WHAT HAS EVERYBODY BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK?

 Lily's soccer team came in 1st place in their soccert tournament last week!

Such a busy girl - she also celebrated her 14th birthday on Tuesday.  Samantha picked her up early from school and they headed to Sephora, Barnes and Nobles, Qdoba, and to our house. Happy 14th, Lily ❤

Samantha started her 1st year of college classes at Pikes Peak State College.  She is in the Dental Hygiene program and this semester she is taking Chemistry, Sociology, and a communications class.  She also just got a job working in a dental office + working at Lifetime Fitness on Fridays and Saturdays = another busy girl!

 Eilis has been so great to stop by and visit this week.  I think we have seen her twice.  She is busy with work at Canes as a shift manager, and looking at another promotion soon.  Sendai has been super spoiled by all of her visitors this week. 😁

 Paul reminded us that we hadn't been out for Gelato for a long, long time, so he came over on Friday after school and we enjoyed the delicousness of this sweet treat.  YUM!!! Thank you, Paul!  By the way, Paul has not only started his senior year of high school, but he has also started the missionary application process.  He will be an amazing missionary ❤. 

 Sayre had his back-to-school night this week, and tomorrow will be his first day of 2nd grade. I think he is our last one to get started.  (Kate says that none of the schools in Iowa can start until after the State Fair)😊. I'm guessing that everyone will be happy to get back into a routine of school, study, and sleep! 

 Mike and Barbi recreated this scene from the movie, "Holes", this past week. . . "You take a bad boy, make him dig holes all day in the hot sun, it turns him into a good boy."

They found this spot on the way to Francie's - big holes for planting orchard trees. 

(I guess Mike must have been a bad boy!😀)

Kevin celebrated his birthday with a visit to Scheels, and REI, 2 pairs of new shoes, lunch at Panera, peach cobbler, and Mission Impossible -The Final Reckoning (part 2).  Kate told us we needed to watch this movie but that we should watch Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning (the movie that preceded this) first. So we watched the first movie, but but forgot to watch the last one (yes, age is overtaking us), so we did - however, it was so intense, there was a point when I had to cover my eyes for a few minutes. It was a good day and as you can see, Kevin got to hold hands with a Grizzly Bear. 

 Miss these handsome fellows!!!  They don't come see us near enough!  However, I did get to talk with Spencer this week. He called one evening and we had a great visit.  He is doing well, and reports that Grant is busy with work and college classes.  Thank you, Spencer!  ❤

 MY FAVORITE KID STORY OF THE WEEK  - 

 

Apparently. Ben was tired of Angella talking to him, so he told her that he had "switched her off".  😂  I'm not quite sure where he got that from, but on the other had, wouldn't it be nice if we could "switch off" the kids once in awhile 😀 

VIDEOS OF THE WEEK -

Before starting on the blog this week, I was watching videos of the kids when they were little.  They are so fun, I decided I want to add one or two each week.  This made me laugh today - Sayre is showing Clementine who is really the boss 😄

FINALLY -

Over the last couple of months or so, I have been rereading The Work and The Glory. I think what fascinates me the most is how viciously the Saints were treated, condemned, ostracized, and virtually forced from their homes multiple times.  I know some may say that the same thing is happening to people (those who are in the country illegally) today, but I think the difference is that the Saints, even those who had come from overseas, were living in the United States legally.  However, that is not really the point I want to make.  Through all of their trials, the early members of the Church showed amazing strength and fortitude, where I am sure I would have given up - especially crossing the plains, leaving Iowa and heading for the Rocky Mountains.  Can you imagine sleeping in snow or rain, without adequate shelter, clothing or blankets? I am in awe of our early pioneers and how strong their testimonies must have been that they could persevere in the worst of circumstances.   I think we take for granted what our lifestyles have become - easy access to central air, cars, clothing, education, vacations, etc.  We are blessed with so much and so I will repeat myself from a couple of weeks ago - remember each day is a gift - what good things can you fill your day with?

*Next week I have a story to share about my great, great, great-grandmother, who helped break some men out of jail