We Honor Our Veterans

Saturday we got a chance to participate in our annual youth stake project of placing flags in front of grave markers for our veterans. The weather was cold but the good feelings of honoring our veterans warmed our hearts. The turn out was not as many as last year, but the youth still did a phenomenal job. Caroline and Melanie enjoyed showing service as well as seeing there friends from the other wards.
I am so very grateful for the men and woman who serve and protect our freedoms. Freedom is not Free!

We Are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father

I was able to finally finish my Personal Progress book that I started over a year and four months ago. As a Young Women leader I wanted to earn my medallion to be an example to all of the girls especially my own girls. I was able to complete this goal before I was released. I am truly grateful for this wonderful book and the inspiring goals it helps each girl to meet. I am sad to say that I never completed my Personal Progress book when I was in Young Women many years ago. It is never too late and I am so thankful that I was able to finish. This is the brand new medallion and it has a ruby at the bottom. There are also some subtle differences to this one compared with the previous one. I know my girls want to earn their medallion and I will be there to help in any way. Our stake also gives these beautiful ceramic temples to those who earn the medallion. They come to the wards to present them. I am sad not to be apart of the Young Women Organization any more. I truly loved working with each and every one of them.

North Carolina Battleship

While at the beach we visited this awesome battleship located in Wilmington, NC. It was a very interesting attraction. Everyone loved climbing up and down inside and out of this monster of a boat.

These bunks were stacked five high. They looked very uncomfortable. A person would be very unhappy if their bunk mate had beans for dinner.

Cool propeller!

What a gorgeous day for the battleship. Good memories and happy moments created. That is what is all about.

October Beach Trip

How cool is it to swim in the ocean in October. We were able to take a long weekend and go to Holdens Beach this past weekend. It was absolutely beautiful. October is a great time for the beach here in NC.

Melanie was to sucker for being buried in the sand.It was in every crevice.

Kimberly loved the boogie board but had a hard time keeping it on her wrist.

She loved the beach more this year than last year.

Gregg was able to unwind and have fun with his girls.

Once Again A Wonderful Conference Weekend!

How I love relaxing and feeling the spirit in my own home on Conference weekend. We watched every session and Gregg got in the extra Priesthood session. I heard a common theme one of many that stood out to me. Gratitude! We do take things for granted and we need to refocus on what is really important. In the first session on Saturday Elder Holland once again gave the most amazing talk. His words hit home with me. I did love hearing from the First Presidency also. In the second session on Sunday Elder Arnold's talk was so heart felt and personal. It touched my very soul. President Monson's talk in the second session on Sunday was uplifting and wonderful. How can one not want to follow such a dedicated wonderful prophet.I will definately be rereading and marking my November issue of the Ensign. It is weekends like these I wish would go on and on. I am grateful for General Conference.

Can I Be Any Busier???

Wow what a month so far. Well, seminary seems to be going quite well. I picked up a new student on Monday giving me a grand total of 4. I love the small class of students. They have to pay attention or they will stick out like a worm in an apple. I am struggling with the early morning part. I do seem to get more done in a day. I have to do two things for myself each day one is exercise and the other is to take a small nap. So far the nap isn't as frequent as I would like. I cannot beleive the amount of studying that goes into each lesson.

I am also still in Young Women's. It hasn't been too bad though. I was told by my husband that I would be released soon. It will be very sad because I have grown very close to those sweet young ladies.

On September 19th this Sunday I was asked by President Catlett our Stake President to speak in the Sunday session of Stake Conference. I have worked hard to put together a 15 minute talk. That doesn't seem like a long time but I have to condensed everything I want to say into that time period. I have never spoken in front of a congregation that large before. I can say that I am a bit nervous but I know I will get through it with lots of prayer. My talk will be on how temple worship has blessed me and my family especially in dealing with the trials of mortality.

And lastly, Caroline decided that High School was not for her. She was so excited about being in High School until she actually experienced it for herself. Not even a week after starting she wanted to be homeschooled again. She told us that she had prayed about it and she knew that this was the right thing. She said that drugs and the mention of drugs were all around her. There are many girls there that are also preganat. How do you prepare your child for such a place. Caroline did not have very many friends there because of moving here a couple of years ago. So anyways, she is being enrolled in some BYU High School courses. As for the band she would much rather play the piano than the drums. Hopefully soon we will find her a great piano teacher.

Along with keeping up with Kimberly, Hannah, Melanie and Gregg my plate remains full more so than ever. I would not trade my life with anyone. I know that this is my calling in life and I will try to be ready for life's challenges. HAPPY FALL YA'LL!!!

New Beginnings

Ok, so here is my brand new high-schooler! She was a little frazzled but made it through the first day. She is in marching band this year and so far is playing the base drum. Caroline will also be starting seminary this year. I know I know these four years will fly by. I still can't believe it!

Melanie is in the 7th grade and loves her classes especially Spanish. Hannah loves her teacher and is considered a senior in her elementary school. She is in the 4th grade. Next year she will be in middle school with Mel. They both get a little longer to sleep in the morning because school starts a little later than usual.

What's this you say!! Well it would be classified as seminary materials. Well one book belongs to Caroline and the other larger one belongs to me. That's right, I am teaching early morning seminary this year. I knew it was coming and not a moment too soon. I will have Caroline and two other young girls to teach from my home. I think that it will be great and am looking forward to learning more about Church History this year.