PLEASE..... Share the wealth!

For those of you that may have missed it, last night there was an amazing rainbow. Troy called me from Smith's and told me I better get a picture before it was gone!

As you can see, the rainbow begins at the Fernandez's and ends at the Scott's.

It has completely missed our house. Therefore, we are NOT, I repeat, not in possession of the pot of gold presumably at either the Fernandez's or the Scott's. Should you feel so inclined, please offer a prayer on our behalf that some of their wealth will rub off on us!

Below is my favorite picture. You can see the double rainbow and the reflected light of the rainbow almost lights up the trees!

E.E......

Okay so Max had a little collision at school last week, nothing serious. But I have to say it is a little disconcerting when the school calls and leaves a message like this, "Hi, this is Foothills Elementary. We're calling because Max had a little accident at recess today. He's okay but he's laying down in the office. We are required to call you when there's a head injury involved. Anyway, he's okay and we'll send him back to class." HEAD INJURY?!?!?!

Max has had the best teacher at the entire school, Mrs. Ault, so I know she would have called me personally if it had been serious. Still, I can't help wondering why we fill out those information sheets at the beginning of the school year-you know the ones, they have your cell phone number on them-more than once!

It wasn't anything serious, a pretty good black eye. I wanted to call him 'Bruiser' but we settled on 'E.E'. Imgaine my little Max's thought process...black eyes are like bruisers which are like shiners, which are like goose eggs, that are like Easter Eggs and since that is just too long to say, it's E.E.

This is Day 3 Road to Recovery!

To the Best Dad ever!!!!

With it being Father's day this Sunday, I wanted to take just a minute to tell Troy how much I really love him!

He is, by far the best dad in the world. He is a great provider and care giver but it goes much farther than that. He is the best friend to the three people that mean the most to me in this world.

SO here's to the best friend, coach, brother, brother in-law, son, uncle, husband, 'Rock Band' singer, lover, partner and best of all, DAD!

We Love you Troy!

My Lady's Man!

So Max came home from school yesterday and said, "Recess was all about relationships today." Just stated that. No explanation. Curious, I started to ask a questions or two. Turns out one of his friends is "boyfriend/girlfriend" with one of his other friends. (Name have been omitted to protect the children-but if you think it's yours, call me!) So I asked him, "Oh, so you must be giving him advice, right?" He gave me this look that I swore if I didn't turn away I was going to bust! Then he said, "No mom, he gets all the ladies and he gives me the advice." Then last night he got online and had to do some love meter test-had to check to see what it was for Troy and I. BTW, we're 77.5%! This morning he panicked wondering where the jeans were that he wore last night. We found them and he as so relieved. He had been at the Fernandez's last night and Brooklyn gave him a fortune cookie that evidently had significant value. He had to go show it to his love mentor at school. Here's his fortune! So, here's my plea.....let's as parents discourage "going together" in the fourth grade! I have dealt with the worst crap with teenagers of late and would love to cherish the few elementary years we have left!!!! I love my little Max and hope someday he will find his "Happily ever after" I would just prefer that he graduates elementary school first!

The Church is still true-even Sunday's at 1pm!

Our ward, the Cedar Point Ward is, for lack of a better word, homeless! Due to some much needed remodeling, our ward house is closed for the summer. It seems in the ten years we have lived out here, we always seem to be in the ward that whenever there as been a boundary realignment, we get stuck with the 1-4 pm schedule. It is the most undesirable schedule- especially in the summer! Not to mention that today we counted 6 ward houses we passed on the way to our temporary new home! At first I thought maybe I was being punished for not being more stalwart but then quickly realized that could not be the case because I live among the best neighbors ever!

We moved to this neighborhood ten years ago, May 1999 when we built our house on Van Cott Peak Dr. Then five years ago, we got the opportunity to build again, two blocks away. We jumped at the chance to build our dream home in the neighborhood we had come to love
so much.

In that time, we have had several ward boundary changes, the stake has grown from what was 1 stake to 4 stakes and many bishops, Bishop Shakespeare, Bishop Roth, Bishop Hale, Bishop Davis, Bishop Hart, Bishop Ollis and currently Bishop Bronson (hope I didn't forget one!). Which is interesting considering that a bishop is usually asked to serve for about 5 years! When we first moved here, the neighborhood was surrounded by farms. Now I find we are surrounded by chapels and temples!

On a clear day from my bedroom window I can see three amazing temples, Jordan River, Draper Temple and most currently, our temple, the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.

I can't help but think that I am witnessing a miracle. I am witnessing the prophecy of temples dotting the land. I am a witness to the truthfulness of the Church. I am so very grateful for the gospel and the security and happiness it provides.

So this summer as we make the long drive all the way to the Cove for church on Sunday, at the awful hour of 1 p.m., I will be ever grateful to those pioneers whose trek to this valley was more strenuous than a 7 minute car ride. Who lost their loved ones before their journey was through. Who likely suffered many unmentionable trials but did it in the name of faith. This summer I will recommit myself to do a little less murmuring and have a lot more faith!

Pride is of the Devil?!?!?!

Okay, how can I not be so proud of my kids? I love them so very much! We have had such a busy schedule lately, where do I begin?
Max has kept us smiling! We love to watch him play baseball and tonight is the last game as a PeeWee. Next year he'll play in the Minor's, the 9 and 10 year olds! Can you believe that's my baby!?! They took first place again this year and Max can hardly wait for the BIG trophy! That's the real reason he played-the big trophy and the snow cones.

Kaiti just finished the Oquirrah Mountain Temple Celebration. What a fantastic opportunity that has been to sing and dance for the Prophet! In addition to the Temple Celebration, she has been working really hard for dance Competition. Her team took a first and a second at Nationals on May 16th at Lagoon. She has been working at the snack shack too, making the big bucks! She is really coming into to her own now. She has such a great sense of humor and a bubbly personality. Next week she heads off to Oakcrest Camp. She'll get to bunk with her cousin Kylie and her friend Megan. We know she'll have a fabulous time, we'll miss her!

Troy got a call from Alex's principal last Friday. He left the message that Alex wasn't in trouble, but please call him back. When Troy called him back, he explained that Alex would be receiving a very prestigious award. He was very complimentary when he talked about Alex and how much they have enjoyed having him there at Fort Herriman. Today was the day of the award assembly. We were so very proud to hear he was awarded the Presidential Academic Achievement award and pin for maintaining a 3.5+ GPA for all 3 years at Fort Herriman. Then they went on to the big awards. The principal explained that these awards were for achievement in various areas, English, Science, etc. They could and should be compared to the Sterling Scholar Program on the High School Level. Alex was nominated and voted by the faculty for Achievement in P.E. We love our little athlete! We are so excited for his achievement and willingness to push himself to the next level. Next week he heads off to football camp at Utah State. Excited and glad we won't have to coordinate rides to and from practices for the week, but we will miss him!

I just have to say how grateful I am to my good husband who provides so well for us and is so supportive of our kids. He wants to be there for everything they do and although sometimes it is a logistical nightmare, he does whatever it takes. Gosh, how lucky am I to have such a good family? Sometimes I just don't feel worthy for this great blessing. I know we are all far from perfect, but today, well, it feels pretty close! Here's a little video montage of our last three months or so! This would be the longest post in history if I tried to put them all in!