew that she would appreciate the thought.  Lindsay Kaye called us early Tuesday morning from the airport and we were able to talk to her for a while.  It was such a treat to hear her voice- but it really made me miss her again.  She arrived safely in San Diego and then we had to wait another week to find out when her P-Day was and how she is adjusting.  She had had a wonderful experience at the MTC.  She and her companion were able to teach a young woman who has now chosen to be baptized.  Wow!  Lindsay is now living in Santee, CA and she and her companion work with a YSA ward.  There is a young woman in that ward that is deaf and needs some more friendship and interaction.  Lindsay feels that she is there to help this young woman.  It is just a testament to me that the Lord knows each of us individually and answers our prayers.  My favorite thing about Lindsay Kaye is her courage.  It took a lot of courage and faith for her to follow her impression to serve a mission.  It also took a lot of courage for her to do the things that she needed to do to get ready to serve.  She has recently said that going on a mission was the best decision she has ever made.

Ethan has been very busy with soccer, school, and work.  I have been able to go to a couple of  Ethan's games and have been amazed at how good he has become.  I really don't know where he gets his speed.  He is also working really hard in school and doing really well.  Work is good but also a bit frustrating to find a schedule that fits with all the other commitments he has.  This last month, he participated in a choir concert held on September 11th to honor those who lost their lives that day as well as those who survived.  It was pretty amazing and very touching.  I felt that Ethan was also moved by it.  He also was asked to the Sadie Hawkins dance and had a really great time.  The theme was "Around the World" and he and his date were Canada.  He then turned around and asked another young lady to Homecoming which is coming this next week and so will be in the blog next month.  Exciting!

Clarissa is doing well in school and has made the Fall musical and has been busy with rehearsals.  She has also just started voice lessons and seems to have improved quite a bit after only 2 weeks.  Clarissa and I were able to spend some quality time together the last couple of weeks and it has been fun to be able to hang out with just her.  Last week, my sister-in-law had extra tickets to the women's session of general conference.  Clarissa and I got to go up to the conference center for the meeting.  We found a great place to park that was free and our seats ended up being a lot closer than I have ever been.  The meeting was wonderful and some of the messages were things that I really needed to hear-especially later that night.  After it was over, Clarissa and I were starving and she wanted a burrito from a local taco fast food restaurant.  The weather was terrible and it poured and poured all the way home.  I was grateful to get off the freeway safely and we were almost to the taco place- which was also close to home.  I got in the left turn lane and waited for the vehicle with bright lights to  pass because it looked like there was a large gap after that vehicle before the next cars etc. came.  I watched the vehicle pass and then started to turn-right into another car!  I have been driving for 27 years and never even had a ticket.  I have never caused an accident.  In fact, because Ethan is a new driver, I have been extra careful about following all the rules and laws.  I could not figure out how I did not see him.  The young man got out and yelled at me and swore at me.  I apologized and asked if everyone was okay.  A few minutes later, he apologized to me and asked if I was okay.  The police came, the ambulance, a firetruck etc.  His car had to be towed but my van was still drivable.  I have gone over it and over it in my mind and cannot figure out how I did not see him.  I felt so stupid and frustrated because this is the last thing that we need right now.  However, as I have pondered it over and over and over again, I wonder if his lights were not on or dim.  Clarissa also felt like he did not have his lights on because she said that it was really dark around his car.  Unfortunately, I cannot prove that he did not have his lights on- but it can be proved that I hit him.  Boo.  At least no one was hurt and it was close to home- so Travis came to be with me as I was in shock.  I had a really difficult time finding my phone app to call him.  I feel a bit anxious still when I have to make a turn but I am determined not to let it cause me not to drive.  That is unrealistic.  As Travis tells me, I need to move on and reread the talks that really spoke to me that night.

Zachary is also playing soccer and loving it.  He is also playing flag football for the first time and is having a really good experience.  His coach is chill and lets everyone take turns at different positions etc. He even lost a tooth running down the field during a game! Because this is a new thing for Zac,  he is obsessed with all things football.  Nat taught him to play a football video game that now Zachary cannot get enough of and he got to go with his brothers and Dad to a BYU football game in Logan.  Even though his team lost, Zachary is always positive and still had a really good time.

