tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75646966761420846742024-02-06T21:52:17.802-07:00The Collins ClanJeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-41466374282011544752014-03-28T18:15:00.000-06:002014-03-28T18:39:56.117-06:00BE YOU!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know we have all heard a lot about bullying. It seems there is always something on the news. Bad things. Kids end up feeling trapped and that no one will listen and then they do some horrible thing. Why is it that a child that is being bullied has to do something big to get people to see what is happening?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">For those of you who know my family you know that we have 3 amazing boys and 2 equally amazing girls. I have Jaxon, 17 a Junior in High school; Connor, 15 in 9th grade; Porter, 13 in 7th grade; Emma, 8 in 2nd grade; and finally Maycie, 5 in preschool. One of the things that I have learned as a mother of 5 is that most all kids deal with bulling to some extent. From the little teasing that goes a bit too far all the way to the extremes that we hear about in the news. I have always tried to teach my kids to be the one who will stand up for someone else when they see something happen. I don't know that they do, I hope that they would, but I'm not with them so I can't really say for sure. But I do know that if those kids that can stand up don't we will keep seeing problems. Things will keep going too far and kids will keep having problems that make them feel trapped. It seems that the only way for a kid to get someone to back off is to stand up for themselves in a violent way. For them to "hit" back, quite literally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Connor has been dealing with bulling, in varying degrees, since 2nd grade. We saw in 5th grade how good a bully could be at making sure teachers and adults don't see it. That it becomes one child's word against another. That the whole, "the second hit is the one that is seen" is SO very true. When he started 7th grade and middle school we found that whole new world to be no nicer to him then it is to any other kid. Middle school is just a cruel place. You add a kid with Asperger's to the mix and it is just a that much worse! We had to move him out of a math class because a teacher just didn't understand the syndrome which made the kids in the class think it was okay to make fun of my son. (Don't even get me started!) We have been able to put together a really great team to help Connor and my husband and I be able to understand the syndrome better. It has helped to have one person as a kind of "team leader" to go to when I have concerns and that can contact me when there is something I need to know. That doesn't mean that overnight things were hunky dory. We have had to adjust things over the last 3 years as he learned new things and strategies. But for the most part I think he has had a pretty positive, or as positive as middle school can be, middle school experience. But it seems that about once a year I get a call and have to go into the school because something has happened.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday I got a phone call from a vice principle asking me to come to the school. Connor was being suspended for fighting. WHAT?! My Connor? At this point I have no idea what has happened and so I'm bouncing between wanting to throttle my son for fighting and keeping the mother bear in check so I don't find and beat the other kid. So when I got there and heard what happened it becomes that much harder to keep the mother bear in check. In gym class a kid was giving Connor crap and teasing him, and not just a little. He told the kid to stop, he didn't. He told the kid to stop again, and he still didn't. So Connor hit him, the kid pushed him away and Connor hit him again. I have to say that I know my son is not blameless in this. He had others things he could have done without hitting him. He should not have hit him multiple times. But the more that I have thought about this the more I have wondered, what could he have done that didn't involve fighting AND would have gotten this kid to actually back off and leave him alone. Because some of the things that I have learned is that 1) the kid did it in gym because he knew he could get away with it easier and 2) is telling the teacher would have put Connor in a place to be accountable without anything happening to the other kid. Even if the teacher talks to this kid about "not bulling" the kid isn't going to stop. He will just be more careful to make sure he doesn't get caught. So I'll be honest that I'm not really mad at Connor for standing up for himself. I've run it through my head a million times and the only thing I can come up with is, what if someone else had stood up and told the kid to stop? What if Connor knew that there was someone there to back him up? What if he had support? I know that standing up to a bully is hard, REALLY HARD! But wouldn't it be easier if more kids did it? Because then they would know that when they stand up they wouldn't be standing up alone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I talked with the vice principle and tried, as well as I could through the buckets of tears, to explain some of what we had been through with bullying most of Connor's school experience I felt a little like he was trying to tell me that Connor brought it on himself. Now, I do understand that Connor does things that other people see as strange. I see some things as strange! But I would dare say that on any given day we come across someone that does things differently then we do, that we might think they are strange or weird for doing things the way they do them. That doesn't mean that we have the right to be mean to them. I would also say that if we take the time to get to know that person that we would find them to be a pretty great person, even if they do things in a different way then we do. I shouldn't have to ask my son to change who he is into the "mold" so that people will stop making fun of him and bullying him. I want him to know who he is and be comfortable with that. I want him to know that being who he is a pretty great thing to be. I can do my best to teach him that. To do his best to let what other say roll off and let it go, to not let all that in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">This </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo7wglmFQYk" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">youtube</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> video is a great example of that. I hope that we can all be more willing to look inside to the real person and not just the strange things we see on the outside.</span>Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-73656227664568703082014-01-09T10:33:00.000-07:002014-01-09T10:33:23.833-07:00Kidney Stones!!!<span style="font-size: large;">Jaxon decided that we needed an exciting start to the new year. So on January 7 at 5:30am I get a call on my cell phone. I have a special ring tone set for the boys so I knew from the ring that it was one of them...which is not a good thing when you know they are all home. I answered the phone to hear Jaxon on the other end screaming in pain. I got down to his room and just wasn't sure what to do or how to help him. I have never seen him in this kind of pain before. I had a hard time even thinking, it was 5:30 in the morning! We put a heat pack on his back where the pain was and Jeron gave him a blessing. He seemed to be doing better so Jeron and I went back up stairs. About an hour later it was time to get up for scripture study and to get the day going. He was still in pain but seemed to be doing better. Until scripture study was over and then it got worse...a lot worse. We decided that I should take him to Insta Care. The more he described the pain and other symptoms he was having the more I thought of kidney stones.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I got him to Insta Care and they also thought kidney stones. The nurse there thought they would want to do test that they weren't able to do there so she recommended that we go to the ER. So we left Insta Care and headed over to Riverton ER. Things started getting better from there. They did an X-Ray and a sample. By the time we were getting test results back his pain was gone. I mean gone gone, all the way gone! I couldn't believe it. I kept thinking, "Were we really up at 5:30 this morning with him screaming?!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The amazing thing is the pain has not come back. He went to school after we got home from the hospital and then went to conditioning for Lacrosse that night. He is really hoping that it NEVER happens again. At least if it does we'll know what is happening.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a very long day! But to let you know what a great kid my son is, as we were driving to Insta Care Jaxon turns to me and says, "I'm sorry mom. I know this isn't what you had planed for today." No it wasn't, but there was nothing else I would rather have been doing. Worst part: I kept laughing to deal with not being able to help him with the pain. Best part: A sister who was willing to drive out to Riverton hospital to pick up Maycie and kept her until she had to go to work so that she didn't have to sit at the hospital and a mom who, even though she had surgery less then a month ago, kept her after Meg had to go to work. </span>Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-69838198582514988922014-01-09T09:29:00.000-07:002014-01-09T09:29:14.866-07:00Jaxon - 20013<span style="font-size: large;">As the oldest Jaxon has quickly come to understand that there are many good and bad things that come with this. With great power comes great responsibility!