Get your race on!!!

D won 3rd place in the Pinewood Derby.

It was so fun D had a blast with all his scout buddies!

Congrats D!

The Random Kind

Click HERE to watch "The Random Kind"
My son's project for school.
Donate if you'd like to help make this happen!!!!

Knights of Freedom Summit 2010

For some weird reason I cant flip this picture. So just cock your
head to one side and enjoy!

Anyways, .... This is D receiving his Chivalry award at the

Knights of Freedom Summit.

The Master Knight (who is standing in front of D) chose

D out of our group because he showed exemplary

character at the Summit! We are so proud!

Click here to see a video of the battle.

No, seriously, you have to watch it, so, click here

if you were having second thoughts.

Click here if you want to know more about

Knights of Freedom!

This is just a little of what we've done for school

so, stay tuned for snap shots of

American Girls Club, American History Co-Op,

Shakespeare Conquest and more!

2 things...

2 things I use every day to
help me become a better person:

1. Be an annoyer and a disturber to Satan.
Be the kind of person that makes Satan say
"Oh no, she's up again?"

Isn't that great! Sometimes I say that when a
"hard to handle" child wakes up. It has changed
my perspective on how to help guide my children
and how to guide myself!

2. Heavenly Father is always up for giving
us a challenge. I feel like I have many this year.
Hard ones too.

Sis. Jolley spoke about a woman who called her
husband and asked him to remind her why they
decided to have 8 children.

He kindly said to his wife...
"Because Heavenly Father knew we
could handle 7!"

Those are words of wisdom!
I have taken that to heart everyday.
He really does want us to grow and become
more. He gives us those opportunities so
we don't become stagnet.

Some of my "opportunities" are my youngest son's
screaming temper and my oldest son's football
experience!

It is up to us to decide what we will do with
the opportunities he places before us.

How will you handle yours?

Listen to this amazing message from
Pres. Faust

Embrace Opposition!

On our way to Parowan it was raining. A lot!

There were also a lot of Semi's driving in the

same direction. I'm sure you know what it's like

to drive next to a Semi when it's raining.

It's scary!

After my choir directer encouraged us to

"embrace opposition", I thought for sure we were

going to crash and one, if not all of us, were going

to die!

We didn't thank goodness, because Sis Jolley

prays for us and our safety every night. Isn't that

awesome!? Well, that's not my point but I thought it

was cool enough to share. :)

On the way home I was tired and irritated

with my 3 yr old son for screaming and crying

in his car seat. He wouldn't stop. And I yelled.

My patient husband reminded me that he is only 3

and has been strapped in his car seat for 3 1/2 hours.

I was softened....a little.

Then at choir practice I was reminded,

It's not about enduring to the end, it's about

choosing the right in the raging storm.

My opposition is raging around my greatest weaknesses.

Staying patient in the midst of my children's chaos, mundane

chores, and self doubt.

(Satan, you clever beast, you!)

I am also reminded that the only way to keep those

feelings away is to stay close to my Savior. He's yours too.

You know the story of Punchinello in You Are Special?

Spend some time everyday with the Wood Carver!

All of those dotty stickers will start falling off.

Can you believe I'm almost 40 and I still have to learn

these lessons? I guess life is just like that.

School starts a week from today and we are going to

be busy. More about our fun activities later,

and I'll post a picture of a cute pin I made.

You'll have to tell me what you think.

In honor of Christina, my niece, I learned how to

play a song on a harmonica. "She'll be comin' around the

mountain!" You inspire me girl.:) I'll try to post

a video.

Have you ever tried to make your eyes sparkle?

If you try to lift your ears without touching them,

it makes your eyes sparkle.

I tried, and I looked possessed! Figures!

See ya!

Sing on your way...

I have an amazing opportunity to sing at
the General Relief Society Meeting at the
Conference Center September 25th. I dont know,
maybe you'll see me scratching my nose or something
world wide!!!!

It's not allowed. Scratching your nose that is.
So is covering your mouth when you sneeze.

But you know what, that's okay because I just
went to my first practice last sunday and can I just
say.... I LOVED IT!

Our director is simply fabulous! FABULOUS!
She is inspiring, strict, hillarious, and down right talented!
Her name is Sister Jolley. The name fits her to the core.

Some of you may know her. She teaches choir
somewhere and I bet they sound fabulous!

She is an example to me too, about how I should talk
to my kids. Let me give you an example.

" I cant believe you just said that. What did we JUST
go over? Say it right. Good! Fabulous! You're testimony
just shines through. I can feel it!" sincere tears.

What would happen if we said those kinds of words every
day to our children? What would happen if we
reprimanded in a similar way?

I know exactly what would happen....
Our children will feel loved.
They would feel like they can handle hard things!
They would feel their testimonies growing.
That I know....
Because right now I am kind of like one of Sis.
Jolley's children and that's how I feel.

Sis Jolley gave us challenges for this time
we are practicing..... and I'm going to give them
to you because I know they would help anyone...

*Keep a prayer in your heart always.
*Double what you are reading in the scriptures.
*Embrace opposition because it WILL come.
*Be nicer to your spouse, your children, your neighbors.
*Write in your journal about your experience.
*Keep a song in your heart.
*Ask yourself...What does your testimony mean to you?
What does it look like when you sing?

You could replace "sing" with "live".

Try it! It might just change your life!

Today T is 16

Today is the day T has been waiting for!
Today it's official!
Today he is on a date!
He's not too shabby at driving either.