Grateful Sunday

photographing the five new geckos Neal procured on Saturday

This has been a great week, it seemed so long, but I think it's just because our hours were longer since school started. I'm grateful for:

• my kids' teachers. Parker was assigned to the one teacher I prayed he would get. When she called to tell me Parker was in her class, I was beyond excited and immediately so grateful that my prayers were answered! She is the teacher Audrey had for third grade and I think she's wonderful. Also, when I went to tell Audrey's new teachers that she would be missing a week of school for our England trip, they were very understanding and excited for Audrey. Love teachers like that!
• Neal, for understanding how important it is to me to be there for Julianne's wedding, and that he agreed that our whole family should go. I am so grateful for a supportive and willing husband. It's not easy for him to take this much time away from work, and I know that he is doing it partly because he knows it will make me happy.
• Julianne, for arranging our lodging in Oxford and for helping us with planning in general.
• new friends here in our ward. We have had about 15 families move into our ward this summer. Up from 2 families last summer, it has been so exciting to meet people from all over the place and to welcome their kids into our primary.
• Stephanie, who celebrated her birthday on Saturday. I am so grateful that I was blessed with a sister like her, and so close to my age. Sisters are truly the best kind of friends.

lunch with the brothers

First Day of School

We had an exciting morning, getting everyone off to school today! Audrey is now in fifth grade, and so she attends a different school. (Intermediate school in our area is for fifth and sixth graders.) Neal took her over to the big new campus bright and early (tardy bell rings at 7:45!). We then took Parker to third grade at the local elementary school. He got a great teacher (I'm so relieved), and we hope they both have a wonderful first day!

They get closer and closer to being the same size every year. Audrey has slowed down and Parker is speeding up!

Neal didn't have a patient until 9:30, so he and I were able to go out to breakfast with Miles. Although he turned five this summer, we are waiting one more year to put him in Kindergarten. I am so glad every day that we made that decision. He starts his Pre-K class next Tuesday.

Love this little guy.

Last Day of Summer

By the end of August, we are all pretty much finished with the heat of summer. This summer has been particularly hot and unusually dry, and we are ready to cool off! On one of the last days of summer, when we are all tired of swimming and being in the sun, our friends here in Keller traditionally plan an ice-skating party. It's the perfect way to cool down and have one last day of fun with friends!

Miles isn't much for ice-skating, or, rather, I'm not much for trying to help him ice skate, so we went to Build-a-Bear instead. Way more fun for both of us! He had never been before; this is his new best buddy, Josh.

 Parker and his friend, Matthew.

Audrey skating.

Grateful Sunday

Today, I'm grateful for:

• my beautiful blog book, which I finally got around to publishing! The book represents just the first year of my blog, but reading through it all has made me so grateful for this medium of family memory-recording. I can't wait to have all the years lined up on a shelf.
• A beautiful, educational, and uplifting experience attending Stake Conference yesterday and today. I am grateful for the leaders here in our area, they are wonderful.
• Neal, and his worthiness to hold the priesthood. He was able to bless our children individually tonight as they begin a new school year tomorrow. The Spirit that we felt brought peace to our somewhat anxious minds!
• my mom, who celebrates a birthday tomorrow. I'm so grateful for the mother she was to me and for all that she taught me and continues to teach me. Her example and love are invaluable to me.

Ballpark Tour

Last week, we surprised Miles with a tour of the Rangers Ballpark the day before his birthday. It was awesome!

press conference

Batting helmets, behind the dugout.

 In the press box

Motivation. The Mental Toughness sign is in the batting cages and the lucky horseshoe is above the drinking fountain in the dugout. 

 Neal making a call to the bullpen.

 In the dugout.

Trying on an ALCS ring that the front office lady let us wear. Nolan Ryan gave it to her, and it's all real diamonds! Super cool.

pin face

Jackson and Parker playing with one of Miles' gifts. It was such a hit!

Party Time

Miles had a handful of buddies over on Saturday to celebrate his birthday. We played baseball, went swimming, and ate hot dogs. All things little boys love. It was perfect!

 Simon, Miles, Dillon, Joseph, Collin and Rhett

Grateful Sunday

Miles and Gail blowing out birthday candles last night. Happy Birthday!

