September was filled with a new volleyball season for Sophia at the YMCA, a Fall choir concert for Chandler High choirs, a quick visit with old friends, and we finished the month out with Audrey and Grace coming into town to let Sophia cash in on her birthday gift, then Fall Break in Utah. Let’s take a look.
Sophia has been playing recreational volleyball with the YMCA since junior high. She has grown in her strength and abilities throughout the years. She loves playing for the YMCA, it is a relaxed environment where she can have fun and improve her skills without the added pressure that comes from a club sport. It also allows her time outside of volleyball to spend on her schoolwork and other extra curriculars. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her grow with this sport. There have been a few girls that she has played with for many seasons, giving her a chance to expand friendships in areas other than church and school. I believe this has been a blessing in her life.
The Chandler High School Fall choir concert was great. Sophia was feeling the emotions, realizing this is the beginning of the end. Her last “Fall Concert” is in the books.
We had a surprise last minute visit with one of Marc’s old mission companions and his wife. Jason and Tricia Kelly as the kindest people. We had not seen them in over 15 years. They happened to be driving through town, and we asked them to stay overnight in our spare bedroom. It was a quick visit, but so nice to catch up with them in person, instead of over Facebook!
Oh, I almost forgot. I like to make and decorate sugar cookies for special occasions. A cute friend of mine has had me make cookies for her baby showers and children’s first birthday’s. It gives me the opportunity to practice new techniques and is a creative outlet for me. Here is a picture of the latest ones I made.
Ok, moving on… For Sophia’s birthday, Audrey and Grace decided to give her tickets for the three of them to come to town and go to Sophia’s first concert! Sophia LOVES the musical artist, Laufey, and she was coming to Phoenix as part of her world tour. It was fun having Audrey and Grace in town for a few days! Marc and I put the girls up in a hotel for the night of the concert so they wouldn’t have to drive home late at night from Glendale. We also thought it would be fun for the three of them to have that extra time together. From what the girls reported, the concert was great and they had a fun time. They also went out to breakfast the next morning, before heading back to Chandler. It makes me so happy that they love spending time together. I count it as a blessing and know that it is a true gift that not all siblings share.
Well, Quarter 1 of the 2025/26 school year wrapped up, and Fall Break was wonderful. We all headed to Utah to spend a few days enjoying time away from school and work and loving the Fall weather and beautiful Fall colors that we don’t see in abundance at home. We drove the Alpine loop, just making it in before it got so packed that they closed the roads. I would have been so disappointed had we not been able to drive the loop and see the colors. We took the opportunity while up north, to see UVU where Grace would be starting her new job and doing a prospective student tour for Sophia. We also did a student tour at BYU Provo and drove up to Rexburg and stayed a night to tour BYU Idaho. While in Rexburg, we were able to take our niece and nephews to dinner. We saw friends too! We were able to pack in quite a bit on our quick trip!
We also were able to meet up with our good friends, Stephen and Elise Hird, at their new home in SLC. They recently moved into a fancy downtown highrise! we had a picnic lunch on their rooftop patio and they gave us a tour of their new lifestyle living.
While we were visiting with them, they shared with us that they are in the same stake as President Nelson! Later that night, when we were back in Provo at Audrey and Grace’s apartment, we found out that President Nelson had passed away just hours earlier. It was very strange realizing that we were literally down the street from the prophet when he passed away. His leadership taught me a lot and I am so grateful for the life he lived. His teachings changed my life for the better. I grew spiritually during his time as prophet and president of our church.
What a fabulous month and welcome into my favorite season… FALL!