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jaxon took his first Chemistry class which completed his last science credit for high school! It was a huge chunk of his summer, Monday through Thursday 8am to 4pm for the whole month of June and first part of July. I thought he was crazy but now it is what I will encourage the rest of the kids to do. He actually enjoyed it. Right as the class was coming to an end he got his first job interview and then got the phone call to tell him he had gotten his first job! He works at Macey's Grocery store and he doesn't necessarily love the job, he does love the pay check! The job isn't that bad, and because of that job he got to go to his first Homecoming dance. He is a preschool teacher for the first time. At first he was thinking it would be just for this year, now he is thinking that doing it again his Sr. year might not be such a bad idea! And having Maycie is pretty fun! He did Cross Country for the first time and really enjoyed it. It didn't hurt that he has quite a few friends on the team. He had a bit of a different season then Connor did. Long drawn out story but he was not able to run in the last few races and so was not able to letter. =( For the first time he was asked by 2 girls to one dance. He went with the one that asked him first and then took the other to the Winter Waltz, a new guys choice dance this year. He went to Disney Land for the first time and got to run a race in California, beating Connor by only a couple of minutes! We are starting to come to the point of more lasts then first with Jaxon. He leaned over to me on Mothers Day and said, "I only have one more Mothers Day left with you." What?! Thank you so much son, for reminding me that we are getting so very close to you leaving me! I don't like thinking about the lasts coming, but I do enjoy seeing him so excited to do what the Lord wants him to do. It will start a whole new set of firsts. Hard firsts but amazing and wonderful firsts!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jaxon is not perfect, but I don't think that I could ask for a better son! When there are things that we need to talk about we can. When there are things that we don't agree on he does a good job looking at things from our perspective to see where we are coming from. I could not ask for a better example to his younger brothers and sisters. I have to remind myself often that the "problems" we have with Jaxon aren't really "problems" at all! And then turn around and find the balance of still teaching him and not letting him get away with too much! ;) Teenagers are hard, not because they are hard but making sure they have what they need to get through this life is hard! I'm thankful that my first go round is taking is easy on me!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-40486636589119073372014-01-07T22:34:00.000-07:002014-01-07T22:34:34.432-07:00Connor - 2013<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a fun and a stretching time for Connor and his mom and dad this year. He is definitely a teenager doing his best to figure himself out! And one of the great things about Connor is that he doesn't ever give up...he is going to figure this out! And is doing a pretty good job at it too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the things that I have noticed as my kids get older is that they have as many lasts as they do firsts. This is Connor's last year in middle school. So that means he can do high school sports. So it was Connor's first year running Cross Country for West Jordan High. His first race took him 44 min to run (just so you know, that is not a good time) and his last race took him 22 min. Can I just say WOW! One proud mom! The beginning of 2013 was the last of Connor's time as a Deacon and so in March it was the first of his time as a Teacher. He went to his first Region Dance. He got to go to one last Scout Camp with the Deacons and got to go on his first High Adventure Camp with the Teachers and Priests. His braces first went on in July. He got to go to Disney Land for the first time. That was a first that mom was totally bummed to miss! He is still shorter then his dad but has a longer inseam (sorry, I wasn't sure how to put that into first and last =) He has learned to play his first musical instrument and is totally loving playing the clarinet. He is enjoying his last year in middle school and is getting excited about his first year in high school.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the things about Connor is he has taught me to really think things through. He will come at things from such a different direction and it will always amaze me at what his brain is capable of. He helps me remember that there is always a different way to go about things. So if one doesn't work, try something else! Never give up!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-64205442094326647962014-01-07T21:31:00.000-07:002014-01-07T21:31:11.520-07:00Porter - 2013<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Porter likes to tell people that he is the true middle child. Which is true, he is smack dab in the middle. And although he likes to complain about it, I think he handles is just great! He is a helpful, thoughtful kid who will go out of his way to help anyone in need.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Porter had his fair share of firsts and last this year. I was actually a little surprised at how many. He scored his first goal in Lacrosse. He played football after taking a season off, and is thinking next year he may try something different. Could it be his last season?! No one knows, not even Porter! He had his last year in elementary school and started his first year in middle school. He turned 13 and in our family that means a cell phone! A first he has been trying to get since he was about 11! He got his first BB gun and has to wear eye protection to ensure that he DOES NOT SHOOT HIS EYE OUT! =) He was the first one to go out and rake pine needles and the last one to come in. He ran his first mile without a coach yelling at him and has been running a mile 5 days a week for the last 2 months pretty consistently. I hope we don't see the "last" one on that for a while! He is a very helpful kid and doesn't even want something, MOST of the time! He keeps me laughing and always has a joke ready. He helps me remember to always keep things in perspective.</span><br />
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Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-29070398497248791762014-01-07T15:55:00.000-07:002014-01-07T17:54:34.520-07:00Emma - 2013<span style="font-size: large;">With a 5 year break ahead of her, Emma likes to think that she is "kind of" like the oldest. She is a great big sister and a pretty good little one too! She is pretty helpful with Maycie and does her best be a good example.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Emma had a number of first herself this year! In January she found out she will get to have braces! Crazy that I have to start her orthodontic work at the age of 7! Luckily we are still waiting for one more tooth to come in before we put the expander in. We'll see if she enjoys it as much as she thinks she will! She got used to going to school all day in First Grade. And then when she started Second Grade she got her first new teacher since Kindergarten! (She was lucky enough to have her Kindergarten teacher move to 1st grade AND to have her again!) And for the first time she has more then one teacher! She has two teachers that are doing job share and she loves it and we love both of her teachers! Emma turned 8 in 2013 and so that came with a whole lot of firsts! Well, firsts and special events! She got to go to her first Activity Days. She loves going and loves her leaders. We got to go do a special photo shoot for her Baptism announcement. We got to go make special Baptism jewelry. Maycie came with us and was so cute and not once did she ask to make anything for herself. It was a good example to me of what a special relationship they have. We got to go shopping for and help Grammy make her baptism dress. And then the special day of her Baptism. That was a good day for mom too. For the first time I had something to do! She got to fast for the first time. This was actually a pretty special experience for both of us. My cousin was having some health problems on his mission and we were fasting for him. I didn't even know that Emma was going to participate with us until we were well into the Fast. Toward the end, she was having a hard time. I remember looking at her and asking her why we were fasting. She looked at me with those big eyes full of tears and she said, "Because I love Sam!" And she didn't say another word after that! Some days I feel like she is 8 going on 12! I'm not ready for her to grow up! But I do have to say I am enjoying the amazing young lady she is growing into! She teaches me so much and helps me be a better person everyday!</span><br />
