Previous Quote of the Blog

Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. --Elder David Bednar, Converted unto the Lord, Oct. 2012

Bargain

We got a bargain on pomegranates and have been popping the arils (the juicy seeds) out over the course of the week. Tedious. 26 down, 6 more to go. Our freezer will be stocked with antioxidant goodness before the weekend!

Hot Air Balloon Festival 2013

So this year we knew our traditional Friday night viewing of the Plano Hot Air Balloon Festival launch was going to be cancelled due to weather so we made it out to the Saturday evening launch which was...also cancelled!

We still picnicked and enjoyed the viewing of the balloons. We didn't get to stay as long as we usually do because Keri had to chaperone a church youth dance but it worked out perfectly because we were all pretty tired by then. In fact we pulled our sleeping children back to the car in a wagon.  In actuality, Sophie pretended to sleep because everyone that we passed looked upon them with such adoration, smiling, and making comments like, "Oh look! How cute!", "How sweet!" and the like. She just ate it up. 

There was an Angry Birds balloon this year. Our favorite was the astronaut.

Joy

Sophie - "Mom, every time I skip, I just feel like singing. It's just fun!" Remember those days, people?

Art

Today our son's magnadoodle creations have included drawings of 1. "a monkey peeing on his bed" with "toilet paper with fiiiiiiive peeds on it", 2. a sheep with "goggles", and 3. "Jesus on the earth" with "wheels" for feet. Subsequently, Jesus became "cover with mud and die."...... I think we need to open the Bible more often....and maybe call a psychologist...maybe.

Labor Day Treat

We were so grateful to have Kira, Neal's sister, and David, her husband, come visit for what seemed to be a very short Labor Day weekend.  They do not have children so I am sure it did not seem quite as short for them.

We mostly just hung out, ate out, and played.  We did get out to Fort Worth to tour the stockyards in the near 100 degree weather.  Luckily, we had a pool available to cool off in that afternoon.

They are just great people that are comfortable to be around and they even told me how to clean my front load washer without making me feel like a loser!  See?! Salt of the earth.

Anticipation

First day of school was a cinch. Tough part is waiting for the freshly baked cookies!

And They're Off...

Sophie took the lead by starting school a week earlier than Rhys. She is in first grade now.  She took some time to warm up to the idea of returning to school because all first graders do is "work the whole time." But by the time Meet the Teacher night rolled around she was in the right frame of mind.

Rhys is 4 years old and starting the preschool fours class at a new preschool.  His parents prayed and did a lot of investigating/observing to make sure Rhys got the best fit for his learning style.  He was excited about attending his new school and has had a great beginning.

We love our kids and are glad to see them have a good start.  We love our traditions that we are beginning with them--special, preparatory family home evenings, father's blessings, school shopping, baking cookies, and a celebratory dinner.  We know each year will bring it's own set of challenges for each of our children but we look forward to supporting them through their hard times and celebrating the successes!

Reunion

Keri was thrilled to find her cousin, Barbara, and her family were moving to TX, close by.  She had not seen them since Barbara and Chad's wedding 11 years ago.  After they got settled in we finally got together for dinner and our babies all got to meet each other.  Hope we can get together again soon.

Summer Means...

swim lessons. dinner on the patio. taking a trip. staying up a little later. sleeping in a little more.

muggy, sweaty morning runs. ice cream sundaes. camping. concerts in the park. summer reading programs. spray parks. smelling freshly cut grass.

thanking God for air conditioning. farmer's market. hearing my kids play...and fight. fireworks.

swimming at Oma's and Opa's. drinking lots of water. birthday fun. cooking with the kids. wearing sandals. sleeping with feet uncovered. volunteering as a family.

science experiments, barefoot walks. making Popsicles and frozen bananas. enforced quiet time. one dollar movie theater deals, pedicures. adventures with the kids.  sidewalk chalk. life!