One "moment of joy" that really stuck out to me this month was when Travis was teaching us the Family Home Evening lesson last week and we talked about doing better on our Sunday worship and keeping the Sabbath Day holy.  After we had discussed some things, Zachary shared with us that he was feeling very happy inside.  We explained to him that this was the Holy Ghost.  Since then, he has had a much better attitude about doing scriptures and prayer etc.  So even though this month has seemed to go by slowly, there have been some really wonderful things that have happened and I guess it would be good to be awake and not miss those important things...

Adjusting

Once again, it has been a couple of months since I have last posted.  There are some pretty big things that have happened in our home. Adjusting seems to be the theme right now.  Here are the noteworthy events that we are adjusting to in the Lloyd home...

Nathanael made some money in July by being a referee for a local soccer tournament.  He ended up having 19 games.  He worked really hard and earned a substantial amount of money. However, he ended up also being burnt to a crisp.  He told us that he was using sunscreen- but he must have not either put enough on or it just did not work as well.  Poor guy.  Nat moved back up to Logan and started his second year at Utah State.  He is adjusting to new roommates, a new schedule, and preparing to be married.

Our Lindsay Kaye finally received her mission call to the California, San Diego mission.  The last six weeks have been busy with getting her ready to go.  She reported to the MTC on August 30th.  We have received just one e-mail from her letting us know that she was getting settled and doing well.  We look forward to Thursday when she will be able to write again on her P-Day.  She gave a wonderful talk in church last Sunday and then we had family and a few friends come eat and visit.  It was a beautiful day.  The night before we took her to the MTC, she was set apart as a full-time missionary by our stake president and then we all went to dinner to Terra Mia.  I thought that I would be more composed this time around.  After all, I have already had a full-time missionary leave and return home.  Nope.  I cried when we dropped her off, I cried the next day, and the next day, and then Saturday night.  While she is certainly adjusting to being a new missionary, we are all adjusting to life at home without her.  Although I am missing her, she will be an amazing missionary and the people of California will be lucky to have her.

Ethan is adjusting to a new school year.  He is a Junior in high school this year.  He is figuring out how to get homework done, keep a small part-time job, and make time for friends.  Ethan also earned the rank of Eagle scout and we were able to hold a Court of Honor for him before Lindsay left on her mission.  We had about a week to pull everything together.  I was so grateful for so many friends and family that came to support him and helped us to get it all together.  It was a very stressful week, but well worth it.  I am so pleased that he was able to accomplish that goal.  He also finally got his driver's license!  It has been such a relief for me that he can drive himself to practices and work.  Yay!

Clarissa is adjusting to a new school year as well.  She is an eighth grader now in Junior high.  We also just moved her up into Lindsay's room-it has now become her room.  Clarissa was able to participate as a Wolf and Napkin in ACT's production of "Beauty and the Beast".  She really enjoyed doing it and continues to develop her talents in the arts.  That musical is my favorite.  It reminds me that we can all change for the better.  We can let go of pride and have compassion for others.  Clarissa also turned 13.  She is now an official teenager!  We were able to celebrate by having a late night with a few close friends.  My favorite thing about Clarissa is that she works really hard.  She works hard to develop her talents and she works really hard to become better in things that she struggles with. She is turning into such a wonderful young lady.  I can't believe that she is no longer one of my "littles".

Zachary is adjusting to a new school year-second grade.  On the first day of school, I asked him how it went and he told me that it went by too fast!  He had had a great time!  He is also adjusting to having his own room and having his big sister, Lindsay, gone.  Lindsay and Zac have always had such a sweet connection.  Even though he misses her, I hope that he also is influenced by her example to serve a mission.

There were so many "moments of joy".  One of them was going with Lindsay to receive her temple endowment.  She decided to go to the Payson temple and it was beautiful.  Another time was Ethan receiving his Eagle badge.  Another moment was just being together as a family-with Nat's fiancee, Lindsay, included.  I am so grateful for her sacrifice to come down for all these family events.  I would say that one of the biggest "moments of joy" was listening to Lindsay Kaye bear her testimony in church.  She is strong.  She is solid.  She is not afraid to stand up for what she believes.  She has grown up and become an amazing woman.


In the last 10 days of August, our family celebrated 2 birthdays, attended 2 bridal showers, 4 started a new school year, pulled together and held an Eagle Court of Honor for Ethan, listened to Lindsay speak in church and have family over to eat and visit, and sent her off to serve her mission.  Needless to say, I am exhausted.  However, there is no way that I could have done this myself.  I am so very grateful for all the friends and family who have helped us and supported us.  I pray that they will each be blessed for their service.

