We ought to be at the foot of someone else

"When for the moment, we ourselves are not being stretched on a particular cross, we ought to be at the foot of someone else's - full of empathy and proffering spiritual refreshment" 

~Neal A. Maxwell

doesn't this just make so much sense?  I love it!  When we are not struggling with our own, we should be helping others through theirs.

LOVE IT!!!

Leah's Obsessed

How creepy is this?!

Leah is 2 and will NOT sit in front of the TV to watch anything.  Except this.

She asks for Wonka every day.  We forward it to the part where the kids are welcomed into the chocolate factory and she will sit mesmerized until the end.  She even sings the songs.  How weird is that?!

So we've watched it a few times over the last few days and can't believe what a creepy show it is.  

Think of so many of the movies from the past.  The movies I grew up on.  Better Off Dead.  Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  Labyrinth.  Mr. Mom.  So many more.  My brain is not working (because Leah was up crying for over two hours last night.  Crying the entire time).  

These movies have so many swear words and are so weird but we loved them.

My dad LOVED movies.  He had a video business (Learn By Video) so he had all the equipment and we recorded everything.  And we watched A LOT of movies.  Over and over and over.  And we loved it.

It's just sad/funny when I talk my kids into watching one of my old favorites and I end up embarassed or uncomfortable because it's so much worse than I remember.

Scouts

Thomas earned his Religious Knot.  This is a member of the bishopric presenting it to him.

Jack earning lots of awards.

Thomas earning more awards.

Jack and Thomas have GREAT scout leaders.  Really.  They are amazing.  They do so much for these boys and I am so grateful they do so well at their "job". 
I was the wolf scout leader and all I did was make sure they were getting the required stuff done.  Maybe that's why they released me after a year.  ???  I didn't realize I should be/could be doing so much more.
I am happy for my boys to get what is required but sadly, I guess, I don't care much beyond that.  That is why I am grateful for their good leaders who do care.

Brigham City Temple Open House

This is the picture that I realized we need a real camera.  Someone asked me to take a picture of them with their "real" camera and wow.  The difference was amazing.

So here we are at the Brigham City Temple open house.  It is a BEAUTIFUL temple.  John has been there a few times in the construction phase.  I'll have to post some neat pictures he has of that.  He wanted us to see the brides room and worked it out for us to see it.  It is made for a queen and is so beautiful.  I love that temples have that special room for the brides to get ready.

The kids with Grandma.  So glad she was with us.  We missed Grandma Kate.

Leah in her footies.  Super cute.

Random

These are the bathroom stalls at Pizza Pie Cafe.  John knows a powder coater that wants work to do church chairs so John hooked up Richard and John R. and got them a great deal.  They were ugly pink like the counter top before.  They look great now and it made a huge difference for the look of the bathroom.

Add caption

Ready for bed and a treat to watch a movie in bed.  We moved the little tv in for the evening for these 5.  Little John was at a cabin with some of the teachers.  I think.

Jack lost another tooth.  Our kids lose their teeth really late.  Tooth fairy made it a day and a half late.  But he/she made it.

capturing Leah in the flower garden.  Cute girl.

Unwrapping chairs for Pizza Pie Cafe.  We spent several hours helping with the yard and unwrapping chairs.  It was fun!



Sam found comfort sleeping with Jack I guess. I think Thomas got in bed with Sam and when Sam got up in the night to go to the bathroom, he probably saw his bed was full and climbed up with Jack. He usually comes to our bed at least half the time. Which is why we now have a king bed.



Morning and rules and it's all overwhelming.

My boys crack me up.

We had a talk last night with the family.

A reminder of some of the rules since things aren't going as smoothly as they could be.

#1 is no tv before school.

They have been turning it on every morning and it takes so much longer to get ready when it's on and that's not the kind of noise I want to hear.  So this morning, it was off.  I woke them up an hour or so before they had to leave and it was wonderful.  I actually was somewhat looking forward to the quiet when they left because man they were loud.  I had to stop them a few times and remind them that they were right next to each other.

So we hung out in the kitchen the entire hour.  Sam got stuff ready for school that we put off all week.  Thomas made a paper bag puppet for scouts today and they talked and played and ate breakfast and it was wonderful. 

And I do look forward to them coming home and the noise starting all over again.  As long as it is their noise and not noise from the tv.

 

The next rules we needed a reminder of are:

NO TV OR VIDEO GAMES OR ELECTRONICS OF ANY KIND (we have to be super specific with this or they let us know we didn't say one of them) until:

1.  their room is clean

2.  homework is done

3.  piano/guitar is practiced

 

Things go so much smoother around here when these simple rules are followed.

 

So last night, John and I fed the kids german pancakes then spoiled ourselves with Lonestar and back to school night.  I left back to school night feeling completely overwhelmed.

We requested our kids teachers this year.  We actually put a lot of prayer and thought into it because we've never requested before.  Last year, they had good teachers but we didn't feel like they were challenged enough, or pushed to their potential.  So we requested the teachers who are most organized and keep the kids busy.  Not with busy work but busy with a lot of projects and plays and a lot of learning.  Thomas' teacher won a national award last year for what a great teacher she is.  Some don't want her because of how much she does and we weren't sure we did either but in the end, we decided it is what Thomas needs.  He needs to be held accountable and needs to work hard.