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Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-42279412577148346822014-01-07T14:58:00.000-07:002014-01-07T21:37:14.337-07:00Maycie - 2013<span style="font-size: large;">When you are the baby of the family there are A LOT of things that you get used to being a certain way. One of which would be getting your own way ALL THE TIME! Thanks, at least in part, to her older brothers and sister Maycie is quite used to getting her way a lot of the time. I have to say that I contribute to this as well. It is just easier to bribe her then to listen to the crying, and she knows it! I'd like to think that this is something that is going to change, but I doubt it!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Turning 5 in 2013 Maycie saw a lot of firsts. She adjusted to being home with mom alone all day. She finished her first year of preschool. She learned to write her name all by herself. She does write it backwards. But being left handed explains that, although it took me a minute or two to realize that! She lost her first tooth, and then a second. She meet a new friend, who quickly became her BEST friend. If they went more then 2 days without seeing each other there were major withdrawals! In 2014 she is going to watch that best friend move to Hawaii! She is VERY sad about that. She started her first year of Jr. Jaguar Preschool at West Jordan High. She even gets to have her big brother Jaxon as a teacher! She is quick to tell people that she is the baby of the family. She looks forward to the things that she will get to do in 2014. Mostly Kindergarten. Mommy is still undecided about that one. I am constantly reminded that she is growing up, quickly. She still has the cute little ways of saying things. I am NOT looking forward to the day that goes away. Every day I am thankful that she is a part of our family!</span><br />
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Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-64831900061366616932013-09-05T13:37:00.000-06:002013-09-05T13:37:26.443-06:00Cross Country 2013 Jaxon and Connor are both doing Cross Country this year. It didn't surprise me when Jaxon told us he was going to do it as a fall sport. He has quite a few friends who run track in the spring and wanted him to do it as well. He does Lacrosse in the spring and just wasn't willing to give that up to be with his friends. This worked out to be a great compromise! But then he tells us that he thinks that Connor should do it with him. What?! Running is not Connor's strongest. And long distance running REALLY not Connor's strongest! But Jaxon had a good point in that is EXACTLY why Connor should do it. It would be good for his endurance and so on. Connor jumped on board and was all for it. I think he started to rethink that after he started going to practice and his first meet!<br />
Their first meet was at Sugar House Park and is the second hardest rout they will run. Needless to say Jaxon was not overly happy with his time but I was so very proud of him for getting right in there and giving it his all. He has improved even in the short time since that first race. Connor was probably the last kid to come in in that first race but all I can say is that he FINISHED! Jaxon called to give me times and tell me how they did and when he gave me Connor's time I wanted to shout out loud I was so proud of both of them!<br />
Wednesday September 4, 2013 was the first meet I was able to be to. With football for Porter and dance with the girls it has kept us all very busy. This meet was at the Cottonwood Complex. The route was set up around the park and they basically looped the park 3 times. That was nice because you could stay in one spot and see them multiple times! The girls ran first and there was a section toward the end of the "loop" that the boys had lined up to cheer the girls on as they ran past. (which I have to say was so cute to watch those boy cheer the girls on!) It was a great place to set up...it was in the shade! It was fun to watch the girls finish up their race. I did feel bad, there was one girl who was having a hard time yesterday and didn't finish until after the first boys had lapped her. I watched her pass and even though I didn't know her I was so proud of this young woman! I talked to her mom a little bit before and on top of running not being her strong suit (just like Connor) she was sick and running a fever. I was very impressed by this young woman because as she ran past us you could tell she was still giving it her all.<br />
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Jaxon came by first and was doing pretty well at that point.</div>
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I only took pictures the first time around. His second round I could tell he was hurting and I realized he had forgotten his knee brace. I hope he learned that lesson! I love that when I cheer my kids on I can tell that they hear me. I know that most of the time they are able to just ignore the outside and keep going. I don't know if all kids are like this but when my boys hear me I can tell that they heard me! When Jaxon ran by that second time and I could tell he was hurting and I started yelling those things you yell, "you can do this, push through it, keep going, you got this" I saw his stride lengthen again and his pace pick up just that little bit. That is one of the best parts of being a mom! </div>
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Connor was back just enough that I was starting to worry about him. Knowing this was just the first lap and he still had two more to go made me hurt a little bit inside. If you look at this picture Connor is the one in the middle. To his right is a girl from the team that isn't qualified to run right now so she ran with Connor...the whole way. She was with him every step of the way! Talking to him, encouraging him, doing what I couldn't. To his left is a good friend of Jaxon's. When I sent this picture to Jeron he asked, "Is that Kimble lapping Connor?" Yep it is! =) But Connor was running and he kept running!</div>
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I stayed in this spot until both Jaxon and Connor passed the second time. Jaxon came close enough to lapping Connor that by the time Connor passed me and I started up to the finish line I didn't make it before Jaxon was on top of me! Literally! I was walking up the hill to get ready to take pictures and Jamie Latimer hollers and points behind me. I turned around and there was Jaxon running right at me! No way to get a picture that way!</div>
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We were waiting for Connor to come in. As I stayed up near the finish line with a good view to watch Connor come up the hill the rest of the West Jordan Cross Country team went down to that same area I had been before to wait and cheer on my son. He was the only member of the team not in yet. We had a good view and could see him coming. And then I saw Jaxon take off toward Connor. I watched as he ran with him and encouraged him. I watched the team cheer him on. I watched as those long legs finally did what they were meant to do and stretch out and move him...faster then I thought Connor could go! Connor cut 10 minuets off his time from his first race and this was a little bit longer course! Jaxon was beaming with pride!</div>
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I am so proud of BOTH of my boys!</div>
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I am so glad they have chosen to do this together!</div>
Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-69160130276956426402013-04-06T14:46:00.000-06:002013-04-06T15:06:21.074-06:00Dating, Dancing, Driving! As of October 30, 2012 I have a 16 year old! Holy Crap! The dating started right off. Surprise surprise! He went to Sadie Hawkins. The girl was very cute and got in contact with Jeron and I to ask permission to ask Jaxon to the dance. He went on a couple of other dates (always the one to be asked) but found out quickly that most of his friends didn't turn 16 until closer to the end of the year or even into the summer...what a bummer! <br />
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Jaxon and Megan</div>
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Sadie Hawkins 2012</div>
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He also went to Sweethearts - another girls choice dance.</div>
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Jaxon and Kylie</div>
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Sweethearts 2013</div>
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We moved right into Jr. Prom and trying to figure out if we could aford it for one thing! Wow - dances are expensive. He did well keeping things within reason. There was some drama but I have to say, my son has a great atitude and turned something that could have been a real bummer of a date into a learning experiance. I'm sure I was more upset by the whole thing then he was. He really is a good kid!<br />
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Jaxon and Lexi</div>
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Jr. Prom 2013</div>
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As far as driving we are still working on his Eagle so we aren't pushing that much. It won't be long and I'll be able to make him run erends and we can say, "just take the car!" =)<br />
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There is so much more to turning 16, esspecially for a young man. I had watched twice before as Jeron put his hands on his head and ordain him to both a Deacon and a Teacher. It wasn't any less of an experiance then it had been either of those times. It was wonderful two weeks later to watch him stand in the circle as Porter was ordained a Deacon, and then just a couple of weeks ago as Connor was ordained a Teacher.<br />
