Have I mentioned before that we bought another bookshelf? We have three in the living room now and I love it! The previous two bookshelves were completely overloaded and we had books piling up in other random spots. The kids each have a couple of shelves in there room as well for books, but this is where the majority go. I love books and I love learning and I hope we pass on that love to our children and I think having them out and available and them seeing us read them, is a good start.
Here's our Charles, he's playing defensive line tackle or something like that. He's been working on his speed at home, doing treadmill sprints a couple of times a week. Since he is not taking private music lessons this year (just doing band at school), I told him that sports was going to have to be his thing then so if there's a day without practice, he needs to do some at home that way it seems more fair since the girls have to practice piano daily. Granted, he does have 2 hour practices 3 days a week and the girls only do 30 minutes, but we won't mention that to the children :). And I really want them to have something every single day, besides homework and chores, that they need to work on. Work is a blessing. And don't worry, we play plenty too and have fun together.
I occasionally find selfies like this on my phone.
Annabelle and Kiley were twins, I know, I know they go to a uniform school so they're usually dressed alike, but today they had crimpy hair, half of which they pulled up into a ponytail with matching hair bows.
Here's Jane at her piano lesson with teacher Stephanie. We sure love and appreciate all our teachers.
Each morning, as soon as I get up, I say a prayer and then read scriptures before exercising and then helping kids get off to school. I have really come to love and cherish the scriptures over these past 15 years. I have little gems like these highlighted verses, posted in random spots throughout the house. They're a good reminder to us all of what's important.
Our good friends the Ludwigs invited us to stay with them in their cabin (in kamas? I think. Near Oakley) over labor day weekend. We sure love this family and have been good friends for 10 years so being together for a couple of days was so fun! It really didn't matter what we did. But some highlights were sitting around and visiting, kids playing games,
and riding around the mountain on the 4-wheelers.
Thanks Ludwigs for inviting us!
This is my September calendar, when I put it on the board September 1st. Which means all of these things are scheduled prior and we of course have added many things since. Looking at it as a whole seems a little daunting, but in actuality, it's not so bad when you're looking at it day to day. I'm glad we have this out in the kitchen for all to see, because even though I have phone alerts for just about everything on here, I STILL sometimes forget to do things or take people places, so having it for all to see makes them accountable as well and they're super good about reminding me when I need to help them get somewhere or do something :). Families are a beautiful thing!
Hank Smith, a very popular and fun LDS speaker (mostly for youth), came to our town and spoke with the highschoolers there before school one morning. I drove Elisabeth and Maddie and then stayed since I like his stuff and it was amazing. He spoke on facing trials and challenges in life while turning to Christ and learning and growing from them. I loved the stories he related about Joseph and the Coat of many colors, along with Elder Uchtdorf and his lung problems and how he got us thinking about whether it was a trial or a blessing...and how it can be both.
September is Jane's date month, and she asked if we could have dinner at Kneaders. Love this girl and I love our monthly dates with individual children!
And a picture from Sariah's mom of Annabelle and Sariah at a BYU vs Utes women's soccer game.
