Priest/Laurel Murder Mystery dinner

The Priest quorum did a fabulous job planning and carrying out last nights priest/laurel activity. We had a murder mystery dinner based on the game of Clue, however since there was so many of us we could choose characters not just in the board game, but whatever we wished. We began at our host home where the lights turned off and we heard a scream! (gasp!) A murder had occurred! It was fun going house to house, at each home they served a portion of the dinner (salad, potato skins, tacos, strawberry shortcake) and we could make our accusations of who the murderer was and what their weapon was to help solve the murder.
Here is a picture of our laurel class (I wish I would have got a picture of just the priest quorum):

Mary, our laurel advisor, went as Road Rash Rita. I went as a jailbird Martha Stewart (complete with pearls). My weapon of choice was a spatula.

Austin and I had a lot of fun. He went as Dr. Gregory House from the television series, House. He has the limp down perfectly already as well as the dry humor!

Ryan's kindergarten zoo report

Each year the kindergarten students do their very first report. It is on their favorite zoo animal. Ryan chose the turtle. He LOVED doing the report, he did much of it in one day. He loved that we could look for information on the internet about turtles. He discovered where they live, what they eat, how long they live. He enjoyed drawing turtle pictures and writing the turtle facts. He kept saying how fun reports are and how much he 'loved' doing it!

BUT THEN he realized this assignment was a oral report. In front of his entire kindergarten class. With all eyes looking at him. And he would have nothing to do with it. So, I brought the finished report in a few days early so he might feel comfortable casually talking to his teacher about it during the days leading up to the presentation. I also met with his speech teacher (whom I love) about the possibility of Ryan giving his presentation to her or to the kids he attends speech with since it is a smaller group than his entire class. She was all on board and helpful. Regardless of everything he still would not give his report but he did stand there by the teacher as she held the poster board. She talked about his pictures and I wasn't there but I'd like to think he smiled.

This report was given last month and still he will not talk when called upon to answer a question. He will sit on the rug and chat away to his friend Julie but when his teacher asks even a simple question that we all know he knows the answer too, he will not answer. I know he loves and feels safe with his teacher but I'm not sure how he's feeling about himself. Part of me thinks he is a perfectionist and is afraid to answer since there is a chance he may be wrong and he does not want to take that chance.

Recently the teacher sent home the order form for kindergarten graduation caps, asking everyone to send in $7.50. I sent it back stating that we would not be ordering one because I didn't think Ryan would wear it. He has already expressed to me that he only knows one of the five songs that they are singing for the ceremony and is not wanting to participate. Singing is something that really sends him into sensory overload. After talking to the teacher I went ahead and sent in the money for the cap. I'm still not sure why. I guess because I don't want him to be the only one not to have one by the slight chance that he may wear it. (I'm not sure if I'm crazy or hopeful or crazy for being hopeful) James needed to remind me about Chase's kindergarten graduation. He lasted maybe five seconds. He walked into the room with his class, saw all the people and immediately ran away. Regardless if I take away opportunities for growth how can growth occur?

I need to remind myself that I was extremely shy when I was younger. I don't think I took my coat off my entire kindergarten year. I remember clinging to my kindergarten teacher on a daily basis. I need to remember that compared to me at that age, Ryan is doing amazingly well. I need to remind myself that Ryan will talk when he wants too. My mother's heart aches for him to have courage to show the world (or even just his kindergarten peers) how I see him. As an amazing, caring, intelligent, funny, sweet little boy. Deep down, I have an understanding that he will express himself in his own time and in his own way and when all is said and done I'm o.k. with that too. Sunday night we had dinner with friends and in the conversation I mentioned how my family refers to my 'Virgo tendencies' - things we've laughed out for years about my small habits or things that drive me crazy and James made a good point - your family calls them 'virgo' characteristics but really they are sensory issues. Ya' know, I'm sure he's right - don't we all have them!

Austin and his accident

I took Austin to the doctor yesterday so they could x-ray his cast and make sure it was placed properly and also to get his sutures taken out.
The cast for his broken arm and wrist looks good. The stitches came out no problem.
I asked the doctor to x-ray his ankle again because it has been really bothering him. He is really struggling just walking and is so fatigued. Sure enough the ankle is broken too. I am glad I listened to that nagging feeling inside me saying something just wasn't right. Regardless though there isn't much to do with the ankle. He needs to keep the ankle open to the air so it can scab (isn't that just lovely to journal about). He has so much road rash and lost skin that it is all yucky and really needs to dry out. The doctor told me that a broken ankle actually heals quicker than a sprained ankle so I suppose that is good news! Three broken bones at one time is a record for this young man however.