My favorite thing about Lindsay Ann is that she has true humility.  She is confident in who she is and yet is not afraid to ask for the opinion and counsel of others.

Even though adjusting is hard for me, I know that I have family and friends who are here to help.  I also know that I have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who love me and will help me as well.

Cathy

Fast and Slow

The month of June went by way too fast!  I had looked forward to the activities for months and then it seemed to just fly by.  However, there were some things in June that were just way too slow...


Nathanael and Lindsay Ann started making plans for their special day.  They have already been engaged for about 6 weeks now.  I am sure that for them, this process is slow.  I had asked Nathanael to put a couple of wardrobes together while he is home that have been waiting to get done for a few years.  He enlisted the help of  Ethan and they were able to get it done so quickly!  I was so very excited!

Lindsay Kaye continues to work and to attend Institute class.  She has been taking a class on The Book of Mormon and another about Joseph Smith.  She has also attended the temple many times to continue to prepare for her mission.  We thought that we had things all squared away and her papers were in and we waited and waited and waited and waited for her call.  There was a little question about medication that had to be fixed and we thought it would come- but we continued to wait.  It was very slow.  I know that there is a reason, it just was soooo slow.  Good news though-her call finally did come!  That is a story for another day!!!

Ethan had a very busy June which made it go by very quickly for him.  He went to scout camp at Death Hollow.  They returned home a day earlier than expected.  He said that some of the things that they saw were absolutely amazing.  The next week he had youth conference.  It was just a couple of days and the theme was "My Own Sacred Grove".  Speakers had been invited to come and Ethan was really touched by what they had to say.  He was grateful that he got to go and really enjoyed that conference.  He also started Driver's Education and is almost done with all of his hours.  Ethan is very close to getting his license.  He also got everything turned in for earning the Eagle rank in scouting.  We just now need to wait for the next Eagle Board of Review.  So all the activities that he has participated in this month have made things go very quickly for him- but waiting for the driving to be done and the board of review seem to be slow.

Clarissa got to attend girls camp for the first time this year.  She felt that the time at camp went by very quickly-  but also it was a little slow because she was anxious to see if Lindsay received her mission call.  At girls camp, Clarissa was able to try new things such as canoeing, zip-lining, and a little obstacle course.  She enjoyed getting to know the girls and leaders in our ward better.

Zachary felt like the month went way too slow until our vacation-then it went by way too fast!  He had his very first late night where he invited a few friends to come watch a movie, play games, and get in the hot tub.  He felt like he was one of the big kids!  Honestly though, this was the first time in 20 years that I have not had to take a stroller on vacation.  He handled himself like a big kid and did really well.  He did not like the fast rides- but he was brave and at least tried them.  I can't believe how fast he is growing up!!

So the big thing this month was our vacation to California.  It seemed like it would never come and then the week went by way too fast.  This was probably our last vacation as the Lloyd family as we know it.  Our vacation was really fun for me and I felt bad coming home.  I had looked forward to it for such a long time and now it was over.  I know that there are a lot of great things coming up, I just really enjoyed being on vacation.


Some of the highlights from our vacation were that first morning was Father's Day. We got up early and made it to church in St. George.  While we were waiting for sacrament meeting to start, a brother asked my boys if either of them was a Priest.  Ethan told him that he was and Nat told him that he was an Elder.  This brother asked for their help.  They stood side by side at the sacrament table and one blessed the bread and the other blessed the water.  It was such a joy to see them in their white shirts blessing the sacrament together.  What a delightful Father's Day.  It also was our 23rd wedding anniversary and I am so lucky to have such a handsome and wonderful husband and father to our children.  Another highlight was Tuesday-which was our beach day.  It was really difficult to find a parking spot at Newport beach.  There was a woman who was probably in her fifties in a teeny tiny bikini with tattoos covering her neck, arms, and legs.  We had to stop kind of by where she was and wait and she came over to my window.  She explained that she was waiting for a nice family with kids to give her parking spot to.  She told us to go around and then wave when we got back around and she would let us take her spot.  What a blessing!  We circled around and I waved and she jumped in her car and pulled out of her spot so we could have it.  It just made our day!  It also reminded me that kind souls are everywhere and you can't always tell from the outside what kind of a person is on the inside.  Beach day went way too fast for me and I loved being there and relaxing.  Zachary seemed to thoroughly enjoy the day.  We had a couple of kites that I had gotten for Clarissa and Zachary's prizes on the way to California and they worked really well.  Another highlight was my birthday.  I got to choose the rides that we went on and then Travis and I had dinner together to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary. Then our family had some cake and ice cream late that night to celebrate.  It was really fun!  Friday was our last day at Disneyland and we went on everyone's favorite ride one last time.  Zachary was afraid to go on a couple- but he did it because it was a family vacation and it was about doing things as a family.  On Saturday, we went to Universal Studios for the Harry Potter rides etc.  We had a good time eating at The Three Broomsticks and looking in all the shops.  We really liked the main ride as well but it left almost all of us feeling queasy.  That night however, there was a light show that was really cool and we really enjoyed spending time together.  We came home on Sunday and traffic was good and our vehicle ran very well.  We were grateful to safely make it home.

