A new kitchen

Jacob arrived Sunday night.  I’m not sure how it came up but I had mentioned to him I really wanted to change my backsplash to look like the one he did in his home before they sold it. 

Jacob is awesome!  

Wednesday we went shopping for all the supplies then he started knocking down the tile!   

While at Home Depot I broke down for a bit.  

That was my first Home Depot trip since Dad’s passing.  

I loved doing projects with my Dad.  Through this whole project I thought about him often.  Jacob was awesome and would listen to me talk about him and the way he would do things. 

 Jacob is a good listener.  

I love that he is here and we are getting to know him better.

It was a much bigger pain than we had expected.  It was so hard to take down the smaller border tiles.  We ended up cutting away the drywall and then doing lots of patching.  You can see some of the horrible holes in the picture above. 

So Thursday we spent the morning pulling off tile then headed to Home Depot for dry wall and then spent the rest of the day patching. 

 Finished all the clean up around 8:00.

Look at this!  

Just having the old tile down and having the walls already looks better! 

My kitchen is already lighter and brighter!  

Friday we took a break so all the dry mortar wall could finish drying.  I spent the day in the temple.  It was really nice.  I received word that Grandpa Moon might be passing away so a temple trip is just what I needed.

This picture was taken before he took a turn for the worse.  My name given to me at the temple was Emma.

That felt like a blessing.

Saturday was 

TILE DAY!

It was a family affair!  

Jacob and I laid the tile, Dale cut the tiles, and Madi put the putty on the back of each tile.  

There was lots of 80’s rock to listen to.  

It took us from 10-3:30.  

Then we took a break then we grouted at 8 at night.   I loved working hard and having a beautiful finished project.  

I am just so happy with the final product!  

It’s just beautiful!

Here is the before just so we don’t forget how bad it was!

AFTER!

Getting rid of all that brown that never went with my gray floors just was exactly what my kitchen needed. 

Jacob and I are already discussing our next project!  

Stay tuned!

Dedicating one Day a Week

While Dad was fighting for his life with the new meds I felt very helpless.  I felt very prompted to start fasting for him.  Once a week I would fast.  I worked very hard for it to be a true 24 hour fast.  Something I’ve never been great at doing. My testimony of fasting grew so much.  I felt like I was actually doing something to help Dad.  If I lived in Utah I would have done what I did with my friend Marie.  I would have dedicated one day a week to spend time with him.  But that wasn’t possible for me.  So how grateful I am that through fasting I could ask my Heavenly Father to open the windows of heaven and bless Dad.  

While teaching seminary my temple attendance really dropped.  I felt like all my time and energy went into my daily lessons and doing more church on Saturdays was just too much.   Before teaching seminary I would attend the temple once a week.  Attending the temple is an all day affair.  I loved dedicating one day a week to going.  I had a sweet friend Sandra who would go with me each week. I’ve been done teaching seminary since June and have not had my act together and been much to the temple.  

Once Dad passed away my heart aches to feel heaven.  I really wanted to be in the temple and feel my Heavenly Fathers love.  I really wanted to go once a week.  Each week I would try to have friends go with me.  I never have gone alone.  The hour drive in downtown Dallas each way alone always felt hard.  Asking someone each week was getting difficult and really finding someone was an extra layer of effort.

Until the day I was at the temple and one of my cute past seminary students were there who just returned from BYUI, Kaylee Allred.  I gave her a big hug and told her how proud of her I am that she is now endowed and that she was at the temple.  I asked who she came with, she said she was there alone.  Yep she is just 19 and did that drive alone.  I decided right then that not having a friend to go with will never hold me back again.  

Now I go once a week, all alone!  I actually love the drive alone.  It’s an hour each way that I get to reflect on my Dad and have a good cry.  It’s been beautiful.  When I arrive I sit in the chapel on the front row each week. I stare at the picture of the Savior surrounded by angels with trumpets.  I had never payed much attention to the angels before just the Savior.  I can almost picture my Dad being one of them.  In that sweet chapel each week I can reflect the love I have for my Dad and it’s a time I feel so close to him. 

Ministering angels have become something I notice more and more in the scriptures.  I use to think of them as those angels that administered to Jospeh Smith.  Now I’m learning that they are really our loved ones helping us from the other side.  It’s a beautiful gift we have.  My sister Becky shared with me a chapter in Moroni that teaches about ministering angels.  I read it this week while in the celestial room.  This verse stood out to me.  It’s by our faith that we can feel the love and ministering efforts of our loved ones who are now angels.  

A really nice Sunday

Today was Stake Conference.

Something I usually dread.

4 wards all in one building.  

Not my favorite thing.

To get a seat you must go one hour early.

I was thinking maybe our family would take one for the team so that other families would have a seat.

The night before I attended the leadership meeting and then the adult session.

The General Authority there made a comment.

“Attending meetings represents our commitment to the Lord.  It’s just like the garment, an outward showing of an inward commitment.”

After he said that I knew our family had to go.

I got up early and went alone to save seats and then the family came later.   I’m so glad we went.  

We have a family motto,

“BE WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WHEN YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.”

You never know when the Lord is going to touch your heart or your children’s hearts and you don’t want to miss that chance.

We had a beautiful dinner and had lots of chats with Mickayla and Haylee who are together this weekend.

The bread is Aunt Mindy’s quick French bread recipe.  I made it more healthy by using half whole wheat flour.

Delicious!

After dinner we headed to the Gandy’s home.  The boys were going to have a sleepover and Jeni invited us to come visit for a bit.  We love our Gandy friends.💕

Then Jacob arrived with his little puppy Lexi.  We are so excited Jacob is here and excited for the Buffalo Spot to open in probably 4 months!

