Mom, when I grow up ...

I want to be ...

A wood carver, a pilot, or a blimp driver.

By Joshua Medsker

PS A blimp driver is someone who pilots a blimp like in the movie "Up"

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

On Friday we went to see the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. We were able to see a short movie about temples and why they are so important. There were a lot of poeple visiting and we were able to enjoy the surrounding beauty of the temple grounds for a while. The boys were very patient as we inched closer and closer to the entrance. The inside of the temple was amazing! Not only because of how beautiful it was, but because of the peaceful beautiful spirit that was so abundant. The temple has such an amazing spirit there ... even when you are walking through sharing the moment with hundreds of other people. It's a feeling of warmth and goodness, love, gratitude, holiness, and peace all wrapped into one. It's hard to describe with words. The temple is a place you have to experience yourself and then you will know. I am so grateful for temples! I know it is the House of the Lord. I'm grateful to enter there and make sacred covenants and participate in sacred ordinances. I know these things are eternal in nature. I know that the family is central to our Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness ... because of the temple, I can have my family forever. What a great blessing in my life!

Golfing Anyone?

Mike signed the boys up for some golf lessons. They were so excited! On the way to the first lesson, Josh said, "So, how do I hold the golf club?" I told him that is what he is going to learn. They had a great time!

Initial instruction with the group:


Nate taking a swing:


Nice one Brandon!


Josh getting a little help:

Love and Cherish ...

Last week at Family Home Evening we talked about "The Family: A Proclamation to the World." We talked about how families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activites. We talked and discussed for a while. Then I passed around a hat with everyone's name on a piece of paper. We each drew a name and during the week we had to do something for the person whose name we drew out focusing on the 'love' that needs to be shown in our family. One day, Sydney mentioned that we needed to 'love and cherish' our special person for the week and from then on that's what it was called. When there was a disagreement I just mentioned 'love and cherish' ... not that it solved the problem, but at least it caused a moment of thought and for the most part actions were changed for the better. Then one day, Josh said it was 'love and charity' ... by the end of the week ... it was 'charity'. It was fun to see what each person would do for another. Some did simple things and acts of service, others went to greater lengths to find a treat at the store or to decorate with blue crape paper. (Nate called it getting toilet papered in my room ... lol!) My little person gave me the cutest notes. One day there was a little monkey sitting on my bed with the note: "Mom, I am glad that you do not eat sugar and don't swing like a monkey and that's what happens when you eat to much sugar." From: ? Then today another note taped to a deck of cards that had 'Safety First' on the box ... with a bear Valentine and a red heart sucker taped to the deck of cards. It read: "Bears are not safe but you are and sweet like a love pop." From: ? I guess that's what being a mom is all about ... being sweet like a love pop! I thought it was the cutest thing ever. It was a fun week of love, cherish, and charity.

Kudos to Mike!

What a sweetie he is. This past week Sydney and I have been hiking down in Southern Utah with students, teachers, and parents in her 8th grade class. We had a great time! Mike and the boys came and picked us up at Highland on Friday. When we came home there were 'Welcome Home' signs hanging everywhere from the garage to all over the house. It was so much fun! Then we went into the kitchen where Mike had picked up some chocolate covered strawberries and raspberries for Sydney and I. We both sat down to have some while he poured us some sparkling white grape juice. Oh ... they were breathtaking after spending a week eating backpacking food. Then he took us all out to dinner! What an amazing man! Thanks honey! You made our homecoming a sweet one! :D

Happy Birthday, Nate!

"Mom, I'll be fine!" is what I heard at least a dozen times today as Nate was getting ready for his first scout campout. But ... but ... but ... don't you need another jacket? ... what about long pants ... do you need other pair? ... what about a hat? ... I know you have one, but do you need another one? ... what about long socks? ... are you sure you have enough to eat? ... let's see what else we can find for you to eat ... be sure to zip your sleeping bag ... don't lose your gear ... do you have a water bottle? ... are you going to be OK? ... listen to your leaders ... use the buddy system ... "Mom, I'll be fine!" ... "Mom, I said ... I'LL BE FINE!" I know you will son. It's just hard to believe you are already eleven! Happy Birthday, Nate! We love you!

FAMILY UPDATE!

Emily is engaged! :D
She came in the house and was smiling her face off. Of course I knew something was up and sure enough ... as she held her Jamba cup (this could be a good commercial)a beautiful ring was on her finger!
We are so excited for her!
Congratulations Emily and Mike!