Things to Remember Week of 5-24-15

PATRIARCHAL BLESSINGS
I loved teaching the Beehives about Patriarchal blessings today.  Felt like a good lesson.  They asked lots of questions and we went through a lot of things.  It was great.  I loved renewing my appreciation and testimony of Patriarchal blessings too.  5-24-15

ALDEN MAYNES
Aunt Jen surprised us today with a visit.  She needed volunteers to help find a grave.  We all piled in the car and went over to the Kaysville cemetery to find Grandpa Russ's brother, Alden Despain Maynes' grave to put a flag on it.  She had a cool picture of all of Grandpa's brothers in their uniforms- they pretty much covered every area of the military!  Very cool!  We went to the cemetery and after spotting Keith's family's headstones from the road, and a few clues later, we were able to find Alden's grave.  Along with his daughter Deborah.  It was really cool.  We sat there and listened to Jen read us the story of "His most memorable Christmas" which happened to be the day his plane got shot down, his parachute engaged too soon, so he basically free fell from his plane and landed in enemy territory only to be taken to a prison camp.  He had a special moment in the air where he prayed and asked that his life be spared and then an overwhelming, never felt before, peace came over him.  Pretty amazing.  I hope the kids were listening.  It's stuff like that that really makes you appreciate what you have.  I think my most memorable Christmas has to do with a toy or something... maybe not, but still... just crazy stuff!  All in the name of defending our country's freedoms.  Pretty cool.  He sounded like a cool guy.  I spent some time looking around on my family tree today- saw him on there... kind of a cool thing.  I love the family that I married into.  It was a nice time spent with Jen too- I wish we could see her more often.

 5-24-15

CHERRY BERRY CAFE... AND BRADLEY
Sundays are difficult days for me right now.  I hate to admit it, but my kids notice.  Fortunately for me, my kids are awesome and they sometimes compensate for my poor parenting.  After we went with Jen and my hour long phone call with Jami, I realized I only had energy/time for PB&J and that was the plan for dinner.  But lucky for us, Charity had already sensed the need and was in the process of making dinner for everyone!  What a cool girl.  I really don't know what I would do without these kids sometimes.  They are so good to me.  She made a cute menu on the board for everyone to fill out their paper from and then she and Bradley (who also helped to clean the kitchen up prior to dinner) served us Spaghetti and Sausage dinner!  It was lovely.  I really appreciate these moments.  5-24-15

FHE
Charity wanted to complete a requirement for Personal Progress so I let her take my turn with the lesson this week, and we decided to just have it on Tuesday since we were gone Monday evening.  She taught us about how faith can help us keep the Sabbath day holy.  I think it was a great reminder for all of us.  She did a great job.  Otter Pops for the treat :).  And four square for the activity.  I think we're getting better at getting out.  Progress is good.  5-26-15

KISS GOODBYE
One thing I am definitely going to miss when school is out (the ONLY thing), is watching Jack say goodbye to the kids each morning!  He has a very strict routine.  He insists on hugging everyone and giving them a kiss on each cheek (ya know how Noah was supposed to be Italian "Me no likUH my foodUH", well, I think Jack was supposed to be French.  Just sayin').  He practically attacks the kids though, it's so romantic ;).  It totally cracks me up really.  Then he also has his special handshake thing with Noah.  It's just so fun to watch them all enjoy that time with him.  I know they're not going to be able to really bond with him as much as some of their older siblings, so this means a lot to me.  Hopefully it starts back up when school does :).  I love it.  5-27-15

MATH AND SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
Bradley signed up for the Math and Science Olympiad- made me proud- and competed today.  He was wishing it wasn't a team thing because according to him, he "would have one with his own score, but the person on his team didn't do very well".  Kind of a bummer that he didn't win, but I'm just glad he took the opportunity to compete.  These are cool things for the kids, I'm glad he took advantage of it.  He has plans for next year :).  5-28-15

FEEDING THE MISSIONARIES
We had our missionaries over for a quick dinner before the school carnival.  I think it went well.  It was funny to watch Charity flirt with them :) 5-28-15

SCHOOL CARNIVAL
We finally got our carnival after having to reschedule due to rain (we have had SO MUCH RAIN lately!- good stuff!).  As soon as I got the wrist bands on the kids they were off!  They kind of paired off, Charity, Kelly and Cassidy; Bradley and Luke; and Noah and Erika.  I'm glad they had each other, but I must admit I felt a little left out!  IT's hard to keep up with all of them at once, but I wish I could.  So I sat and talked with Nate while Jack entertained himself on the playgrounds.  That was fun.  I enjoyed socializing a lot as well.  It was a fun evening.  I think the kids had a good time.  I did get some videos of the girls on the Whizzer!  5-28-15

