John

John took john phone before the game and headed to the floor. Then he found a friend and sat on the 10th row. Funny kid. Alec Burks said he could have a picture if he tagged him. Done. 

They were there with Thomas and Jack and their junior jazz teams. 

John and Thomas

John golfs. Amazing....8 balls at once!

Johns jv golf season ended up ending well. They finally got him on the list and he got to play coming in third or fourth. Just in time for the season to end. 

He really wants to work at a golf course next year and golf to his hearts content. It's been a good thing for him. He loves it and so do we. 

Thomas raps!!  Caught him practicing in the mirror. It was a rap about the brain that he did with a group but lucky kid had a solo. 

Golf

John plays on the JV team at Viewmont. He keeps getting the shaft. The first couple tournaments, the coach hadn't added his name to the list. The other day he was sick and was in flip flops and had a bad practice game so the coach told him he wouldn't be playing the tournament the next day. John told him how good his score was two other times this week and I guess the coach put him on the list to play and he could have played but he didn't tell John that. So frustrating.  The coaches are so unorganized.  It's been ridiculous. 

Today John asked if Leah and I wanted to come hit balls with him. It's raining and my hair is straight and I have a Utah league of towns dinner with John tonight and didn't want to have to do my hair again so I'm watching while John and Leah play. (I promise if I didn't have the dinner in a couple hours, I'd be out there letting my hair get wet). :)

This kid has matured so much the last few months. I think it's part getting his thyroid under control and part just growing up. He's much more mature than me. I'm a baby and he deals with me better than I deal with anything. He's been getting along so much better with the other kids and really has "tried a little harder to be a little better" over and over again. I'm so proud of him. 

He likes high school and seems to have gotten out of the funk that the second half of his 9th grade year put on him. 

He's finished with drivers Ed and got 98% on the driving test. I actually enjoy driving around with him. 

He's first counselor in the teachers quorum, has some good friends, is doing well in his classes, and is a fun person to be around. I sure do love him. 

Oh!!  And that cute girl by him?  She's my sidekick and even though I get a lot less done and everything is slower and harder with her around, I wouldn't trade it for anything. She'll be off to school before I know it and gone too soon like that big brother of hers. Times just keeps ticking. 

Two missionaries

We have two new missionaries today. Called for 7 days. Emily to Brisbane Australia and john to Milan Italy. They have mission presidents and companions and its going to be a great week. They have guidelines that our family will be following such as no tv, only church music, 30 minutes scripture study, and many others. They report to the MTC Monday at 6am. They have daily morning sides at 6am and daily evening devotional. They have a breakfast Saturday morning then will teach three families, including inactive families, then will have lunch with their last family. They will be released Sunday during sacrament meeting. John and I get to participate by helping with meals and preparing the breakfast Saturday and john will be the musical number during the evening devotional Wednesday. It's going to he a good week. The spirit is already present and strong.
We've got good kids.
John and I spent time on a three day trip to St. George we just returned from, discussing our kids and our family and seeking guidance through prayer and in the temple of how to help the spirit in our home and how to create a better atmosphere with more love.
This week is a perfect way to get started. We are grateful.
Lights out at 10:30, in 15 minutes, and we'll be up at 5:30 in the morning. Whew.
I love my family. And my ward. And people.
We had a great talk visiting with johns parents today. The church is true. It is real and WE HAVE to be strong and teach our children to be strong. They need to be strong enough, obedient enough, and dedicated enough to this gospel and building the kingdom, that our posterity will conquer satan and the evil in this world. I don't have many passions but I am deeply passionate about this. It is becoming more and more evident how deep we are into the last days.
Choose The Right!!!!!

Grant was also called to Italy.

Yep.

It's been a nice weekend.  John and I didn't even go spend money to go to dinner.  Friday night was spent cleaning our house; John did the cutting in of the painting in the laundry room bathroom and I made two batches of strawberry jam.  At 10:00, we made a run to Pizza Pie Cafe where we saw Lisa, John, Caroline, Charlie, and Caroline's friend, Rachel.  We were given some pizza to take home (that we've eaten all day today) and we visited and helped clean up.  It was a nice evening.

