A few months ago Blake's hearth teacher pulled me aside and said she wanted to tell me that she, Blake and another boy in his class were all talking.  The boy was explaining that his parents were divorced and he said that it was so different because at his mom's house he wasn't allowed to say certain words, but at his dad's house he was allowed to say them and so that is what he did.  And Blake said, "well, we shouldn't be two different people, we should just be one person." And the teacher said, "Blake that was profound. No, seriously." 

I think he got the idea from a Hank Smith talk were he describes being who we are at all times.  That we shouldn't have A day clothes and B day clothes that we wear to high school (for the days that we have seminary we wear certain clothes and less modest when we don't have seminary).  I was so glad that he had the courage (maybe he didn't even think twice about saying it) and that it was meaningful to him and maybe even to the boy he said it to.   It takes a village.  I feel so grateful for really really good Primary teachers, leaders, aunts/uncles and grandparents, cousins, good friends, good programs and extras that they get to be a part of.  It all helps round out our kids and contributes to their character and goodness.

Sunday musings

A few things mulling around in my head before I excitedly let my head hit my pillow.  I am T.I.R.E.D.

We've had all the Jensens here this weekend (all siblings came last minute) as Randy and Karen head to the MTC tomorrow morning for one week and then fly to Cambodia for the next 18 months. WE all went to the temple Friday night together.  Saturday we did a BYU day and hiked the Y, ate at the Cougareat, and then all went to the BYU football game together.  Sunday, church (Aubrie played the organ) and then had Come Follow Me some of us and then ate Randy's curry dinner.  Went to Jay's house he just purchased in Daybreak and then met up at Pratts at 8:00 with all the adults for a family council type scenario.

A few things I want to remember from today (Sunday):

During our Come Follow Me lesson this afternoon--Mariam and Joe, Karen and Liz and Jay were all here to join us.  We started with watching the video--"High Priest of GOod things to come"--FAVORITE from Pres. Holland.  I have had many prayers answered while reading that talk.  It is my all time favorite.  ALso a great Mormon message video.   We talked about faith and I was talking about the verse Ether 12:6--disputing against the Lord--fighting against his plan or a situation in my life just because I can't see the end or the reason for it.    Mariam told us about an anaology I hadn't heard before and it was very good.  Situations we want to "dispute" against the Lord are situations where we feel like we are a slingshot.  We feel pulled tight, very tense, painful, like we are regressing in life--in different ways, we are headed backward and it doesn't feel good at all.  And then once we get to the right point, He lets go and we just fly forward--we jump forward rapidly in our life's progression.  Such a neat analogy.
Jay shared this quote from an NBA player in an interview..."Anything that you want that is worthwhile is on the other side of hard."
We cannot progress inside of our comfort zone. 


Another key moment for me today was this evening--Randy and Karen had all adults (And Robbie asked to come and be a part of it which made me so proud and happy) meet tonight at 8:00 and they shared their talks with us and then asked everyone for advice and Ryan spoke up and said "can RObbie go first because we need to put him to bed."  So, everyone looks at Robbie and I know him so well that I know how much he hates that attention.  Plus he is the only kid in this room for adults and totally got put on the spot.  I was soooo curious what he would say.  And he just blew me (and Ryan away).  He said, "okay....(pause)...today in Young Mens, we had a lesson about work.  He taught us, that some of us can really feel anxiety sometimes in life and that the greatest anecdote for anxiety is to work hard.  So, if you are feeling anxious when you are on your mission or having a hard time, try that, working."

Oh how I love that boy and his sensitive heart. He is such a great kid!

Hallie's first year of VB with Wasatch middle school team

 

Lots of CHS soccer games

Aubrie was chosen from the stake to be a "buddy" for the SNAP program which is a youth night activity every week where alot of handicapped members come to participate and they are eached assigned a buddy.  Aubrie is loving it more nad more.  It is so good for her.  This was the first night of the school year--they laid out the red carpet.  Her buddy is probably about 50 years old and is non verbal.  At the last activity they had a dance and she held hands with her and just danced and Aubrie said it was a blast!

Luke and I (and Karla, Danny and Jacob) have been going Wednesday mornings to Whitmore library for there Movement class.  I totally look forward to it.  Luke loves it.  THey do lots of songs and moving games and then pull out a bunch of toys and let the kids have free time playing. 

THe best little buddies!

Oh snap.  Someone's got her permit.  She is willing to go anywhere if it means she can drive. No freeways yet though. 

Liz and Jimmy stayed here for a weekend.  This was Sunday afternoon games and hanging out. 

Aub's girls! :)

Family bike ride to Wheeler farm.  Got dark on us.  It was all decked out for Halloween/fall.  We are so lucky to live by that park.  We love it and run/walk/hang out there often. 

I 

#reallife

Aubrie had a game night with a bunch of people here and then RObbie and Hallie invited people and it was a real party. I love watching kids play night games.  They did games here, went to the church to do games and then had smores in the firepit.  

Fall brea--we hit up This is the Place with the Pratts and it happened to be the "trick or treat"day.  

Aubrie helping me organize all of our piano/vocal music into "church/modern/classic/christmas".  Ahhhh!

Slight fire one morning...I thought it would burn out but the flames got bigger and bigger until they were almost up to the microwave and I had to get out the trusty fire extinguisher.  I am SO glad we have one!

White house roomies reunion

For my birthday this year Ryan planned a trip to Tahoe/Sacramento with the ladies.  And it was long anticipated and SOOOO fun.  Just so much laughing, teasing, eating good food, GREAT hike on the Rubicon trail (about 11 miles total) and then a 6-7 mile bike ride around a portion of Lake Tahoe.  It was perfect weather.  THe place we stayed was a timeshare of Becca and Jayson.  We hit up ROss and bought some great things, went to a huge orchard at Apple Hill on our way back to Sacramento, and loved teh sauna/outdoor heated pool and hottub too  And lots and lots of talking...always talking/laughing.  I love these ladies very much!  Patti--we missed you big time.  Next year when you haven't just had a baby! :)  We needed you there too!