Meeting a General Authority

A couple weeks ago we had Stake Conference and the youth were invited to attend the Saturday evening session.  Joel attended the Priesthood Leadership Session and Thomas went early with him because he was singing in the choir and needed to be there right after the session ended.  Thomas hung out in the foyer during the session.  Elder Teh was the visiting General Authority and is from the Philippines.  In between the sessions Joel was able to meet him and talk with him about a little about the areas Joel served in the Philippines.  Joel introduced Thomas to him as well.

During the Adult Session Elder Teh asked the youth to raise their hands if they had prepared names to take to the temple.  He then asked them to keep their hands raised if they have done any indexing.  Thomas had his hand raised for both of these.  He loves doing family history work and indexing.  Spring is involved in it as well and we often find the two of them doing these activities in their spare time.  Elder Teh then said, "I need a brave soul to come up and share their feelings about family history work, indexing, and temple work."  It was very quiet and after about 15 seconds Thomas raised his hand.  Elder Teh invited him to the stand.  As Thomas was walking up Elder Teh said, "I've met you before.  Your name is Thomas."  I was struck by the love these men of God have for each of us individually.

Thomas stood at the pulpit with Elder Teh's arm around his shoulder and shared his experiences with family history work and temple work.  Then Elder Teh would ask him another leading question and allow Thomas to share more thoughts.  

It was an amazing experience to see Thomas stand next to a General Authority and not be the least bit nervous.  He shared his thoughts from his heart and the testimony he is gaining.  How grateful I am for the opportunity Thomas had to feel the Spirit that accompanies a chosen servant of our Father in Heaven.  I hope he remembers this experience and draws on it in those times when he is in need of spiritual strength.

What These Kids do on a Day off From School

Thomas began working on the hiking merit badge last spring.  He tried and tried to get others from the troop interested in going with him on the hikes, but to no avail. So, once again, Joel gladly accompanied him for the first four 10 mile hikes.  Then summer hit which brought on his Eagle Project and life for the rest of us as well.  There were not spare weekends for his last 10 mile hike and his 20 mile hike so plans were put on hold.  The hold lasted longer than expected due to  our frigid and LONG winter.  Thomas was determined to earn this merit badge before the next Court of Honor in May. 

Last Friday he did not have school and he convinced Aunt Alanna to go with him on his last 10 mile hike.  She told him she didn't know if she would survive to which he matter-of-factly replied, "It's OK.  I've earned my 1st Aid Merit Badge."  Then he reassured her he would pack plenty of snacks for them as well.  Problem solved, in his mind!  Alanna agreed and Spring decided to accompany them as well.  They had a great time together and they all survived without any 1st aid assistance!

That evening Thomas and Spring decided they were going to use their day off school on Monday to do the 20 mile hike.  They mapped it out and were so excited.  I dropped them off at the trail head with their food, water, map, and smiling faces.  I sent a phone with them so they could check in with me throughout the day and so I could call when I began to get nervous too.  Throughout the day I would get phone call updates and each time they sounded chipper and happy.  About 7 hours later, I picked up 2 very tired and very happy kiddos!  I am so impressed with them.  To have the desire and the motivation to do something challenging is commendable.  For Spring to hike 20 miles in a day at 10 years old is amazing.  They said they have lots more admiration and respect for the pioneers now after hiking 20 miles in a day.  Highlights of their hike included almost stepping on a snake and seeing lots of deer.

Thomas has now earned the Swimming, Hiking, and Cycling Merit Badges.  I asked him which was the hardest of all and he still holds that swimming was the hardest for him.  

They were sunburned, sore, and starving, but full of smiles.  Grandma Powell asked me to take them out to dinner "on her" because she was so proud of their accomplishment.  They chose their favorite...Taco Bell!  I am so grateful Spring was willing and excited to go with Thomas...I don't know if I would have faired quite as well as they did!  So grateful for these two and the examples they are to their younger siblings, to their friends, and to me.

Sammy's 1st Cub Scout Field Trip

Sammy was beyond excited for his first field trip as a cub scout, to the police station.  The officer that led the field trip was great with the kids.  He took them to the jail and locked them each into a jail cell.  The kids thought it was great for about a minute but quickly got bored of it after that.  They were able to see all the parts of the station and even were able to explore a patrol car.

