Grace's music concert...

Last night was Grace's music concert at school and she did great! She was able to help conduct and sing with the solo group as well. Good jog Missy! Daisy has her's tonight! Should be more fun!

Roman...

Roman loves to help clean, I think I'm doing something right!

Boots...

My Dad has been extremely generous since he's been here. He has been a huge help and I can't thank him enough for stepping in when I didn't know how we were going to make it. Thank you Dad. Last week he said we were going to go buy new Harley boots and go have lunch. What he didn't realize was I bought a pair of black boots at a yard sale for a dollar a few weeks prior- just so he wouldn't spend the money on me. I didn't want him too. I thought it was crazy expensive and excessive and I felt guilty that he was even considering it. After talking a lot and thinking about it, I gave in. He really wanted to do it and if I continued to fight it, the joy for him would be gone. I tried to be a gracious receiver and just have fun while trying on really expensive boots. We had a great lunch at Goodwood and then we hit Target to check out the Halloween markdowns. It was a great day and I do love my boots, I just had to remind him that I don't spend money, because we don't have it, so it's hard when he wants to splurge in that way because my brain can't handle it or process the dollar amount. (what I didn't tell him was the boots at the yard sale were marked $ 2.oo- but I asked if she'd take $ 1.00 for them!) I know that I deserve nice things and I know that when we ride and when I wear them I will be reminded that my Dad loves me and he wasn't content with dollar boots for his daughter. Thank you Dad! Oh, and he called later that night to say "Let's wear our new boots to bed!"

A scout stool and puberty...

Tristin made an awesome stool last week at scoust, he even burned the lettering into it! Good Job Mr.! And for about 3 seconds can I just say that Tristin has entered into the "P" word. Yup, we are there folks and it's really weird sometimes. It's like having a hormonal girl living in the house off and on! Personally I think 11.5 is majorly too young to already have serious arm pit hair, leg hair and a mustache growing. He's changing and he's been having mood swings like a crazy woman! I swear guys get PMS too! It's just called GFO (guys freak out!)I seriously thought I had a few more years but no, we are in it. Sex, changing body talks, girls, clean thoughts and all that jazz. I do talk a lot about how our bodies are supposed to change, the urges and desires are normal and from God, but everything needs to be kept under control and within the limits we believe in. I'm not sure I can do this. How do I raise boys? I am grateful we talk. And we talk about a lot of it now. We have too because he is growing up, it's apart of life and the middle school education I'm sure he's getting- needs clarification. I'm honest and I remind him constantly that the Lord designed us, our bodies and he wants us to be happy. We talk a lot about choices, and how Satan distorts and takes beautiful things and turns them into vulgar and ugly things. We talk about good thoughts and following the example of Christ. We talk about temptation and the joy of keeping a clean mind. We talk about the gospel and how we have guidelines because Heavenly Father loves us more than we will ever know. I also tell him I am proud of who he is becoming and that I love him. I fear that I will fail somewhere or everywhere and when he gives his mission farewell I won't hear how I rocked as a Mom because I messed him up so much. I just hope he turns out ok. I hope he is a kind man and wakes up to help the new family in the ward unpack their u haul at 8:00 am on a Saturday morning. I hope he knows I'm doing my best everyday and I sure hope I learn to deal with the body hair he's accumulating!

My boys...

I walked downstairs (it's actually just 1 step)the other day and saw Tristin and Travis snuggling on the couch watching a movie. It was about the cutest thing I've seen them do!

Lost treasure!

Last week I called my friend Jennifer and in the background I heard a lot of noise, so I told her I would let her go. She said it was fine, they were there trying to help her find her wedding ring in the back yard. Next she said, "I really wish we knew someone with a metal detector." I just laughed and said, "My Dad has one!!!" The next morning we were there looking for the ring and in 5 minutes or less Dad found it! It was such an awesome moment and Jennifer was delighted to have it back! Good job Dad!