those September days, the rest

I was lucky enough to go with Kacin's class to visit the MIM. I love going on field trips with my kids. Especially when they are older because, man, it is just fun!

I had never been to the MIM before. I thought it was a fascinating museum. It was both interesting and enjoyable to learn about music around the world. I learned I need to study geography a little bit better. And that God's children around the word are extremely creative and talented. Music is such an important and powerful part of our experience as humans.

Kacin and I had a blast pointing things out to each other. But I did notice he was quick to walk away every time I started dancing to the music. I can't quite understand that because that group of girls, his teacher, and I all had some pretty sweet dance moves. I dare you to listen to all that music and not tap your toes, sway your body, or jump around!

Kacin and I have had a little ongoing joke about Elvis. We stepped away from the group for a few minutes to find the Elvis section.

We had a great conversation with two older ladies who lived during The King's era and remembered watching him on the Ed Sullivan show, etc. I was pretty excited to see everything Elvis so they asked me how old I was. Ha! Elvis spans generations, doesn't he? They took this picture for us.

Kacin's teacher took this picture of us chaperones.

What a fun group of 6th graders!

Layla is mastering the art of the selfie.

For seven days, we had painters in our house working their wall magic. I'm so relieved to have that done and to feel like I can hang things on the walls now!

I think that basically wraps up life in September.

those September days, some more

Layla and I went with a little group of moms and kids to the Great AZ Puppet Theater. We were entertained with a version of The Three Billy Goats Gruff. 

Layla also got school pictures taken. We had to choose between these cute shots.

E and I went out on a date to the Hale Theater. Before the show, we ate a yummy meal at Joe's BBQ.

One day we went to Target. All of the older boys in our family needed hair gel and deodorant. Perry wanted to get something to so I let him get a can of shaving cream to play with in the bathtub. Well, I didn't see that after we paid for the items, he sneaked the shaving cream out of the bag. And had a blast with it all the way home. By the time we got home, there was so much shaving cream absolutely everywhere! Our car smelled quite refreshing for a long time after.

Do you see his hand in that compartment? That's where he hid the can of shaving cream. And then later filled the compartment up with the cream.

The older boys have soccer practice a couple of nights each week. Layla and Perry loved playing at the park by their field one night. They were so proud of their climbing skills.

I got to go on a field trip with Perry and his class to serve at Feed My Starving Children. The kids worked so hard and enjoyed it.

A highlight was wearing the hair nets.

 We are still in the open your mouth to smile phase. :)

Red faced after a picnic at the park and playing on the playground.

Layla made some clothes for Minnie and Mickey.

She also had to participate in "reverence training" after some consistently wild behavior at church, fhe, scriptures, and a visit from our Bishop. Each day, for a week she practiced sitting reverently. Sometimes I would turn on a conference talk and sometimes she just had to sit quietly (only for like two minutes each time). We put stickers on a paper every time she was reverent. Sometims she even earned two at a time! The training has paid off and we've seen some good progress.

Especially bad picture of the first soccer game when Kacin got to represent his team to meet with the refs and choose sides, but soccer season is well underway!

those September days, part one

September was rough for me. I think even through some tantrums because nothing seemed to be going right. It was a culmination of smaller things. But even the smaller things have a way of piling up enough to get you down sometimes. Which makes me so glad when I remember to take pictures of our little life here. It reminds me that we may go through some stressful and emotional things, but there is so much light and joy scattered in between. I need to remember that sometimes. Life is good. Here are some more of those good moments from September.

We set a trap for Kacin. When he walked into his room 30 small papers fluttered to the ground. Each one told him something Eric and I love about him.

The boys got new soccer balls and left their boxes in the car. When I picked Layla up from school, she discovered if she put the box on her head she looked like one of Perry's beloved transformers. And then for the next five min, it was "I am a robot, I am a robot. I am a robot. . ." all the way home.

We got our own real robot at home. Before we took the Roomba out of the box, we joked with the kids that we got a pet dog. They thought that thing was pretty cool. And then Layla named it Spot. And as she pet its head she said she would take care of it. I thought everyone understand it was just a joke and it was not really a dog. But the next morning, I heard Layla pat her legs and call to "Spot" from across the room. When it didn't come, I heard her stomp her feet and take a seat on the stairs. She was mumbling angrily to herself so I went to check on her. With her arms folded across her chest, she huffily told me "That's not even a real dog!!! That vacuum is just a vacuum!"

Kyler will sometimes serenade me with the songs he is learning in his guitar class at school. I love hearing him play!

A few weeks after we moved in, we did a little more exploring of our new community. We visited the big park and the water, saw the splash pad, and journeyed along the paths. It is a beautiful area. Especially when Eric models for the camera. He cracks me up.

the primary program

Today was a special sunday. The children in our ward put on a program during sacrament meeting.  I had three of my children participating this year. Kyler got to enjoy the program from the pews with us for the first time.

As one of the oldest members of primary, Kacin had a special role. He read the opening introduction to the program and then he helped all of the children who needed help with their parts for the first half of the program. He did a great job with this responsibility.

Layla had about half of her part memorized. She was so happy that it was her brother who helped her say the rest of her part. She spoke nice and clear. We smiled from the audience when we could hear her voice singing above the rest during some of the primary songs.

I was so grateful for Perry's line in the program. I believe he got to say one of the most powerful truths in the program. 

"Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer."

I couldn't help it. Tears sprung to my eyes when that sweet boy said "Jesus Christ. Savior. Redeemer." into the microphone.

He nailed it.

After all the times we have tried to practice with him over the last few weeks (and most of those times being me trying everything to get him to say his part and him ignoring me), my heart swelled with joy that he got up there and he did it.

Not only that, but I know that his little testimony of Jesus has been growing lately. And more than anything I want him to know this truth for himself all throughout his life. Jesus Christ is his Savior and Redeemer. He is our Savior and Redeemer. What peace, comfort, and joy this truth brings!

Before the children walked up to sit on the stands for the program, they sat with their families as the sacrament was passed. During that time, Layla and Perry were looking at scripture cards we have. Perry was playing with some. He held up a picture of Eve. On this picture, sitting in a tree next to Eve is a snake. Perry then took a picture of Jesus and said "Jesus will save you from the snake!" In his play, the hero, Jesus, saved Eve from the bad snake.

He nailed it again.

It is Christ who saves us when we make mistakes, sin, or experience hard trials in life. Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can repent and change and, one day, return to our Father in Heaven. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.

Thank you, primary children, for a wonderful program!

Top Golf when Jenny was here

My sister was in town! Not only did we get to pass off Mary to her (Mary was waiting for her in her room when she arrived), but we got to spend some fun time with her and meet her boyfriend.

We said hello and then put them to work moving our stuff into our new house. Really, the second night they were in town they were helping us load and unload. So very kind of them!

We also went out to Top Golf with them. I have a few blurry pictures to remember the evening by.  

We got to see them a few more times for dinners and game night. So glad we got to spend time with them!