What an experience.

Sunday was a different kind of day for us. The Oquirrh Mountain Temple was being dedicated today. Bailey and I had tickets to see the dedication. Since it was being broadcast in the Stake Centers, we were able to go. We went to the session at 3pm with some of our dear friends. What a wonderful opportunity and experience for both B and myself. I have never been to a dedication before and was really looking forward to this new experience. It was moving and reverent and exactly what we needed on Sunday. I am so grateful that B expressed and interest in going and that I was able to share this awesome experience with her. It is one we will both always remember. (In fact, when she was heading out the door to go outside, I heard her singing, "I Love To See The Temple".) Kev and I were both very proud of her. I hope that she does go to the temple.

It reminds me of some pictures that me and 2 of my good friends took when we were around 14 or 15 years old. (I think?) We borrowed wedding dresses from some ladies in the ward. We wore them to the temple in Mesa, Arizona and we had our pictures taken. I remember that day vividly. It made such an impression on me. I knew it was where I wanted to be married. I hope B always keeps that desire within her to go to the temple one day. It is beautiful and lovely and such a blessing.

Anyway, B wanted to wear her Baptism dress to the dedication. She looked beautiful as always. Thank you for going with me B. I love you!

Saturday is a special day...

After we got ready for church for Sunday (that's for you Beth!!!) we loaded up to go Ranger Ridin' with our friends. Kev had to work Saturday night, so our time was pretty limited. After leaving the house on time, we got about 10 min down the road and realized we forgot our key to the Ranger. So, we turned around and went back. Once we met up with our friends in Lehi, (only a 1/2 hour late!) we headed up American Fork Canyon. (I haven't been up AF Canyon in awhile...it was really beautiful!) On our way, our truck started vibrating. We had no idea what it was. Then, just as we were getting off the freeway at our exit, we heard a "pop". Dang. I was REALLY hoping it was something on the trailer and not the truck. So, we pulled off at the closest gas station to find this:



YIKES!! Luckily, it was the trailer and not the truck! That was a close one. So, Kev and Rob took the tire off, and me and Simone too the kids over to Kneaders to have a treat while we waited. Long story short, and two tires later...we were back on the road and all was well. We had a great time. Here's some photos...

Milestone..and a big one!

Alex is FINALLY riding his 2-wheel bike! What a happy day. He is always careful and slow when he's not sure about something. So, last summer when all the kids were riding their bikes with training wheels, Alex was on his scooter. (He is freakishly fast as well!) Now this summer, everyone has their training wheels off. This is really the first summer Alex has even taken to his bike. So, we let him ride with the training wheels for a while. Kev kept bending them up (thanks Matt and Rachelle for the great tip) til finally he wasn't even using them hardly at all. With all the neighbor friends and a little peer pressure, he decided it was time to take them off. He asked Dad to help him take them off. B said she wanted to have a go at taking them off. She got them off and Alex was GONE! He hasn't looked back either! Me and Kev were and are so proud of him for taking that leap! Now he has no problems keeping up with his friends! What an accomplishment. Way to go Alex!

PS... he's only had one minor crash. Other than that, he's got it down!

1st Day of School

FINALLY...brother and sister are home!




Alex - Before heading into class.


B getting ready to head in!


The "gang". All the neighbor kids getting ready to walk over to the school.


Alex, Luke, B. Luke wanted in on the action as well!


Ready to go. They weren't even nervous!


Cheese!


Alex was ready to just go - no more pictures mom!



Our beautiful girl. She's so big.

So I couldn't figure out how to move all the pictures around and put them in order, so start at the bottom and scroll up! B is starting 5th grade. (That kills me - means next year she will be in 6th, then Jr.High!!! WOW. It really comes fast!) Alex is starting 2nd grade. Seems like just yesterday we were walking him to Kindergarten!

We started last night getting ready for school. Kev does a father's blessing at the beginning of each school year. My dad always did it for us and it was a tradition that I wanted my kids to experience as well. Kev started w/ B, then Alex. As soon as Alex was done, Luke jumped over and said "my turn". No resisting that request! Then it was upstairs to lay out clothes, get book bags ready, and then ready for bed. B said she woke up 18 times during the night because she was SO excited. Alex has been counting down for days. I am so grateful they have had good school experiences so far and are so eager to go to school. We have really tried to instill in them how important an education is. I am glad we are seeing progress. We'll see how long it lasts!! ( I know it's only the 1st day!)

