10 things we are thankful for this year

Leah Beth

1. Family

2. Clothes

3. Food

4. Money

5. TV

6. crafts

7. friends

8. bed

9. Toys

10. jobs



Caroline

1. Mom

2. Dad

3. Blake

4. Andrew

5. Leah

6. Bella

7. house

8. Food

9. water

10. friends



Andrew

1. family that is caring

2. friends

3. a home that is in good shape

4. a free country

5. food and water that is safe to drink and eat

6. a job being a scorekeeper at the park

7. a education from a good school

8. a great life

9. electiricity, phones and tv

10. a good church



Gretchen

1. The gospel of Jesus Christ

2. A good husband that devotes his life to me and the kids on a daily basis.

3. Four amazing children that still kiss me goodbye in front of their friends.

4. my dad being on the heart transplant list

5. the opportunity to get a college degree-and a supportive family while I go

6. a part time job taking pictures of fun poeple and experiencing their lives with them and that steve has good steady employment.

7. Good teachers for my children that love them and put effort into their jobs.

8. my iphone that makes my life a lot easier and keeps me from getting lost when I drive to wrestling meets!

9. My health and a good dentist that didn't hurt me when I had to do a root canal this year.

10. supportive extended family members-parents, brother, brother in laws sils, and nieces and nephews that bring me joy and happiness.

11. Good friends that help me, talk me through things and love me just for me!

12. a beautiful piece of land with a creek that I can retreat to and relax and forget the busy life.

13. To finally pass the praxis I math section and be admitted to the teacher program.

14. To learn more about food allergies and how they affect our children's behaviors and health.

15. The knowledge that I have been reminded this year over and over that truly thru HIM all things are possible.

Blake

1. Family

2. Friends

3. my dad's job during these times

4. a house to live in

5. wrestling

6. The support of my parents and all other family

7. all the extra things in my life that I don't need

8. the church

9. knowing that there will always be food on the table

10. everything

Steve

1. a job

2. all of my family (near and far)

3. the Gospel of Jesus Christ

4. the freedom in this USA

5. Caroline - always making sure she is daddy's girl

6. Leah Beth - always holding my hand and rubbing my fingernails every morning on the way to school

7. Andrew - for all his efforts and never giving up in all he does

8. Blake - for always working hard to achieve his goals

9. Gretchen - for keeping this family all together as a mom and a wife

10. Dr. Pepper

a new heart!

Psalms 147:3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

yesterday we found out the greatest news. My Dad is on the heart transplant list!!! After being very sick and weak for a very long time his whole entire body was tested. Actually his test were not suppose to be until next week but we almost lost him last week. He collapsed at home with my mom. She called 911; he was taken to the hospital. While he was there they moved up his scheduled test! All of his organs and body parts had to be well enough to withstand a transplant. Yesterday we got the greatest news he is now on the list. It could be awhile or it could be tomorrow. We have been blessed with a miracle and the tender mercies all along the way have been amazing.

Friday foto

Blake finally making his appearance into this world!

NO SHOW!

Our house was suppose to show today at noon! I went to school to take a mid-term and rushed home in between classes to do the final touches only to find out they cancelled because they found a house yesterday! BUMMER!!!!!

Aux. Training!

Last night was our auxiliary training at church. Before I had this calling I used to look forward to this night. It was a time to feel uplifted, motivated, and refreshed in my calling. (If you don't know what I am talking about-in our church we don't have a paid ministry. We all have callings-assignments where every member has a job that we volunteer to do. We feel that a calling is from God and we are put in certain positions (callings) to learn things and share with others ) 7 months ago I was called to be the stake primary president. (more explaining-primary is the organization over the children. A congregation is a ward and several wards together make up a stake) Ok so back to the calling. One of my duties is to be in charge of a meeting that is held twice a year called auxiliary training meeting. This is where all the primary presidencies come together and be trained! ( Yeah a joke right be trained by me!!! ) This has really been a challenge for me. I liked to just go for these meetings not teach them. This calling has made me have to step out of my comfort zone a lot and really have to rely on the Lord for strength. Last night we joined together for a training. There was the sweetest spirit there. I felt such a peace and grateful for this opportunity to serve. I have learned so much already from the amazing people that work in primary. They may not be learning a thing from me but I am learning so much from them. When I was driving there I was dreading it. I had an hour drive alone to really take some time to think and try to get a better attitude-but as I drove home I felt so much more uplifted. I was so rejuvenated to be a better mom and wife. It works...service takes your worries away and lets you focus on a better more eternal things.

college fall break!

