The Place of Becoming: August 2019

Chandler turned 18 Aug. 2019

I love this guy so much. He has such a passion for life, he loves his family, he loves his friends, and he loves his Country! We have an American flag we keep on our porch that he tends to regularly, making sure to take it down at night and post it again in the morning before he heads off to work.

He plays tough but inside he has a huge heart. Each morning for our family scripture study, he always shares wonderful thoughts or principles from verses he likes.

When he was little, he struggled a great deal with being on the Autism spectrum - transitioning to new things, or big changes often caused him so much anxiety, he would have a difficult time with his anger management. I have witnessed him grow and mature and learn to hold his tongue when he easily could have lashed out. He's much more careful in his response. I've seen him exercise a great deal of self-control and patience in circumstances the average person might crumble in.

He's also brave and courageous, not afraid to tell it like it is. He doesn't care one bit about popularity or pleasing the crowd. He follows his own heart and not the trend. I love him so very much!

Kaylee and Amillia's first day at their charter school in Pleasant Grove (Kaylee 6th grade & Amillia Kindergarten) . It's twice a week and they love it!

Miriam and Micah's first day of school @ Provo High for Miriam's 11th grade and Micah's 9th. They go for only 2 class periods, 1 study hour, and seminary... and the rest they do online. It's been the best way for us so far... Just enough to get the High School experience but not long enough for them to get caught up in the social trends and anxieties most youth fall prey to.

Hanging out at Starvation Reservoir with my Aunt Mary's family (Mom's sister).

Audrey and Sarah

My cousin Lora's and my cousin Julia's daughter.

Cousin-in-law Cindy and Cousin Julia

Amillia got along so well with my cousin Julia's youngest daughter, Cami. They both have deep brown eyes, beautiful tan skin, and pretty brown hair. They really look like they could be sisters.

Me and Julia have been close for as long as we can remember. We are both July babies with Julia just one year younger than me.

Miriam evading the camera again. She makes me laugh.

Saying goodbye to my nephew Brayden before he moves away to Florida to live with his dad.

Amillia playing in our friend's backyard sand pit.

Me and my sweet friend, Jenny! We are both home-schoolers and long-boarders and easily connected over that. Winter 2019 she took me Snowboarding for the first time. Super fun!

Watching the 2019 Summer Rodeo in Spanish Fork

Hangin' out with my friend, Adrienne, at 2019's Education Week

Amillia's 5th Birthday (only her second one celebrated with us). It has been a hard journey for everyone, especially for this little gal trying to make sense of having a biological family and an adoptive family. She is so naturally loving though and seems incredibly resilient. She's a wonderful little girl with a heart larger than life.