Young Women activities

Things have been (happily) busy lately with young women activities.
Last weekend (the weekend Austin was hurt) our ward camp directors took all the young women from our ward on a overnight trip. I was able to attend just Friday evening but then came home to be with the boys since James was with Reid at the EYO campout. They set up their own tents, completed some cooking certification as well as other year level certifications.

They went on a hike, sang lots of camp songs and had a great time together in the outdoors.

Our Laurel class was in charge of last weeks joint activity with the young men. We played field games, had a hot dog dinner with s'mores for dessert, had a speaker and a testimony meeting. It was a great time for all!


This last Friday we had an activity for my other calling as Adult YCL Leader for girls camp. We had our work party sleepover! We had 18 YCL's attend this year and got lots accomplished! The girls made their year level banners for camp. These will be hung among the trees of where the campers tents are.



Everyone worked well into the night. I went to bed at 3 a.m. and awoke at 5:45 a.m. but had a great time. Aside from banners we practiced songs, made posters to use for decorations at camp, painted clothespins that we will use to place secret sister notecards on, taught how to teach a devotional, played some get to know you games and just had a great time together. This is an exceptional group of young women. Have I mentioned before how much I love this calling!?!



Our laurel class went to see a production of the Music Man on Saturday night (good thing I came home Saturday morning from the YCL work party and slept the day away!). One of our laurels could not come so Molly was able to attend with us. She loved the show, as did I. It was a amazing night. We never could have afforded to go but a former ward member gave us the tickets and even a backstage tour! His generosity is so appreciated so we could all enjoy this production. The songs are still swirling around in my mind!

This and that...

Austin had a good family birthday. We had his favorite dinner, french dip and french fries, and red velvet cake for his birthday cake. James and I were planning on taking him out for a special dinner-just the three of us-on Saturday but his accident has postponed that for another time.
These pictures were taken on his birthday, April 15. We always try to get a picture each year of the birthday child with mom and dad:

For his gift we were going to take him sky diving but didn't realize until just a few days before his birthday that in the state of AZ you need to be 18. So, an ipod it is for a gift. Skydiving can be next year, something to look forward too! Molly spent her own money and got Austin this Bill Nye the Science Guy t-shirt! We reminisced about how Austin invited Bill Nye to his science themed birthday party when he turned 5. We love Bill Nye at our house!

I think it was good day, a happy 17th.

Molly had to chose a person to portray for the day and do a presentation on their life for her Honors English class. She chose Jane Austen. We were blessed to have a friend of mine make the dress and ship it to us! Thank you Heather! Molly spent hours and hours on her presentation. She made a power point presentation, a separate slide show with music, and a poster board. It all paid off because she got a 100%!
Here are some pictures of her as Jane Austen:


Reid made this lego chess set the boys have had fun playing with the last couple weeks. Lego sells one but it costs about $200 so I challenged Reid to make his own. I think he did a fabulous job!

The story of a boy and a quad...

Saturday morning started off pretty good. Austin went with some other young men from church and his young men president to go ride quads. I was home with Chase and Ryan. Molly was at a young women camp out and Reid and James were both at an EYO campout on Mt. Lemmon.
I received a phone call stating "Austin's o.k. but he has suffered a concussion and has a broken wrist. What hospital do you want me to take him too?"
Another broken bone for Austin... We joke with him that he is on a four year plan. He broke his arm when he was eight, broke his leg when he was 12 and now his wrist at 17. Each time it happened in the spring time with about six weeks left of school. I told him I'm hoping not to receive a phone call in the spring when he is 21.
He was riding about 30 miles per hour, slowed down at some hills to about 25 mph but misjudged a turn. He remembered from watching the atv safety video that it is important to jump from the quad so the quad does not flip on top of you so that is what he did and thankfully he had on a full-face shielded helmet.
He received wonderful care at the ER, had about a dozen x-rays taken (wrist, ankle, thumb), was put under conscious sedation so the wrist could be moved back into place. James was out of cell phone rang so I sent Chase and Ryan to my visiting teachers home for the day and Austin and I spent our time together at the ER.
So the story of a boy and a quad ends with: a concussion, a broken right wrist and arm, four sutures at the right ankle, a sprained right ankle, a left thumb that's pretty bruised up, along with lots of bumps and bruises and blood.

Here he on Tuesday waiting to get the cast on...


His ankle is looking pretty good in this picture!

Getting in the car after getting his cast on, notice the yucky ankle. He can't use crutches because of the cast arm so he is taking walking very slowly.

He chose green for his cast color this time around. This was taken today, he is finally feeling like he can sit up and work on some missed homework.

Every day is getting better and we're looking forward to a full recovery!

Happy 17th Birthday Austin!

Austin, we love your smile!

We love your sense of fun!

We love that when Molly was born (and you were 20 months old) you would give her kisses on the forehead and now you put up with her constant singing (your expression in the picture below says it all - I love it!)