Today and tomorrow I have fall break from my college classes! I was able to do the preschool that I shoot twice a year to schedule on my fall break! So today and tomorrow I will try my best to make around 160 total children smile at me! Thank goodness preschool parents usually think their children are cute even if they don't smile! CHEESE :)

Friday foto

My niece Lucy posted this old pix on her facebook and it brought back a flood of memories! Here is Harrison-2 (about to turn 3 the next week), Andrew-2, Blake-3, Rachel-4, and Lucy-4 are all at the fair with my folks! It was Sept. 17, 1998. I had just delivered Leah Beth and was in the hospital! Which meant Ella (my niece) was about 6 or 7 weeks old or something like that and William was around 6! We didn't realize at the time how crazy busy we were or how crazy busy we would be when we had teenagers and how they would all start college and missions the same time. Now I wonder if we should have spaced them out a little so we could've helped each other more! But it sure is nice how my brother's children and mine are so close in age and are so close growing up! It makes life an adventure!

Fall Party time

This past Sat. night the boys had a couple of school/church /cousin friends come over to hang out and play games. We did this a couple of times last summer but since putting the house for sale we really haven't taken the time. We all had so much fun-we can't wait to do it again...sale or no sale of the house we are going to plan more of these fun nights! The only hard part is not being able to invite every single person. Because we are so limited on space we made them limit their guest list to kids more their age and their siblings instead of all their church friends! Having teenagers is way more fun than I ever imagined!

Friday foto

My sweet Granny and little Caroline 5 years ago!
I stole this idea from my friend Lisa. I don't know if I can keep up every Friday but I thought it was a cute idea!

Mourning the loss of summer

I love fall. I have always loved the fall-cool weather. But this year as we have started to pull out the jeans and sweatshirts I am not ready. I am still missing summer. Time is going so fast. I miss....

sleeping late with the kiddos and hanging out.... road trips


remote control car races


sweet little nieces and nephewsWashington DC

The Lake with friends

The beach

Popsicles

Blake's first youth conference in New York

camping with friends and cousins

Ice cream

Horse shoes

Lawn mower rides

Blake's first electric razor shaving experience!

Rat tail wars

Paper mache' crafts

cliff jumping

scout camping

bike rides

So farewell summer till next year!
Since school has started back life seems to be moving at an incredible fast pace. Steve is staying busy with work, scouting, and young men. Blake is training for his first year of high school wrestling. High school and early morning seminary-youth conferences-efy and life has been such a smooth transition for Blake. It is fun to watch him grow. Andrew is finishing up his first year of cross country and beginning his last year of middle school wrestling! He and Blake just finished their fall job keeping score at the ball park. Leah Beth is doing great at her new school and making lots of new friends! Caroline is our spice and keeps us all on our toes making sure we are on target with scriptures, prayers and kid dates! I am trying to juggle my last big 18 hour semester. I swore I wouldn't do 18 hours again to myself again but I only have 4 more classes next semester left to take so why not! I started my practicums this fall and I LOVE LOVE IT. I can't wait to finish! I am still stake primary president love traveling through out the stake getting to visit with all the primary. It is amazing the neat ideas I have taken from them! Our house is still for sale. It has been 7 months now. Showings are slow but I am sure in time we'll get to the land. We are hanging onto every last moment with our dear friends the Matheny's as they are preparing to move. We will miss them so much and can't imagine life here in Murfreesboro without them.

Happy Birthday my big 11 year old!

Sleep over pixs!





I can't believe she's 11! Our beautiful 9 pounds 12 oz. baby girl was born 11 years ago at 12:00 PM. After a long 41 weeks of pregnancy, I was so excited to have a girl! I couldn't believe it I finally had a girl. I just wanted to stare at her forever! She came out starving and ate and ate and ate!!! Every hour for days! (OUCH-some pains you never forget!)
This year has been a big change for Leah Beth. She has changed schools. She left her old school where she started kindergarten and spent all of her school days and her comfort zone. She bravely took on a new environment. I was so proud of how well she has done. She has made so many new friends and adapted well. We love our sweet girl so much. We are so thankful to the Lord for letting us share one of his beautiful daughters.

Happy 8th Birthday

Our sweet Caroline turned 8 today and was baptized tonight. We had a beautiful day!
We are so blessed to have her in our lives. She adds a spice of our family!!!!
Happy Birthday Sweet girl!

XC in full force!

Today Andrew raced his first middle school race. He did so good for his first ever race. I love XC. It is so fun to watch. Blake ran his first high school race. We were so proud of them both. I am amazed at how all these teenagers can do this from the winners to the ones that finish last they never stop. I can never go to a race that I don't start crying when I see the determination on the faces of these youth!

Both boys have been crazy busy since school started. B in seminary, both in school, after school XC practice and work 4 nights a week at their little part time job at the ballpark and church - throwing in cross country races on the weekend are surely going to top it off. I am amazed at their work ethic! I miss them though. Everyone said teenagers get so busy and it's true. I am just glad they are getting so busy with good stuff! I love having teenagers!