The McAvoy's: April 2021

Aging LDS Topics and Resources - A Matter of Perspective

I may have written this down before, but I had a couple of more thoughts on the matter.

On one of our many hikes this year, Joshua turned to me and said, "Mom, from the back, when you're wearing a baseball cap, you look like you could pass as a teenager. But, from the front, I'm sorry, you don't." I teased him and asked him if he was saying I looked old? He stumbled over his response before he very carefully said, "You're not old, you're face just has more experience on it." I laughed so hard. I thought about President Nelson's quote. I thought about the word Joshua used, "experience". I thought about another time in which that word was used.

Tanner Ainge on Twitter: "“Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” #Saints… "

It goes on to say, "Hold on Thy way, for God shall be with you forever and ever." We were sent to earth to gain experience, to grow through experience, to become more like our Savior. Just as my earthly body will change under the weight of the physical experiences and demands of life, and eventually grow old, my spirit will also change under the weight of experience, gradually taking on my Savior's image in my countenance. His light, will hopefully shine more brightly in my eyes.

So, in short, yes, I am thankful for my experienced body, along with it's manufacturer's guarantee that I am not to be stranded upon this world forever--else, what would the purpose of experience be, if it is not to be our path that leads back home to Him?

Wow! I cannot believe just how many pictures I had not published yet. In January we hiked a LOT. We caught the dreaded Covid-19, and luckily for us, our bodies responded to it like a mild cold (if that). So, we quarantined and homeschooled, and once we were no longer contagious, we did a LOT of out-doorsy activities.

We had a Christmas that was chaotic and filled to the brim with family activities. It was fun, especially for the kids, but next time I need to do a better job of not showing how stressed I was with the cluttered and dirty home (due to all of the company). I think I normally do a good job, but this year was different. I felt the magnitude of the stress load more, and perhaps I didn't hide my feelings as well as I should have. Lesson learned. The kids got a bounce house and they managed to pop it within 5 days. Jon Mark came to the rescue and fixed it. He's a hero. I will be honest, I wish this Christmas had a do-over. Anyway, maybe I should have spent more time contemplating the true meaning of the season.

We went to the Goldfield Ghost Town and wore our masks and socially distanced. We socially distanced all festivities at the Grandparents homes (mostly just at the Mac's--they're higher risk). I found myself growing weary of socially distancing and the mask wearing. Now that a lot of my loved ones have been vaccinated, it's less of a big deal, and with the stores and other entertainment, it's become the new normal.

I am excited for temples to open again. Today was the first Sunday back to a two-hour block (but it's really not two hours, it's more like a total of 90 minutes. I'm still the primary president, but I am not there because I am still recovering from a hefty abdominoplasty surgery that is taking me a long time to bounce back from (there has been no bouncing). Speaking of surgery, my mom and Jon Mark are the true MVP's and have taken such good care of me. My dad also gets an award and sisters and sister in-laws get an honorable mention. I had many ward members check in on me as well, so I have been well-looked after. It's been two weeks, and I am anxious to get back to my duties, but the dr says to slow down. I'm still a little hunched over and it's still quite uncomfortable. I'm swollen and sore, but it is getting better. Sometimes I need JM to tell me about my progress because it seems so slow that I don't notice it. When all is said and done, I am hoping that having my abs restored will help alleviate some of my chronic back pain. If nothing else, my mid-section looks a whole lot better.

Mercedes broke her foot after Hannah had broken her toe.

Hannah gets baptized soon!

I had fun taking pictures of baby Rose.

Hannah's magical umbrella proved to be truly magical. She didn't complain and hiked like a champ. She told me all she needed was an umbrella. Thanks Mom!

This is how I stayed warm while we socially distanced outside. I am always cold. Now that every doctor's office and business requires a temperature check to allow you inside, it's not uncommon for my temp to dip below 95*. Before my surgery, I was registering at 94.9* F. She thought it was broken, until she took JM temp and he was a toasty 97.6* F. Just so you know, that temp of mine is technically hypothermic. I don't know what is wrong with my body. I am truly a lizard and prefer temps that resemble my mother's womb (according to Jessica). I take my thyroid medication, and I feel healthy other than the cold intolerance and low temp.

Cub had a birthday. We celebrated him three times. Once at Haws dinner, once at McAvoy dinner, and once on a trip to the Frosts where we went go kart racing and played at the arcade.

Oh, how I miss my best friend! Come back!

I was celebrated by girls in my ward, my actual birthday was kind of a flop. I had cut my bangs which my kids hated and they cried for four hours about how much they hated my hair. Mercedes said that I wasn't the mother she knows and loves, that it's just not me anymore. I have it on video. JM also worked late that night, so I sang Happy Birthday to myself with crying kids. Hahaha! My mom did make me a cake (JM tried really hard to not come home late). Anyway, the ladies in the ward helped me feel special.