I have alo listened to him say the Sacrament Prayers. I know I started listening better to the prayers. I have always tried to listen, but having young children that I am trying to teach to also listen I haven't listened quite as intently as I had in the past. But as I listened to him say those prayers and strugle to say them perfectly it brought new understanding to me. Part of that came from our bishop insisting they be absoulutly perfect. We went to another ward and I felt a differance when I could tell there had been a mistake (very minor, but I noticed) and the priest wasn't asked to do it again. Part of it came from more then one person coming to me and telling me how much they apprechiated Jaxon's efforts to make sure it was perfect. He didn't wait for the bishop to tell him, if he knew he had made a mistake he would just start over! It has been a good reminder to me that I need to make sure I am in line with my Heavenly Father's plan for me daily! Another thing that helped me was watching the other priests with Jaxon. They were encouraging and helpful. They didn't keep him from blessing because he had made mistakes. They knew that he had to keep trying to be able to do it, so they made sure he kept trying! He now does both prayers perfectly and I know that it helps not only him and myself but many others as well.<br />
Jaxon is a good kid. He is not perfect...but he is a really good kid! I love him and the joy he brings into our home. I LOVE YOU JAXON!!<br />
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<strong>Oh, and HE MADE CONCERT CHOIR!!!</strong></div>
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When he tried out the teacher looked at him and asked, "why do I not have you this year?!"</div>
Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-9265417694142329522013-04-05T17:06:00.000-06:002013-04-05T17:06:07.142-06:00Believe it or not...Believe it or not I have a number of blog entries running through my head! But for some reason I'm having a hard time getting them out. I'm hoping that something clicked this morning for me and that the block is gone!<br />
I was working on my Personal Progress and as I was writing in my Journal I realized what I was writing should really be going into a blog post. For the longest time I have felt like I didn't really have anything to say. As I was Journaling I was reminded of why I <u>really</u> started my blog in the first place. Yes, it's fun to know people read it and are keeping up with what is going on with our little clan. But the real reason I blog is to keep a record for my family. I'm not writing for the world. I'm writing for me, for my family, for my posterity.Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-83341757103500023552012-11-07T17:05:00.002-07:002012-11-07T17:05:55.399-07:00What I Learned At The GymThis morning I was having a hard time getting myself to the gym. I just go to our local rec center and in the couple of weeks that I missed they replaced some of the old dieing equipment with brand new stuff. I know that sounds like a good thing...I know in my head it is a good thing but my body is not in agreement! See, the new equipment is giving me a much better workout. And again, even though I know this to be a good thing a sore body just doesn't want to go to the gym.<br />
My mom watches Maycie on Mondays and Wednesdays for me but I still call and check to make sure that is going to work. Well, I forgot to call last night and check. I thought I was going to be able to use this as an excuse to get out of it today. And then I got a phone call from my mom, "Are you bringing Maycie over this morning?" So thanks to my mom I was able to get a good workout but I was also able to receive some peace about this election.<br />
I don't really like election time. I don't like all of the contention and the mud slinging that comes with it. I believe that we are all entitled to our own opinions and shouldn't be judged for them. In a perfect world we would be able to put our support behind a candidates based on the issues. And the candidates would be upfront and tell us where they stand so we could make informed decisions. But, unfortunately that is not how it works. They make speeches dancing around the issues and, if we are lucky, somewhere hidden in that dancing speech is something about the issues and where they stand. But no matter who we vote for we are all Americans. We need to stand united. I know this and it is what I want and that is why this article helped me so much.<br />
I have started reading the Ensign while I do the elliptical (thanks to my Nook - thank you to my sweet husband!). Today I read an article that helped me in a way I did not expect. The article is called <a href="http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/09/from-longing-to-belonging?lang=eng" target="_blank">"From Longing to Belonging"</a> I really hope you take the time to read it - it is a wonderful article. It was an article that was good for me, reminding me that it is my responsibility to make sure I have good experiences. And as that helped me, what really got to me today is a statement at the end by President Howard W. Hunter from 1976. It talked about unity and how we must do more to be and stay united. So, no matter how we feel about the election we must stand united. We must support one another! We must support and pray for those who are leading our country, our states and our local government.Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-13697548016589438402012-11-03T22:13:00.001-06:002012-11-03T22:13:04.540-06:00My PitI have been doing a lot of thinking as of late. My sweet cousin (in-law technically) has been giving me a few gentle reminders of my lack of blogging. It made me think about a few things one of which was WHY I have not been blogging. See, I kept coming up with excuses like, time, nothing of real interest, etc, etc. But the more I thought about it the more I realized that I am not any busier then I was a year or two ago. We have the same kinds of things going on as we did a year or two ago. If any thing things are getting more exciting! So then I started telling myself I had to do blog entries in an "order" like a timeline. I know better then that as well so that one didn't really hold water either. So as I have kept this mulling around in the back of my mind I finally realized that it all came down to me. It came down to this pit I have put myself in. It is one of those pits that you get in that you start to climb out, get almost to the top and fall back down. Sometimes you don't realize how close to the top you are and give up. Sometimes someone else comes along and pushes you back in. Sometimes you just loose your grip and fall. But it seems that much deeper every time you end up at the bottom. Sometimes you have a hard time starting the climb all over again.<br />
Well, I have to say I hope I have learned my lesson. I have a choice. I the choice to stay in that pit or to get myself out. I had a whole bunch of tools to help me get out of that pit. Sometimes I used them and sometimes I left them sitting at the bottom telling myself I didn't need them. They were too hard to take with me. I didn't have the time to worry about silly tools. I even had a sweet husband trying to throw me a rope to help pull me out and I pushed that away at times. I was so upset about being in my pit that I was ignoring all of the things that I had to help me get out.<br />
Well, I would like to say that I will never be in that pit I was in. But I can't. I'm sure I'll end up there again. I just hope that I remember my tools a little faster next time. I hope I never forget my blog and how therapeutic it is for me. I hope I never forget my scriptures and the inspiration that I am able to receive when I read. I hope I never forget my prayers and the connection to my Father in Heaven that I have when I communicate with Him each day. I hope I never forget my amazing husband and wonderful children and the joy they bring into my life. (I'll be honest everyday isn't bliss and it is some of those hard times of my kids making me want to tare my hair out that puts me in that pit in the first place...keeping it real!) I hope I never forget the gospel and the peace that brings into my life.<br />
So I may not be perfect and I will slip and fall but I will get up again and I will keep trying.Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-6110997066197364892012-04-24T14:27:00.000-06:002012-04-24T14:44:02.412-06:00What Does 13.1 Mean to You?<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For those of you who didn't know, Jeron has been training for the Salt Lake City Half Marathon. In fact, it is what he got for Christmas. I paid his registration fee for him so that there was no question! I wanted him to know he had my full support! Well, this last Saturday was the day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For his last few long training runs it was looking like it was going to take him about 4 hours or more. So the goal was 4. he ran into some problems earlier in the week that we figured were going to slow his time. Then he was up most of the night with a headache and throwing up. I was sure it was mostly nerves, but I was still worried. Really worried!