THE STARBURSTS

(Picture rights are owned by MJ Thomas Photography. Please do not copy.)

 Time has flown by and my little Sierra has gone from Kindergarten to First Grade to Second Grade.

 

Making the decision to put her in public school wasn't easy and was never really in my plans.

Those of you that traveled that road with us know how difficult it was.

We finally, and ultimately, came to the conclusion that she would be fine in public schools.

Fine, being the key word.

 

I thought about home schooling her again this summer but decided to send her back instead.

 

I guess the reason behind the decision and the one thing that drives me to to continue to make it every year is that there is an education you receive by being in the public schools that you can't receive any other way.

 

Some of you may giggle knowing the poor standards of some of our public schools, but I am not talking about an education of book learning but of learning to relate to people from all walks of life. Learning how to stand up for yourself when you are being bullied. Learning how to stand boldly for what is right when everyone around you isn't choosing the right. And learning compassion for people who are a lot different from you.

 

I learned all of those things at a young age in the public school system and that education was more priceless to me than any secular learning.

 

Ultimately, the question in my heart was, will she be strong enough to allow these experiences to strengthen her charicter and not diminish it? 

 

And more importantly, will I be strong enough to teach her how to allow these experiences to work toward her good?

 

I concluded that there was only one way.

We must wake up every morning and before she leaves for school I would arm her with her own sword, of sorts, to fight her battles. I am grateful to say, we have.

Every morning before she leaves for school we read the scriptures and pray and every morning I plead before her and my Father-in-Heaven to keep her safe, help her boldly chose the right, and help her find good friends that do the same.

 

There are times when I know I have made the right decision and it was reconfirmed again two days ago.

 

I know that will come as a surprise to some of you as you listen to this story....

 

(Picture rights are owned by MJ Thomas Photography. Please do not copy.)

(Picture rights are owned by MJ Thomas Photography. Please do not copy.)

Two days ago, Sierra came home from school and she said, "Mom, some girls were sitting next to me at luch and said, "If you eat those starbursts, you are going to get fat. If you get fat, you are not going to be apart of our club." She talked about how desperately she wanted to be apart of their club, because, you see, they have beautiful green and blue jewels and you can't hold them if you are not in their club.

 

We had a beautiful talk about boldly standing for what was right. I told her what those girls were saying wasn't right. We talked about this talk given in General Conerence. How even though the jewels were important to her that they weren't worth the price she would have to pay, the price of sucuming to peer pressure.

 

I am grateful to say that she told those girls, "I don't get starbursts that much and I am going to eat them." I am glad she ate them.

 

I am so glad she told me and that she tells me of the experiences she has at school. It is evidence of her trust in me. I am not a perfect mother and I am grateful that she is able to forgive those imperfections and still love and trust me.

 

I am glad she went back to school the next day with a smile on her face and a renewed courage to boldly do the right thing, no matter what.

 

When I watch my child go through these really hard things that administer to her charicater and make her a more whole human being, I realize we have made the right choice and we will continue to make the right choices concerning her future as long as we stay closer to our Father-in-Heaven.



FAMILY for the WEEKEND

 Madison has been begging to go and visit her Grandparents and it just worked out that we were able to take a trip to see them thanks to our sweet friend Kay. She needed us to drive her granddaughter to Utah to spend the weekend with her mom. She filled the car with gas and snacks.
She is such an angel.

 Madison must have said a thousand times. I can't wait to see my grandpa. He will tickle me and throw me on the couch. I am grateful for the special bond my children share with him.

 My kids love their Aunt Karalee.

This is my Grandma Craven's pancake recipe. My Dad said it was the best and I should use it make breakfast Saturday morning. They didn't disappoint. I was really glad to have it. I often wish I had more recipes from my heritage.

 

My girls must have eaten about a trillion apples while we were there. 

 

The best part was sharing conference weekend with my family.

What an inspiring weekend filled with amazing talks and amazing food.

We have a family tradition of making doughnuts every conference.

My little sister made these with a raspberry glaze.

They did not disappoint.

They were amazing.

After a lot of heart wrenching moments...

And several years of tears and prayers...

this girls is pregnant.

I have wanted to scream it for a long time.

I am so excited for her.

It is truly a miracle and an answer to our prayers.

She is having a little girl and is due six weeks after me.

Isn't she the cutest pregnant lady?

I love you sissy.

Best NEWS of the year.



SCORPIONS

 She may have gone scorpion hunting with her daddy last night.

Not sure why they had to bring them home in a jar.

Kind of creeps me out and maybe her a little too.

BALANCING HOBBIES

Because I have been obsessed with....