I had several "moments of joy" from last month but one that sticks out in my mind was while we were at Disneyland.  We were waiting for their new show on the Rivers of America and fireworks.  It was nice to sit and rest our feet.  My parents were with us and we were laughing and having a good time.  Travis took Lindsay and bought us all beignets.  They were warm and delicious and it was just nice to be there together.  I am so grateful for my family.  I don't know why I got such wonderful parents, brothers who I love and I know "have my back", children who love each other and support one another, and finally, a husband who knows me and still loves me after all of these years.


It seemed like June took a while to get here, but then it went way too fast! I am so grateful for the time we were able to spend together-even if it wasn't long enough :).

Big Things....

So this post is for the last couple of months-lots of big and noteworthy things going on at the Lloyd home.....


Nathanael survived his first year at Utah State University and did well.  In April, he turned 21 years old- which was crazy because that is how old I was when I had him (I was closer to 22-but still)!  My favorite thing about Nat is his passion for those things that he loves.  His enthusiasm is contagious! He has been busy refereeing soccer and on May 17th-he asked his girlfriend, Lindsay, to be his bride and she accepted.  He took her on a picnic, played his bagpipes, and then got down on one knee and popped the question.  Wow!!!  Big thing for him and Lindsay and big for us as he is the first one to get married out of our children.  We are so excited and grateful that he has found someone that is kind, intelligent, has a firm testimony and makes him happy!!!

Lindsay Kaye also completed her first year of college. She attended Utah Valley University.  She did extremely well and has enjoyed her classes-mostly.  There was that one in which she had to write a 25 page paper.  Yeah.  That was fun.  She continues to be a manager at Little Caesar's Pizza and has been very busy finishing all her paperwork to serve an LDS mission.  It seems that everything has taken us  longer to get her forms done than it did with Nathanael.  However, we are expecting her mission call any day now...I am so impressed by her courage to do the things necessary for her to go.  For example, she needed to have her wisdom teeth removed and she is terrified of getting an I.V. -but she did it anyway.  Her oral surgery went really well (we have some great video footage) and two days later, she had an interview with LDS family services for a pre-mission evaluation because she has Tourettes.  I was so worried that she would be on narcotics and swollen and that we would have to reschedule, however, she hardly swelled and was not in pain enough to require a strong pain medication and she was lucid and herself!  It was a miracle-truly.  So this mission call is a pretty big thing.

Ethan did really well in his first year of high school.  He is just an impressive young man.  His big thing is that he earned all the requirements for his Eagle Scout Award.  He just needs to do the Board of Review and he is done!  Another big thing for him is that he got his braces off-finally!  He was so excited.  He kept feeling his teeth with his tongue and giggling because he was so happy;)  Ethan was just so done with braces.  Finally, his last big thing was that he played on the Lone Peak provisional soccer team with Travis coaching and they came in first place again.  Second year in a row of being undefeated.  Awesome!

Clarissa was so grateful to get through seventh grade and do well.  She really had to work hard in a couple of subjects- but it paid off and she was successful.  Her big thing was performing in Alpine Community Theater's, "The Little Mermaid".  She got to play the character, Chef Louis and was fabulous!  I know that I am her Mom and am biased, however, she really blew me away.  She can really sing and she totally nailed her character! I am so glad that she has found something that fills her soul up with joy!