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I had printed the map of the course and had picked two places besides the finish line to take pictures. I thought I knew what time to be to the first stop and then planed to be there a half hour before that. It being our first race we decided to leave the girls with my mom and dad and then my dad brought the girls and met us at the finish line. But I also wasn't sure the best place to park or to try to see him. I called my friend who has done this more then a few times and she helped me! I found a water station and they told me they were waiting for one more runner. Looking at what time it was I figured it was Jeron. But then the runner they were waiting for came through and it was <strong>not </strong>my husband! I wasn't sure what to think. I wasn't sure if I should be sad I'd missed him, proud he was ahead of what he thought he would be, or scared to death something had happened! The boys and I decided the best thing to do was to go to our next stop and catch him there. It was a good thing we got going when we did too! We didn't have to wait nearly as long as we thought we would! We were waiting around mile 10 and his 10 mile training run had taken him 3 hours. At about 2&1</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">/2 hours I looked down the road and there he was!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">His best friend since high school had helped him with training. He also ran the race with him. As I looked down the road and spotted them I could hear Kylan yelling at him, keeping him going! There are more pictures, but they are even worse then this one! I cried, I yelled, I even went out held his hand and ran with him. I thought my chest was going to explode I was so proud!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We went to the finish line. I found my friend who was waiting for her husband to finish the full Marathon. We were able to squeeze in with them so we could see. It was fun to see both of our husbands cross the finish line! At 3 hours and 31 min. Jeron crossed the finish line!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am so amazed at what he did! I wish I could put into words what I saw in my boys faces. The example that he set by doing this is so much more then any words ever could. He had a blessing the night before. In the blessing he was told that he had prepared for this and he would be blessed to preform to the best of his ability. As Jeron finished, doing so much better then the goal he had, Porter turned to me and said, "It's the blessing!" It was so cute! From this I know my boys have a testimony of the priesthood and it's power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Jeron has always told the boys that they can do anything. When things are hard, when they are really struggling with something Jeron will say, "What can you do?" and he will ask it over and over again until they say, "Anything!" back to him. So on the way back to the car Jaxon asked Jeron, "What can you do?" and asked until his dad said back to him, "Anything!" I started to cry all over again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">From the moment he said he was going to do this I would burst with pride every time I thought about it. But it was nothing compared to actually seeing him push through the pain, keep going even when it was really hard. He has already committed to a neighbor he will do it with him next year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And the hardest part is done. Now he <u>knows<em> </em></u>he can do it!</span></div>
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<br />Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-36338227745717938482012-02-13T15:00:00.006-07:002012-02-13T20:27:59.807-07:00Go Forth with Faith<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">To give you a true picture of why this Hymn touched me the way it did yesterday morning I need to give a bit of background.<br />Jeron had a meeting in the morning. No big deal, this happens two Sundays a month. In fact, those are usually the weeks we don't have problems getting to church on time. We are going at 9am now, and need to be there at 8:20 so the boys can set up chairs and Jaxon can help get the sacrament ready. We have been doing this pretty successfully so far! I started getting the kids up (reminding the boys that if they wanted breakfast it was now or never!) and I got in the shower. I was a little more then half way through my shower when I heard an argument start in the kitchen. I knew there was nothing I could do about it right then, I had a choice to make. #1) I could listen to them argue and let it make me tense and upset and ruin my whole day, or #2) I could relax and use the time to figure out how to help my kids. Shockingly I chose #2!<br />It meant taking a minute or two with each of them as we finished getting ready for church, but it didn't really take us any longer and because I stayed calm I didn't drive the spirit away from our Sunday. And because I didn't drive the spirit away to begin with I was able to receive some inspiration! See, fighting and contention has been a <strong>REAL </strong>problem at our house lately. It is something Jeron and I have been praying a lot about. As I was talking to one of the "fighters" the answer hit me! A lot of the problems have been centered around this particular child and so they get to give the Family Home Evening lesson on helping our family! I'm hoping the lesson will help them all see it's not a bad thing to go out of our way to help other people and that it really does need to start at home.<br />Okay, I'm sure by now you are thinking, "A bit of background? What does this have to do with the song?"<br />Well, like I said, fighting and contention has been a big problem lately. It really seems to be sucking the spirit right out of all of us, mom and dad included. I knew I had been struggling with this. I knew my family was suffering for it. And then the other day I was talking to my sister-in-law and I realized even though I have my dream job of being a mom, other people couldn't tell. It wasn't that she said anything. It was nothing like that. It was more one of those tangents your brain takes. (Please someone out there understand what I'm talking about!=) Anyway, it made me realize that if I wanted things to change around my home I needed to lead out. My family needs to know they are the most important thing in this world to me. I want us to be together forever.<br />Now, how it all ties into the song! Thanks for hanging in there! =)<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Go Forth with Faith</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Energetically</em></span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Go forth with faith to tell the world</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Of Jesus Christ, the Lord.</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Bear witness he is God's own Son;<br />Proclaim his wondrous word.</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Go forth with hope and courage strong</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>To spread the word abroad</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>That people of all nations<br />Are children of our God.</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">With three boys and Jaxon being 15 , missions are something that are at the forefront of my mind. To make sure my boys, the girls too, are prepared to go out into the world and share the wonderful message of the gospel.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Go forth with love to tell the world</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>The joy of families</em></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">What better way for me to tell the world of the joy of families then for it to show in everything I do?</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>That we may be with those we love</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Thru all eternity.</em></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Not going to be much fun to be with my family for eternity if we aren't happy, and don't love each other, right?!</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Go forth to serve and do your best</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>With no though of reward;</em></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I do have to say, this is something my kids do really well. We are just trying to get them to figure out that chores are service, just at home!</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Then you shall know the boundless joy</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Of serving Christ, the Lord.</em></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I love "boundless joy". What better way can you think of describing what we can have through our Savior? The things we are offered through the gospel and the atonement of our Savior. There is so much joy and peace offered to us. The amazing thing is all we have to do is reach out and take hold. I just wish I could remember to do it better!</span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Go forth with pow'r to tell the world</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>The gospel is restored,</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>That all may gain eternal life</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Thru Jesus Christ, the Lord.</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Go forth to preach his glorious truths</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>Of peace, of joy, and love,</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>That all who heed his holy word</em></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><em>May praise the Lord above.</em></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Our Ward and Stake have really been emphasizing member missionary work. The gospel has such a wonderful and amazing message. I wish I did better about sharing it. I'm sure there are people out there I could/should have shared more with. I can think of one I KNOW I should have. Not that it is ever too late. I can share with those I come in contact with in the future and I can always go back and share with others.