November 2021

 

November started out very scary! We were sitting in Stake Conference in the first row of the overflow (gym) when Scott left to go to the bathroom.  This was very unusual as he never steps out during the meeting.  Probably ten minutes later, Sterling jumps up and heads to the foyer.  This is very out of ordinary, as we do not encourage interruptions at church.  Sterling comes back quickly and whispers, "Dad needs you."  So I get up and head to the hallway.  Scott is collapsed in a chair with his legs stiffly out and his eyes rolled back into his head. His lips are turning blue. This is the stuff of nightmares!  I shake him, talk to him, ask him if he's okay, and his speech is very slurred. He's not saying anything intelligible. And his eyes are still rolled back. By now, I am thinking heart attack or stroke, so I get out my phone to call 911.  I press the numbers, but don't click send yet. Then another thought pops into my head and I attempt to gather my kids so I can go call 911 outside and not make as big of a disturbance.   My kids come out and by this time, Scott is coming semi-alert, so I help him walk to the car and we decide to go home and reevaluate.  He is able to walk with help and is more himself and we agree that he can rest and we will go from there.  It turns out Scott had COVID! I also had it too (my watch informed me I had a fever of 102).  My case was much milder than his.  I did had a fever and a headache, but that's about it.  Poor Scott was in bed for N.I.N.E. days!!!  And he had a fever all the while.  Some days, as high as 104!!!  He rested so much and could barely eat anything.  I would give him a bowl of ramen and he took two bites and was "full". This truly was in my top 10 scary moments of my life, finding him collapsed/fainted at church!  I know, without a doubt, that angels helped us get through Covid and helped nurse Scott back to health.  He is here to lead the ward and our family and we need him!! I am so thankful for all the Heavenly help we were given with this challenge.  

In other news, there was a leak from the soda machine, which buckled the floor.  So we got that redone and the workers found a nasty, dried out, dead lizard under the fridge.

Miss Makayla finished up volleyball with the school and we went to her closing dinner.  She also cooked some alfredo for a class at school.

We gathered a bunch of leaves and tried some new, not so easy to use, curlers.

Lincoln made the student council and has really been enjoying helping with announcements and flags at the school.  Another day, the family nerded out with their games.

We had a great Thanksgiving with Uncle Ron & Aunt Lisa, plus Grandpa & Grandma Paxton!  We had delicious food and played games and did a puzzle.  Such a great day and not too stressful.  All in all, I am so grateful for family and for good health, and that Scott was able to conquer Covid with help from above.

Bjarnson Gathering

My sisters all planned to get together over fall break.  We had one big crazy nonstop gathering for the weekend.  The cousins had a ball and we got some hangout time for the adults.  Maisy even came in from Alaska and joined us.  Fun and chaotic (with 16 extra people + my 5) at the same time in one house.

 

Scott's New Calling

Well, today I'm feeling all the feels.  I am awestruck and surprised that my husband was extended the call of Bishop.  We have lived here 11 months and don't know that many people in our ward yet.  I know Scott is capable and worthy of being a leader. We just haven't been here that long.  I appreciate how Scott takes the gospel seriously.  He honors his Priesthood. He is always willing to give the kids a father's blessing for school or if they are having any kind of challenges.  He has also used the Priesthood to give blessings of healing from sickness or other ailments.  I appreciate him for being worthy and willing to call upon the powers of Heaven.  He also studies the gospel as a hobby. Often times he will be reading in-depth-stories of the gospel. 

We knew that he was on the short list of being called to be Bishop in our last ward.  He has great rapport with our Stake Presidency in Cottonwood Heights and they all love him.  Our Stake President here called President Thomas and talked to him about our family and mainly Scott.  President Thomas told this President that Scott would have in fact been made Bishop up there if we hadn't moved.  I guess this can be compared to Jonah of Nineveh, who ran away because he didn't want to preach the gospel to the unbelievers.  Scott was meant to be a leader and he is invited to do that regardless of where we live.

I need to get my act together and keep our home more organized so that when random people stop by, I can welcome them in and be a friend.  We also need to get healthier so we can live longer.  We have teeter tottered with our weight our whole marriage.  It is time to win this battle.  We need to have more willpower.  It is our biggest obstacle .

This calling seems unreal and like a dream, or maybe a nightmare, because of all the uncertainty in the world.  I can't believe all the temptations that are around for our youth to navigate through.  Couple that with strange viruses and food and supply shortages.  These are some challenging times! Scott was told it is important to do 3 things.  1) Be diligent in keeping clean with exactness 2) Always testify of Jesus Christ and His love for us 3) Scott is to help people come unto Christ and repent.  He is a judge.  I am not supposed to pry about his personal interviews.  I am better off not knowing about people and sins and it can taint my soul. 

This is a good time for him to be Bishop as our kids are the youth age to go to young mens and young womens.  He is always there, so he will get to spend time with them too. We are proud of Scott and are here to support him in his new calling.

October 2021

 

November started out with cute cats and a chalk run. They boys helped man the beanbag toss.

We finished the Route 66 puzzle.

Links and mom enjoyed a nice outing.

Scott was pretty excited about a VR trade show in Vegas.

Makayla got her hair balayaged for the first time.

Went on a field trip with the 5th grade to the art museum.

Makayla played volleyball every spare moment.

Sterling made a YouTube experiment that failed.

Scott was called as the new Bishop of our ward.  We were all pretty surprised!  He will give it his best.  We finally mounted the tapestry from Scott's Peru mission.  We wanted to get the formal front room ready for any visitors that drop by.

Sweet neighbors came and dropped off gifts.  This ward is friendly!

Survived the first ward party at the park.  There wasn't enough chili, so I ran home and cracked open a case of chili and rapidly heated it up and ran it back over for dinner.

Tried some new yummy restaurants.

She tried some new dos.

He hung around and sliced apples.

Passed 38k on the van.

The kiddos got their school pics back.

We had some gorgeous weather around here.

And grew some pomegranates.

Vickie came with us to Thriller.

We updated our carpet throughout the house.  Such an improvement!!

And we ended the month with Halloween festivities.  Lincoln had his last elementary parade.  The boys went trick-or-treating.  And Makayla had some friends over for a movie.