Valentine Tea and Courtesy!

Valentine Tea, or Manners Tea is a little event put on by Hannah's elementary school each year.    The girls and boys dress up in their Sunday best and learn a bit about manners and courtesy.   The boys are each assigned a girl in their class to escort to Valentines Tea.  And they are all taught how to treat each other with kindest and respect for each others feelings. A very good idea if you ask me.   Hannah was especially excited that this was her LAST Valentines tea.   She will be going to middle school next year and will not EVER have to deal with the embarrassment of having a boy open the door for her, pull out her chair and serve her refreshments (or so she thinks)!

Hannah,  I've got some news for you.   Someday,  you will like boys.   You will even think that some of them are cute.  And unfortunately, many of them will think the same thing about you,  because lets face it-  You are CUTE!

But here's the thing... those boys who have learned how to treat a young lady with respect,  to treat her as a daughter of God, and who will hold you in the highest regard are the only boys who will be worth your time and attention.

I have learned from past experience that in the blink of an eye,  you will be grown up.  It makes me sad to think of this.  You are so precious and innocent- still willing to be a child with the wonder of the world before you.   Just don't grow up too fast.  Hold on to your childhood and love every minute of it!   Growing up as the baby of the family in a household of teenagers and adults,  you have gained a different perspective on life and have been adored by your family and pretty much everyone who meets you.  Always realize and remember the reality of who you are-  a beloved daughter of God,  with immense capacity for good, whose right it is to be treated with respect.

So yes,  while it is a bit embarrassing for both you and the boys your age,  you are all learning valuable lessons of respect and courtesy that are greatly missing in the world today.   Plus,  I promise that it won't be that far down the road that you won't mind the attention at all.

Hannah with her Carousel Valentine Box.  

(Hannah,  I had so much fun making this with you!)

Change is Good!

McKell is now officially a GRIZZLY!

(Well, officially as of two weeks ago.)

I know that it is just high school and that it might seem silly to be so excited about it but...

WE ARE!

Go Grizzlies!

It's kind of a really long story about why we would change high schools in the middle of her Junior year.  But the bottom line is that since summer,  she has felt  very strongly that she was suppose to go to Logan High.

I knew that there was a lot of red tape and paper work and just didn't even think that it would be possible for her to transfer not just schools but school districts.

The interesting thing is that this year at "the school which shall not be named",  some interesting things happened and/or actually, didn't happen,  giving us reason and the ability to request the transfer.

I think that it was a bit hard at first- leaving behind good friends and something familiar  but the result has been amazing!

Wonderful teachers, administration and an open, friendly student body who seem for the most part to actually care somewhat about education!

McKell couldn't be happier with the change.  It was just the thing she needed.  Maybe we all need to listen to that inner voice a little bit more and trust that it actually knows what is best for us.

It's Been Awhile

How time flies! And it's just a bit too fast for me to be honest.

Feeling that I need to do a better job of keeping my families story, I am blogging again.  So much has happened in the last three years. Some of it a bit rough. Some of it full of joy! But all of it a part of who we are. Both the rough and the joyful parts have helped us to grow, learn, love, forgive and endure. Most of all, these things teach us that life goes on. We can roll with the punches and make a beautiful life choosing to see beauty in unexpected places , people and situations...or we can not.

I am continually grateful for a wonderful loving family that is growing and progressing,  the gospel of  Jesus Christ that always lifts and inspires me to be better and this incredibly gorgeous world we live in filled with amazing people!

I am truly blessed!

Princess Peepers (Hannah's New Glasses)

Hannah has had glasses since she was 3 1/2. She has had the same glasses ever since. They have become part of who she is and I think they are adorable. After four years she needed an update. (the old glasses have began falling apart) She got her new peeps today. She loves them! They are very cute but I think they make her look older(sigh).

How I LOVE OCTOBER!

What is it about October that I love so much? I think one of the reasons that I love October so much is because of this! It has been a great week as my testimony of the gospel has been buoyed up and strengthened and as I have recommitted myself to being a righteous daughter of God.
I especially loved this by President Monson: "We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” To read more of his talk go here.

Plus on top of that, the weather has been beautiful!

Hotter than Haiti Benefit Concert

I am currently in the process of planning a Till We Have Faces concert to raise money for Ruuska Village on Sept 25! It will coincide with the Hotter than Haiti fun run held earlier that day. More information about the run and Ruuska Village can be found here at Mandi's Blog.

On another note. The kids have all been in school now for about two weeks and have settled into the routine. All is going well and they are enjoying it! The Hubby is in Poland right with the National Guard. He will be there for the month. I finally was able to talk to him for a few minutes last night and all is going well. They did have a few hang up getting there. It turned out that it was easier for them to fly into Germany and then take a train to Poland vs. flying into Poland. All of this had to be changed at the very last minute and when you are talking military personnel, weapons, orders being changed, etc. it turn into quite a headache. But so far all is well!

Play Date with Kaylee

Hannah invited her cousin Kaylee over to play. They like to pretend to be princesses, doctor up sick animals, catch butterflies, do gymnastics and generally make a bit of noise. So when the house was as quiet as a mouse, I became concerned and went up to check on them.

This is what I found...

Ahhh, the magic of a book!
Awesome isn't it!