Karen's Retirement

My mother in law retired this year from being a school nurse.  We planned a surprise dinner for her and invited all our family and close friends to our house for a barbecue.  She was very surprised and it turned out great!  After, our immediate family went on a 4-wheeler ride up Prov.  We used to go all the time when we were first married but I haven't been up that way for years.  The kids loved it!  It is nice to be close and be able to just jump on and go.

Running Buddies

The kids have really enjoyed running with me outside this summer.  Brooke is finally old enough to ride her bike while I run and she is a trooper!  She rode several times from our house to my moms (7 miles) and love every minute of it.  Next year Cole will be big enough to ride and I'll be down to a single stroller!  They ask almost everyday if we can go outside to run.  So much fun, I love that they enjoy what I do!

Spring Pictures

The wonderful Melissa Wrigley took these for us.  She is amazing!

Twin Caves

Matt and I took the kids up to the twin caves in Providence one Saturday.  They rode in the strollers but got out to go up to the caves.  It was really steep and they were terrified there was a bear in the cave so there were lots of tears.  We also saw a little lizard.  We need to take them hiking more, they love being outside.

Attendance Award

Brooke came home from school one day excited to show me her medal.  She got an award for having 100% attendance at school this year.  I was so proud!

Preschool Graduation

Cole's preschool graduation was last Friday. We have LOVED his teacher. She does such a great job. In just the few months that he has been there he has a learned a lot! Cole is super shy when there are a lot of people around but she says he is not shy in normal class. They sang songs and then got their diplomas. I wish he would let me record him singing the songs at home because it is pretty hilarious to listen to him, but as soon as he knows other people are listening he clams right up. He is his dad's child that is for sure. Hands in pockets, sitting still as can be up there on stage. Because of his birthday he will be waiting one more year for kindergarten so he gets to go back next year.

Thoughts on Callings

I got called last week to a 2nd calling. My first calling is girls camp director. It has been a LOT of work getting everything prepared and it is even Stake camp this year! I am super excited though. We have a fun bunch of girls in our ward and I really do feel blessed to get to work with them. It is a good reminder for me of what it was like to be a teenage girl. I wish so bad that I could just take all my experiences and all that I've learned since that time in my life and telepath it into their heads. It would probably save a lot of heartache. But, I know that isn't possible so I just do the best I can by loving them and hopefully being a good example to them. They are so smart and amazing and I am excited for our week at camp and glad that I get to work with such fun people! My new calling is Gospel Doctrine teacher. WOW! Still not sure how I feel about this one. The counselor in the bishopric called Matt a few days before to make sure it would be ok for them to ask me and I finally got it out of Matt that it was going to be my new calling. It is a good thing too, I was shocked! Luckily, I had a few days to prepare for it before they actually asked me. I feel totally overwhelmed and under-qualified. I taught my first lesson today. I think it went well, but it is always hard to know. I was extremely nervous and feel like I just got up there and rambled on and on. I think they forgot that I am only 27 and certainly there are many more people with more knowledge about the scriptures than me. BUT... I do trust that they were inspired and I know that when we get these callings that take us out of our comfort zone is when we learn and grow that most. So that I am thankful for. In the meantime... if you need me... my house is probably a mess, my kids are probably in their pajamas, and I am probably working on a lesson or preparing crafts and overnight hiking equipment for girls camp. AND THAT IS OK :)