Luke did well with the kids going to school today. Yesterday when I dropped the boys off to Michele's house for daycare, I told Alex it was his last day there for a while. Luke was really sad. I told Michele that Luke was sad that Alex wasn't going to be coming with him anymore. So she spent the day talking with all the kids and showing them who was going to be going to school and which kids will still be there at daycare. So, when I took Luke this morning, he was relieved and excited that his regular friends were still going to be with him. He did miss Alex and B while they were at school though. He was so excited when I told him it was time to go outside and wait for them to come home. He was pretty excited too, this morning when we were taking pictures. He kept trying to jump in all the pictures!

Alex and B had a great first day! They were excited to get back to it. They have great teachers and are looking forward to a great school year. B will have the opportunity to be in the band this year. She is way excited. So are we. She has really impressed us and her teachers how quickly she picks up music. She has been playing piano for about 8 months and is catching on really fast. She is taking Sax lessons as well and so she is looking forward to actually playing in the band.

Alex is still doing his Tae Kwon Do and is getting REALLY good at it. He stays engaged and focused for the whole hour long class. I am hoping he can integrate that dedication into his school work. He's an active boy and I can't believe how much he has grown this summer. My little boy isn't so little anymore.

Here's to a GREAT first day of school!! I love you kiddos!

Tonight feels like a good night to write.

Tonight felt like a good night to write. Nothing in particular, just a time for me to write down a few thoughts that have been swirling around in my head today.

I read books. A lot of books. I re-read "My Sister's Keeper" recently. Now I am reading "The Lovely Bones." Both books main characters were sisters. In both books, one of the sisters' dies. I don't know why I picked them up. (I guess I am a "judger" of the cover!) I was sitting outside with they boys tonight while they played. I was reading "The Lovely Bones". - just a little background - one sister is murdered and watches her family from her version of heaven. (That's the really short version!)

As usual, I think. I laid my head back on the chair and was watching the clouds. I marvelled at how quickly they moved. I watched as most of the sky filled up with dark clouds and how, in one spot, there was a white part that was so brilliant white against the sun. It made me think a few different things. 1. I think the people that pass on don't really go "up" to heaven. While I was looking up at the sky, it didn't really seem like heaven was up. I think it may just be here, with us. Just altered to fit whatever their desires are. I am sure that they are places that they get to see and move around, but I just don't know about it being "up". I just can't wrap my brain around that part.
2. I think that heaven is all around us; if we stop to look and see it. "There is beauty all around". I know sometimes I forget to stop and marvel at all the beautiful things that surround me and I am too busy to stop and notice. If I hadn't stopped and looked up, I never would have even noticed the brilliant white cloud among the dark ones. I think that these are little "gifts" that we receive to let us know that we are surrounded by people who are cheering us on.
3. And it was calm. And then the wind blew. Not a big billowy wind, but just enough to sway the tress. Another "gift" to let me know that they are here and watching. That's what I think anyway.

As I sit here now and write, I have a lump in my throat. I have spent some time reflecting. Contemplating lots of things. How to slow down a bit and enjoy a lot more. How to be a better mother, daughter, sister, friend. I feel not just for all that I have lost, but all that I have gained. A greater understanding of my Heavenly Father's love. A beter understanding of the plan. An opportunity to sit at a dedication with my daughter; the first for both of us. How to look for the gifts everyday that are given to us to remind us that we are not alone here. That they are still very close and are cheering us on. Pushing me forward. I have a wonderful husband and beautiful, healthy children. I don't think it gets any better than this life, right now. I am enjoying every minute of it!

Thanksgiving Point

Luke on the pony ride - look at that cheezer!


B on the pony - but not in the best mood since she had just been to the dentist and had 3 cavities filled. (She didn't even realize she had shots in her mouth! What a trooper!)


Alex - loving every minute of the pony ride.

This week we have been busy. Well, we are always busy, although I am never quite sure what we do! I guess it's just the joy of parenting and raising children. This week though, I do recall we made a trip to Thanksgiving Point. We were supposed to go last week but ended up not being able to because Alex had the stomach flu. He was so sad that we didn't go last week, we had to make it a priority this week. So the "deal" was; it's $2 on Tuesdays for any venue only during August. I guess everyone in Utah County had the same idea we did. It was PACKED!! But, we were there so we braved the crowd. We only had about an hour and half before Alex had his karate class. So, we got in and looked at the line for the Pony Ride. (This was the reason we went to Farm Country - the Pony Ride. It was a "must".) It was long. I've been to Farm Country many times, so I sent Kev around with the kids and I stood in line. About an hour later, we finally made our way to the front. 2 short minutes later, the ride was over. Oh well, the kids were happy. We ate dinner at McD's and then to karate. It was a fun family night.

***And since our camera fried and we just got it back, I will post better pictures from now on!!!!