8/21/10
I haven't written in a journal for many years now. I miss it. Especially not bing able to look back at different times in my life.
I am 41 years old now. Where did the time go? Andy and I have been married 21 years.
Aj has his mission call to Cauyan, Phillipines and is scheduled to leave October 27, 2010. He will spend two months in the MTC in Provo and then fly out about December 31. What a great way to start a new year/life for him. Aj has grown so quickly. He will turn 19 years old on August 28 - less than a week away.
We had planned to get his endowments out for his birthday but found out the temple will be closed for two weeks to include that day for cleaning. So it wont be his birthday but it won't be too long after that either.
Aj has really made us proud. He has always chosen good friends and activities. He graduated with honors from Pine View High School in 2009 and then with his associate degree from Dixie College in 2010. He has worked hard and saved his money for his mission. He pays $125/month to us for use of the car, insurance and his cell phone. In addition he set a goal to raise $10,000 in the bank. I don't know if he'll make that (he still has two months, so maybe?!) but he has close to $6,000 saved. He has stayed very active in his student ward and continues to really stay focused on his future. All in all he is an excellent young man.
Dallas is 15 and attending Pine View HS in the 10th grade. He has chosen to play baritone saxophone in the band. He also gets up early 3X per week to play in the jazz band. He has talked about joining the choir which would practice during lunch. He has completed his Eagle Scout badge and is president of the teachers quorum at church. He is the most helpful of my children -- always willing to babysit, make a meal, clean a mess or make cookies. He has spent countless hours mowing our lawn and the lawns of several widows in our ward. They love him. He is anxiously awaiting his 16th birthday so he can get his driver license. I enjoy helping him learn to drive.
On his 15th birthday we went at 7 a.m. to get his permit. He drives most mornings to school to get his practice time in. He is also always anxious to take me on errands now. I love my chauffer! He has recently taken a greater interest in school work and he says he would like to follow in AJ's footsteps academically.
Bryce is the biggest 14 year old I ever met. He is 6' or more and close to 200 lbs. He also is enjoying early morning jazz band playing the trumpet. He also received his Eagle Scout this year so I now have three Eagle Sons. Bryce is in the 9th grade at Pine View Middle School and also excels at school. He has had honor roll - straight A's several times. I am so thankful they enjoy school. Bryce spends much of this time in his brother's shadow but I continue to hear from teachers and leaders what a great kid he is and how much they enjoy him. He is funny and fun to be around. He also mows lawns and has started showing more interest in helping around the house. I couldn't ask for better boys.
Katie is 8 years old and started the year by getting baptized. She was so excited. It was a very special day for her. Her birthday was December 21 and it was hard to wait for the first Saturday in January. Katie enjoys piano lessons, achievement days and girl scouts. She wants to join the choir this year. She should start in a week or two.
Katie and I got to go to tipi camp this summer with her troop. It was so fun to get out with just her and her troop. Katie loves school and does very well. We are working on routines this year. Katie has a hard time getting up in the morning. So we have a chart and she has been doing excellent at getting up since started trying. Has made our mornings so much better!
Holly - our sweet little caboose! She is so busy and happy and LOUD! She is 6 and just started 1st grade. She is a brownie girl scout and taking piano this year. So much excitement for her. She is infectious with her toothless grin and unending energy. She is also opinionated and will tell you what for when she is upset. She loves school and has excelled.
I am so thankful for my children. It is constant work to keep everyone healthy and happy but so far so good!
Andy is enjoying the one year anniversary of his morning show - "A.G. in the A.M." He turned his whole life upside down and instead of being up late into the night he has to be to work from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for his show. He continues to develop utahpreps.net and broadcast high school sports every weekend. He has been such a great influence in all of our lives. He is home with the kids and has helped develop their love of life and school. He is always supportive and complimentary and loving to me. I know I often take him or granted. I just don't know how good I have it - but I am truly grateful for him and the life we have together. There has not been a time in our almost 22 years that I haven't felt blessed to be married to my best friend. We are fortunate to have one another.
I am getting ready to embark on a new chapter in my life. I will be called to YW President probably next Sunday. I feel that I am balancing so many things and I worry about adding another one but I know that if I stay close to the Lord I can do it. We don't have very many active girls in our ward and we have four non-members in our boundaries that are super girls. I think I have my work cut out for me.
I went to girls camp with some of these girls and I really feel a strong love and pull to be their leader. I just hope I can be a good mom and leader and work too!
I love the saying, "I'll rest when I'm dead!" I think more than ever that is my new motto.
I'm trying to keep a good balance in my life. My day typically starts about 5:30 a.m. I try to read my scriptures then exercise at 6 a.m. The boys now need rides about 6:40 or 7 a.m. Get dressed. Close to 8 a.m. the girls and I walk about 1/2 mile to school and then I walk another 1/2 mile to work. Work all day, get dinner, do homework, activities and then bed. Falling asleep is not usually a problem!
The girls and I love to go to the pol. We try to go up at least 2X per week. I sleep so good on the nights I swim.
I sure hope I can do all that I need to do! I'm sure going to try!