</span></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">I hope to do better at many things this coming year. I hope to be a better blogger! (Don't hold your breath haha!) I hope to be a better wife, mother and daughter. I hope to do better at taking care of myself through exercise and better eating. I hope to be a better friend. I hope to do better with my scriptures and prayers. But most of all I hope to be a better disciple of my Savior.</span></div>Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-1625970455854949072012-02-09T21:44:00.003-07:002012-02-09T21:57:09.565-07:00Thinking Isn't DoingI have been thinking about the blog a lot as of late. But you wouldn't know that because I haven't posted anything! Every Sunday I think about a song to post about and then don't do anything. I should be posting about school and my kids but there really hasn't been much besides the normal every day humdrum. (Although I do owe you a post about Porter and the broken hand! I forgot that I had not done that! Sorry!) But mostly I think I have been in some kind of funk. To be honest, I guess you could say I have been struggling. I have felt frustrated and very irritable. You should feel really bad for my family!<br />I'm not sure why I feel the need to confess all of this to whoever may read this. (Not that anyone will! It has been so long since I posted I probably don't have any followers left! =) It may be that I got on and started looking at how many posts all of you have been doing and I started to feel really guilty! I have always loved journals and family history etc. And all of a sudden it hit me just how much I have dropped the ball in this area lately, and how unfair this is to my kids. I hope to do better this year. I'm not making any promises, mind you! But I am trying! =)Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-26744432845308546582011-09-08T22:41:00.009-06:002011-09-09T11:06:53.812-06:00Blanding<div align="center">My brother, Taylor, and his wife had their first baby this summer! She is sooo... cute and we love her sooo.... much! The only problem is they live 5 hours away in Blanding. We hate that they are so far away from us and that we don't get to see them more often. We thought we were going to have to wait for her baby blessing to get to see her but my brother got a job promotion and they were coming to Salt Lake every week for a few weeks not long after she was born! So we were able to see her when she was just a couple of weeks old instead of almost 2 months! Yeah! But silly me I didn't get any pictures, when they came to visit or when we went to Blanding for the baby blessing! But take my word, she is adorable!<br /><br />They blessed her Sunday August the 28th. We left about 5am Saturday morning to put as much time between the drives as we could. So we had some time on Saturday to kill. My mom and dad know one of the Dosi couples at the Bluff Fort Visitor Center so they thought it might be kind of fun to go down there for a little bit. Our motel had a pool so the kids had a hard time understanding why we were going to visit Bluff when we could just go to the pool. Once we got down there and they started looking around we had a hard time getting them to leave! We heard over and over again, "We have to come back here!"<br /><br />First they dressed the girls up in pioneer garb. Then we watched a short movie about the pioneers who settled Bluff. For those of you who don't know it was settled by the group that came through the Hole in the Rock. The story is amazing! For more about the story click <u><span style="color:#800080;">here. </span></u><br />They gave the boys a few things to fit the time period and then we got to go out side and take pictures!<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650219232454574882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDG-Hmn7Xu3Uo1U4VRTniq-dWO1r4F3SxonHcLL2rtDApoit9U6KUJdcBRAuVxL-sVP1n3NZ7SLsmIc2LPiyEfxj9Jckvhk16z6-i0INB9HhLvXH1wmJ8KsEzXXE9UaY5Qf06IeATrr2e/s400/Sep+8+2011+190.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">I always pictured covered wagons much bigger then this.<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650219227841106482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5aV-TeXJOuf0-Qae8agdq10JFjNYiOol-zQcF2RZY98yLCA7XiXeEEbXzdru90j4fdgmQhurN_u4rbwaEOVEk-JQ0AlXnu7xOul6fRYCjPPXdxwvYrihcWt16nfemAyX4KXauGKFRpAX/s400/Sep+8+2011+195.JPG" /><br /><br /><p align="center">Can you imagine what it would have been like for me to move my whole family across the country in this thing?! </p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650405796873356114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC_4jXnuDjuOvdSSMx43ZPum0PXHiU1KuXe0VZMTcCmLt8tLJ9tiL3PpITqxSdpN8qj6BoXQIBg6XzqUYf270_fKkmnm3xuBZyVHVbuiSYvXUSg5dCDvrn58GAl8poo_JYWhllYkBIwSz/s400/Sep+8+2011+196.JPG" /></p><br /><div align="center">This wagon is one of the wagons to actually come through the Hole in the Rock!<br />Can you believe it?!<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650219220949217698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-shCuyQ-iSwIE3Xr3dZJ0eEomc-IPAF91u5jlQQJwUM1PhjYPHwIlluUaEwEkeYZo8MNanw_DH7aIO3cBfoVAQ1hJ6q_GaxqRl66Gt2PaYDpmSfSeXCsVQ6mdQr4d2UXdglgRsjPJJVO/s400/Sep+8+2011+198.JPG" /><br /><br /><p align="center">My kids in front of the wagon that came through.<br /><br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_yyGYAimHFw6hA_zwznK_iObG10nxV8pCakKr8VKXjUs_vbyO0k_ht4BlAw5IGxZu1GFTUb065xIH3cNdueZ0D8oH5L1eTCveHcacnrDQqpjtOA1waWc9rV9XgH3sK-YtZrDubLod9DR/s1600/Sep+8+2011+199.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650217681366712290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_yyGYAimHFw6hA_zwznK_iObG10nxV8pCakKr8VKXjUs_vbyO0k_ht4BlAw5IGxZu1GFTUb065xIH3cNdueZ0D8oH5L1eTCveHcacnrDQqpjtOA1waWc9rV9XgH3sK-YtZrDubLod9DR/s400/Sep+8+2011+199.JPG" /><br /><br /><p align="center"></a>The girls were more then willing to keep posing for pictures! And I was more then willing to keep snapping them! I was amazed at this place and want to go back when we can spend more time.<br /><br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkdySkg_pyuEL2P8yUK4OzGXumAEmnf8ZSfAPk0NYd8WSS66EyrBMIM1aKjtdo81Ydz8bMJxB3vGrILKAP5qLoIJWJYrjWGeHAuZPI8B2pcpX89F-FpMOErQyPueO0lVKB5MJt2qm7jlC/s1600/Sep+8+2011+200.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650217678115670818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkdySkg_pyuEL2P8yUK4OzGXumAEmnf8ZSfAPk0NYd8WSS66EyrBMIM1aKjtdo81Ydz8bMJxB3vGrILKAP5qLoIJWJYrjWGeHAuZPI8B2pcpX89F-FpMOErQyPueO0lVKB5MJt2qm7jlC/s400/Sep+8+2011+200.JPG" /><br /><br /><p align="center"></a>They have handcarts that you can pull around the grounds if you would like. We didn't take the time while we were there, but it was fun to watch the kids think about how we would make that work as a family too!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650216741172333346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2R-JWU4Dzu5ORM4mh_7q70raBuJYgCqkQMFvDztOA-MVRdmcWtyEP32DF5ac4kuotGJy8tOUUJ9S-1CIGems-MY_ddfFvW6wEptRgB2K-XD3T1ZLaGzw-rIqOlp-yBkACHx9HhzhQs-B/s400/Sep+8+2011+206.JPG" /> Connor ready to take off on his own trek across the country!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650216738242473602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxARRF3z-w-E7OVhZNRH5ViuXnIQxJybxg0bPRbqYEdVI5PPSMhcppYpoo5_GFpJCH5P3UdefdIXL3y5eF_RPoRVhja1gYDgoO-MIyHc2jDk7OvVeMQyKw3yBdE5OyVPMmRb1lnshhCjq/s400/Sep+8+2011+207.JPG" /> Porter is a little less ready!<br />(I will take another post to explain the broken hand!)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650216727839437522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyo8meKsDbSPKo5r7VYQIju7HQq7o_qJFu9okiGr9970kJ9lp65gPcEZUldMiegoRPkpO9mUgHaN3gyFvP6KCRM71dcpCDqI4iYY67hMs672czO6wQoPNXgGMG0Q9h99VxG3CGch58WT0/s400/Sep+8+2011+210.JPG" /> The girls are more then ready!<br />They thought this was all very exciting!<br /></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF6Nx1MZ9A_DTFEZgbHSx3EBmqZgunkiXE-T_J9Zx0hkkEV7akdt5yKHgtI6m-bMKl3gO1YAjKEvwIJc_tVVPARMby1LSUjJmzP_sZSjlqjDnjWf8GUi8FtCBIuOiotAk1NsPcY3pQnqp/s1600/Sep+8+2011+211.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650216719200817154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF6Nx1MZ9A_DTFEZgbHSx3EBmqZgunkiXE-T_J9Zx0hkkEV7akdt5yKHgtI6m-bMKl3gO1YAjKEvwIJc_tVVPARMby1LSUjJmzP_sZSjlqjDnjWf8GUi8FtCBIuOiotAk1NsPcY3pQnqp/s400/Sep+8+2011+211.JPG" /></a>Our stake is doing a trek next year for Youth Conference.<br />Jaxon is getting a head start!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We had a nice afternoon in Bluff and almost all we talked about on our way back to Blanding was going back!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We had a nice little trip to Blanding and we are so glad we were able to go and share that wonderful experience with The Harrison's!</div></div></div></div><br /></div>Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-80885104118783606922011-09-08T22:11:00.004-06:002011-09-08T22:38:55.127-06:00Memorial Day 2011Last year on Memorial Day weekend we went to Idaho for a Family Reunion. We did a mini tour of Southern Idaho! One of the stops that we made was Shoshone Falls. Soon after we lost my Grandma and then just 3 months after that we lost my Grandpa. I made a decision that I wanted to take my family back every year on Memorial Day weekend. We were starting a new family tradition! I cannot express enough my gratitude to my husband for supporting me in this! He went above and beyond to make this happen for me.