We love that you have a slow and steady personality just like your dad...

We love that you put up with your mom's outgoing personality (even when she stays after church a half hour talking and taking care of business when you want to get home)

We love that you like to try new things (like golf - hopefully we'll get you out on the green again soon)

We love that you are musically inclined!

We love you for being YOU! We hope you have a fabulous birthday!

Easter Sunday

We had a relaxing Easter Sunday yesterday. It was fast Sunday (and 8 a.m. church) so there was no big breakfast. Instead the kids woke up to their gifts...

We very much enjoyed the testimonies of our Savior that were shared during fast and testimony meeting.
I taught the lesson in Young Women on the new YW Value, Virtue. I think it went well. We did an overview of the new requirements, reading scriptures and sharing quotes from the recent YW Broadcast. I also gave each of them a bookmark, a gold wedding ring (from the craft store) and a paper gold star. I shared with them that in our master bedroom we have vinyl lettering on our wall that states "You are what happened when I wished upon a star". I had that put up for James years ago and it still touches me...not only the expression but the fact that we were both worthy to be married in the temple. I expressed with the girls that it is my hope that each of them will be virtuous enough to also be married in the temple to a young man who is currently wishing upon a star for that virtuous young woman he will someday meet.

We came home from church and enjoyed our Easter dinner of turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, asparagus, peas, rolls, green salad and strawberries with angel food cake along with this bunny cake the kids enjoyed making. My mom helped me make one like it when I was in elementary school and I wanted to share it with my kids. The one my mom and I did had coconut (I love coconut) but since our boys do not eat coconut we did without. I love that the boys all helped make this bunny come to life!




After dinner we enjoyed a simple but wonderful family home evening together. We read from the scriptures the true meaning of Easter and sang "I am a Child of God".

Easter happenings...

We enjoyed the Easter pageant at the Mesa temple on Thursday evening. We had not been since we lived in Gilbert (over five years!). This time the kids were older so it was a completely different experience. I remember last time the little ones were so cold and tired and uncomfortable but this time was very nice and everyone enjoyed the performance! I am so happy we took the time to go! We got very lucky finding seven seats together - we didn't arrive in Mesa until about 6 p.m. (the performance begins at 8 p.m.). Many people arrive much earlier than that but we were able to find seats about 17 rows back and in the center. :) We packed sandwiches, strawberries, Sunchips and drinks and had a picnic while we waited.



On Friday I took the three boys to the zoo! It was a perfect day to go - the weather was fabulous and even though there was a large crowd there we didn't feel rushed at all. It was such a nice outing! We even went on the train that goes around Reid Park - our first time doing that.



Friday night we had a family night at home (except for Molly who had a babysitting job). We made homemade pizza and then colored Easter eggs.

This one that James made was my most favorite! :)


Then this morning we had a Easter egg hunt in our backyard! The kids found the hard-boiled eggs as well as plastic eggs filled with candy and each got to find a plastic carrot that had a $1 bill inside (a huge hit!).

Guess who?

We are all getting excited for Easter at our house! The other day Ryan brought home my most favorite spring time craft - grass! I love it! I have such a love for green and for grass (Oh, how I miss it so!). His 'kindergarten-grown-grass-in-a-cup' sits center stage on our kitchen table. Ahhhh...

Spring!

I've done a few decorating changes for the spring season:
Old look with red accents:

New look with blue accents:

I still have yet to get out any Easter decorations - time is slipping away! But I wanted to add some of my ceramic bunnies to the mantel...hopefully...
I changed up the entire kitchen and living room area. Now instead of red plates I have blue ones, I have three 12x12 photo frames stacked on top of each other where the BE... art used to be. The kids came home and noticed right away - hurray they liked it. I didn't purchase a thing, don't you love 'shopping' within your own home!?! I will probably change it all back (especially for Christmas when the red and green look so great with the seasonal decorations) but it's fun for a spring time change.

Also in April - Reid and Chase finished up their soccer season with a pizza party and trophies. It was a great season for both.


Our young women had a girls camp activity at our camp directors home.


SO FUN! I am so looking forward to camp! The girls accomplished their pre-camp certifications skills such as fire making and cooking. I have been having a good time looking for flower themed items to use for decorations at camp. Since it is spring the stores have an abundance of fun things.
Do something fun today!

Happy April!

April is always a busy month for us - I've never understood why since it falls before the rush of summer but for some reason the calendar gets filled with lots of fun things. Looking forward to Austins 17th birthday this month, General Conference, going camping, Easter and all the activities that involves such as Easter egg hunts and the Mesa Easter Pageant at the temple. Welcome Spring!


(white standing bowl I bought Saturday while hitting the garage sales, the lemons were given to us from friends, I'm enjoying both this morning.)