Trumpeting

The sounds of the trumpet rings through our home as bed time approaches. It sounds normal for a beginning sixth grader. Learning is happening as practice occurs and the notes become more clear with time. Finally I recognize the song "Hot Cross Buns" "Three Blind Mice", "Jingle Bells". I know at the end of this first year he will play in a concert that will sound much better then they do at their February concert. As I listen to the practicing I try to always keep in mind that growth takes time and practice. In all areas of life we can see the value of practice. Keep practicing Austin. It's awesome to hear you grow!!!!

Building fires, enjoying family

Sunday after all the meetings of the day, after church, after all of the responsibilities of callings and dinner, we love to sit by the fire and enjoy just being together. Austin and Willy build the fire just like their mom has taught them because they know if they do it that way it will work. Not to brag or anything, I am the best fire builder. Now they can do it without my help. There is something about staring at the fire that is calming and relaxing. It just feels good to feel the heat of the fire and having everyone around. Sometimes we watch a movie. Sometimes we have gospel discussions. Sometimes we are all in the same room doing different things. Sometimes it's just for a short while other times it's a long while. But for me that gathering at the fireside is about family, about love about togetherness. It's about being a family enjoying each other for just a little while before another hectic week begins.

Just enough to get wet!

This morning I woke to the happy voices of Austin and Lydia exclaiming "It's Snowing". Of course Willy was out of bed faster than usual to view the falling snow. The snow didn't fall for long and it was just enough to make the roads white, but that didn't matter it was snow. Before long everyone was bundled up and into the white. The joy and excitement radiated from Willy's face as he pulled Austin and Lydia on the sled. Even Roxie got in on the action running along with them. Emily and Lydia liked shoveling the snow. Jessica even made it out to take a couple of pictures. It was great while it lasted. It's gone now. Seize the snow day!!!!!!

Mr. Weatherman please send us some snow

Willy follows the local weather forecast with enthusiasm. He believes what they say. For the past week the forecast said that we were to get snow last night from midnight until 8:00 this morning. With unflinching faith in the weatherman he went to bed knowing that there would at the very least be a 2 hour delay of the start of school. Oh mister weatherman please stop playing with his heart. He trusted you and you have let him down. He wants so much to have a snow day. With a sad heart he faced the school day no homework complete, knowing that possibly (40%) snow on Tuesday. All I can say is I would like to have a snow day too. Please Oh Please make it so.

Willy loved all the time we had off of school last year because of snowmageden. We must have had 2 feet which caused his school roof to cave in. He got an extra week of school off while they got supplies and things together to move 5th and 6th grader to two different churches to finish out the school year.

This year we have only recieved a little. The snow didn't cover the grass. These pictures are from last year

Keep watching the weather Willy!!!!

Holding hands

Lydia radiates joy. I love walking with Lydia to the bus stop in the morning. She bundles up in her bright pink coat, her pink hat and mittens. Puts on her pink backpack. Gets out and puts on Roxie's leash and says mom lets go!!! She opens the door and Roxie all but pulls her on a dead run out the door. She turns back and yells mom can I hold your hand. She's up ahead because for a moment I stop and lock the door. She's looking back at me with one arm stretched out at me and Roxie's pulling her other arm in another direction. I catch up and she takes my hand. As I grab her hand I think I am grateful for this little hand that is willingly out stretched to me. I know it won't be long and she will want to walk to the bus stop alone. But for now I take it, she smiles a huge smile and we follow the dog to the bus stop. She gives me a big hug as the bus arrives and off she goes happy and content to leave her mom and puppy on the corner waving goodbye. I walk home with no little hand to hold, knowing that I and Roxie will walk to the bus stop at 3:30 and find that same little hand to hold. Praying that today will not be the day she wants to walk without her hand in mine.

Our Family is Unique

We are a unique family as you can see!!!!!!!

This year our family is focusing in on Change. We want to change in good ways. We also want to focus on what makes us who we are. We felt we needed to start with a statement of who we are. What makes us unique as a family. In the business world this would be their mission statement. Last night in Family Home evening we discovered, created and wrote our family's mission statement. This statement will guide us in our year of change.

Our Family is Unique:

We are true to our standards through service and obedience. We increase our knowledge and develop our talents to increase our joy and happiness now and in the heareafter. We unify our family by working, having fun together, and embracing our individual attributes.

Just as a side note we will be using many of the ideas we found in the book The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni.

pondering the past looking to the future

The first of January is a day of contemplation. Seeing the past looking at the future. This year I make no new year resolutions. I've broken too many of them. This one thing is for sure that the new year, 2011 will bring change. Change determined by me and change that is forces me to act. I know that this year I will change, my children change and Bill will change. Jessica will graduate from OHS and go onto college. Emily will become a senior and run her best 5k ever. Willy will hopefully become an 8th grader and show us some amazing guns. Austin will become a 6th grader and show us some amazing skills. Lydia will become a first grader and will read her first books. I am encouraged that it will be an amazing year of change.