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650209244329398642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9P5F2mjRWFr3wvO3L4BjACOMiBtZHGHJPjno2mB5jzeOQKwt04LBI7bqqdeIhT4ztt6jN13CAn3dQKzW_Jvc5RXEfzF8VPyvXFUYh4gCNlGex2njNKWcgxYkp4PLhQYYK-w2UJzGrnNWk/s400/Sep+8+2011+016.JPG" />First we stopped at my grandparents house. I was amazed at how much this meant to my kids. The pictures in front of the house were their idea.<br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650209243719320834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhvRo2Wv088QM-doaCMkacF5Qj5x6AfnJJV1lRdZO_0Ss8-jiJCplKasPrw9DhqbLZcPjxTSu11RARMJgUxru6xjkNxKbz55sfIjD1HO15aMeeqFzFCUE_19Ato2pyF0T4mumlCv0EwXe/s400/Sep+8+2011+020.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650209238297558242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNFNfdT51DiglZZ62g32w-DZ8TjandylsKFKYkS7VB6Hxrv3P0Rmm5YHVKqdTyfQzaOH4SPsaRJcM9y5cdvHZtOEyVzY-3gCgyE_WxC2NcUVDz5U-4mHkyLHWSiRgtWtxCz7J5uolxDiA/s400/Sep+8+2011+021.JPG" />This trip we also went to the "Twin Falls" I think it is ironic that one of the falls that a whole city is named after hasn't been a "falls" for like forever!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650208539360419250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvadtCMu8cqvl4y2P5usvQDz8_mpD5Lt9ty5TiiJTYsyTK-SWvnShUygumW5_VezX16jF4BGgYUZWwyV_epQ0FzyuE-4pz6sN0Hc5mVb-n9UPAQecHlaYqsw3dlFOuewoOC9Sx-qh-eTN/s400/Sep+8+2011+023.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">Makes for a good picture though!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650208530310661730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbsZc93rSoOzWr8wmIKSS-DOOSmKWGC5tlPrBQ7s5NSCfvTXPK2THCMbkZZkbgoABqFXFg-br-c1zUpcO1F0KBLFWJ31riZowIeerA5YTdOBy_OWQY4hIBA-VFg6t7r4ORZZVY15nzMW2/s400/Sep+8+2011+025.JPG" />This is a picture of the Shoshone Falls 2011<br /><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650209677265379138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD7Ra2K1dBSl72lYP1WYqwNs85ijI5KRfxBZJ0MsFzhY1YNcz_eqPcAPHJrxhhJYPiTzC0dFQpOz3HOYRF1FLZ7CAC553vE6UswgHeevhbtTNSzSS-os1zFidMJJaghlwvwbjcccc0YmU/s400/July+11+2010+076.JPG" />This is a picture of the Shoshone Falls 2010<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650208522843856386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAGJCKfKag9S2dAWZcppFX0SgGB01aK_PCiFQhYbaMUuQl8UqIu9o9uKcA5m0ZXksny0OdAObEcufXbkB5TzGWnlJbIm7A4DrMm7pNdh-p5_chS3RLpvVDjNF1FXv_kCifjsIbOBfnMQl/s400/Sep+8+2011+026.JPG" />2011</div><br /><div align="center">I thought the falls were impressive last year! Holy Cow! But with more water comes more people! We sat in our car in line for 20 minutes. It took us FOREVER to find a parking space. But it was sooo... worth it!<br /><br />I am so grateful for the example of my grandparents. For all the things they taught me. But mostly I am grateful for all the time they spent with me. I know they are watching over me the same way they always have.<br /></div>Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-64816110333838150842011-09-08T20:47:00.002-06:002011-09-08T21:03:24.419-06:00Emma's Preschool GraduationFollowing in her brother's footsteps Emma went to Jr. Jag Preschool at West Jordan High. I love this program and I love that all of the kids have done it. I love watching all of the kids and teachers get so attached to each other. I love that a huge production is made of graduation.<br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650187292102982786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzRUKylDjPpnegUdu9w1BCIls9qNPzht3ta443RN8tJAFDoKrG3nx5johRl5DXbVbDTVFd_772kWqHg4BRbrY4aKOqgCfCOhPwXK4-mH7bvyK-xJQM5EgoJdOIQAki1u6VWqrusmXoXzY/s400/Sep+8+2011+002.JPG" />Emma (and everyone else) making sure their glasses are on straight!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650187275920616786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdDRrOF4tsyXpg0MdkRk48XqlH8JZLBfMCpEGQ8P7p0_LRkTp1tddFw0K2L5HNSZ3eHWkMekIdZh4gvIWrzt2o4sMIIOyHr78lDdCs55tY43IIZ_KNP1yb1Se_bhhObblW5uGJ_g09HvA/s400/Sep+8+2011+004.JPG" />Emma and daddy coming back with her diploma!<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650186970628581522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq0SWrAGivdsBRIN7sRerflHE6iPeaamxdnfmXi-Y2b0Eki335fDkCFreHJvMEzpL-YCxHkT8dzH2YrMp2rlA_qnysaoZDXoN4KzP33a0GPsNVyDEe-wwbGsBRpMnv3iBK9hpU7198vB1/s400/Sep+8+2011+005.JPG" /> Emma and Miss Amber!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650186958856815650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMP0q5JggC0xluDutXPIbX3cPl6bPZJZ5FWIOe6CGKqvJOFbM8PjjghVGfoRJAnuYS8BvsNQctOzijE9ark4sOFIXWNRe-y9L3PEp81qdRWMWByQJgdE0s03i07szfocdO_RpF-oh8O6c/s400/Sep+8+2011+006.JPG" /> Emma and Miss Nohemi<br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650186956307710994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wYz84AMWBCF6fEn3cZwTJ3qXfW7ryMueEg2MFh_aeNnZCVxKcE-linVIdl3VjhdsABBbvJMiILbfkVj3f972b0jdDC129xgW3abH6C0-Kyo2GHvm11-6Oj1s1conXKbR8O_KnRoRM4hyphenhyphen/s400/Sep+8+2011+007.JPG" /> Emma and her friend Kylie<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650186946453968850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOlmjWc1677MaOcL5oAx4dA1vHfwggwUb1wWoFgaLubKWWNtexmjmwyMvMorjhxgSRcfaQt2WrS-XNaEY4KVWgiXYLKugLqmAxaAZ0jcdQQx2YZcCasL_r2mSyvx_SHClucSQ7MX6ZMv6/s400/Sep+8+2011+009.JPG" /> Emma and Miss Kris!</div><br /><div>We LOVE Miss Kris!</div><br /><div>She runs the preschool and has been informed she has to stay for at least 3 more years to make sure she is there when Maycie goes!<br /></div></div></div>Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-18196036668047782502011-09-08T20:44:00.002-06:002011-09-08T20:47:50.502-06:00SnailI went out to the suburban one day and found this HUGE snail on it! I know we are way past when I should have shared this, I just couldn't be the only one to see so it made it to blog post!<br />The weird part was I went out later and it was just gone! And was never seen again!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650185572797837394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlRrUFgWj4-gG7RnHsU87g0Jn_FqI4FI2_vM_6BeoRDTTFZEBjBpGfQV-QvbUhBnV2yV3p5ixKP2kMyMsPBrxkeEuGSLML4rO76WWBVg4slRegKa8ODRgR3Ickxz6FlfcZ2PeQgpeDm-V/s400/May+19%252C+2011+150.JPG" />Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-27253497021765087182011-09-08T20:14:00.002-06:002011-09-08T20:44:36.529-06:00Spring Dance Recital 2011!<div align="center">Emma had her second Dance Recital in May! She did a wonderful job (again)! She loves getting to be up on the stage (shocking, I know!).<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650178445749070546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91MUKN9-1IKBzsj3QMah8_4sM-V2u84tPI6rtLrjAMKa2JSt9VXumR9kF_kJenHiUpkqIHuxnJsz8TMBfiZxX7Ws6sNfCk7dpMPbZ15Vd83gq8cCEeMyuu3_pNxY3y25H1AKLVk_z1CJe/s400/May+19%252C+2011+147.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650178441940407986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_01lxiCRyGzs1tn6JLa0PqGNtpgg7o1DALL3NgGnymvMfZPjI6lxdxbTyMGxPdF5WX4jxkeMxgeF9-wNAa5vFHkw_O1YQrGJWZAFBNKgnfPap07_V9ANlIaFJFFTuF1boJODGcSXm47A2/s400/May+19%252C+2011+146.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650178432788427634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyB_YFUhxh77Mr71yCLTWKiZ6_H9aFhl4ox0FAQ7ecf9e8UtPBeWMzTLQ6sZmYn-JBj2kLPtH3OhQwwIPSKUEa11RL4O1FVk00MTOmJ_D5joCfHLvgAsRm5RZUqj86BfkAfREQr02Bs6T/s400/May+19%252C+2011+148.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650178427804285506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzhvALlmdRuTFkCv2qUOCZwOjZ-zRh4eH7cDv8fIAwPLKjkJYqZIRI2Zr6RZwKA_5V22trJY7p9mn9ifFq0vEkSoAFyJmSqFtOPTz8LJpNPy5AK8y9nSSsOMzIFHx9aCyU1XYaewstbdn/s400/May+19%252C+2011+149.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">We have loved Skippy getting to be her dance teacher.<br /></p>Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-87654128340083335742011-09-08T20:11:00.002-06:002011-09-08T20:14:21.631-06:00Computer Issues!Our computer was working this summer, just not very well. It made it hard to have on for more then a few minutes at a time. That in turn made it hard to do anything but the bare minimum. But we seem to be back up and running like normal again so I am going to try and get caught up! I know I have said this before but here we go any way! =)Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-80785556870938241812011-07-13T18:30:00.007-06:002011-07-13T22:44:01.985-06:00Camping in Zion!<div align="center">We have some friends who go camping in Zion National Park almost every spring. This year they invited us to go with them. Jeron and the kids had never been and I hadn't been since I was a teenager. We were all very excited to take the Suburban out on a trial run and even more excited when we were able to get everything in like we wanted!</div><br /><div align="center">We had a great time and did a lot of hiking. The kids all did great, even Maycie! She would do most of the first half of a hike and then I got to carry her down while she slept! (I am not kidding!)<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629004044142167970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtc2OleK80ZMtgDv5cD8w-2ojfHdtkYFasRfgPqykXUpEamEIV195Y_Xvd75DznU2TjqoVnui9YYSJ4vEJi19n_ctkUyokeMchPwojpJ-hJfR9chGFXiWTZ0rT1WY8wCGHuJ3oKYAmpDjO/s400/May+19%252C+2011+092.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">Emma had a blast!