Thursday Dec 28th

 We were supposed to be at the hospital all day with Alex. It is biopsy day. But he had RSV and Strep too soon ago. So we rescheduled. The kids all played with friends and are still currently playing with friends. They did that while I went through documents in the office. I have a huge box of shred. It took so long to go through each piece of paper and make sure it wasn't something we needed. Some of the documents brought back lots of memories because we have things saved from our wedding day. Wow!!!!! Plus record of benefits from a million hospital stays. It is time to get rid of a bunch of that stuff. Pretty much everything is electronically managed now. I am eager to begin some of my New years resolutions. Some of which is to get rid of things we don't need that is taking up space in my house. The second is to NOT purchase things we don't need. I feel like I am pretty organized and minimalistic, then I go through drawers, closets, papers and bins and realize I have way way too much stuff. Does it always feel this way right after Christmas? The holidays is always this big haul of new things for everyone. So in an effort to make space,  I feel like we need to clean out all the extras. 

It's been a lovely time.

 

I feel you little one. May found my phone and took a few selfies. I felt like this leading up to Christmas. It all felt like a blur. I was working on making it awesome everyday. 

Asher wants a photo with the big moose every time we go to Scheels. 

Merry Christmas from the Clawson's, Homer's, and Ricci's 2022

Wednesday 14th, Thursday 15th, Friday 16th, Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th.....

 Wednesday-Alex shared his story at a 360 conference. He is doing such a great job. It is an absolute pleasure to be able to personally thank so many individuals and talk about what it's like to be in the hospital. Sometimes it isn't really awesome to be inpatient and to be in pain. It isn't awesome to be scared and to be worried. But, moments like these when we reflect a little on how far we have come and how grateful we are, are side benefits.

Also, Asher had his well Check that day with our favorite Dr. Mashkuri... She has been the best pediatrician. We were set up with her while she was on call when Ryleigh was born and has been with all the kids since. She came up to PCH to visit Alex when he was doing well so she could help me when he wasn't. She believed me, and helped us get May diagnosed, and then talked me off the ledge when it was bigger than we both thought.  She found Asher's heart defects at his 4 year well check. She has been such an amazing part of our family. Ashy is doing great BTW.

Thursday was rough, my very sweetest friend/teaching partners' family had a massive health crisis and I was so worried. But after many prayers and lots of phone calls; they are well and trucking on. Their strength and resiliency is inspiring. I may or may not have snapped at my husband and children a lot that day. Good thing they are a forgiving lot.

Friday- Asher built gingerbread houses in school. OH MY GOSH!!!! Brave teachers (seriously so much tempting sugar). The kids weren't supposed to eat any of the candy at school. So CrAsher ate the frosting instead. I am sure he got just as much sugar that way. Hahaha. I have the worst brain and didn't even go to help out. There are some pretty awesome moms who covered for me and took pictures of my kid for me.

The red and green M&M's are mistletoe, the two cinnamon bears are smooching underneath. They didn't make it home smooching. and the rest is "after the party". I think so he could eat the frosting and put as much candy on the plate as possible.

Asher's pictures came home from school. I always die laughing at his smiles. Those taking the pictures must think "who is this kid?" but besides the crazy face, he is a carbon copy of his daddy. 

Saturday- we cleaned the church, went to a bridal shower and did some shopping and house cleaning. 

Sunday- May was the reverent child. Jeff spoke in our ward. He did a really good job. I thought it was cool that he spoke about his experience in Az with his son. The sacrament was in ASL and seeing that for both guys was really neat as it was visual and meant more seeing it. He also spoke about the temple and taught everyone, but spoke as if he was teaching Ry. He didn't want to embarrass her, but it was more personal that way. As a father would teach his child, not a leader preaching the do's and don'ts. Jeff smoked some pork that was soooooo amazing. We had Homers over for dinner. yummy... then we went to Christmas musical fireside at the Stake Center. I love actually getting to sit and enjoy, rather than be in it... 

