Wacky Wednesday

Today was Wacky Wednesday at Soren and Sterling's elementary school. Sterling was home sick, but Soren came up with his own version of wacky. I thought he looked so cute and snapped this photo while I was helping in his class.

Soren was even excited to go to school! Fun stuff. :)

Beautiful

Lots of beautiful people around on this beautiful day. It's Prom night and the weather couldn't be more perfect. Here are a few pictures of Sam and Savannah with their dates for the evening.

Val and Savannah

Sam and Grace

Beautiful!

Happy Arbor Day

When you are in third grade in our little corner of the world, you are given a white pine tree on Arbor Day. Sadie was so excited to get her little tree today.

 

It's kind of hard to see her in this one...she's hiding behind the tree. :)

 Happy Arbor Day!!

Happy Easter

The Big Decision

It's official. 

Thanks to a generous scholarship, when he returns from his mission in 2016, Sam will be True Blue! So happy to have another Cougar in the family. :) 

Congratulations, Sam! Go BYU!!

Two Minutes

I joined the gym today. I'm hoping the above graphic won't be true much longer. Wish me luck...

Let Us All Press On

I am in love with this arrangement of Let Us All Press On that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang during General Conference last weekend.


If you're anything like me, you'll listen and then hit rewind and listen again...and again. I love it so much! It reminds me of the way I felt when I first heard the Mack Wilberg arrangements of Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing and Redeemer of Israel. Awesome!

Heart Melter

Is this the picture of innocence or what? A friend of mine dubbed Soren the Gerber baby when he was born and is still calling him that ten years later. I don't know when this picture was taken...4, 5, 6 years ago? But when I stumbled upon it today while looking for something else, my heart melted. And for those who know Soren, you know that he's just as beautiful on the inside.

I sure love my little buddy.

Fast Forward

This past weekend was General Conference which is always one of my favorite weekends of the year.

Hearing the words of prophets and apostles is always something I look forward to. There were plenty of warnings about what lies ahead. Elder Neil L. Andersen said, "The world will not glide calmly toward the second coming." But then he went on to remind us that the challenges we face make us stronger and prepare us for the future.

Several spoke about the wonders of the internet and the many wonderful things it makes available to us, but the warnings about the misuse of this tool were a prevalent theme. I love this quote by Randall L. Ridd and hope my kids will always remember it:

We were challenged to defend our beliefs, to be kind and considerate to those who don't believe as we do, to repent early and often, to let our faith show, to share the gospel, and to be grateful. We should do the best we can with the time we've been given, demonstrate love and kindness at every opportunity, develop a strong testimony of the Savior and his atonement, and trust in Him.

I could just feel the love our leaders have for us in every word they spoke. My only regret is that it all went by too fast. It felt like someone pushed the fast forward button on Saturday morning. As I listened to the final session of conference on Sunday afternoon I could hardly believe it was over already. But I've been left with plenty to ponder and apply. I've got my work cut out for me over the next six months!

The New Third Grade

Here's a little study guide that Sadie made for herself so she could prepare for a test next week:

Savannah, a junior in high school, looked at it and said, "I just learned those bones for the first time this year!" I thought to myself, "I don't remember ever learning them...!"

Sadie is pretty excited about this unit. She really seems to get it. Maybe, like Savannah, she'll be inclined toward a health field. Whatever she ends up doing in life, I'm glad she's excited about the things she's learning in third grade.

Scripture Study At Our House

Scripture study happens pretty early around here. We get the kids up at 5:30 before the oldest three leave for early morning seminary. It's the one time of day we know everyone will be home at the same time. The other day, Jeff managed to get everyone out of bed and into the living room, but this is what I found when I walked in:

Not to be deterred, we still read from the Book of Mormon. I think everyone, however sleepy, took their turn. Or maybe I ended up reading for a kid or two. Some days it works out better than others, but at least we're trying! :)

The Boy Who Made Me A Mother

Eighteen years ago today I became a mom. For all the things I forget with this terrible memory of mine, I still remember the details of that day so clearly. I'm still amazed how, in one instant, I could go from not knowing this little person in my life to wondering how I could have ever lived without him. 

  

Today, eighteen years later, Sam became an adult. I knew it was coming. I've watched him make his way through the lazy, angry, overwhelming teenage years. But somewhere over the last couple of years, he found his stride. 

Sam is funny, smart, talented, hard working, sensitive, handsome and a friend to all. When he puts his mind to something, well, just stay out of his way! I am anxious to see what his future holds. It breaks my heart when I think of dropping him off at the missionary training center this summer so I try not to think about it. Two years is a long time, but Sam will be a great missionary. Of that I am certain. 

Happy Birthday, Sam!!

Wherever you are, I hope you set your little corner of the world on fire...

...and I hope eighteen is your best year so far!

Love, Mom
xxx