LOVE ??

We have had a little secret service going on at our house. I came home from work the other day and saw in my room that someone had made my bed and left a little note. But I wasn't the only one served, each member of our family had a similar note on their newly made beds as well.

Who could this be??? As I was shouting for joy at such a thoughtful gift, I heard some giggling in the other room. ANNA? Is that you? She tried to deny it but the smile on her face gave it away. She is so thougthful. She also did the same thing another time this week. She is such a sweetheart, she is the one leaving little notes for me and her siblings reminding us that she loves us. She'll come up to me and say "I need to hug my mommy, cuz I love my mommy." I'll reply with "I love my Anna sooo much!" She really is a blessing in our family and I'm sure it is sometimes hard being the middle sibling, but she is loved and I hope she always remembers that~not for her service but simply loved because she is my daughter!!

I LOVE YOU ANNA BUG!!

D.A.R.E.

Dare to Resist

Drugs and Violence

Madalyn participated in the DARE drug awareness program with Officer Gardner.

She is growing up way too fast. I can't believe that she will be in junior high next year. She has shown in the last year great maturity for her age and I hope that she will continue to see her worth within herself and not give into the pressure from her peers. She too is one with a strong will power and I keep reminding her that she can choose to use that strength for good and accomplish many things and make a positive difference in her life as well as the life of others.

I Love you Maddy Jo Jo!!

We attended the Open House of the Draper Temple~

What a beautiful House of God! It wasn't very crowded the day that we went. We were able to walk through the temple and talk about the purpose of each of the rooms. The boys especially liked the baptismal font and asked a lot of questions about baptisms performed there. When we entered the sealing room, where the marriage ceremony takes place, we all sat together as a couple talked about eternal marriage and families. I am grateful for the knowledge that Families Can Be Forever and that death is not the end. The girls liked looking through the neverending mirrors and seeing the beautiful brides room:)

Charissa was going the same day with her Young Women Group so I brought Carson and his best friend Caden, Anna and her best friend Whiteny, and Madalyn and her friend Teighlor.

This was a wonderful evening and I am so grateful that my children had the desire to be there, to ask questions and understand why we have temples, how sacred they are and that each child talked about the day when they would soon be married in the temple and begin their own eternal families. I am soo blessed to have the blessing of the temple in my own life and the peace that I feel when I am in the Lords House.

I found this link on the Church Website and loved the message that it shares concerning Why Mormons have Temples. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x_-TQivCx8

My Date Night with Charissa~

A night at the Ballet ~Madame Butterfly.

It was a beautiful performance! I especially enjoyed the amazing Orchestra that set the tone for the performance! We knew some of the dancers performing from the previous studio Charissa attended and it was fun to watch them. I am relieved and grateful that she is still confident in her decision to leave the studio she was at, and take a new direction.

After the show we went to Wingers and shared a Ceasar Salad, a plate of fries and topped it off with sharing an Oreo Ice Cream Pie~yummy!

It was a great night and I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend some quality one on one time with Charissa. I am so grateful for all that she is and all that she does. As mother and daughter we have our moments, but for the most part I feel like our relationship is strengthening and I know I am soo blessed to have her as my daughter!

I love you Beautiful Ballerina !!(she will kill me for saying that:)

Cub Scouts

I promise to do my best

To do my duty to God and my country,

To help other people, and

To obey the Law of the Pack.

I am so proud of Carson and his enthusiasm for scouts. It has been fun to work together on things each week. He blew through the requirements for his Bobcat and is already 90% done and ready to earn his Wolf! He is looking foward to the Pinewood Derby~

Knighted "Carson the Valiant"

To go private or to not go private...that is the question!!

So maybe I am being a little too paranoid :) nothing new...I know :) I did the little gadget on the side showing me who had visited the blog. When I realized that someone had googled "summer fun" and pulled up my family photos I got an uneasy feeling. I got a little freaked out! So tonight after I cooled down I am rethinking the whole private blog...but still undecided.

I would love to know what you other bloggers think or suggestions you might have.

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