Carson Had A Birthday!

Carson's birthday was May 16th and he is now 11 years old. Steve was in Utah this past weekend and for Carson's birthday he got to choose what they did for fun on Saturday. So they went to the movies and saw Night at the Museum (they said it was really good) and then they headed to Steve's cousin Mindy's place and goofed around and just hung out together for the whole weekend. Here are 11 things that make Carson.....well, Carson. :)

1. Witty
2. Smart
3. Kooky
4. Fun
5. Caring
6. Giving
7. Happy
8. Silly
9. Outgoing
10. Bouncy
11. And most of all, Loving

Dylan Time

Last week Dylan won an award for "outstanding leadership, performance, and dedication" for the education program at the East Career & Technical Academy (East Tech). Two students were selected from each program from the 4 technical schools and Dylan was one of the two for the education program at his school. It was very cool and we are very proud of him. He also has been swimming for the Eldorado swim team and their last meet was this past Saturday. He is now taking lifeguard certification classes for the next two weeks. He's hoping to find a lifeguard job for the summer. Dylan, too is very busy (if you read my last blog).

Dylan's principal presented his award.



Emily was the other student in the education program. (check out the foot)


They also anchor the news together in Broadcast Journalism.


With Mr. New the Broadcast Journalism teacher.


Dylan's principal, she's awesome.



He's a swimming.

All About Dakota

A week ago Dakota was in a Rock n Roll show at O'Callahan that was put on by the theater department. He was so awesome. They performed music throughout the decades starting with the 50's and ending with the 90's/2000's. Here are some pictures of him playing his air guitar. The crowd loved it. He also went to the Father and Sons overnight campout with Steve this past Friday. (Dylan couldn't go due to swim) Both Steve and Dakota had a great time and Steve said there was a really good turnout. I'm not sure why there aren't any pictures of Steve at the campout, I'll have to look into that.... Dakota also finished his Citizenship in the Nation merit badge and his Family Life merit badge. He's very close to finishing the Citizenship in the Community badge, too. (after scout camp in June, he'll have all the "required" merit badges for Eagle except for 2 and he's only 12!!!) He's been very busy the last couple of weeks and will continue to be busy, I'm sure. :)

Mortal Instruments Series

I just finished reading this series and I wanted to take a quick moment to say that I absolutely loved it. Not since the Twilight Series have I given Steve a play by play about a book until now. Loved it!!!

Be Still

I decided to lay down for a few minutes this afternoon on my couch. I had the windows open and because of how I was laying on the couch I could feel the breeze kiss my toes as it went through my house. I could hear the wind rustling the tree in the front yard. Suddenly it dawned on me that the only sound I could hear was the tree out front. No cars, no busses, no motorcycles, no airplanes, no TV and no people, just the wind. It was incredible, I couldn't believe it. It reminded me of camping when I was growing up in Wyoming with my family and we would take afternoon naps in the mountains. In this particular moment I felt like Heavenly Father was reminding me that He is always with us. In fact when I let myself lay very still and listen to the tree out front I could feel Him. It was lovely. :)

Here are a few pictures of our back yard after Steve and I worked on it this past weekend.

A Week in the Life...

A busy week. Ran kids to all the usual spots (seminary, school, work, swim, mutual for laser tag) and picked them up. Being an advocate for my child I battled with a teacher via email and spoke to the school. Finished up prerequisites for scout expo (which is tomorrow). Exercised, tried to eat right (although I had a couple of sonic syrup slushes), cooked, cleaned, did laundry, got pulled over by the police for...are you ready?...speeding in a school zone, double parking and I didn't have my driver's license on top of it, all in one shot. I got off with just a warning. Yay!! It must have been my flustered appearance from that day and my apologizing profusely that got him. A training meeting, visiting teaching and lots of phone calls for appointment making (dentist, doctor and eye exam). I haven't seen my husband much at all this week due to busy schedules and he working late once or twice this week. There have been highlights though. One on one conversations with each of my children on different days and Wednesday night while Devynne was at work and the boys were playing laser tag, Steve and I went out for ice cream. I love those little moments and easy conversation. I'm so grateful for my family and my little challenges, they remind me that I need to learn and grow everyday (the challenges and my family). And I like that sometimes I need to look for the highlights in a day or week when things seem crazy. Cleaning the church, yard work and a swim meet tomorrow. I seriously can't wait. :)

Lots of Prom Pics

Prom was Saturday night and yes Devynne had a great time. They went to dinner, the dance and ended with the Mystere show on the strip. Prom is definitely an exciting thing for a 17 year old. :)

Sisterhood

My sister sent this to me and I loved it. It really does say it all. Thankyou to all of you that share so much of yourselves in person and on your blogs.

(pause my music)

Hope

I've been thinking about hope lately. What it means, how it compares to faith, how it ties in with faith, the importance of that feeling and so on. You listen to the news and it seems so discouraging on a daily basis. People losing their homes, their jobs, their confidence, their self worth. It makes me really appreciate so many other things: family, friends, love, kindness, compassion, a good sale, saving at the grocery store, my children's health, my health, a feel good movie, that my kids say "thankyou" "I'm sorry" and "I love you" all on their own, my neighbors who wave to us all the time and so, so, so many more things. These things give me hope. Hope that jobs will be secure, the housing market will go up, that the economy will improve sooner rather than later, that our world will be in good shape for our kids and grandkids to grow up in and hope that we as people can be a little nicer to each other. I thought of a scripture that I really have always liked and I actually was able to find it.

2 Nephi 31:20
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Anyhoo, just some of what I've been thinking about lately. :)

He's the Birthday Boy!

Yesterday was Dylan's birthday. He is now 16. It's a crazy thing, he being 16 now. Where does the time go? It wasn't that long ago that he was the sweetest little baby. I worked full time when he was a baby and my "in home" care giver once told me that in her 25 years of caring for children he was the sweetest, best baby she ever had. He was the most mellow, laid back baby. He was always smiling and was always very content and happy. He rarely cried or fussed, it was awesome having a baby like that. Over the years he has continued to have a very mellow, laid back disposition. He has a fantastic sense of humor, I'm always laughing at his witty comments. He's smart, funny and talented. He plays the guitar by sound and has even made up his own songs. He does theater and performs in plays and skits at school (East Tech). He's also big into broadcast journalism at school, he loves it (check out the video below and see him in action). He swims on the Eldorado Swim team and will be taking life guard lessons in May so he can life guard this summer. He has his learner's permit and always wants to drive. Yikes! He has grown into an amazing young man and hopefully will continue to do so. He has so much potential and I know that he'll succeed in whatever path he takes in the future. I love this child so very much and I can't wait to see what he does in the next few years. Happy Birthday Dylan!

One of my favorite pics of him when he was little.


This was taken last November.


Pause my music so you can hear this.
(It starts out black just hit play, it's about 5 min.)