First Day of School 2012-13

As usual we took first day of school pictures in front of the bookcase--so we can see how much everyone has grown over the year and compare.

Gavin used his "powers" to knock out Tiffany. No picture taking event can truly be without some crazy/goofy shots.  ( It is odd to take these pictures with only two kids.  Feels like we are leaving sisters out!  Maybe Marissa and Jocelyn can text me their first day of school pictures this year.)

Tiffany was kind enough to let me take her picture in front of the school this morning.  Ahh...the things kids do for their mothers.  :)  Tiffany took three classes at the high school last year, so when I asked if she was nervous to be an official high school sophomore she looked at me with an odd expression and said "Well, no.  I took classes there last year and it was fine.  Now I just go there all day long." (It has got to be difficult for her to be so confident, beautiful and smart!)

Gavin this year has the same teacher that Jocelyn and Tiffany had for second grade, Mrs. Alldredge.  (That is the beauty of growing up in the same house, at the same schools.  Something I never thought my kids would have seeing how I married a traveling man.) She greeted him as he walked through the door.  "Well hello Gavin! I have been looking forward to this day since you were a baby.  Did you know that I knew you when you were a baby?  Tiffany was in my class that year!"
He was excited to sit down and get busy doing his worksheet.  I have crossed my fingers all day long hoping it would be a positive experience for both of them.

Jocelyn Brave

This is a great picture of Jocelyn all dressed up for the Disney Brave premiere. 

  While I was in Provo a couple weeks ago I had the chance to spend more time with Jocelyn than I had in quite a while. It was really fun to be with her.  She has such a fun, flexible easy-to-laugh personality.  It makes hanging around with her, no matter what you are doing, fun.  She is thoroughly enjoying the BYU experience, and seeing her there brought back memories of her trying to choose a college three years ago.

She had worked her entire high school career to be able to have the choice of where she wanted to attend college.  When she was accepted at BYU, I thought it was a no-brainer, but she wasn't quite sure that is where she wanted to go. I'll admit it was very difficult for me to stand back and let her pray about her decision with the freedom to choose her own college.  When she came back with the decision to go to SUU, I wanted to revoke her free agency and force her to go to BYU--which I deemed was the best college for her.  I reasoned with Shawn and God that perhaps she wasn't quite ready to make the decision and still needed me to tell her where to go.  However, reasoning by Shawn and a clear prompting by the spirit had me relenting and paying deposits at SUU.  When January rolled around we took her on the "college tour" and fully invested in her going to SUU in the fall.  (Which I found out is a really fantastic college, by the way.)

When she came to Shawn and I a few weeks later saying she was feeling uneasy and wanted to pray about it again if it wasn't too late, I was a little surprised.  After a father's blessing, prayer and fasting on her part, she  came to the decision that Heavenly Father wanted her to go to BYU, even if she didn't want to go there.

It took quite a bit of bravery and courage to redirect herself and to change her plans for the fall.  While I was happy she was going to the college I would have chosen for her, I was more grateful and so very proud of the way that she sought the promptings of her Heavenly Father and followed what she knew was right for her.

She is responsible, kind and generous.  I am very proud of the woman she is becoming.  Thank you Jocelyn for letting me still be a part of your wonderful life adventure.

Ground Traffic Control

The good news is I have raised strong independent girls who are willing to drive the extra mile to be involved in the lives of people that they care about. Down side is a lot of gas, coordination and time to be so involved.  This past weekend my girls and I headed to different desinataions.  I went to Colorado, Marissa to Salt lake for a farewell, Jocelyn to Saint George for a homecoming. When Sunday night rolled around, we were all on our way back to where we belonged.  I texed Shawn from one of our favorite places along the route--Green River.  (Sarcasm by the way--We haven't had really good things happen in Green River.  Van breaking down, falling asleep at the wheel, and Gavin being locked in the car by the dog to name a few things.)

I asked Shawn if the girls were in route to their destinations.  I commented that he might need a computer and tracking devices to keep it all straight--just as an air traffic controller might.  Usually Shawn is on the asking end of what is going on, instead of the coordinating.  I texted my location to "ground traffic control" and recieved my clearance to continue along my filed "drive-path".  He periodically sent me text updates as I drove.

Jocelyn has left
Marissa has been delayed
What mile marker are you at?
Jocleyn has arrived in Beaver
Will you hit I-70 before Jocelyn passes?

Some how I missed both my girls along I-15, but alternatively another really surprising thing happened.

I was playing leapfrog with a dark blue Toyota Sequoia up I-70 through Vail pass.  I pulled off in Vail for a rest stop with the Seqoia continuing on without me.  (Thank heaven.  I know he has a cruise control in that vehicle.  Why is he not using it?)  As I entered the freeway after my stop, I noticed a dark blue Sequoia behind me. What the heck? How did he get behind me?  As the Sequioa passed me and I pulled in behind I noticed that it wasn't the same Sequoia.  This one had a Y sticker on the back.  Hey!  That looks like Matt's car.  IT WAS MATT AND KRISTI! The odds of that happening have to be a million to one...right?  Pretty amazing to cross paths with them--literally.  It was fun to have Kristi come ride with me for a couple hours of the drive.

And to top off the amazing portion of my drive through Colorado, Matt showed me the location of the AMAZING Palisade peaches. I have two boxes on my counter to prove it!  Thanks Matt!

That Settles It

Saw this today driving out of my old home town Evergreen, Colorado.  Had to swing by and get a picture, because this is the topping on the yogurt of the many reasons I love Evergreen. I could love living here.  The mountains, the peaceful pace, the smell of the pine in the air, and now Menchies.  Sigh.