Fun with Alanna

The week with Alanna visiting went super fast, as usual.  She is always so good at finding ways to spend special time with each of the kids.  Our children adore her and know her well because of the efforts she makes to be with them.  She went bowling with Thomas, to the library with Spring, went on a 10 mile hike with Thomas and Spring, out to early breakfast with Sammy & Mary, worked in Mary's class, played games, to name a few.  Alanna and I had fun together too and made lots of baby blankets and burp rags for baby gifts.  It's always sad when the time comes for her to leave; however, we love each moment we spend together.

Beautiful Saturday=Happy and Dirty Kids!

Alanna came to visit us during her Spring Break.  The day after she came was absolutely beautiful and it was a Saturday so we just loved being outside.  I think it was the warmest and nicest day we have had in months.  The kids played and played in the dirt.  They found worms and other creatures. They rode bikes, ran around, flew kites, got kites stuck in trees, and played some more.  I don't think they have been this dirty in months.  It was absolutely wonderful.  That evening we had a campfire and made smores and roasted starburst.  Sammy didn't believe me when I told him he was going to need a bath that night.  Once he got in the bathroom and took off off his shorts he looked down at his legs and said, "WOW!  I see what you mean.  I am really dirty!"  Here's to more days of dirty fun outside all day long!

General Conference in our Home

We love General Conference Weekend.  They are some of our favorite weekends of the year as we get to spend the weekend at home, together, focusing on listening to the words of our Savior through His chosen mouthpieces.  I love that our children love these weekends as well.  Joshie did not want to take a nap because he didn't want to miss out on conference.  Saturday, he made it until about the last 30 minutes of the morning session before falling asleep. On Sunday, he made it until about halfway throughout the last session.  We also can always count on Sammy to lighten the mood with silly antics.

Believe, Dream, Inspire

Sammy and Mary entered the Reflections contest last fall at school.  Sammy filmed a short video and Mary entered some pictures she had taken.  The awards ceremony was this week and Mary earned 2nd place in her category while Sammy won 3rd place in his category.  Great work, kiddos!  It was great to spend the time with them at the awards ceremony.

Sammy's 1st Blue and Gold

Sammy attended the his first Blue and Gold Banquet last night.  He was super excited as he has been working really hard to earn belt loops and arrow points.  I think he earned about 10 different belt loops and 2 more silver arrow points.  I think the highlight for him, however, was doing the skits with the pack.  I think this is the best group of boys I have ever had doing skits.  They were all getting into it and  you could really hear them, which isn't always the case with cub scouts.  Joel mentioned that one of the grandpas of the boys asked Joel, "Is your son's name 'Sammy' or 'Hammy'?"  He really hammed up the night.  They had fun playing a balloon relay race and decorating blue and gold cupcakes for dessert.  

"I Can Do Hard Things!"

Yesterday afternoon I had a tender moment that helped remind me of the joy and blessing it is for me to be a mom that is able to stay home and be here when our children walk in after school.  

Before I even heard the front door open I heard Sammy calling out in exuberance, "Mom! Mom! Mom!"  As the door opened he yelled, before he could even see me, "MOM!  I DID IT!  I FINISHED MY ADDITION FACTS IN 5 MINUTES AND 15 SECONDS!"  The look on his face matched the excitement in his voice.  He gave me a high five and was jumping up and down, his excitement being more than he could stifle.  I gave him a hug and then he said, "You were right, Mom.  I can do hard things!"  My eyes filled with tears.  Tears of gratitude.  Tears of joy.  Tears of pride.  Tears of love for this son we have been blessed with.

In 2nd grade Sammy has to complete 121 addition facts in 6 minutes or less.  All year he has struggled with this.  He often felt defeated.  He felt it was an insurmountable task so sometimes he would not even try because he didn't think he would ever be able to do it.  A couple months ago he was finishing about 40 in the 6 minutes.  I started talking to him about how he needed to try and that he was able to do this.  We talked a lot about the fact that he can do hard things...it just takes more practice.  He committed to practicing more and trying really hard.  His teacher then began having the students finish all 121 facts and write down the time it took to accomplish this.  In the beginning it was taking him about 14 minutes to finish the facts.  He was slowly bringing his time down each week.  A couple weeks ago he was at just over 8 minutes.  The following week he was at 6:36 and so excited to be that close.  And then, yesterday, he dropped over a minute and finished well below the necessary time.  

