Back to School

August 17-23

All things back to school. Time to start acting like I'm excited for school to start again when really it ties my stomach up in knots and takes away my sleep and peace of mind. Spencer didn't want to go back cause he said he needed more sleep. Ruth was excited and Emma was anxious {new teachers.}

After getting back super late from the relay I was so grateful for 11:30 church. Although sweet young children never really let you sleep in.

Austin caught a praying mantis

Jane found her voice at church and it was a wrestling match with her AND Lucy. She was quite the pill all day actually.

Monday we had the Bair kids over in the morning. That always makes my kids happy.

Tuesday we headed to Boise for our last summer fun before school started. First stop was lunch at subway. I had a couple tell me I had a well behaved beautiful family. And since you never know what you will get when you go out in public it was a great compliment. I was sure to thank the kids!

I had a Groupon for the Boise Aquarium so we headed there next. Everyone was equally thrilled and excited about watching, studying and touching the sea life. We even got to watch a silly but informative puppet show. Lucy ate it up.

Second stop was miniature golf at Wahooz. I also had coupons there so I didn't have to pay for either activity that day. That's always a bonus. It was quite hot and we are probably the golfers with the worse form but for the majority of the time we had fun. We got cool treats at Sonic on the way home.

Kurt flew home from Nebraska that night {arriving home early early Wednesday morning.} Its always so great to have him home again. Wednesday morning we went over to the school for a teacher "Meet and Greet." We loved seeing the completed gym - it is such a beautiful space!

The rest of the day was spent organizing, and scrapbooking the previous school year. That night we had our back to school party! Dinner, Games {back-2-school charades, Guess Who Teacher Style & 20 questions} and finished off with Father's Blessings.

 I let the kids talk me into getting Jarritos for a special dinner treat. Dad taught them all the very cool trick of music making.

Their blessings were beautiful. I am amazed and blessed by a worthy and wonderful priesthood holder. It is a tender and spiritual experience. I am so grateful.

Lucy
- Learn and soak in all that is taught
- Listen, make good choices and be a friend
- Helpful in nursery and at home

Ruth
- Knowledge and happiness with an open mind to learn
- Heavenly Father knows you
- You have the talent to help others feel loved
- Help others to learn and teach them
- Watch for those that need a hug
- You will be protected and safeguarded from the very appearance of evil
- Read your scriptures and reading will come easier

Spencer
- A blessing of strength, comfort and direction
- Proud of you for your decision this far
- Heavenly Father wants to communicate with you, pray to Him
- As you pray listen for answers
- Be friends with everyone
- Be happy, see the good you are going and focus on that
- You are very talented
- Be a missionary NOW - invite others to activities
- Listen to your teachers
- Continue to read well and love reading
- Understand math that it will be easy to you
- Seek out answers and your testimony will be strengthen
- Protection from the evils of the world
- Choose good friends
- Be a leader and always choose the right

Emma Lynn
- Heavenly Father loves you, He knows you
- Understand His love and feel Him beside you
- Make good friends
- WARNING against bad
- Discern evil and WALK away from it
- Do not fear the unknown
- Share your talents and be a leader
- Read your scriptures and gain a personal testimony
- Be a missionary and invite friends to activities

Austin
- You have many talents and much potential
- Know and understand your potential
- Be an example and leader to siblings
- Stay healthy and fit
- Enjoy sports and being fit
- Enjoy things outdoors
- Be happy with chores and find joy in helping and set an example
- Pray to make strengths from weaknesses
- Great grades and find joy in the sucess of grades
- Good friends - open your mouth when things are wrong
- Understand that your body will change
- Prepare to receive the priesthood
- Treat girls with respect and don't let others talk poorly about women
- Be a great example and leader as you act like the Savior
- Pray to Heavenly Father and ACT as He wants you to
- Don't be afraid to walk away

Me
- Your time is precious. Use it wisely when you are with your children.
- Stay close to the spirit so you will know your children's needs.

 A few fun surprises for the breakfast table

Austin's first day of PREP school as a 6th grader. I thought it would be really sad {and I was} and I thought I was would be super emotional {just a little} about this milestone. As I didn't follow him into the school and as I didn't take his picture by his locker or anything else embarrassing like I wanted to do I had this realization - he is ready for this step. Letting go little by little. He has loved every aspect of the prep school and is very excited about all that is new and happening at the school.

Emma Lynn's first day of 4th grade. This is a big change from 2/3 and especially big this year with 2 brand new teachers. We are sooooo glad that Sister Bodily from our ward got the job as the English teacher. That was a huge relief to Emma and even better is that she started in English week with Sister Bodily. Claire, Yamilex and Lupita were all in her class. Happy Girl!

Spencer's first day in 3rd grade.  Unfortunately when I got to his classroom they were already giving instruction so I couldn't interrupt with more photo taking. He also has a new teacher this year for Spanish, Senorita Vazquez. But he also started in English week with our favorite Mrs. White.

Ruth's first day in 1st grade. Mrs. McDowall and Senora Ruiz. I think all the kids are jealous. Love our 1st grade teachers!! {Sna Ruiz has been a long time sub and this is her first year full time 1st. But all my kids have had her subbing and we are excited to have her permanently.} They changed up 1st a little bit by separating the classes so the kids will have to move according to their week. Ruth started upstairs with Spanish and Senora Ruiz.

I love the happy chatter in the car on the drive home the first weeks of school. There is so much sharing and so much excitement. I just haven't figured out how to maintain that all year!! Like all previous years happy, happy reports. We love 4 Rivers!

Caysen Forsberg got into 6th grade and transferred over. We are excited for them to be apart of such a wonderful school. Austin was a great help to Caysen as he transitioned to new surroundings. I'm grateful for good kids.

Friday morning Darylyn came to watch the little girls, Kurt and I dropped the kids off at school and continued on our way to Portland for Lauren's sealing at 2:30 pm. We were able to stop and eat lunch at the Dalles and still pull into the temple just in time. All the family members made it too {even though we had to wait hahaha.} It was a beautiful sealing. Its a grateful heart to see your young women enter the sealing covenants.

We took pictures with the wedding couple and then went back to do the 5 pm session. After getting out we went to visit a member of our ward who was in bad circumstances {his wife dropped him off to visit his daughter then had divorce papers served an hour later.} Finally ate dinner late that night before driving a few hours down the road to find a motel. Saturday morning we drove the rest of the way to La Grande to attend Kurt's cousin, Josh McFetridge's civil wedding. I cannot {nor do I want} explain the stark differences between the two.

~~~Romans Reflections~~~

The book that bribed Austin to cross country! :) :) :)