<br /></p><br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629004035299124610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUx21YzF6vFU58lxPWM3neqk_sWBs669D0Pvzpgiv0hay1FPg-b-_4A0n_1xeT-h5MrfANLH8Z5r_j2K6mIBX_1Pe5wnneuXRBUsdF1Fm5fej36NYKpWIlYusUbJqYCRSC4qbUNNh2irZ/s400/May+19%252C+2011+057.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">And as I said Maycie had GREAT naps on my back!</p><br /><p align="center">I was sooo... wishing we had brought the back pack we have for her!<br /><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629004024097413506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEygP_x6Y8-zdf3YKqZzHZzlM_k6sxBKOtJvh3g5lFyizjjskuZ8_psj5Ap4LMocoQaG40SJ1eu5ATmH0GoZvf-hQIsc82yCeEzXD-HuYT6qyKmZO_-MSQRpSfy6VbLhX-qmtiBRYF2qF7/s400/May+19%252C+2011+049.JPG" />She really did well with all of it though and insisted on doing as much of the hike as she could! And really was a happy camper!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629004020217610498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdV_O1FavfMDdV66Qv2gNXpHq8ARWOoLZTJ1c5EyHYOPL2ltndrpxcWGj3Sh7P0S6Z9WSlh4cMRUSp0-llg99YFiZrjX-VxTJWLsqyxGP4LJ72phk714QeCaCiHI-ggcPM1CesbDUQ0HYe/s400/May+19%252C+2011+044.JPG" />The boys all had a blast climbing everything in sight!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629002941857327378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iVl1Zd-ko8PcgfhZP7IPc5SA2QlpkynQd7mSKkr-xooHuwl3Wxvyrd77V2RjIMMLiTZGdA_olayXFYRTu2pD6-4XsDLqHGefteQhvCoraAwgHX_w9cGa8ZmlcWdrNLedp58R8R_FTWV3/s400/May+19%252C+2011+035.JPG" /> Even lifting a rock or two...</p><br /><p align="center"><br /><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629002939031509506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia551a4bF2eQ2zbirus0c3EJeL_RJADJHJ2nhaTR9FK69QAby8wS60liECuPhklcscjYKowe1oOWFVYjuMT63irmGblKfJ79_qzIgpPFGeEGa851_kNGR1-VXF-26VwebF6bF71PO8_ZjE/s400/May+19%252C+2011+071.JPG" />or just showing off some muscles!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629001687217919090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBh3dgMA0OEDfWbEeCJPWgQg0hkyfy0Hsj13yVjbM-HP6GbcEP3X-i3kM8E372TZcSDiw2GdEjGGTUgibtHtK09IvtzCUHAsNLJ5MPFMnWMEE6BhtKc7l1jZ7Hk82joIWPnTvLPYvS1A0n/s400/May+19%252C+2011+084.JPG" />All the kids got along really well.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XfEzA2cuVYH3XYJS6jGEF_MSJNxScGt4LgfBWqrjmEPkm3tw0OVKJJpzw9_r1t7-0aCOTd9D81qSLk0Xnr8pisTspgu_-zy1QGJmgCoE33jFqh0AwUlUTpSgLVRZD6p7LD5ADsC2I_ZE/s1600/May+19%252C+2011+114.JPG"></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629001679001897602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_QKZQ_ZB3rfi5OYV-MTw9V04nuWSsEwIEPjNUCU96ExG0svfPoyvyQuc1GJj5ru_Pl0Yp0bHzuEh8pB1TSJQJW15iurV3Zjb1q6EViq0qpAcVs_tsOsEk_65xmdVBhYTFcJ-UDebu9ks/s400/May+19%252C+2011+111.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">The girls had fun playing in the sand at the end of a hike.</p><br /><p align="center"><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629001676997960562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hFtKIiC1mw1JcMXHomt2iCTjb5dfga12W6fFDUMDlQ0pai_85AhNGjwPNyoRabEZKpC2X2bH8IDkUvguL9AunVT6Mj-vFqQBp5gBRCkQ4gpD9QZ_-5lg8drVU2MXGb3YztE3ME7-ZJKM/s400/May+19%252C+2011+113.JPG" /> <br /><p align="center">Connor loved skipping rocks across the river.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629000645725097218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGa5CNzDfNCXqljTTOsoNnvV90P1vN8_IFb_qrDmx9InCpfZpW-ZleRr1AlAsvbtxFv8I6RLsXBuqpKrBFU-5S8GGCBUzVoQa9ICZim71Kdc7MyDVS8uaCEQXxwOfnLcJx37w2YxcHBuBY/s400/May+19%252C+2011+119.JPG" />Spring time is a time of new beginnings.<br />That means caterpillars. A LOT of them!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629000642104788370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaclq56WHpgIZraQBI_wIBcpwzKe2ug5_y0nZHvmGbhDLPBc3b4Y_Rusa-56IkwnD_2DzZbAz_Ks3SkFudZAfcp3PXhA6zWUP0hA2AyFHduQfL7m4x5VkHdfTm8Ka1vhfTMIHUPjRyKpNm/s400/May+19%252C+2011+120.JPG" />I am not joking when I say A LOT of them!<br />They were every place. You couldn't walk without stepping on them. When you took your shoes off outside the tent they climbed in and took over your shoes!<br />We were throwing caterpillars out of the car window all the way home!<br />We even found a few dead ones on camp chairs after we got home!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629000637824548498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kI6rtU_1ilSTehMMzI79FjenQorfuItlD4T9I0-HazUEgl6tEahCbUdEgZ4HxrWtw2huRG-T6QQY-hFVjuDAlIfowUt6YPZk3Ysn4dcRpyPdSIXZ2qpSJPe4eT9Cm4vCUks_oabMyCk3/s400/May+19%252C+2011+121.JPG" />All of those big clumps you see in the trees are clumps of caterpillars!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628999743525334818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMK0rdXYwWxSNp07s2pswHP2X8ViLCh0Iy16DZqNFH_k1qglO718dyZE8xAScBjWdlJjTk1njYHX3LeLaWcudr2uE00r7lv_OzyRZHz0-uKCAFNa3sIelCQt-n5dOcKpuMFbkoOQyax8eJ/s400/May+19%252C+2011+125.JPG" />The scenery was amazing!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628999740025144274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLDurVwvOXni3_H0aG8mlMcxHouMkTikoGKXUB0hJHgLBCbheYExXIT7RZVDxNwwFnM8kqlMHHC6DW35ne4eoF7-OMRIwoqS2HVsFrdj14HpN3w9RRP5BMTZeNgLPscYHfCV1t6C3MZO7/s400/May+19%252C+2011+127.JPG" /><br />I hope we go again...soon!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628999737305709586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRUtWyTrlCEOdkq40u7V7uhwvdzSqA2g60M3rY3K10p2wUo_uazunI9iaWBLY_FlAeMOMhyphenhyphenxSGr36GgV9_4sFIRAqpv9EFoqDAE9mILi9GJWMw5_6MLLsMEdf0PED9WHIBU-Lx92EPpoj/s400/May+19%252C+2011+129.JPG" />I feel very grateful for this wonderful land my Father in Heaven has given me to enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628999730882077874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZiWaSVLouXgI6vjbk2uxIgLqS6TxQzVWfWDzc3VEKBv0jrreXLvEckVnexdH_-_QZ6yc6QQljbJRgRp-5_tt7Oo2ys3un5dkLanVlvEEYCBJ1AgALcdUzMJIoSRte2Cj31WwVdlDAPj0/s400/May+19%252C+2011+131.JPG" />For the wonderful family he has given me to enjoy it with!<br /><br />And the good friends who let us tag along on their wonderful trip!<br /><br /></p>Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-29172701566540423582011-07-13T18:18:00.003-06:002011-07-13T18:30:02.829-06:00A Midsummer Night's DreamIn 6th Grade the kids get the opportunity to do a play by Shakespeare. This year Connor's class got to do A Midsummer Night's Dream. Connor was very excited about it and his teacher could not say enough nice things about how he did!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628996282525730194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFm152uvYHjT16aRQbhEfmO1dBNcaVdoSFlDUph5xRoStf8dl5DEn1nOfeLcwE-1of6ySA_35CLEPqCJqr7x52rRB6AYwxjZVN83tFkvNUP9VtVUMPivSIbPmrHs_IUAdAtev_lX1hswp1/s400/May+19%252C+2011+136.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628996277874839906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0ol3sT97NNFn_C-yc7tgzwoa9WJSWiTbVaR8DRZfbFvr5F6-tNs6rjW2HoClU7fqvhOjv64O_YzK3s2uZKj4V-_69c8I6mWC5ybNiy4aYlEwMByxq7drYR4ToFKmVNeligJWX6gpvduH/s400/May+19%252C+2011+139.JPG" /></div><br />He had a lot of fun and I really enjoy getting to go to things like this. I did have my extra one, or as I like to call her "my #6"! that day. Connor was worried that I wouldn't be able to go because of it. Like a little thing like that could stop me! HA! It was eventful but fine! And well worth my time! They all did a wonderful job!Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-55362029381940750112011-07-13T18:11:00.004-06:002011-07-13T18:18:45.516-06:00Pinewood Derby 2011!We had our LAST Pinewood Derby this year! Could you feel my joy and excitement?! Sorry! But I do have to admit that this has been a source of stress to me every time my boys have done it. It just has!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628994390189086146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiu5cS7l_XpV-A8bLlV39XwBvOtiD-gCZvxoAkTAhIwakDtadd5BbmQTF-PWXaqliVglEu8YsbL68Zc8N5BZRf2OBSUGS3VyGJlbERALhrElbiq3KDoOu5b1qr68Mx9eZnP7H3p_cnDRV/s400/May+19%252C+2011+027.JPG" />Porter did really well this year and came in 4th place over all! <br />I couldn't be there because it was at the same time as Mutual so I did a little bit of running back and forth.</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628994383065027570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrUpS0DqUCoqNbZEbvl42cQCtl3q33GpfsZ9yhdCyuiBpVxKkGqZapHqqCYQopByavVa1heEHjc-Dzw69piFzdA7lm3KrmmF4AwQtdZGt73QYY5BltqaTOl81gQfdS9XlL-nRM933EY35/s400/May+19%252C+2011+031.JPG" /><br />Porter was very excited and had a great time telling me all about it!<br /></div>Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7564696676142084674.post-45090265724066927472011-07-13T18:07:00.003-06:002011-07-13T18:11:08.832-06:004th Grade Recorders!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0o33-Sdbhzh0gKx-V8bFKJ3cUqwTl7VF4tAAXI_6bXHDmIinVA40tUlABMPZTgjCgh5c3UnPDY8qWBX7UpRkg0DiyD37mdIPhIJLS3XjlEOJOAD1pedN6Jtkbljg6UWPGAI5uPRSU1IGw/s1600/May+19%252C+2011+024.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628993232065406546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0o33-Sdbhzh0gKx-V8bFKJ3cUqwTl7VF4tAAXI_6bXHDmIinVA40tUlABMPZTgjCgh5c3UnPDY8qWBX7UpRkg0DiyD37mdIPhIJLS3XjlEOJOAD1pedN6Jtkbljg6UWPGAI5uPRSU1IGw/s400/May+19%252C+2011+024.JPG" /></a> In 4th Grade my kids have learned to play the recorder. And then the end of the year program includes the recorders. It is always a fun and entertaining program!<br /><br /></div>Jeron & Brookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839217238777484014noreply@blogger.com0