October 2016--week 1--quilts, conference, camping, Lindsey Marvelous Maverick

It's FALL and it's been unseasonably warm.  A slight cold front finally came through and the children were able to pull out their grandma quilts and were so excited.

It's a much anticipated time of year because it's General Conference weekend and as is tradition, we make cinnamon rolls, and we made a double batch because we had company coming!  Rolling them out took the whole counter--WOW!

And Conference was wonderful--great messages, I just sat and drank it in.  We had our friends the Harris' over for brunch and the Sunday morning session.  LOVE this weekend

 Matthew finds so much joy in life.  He's recently put up his small play tent in his room and he insists in sleeping in it some nights.  He is SO happy, and so positive, what a blessing he is in our family.

 Lindsey got a special surprise at school this week.  I was up there volunteering and her former 1st grade teacher who now lives in Canada came to visit and popped into the lunchroom while Lindsey was having lunch.  It was so exciting to see Mrs. Monica Serrano Entz.

 As a mom we always want to be there for our kids special things.  Lindsey was recognized in the morning assembly this week as a Marvelous Maverick by her teacher Mrs. Julia Asif because "she is a great friend to her classmates, and always tries her best."

But her teacher didn't give us a lot of notice and I actually had to be out of town and needed Stephen to be taking me to the airport at the time of this assembly.  So I called upon my "village" of friends to help me snag these photos.  SO grateful for a good network of friends who support our family.

September 2016--week 4--Balloon fest Breakfast, silly boys, Sam Marvelous Maverick

Something we look forward to each fall is the "Balloon Fest Breakfast" put on by friends from when we lived in Plano we get up early, eat breakfast and watch the balloons take off from the Plano Balloon festival.  We were somewhat in a hurry because of soccer games.  But we did get our faces painted and enjoyed visiting with friends.

After the breakfast we ran to meet up with Aunt Rachel where we had cousin Clara hang out with us that day so that Rachel and Kodie could get some needed home improvement projects done before baby girl arrives in a few weeks.  I happened upon this precious moment in the bathroom while she was here and HAD to capture it on camera.  Matthew always being helpful!

This kid has had a change of heart.  Over the summer we took a break from piano lessons but spent time really learning his theory and learning his notes.  It has made all the difference and now he can really read the music and play the piano.  So here I come walking by and this guy is singing "I Believe in Christ" with passion and gusto at the top of his lungs and this is what I see.  I appreciate the enthusiasm but I bet his teacher would have something to say about his seating technique.

Matthew is reading so well lately in reading.  Family scripture study in the morning is really helping.

Sam was recognized as a Marvelous Maverick this week at school.  His teacher said he "Always tries his best and sets a great example."

September 2016--week 3--soccer weekend, pizza and game night

Soccer season is in full swing with "Coach Stephen" 

Sam's team is doing really well this season.  They've drafted a few players who are good, but who are not used to playing with a team.  So that will take some work.

Matthew really seems to understand the game of soccer better.  He's playing really well.

And Lindsey is back at it, with her Cat's Meow team.  They aren't winning a lot of games but they're playing up a level.  Lindsey has enjoyed playing goalie.  And my favorite thing is watching her triumphantly raise a ball she's trapped and stopped while playing her position.

We did some things this weekend that we LOVE:

We made pizza from scratch.  YUM.

And to finish out a wonderful Sabbath we played ticket to ride.  Such a fun game that never goes as you think it will...

September 2016--week 2--Rick Hensley, Sky Ranch, Religious Freedom

 "It is well with my soul". This is the phrase that kept coming to mind tonight. There was a good man who was involved in the accident that killed my mom. He was minding his own business, driving the speed limit when a reckless driver under the influence came up behind him and was impatient. Impatient enough that he decided to cross the center median to pass him. In that act he killed my mom. The poor man driving THIS van blamed himself for years for his role in the accident. It haunted him. He died last week. Before he did I was able to meet with him and pray with him and assure him that the accident wasn't his fault, and that our family doesn't hold him responsible at all. I told him to look for my momma when he got to heaven, and I was sure she'd be waiting to give him a hug and tell him it was ok.

