New Church Calling

Me, Cristen, Renae, Mary

When I met with a counselor in the stake presidency, I was really hoping to be asked to speak or pray in the upcoming stake conference. You know, a one time deal?  But instead, I was asked to take a new church calling: Stake Young Women's Secretary.  Huh?? That was a definite surprise!  Not expecting that at all.  I am the most unorganized person I know, but I guess there is always room for improvement and learning new skills.  Of course, I took the call on August 20th. Although I was bummed about getting released from a great calling: Activity Days Leader.  I loved that calling! Especially where Makayla is in it.  I was only in that calling for 10 months.

The new Stake Young Women's President, Renae Wolvington, is in my ward.  She pulled me aside and told me that from the first time she saw me, (8 years ago when we moved here) she just knew that we would be working together someday.  The other 2 counselors are kind and I like them already.  It's funny because I have run into one, Mary Beattie, 2 times since being called, at the grocery store.  I wouldn't even know her if we weren't in these positions. The other one, Cristen Barlow, is wise beyond her years.  She is very in tune with messages to be relayed.  I was told this would be a 3-year calling.  I may or may not be counting down. :) I am in over my head updating spreadsheets and information and contacting youth and leaders for upcoming meetings, tasks, and events.  And I've never been to so many church-related meetings in my life.  I am now realizing how many behind the scenes people it takes to help the church be successful. One month down, 35 to go.

1st Day of School

School started on Wednesday, August 23 this year.

 Lincoln is in 1st grade.

His teacher is Mrs. Goodfellow, who has won a teacher of the year award.

 He wants to be a policeman when he grows up.

 Sterling is in 3rd grade.

 His teacher is Mrs. Huit (Hewit).  She got married over the summer.

 He wants to create computer software like Dad when he grows up.

 Makayla is in 5th grade.

 Her teacher is the same teacher as last year, Mrs. Neilsen.

 She would like to be a teacher or business owner when she grows up.

This is the first and only year that all 3 kids will be in full-day classes at the same school. Scott and I are thrilled with this smooth schedule.

The boys line up on the south and west side of the school.  Makayla is to the north.

Sterling is experienced and ready for this.  He has a great attitude and makes friends everywhere.

Lincoln is shy and mostly keeps to himself.  Luckily he had a similar Mario backpack to the boy behind him, so they had that in common.

Makayla, as usual, had to line up with no doting parents.  We are lucky to have such a happy responsible girl.

 After school, they came home to some new wiggle cars.

 After some fun, we let them pick our dinner.

They chose pizza at Classic Fun Center.  Then we skated and played around.  Wishing these kids a great school year!

Solar Eclipse

Although Scott wanted very much to go out of town for the solar eclipse, we watched it from our driveway.  And he ended up missing most of it all together.  A very special lady in our ward's funeral was during the exact time of the solar eclipse, so Scott went and supported them.  I stayed home and made funeral potatoes for their family meal after.  I would peek out every now and then at the awesome shadows of this amazing event.  My mom generously let us have one pair of glasses, which we shared.

This was at 11:07am.

 Then at 11:29am.

 11:30am.

 Also 11:30am.

 My favorite picture at 11:37am. We had 91% total eclipse here.  Everything went dim for a minute.

We also used a funnel and it worked great.  Taken at 11:50am.

What an amazing event to behold!  Maybe next time we will be in the total eclipse path.

August 2017

 Sterling smiled with me at dinner.

 I passed the 6s with my van.

 I got my name on 2 pinball games.

Maisy's family joined us for a drive-in movie of "Spiderman".

 And she took me to a birthday lunch at Olive Garden.  Lucky me!

 Sterling was baptized. What a blessed occasion to gather!

Grandma Diane generously took the whole family on her own birthday for prime rib at the Midvale Mining Cafe.

 Everyone enjoyed their meal. Yum!

The grandkids played dress-ups.  One of my fondest memories is doing this with my cousins at Grandma Hebdon's home.

Makayla, Grandma, and I went to the Midvale City parade.  Seeing wood being sculpted (in a parade) was a first!

 Saw some pretty fireworks with the family.

Maisy stopped by for a visit before heading back to Maryland.  I always say this, but I mean it..... We wish the Curtis family lived closer! We love spending time with them!

Sterling sipped through a silly straw at Texas Roadhouse.

We ventured to Nickel City in Orem and played!

Stopped in for some Kripy Kremes on our way home.

The fish at Cabela's mesmerized us.

The shooting range was a hit.

The fudge was delicious.

Lincoln finally grew tall enough to go on some big rides at Lagoon! Shoe inserts from Amazon game him an extra boost.

The cats snuggled.

We checked out Heritage Park's new Indian village.

And rode the train.

And the ponies.

Saw the pretty horses eat.

Bowled as a family.

Rode a few more rides.

The kids got creative with chalk.

Scott found a game online that he wants to rebuild, so this is his future project.

Clever Sterling built an airplane and it even flew! (Even if just for a little bit)

Gave away our old bikes.

 Lincoln got lessons from Dad on riding his new bike. 

 The poor fish got stuck in the filter and died.

 Saw the Captain Underpants movie.

 Played at Nickelmania.

 Tried out an airplane teeter totter.

 Played a race game at Classic.

 Finished this yummy looking puzzle.

 Bowled one last time before 99 cent summer games ended.

And saw some pretty ducks by Wheeler Farm.