Zachary completed first grade and did really well!  He cried when it was the last day of school because he said that he would miss his friends and his teacher.  Zachary's big thing was the fact that he struggled just a bit with reading, but with a little extra help, he jumped up quite a bit to be right on track!   He always had such a positive attitude and did his best!  One cute thing with him is that he has a crush on a little girl in his class and he was invited to her birthday party.  He wanted to do a gift that was really special and so he enlisted the help of his sister, Lindsay, and made a friendship bracelet for her and one for him that matched the pattern (it was just a different color).  He said that it was so they would never forget each other.  I know.  I think I will need to keep an eye on that little charmer ;)

My "moment of joy" was when I heard that Lindsay Kaye turned on General Conference while working so she and the other kids working that morning could listen.  She said that it was a really slow morning- but I was so impressed that she chose to do something that not only benefited her, but also the kids that she was working with benefited as well.

I know this blog is just limping along, but I will keep trying even as we get ready for all the big things coming up this year!!!

Connecting With Family

I cannot believe how fast the month of March flew by!  Most days are full of the normal day to day tasks-but there was one thing that stands out in my mind that has become a tradition and helps us connect as an extended family and connects us to our heritage as well...

Nathanael continues to attend Utah State University and sing in the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra.  Nat was able to come home the first week in March for Spring break.  It was kind of an odd break for him because everyone else still had school and work.  Nathanael was able to come up with us to our extended family tradition of going to East Canyon for the weekend.  This was the first time since his mission that he was able to participate in our celebrating St. Patrick's Day as an extended family.  It was fun to have him there to connect with family and remember his Irish heritage.  Nat also asked me to finally cut his hair!!!!

Lindsay Kaye keeps busy attending Utah Valley University and working at Little Ceasar's.  She also is finishing up filling out her papers to serve an LDS mission.  Lindsay came up to East Canyon with us as well and was able to spend some valuable time with extended family and her siblings.  It is wonderful that she wants to spend time with those she loves and really connect with them before she goes.  Lindsay also had Spring break- but again- everyone else still had school and work so Spring break was odd for her as well.  

Ethan had a noteworthy event this month.  He was able to go on his first date-which happened to be Prom.  His group went on Friday night for their "day date" to Hang Time (trampolines, foam pits, rope activities etc.)  They had a dinner at one of Ethan's friends' houses.  The next day was Prom.  They took pictures and then went to a relative's house of one of the young men where a lovely dinner was served.  Then they went to the dance.  Ethan said that he had a great time and hoped that his date did as well.  He also continues to play soccer- which takes a lot of his time.  However, he is also just finishing up his requirements for the rank of Eagle scout as well as Driver's education.  It will be so nice for him (and me) to have his driver's license.  This was the first time that Ethan was able to stay at East Canyon instead of going back down for a game.  It was awesome for him to be able to stay and connect with family.

Clarissa is enjoying the rehearsals for "The Little Mermaid".  She was actually the one that needed to go back from East Canyon for a rehearsal this time.  Travis and Clarissa woke up early Saturday morning and Travis decided to take a shorter route.  It should have been fine because he was driving a 4-wheel drive truck.  However, someone had abandoned a sedan in the middle of the road.  Travis went around and sank into snow and got stuck.  After two hours of making phone calls and trying to get some help, a man and his daughter came to take the same route and were able to help get the truck out.  Travis and Clarissa came back to the condo because it was too late to get her to rehearsal.  Even though those couple of hours were wasted, it was really nice to have them there the whole time.  Clarissa was able to spend more time with her siblings and cousins and keep those family connections strong.

Zachary just absolutely loves school.  When I ask him how his day was, he always answers that it was great!  St. Patrick's Day was a great opportunity to have him teach a family home evening lesson about one of his Irish ancestors.  I hope that he takes strength from those who sacrificed so much for their faith.  I hope that he remembers that his ancestors were able to get through their difficult trials and that he can as well.  Zachary loves spending time with his siblings and cousins.  It is one of his favorite things to do.  I am grateful that he strives to follow his older brothers and sisters and be like them because they are pretty awesome.

Although there were not a lot of notable events this last month.  There were more opportunities to spend time together as a family and connect with each other-which is so very important.  I also enjoy remembering the stories of my ancestors.  I hope that I am living my life in a way that honors them.