Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to my family and friends!

Our family has enjoyed many changes this year. Graduation to starting first grade, we covered it all.
Jared has been in Mexico 4 weeks now. He is so happy! He writes amazing letters which helps us enjoy his mission with him.We are looking forward to being able to Skype with him on Christmas.
Katelyn had a fun tennis season, she is enjoying developing her talents with tennis. She also got her drivers license which is AWESOME!! She just finished up helping with Silver Rush at the high school. They were raising funds for the Olive Osmond hearing aid foundation. She did "odd jobs" for donations in 8* weather. She made scones for the camp out. And she participated in many other activities. The school raised over $129,000!! Breaking last years record. Her biggest lesson learned was that all the small and simple things add up. Every little thing done was the reason they had great success.
Tyler played baseball, football and now is playing basketball. (those are the 3 seasons in my house) He played football for the first time and loved it. He was the kicker and averaged 35 yards per kick-off. He is in the fourth grade and is learning to play the recorder. He is very good and is even teaching himself the songs on the piano.
Jason started all day school. He is loving it! He is a very good reader, likes math and art projects. He also seems to like girls, and they like him (grrr, hands off, he's mine!) he is more independent every day.
Brent is working at Eagle Electric. Work has been steady which is so nice! He was called to serve on the High Council which has brought new meeting and responsibilities.
I am enjoying watching a chapter in our lives close, while a new one opens. I'm glad we didn't have all of our kids at the same time, and I am glad they didn't all leave at the same time. I am doing hair more now, as I have 6 whole hours to myself 5 days a week!
All in all, life is good. We are so blessed. Merry Christmas!

Viva las Mexico

Monday morning, Jared starts his journey to Mexico. Of course, he starts out by going to Atlanta, like you do, then will be picked up at the airport by Austin Emch, who is an a.p. I know Jared will be glad to see a familiar face. I mailed his Christmas stuff today and the extra items he forgot (like baptism clothes lol) He's likely opening it now.  I'm pretty excited. We love him so much and are so extremely proud.

This is the sign the boys hit on the way out of their apartment (such a boy thing)

I never thought Jared's handwriting would make me so happy. It's a great lesson when getting on your kids about their handwriting. Someday it will make you smile like nothing else could.

I know he's where the Lord needs him, and I know he's in the Lords hands. It makes me smile. 

Katelyn's first date

Katelyn went on her first date tonight. (sniff, sniff) Her date is one of her good friends. It was to the Halloween dance at school and there costumes were 80's tennis players.

Quinn is Jared approved, so that's good. And Katelyn is beautiful!!

Missionary Elder Jared B Barton

 Arms length :)

What a fun experience! Before Jared was set apart as a full-time missionary, we took some pics. Here are just a few. What a ride. He's been in the MTC for 6 days now and we got a letter from him on Saturday. We love our boy, we couldn't be happier at the choices that he has made throughout his life that brought him to where he is today.
This post was supposed to go on Jared's Missionary blog. I'm sure that I'll fix it someday, but until then, I'm leaving it on mine :)

Today is a normal summer day, kids are playing/fighting.playing. Katelyn started her tennis matches. She has decided that I am bad luck, when I come watch she loses. When I can't come, she wins. So, we'll see how that goes.  Elementary starts in a week and one day. Katelyn starts in a week in and a half. Jared goes to the MTC in 62 days.
Life is good.
Brent and I, and several family members attended the temple with us as Jared went for the first time. It was an amazing experience. Words can not describe the joy we felt. Jared has even picked up a shift to work at the baptismal  font (4:30-7:30 a.m.) He is enjoying the experience. I wish I could slow time down right now. It's ironic, because I spent a lot of time wishing years away. I love my family, I love the Gospel. I love the peace we feel when we are living the standards the Lord want us to be living.
(Thank you Molly for bring a camera, it was the last thing on my mind) We went to the Timpanogas Temple which was beautiful

I'm back, for now

It has been a long time since I posted here. I get caught up in reading other things online and never seem to make time to come up with something cleaver enough to put on my blog. Today, I just feel like expressing my gratitude for my family and counting my blessings.

This school year has been a strange milestone for our family. We have a senior in High School one end and a Kindergartner at the other. As gradation gets closer, and Jared works toward going on a mission, I am forced to look at how my family is going to dramatically change.  Guess what....I'm excited! The changes aren't as scary to me as much as they used to be.

So, here's my quick update on the kids. Jared is finishing up HS with a bad case of "Senioritis". It's a good thing he loves baseball or I don't think he'd be at school as much. His team is making a run for the state champs. In this photo, they had just won the Region title. He passed everyone by who was trying to congratulate him and ran straight to hug me!(small tears right now) He pitched the entire game and lead the team to a victory.
(blogger is new since my last visit and I can't put my text with the appropriate picture just yet.)

Katelyn is finishing up her Sophomore year and getting excited to get her driver's license. She starts tennis soon,and has grown so much spiritually this year. I am blessed with one beautiful,super helpful daughter. I can't imagine what I'd do with out another girl in the house. She is so close to her brothers. It's been fun for her to be back in school with Jared. he has a way of intimidating "unwanted suitors". One time a boy came up behind Katelyn and put his arms around her and Jared took her 2 inch thick biology and wacked him on the forehead with it. The boy hasn't touched her since. (Katelyn is grateful)

Tyler is an all out stud. He's finishing up 3rd grade, although he acts like a much older boy. He has always been the most responsible member of the family. (me included)
He has so much fun at what ever he is doing, as long as it's not school work. Tyler has a unique bond with each of his siblings. He's such a great kid, it's fun to see his personality evolve.

Jason is far to mature for his age. He hangs out at the ball park a lot, and can sweet talk Jared's friends (girls) into anything. Whether it's playing on their phones or hanging in the snack shack, he always finds a nice girl to blink his blue eyes at, and they melt. (yes, I'm worried) Last night, at the park, a girl brought him a cinnamon pretzel. Jared joked that Jason is a ladies man to which Jason replied, "it's probably because mom combs my hair so nice".

Life is good. I think I spent 2 years worrying about what this year would feel like. With all the crazy ups and downs, it's nice to just feel happy...and blessed.

Jared just pitched to help his team win Region champs!!

Katelyn is all baseballed out

Tyler is just starting his baseball "glory days"

Jason is my best bud, I'm going to miss him when he's in 1st grade