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday

Sunday-

This Sunday in primary, Asher gave the scripture- Haggia 1:7- it’s about “considering your ways” we had a long talk about how that means to think about your actions. And he was surprised when he figured it out. “Like think about the consequences Mom!” And I said yep. “Cause they could be good or bad, right?” Right again buddy. Not just churchy stuff over here. Life lessons. 

Alex interviewed to become a Priest. I can’t believe that he will be old enough to bless the sacrament, and baptize. 

We also visited Nic (Jeff’s business partner) I mention this because 9 years ago visiting Nic on his birthday was when Alex had his stroke that got the ball rolling for transplant. That seems like a lifetime ago. 

Monday-

Alex went to chat with his school counselor, all on his own, to see if he could go over to the high school to take drivers Ed. And he can. Wow!!! Next term. Wow wow.. 

Tuesday-

The preschoolers are so excited for Santa. I just love them. 

Ryleigh and I took Milo to Scheels. He was such a good boy and everyone loved his tinsel in his ears. 

Saturday is a special day the 10th

 Ward/neighborhood Christmas party this morning. We had a Who breakfast. Ry and I made french toast casserole. It was super yummy. I tried all of the different breakfast casseroles at the party. There were a few I need recipes for. The best committee ( in my opinion) is the clean-up committee, because you get to take home the left overs. There was so much that we decided to make a box for the missionaries. We filled it to the top with food and then added the extra cutlery, napkins, and plates so they didn't have to do dishes this week. I took my three oldest to help set up for the party, the night before. I think it was eye opening for them to realize how much work goes into making an event work.  

Fri-Yay the 9th

 Asher had his cardiology appointment today. He was so good and was eager to see Miss Elizabeth, who is always our favorite part of going to appointments. She let him use the exercise bike and also gave him a prize. The prizes were really important because all of Alex's experiences, when he was younger, was looking forward to those prizes. He would be so good because he knew that there would be a Match Box car, or a Lego set. Alex talked big to Asher about all those prizes and thinks that everything that happens to Alex also applies to him. That really isn't the case anymore. I don't know if the hospital doesn't get as many donations anymore, or if they just discontinued the practice since covid. But Miss Elizabeth saved the day!!!! If anything, I can take him to get his prize. But the visit was a huge happy success and Asher's heart looks awesome and he won't have to have a follow up for two years. 

Alex's school had a bit of scary excitement, with a weapon wielding student. The police were able to arrest the student before he could do anyone any harm. Gator says it was a deal gone bad. I do get nervous for these kinds of events, but feel like the school and the students themselves did a good job minimizing chaos and getting everyone home safe. 

Nativity puppets

  On the Clawson side of our family, the tradition is to get together on Christmas Eve. We have a special dinner,  give and open gifts, the pajama-elves leave pajamas on the porch, and we do the nativity with puppets. My dad reads the story while the rest of us hold up the puppets. Sometimes it is not very reverent and sometimes the true meaning of Christmas and the story of the Saviors birth really shine. (Most often, it’s super silly). One year nobody could stop laughing because my little sister Averee (then about 6), had the cow, and said “baaaaaa, oh I mean mooooooo”, then we had to keep mooing and baaing. 

My Mom made these puppets so long ago and our family has grown so much we don’t have enough for everyone. So this year Eden and I made a few more. It has been really fun working on this project with her. Although she wanted a chicken. I vetoed that for a multitude of heavenly hosts. We did get chicken nug started...  

New years resolution Number 1.

 Does anyone start their New years Resolutions on December 7th? Probably not. Well I am sorta kooky like that, so here goes nothing. I won't set myself up for failure by saying that this might not stick but....... I would like to try and post everyday, if not every week. I was reading back over the books I have had published from our blog and I love them. I want to be able to continue writing down the stories of our family. SOOOOOOO. 

Wish me Luck!

