Hello June!

Isn't it wonderful?!!  June 1st tomorrow.  What a great day. 
First...my grandma's 94th birthday!  Happy Birthday Grandma.  This lady has every bit of her memory and she walks the halls of her 'condo' every day.  She is friends with EVERYBODY, is adored by all, and is as witty as ever.  She has bowled and golfed most of her life and misses it dearly.  Oh I love her and miss her.  She moved to New Jersey to live by her last living child, my Aunt Paula.  This was just a few months before my dad passed away and the timing couldn't have been better.  She sounds great, she looks wonderful and I am so happy she is in Jersey.  I am hoping to take John and Emily with me for a visit back east sometime soon.
June 1st this year is also the beginning of summer!  Woohoo!  I am so happy.  I have a strong desire to soak up my kids this summer.  Time is slipping away and I don't like it.  I want to teach my kids to work this summer.  I want to teach them to be responsible.  I want to play with them, vacation with them, go on field trips with them, be lazy with them, and enjoy every bit of them.  (Remind me of this when I feel crazy please.)  We didn't sign up for anything extra this summer.  We almost did city rec stuff but last minute decided I didn't want anything in the way.  (Except piano.  Emily doesn't take piano lessons but is doing a crash course this summer from our favorite teacher Brenda.  Even guitar is taking a break with only one lesson a month.  Little John will also be working at a farm a few mornings a week but everyone else will be home getting their housework done so it works.  Plus he is learning a lot with this job and I'm proud of him.)
The kids have enjoyed their year and their teachers.  We've had a lot of ups and downs.  Lots of basketball, softball, baseball, Lacrosse, piano, guitar, scouts, preschool, school, birthdays, friends, homework, programs, plays, spelling bee, vacationing, fights, starting over, and over again, and over again, self improvement, and on and on and on.  We're ready for a break.
We are grateful and hope to show our gratitude in the way we act and the way we treat others.  Something we've been working on a lot but still need lots and lots of work....First to recognize our blessings and second to show our gratitude for them. 
We discussed it tonight and as of tomorrow when our kids walk out of school, they will be 9th, 8th, 5th, and 3rd graders and one kindergartener.  whew.

Congratulations also to my cousin Preston who will be serving in a Brazil mission starting the end of October.  We are SO excited and happy for him.  We love you Preston and all of you Paynters!!

He is wearing pants.

But he wasn't for a moment.  Oh the joy of a teenage well check.

5'8" - 75%
111 lbs. - 40%

Clean bill of health and now approved for his stake adventure camp next month. 

I love this kid.

John is a working man now.  He was determined to get a job and even though he was discouraged many times to not waste his time at Bangerter Farms, he did it anyway and he likes it.  He is a fast worker and it's going well. 

I told him I wouldn't be okay with him just trying it and quitting.  I told him if he's going to do it then he needs to work hard and really do it. 

I figure the people who complain about it aren't hard workers.  They're the kids that don't want to put forth the effort.  Those that like it and make good money are the kids who work hard and put forth the effort.

I don't like this growing up business.  I am LOVING that summer is just days away and I can do my best to soak up my kids all summer.

Random Act of Kindness

Emily, Leah and I went to dairy queen while the boys were at father sons campout.  We waited in line for 25 minutes and cars were coming into line from 2 directions.  My line kept moving through so when I came up to meet the one car waiting in the other line, I waved them ahead of me.
As we sat there, I looked at the car in front of me and really liked the look of it so I snapped a picture and sent it to John telling him I like this car.
When I pulled up to the window, I held out my card and the cashier said "the people in front of you paid for you".  It was an instant shock and instant teary eyes.  I said "seriously?  Wow.  Thank you."  When the people in front of me pulled away, I waved and said thank you.  They waved back. 
I had a great feeling the rest of the night and was so touched by someones random act of kindness.  All I could think about was paying it forward.  Just like in the commercials, doing something kind is contagious.
I wonder how hard/easy it would be to do a daily random act of kindness.  Maybe I'll give it a shot.  Maybe that should be on my families summer bucket list. 
The way someone else's kindness made me feel, I think I'll put it at the top of the listi found it funny I had already taken a picture of the car.  A great reminder.

Surgery

Wow.  I didn't realize this wasn't posted.  It's been in draft.

Little John had leg correction surgery on his left leg.  Four years after the same surgery on his right leg.  Technically speaking.....rotational osteotomy of the femur with rod placement.

It was a rough first few days.  Oh it was sad.  he cried and cried and we cried and cried.  Mostly Emily and me.  But it has now been two months and he came home from school the other day and said " I was quarterback in football in gym today".  Oh heavens!!  He should still be using one crutch.  It is so nice to see him walking again. 

We've been going to the boys baseball games.  Last night I asked him if he misses baseball. He said yes.  I asked if we should have waited until after baseball to do the surgery.  He said "no because then I wouldn't get to play golf this summer and golf messes up my baseball swing."  He's decided golf is his sport so we're going to run with it.  Yeah!  I told him that's smart because he can play until he's 90 and it is a great skill to have in business.  That led to the conversation of why it's good in business and I saw a glimpse of the future of my oldest son.  Wow. I love him.  I am so glad these surgeries are behind us. 