We slept in this morning and took it easy for the first half of the day.  There were no sports, no fighting, the house was mostly clean, and Zach and Caleb were here playing.  Jack was at Anna's playing.  We finally decided to get to work and finished the painting, John removed the toilet and replaced it with a better toilet but before he could finish, we decided we'd take an hour to run out to Kate's to pick up my grandma's car.

When Kate read a post on here about little John getting his permit, she decided John should get grandmas car.  She said that since it was given to her, she would pass it on to John.  He has been so excited and we finally had a day not full of stuff to do.  (yeah for basketball season being over, even though we loved it). 

We got to her house just before 5 and couldn't get it started.  Finally at 6:30, John bought a new battery.  He put it in, it started right up, and somehow the doors got locked with all three sets of keys inside.  Sweet.  He waited TWO HOURS for the locksmith to come.  Sadly, he forgot or something that we have paid for Triple A and could have had it taken care of for free.  Instead, two hours and $65 later, he was on his way.  With 2% battery in his phone left.  That worried him just because we weren't sure how the car would run.  I had left at 6:30 to get Jack and Sam from Jolie's house while John bought the battery.  We assumed he'd be right behind us.

John made it home at 9:15.  While he was gone, I bathed and fed all the kids and got them ready for bed so he helped put them in bed and ate dinner and it is now 10:00.  When we left Jolie's house, we pulled over to the side of the road and said a prayer for John.  We asked him to be blessed with patience and for there to be a quick and easy solution.  It wasn't as quick and easy as we had hoped but it worked.  We saved money by NOT going out to eat this weekend and instead spent that money plus some to get the car running and unlocked.  :) 

The thought that has been in my mind is "Choose to be happy" and we did.  We are grateful to be given a car for little John.  We are grateful for wonderful grandparents who took great care of their cars and homes and everything that we get to be blessed with it so many years later.  We are grateful that John's phone battery lasted, just in case, and that he made it home safe and sound.  He said it drives nice and will be great for John. 

Emily uses a bedroom set from my grandma's house and it's pretty neat.  We feel lucky to have so many memories of her around our house and now to drive around town. 

Well, the car is a 1989 Oldsmobile eighty eight and has 77,000 miles.  It was brand new and purchased by my grandparents 24 years ago.  I was 11.  Now my oldest son is 15 and is the beneficiary.  Who knew!!!

It was nice to visit with Kate and see how much work she has done cleaning and organizing and redoing so much of her house and yard.  It is looking really nice and I am so happy for her.  I missed my dad.

Jolie and I don't see each other or talk to each other very often and so it was nice when she called last night and we ended up getting all of our kids together to play.  They get along so well and they always have such a great time together.  I am so grateful for that and sad we don't get together weekly.  We should.  Life is about family and people and being together. 

We are blessed and we are grateful and we are happy to be home safe and sound.  Even if we didn't get to finish even one little project.  Life goes on.  :)

So cute!  Passing the keys from one generation, to the next, to the next, to the next.  Awesome!
 (even though we jumped over that third generation and went straight to the fourth.)

Bright

This is what john wore to school today. I love it.

15

Yes.  15.

Little big John went to Pizza Pie Cafe with 7 friends a couple days before his birthday then went golfing in St. George with his dad and Uncle John for his birthday.  He ate at Iggy's and can't understand why we haven't taken him there before because it was so good.  The kids put together a treasure hunt for him to find his gifts (a few of his favorite things) and everyone made him a card.  I missed having him around on his birthday but am so glad he got to go on a mini vacation with his dad. When he gt back, he made a wish, at least I told him to, and sent off a Chinese lantern.

My son is one year from driving and dating and today, after solo and ensemble that my son participated in, I was asked if I was his sister.  The mom said, "you look alike so I just thought....".

I told John it was because I still have acne.  Not because I look young.

This boy is getting tall.  He is skinny.  And I adore him.