These boys went to Sky Ranch, outdoor science camp for 5th graders.  Stephen went as the chaperone and I was grateful for that.  They had a wonderful time.  There was a bit of drama with the other adult chaperone in their cabin, he was difficult and "center of the universe" and it made things interesting.  Stephen did great, he's been to scout camp so many times this was a cake walk.  And I know Sam enjoyed being with him and his BFF Luke Hess who was in his cabin, along with Luke Huang who is also a good friend.

Then as if we didn't have enough "friend" time, we agreed to have another of Sam's BFFs Mason Furness to stay the weekend with us while his parents are out of town.

Stephen and Kaitlyn and I got to attend a special fireside in our area about Religious Freedom with Elder Dallin H Oaks.  I got to go in person because of my calling and Stephen and Kaitlyn went with me.  Kaitlyn was really excited to see Elder Oaks.  The meeting was excellent.  And wouldn't you know but Glenn Beck sat in front of me....

September 2016--week 1--Allen Eagles, Boating with Prices, Landen Bass Eagle

School is back in session and our schedules are SO full already.  But the children are adjusting so well to school.  They are happy and enjoying their classes.  Kaitlyn went with the youth from our ward to the temple to do baptisms.  I'm so grateful she has a good group of girls to be with in Young Womens.

Friday Night Lights---
In our town of Allen, High School Football is a BIG deal!  We went as a family to a preseason game where they played a team from out of state.  It was fun! And Allen won (like they always do).

Then we woke up early Saturday morning (enjoying the last Saturday of no soccer games) and went on the lake with Stephen's Aunt Debbie and Uncle Doug.

And then Stephen had to rush home to attend the court of honor of one of his scouts.  Landen Bass.  And as it turns out, Landen chose Stephen to give a special award to for his influence and support on his trail to Eagle.  This makes me so happy!

August 2016--week 4-- boating with the Billings, love notes from Matthew, more boating on Texoma

We have some good friends, Kevin and Cebrin Billings who took us out on their boat on Lake Lavon.  Our evening was cut short because of an incoming storm, but we had fun anyway.

I've signed up to volunteer in the boy's classroom doing "Tuesday Folders".  I left a note for Matthew on his desk.  When he came home, he'd written me back ! Awe!

We're enjoying late afternoon/evening boating trips up on Texoma.

First Day of School 2016

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Lindsey is in 3rd grade and has Mrs. Asif

Beautiful Kaitlyn is starting MIDDLE SCHOOL *yikes* and has more teachers than I can post, plus when you're big and mature and go to middle school you just get a ride from friends and mom no longer "walks you in" and "takes pictures".

Matthew is in 1st grade and has Mrs. Paige Bratton.  

Sam is in 5th grade and has Mrs. Fields as his homeroom teacher.

August 2016--week 3: Parade, Grandma's house, I'm brilliant

After the wedding, Matthew got to go home with grandma for a few days.  He got to sew an emoji pillow, go swimming a lot, eat out at his favorite places, and had a wonderful time.

 I. Am. Brilliant.

I had used Stephen's car to run an errand and I accidentally left my wallet in his car.  Then he left for a business trip to Boston for 4 days.  I had a ton of errands to run that I couldn't wait to do, and I wasn't sure if I could wait to do my errands until he got home.  So thankfully I found a place for my younger three kids to go, and Kaitlyn drove with me to the airport.  I caught Stephen on the phone just as he'd parked, he checked that indeed I'd left my wallet in his car, and he sent me a photo where his car was parked.  We got my wallet.

 Stephen was able to visit the new twins (and their parents) in Boston on his trip--I'm jealous.

 Sam's BEST buddies have been on a long vacation, when they got back home and we finally reunited them, it was amazing to meet at the park and have them all run to him and hug him.  So grateful for good friends!

 Teacher letters have arrived and we've made our posters.  We got Krispy Kreme Donuts and met friends at the pool for the Back to School Parade!  We love this tradition.

 Soccer season has begun yet again....

Kaitlyn had enough requests for a new kind of cupcake and so we found this brownie cupcake that has chocolate chip cookie dough frosting.  And it was good too, but I think the mint ones are still the BEST.  Love this cupcake girl and her confidence in the kitchen.