School Year: 20015-2016

I am officially the mom of a senior in high school! I really just can't believe it. I'm not quite sure what it is, but all of a sudden i am feeling the urge to be a better mom than I was. I think it's because Ryan will be leaving home the end of this school year, like in 9 months. That's the plan anyway. 

I made sure to take the day off work so I could be with them. I got up at normal time and made them breakfast, pancakes were on the menu. To my surprise only 2 of them wanted them...isn't that how it always goes? 

I wanted to get pictures to document, so I did. Of course they all grumbled about it. While taking these, a friend of mine was chasing down her jr high schoolers. She reached them at the bus stop! heehee! "See, I'm not the only one!" I told them.

Ryan, 12th grade

he wanted a picture of the cat shirt...he really likes this shirt!

Aaron, 10th grade (really hates getting his picture taken)

Grace, 8th (love her pants!)

Kate, 6th (last year of elementary, lover of comfy clothes)

Becca, 4th grade (loves pictures!)

Britten, 2 1/2 (not in school, but didn't want to be left out either)

Hoping for the best year ever for my kids. Last year they were all new. This year I hope they feel more comfortable to be the great kids that they are!

19 years Engaged

I met Dustin when I was 19. Today we were engaged 19 years ago. Dustin has officially been in my life the same number of years that he's been not in my life. So next year, he will be in my life longer than not. Does that make sense? I think it's kind of cool! 

Our engagement: August 24, 1996

Quick Trip to Grandma's Land

 When referring to Grandma's Land, we are talking about Dustin's Dad's mother (if that makes any sense). Karl and Coleen live in Fruitland, UT. You pass Park City and Heber. Keep going east. I believe it is in Duschene County. It's beautiful and relaxing up there.

We haven't seen them in such a long time. Britten wasn't even born and he's named after Karl Britten Merrit, so we figured it was time. We have a lot of fond memories. Our kids throw rocks in the Red River that runs through their property. One year we even grabbed some tubes. There will always be shooting practice. I'm sure that is where my boys shot their first gun. Maybe even Grace. And there is the yellow swing. It is a child's swing that hangs from a very large tree. Everyone of my kids have officially swung in it now.  The kids love it because they go so high.

We also quilt there. I have made several of my kids' baby blankets there. When we owned a motor home, Grandma made one for our bed in there. I kept us quite warm in Yellowstone. It now keeps Ryan warm on his bed. Someone is always tying a quilt!

It's a wonderful place where you can get away from the city and just enjoy family and nature. I wish we escaped there more often. It's only a 2 hour trip. Well worth the travel! You get lots of advice. Some wanted, some not. Grandma shared with my kids the importance of thanking God for all you have been given. She reminded us that all blessings come from him. And Grandpa...well, he just calls you names, but really they mean I love you. He's one big tease! Yes, I like that little place. It's a gem!

gathering rocks to throw

the Red River

Britten in the Buff

Britten likes to run around with no clothes on lately. This morning I was looking for him and found this:

Apparently, he thinks we live in a nudist colony, and eat like this:

More Important Than Shoes

About a month ago was the July Fast and Testimony meeting for our church congregation. There are no formal speakers. If you have the disire to share your testimony you can go up to the pulpit and share. I knew at the start of the meeting I would go up and share. I knew because of how I was feeling inside. My heart was beating, I had a lump in my throat, and my thoughts were crazy fast in my head. Dustin leaned over and whispered, "You're going up, huh? You have your Testimony face." I never knew my face changed, but apparently it does.

For some reason I kept rationalizing that I didn't need to go up. And I kept doing it, the whole hour! I came up with a lot of reasons, but the last was that I was wearing these 2.5 inch heels and if I try to go up, I will just end up tripping. I chuckled as that image came into my mind. Then a thought entered my head, "Are you really going to meet the Savior one day and explain to Him that the reason you couldn't bear testimony of Him was because of your shoes?" That's all it took!

As I stood to go to the pulpit, my husband gently grabbed my arm and pointed to the clock, "Hun, it's over." I knew I shouldn't be standing because I would be lengthening the time of the meeting, but I had to. I basically ran in those shoes and I made it without falling over. There was no way that I was going to let a pair of shoes be the reason for not sharing my love of Jesus Christ. His first words to me will not be, "Larae, the shoes?? Really?"