He is trying hard lately to step it up around here.  Not in the helping around the house kind of way.  Even better.  He is trying to be more kind and show more love.  And it's working.  It doesn't hurt that there is this girl that he likes and I think she motivates him to do better and try harder.  (and he's pretty sure he's going to marry her.  Is that normal?)

John takes thyroid medication and it helps him get through his days.  We think it also has fixed whatever was giving him migraines.  He is also going to a chiropracter once a week for a while.  He contorts his body in the strangest ways and I thought it would be good to be looked at.  The dr. is helping his hips and back. 

John's a good kid.  He tries hard and gets good grades.  He sings well and the mom who spear headed the solo ensemble said he has a great voice.  He is super sensitive.  He doesn't like to hear if he is doing something not perfect.  He gets really down and hard on himself.  Reminds me of me and his uncle Mark. 

He wanted to have friends over last weekend and John and I were hosting a high priest social so little John cleaned the entire house and it looked good.  Amazing what he can do when he puts his heart in it.

He can't wait to get his drivers permit and I'm not sure why we haven't gone to get it yet.  Guess I should get on that.  He's not complaining but I know he'd love it. 

John is obsessed with Nike Elite socks, NBA jerseys, and nutella on toast.  He loves hoodies and watching games on tv, and playing basketball.  He still plans to be in the NBA when he grows up.  He hopes to go to BYU and he will make an amazing husband one day. 

He dreamt he went to Ohio on his mission and is pretty sure it will come true.  He works out every evening and doesn't like that he is still so skinny.  He is smart and gets good grades and EVERY BODY.  SERIOUSLY.........EVERY BODY.......at school loves John and think she is great.  He is kind to everyone and doesn't have a mean thing to say about anyone.  He is an impressive kid.  His biggest struggle is in the home.  He is so great everywhere else he goes, that home is the place he lets out all the frustration but like I said earlier, he is really trying and it's showing and I'm impressed.

The other night we were arguing a bit and having a chat in his room.  At the end of it, I choked up (and full blown bawled when I left his room) because I have 3 short years left with my baby.  He'll be heading on a mission and to school and marriage and who knows what else when he gets back. 

John and I have been discussing vacations and I asked little John where he would like to go.  He doesn't care.  He likes home the best and the cabin second.  I guess we need to spend as much time as we can at the cabin this summer because next summer he might have a job.  Yuck.  I'm losing him.  At least that's how it feels.

My heart aches with love for this kid.  I have way too many regrets with him but also know I can't do anything about them but try harder as time goes on.  And it's hard.  Hard because I have such a short time left that I don't know if I can make a difference in the ways I've messed up. 

I hope he knows that I completely adore him and love him and would do anything for him.  I hope he knows that he made me a mother and that's the greatest thing I could ever ask for. 

I just want to hug him and cuddle him and hold him again.  I want to go back to when he was little and not try so hard but just sit and love and laugh with him more. 

I read to little John more than to any of my kids.  I spent more time adoring him and showing him off than I have any of the others.  I think I also expect so much more of him. 

He is just amazing and I love him dearly and I can't believe he is working on another year and just getting taller and older and wiser and better.

I love you John John.  I am sorry for my many many shortcomings in being your mother and I hope you know or will know one day how deep my love is for you.

Happy 15th birthday and the happiest of your 16th year!  I LOVE YOU.

Ice storm

It was awesome. We've never seen anything like it. There was a layer of ice on everything including the snow. It made for a nice afternoon and evening home with family.
A truck slid into the end of our driveway and hot stuck. We had to put down salt and chip away the ice so he could get out.
So many kids were falling coming home from school, including every one of our kids.

Temple Walk

The Young Men and Young Women in our ward walked from the Bountiful Temple to the Salt Lake Temple.  It took them six hours.  The Relief Society provided lunch for them and any families who wanted, met them at a church near the temple at the end of the walk.  The bishop spoke for a few minutes then we all walked together to the temple grounds.  It was a neat day and a neat accomplishment.  