Tobi is so excited to have a dog around!

The next day Dad and Jacob went to check out the place!

The girls and I spent Presidents’ Day working upstairs making a nice space for Jacob and Tatum in the flex space.  

Later Hannah let me tag along with her and her friends to see “Isn’t it Romantic.”  It was so good!

Becky's Birthday Poem for Dad's 60th Birthday

A Birthday Poem for Our Dad

By Becky Beck

Happy 60th Birthday Dad! Hope you Have a Greaaat Day!

Has anyone told you they love you today?

Of all of the poems you've written to date...

None have been about you so it's time that that changed

In your 60 years you've accomplished a lot...7 kids, 24 Grands - 3 on the way

You've blessed all of our lives in more ways than we can say.

You're a wonderful husband, father, and grandpa - you've taught us a lot

Like, "Food always tastes better when you share," and "Do everything with a happy heart."

You taught us kids how to work, and that a job worth doing is worth doing right.

Take time or make time...we've all heard that once or twice.

With your help all of our homes have been greatly improved...

To Texas, Washington, Salt Lake, and Sandy, and Taylorsville you've moved.

Lighting, plumbing, removing wallpaper and mold

Black,  Red and Mustard paint - you just do what you're told!

You taught Braylee to mud at the young age of 4

And Jackson about electricity and how not to spend more.

Whenever we need you, you're there without delay

If something breaks, "Papa Tom can fix it," the grandkids all say.

When it comes to playing games, Papa Tom is the best!

Whether it's Bingo, Uno or Checkers he'll put your skills to the test

You spoil your grandkids with time and attention

Going to ball games, dance performances, music recitals - too many to mention

We all get a good chuckle when calling your home...

"Good morning, Tom speaking, how may I help you," is how you answer your phone.

Always working 2 jobs so mom could stay home

To take care of us kids, we were never alone.

Your generous spirit has touched the lives of so many.

You live a life of service to the community, the church and especially your family.

A Father's Blessing, we each have sometimes needed

Your priesthood has blessed us for many different reasons.

Since singing with your mother, "How Firm a Foundation" when your dad passed away.

You're love for music has grown as you've sang in many choirs, and the piano you've played.

"The Serious Grandpa," "Papa Tom," and "Tommy Dee" are all names you've been given

But to us you are Dad - You're a blessing from heaven!

Have SWEEEEET Dreams and We Love You Dad!

Rebecca, Trishy, Natalie, Ricky, Robby, Kimmy and Meg

A busy fun week

For some reason in my life when I have big things to plan they all happen in the same week!  This past week was just like that!  

It started out with our New Beginnings,

“Donut Miss Out On Personal Progress”

This was such a beautiful evening.  We are encouraged to let the girls lead and plan all activities.  The girls did it all!  I’m so proud of them. 

Then on Friday we had an adult Valentines Dance!  

The ward almost cancelled it! 

 But I stepped in and said I would make it happen!  

Tim was the DJ and I decorated and everyone brought something to share!  

So fun!  

Justin Ward came as well so I saw lots of old friends.

 I wish I took more pictures!  

Line dancing was the best!

Love Day

My Valentines was pretty great.

I spent the day with one of my besties, Jeni! 

She knew and loved Dad so I was able to share my tear soup with her. 

 It was really nice to spend the day with her.

We did her produce shopping and got some awesome deals!

We have been doing this produce Co-op for over 10 years. 

$25 for a huge bin of produce is pretty great deal!

I bought all the bananas for $1 and the rasberries for $2!

All prepped and ready for smoothies, cookies, and nice cream!

My evening was pretty great as well!

I made homemade fries for the whole family.

Hannah made these beautiful strawberries!

Dale brought home these beautiful flowers!  

I actually loved them!

I don’t always love flowers.

I don’t always love Valentine’s Day but today I did!

Becky sent me a text about Dad after dinner. 

 There is a video of Dad doing so well, she included that in her text.  It was a reminder that there was a time that we thought he would live. I had a good cry.  Seeing that video reminded me of the hope we all had, we always knew it was in God’s hands.  But seeing the video and remembering that hope actually stings now. 

I miss my Dad.   

I know that he is loving and caring for us on the other side, but I still really miss him.    

Lauren’s Baptism

So I was so excited to get these pictures from Rob.  

But then just like that it was a reminder that Dad is not in them.  

Papa Tom and Grandma Jan never miss a baptism.  

I’m sure Dad was there, 

because he never misses a baptism!

  But my heart sank and the tears flowed when I saw these.  This is our new normal and my brain just has not caught up yet.  

Lauren is one of my favorite people on the planet so I was so excited for her!  

This was my mom’s first trip traveling without Dad.

I’m so proud of her! 

 She will have many firsts and we pray for her everyday.

Celebrating Dale and Ben!

We started out the day with Ben’s birthday party!  We bought a birthday package that includes games, bounce houses, miniature golf, and go-carts!  Pizza and soda were also included!

  (This was the first time Ben has had any 

type of party like this).

After the party Ben hugged me and said,

 “That was so fun mom, actually it was perfect!”  

 (89.00 was worth hearing that)

For Dale’s birthday we headed to Qdoba!  A place we love to eat now that we eat plant based!  Dale and I have lots of options and of course the kids eat their 20 percent!  

After dinner we all went to the mall.

Something we never do.

Dale knew there was a Van sale going on and wanted shoes for his birthday.

Madi came home with shoes as well!

It was a super fun day celebrating birthdays!