VISITING TEACHING
I really enjoy visiting teaching and usually Debbie and I are really good about getting out early in the month.  I failed this month and we just barely finished our people on Friday.  Not quite the last day of the month, but close.  Anyway- I had different feelings this time as we were out visiting.  I was realizing how easy it is to turn visiting teaching into a bad thing.  Gossip, backbiting, talking about negative things... etc., they can all sneak there way in.  Heavenly Father has created this amazing tool where women are able to socialize, give and receive support and love from each other on a monthly basis, but just like all of Heavenly Father's tools, satan tries to use it to fulfill his crappy purposes.  I need to make sure I am not allowing him to do so.  5-29-15

PICNIC ON THE PLAYGROUND
Nate, Erika, Jack and I hauled our little selves and our Little Caesar's Pizza over to the school playground for some lunch with the big kids!  It was weird to not have Charity there, but we had a great time!  Fun tradition.  5-29-15


TOURNAMENT
Bradley and Luke's baseball tournament started and ended on Friday.  They tried so hard this season!  Their team was really good and almost at the top, but unfortunately they didn't win their first game of the tournament.  Kind of a bummer to have the season be over, but there's always next year.  5-29-15

KAYSVILLE SOUTH STAKE 5K
We did it!  We got up and got ourselves to the Garden chapel by (what we thought was the starting time) 7:00 am!!!!  It was all Nate- he had to drag me and all my excuses out of bed, but I was very proud of us!!  We did end up sitting there for a while, an hour to be exact, before the actual start.   I was not as excited for this this year for some reason, but we'd come prepared to not be a burden to everyone.  Nate, Kelly, Noah, Erika, Jack and I were on bikes.  Charity was on her roller blades.  And Bradley and Luke were going to try to beat last year's times, so they ran!!!  This is why I even bothered coming, I really wanted to see them do it!  I was SO proud of them and couldn't have been more impressed with their times!!!  They gave out awards at the end, Kelly, Noah and Erika all got first place in their divisions for bike riding- Kelly's time was only like 16 minutes!  WOW!  Erika had debated whether to go with the "fast bike riders" or just hang back with Nate and I, even shed a few tears over the decision, but then ended up going with the fast-ees.  I'm so glad she did!  She and Noah stuck by each other I think and came in at really good times- 24 and 25 minutes I think?  Charity was the only rollerblader, she got "first place" too :).  We giggled about that.  The certificates we were really wanting to see were Bradley and Luke's.  Luke ended up getting 3rd place with a time of only 26 minutes 45 seconds, only FIFTEEN SECONDS away from the targeted 27 minutes that I had challenged him to get!!!  Pretty cool!!  The very best runner there only got two minutes less than him, so WOW!  When I had finally caught up with him on Burton Lane, he was so upbeat and positive about the whole thing- it was so cute!  "My legs don't even hurt!" and "I'm just not going to stop!" very optimistic and ready to win :). Bradley did incredible as well.  He struggled a little more- I think because he is bigger and has a different form than Luke- but he pushed himself!!!!  so hard!!!!  He didn't give up! And got in around 31 minutes.  Pretty awesome.  We think he was fourth place in his division, but no certificate.  I really can't express how proud I am of these guys!  I love that they even attempted!  So cool.  I hope we can condition everyone a little this summer.  Nate has plans.  I wish I was a better example though.  I need to do something about that as soon as we are done with this whole baby making business.  So we hurried home for the home teachers and then everyone pretty much crashed :).  But it was a fun morning!  I'm glad we went, we were the only ones there from our ward!!  Way to represent!  5-30-15

DRESS SHOPPING
Kelly and I spent the afternoon looking for the perfect dress for her 6th grade dance.  We had so much fun!!  There was not a very good selection at ANY of the six stores we went to, but we managed to find the perfect one at Ross!  for only $13!!!  We were both quite proud of that :).  It called for a trip to Costa Vida for some Raspberry Chipotle Burritos/enchiladas.  Then on a whim, we took Kelly to wack all her hair off!!  It's short again!  Such a fun little date with her though- I loved it!!  I hope she had fun too.

 5-30-15