Cox Chronicles: December 2025

Kimball turned 14 this year, holy smoke! I honestly don't know where the time has gone, just last week I was oooing and awwwing at his mummy costume that the nurses dressed him up in at the NICU. Kimball is such a great kid and it's been a pleasure to watch him grow up into the young man he is. He's been really into the guitar and got one for his birthday! He still enjoys doodling, writing silly poems, telling jokes, and aspiring to be a mountain man.

Halloween & Dia de Los Muertos

This year for Halloween we have Harry Potter, a boy being abducted by an alien, and a cowboy. Kimball went to a Halloween party with a friend in our new ward so I took Cora and Ezra to our old neighborhood to trick or treat. It was such a fun night and not too chilly. I purposely took Cora by two of her best friends' houses since she hasn't seen them since we moved. The girls were so surprised, Presley almost cried because she was so happy to finally see Cora.

Bell Tower hosted its first annual Dia de Los Muertos on November 1. It was our first time hosting and planning this and A LOT of work went into it. Each employee was instrumental in pulling it off and I would say it was a success. We had about 150 people! Several people from our new ward came out, lots of folks dressed up, the ofrenda was very full. What a lovely tradition to remember our ancestors and share stories! We had a full mariachi band, taco truck, complimentary drinks, face painting, cookie decorating, and flower making. The weather was very rainy and windy but we rented a large tent with heaters inside so it was fairly comfortable. I'm so grateful the community came together to remember their kindred dead.

My 40th Birthday Surprise

Lance had a birthday surprise for me in September but wouldn't say what it was. I was supposed to pack an overnight bag and meet him at a restaurant in Coeur d'Alene. I was so excited to have a night away together! When I left the house I noticed that he didn't pack a bag for himself so that made me a little sad....was he staying home to take care of the kids while I got to have a night away by myself?!............what was going on......? So I showed up at the restaurant and met him outside. As we walked in together I was immediately taken aback by the group in the corner - it was a girls night with Julie, Jean, and Chris!!! Not only that, but Lance reserved a house on the river for us girls to have a sleep over together. Huzzah!!!!! Oh my word, I was so surprised and excited and nervous all at the same time!

Dinner was delicious, it was a family owned authentic Italian restaurant that is only open by reservation. Lance went home while us girls went to the lake house. We ate yummy treats all night long and visited and laughed and stayed up way too late. In the morning we ate more treats for breakfast outside on the river and watched the sun rise. What a beautiful birthday surprise! I'm so grateful Lance would pull that off for me and was so shocked to see my best Spokane friends. What a treat!

New School Year

Fall decided to come around which means starting a new school year in our district. Our district is joint with other surrounding small towns but the schools are in Rathdrum. Kimball and Cora are together at the middle school in 6th and 8th grades, and Ezra is at Betty Keifer Elementary in 3rd grade. Switching schools has been a really great opportunity for the kids (especially Kimball) to start fresh. His last two years in middle school weren't easy and some days he barely survived (same with Mom), and he has really loved this new school and all new people. Cora has come in strong starting middle school! She's really embraced the change and adapted so smoothly to her new environment. The smaller school has been good for her and I think the kids enjoy seeing each other at school even if they never admit it out loud.

Rocking the platform Converse!

Because I have to leave at 6:30 to take the kids down the mountain to the bus stop, I finally got to see an early sunrise!

Sometimes Murphy comes with me to pick the kids up from the bus stop and it is such a lovely greeting for the kids. Occasionally the kids will ride on the outside of the door back up the mountain. Occasionally Ezra has to go to the bathroom so bad he can't wait and asks to pull over to go in the woods. He cracks me up, haha.

Random Photos

If you don't want your treats to get eaten around here, you better label them.

Gummy eye candies

Ezra found a new reading spot

Lance, myself, and our two funeral directors attended a fancy fundraiser for a boy that we cared for. That night I went over to Jacqueline's house with Stephanie because they wanted a bit of a girls night getting ready together. Stephanie did my makeup. What a fun night!