I came home with 50 papers of information and wondered how I'm going to do it all.

 

So I asked Heavenly Father, in my mind, and the answer came instantly.

"One day at a time".

That is the answer.

I wrote down what I need to do which is to have two file folders for each kid.  (Thanks to Catherine Pitt). One for the stuff worth saving until the end of the year and decide what to do with it then and the second folder for the fliers and papers that need to be taken care of.  I also decided I need a bigger calendar that I can write EVERYTHING on. And put it up in an unflattering spot but where everyone can see it. 

I just have to remember to look at the calendar and try to be organized enough to make this work.  But it has to.  I can't have everything piled in confusion on the kitchen desk anymore.  Right Teresa?!  Right Jolie?!  Laura?!  Everyone else who has seen and tried to help my constant pile?!!!

 

My mind isn't very organized and I go even more nuts when I try to organize things in my mind then get it actually organized in real life.  It's frustrating that it doesn't come easy for me.  But I'll give it a shot. 

I'm a little worried about this year.  Little John has an AP class and he is a grade level above in math and the english teacher last year asked him to be in honors english.  So those three classes plus all the other classes and golf and basketball and piano and young mens, add up to a lot.  Emily needs constant attention just to stay on task and do her work.  And now we have Thomas and Jack in classes with the teachers who do a lot to keep kids learning.  Sam is in kindergarten.  That should be fine.  But to top it all off, Leah is out of control at home.  The girl gets in to EVERYTHING.  It has not been easy so far.

John has city council, is busy with work, and will be traveling soon.  Plus the callings for church.

 

It all adds up.  Somehow it all works but can you see why I've got to figure out how to organize it all? 

I guess as long as I keep putting it all on the calendar, I will just take it ONE DAY AT A TIME. 

That will work.
Right?!

 



Thomas' self portrait



Thomas.
He was being sneaky at home, asking for newspaper, keeping doors shut.
Turns out, he was recreating himself.  Every student was "sitting" in their seat at back to school night. 
It was really cute.



John went to little John's golf tournament.  He has a great swing and took first in his foursome.  Haven't heard overall yet.

Beautiful clouds on the course.
Isn't the weather beautiful as it turns to fall?!

 

Bees Game

Bumble got permission from me to sign Jack's head. 

These boys hung out right here the entire game until three of them finally got game balls.

These four hung out here together for most of the evening.

BFF's and we couldn't be happier.

Same with these two.

Kate's company had family night at the bee's game and she brought all of us with her.  Including Emily and John's friend.  Jolie and  Sean and their kids were also there.
Ryan is back in school so they couldn't come.  Good job Ryan!  and Laura!
It was really fun.  We stayed until the end of the game event though the Bee's lost.
We had a nice hamburger and hot dog dinner provided then ate cotton candy, the kids rode the train, and we enjoyed the evening.
THANK YOU KATE!!!!
It was fun to spend the evening together.

First Day of School 2012

First of all, I need a new camera.  I'm getting a little tired of the phone pictures.Second.....It's the first day of school. It didn't start a day too early or a day too late. Perfect. 

Jack's idea for the picture.

 

Sam starts morning Kindergarten

Thomas starts 5th grade

Leah stays home and keeps being cute.

Jack starts 3rd grade

Sam showing me his self portrait.

We LOVE his teacher.  Jack had her too. 

Jack finding his hook for his backpack.

Story time.  Of course Sam is front and center.

First day of 9th grade.  Stud muffin.

Good friends.  Big 8th and 9th graders.

Love Mrs. Kelly.  Thomas had her too.

Sam at his table with new friends.

Love these kids.

Leah wishing she could stay. Sam being a really sweet big brother.

Volunteer helper in kindergarten.  She said she retired and wanted something to do so this is her third year volunteering in the kindergarten.  Kind of like her mission.  I LOVE it and love her for her willingness to serve this way.

Thomas, Jack, and Nate ready for school.

Emily and Ally ready to catch the bus.

This is where I first teared up.  Seeing all the parents with their kids.  I love people.

Oh they are so cute.  Last night, each kid made their own 1st day of school sign.  Leah wanted to make one too.  This morning Leah ran outside and I guess she saw that all the boys had their signs because a minute later, she ran in and grabbed her paper and went right back out.  Makes me tear up just thinking about it.  It was so cute and they are all so grown up.

Finishing his self portrait and getting started on his journal.

Thomas at his desk.  I've got one year left with him to embarass with pictures.  He sits next to his Aunt Suzy's neice.  Love it!

They decorated cupcakes to celebrate!

Ready to begin.

8th grade.  Wow.  Cute girl.



That's it!!  We made it.  I teared up only a few times but tried hard to hold back.  I miss them but it is what it is and I'm pretty sure I'll find plenty to do while their gone.
John is awesome and loves to be there the first day of school.  We sent off the older two on the bus and walked the other three to school.
Emily came in my room this morning and panicked a little asking "Where's Dad?"  It was very cute.  I knew she wanted him here and likes that he sticks around on the first day.  She was relieved when she heard he was waking up John.

I sure do love these kids.  And their dad.