Distracting!

The mountains here can be so distracting especially when I am working out or driving. I just can't get enough of these views and I'm so grateful I am surrounded by them!! 

Unexpected

The movers that packed our house here in Texas delivered and unloaded our belongings in Utah. When they pulled up to our house in Utah the first thing they said to Aaron was, "Wow. This is not what we expected." Haha. That makes me laugh! 

A friend of mine posted this photo of the moving truck being unloaded. 

I'm trying hard to look past all the boxes and mess to see the big trees and the fall colors. I'm trying to also look past all the leaves that need to be raked a before the first snowfall. I'm learning to see the good and there is a lot of good in this photo. 

This house will once again be home and that is a beautiful thing even if it is a bit unexpected. 

Surprise!!

AJ's friends through him a surprise going away party tonight! He didn't know anything about it until he was "kidnapped" from the neighborhood gas station. The problem is the kids waiting at the house didn't know he was on his way there until AJ and his "kidnapper" pulled up. They stood there shocked for a minute and then yelled "Surprise!"

They had pizza and played Minute to Win It games. Then they decided to take some photos of all of them holding up AJ. The problem is the girls were in the middle where the heaviest part of his body is so it didn't work out as well as they thought. 

These kids make me laugh. I'm so grateful for all of the wonderful friends that my kids have had here in Texas. I'm grateful that social media will make it easier to stay in touch. 

This Happened Today

A really good friend of ours was on a business trip to Toronto. His corporate offices are just five minutes away from Esteban's apartment so he took him little gift from us and breakfast.

I'm so jealous Rob got to see him today. I miss Esteban so much!!  I just want to hug him and touch his face and know that he is real. Having said that I am so happy about where he is and what he is doing. I would want him anywhere else.

Seminary Squad

I took this photo this morning in Seminary. Whenever I have looked at it throughout the day, I smile. 

This is the best Seminary class in the church!! They are great kids! They come every day, they participate, they ask questions. I hope and pray that they feel it. That they feel the Spirit and know that is is true and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is very real. I love and pray for them on a daily basis. 

Who knew that teaching from the Old Testament at 6:00 in the morning could be so much fun! 

Done and Done

We received an offer this morning on our house. It was for the full asking price and they are paying for it in cash so we don't have to worry about financing. We will close at the end of September then rent it from them for the month of October. That is the ideal timing for our family!  It is a huge blessing!

The family that bought our house is from India. They moved to the area from Atlanta three months ago but haven't been able to find a house they liked. They fell in love with this house! I took time this morning to take photos of some of the things that I love about this house. I realized it is kind of like loosing a family member. When we leave this home it will feel like I am leaving a piece of me behind.  I realized that a house is not really important. It is just brick and materials. A home is a feeling. It's memories and emotions all wrapped into one. 

For Sale

Our house has been for sale for 24 hours. There have been three people look at it. All three want to buy it. One offer was way too low. Another offer will come tomorrow morning. Now we all know why we are selling this house and moving back to our house in Utah. 

5th Grade

Vanessa started 5th grade today, the top of the elementary school. She is excited to have a male teacher for the first time. She is not excited that she doesn't have any friends from last year in her class. She knows it means she can make new friends but it is hard at first. She rocked , tthat pixie cut!! 

7th Grade

Savanah started 7th grade this year in a brand new middle school. She did great finding all her classes and didn't have any problems with her new locker. She loved the fact that her new principal directed traffic and walked around the lunchroom with a light saber. She is sad she will only be in the new school for a few months. 

Junior Year

AJ's first day of his junior year of high school. As you can see he left early this morning for weight training and returned home late from football practice. Needless to say he was starving! He drove himself to school for the first time ever. He gives me lots of hugs and has stepped nicely into the "oldest child at home" role. Man, I really do love this kid!