Birk Adventures

The last couple of weeks of school were busy. The last week of school was structured like a finals week, with secondary students going only half days and high school students only being required to go when they had a test or project due. The girls did a good job pushing through and finishing. Eve’s class put on the play of “The Polar Express” which her sisters and I went to see. It was really cute . Eve was the reindeer who's bridle they cut the bell off of for the boy to take home. There was also an elementary concert that I attended where each grade sang some Christmas songs, then the entire elementary school performed a song. It was fun to get more of a feel for the school and, of course, to see Eve. On the last day of school before Christmas, Mini and Emmy attended the Winter Formal. It was a dress up event for secondary students, held at a hotel. There was a nice meal, a talent show, and hanging out with their peers. They seemed to have a fun time and looked beautiful all ...

 Crazy that it's mid-December! We have had a big month since I last posted, most notably because Adam's mom passed away November 12 (my birthday). The Department of State paid for Adam to go home for the funeral so he did a super quick trip to Utah, being there less than 24 hours. We're grateful to family and friends who supported us and helped us feel very loved. Adam stayed at my parents' house and found gifts and treats waiting for him from my siblings to bring back to China, which we appreciated so much. The funeral itself went well. Adam spoke first, reading thoughts from his dad then sharing his own thoughts. All of his siblings were there and some relatives from Texas. Despite some conflict in Adam's family right now, things went well and we were grateful he could go. We will miss Carol yet are grateful that she is in a place where she is freed from physical constraints and limitations as she had been dealing with heart, kidney, and dementia issues for years....