This has been a great week, though we are all simultaneously dreading and excitedly awaiting the beginning of school on the 22nd! This next week is our last week of summer; we plan to live it up! Today, I'm grateful for:

• time spent with family. We had a fun weekend, touring the Rangers Ballpark together, planning for Miles' birthday party, and going out to dinner with Daddy Jeff, Gail, Jeff, Patience, Jackson and Caroline. Family is what it's all about, and I'm so thankful for mine.
• a great ward. We feel so blessed to live where we do and to be so involved with our church family. There are amazing people here in K2!
• answers to prayers. After fasting and praying for rain last Sunday, we received rain this week and my good friend received great news about her health from her doctors. I am so grateful that God hears and answers our prayers!
• time spent reading the scriptures. We have read the scriptures as a family every single night this year. I know that our diligence has brought us blessings; we plan to finish the Book of Mormon before the year is over! Just have to stay on schedule!
• our upcoming trip to England. I am getting so excited to be there with Julianne and Toni and my family and then to show my kids all the greatness that is England! I think that once school starts, I'll feel more ready for the trip. I can only prepare for one major thing at a time, I am learning!

five pounds

I'll never get over the miracle of a newborn baby. It's so amazing to think that they come to this earth in such a complete little body, and that a whole person can weigh only five pounds. Five years ago today, teeny little Miles came into our family. He was and is one of the most precious things in my life and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for such an endearing little boy.

 

Happy Birthday to my little Moe!

energy levels

Last night, Miles fell asleep around 7:00: on the couch, watching a cooking show with me. He hadn't been feeling great all evening, and I slowly moved him to his bed. We have to get him better before his birthday party on Saturday! Parker and Audrey, on the other hand, had a major burst of energy, and when that happens around here, you get sent outside. Trooper is always happy to have playmates; and with the lack of rain, our mosquito population is significantly diminished this year. One perk of the drought! Twilight trampoline jumping has never been so fun and bug-free!

Grateful Sunday

The boys engaging in a Lego Star Wars battle before church this morning.

Today, I'm grateful for:

• my health and the health of my family. My good friend is going through some health issues right now, and it is so hard to see her and her family deal with the hand they've been given. I hope that I can be the helpful friend I want to be. As I visited with her in the hospital tonight, I left with a sense of gratitude for my own body, what it is capable of, and the health I enjoy. I hope and pray for her quick recovery; it's so hard for a mama to be sick!
• my family and their visit with us. Although I have been left with somewhat of a sad face since my family departed, it was so fun to have them here. I wish more than anything that we had more family close by. We plan on staying here permanently, and, as much as I love where we live, there is always something missing. I'm so happy for Stephanie and Elliott's families, that they get to be close together. (I won't go into detail regarding my jealousy.)
• the Spirit that I was able to feel this weekend. A young girl from our ward was baptized in a beautiful service yesterday, and church today was really fulfilling as well. I am so grateful that I get to work with the children in my church calling. I know that Jesus loves them and has a special place in His heart for little ones. It is easy for me to see why as I spend more and more time with them.
• my blog. I have been working on publishing the first year of my blog into a book this weekend. It's taking hours, but reading through the posts from 2006 has made me so grateful that I started this record in the first place.

cousins and a hurt toe

We had so much fun last weekend when Elliott, Ginger, Andrew, Ethan, Emma, Sophie, Henry and my parents were all here visiting! Elliott's family was en route to Arizona to their new home, and Bramma and Pa were assisting the move, and driving one of the cars. The kids had a blast. Eight of the nine slept in the boys' room, and during the day, they had fun with toys and each other. We played games and Beatles Rock Band, 

watched Mr. Bean, and did a lot of swimming.

Sunday afternoon, Neal accidentally dropped a knife right onto his toe, and had to go to the Emergency Room. My dad graciously took him in the new Beemer. I snapped a photo so you could see the boot and the car!

Baby Henry was everyone's favorite part of the visit. He is so cheerful and perfect.

Having Henry in the pool was so fun!

Miles loved having him in the tubby, too.

We love to have visitors, and wish you all were closer. It was sad when they left and we were back to just our little selves again. :(