Welcome Home Sister Adcock!

December 7 couldn't arrive soon enough. It was a Friday and my last day of lab. I even had to miss my last lab to get to the airport. We closed on the house on Wednesday, the 5th. We made arrangements to not have to move until the 8th. We got cute little Mel at 1:00 on the 7th. We invited all Street Youths over to make gingerbread houses one last time in our house.

Starlyn, Allie, Makei, Kamiko, and me leaving BYU early on our last day

Just waiting...

Brother and sister

Last day was also spirit day...Christmas

BFF's reunited

Aunt Jen, Kamiko, dad, mom, Sister Adcock, grandma, grandpa, and Allie

Grandpa hugs

Back with her sweet sweet boy

Brown Sibs

Street Youths: Makei, Kaleb, Megan, Mel, Kobi, Parker, and Levi (Keenan holding sign)

Parker had gotten home from Madagascar a couple of weeks before

Mel and Kaleb

mom and dad hug

We had signs and Arkansas t-shirts. Makei, who took my class, left class early, along with me and Allie to get to the airport. Many of Mel's high school friends were home from missions and couldn't wait to welcome her back. It was so great. She saw Allie and ditched her carry-on that was on wheels and ran for a hug. I stopped the bag from mowing over any people. Then I got my hug.

We treated the kids to Taco Amigo, then Mel got released. That was really special. She was really emotional about ending her mission. She loved it so much that she didn't want it to be over. The kids enjoyed doing gingerbread houses, just like the good ol' days. I was exhausted from the move and spent some time in my bed, crying. It all turned out ok, though.

Parker, Makei, Mel, and Levi - Dad's helpers

We moved on Saturday. That was kinda rough. Most of the stuff was ready. I had taken a lot of stuff to mom and dad's already. We were going to live in their basement until we get into our town home at the end of January. I had gotten rid of a lot of furniture, either selling it or giving it away. The garage, however, wasn't quite ready. It made for a long, long day. Thanks to Trina Preece and Kim Blight for helping me clean and move more stuff. Thanks to some of Mel's friends and Mick Preece for helping Keenan move the big stuff.

Thanksgiving 2018

Crocketts were in town for Thanksgiving, as were the Hunters. We had dinner at the Sykes' house. It was a lot of fun. The Hunters were going to stay with us the whole time but it got tricky to keep the house clean and leave for showings. Thank goodness our buyers sold and we could get things moving.

All the SFL 110 students made an apple pie the week before Thanksgiving. Here's Makei Tupou with Allie and photobombed by his lab partner, McKay Matheson

Cousins: Allie with Milo, Rose and Elle, Connor, Chase with Charlie, Andrew, Emily, and Christian

Boys playing in the basement

Rachel and Rose working on a sign for Bekki's brother, Heber

The only Adcocks at Thanksgiving dinner this year + Alan Crockett

Halloween 2018

I love Halloween. The girls in the lab had a blast doing Disney themed costumes. Except for Allie. She and Kobi dressed as the hosts of Ghost Adventures, a show where they hunt down spirits. I cracked up. Allie is always up for a good time and makes us laugh. I love all the girls in these pictures so so so much.

Zak Bagans and Aaron Goodwin

Princesses: Alyssa (Ariel), Ashley (Moana), Annalece (Sleeping Beauty), Karina (Cinderella), Courtney (Minnie), Cheryl (Anna), Dia (Belle), Amanda (Jasmine) and Allie (Aaron Goodwin)

Birthday

We celebrated my birthday at work with Spirit Day. All of us wore college gear. Of course, Allie and I represented UofA. Jenny brought cake and everyone took a break to enjoy a nice bakery cake. Kamiko, Chase, Makei, Rod, and Natalie joined us in the lab. It was great fun. I love my co-workers. I'm blessed. 

Lunch with Kim Blight and Wendy Lee and Debbie Larsen. We've been doing birthday dinners for a long time...since we carpooled our boys to junior high. 

Kamiko made me dinner - he ordered pizza

Starlyn got even - she collected money and everyone pitched in and bought me a bag I've been dying to get. It's the perfect work/Disneyland/weekend getaway bag

One More Reason to Love JDawgs

I love JDawgs, the hot dog place that started in Provo. Most people who know me well know that I love JDawgs. Well, I have one fantastic reason to love them even more!

Today started out kinda crappy. I went to the gym and felt like a big outsider. I usually go and enjoy the class, but there were some things that made me feel like I didn't belong. I know...it's stupid...I'm 52. Why should I feel insecure? Well, it happens.

My friend Laura gave me a JDawgs certificate for my birthday in October. I've been hanging onto that free meal for "just the right occasion." Laura knew this and she is the same way...waits to use stuff until it's just the right time. I felt today was the day to get lunch and be reminded that I have my people and that I'm ok and loved.

Got my hot dog and let Laura know that I appreciated her via text and a picture. Ate my hot dog while writing a thank you note to the Braus. As I was leaving, a man complimented me on my San Francisco sweatshirt. He asked if I was bummed about last night's game. Of course, I had to tell him I had no idea what he was talking about...that I don't follow sports. We talked about San Francisco, though, and the Warriors, who lost last night. I probably would have known that if Kamiko were still living here. He's a Warriors fan. Anyway, we talked more and I asked if he was affiliated with JDawgs. He said he was the owner.

Beef with moderate amount of sauce, relish, onions, and mustard

I told him how much I loved his place. I told him about my crappy morning and how I used my certificate on the day when I needed it most. I told him about my 50th birthday party at JDawgs and how I treated my friends and family to hot dogs. His assistant and her daughter were there, too. We had a very nice visit. Jayson said he needed to hear my story today. He was nice enough to gift me a t-shirt and take a picture with me. He's also gonna try to guest lecture in my class. Wow, what a great ending to my day. God is good.

Can't wait to wear this shirt to Disneyland. Me and my new friend Jayson.