January the Great!

The van is dead. Bless her. She was the best car for growing up the Geertsen's. Jon and I took Eli one night (since he is also in the market) and checked out some dark, closed dealerships. I prefer to look around when there isn't anyone looming. We went to a dealership that Cade told us about. He and Ashley had just bought a VW Tiguan in Lindon to match his other VW, and there was another one there that he thought we should buy. When he told us about looking around he kept referring to it as our car. "We looked at your car..." he said. Ha! We did see it there that night, as well as a Nissan Rouge we were interested in. We went back the very next evening before closing and test drove both. We were definitely leaning towards the Tiguan, it was a great price. 

The next day was a long day, as car buying always is. We took the VW first thing to our car place in the morning to have it looked over. Jon had a quick appt. so he dropped me at Starbucks so I could work while we waited. Jon grabbed me to go back and get the VW,  they could see nothing wrong with it, which made us feel better. This whole time I couldn't find my earbuds and it was really bothering me. I searched their location, and it showed they were at the dealership. When we went back to take the car back, the lady helped me search and sure enough they were in the back seat of that Nissan we had test drove the night before! Technology is wild!

I had been on the phone back and forth with the bank all morning during all of this, so we ran over to sign some paperwork, which takes sooo long! Then we ran over to the dealership to get everything finalized. I was nervously watching the clock because I was in charge of our big ACHF after Holiday Party that evening, and I needed to meet the guy at the venue at 4:00 to let me in and set up. I told the lady at the dealership I needed to bust out of there no later than 3:45 and she zipped us along as fast as she could. Once the keys were in my hand I jumped on the freeway and got to the venue right at 4. Soon enough Jon met me with Zeke and Paisley and we got all of the tables and chairs set up, tablecloths, centerpieces, serving tables etc. Whew! I ran home to grab a few things and get freshened up and ran back over just as people were arriving. Some days are like that!

The holiday party was great! Around 50 attended. The food was ok and I had organized each department to report on their year and do an activity. At this point my work was done and it was nice to catch my breath, sit and enjoy. Everyone pitched in on cleanup and we were out of there in no time. Driving home in my new car, it seemed like sitting in Starbucks that morning was weeks ago. What a day!

I texted this pic to Cade: "Just pulling the car in before the storm hits!" He of course was thrilled. Something else fun is that Adren was just given a new car for their household. Guess what it is? A white VW Tiguan.

We put on a "Dinner and Discussion" for all of the ward Young Women Presidents each year. It is always so lovely! All nine were able to make it. I loved the table I set to go along with the new youth theme, "I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ". We had dinner catered by a woman in the stake who does such things. It was delicious. I shared a message to get the discussion going. There was such great discussions on what is going well and advice for areas of struggles. While there is support when you are a president, it can still often times feel lonely. My hope is that these women realize they have so many resources around them and can reach out to each other when needed. I feel so grateful that the young women in our stake are so loved by such wonderful leaders!

In the gift bag is a survival kit for 2024: Mixhers vitamin drink, chocolate, and prints of the 2024 theme and magnets.

 

I snapped this pic of our winter house to show Adren how much snow we have. He has about the same in Niagara.

One evening Paisley and I were chatting and then got on the subject of bangs and then I cut her bangs! Just like that! And they look soooo cute. Seriously.

For the first week she would wake me up in the morning to help blow dry and style them. She's got the hang of it now.

January always brings a desire to freshen the house and upgrade shabby areas. The rug in the front room was looking drab, and I found this one on Etsy made by Indian women. I love it!

 

Adren is just as cute as ever. I love this pic of him. He is pure joy and happiness and my heart must expand to handle it.

 

I am sitting on the couch contemplating a new light fixture for above the kitchen table. The one that I have my eye on is $5,000. That is offensive. But it also gave me an idea. I removed the basket shade and feel like maybe I can work with what I've got?

Here is how our dresser situation is looking these days. Very cozy.

 

Eli started school! He enrolled at UVU and started this month. He's taking English and Film. For Christmas I got him a backpack and water bottle, some pens and fresh clothes and shoes (that he doesn't wear). I love how excited he is about it all, and that several of his friends are in his classes. I had to take him a few times because he is sharing the car with Paisley and Zeke, who have first priority. I enjoyed taking him though. It was a good time to chat. I thought he looked so cute walking off to class.

We've been helping him car shop. He has saved a bit of money, enough to buy one outright. Jon has gone with him to test drive but nothing has worked out yet. He found one at a small dealership in Provo but it was manual, which he's never driven. I went with him and we drove it to a parking lot nearby and I taught him how to drive it. He caught on so fast! Stick shifts are so fun and he was sold. When we got back the car was already sold! Whaaaa???
He was scouring facebook all the time. He found another one in Springville so I went with him to test drive it. I was a cute little cherry red two-door Honda Civic (automatic). It was a great price, so Jon went with him the next day and they got it checked out at our car place and got the green light. Jon talked them down a little more (he is so much better at those types of things). I am so happy for Eli to have his very own, first car! I love that he can come and go whenever he needs. I hope he felt our love and support for him, it was a fun experience to have with him. He is such a sweet guy. I love Eli so much and he deserves all that he is working for!