HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Here's to a day filled with lots of sweets and no calories!

A special day for Josh

This last Sunday, Josh was ordained a deacon by his dad. What a beautiful blessing it was. I could truly hear the Spirit speaking through Chad. So much beautiful counsel was given. It really was special. My mom, Chad's parents, Morgan, Megan and Cameron were present. We all had our eyes glued to Josh as he passed the sacrament for the first time. He was so nervous and has been asking me how he will know what to do for about a month now! His fellow quorum members taught him and he did a great job. It was so cute to watch him...he was so respectful and serious. He was definitely they new kid...all the other boys were at least a head taller than him. I'm sure he'll catch up soon!

Andrew's 1st Pinewood Derby

Andrew had his first Pinewood Derby last week. He was very excited but, also very nervous. He really wanted his car do to well. And it did! His car was one of the top finishers in his pack. His car was also voted "most unique." Brother Young helped him cut out his car and his dad helped him paint. I think all in all he had a great time.

Praying for little Kamberlie and the Binks family

Two weeks ago, a little girl, Kamberlie Binks went missing at Lake Powell. My kids were very upset. As we were discussing things at family prayer on night, we had a discussion on prayers as well as bad things that often happen. I tried my best to teach them that our prayers aren't always answered how and when we think they should be. (Sarah was upset because she had, "prayed for the miners but, they never found them.") The kid's anxiety was building at the thought of scary things happening like injury, separation and especially death. I did my best to assure them that while death is very sad, that we will be with that person again someday. We will miss that person terribly but, we can be reunited. It's hard to teach something that you've never experienced first hand. I only hope that efforts to empathize, love and learn from those that have and are experiencing such loss will prepare us for the day that those experiences come to us. The next Sunday was Fast Sunday. I asked Josh and Andrew what they wanted to fast for. Without hesitation, they both said, "the little girl lost at Lake Powell." Sadly, they found her body in 100ft of water, she had drowned. I suggested the boys now fast for her family. Sarah was at the counter coloring and overheard the discussion. She desperately blurted out, "What?! She died?! Every time on the news, it always happens to girls. Not another girl!" (Yes, dramatic and just how Sarah views the world) I left the room and returned only minutes later to find that Sarah had drawn a picture of her interpretation of the what happened to Kamberlie. I was stunned. I asked her to explain what she had drawn. You see little Kamberlie at the bottom of the Lake (with a frowny face) and her mom (with a snorkel) trying get to her. (fish and fish hook on the right) Notice the word bubble with the exclamation point...she's calling for help. It broke my heart. I was touched that Sarah was able to feel and express her feelings. We have been praying for the Bink's family. I can't imagine what they are feeling. I have been amazed at the faith they've shown.

Around the house...

I love trying new things when it comes to making my house my own. I love my home but, when we bought it, it was a spec. So, we didn't really get to make any choices. Not that what we have isn't nice, I would just like to make it more my own. kwim? I've been wanting to do something with my cabinets for quite awhile now. It's just that making a mistake on cabinets could be a rather costly mistake. After asking the advice of friends (thank you!) who've done similar projects I decided to take the leap. Well, a small leap at least. I wanted to start in a small area where the consequences of a mistake wouldn't be as expensive. I decided to start in the master bathroom. The cabinets are knotty alder and had a natural finish...a little more rustic than I'd like. Ideally, I'd like dark cabinets and light tile. I stripped, scrapped, cleaned, sanded, wiped, stained, wiped, poly-ed, sanded, wiped, and poly-ed. Yes, it was a lot of work! For a very non-professional, I think they turned out as good as they could. I am really happy with results. Now, onto the tile, coutners, faucets and lights in the bathroom! ;)

"Now, that's got to make you feel old"

That is what a fellow ward member whispered to me as Josh was being sustained as a deacon. Yep, Josh turned 12 (October 7). I have been anticipating this birthday for some time now; thinking how fun it would be to see Josh passing the sacrament. Somehow it never clicked that it meant he'd be going to YM's as well. Now, that I'm not ready for! Passing the sacrament, yes. Hanging out with older kids and the sudden need to feel and act older, NO!! I guess it wouldn't be right to keep him in primary would it? lol I know this is a good thing and there's not a better kid than Josh. At his interview with the Bishop, he was given a priesthood pamphlet and "For the Strength of Youth." The following Monday, I asked him to give a FHE on what he had read. He chose the section on the importance of friends. I was astonished at his natural ability to teach...he really did a fantastic job. I know it will be no time before he's teaching in the mission field and then teaching his own children! It is amazing to catch glimpses of their testimonies developing.

Slow start...

to the world of blogging. Oh well. Maybe I'll keep doing this, maybe I won't. I really wanted this to be a journal of sorts so I may do a bunch of posts at once. Stuff I don't want to forget and hopefully someday I'll get around to scrapping.

let's try a photo...

Well, that wasn't so hard. lol Maybe this blog thing won't be too difficult after all. I think it might be a nice way to journal what's going on in our lives. Hopefully, some of you will stop by every now and again and see what we've been up to. So....here goes!

testing....

one, two, three!!