This is the day that little John was completely EXHAUSTED.  To the point that we knew something was wrong.  He wasn't well.  He was given a blessing by his dad and cousin Nathan and on Monday we took him to the doctor.  Diagnosed with hypothyroidism. 

John and Emily are great teenagers.  They act like teenagers and John and I are working on having more patience but man we sure love these two.

He is wearing pants.

But he wasn't for a moment.  Oh the joy of a teenage well check.

5'8" - 75%
111 lbs. - 40%

Clean bill of health and now approved for his stake adventure camp next month. 

I love this kid.

John is a working man now.  He was determined to get a job and even though he was discouraged many times to not waste his time at Bangerter Farms, he did it anyway and he likes it.  He is a fast worker and it's going well. 

I told him I wouldn't be okay with him just trying it and quitting.  I told him if he's going to do it then he needs to work hard and really do it. 

I figure the people who complain about it aren't hard workers.  They're the kids that don't want to put forth the effort.  Those that like it and make good money are the kids who work hard and put forth the effort.

I don't like this growing up business.  I am LOVING that summer is just days away and I can do my best to soak up my kids all summer.

Surgery

Wow.  I didn't realize this wasn't posted.  It's been in draft.

Little John had leg correction surgery on his left leg.  Four years after the same surgery on his right leg.  Technically speaking.....rotational osteotomy of the femur with rod placement.

It was a rough first few days.  Oh it was sad.  he cried and cried and we cried and cried.  Mostly Emily and me.  But it has now been two months and he came home from school the other day and said " I was quarterback in football in gym today".  Oh heavens!!  He should still be using one crutch.  It is so nice to see him walking again. 

We've been going to the boys baseball games.  Last night I asked him if he misses baseball. He said yes.  I asked if we should have waited until after baseball to do the surgery.  He said "no because then I wouldn't get to play golf this summer and golf messes up my baseball swing."  He's decided golf is his sport so we're going to run with it.  Yeah!  I told him that's smart because he can play until he's 90 and it is a great skill to have in business.  That led to the conversation of why it's good in business and I saw a glimpse of the future of my oldest son.  Wow. I love him.  I am so glad these surgeries are behind us. 

This morning we got to review 2 weeks of health class learning about the birds and the bees, the reproductive system, abstinence, AIDS, STD's, our families rules and commitments, and ultimately what Heavenly Father has blessed us with and how to use it properly. 

I told him when I was in 8th grade, my mom said "do you have any questions?"  I said no and she signed it.  He asked why I couldn't be that way.  I think it's important to discuss and if he ever has any questions or problems, we've already been very open with each other and hopefully that will make it easier and more comfortable to come to me with uncomfortable business.  I know it will work that way because my kids are already very open with me and I love it!!!!

I love you John!

Let me make this right. I was so glad my mom just asked if I had any questions. I didn't want to discuss it with her and I did not fault her for it. I don't know how I ended up being so open with my kids but I am.
I would NEVER trade my mom!!! She was the best mom EVER for Jolie, ryan, and me. We are who we are because of her. And I think she did a pretty great job raising us.

Lacrosse and Three handle mug

The first Lacrosse game we were able to sit and watch Thomas play.  It is awesome.  What a great sport and Thomas loves it!  He's decided Lacrosse, Basketball, and Golf are his sports.

Love you Thomas.

Little John bought this three handled mug at a yard sale maybe 8 or so years ago.  We love it because he loved it so much and one of the handles broke off and it went in the garbage.  Sad.  maybe we should have glued it back on and kept it.  Everytime I saw it I thought of my cute little boy.  Hm.

Love you John.

Champions

Emily played on the YW basketball team and they made it all the way to the championship game then lost by a couple points.
They played great and at the end of the championship,  the region director lady came and told our girls that she's never seen girls play with so much heart.
That was the biggest compliment of all and makes them the champions.
It was so fun to watch them with the other parents.
Little Johns Teachers team made it to the region game right before the championship and big John made it to the region game right before the championship game with elders quorum. It's been a fun few weeks.
Little john also had a great time on his Jr. Jazz team but had to cut it short for leg surgery.