This morning we got to review 2 weeks of health class learning about the birds and the bees, the reproductive system, abstinence, AIDS, STD's, our families rules and commitments, and ultimately what Heavenly Father has blessed us with and how to use it properly. 

I told him when I was in 8th grade, my mom said "do you have any questions?"  I said no and she signed it.  He asked why I couldn't be that way.  I think it's important to discuss and if he ever has any questions or problems, we've already been very open with each other and hopefully that will make it easier and more comfortable to come to me with uncomfortable business.  I know it will work that way because my kids are already very open with me and I love it!!!!

I love you John!

Let me make this right. I was so glad my mom just asked if I had any questions. I didn't want to discuss it with her and I did not fault her for it. I don't know how I ended up being so open with my kids but I am.
I would NEVER trade my mom!!! She was the best mom EVER for Jolie, ryan, and me. We are who we are because of her. And I think she did a pretty great job raising us.

Lacrosse and Three handle mug

The first Lacrosse game we were able to sit and watch Thomas play.  It is awesome.  What a great sport and Thomas loves it!  He's decided Lacrosse, Basketball, and Golf are his sports.

Love you Thomas.

Little John bought this three handled mug at a yard sale maybe 8 or so years ago.  We love it because he loved it so much and one of the handles broke off and it went in the garbage.  Sad.  maybe we should have glued it back on and kept it.  Everytime I saw it I thought of my cute little boy.  Hm.

Love you John.

Pack Meeting

I feel bad I missed a picture of Thomas.
Jack earned his bobcat.  Thomas earned his last silver arrow and his first webelos pin. 
Then they had a bike rally and an officer came to talk to them about safety.  The highlight was getting to look in the police car and listen to the siren of course.
It was a nice evening.  We've got great leaders and a great Ward.

Fun in the Sun

There has been a lot of fighting around here lately but today all six kids played for hours together in the backyard. Even with the occasional fighting, it's wonderful to see them play together. Time seems to be slipping away and more and more we want to cherish every bit of the time we have together.

They are great kids. We are very blessed parents.

Primary Spotlights

The three boys in primary will be spotlighted this year.  John and I were asked to write up something to share a story about something they've done to choose the right and/or things they do to choose the right.

Here is their spotlights:

 

Thomas Jamison

Thomas is a peacemaker in our family. He is good at staying out of arguments and often gives up his own comfort for others.

In our family, we have been focusing on "being kinder than necessary" and Thomas has been a great example of this.

We have seen him many times emptying the dishwasher or changing the laundry without being asked.

He tries to find things he can do to be helpful.

He is very sensitive to other people. When his friend broke his leg, he was very concerned and took him a treat and prayed for him.

Thomas is a very loving and thoughtful kid and we are grateful he is in our family.

 

 

Jack Ryan

Jack is great at helping when needed. If the dishwasher needs emptied or the garbage needs out, Jack volunteers. He is happy to help others and feels good when he does. One Saturday Jack and his mom were taking dinner to Jack's aunt. No one was home when they got there so Jack and his mom decided to clean their house. Jack cleaned up their yard and was so excited to help. When he left he said, "they are going to be so happy". He likes to serve others.

Jack doesn't like to hear bad words and doesn't want to watch movies that have bad words.

He loves to play with his brothers and sisters and has fun with them. Sometimes he gets upset but if he stops and thinks about his choices, he recognizes what is right and changes his attitude.

Jack's family loves him a lot and thinks he's pretty special. Life is much better when he is around.

Samuel Bruce

Sam chooses the right best by being very happy almost all the time. He smiles almost all day long. He loves life and finds JOY in all that he does.

Sam loves his little sister and takes good care of her.

He LOVES to help his mom and dad. No matter what they are doing, Sam is by their side....cooking, cleaning, building things, working on the car, mowing the lawn, weeding.....Sam always wants to help.

He enjoys kneeling by his bed to say his prayers before he goes to sleep.

He loves primary songs and loves to sing.

Sam's family loves him a lot. He helps everyone in his family smile and laugh and be happy.

Great friends

Sam LOVES to play with his friends and I love to have his friends come play.
Leah LOVES to swing.

Lessons LearnING

1.  When I am WILLING to be taught, I am TAUGHT more than I could hope for.  When I'm willing, my heart opens up and lets more in.  That is when I am teachable and I learn.
2.  Good things that other people do, does not lessen any good that I do.  There is no need to fear that because its not the way it works.
2 1/2.  Be thankful for others talents and gifts and be thankful and happy with my own.
Stand strong.  Be happy.

By the way....I love my new shirt.  Thanks Leslie.  ;)

My boys

Thomas and Jack went to the ENT.  Thomas has to chew his food forever and has big tonsils,etc. Etc. And Jack gets so hoarse that he can only whisper half the time.  Turns out one of jacks tonsils is 4 times bigger than the other.
They are both scheduled to have their tonsils removed and its great that they get to do it together.
Sam came down ready for the day with his pants pulled up just a bit.
I love my kids.