Night of Excellence

We had a really neat experience that I would like to share. During the summer, we held an auction to raise money for girls camp. The ward was very generous as we earned more than enough money to send all of our girls to camp. After all was said and done, we had $861 left over. We started to come up with some ideas on how to spend the money, which included a super activity and great Christmas presents for the girls. Meanwhile, Heidi Brophy, our 2nd Counselor, was touched by a story that President Monson shared at the Oquirrh Mountain temple dedication and was truly inspired. We decided to send the money to a family in a 3rd world country that needed the funds to travel to a temple to be sealed. We were lead to a family in our stake that has a son in Madagascar and it just so happened that he had written home and told his parents about a couple of families that are struggling with just that. It looks like our money will be able to help several families obtain their goal of becoming an eternal family. So with all of that said and done, we had an amazing Night of Excellence about the temple. The girls shared goals that they are working on to be ready to enter the temple one day. It's a good feeling to be the Lord's instruments in helping these families that have been praying for a miracle.

Each of the girls wrote a letter to the families we are helping and provided a picture of their own family. The letters were so touching and powerful, even with their simple words.

The beautiful Kate and the silly Devin.

Courtney, Jamie, and Alyssa - always up for a picture.

Makenzie, Madison, and Ashley - you'll never meet a group of sweeter girls.

Jordan, Jaylen, and Britni - these three can make any activity a riot.

I have loved serving with Heidi and Linda. I'll miss working with Linda, as she has been recruited into the stake. I love these women!

(I stole these pictures from Linda Barney's blog, as I don't always remember my camera. Thanks Linda - what will I do without you?)

I am thankful for...

I've had this quote up in my house for several years as it's one of my favorites and a good reminder to complain less and be more appreciative.

I am thankful for:
.... the mess to clean up after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.... the taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.... the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.... my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.... the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.... all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.... that lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.... the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.... the lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.... my huge heating bill because it means that I am warm.... weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means that I have been productive.... the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I am alive.

And to that I'll add that I am thankful for my two rays of sunshine that reminds me how lucky I am to be their mom, my husband that reminds me of how fun life should be, all my family that is always there to lend support, and my Heavenly Father who loves me, strenghtens me, and hears me.

Dear Tooth Fairy...

This afternoon my sister, Michelle, pulled one of Megan's teeth. Here's the letter Megan left under her pillow:

To: the tooth faree
From: Megan
do you rilee exist? I hop you do. Are you a him or a she? Be cus I wot to no? Haw do you get the teeth? A dr (under) the pelo? wer do you live? Wat do you mack with the teth?

Do you mac dolers or majac? I no thet you rock all the time. And I jest no thet you wid be fes (friends) with me. I have a joc (joke) for you this jok wod be fane (funny) the joc is Mary had a little jam she spread it on a waffle. And if she hadn't eaten ten she wouldn't feel so awful. I love you.

Here's the response:
Dear Megan,
Thanks for the letter. I am still laughing at your joke. I am a girl fairy. I am quite small, so I can fit about anywhere. I use fairy dust to make your head float while I get your tooth. I use teeth to make fairy dust. I need it to fly. I have a money tree that I get the dollars from. You are a good girl and take good care of your teeth.
Love, the Tooth Fairy

Halloween

Halloween this year was filled with all the traditional stuff. It's the traditional activites that makes Halloween so fun for the kids (and adults).

The kids really got into the pumpkin carving this year, and it seemed easier for me as well. They can do most everything themselves, I just stand by and watch.

Gavin discovered how much fun it is to carve with a drill, hence the pumpkin with many holes. Together Gavin and Megan carved 8 pumpkins!

Gavin likes anything silly, so when he came across this custome, it was a must!

Megan likes to do themes with her and Gavin's costume, so the Geisha costume worked great with Gavin's Sumo costume.

I hit my sister's costume box and came across this Cleopatra costume, anything easy works for me. The weather was nice for trick or treating which was followed by a scary movie for Ryan and I.

Parties!

With Halloween comes lots of fun parties. Starting with our family Halloween Party. It's always fun to see how the nieces and nephews are dressed up, especially since we often borrow their costumes.

Then there is the traditional school parade. Let me tell you, there are some very clever costumes out there. I look forward to the parade each year just as much as the kids do.

This year I was able to help out with Gavin's party at school

I'm proud to say that Gavin was the only kid that could eat the entire donut on a string in under 2 minutes. In fact, no one even came close. That's my boy! Way to make mamma proud!

Although I didn't help with Megan's party, I was able to be there for most of it.

They had fun making a witches brew and playing a number of games.

Clarke Planetarium

I had the chance to go with the 3rd graders to the Clarke Planetarium. It's always a treat to ride on a packed school bus with energetic 8 and 9 year olds. All joking aside, we had a great time. Gavin loves everything about science, so he particularly enjoyed this field trip.

The Olden Days

Megan: Mom, were there freezers when you were a kid?
Me: Megan, I'm not that old. Of course there were.
Megan: Well, back in those days there wasn't even fabulous clothes to wear.

I'm going to stop pulling out pictures from when I was a kid. I'm not impressing her.