Writing a children's book.

Refashioning a Homecomming dress.

Working on a quilt I am absolutely in love with.

Bottling everything I can find to bottle in Kay's garden.

Madison has been doing a lot of this.

It makes me sad and happy.

It is really hard to find a balance.

Maybe I should go push her on the swing or......

Yeah, maybe that would be best.

TEXTING

Just in case you got a random text today.

It was from her.

PLAY DATE and a TENT

My favorite picture of the day. Madison's face is priceless.

Also, I love the picture Darcy took of me and my baby bump.

Love this little boy growing inside me.

FRUITA PARADE

CC said she had never been in the Fruita Fall Festival Parade.

She really wanted to be in it.

She begged me.

We got ready this morning and went down to be in the parade.

Luckily we went with friends or it would have been a long boring walk for both of us.

 I love that CC's hair is now long enough to braid.

A few months more and we may be back into pig tails.

Oh, the absolute joy.

 Wyatt is such a fun kid.

Sierra didn't leave his side the whole parade.

They are good friends.

 Luke, Wyatts older brother mowed my lawn yesterday.

I was out mowing it and he came over and said, "Let me do it for you."

He did a really great job. He is such a sweet kid.

 Some really fabulous young women from our ward.

They are so sweet and all of them have babysat my kids at one time.

My children love all three of them.



THE CAT DIS-DAPPEARED and RE-APPEARED

This little girl's cat disappeared for the evening the other night.

She yelled and yelled for it.

She kept running off down the street in search of Edison.

She made me nervous, because you know how I am.

 I told her to stay in the backyard and that eventually he would be back.

She wasn't listening very good. She was desperate to find her cat.

She drew a picture of her cat in sidewalk chalk and wrote.

"If you see this cat

please call, xxx-xxxx."

It may have been effective if the cat hadn't resembled every cat you had ever seen or if she hadn't drawn it on the back porch.

This little girl cracks me up.

She moped and whinnied for her cat.

Later that night, while they were in their pajamas, they made their last sweep of the backyard before bed time.

They called the cat's name a few dozen time.

"Edison!"

"Edison!"

Edison leaped over the fence from the back alleyway.

Madison squealed and screamed, "Edison's back. Edison's back!"

Her joy was priceless.

 

On another note:

 

I love listening to Sierra indoctrinate Madison. She said, "Madison, of course you haven't seen our stuffed animals and and dolls come to life, it is because they are nocturnal. Do you know what that means? They are active at night." Hilarious.

 

And yet another note:

 

Sierra came home from school the other day and said, "Mom, you played a trick on me."

I said, "What are you talking about?"

She said, "I took my lunch to school and opened it up and there was a half eaten sandwich, some brown pears, an empty yogurt, a half eaten cookie and no drink."

I thought, "Why did mom pack me this disgusting lunch?"

I ate a little and then went to recess.

I just remembered right now that I left my lunch box at school yesterday. 

You packed me a new lunch today and it is still in my backpack."

She giggled.

Sorry kid.

I didn't trick you.

You tricked yourself.

BUT, you make me laugh my mommy head off.

HALLOWEEN IDEA BOARD

 

Idea Board for Halloween.

Vintage 1980's Strawberry and Lemon Meringue outfits.

I am super excited.

I will be headed to the Thrift Store this afternoon.

Wish me luck.

I will let you know what I find.

Luckily, Strawberry's hat has been past down.

It use to be my sister Jennifer's.

CC adopted it.

I found a big strawberry button the other day.

It was destiny.

The tights are my biggest concern.

I found some I can order on line.... but it is no good.

I am thrifting everything.

Maybe craft paint and white tights?

We will search pinterest for something on painting tights.

GET EXCITED.

Halloween is my favorite holiday!

BATH TIME

 There is nothing I love better than clean smelling babies.

It seems more and more of a hassle to get these two little ones to want to take a bath.

Though once their in the water. It is party time.

There are more bubbles, splashing, and giggling than should ever be allowed in one bathtub.

ONE of those STORIES that breaks my HEART

This is my friend's cousin's daughter.
She is fighting cancer. They just found out.

My friend Kadee has been working so tirelessly to earn funds to offset her medical bills.
If you can give, click here.
Isn't she precious?


RAINING

 It has been raining for two days.
I love the rain.
I don't like mud.
I went to Lily's Garden for some fresh veggies.
My little MJ followed me to the garden.
She wasn't wearing her boots.
Her bare toes were all squishy in the mud.
She exclaimed with a huge smile on her face, "Mom, look at my muddy toes."
She's been wearing her rainboots since.
I like it better.
But muddy toes are awfully cute.