He was beaming!  He was so excited and happy.  How grateful I am that I was here for him to come home to so I could share in his excitement and his discovery that he can do hard things!

Happy Birthday, Mary

Our April Fool's baby turned 7 yesterday.  Sammy was really into April Fool's this year and Mary definitely did NOT share in his enthusiasm.  I think by the end of the day we were all, except Sammy, ready for April Fools to be over!  Mary was very excited about her birthday and she spent about a week pondering all the BIG decisions she needed to make for the day such as:  what treat to share in school; what to have for dinner; what to have for dessert; and what balloons she was going to choose for all her siblings.  Finally Monday morning I told her I needed her answers about the food choices so I could go grocery shopping, if needed.  Here were her birthday plans:

*She took in funfetti cupcakes for her class and all the other teachers and aids she loves at the school.

*She chose to have an ice cream cake for her dessert.

*She wanted fruit salad for dinner.  I finally convinced her we needed more than just that so she asked for cheese stuffed shells to go with it.  I should have taken a picture of her plate though because  she had 2 shells and then it was loaded up with strawberries, bananas, pineapple, and apples.  All the kids loved the fruit (except Spring...even Thomas ate quite a bit).  The fruit really was the best part of the meal.

She was all smiles all day, especially when you mentioned her birthday.  I enjoyed my time with her after school when we went to choose her balloons for herself and her siblings.  When she saw the "Frozen" balloon she knew right away which one she was going to choose for herself.  Following dinner she opened her cards and presents.  My parents went in with Joel and I for a beanbag chair for her.  It her her "throne".  She loved sitting in it while reading last night before bed.  I decided this year to put trick candles on her cake.  We have never done these before but I thought it was very fitting for April Fool's.  It was so funny to watch her blow out the candles, have them come back on, and bewildered try to blow them out again.  After a few times, with everyone laughing, she stated, "I think these are April Fool's candles!"  It was classic!  

*She loves horses and often prances around the house on her hands and knees pretending she is a horse.  She neighs very loudly too!

*She continues to be a natural nurturer.  She is going to make a wonderful babysitter and mother.

*She loves school...I think the social part is her favorite though!  She loves to talk about all the things her friends tell her at school and she loves to do things for her friends.

*Mary is a great reader and has an amazing mathematical mind.  I love to listen to her explain how she figures out complex math problems so quickly.  

*She still walks around on her tiptoes and dances whenever she has a moment.

*She does not like to get teased or tricked by her brothers; however, she gives them the exact response they are looking for...whining and crying...so they continue to tease her.  Hopefully, one day, she will believe me when I tell her it will be best to just walk away from them.  But, I'm not holding my breath.

*She is learning, very slowly, to be more organized.  She fights this though telling us when she puts things away she can never find them again.  "It's so much easier when everything is all over the floor for me to find whatever I want!"

*Her giggle and smile is infectious.

Spring May Come After All

Yesterday was AMAZING!  We got to 50 degrees and the sky was clear with beautiful clouds.  I took Josh, Gideon, and Sara to the park and they played for over 2 hours.  Some friends from the ward met up there and Josh was so excited for all his friends to play with.  He came running to me yelling, "Mom!  All my friends from church are here!"  All these boys just ran and played and us moms relished in being outside for the first time in months.  We didn't want the time to end.  

After school the neighborhood came to life.  Kids were everywhere outside riding bikes, laughing, playing basketball, and just loving being outside in shorts and T-shirts.  Sammy kept telling me how humid it was outside!  I still don't think we convinced him that it was not humid.  It was quite the effort to get them inside for dinner and FHE.  Then Sammy chose to go to Handels for our Family Home Evening  treat.  We were so happy to be able to enjoy our ice cream outside!  

It's amazing to me how much more energy, motivation, and desire I had to do the little things all of a sudden.  Some warm weather and the ability to go outside do wonders for the spirits.  I think we may have a Spring after all!  I know I won't complain about the heat and humidity this year...I will just be so grateful to not be freezing and stuck inside all day and night!

Not sure how she got the nice shiner!

Different Faces of Sara

Sara is such a silly girl.  When she sees the camera she scrunches up her nose and says "cheese!"  This girl loves macaroni and cheese, rice, and any sweets her brothers give her.  She climbs everywhere and on top of everything.  I am always finding chairs in random places in the kitchen and Sara on counters and the table.  She loves books and we often find her sitting on the couch "reading" books all by herself.