Macy's Kindergarten Graduation

Carston's 10th Birthday Party

 I am so lucky to have Carston for a son.  I love this amazing boy!  He wanted a Star Wars party this year.  He helped make lightsabers for all his buddies (there are quite a lot of them :).  They all had a blast attacking each other out in the dirt-filled backyard.

 We were crazy and took all these boys down for some laser tagging.  They absolutely loved it! 

 We hurried back for cake and presents! 

We love you Carston!  You are so kind and sweet.  I love that you tell me you love me multiple times a day.  I hope that never stops.  I love the way you take care of your sisters and try and help them work things out.  I love how grateful you are.  You inspire me with your prayers each night as you truly express thankfulness for just about everything in your life.  That carries over in how you treat other people.  You are always saying thank you and showing appreciation for the things people do for you.  Being grateful truly brings happiness.  I love your sense of humor and your desire to enjoy life and help others enjoy it as well.  I love the independence you are developing; you take charge in getting your school and practicing done all on your own.  I love your sportsmanship and the effort you put into improving yourself.  I love that you enjoy so many different things.  Whatever we're doing, you find a way to enjoy it and have fun.  I love you, and I'm so grateful that you came into my life and made me a mom 10 years ago!  Every day since has been a blessing.

 John discovered that Hadley liked Pinterest more than Drudge Report

 We are all enamored with this sweet babe

 Can you blame us?

 Carston's 4th Grade Utah Program

 Still earning badges and all scouting paraphernalia

 Each 2nd grade had a class talent show, and then three people were chosen for the combined 2nd grade talent show.  Avery was chosen for her piano piece.  She was so incredibly nervous.  She was adamant that she was not going to do it.  We had a little talk about what happens if we let our fears win-they grow stronger.  I told her it was her choice.  Her turn came, and they had to skip her because she just couldn't make herself go up.  Her teacher said to let her know if Avery changed her mind and they could have her go at the end.  This sweet girl faced her fears.  She said she would do it if I went and stood by the piano.  She played her song just beautifully.  I was so pleased with her for not letting her fears win even though it was excruciating for her to get up there.  Sometimes, we just need people to stand by us as we face our challenges.  Knowing we are not alone is a powerful thing.  I'm so proud of you Avery!  Her sweet Aunt Ashlee was there and brought over a Merida doll from the movie Brave so she could always remember how brave she is.

 Macy and Kate's soccer team.  Kate is there to socialize and Macy is there to score!

 Siblings are the best

 I can't believe all these beautiful children belong to me!  I'm a lucky woman.

Dance Recital May 2013

 

Baseball and Hiking

 Carston takes after his dad; he likes to play every sport!  This summer was filled with lots of baseball.

 The girls weren't always thrilled to go to another game, but they made the best of it.

 This kid loves his baby sister.

 Taking pictures seems to be a great way to pass the time.

 

Carston also likes hiking.  That gets hard with a new baby and sisters who don't have as much stamina.  Luckily, Uncle Dustin frequently comes to the rescue and takes him out hiking.  He was pretty excited to use his camel pack :)

They even saw a moose!

Avery's Spa

 Avery decided to have a spa.  She made her own fliers and took them to all of her friends.

 There was makeup.

 Nails to be painted

 A waiting area with activities

 She was so lucky to have so many great friends come to her Spa

 Everyone left looking beautiful

And Little Miss Avery was excited about the money she earned!

It always gets to me when someone goes out of their way and intentionally tries to lift other people higher.  Especially when the person being lifted is myself or one of my children.

I had to teach the lesson in Relief Society a couple weeks ago.  I don't know very many of the women in there, and sometimes I'm nervous.  I'm not nervous about the actual teaching part, but I worry that I will unintentionally hurt someone's feelings, or prick a tender part of the heart.  That worry is heightened right now because I don't know a lot of the women.  I don't know their struggles, their histories, or their pains.  Anyway, the day after I taught, I received an email from a woman in the ward that I don't even know.  She went out of her way to find my email address online and send me a message telling me I did a good job.  That was sweet.

And then today, someone else went out of their way to lift up one of my kids.  Carston had the opportunity to try out for a competitive soccer team and play with his cousin.  He made it, but he got into it a couple months later than all the other players.  A lot of the players played on the team last year, and I think all of them have played at the competitive level except for Carston.  That has been a little hard on Carston's confidence.  I think he has worried that he isn't as good as the other players.  Today at his game, his coach went out of his way to come talk to me.  He told me how impressed he was with Carston's progress, that he had surpassed his expectations of how much he would improve with the training.  He said he was one of the top three players when he was on and focused, that he just needed to build up his confidence.  He said he was the only player who could stop the superstar of the team in practice.  I was able to tell Carston all of that and it was exactly what he needed to hear.  You know, his coach could have thought those things and just kept it to himself, but he was thoughtful enough to know that it would lift Carston up if he heard them.

That is how I want to be.  That is how I want my kids to be.  It can be so easy to be wrapped up in our own lives, our own problems, that we fail to look around and notice the simple ways that we can lift others.  I am grateful for these reminders and hope that I can be better.

Easter 2013

For some odd reason, we decided to take these pictures with the crazies who live next door.

  Resurrection Eggs

Games with Grandma Robin

 

Grandpa Danny