Christmas Letter 2022

 2022

We have had a happy, silly, and busy year here at the Homer house, this is what we have been up to…..

Asher (7)

“CrAsh” as he is still being called (and still totally owning) is currently in the 2nd grade, speaks French, plays baseball and aspires to be in hospitality services or a Chef. He likes vacations, Pokemon, Legos, riding bikes, art, playing with friends, cooking, camping in the new trailer, and playing as much ipad as he can get away with. He dislikes sweeping the floor, sitting still, cleaning his room, and handwriting. Crash is fascinated by these small ear plugs, he can put them in many of his facial orifices. Luckily nothing has 

gotten stuck, like that Lego he stuck up his nose years ago. Apparently this is an inherited fascination, most agree from his maternal genealogy.

MayLee (9)

We tried so hard to give her a nick-name but nothing but “May” stuck. So she is also, a month of the year. I thought maybe “Master-Ma’am-Your Majesty” had a nice ring, but it’s quite the mouthful. She is in the 4th grade, also speaks French, broke her arm (don’t worry it healed), started playing the piano, and is a skilled and future licensed hugger. She likes tiny toys, American Girl dolls, little common things, and trips to the library, gas station or Fiiz…. She dislikes math, realizing she finished watching all the episodes in her show, sweet pickles (I support this) and cleaning up dog poop. May is an avid Taki eater, she participated in the family hot chip challenge and enjoys dressing up in 100 year old person’s attire. These are just a few of the funny things May does. 

Eden (12)

SmEeee or Schmeedles/Positive Poppy,  is going to be ticked that I told everyone her nickname, and will probably give you the evil eye if you try to call her that. Isn’t it totally great though? As a 6th grader she has mastered the evil eye. It’s taken her years to perfect it. She is very proficient at parle Francais, is a bookworm, plays piano, loves going to the temple and to Young Women activities, plays volleyball and soccer and is becoming quite the room designer and makeup artist. She likes long walks on the beach (or anywhere really) with Milo, hanging out with friends, goofy challenges, going to girlies camp, and reading graphic novels. She dislikes carrots, spending her hard earned money from working at Dad’s shop, drama/confrontation, and being teased about her art supply collection. Eden laughs at her inability to see sometimes obvious things and often needs help at stores and at home, to locate certain items. She is just sure somebody stole it, and then finds it's sitting right by her. Except babies…..she knows every baby that is in the room. She meets each mommy and finds out if she can hold them. She would love to babysit or hold your baby.

Alex (15) 

Gator, Gator-man, Gator-boy….. 9th grade…. He is doing life. He rides mountain bikes on the high school team, is heart healthy, worked a summer job at Lagoon (where he was constantly confused for a much younger person, because clearly; Lagoon would hire a 10-12 year old, although it does come in handy for youth shoe size prices and kids menu items) got his driving permit, and has purchased an Oculus with his summer job money. He likes food, hanging out with his friends, trying new food, cute girls, snacks and beverages, going to get food with his friends, getting food with cute girls, going to stake dances (especially if there will be a treat and cute girls) helping advocate for the hospital and serving on Youth Advisory Counsel at Primary Children’s (AKA YAC) with Ry and sleeping and dreaming about food…… and cute girls. He dislikes when his yummy food it gone, when nobody laughs at his dumb jokes, flat bike tires, and green food like lettuce or salads. The funniest thing that happened to Gator this year was being told he stood like a duck at the rehearsal at Eccles theater. He told his story at this formal event where big names like Governor Leavit, Carol Mikita, Sister Browning, Brother Lund, Katie Welkie, Rachel Plattan and Idina Menzel were also on the program. He stood perfectly for his part on the event night. No ducks after all.

