Humbled and amazed

Today was a milestone that I do not want to forget. Jared turned 16 at the beginning of November. After his ordination to be a Priest, he knew that he had new responsibilities to fulfill. Fear of public speaking has plagued Jared. He was paralyzed with fear so much that he was unable to stand up to deliver his first talk in Sacrament. So with uneasiness in my heart I knew that there would be another opportunity for him to be filled with fear. Last Sunday, he was asked to help bless the Sacrament. He politely refused and assisted with the other duties of the Aaronic Priesthood. Andy talked to him and I could tell Jared was on the edge of not keeping it together. So rather than force the issue, we let it go. I mean seriously, it would be hard to have the Spirit if the Priest was thoroughly upset. A few words were said at home, nothing too stressful and that was the end of it.

This morning as Jared came down to breakfast, I had the thought to say something about the Sacrament Prayers. However, life was crazy and I did not. Hadley said our morning prayer. Her genuine, childlike, innocent prayer was simple and complete. She was thankful for her church clothes and going to church. We exited the van, Jared and Hunter went to the Chapel, I went with the girls to the Primary room. When I entered the Chapel, Jared was preparing the Sacrament table. He came to my pew to chit chat and I scooted him back up the front. Andy joined us and I mentioned that Jared was looking for some help. So he went up, spoke with Jared, helped him out and sat down. Minutes before we were to begin the meeting, I noticed that Jared was sitting at the Sacrament Table. My throat was tight with anxiety for him. I said a silent prayer for him and felt comforted. He blessed the water. He was calm, cool and collected. He brought a sweet spirit of reverence and peace as he was privileged to offer the prayer. My eyes teared up. He gave the official nod for the other young men to proceed to the front. I knew in this moment, my son had just grown another foot!!! He had done it and succeeded and he felt good. As they dismissed to return to their seats, he had a huge smile on his face. I could tell that he had been touched with the comfort of the Holy Spirit. He had a glimpse of the simpleness of the Gospel. Sometimes it seems to be so scary when all we need to do is trust.

Those moments of my son progressing in the Gospel are coming quicker and quicker. The impact of what he is doing has long term effects. He is just a few years from being eligible for missionary service. I hope that he will be prepared. I pray that I have taught him the important things about love, service, testimonies, scriptures, Jesus Christ, family, independence, happiness and endurance. I know that I have not done it all. I know that my efforts have been magnified by the Lord. I am humbled and amazed to be the mother of this Latter-day Warrior. I pray that my son will continue to be a ray of sunshine wherever he goes. The youth are our future and Jared is a part of that.

Who are these good lookin' people?

Jenna-isms

Jenna's vocabulary is growing daily. It is sooo much fun to listen to her and try to figure out what she is trying to say. Here are a few of her words and there definitions:
ater - water
Hadeyyy - Hadley
Hunter- Hunter
Bubba - Jared
Piggies - feet
p momma - please momma or thankyou
burr - peanut butter
nini- shoes
banket - blanket
binky binky - binky
roll - stroller
Yiyee - Shelly
buckey - bucket
pop - lolipop


All in all she is getting pretty good. She knows her color purple. Hadley is trying to teach her pink. She can make most animal noises. She knows what a "walk" means. She loves to push her baby in the stroller. Winston still does not trust here, for good reason. She is a mean pincher. Hadley screams every time she gets near. Hadley is worried about getting pinched. She is usually in bed by 7:00pm every night. She is usually awake sometime between 6-6:30 am. She loves her binky, can't sleep with out it. She takes medicine very well. She is very proficient in naming and pointing to her body parts and everyone else's also. It took her 16mponths to decide to walk on her own, but now she is keeping up with the best of 'em. She has started having temper tantrums. I am sure her sister is her mentor in that department. Her favorite person to sit with in sacrament is Aunt Shelly. Might have something to do with the chocolate she finds? hmmmm. . . .She has a devilish grin and a great snuggle for anyone who will hold her which is where she prefers to be. Most days she is a delight to have in our home. We love you Jenna baby.

My first born son - Happy Birthday!!

My sweet, precious baby boy is growing up!! This past week we celebrated his 16th birthday. I thought I would pay tribute to him by putting pen to paper and writing 16 wonderful things about him.

1. He is a deep thinker.

2. He plays with kids of all ages.

3. He loves Chinese food.

4. He is a great artist.

5. He thinks very creatively.

6. We can joke about anything together.

7. He can keep up with his Dad on ALL video games.

8. He is officially the tallest person in our home.

9. He gets up by himself for Seminary every day.

10. When he is interested in something, he researches endlessly to gain all of the knowledge that he can.

11. He likes all different types of music. Even old school rock -n - roll.

12. He is excited to learn to drive.

13. He has finished all of his Merit badge requirements in preparation for his Eagle Scout journey.

14. He had completed his Deacons and Teachers Faith in God requirements.

15. He is not embarrassed to give his parents a hug and kiss.

16. I call him sunshine, because he brightens my days. I love him so much and I am so proud of all his accomplishments.

Some of the spooks around our house this year

Shelly was a scary person in a Haunted house. You loose it in the picture but she was wayyyyy green. Hadley did not like her.


We had several people come over this year. One was a friend of Hunter, Abby and Hunter went as Dorothy and the Scarecrow. Too cute!


Some more of the group of kids that came over. Erik (far left) went as an identity thief. Jared was a soul reaper from his show BLEACH. There are some Dr. Who characters, an Albert Einstein, Indian Jones and the Scarecrow. We later had some friends that joined us. They missed the group picture.






Jenna was not feeling so well. She loves her duck towel and often walks around in it. So, that became her costume.

Hadley was a ladybug. She was fine with the idea until she saw all of the princesses running around. She kept it on and that made me happy.

Halloween - 2009

Lest your eyes deceive you, yes that its a UK fan on our Cardinal family page. UMS has a contest every year for its costumes and pumpkin carving. A certain someone took it upon himself to be all festive and participate this year. This is his interpretation of a typical UK fan. It was fun to watch him saunter around with a different stride and lurk around unsuspecting folks. It was so out of character that he really creeped me out. In the end he was a prize winner. Not first place but a winner none the less. Way to go CATS I mean GO CARDS! ( I think!!)









Please take note of the gross teeth. It took a while to grow all that fuzz and plaque.

Autumn in the Blue Grass State - 2009