missionary farewells, old friends, and family

On the weekend of March 22nd we traveled up to Tooele for a missionary farewell. Connor England, my sister's "boyfriend" is headed to Australia for two years. Connor was so great to my kids while I was single and helped fill their need for good male role models. Jim and I also owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Englands for setting us up together. It was great to hear Connor speak and see how much he has grown and changed already. As I sat there listening, I got to thinking that in the next 10 years we will have one on a mission and one getting ready to go.....

It was great to see many of our friends from Tooele. Jim enjoyed seeing many people he grew up with, as he was in the 13th ward with the England's for many years. I was reunited with a friend from my grade school days....Lisa used to live around the corner from me and we spent many hours dancing and singing in her basement...They moved away when we were still in grade school and we kept in touch for a time but I have not seen her for 20 years or more. She was there with her parents and her brother and they recognized me but it took me a few minutes to recall who she was. After my initial embarrasment at lack of remembrance we enjoyed getting reaquainted for a few min.

Also, while we were visiting we recieved a suprise visit from one of my best friends since Jr. high. Kelley and her family came out from Arkansas for a visit and we enjoyed seeing her and her cute boys. What a great suprise!

As always the kids love seeing grandma and grandpa and we are so glad we live close enough to drive up for a weekend.

I couldn't help reflecting on how blessed I feel to have so many good friends and such an incredible family. I have had so many people touch my life in incredible ways and just wanted to say THANK YOU to each one of you!

read-a-thon

Last month the kids had a Dr. Suess read-a-thon at school. Ellie decided to read an hour or two (or more) every day instead of the thirty minutes I required. She took second place in the second grade and won a new backpack, folders, several school supplies, and a bucketload of candy. She was also awarded a couple gift certificates. I was very proud of her for being so disciplined and dedicated to her goals. Way to go Ellie!!!!

lunch duty

Alex came home from school all excited the other day because he got to be a lunch helper. One of the boys that was supposed to help came with a blue mowhawk and got sent home to get a hair cut. Alex said the only bad part was that he had to wear gloves and an apron. I had to get a picture of him in his hat because he was so proud that he had been able to help out. He has been a great helper at home doing the dishes too. It is so nice to have kids who are old enough to really help out...especially one's that are willing. Thanks for being a great helper Alex!!!!

loose tooth(s)

Ellie and Zack both lost their front right teeth within a day or two of each other. Smile!!!

MUD!!!

This is one of those moments where as a mother you have to stand back and laugh (and snap a picture) though your kids absolutely hate you for it. Maddie had been playing outside with her brothers and tried to dodge a snowball....only having her mother's coordination she ended up face first in a pile of mud. After the initial tears and a warm bath she decided it was pretty funny too and we both had a good laugh.

The Utah Jazz

Jim recieved a well deserved break a couple weeks ago from the auditors that work with his company. They took him and a few other guys from the Leavitt group out to play golf, to dinner, and then to a Jazz game. The best part of the day for Jim was sinking the winning putt and then going to the Jazz game as a VIP member. They sat on the bench during warmup and got signatures from all the players. Though Jim spent most of the day on the phone transacting business, he looked as though he was able to relax and enjoy himself....