Ryleigh (18)

Ry Ry… So much going on with this Senior!!!! She is in a medical assisting class at JATC, gets to be with the Special needs Seminary class and P.A.L.S class and club officer, does president-y type things for Youth Advisory Council at Primary Children’s Hospital, will apply for the seal of biliteracy for her French, is a cookie baker at Twisted Sugar, does everyone’s nails, takes the sibs to do fun little things, also worked really hard for Copper Canyon over the summer. She likes online shopping, gold jewelry, true crime podcasts, plants (but she can’t keep them alive in her basement bedroom, plus also, she sort of forgets to water them) hanging out with friends, naps, Fiiz drinks, and grabbing food (something her and Gator, both like). She dislikes being unorganized, car accidents, not getting enough sleep, a dirty car, Milo’s dog breath and not being invited to go get a Fiiz.. Ry is the best, she is so funny because she is thinking of laying under the Christmas tree to remind us all of what a gift she is. 

 

Brynn (do the math guys) In preschool still, and loves every minute of it. Does hair, is doing PTA, 6th grade Room Mom, Mountain bike Pitzone boss, baseball/volleyball/soccer/MTB biggest fan (hear the loud whistle, yup, that’s me), Homer family personal Uber driver, figuring out RS presidency calling, cleaning crew. I like Gardening, reading, crafting, organizing, hanging with my homies, remodeling our bathroom to include a two person shower, electric bikes, visiting London and France and geocaching (I am so obsessed). I dislike anything I can control that is messy, and the 20 extra lbs that I always seem to find after losing them for a little while (better stay lost this time). I don’t need to be funny because I just laugh at all the funny things everyone else does. .

Jeff- is out of school and really would like to go back sometime for business or to do something medical. But…… as long as he owns his own thriving business and is serving the Stake, it seems like there won’t be time. Maybe he could go back to school in 14 months when his 9 years are up in the stake Presidency?  GUYS!!!! What if he messes up my mojo if he sits by me in church? It's been like 14 years that he has been sitting on the stand. Don’t worry everyone, I am confident we will figure it out. Maybe I will get to hold his hand. We also have to factor in his bike rides. 50 states to ride a century in, once seemed like a lofty goal. It’s coming a lot faster than I thought, considering he did Az, Wa, Id, Ut, Wy, and Or just this year. That didn’t include the other organized rides and MTB coaching he does. School might be on his long term goals for a while, good thing he is constantly trying and learning new things. Jeff likes bikes of all kinds, cookies of all kinds, Sunday naps, doing projects on the house, going on vacations, coke zero (or maybe it’s diet DP, it changes all the time. Just brown Diet/Zero drinks as long as they aren't Pepsi) and cozy blankets. He dislikes a messy garage, water spurting up from unknown sources, raw tomatoes, and stinky laundry (you know the kind I am talking about, when it gets left in the washer for too long.....sorry babe). Jeff is the funniest of us all, he couldn’t nail down one funny thing, because he is hilarious daily.

  Milo (2 years old but 24 in Dog years)

he never went to puppy school, cause he homeschooled with me. He has learned all kinds of commands, I wish I could teach him to clean up after himself. He has toys all over the place. He loves snuggles, carbs and cheese, his ball gun, tennis balls, stolen balls from the neighbor, going on walks, and going for rides in the car. He dislikes when I blow dry around his ears, Jeff’s cane that he uses when he hurts his back, when he clearly puts his ball in your lap to play and you won’t play with him, every Halloween costume we have ever put on him, and when he gets an upset stomach from eating something he probably shouldn’t have. The funniest thing that happened to Milo this year, is the montage of pictures of him bringing us things when we return home. He has brought out undies (some clean, some not so clean) towels, toys, and loads of clothes and balls. He is just so darn excited you came home to him. 

 

As you can see we are immensely blessed, we have learned that the funny and happy things are the best. We are thankful for the Savior and his Birth. We are thankful for all of you and wish you the MERRIEST (even at our expense) Christmas and a Happy and Joyful New Year.

Love,

Jeff. Brynn, Ryleigh, Alex, Eden, MayLee, Asher, and Milo Homer

AKA The 7 Homies + 1 doggie