You Are Snow White!

Pure and trusting. You are a gentle soul who can get along with just about anyone. Everyone you meet instantly falls in love with you. How can they resist? You have a pure, lovable nature that's irresistable. Just don't trust everyone who comes across your path.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

New beginnings...

Since Tanner was going to a new school where no one already knew him & he didn't have a reputation, Eli & I explained to him that this was a new beginning for him...people weren't already expecting him to act a certain way and he could control what people thought of him, by the way he presented himself . The teachers & kids at Monticello wouldn't know if Tanner had been the smartest, the wise-cracker, the class clown or the bully.

Eli told him that he could be whoever he wanted to be. When first presented with this idea, Tanner's response was "how can I be whoever I want to be...I'm Tanner" & Eli explaind that he could even go by a different name if he wanted to...he considered Riley (his middle name) or Tre (his initials) but decided he really liked being Tanner.

That's what I like about new beginnings...it's a chance to keep the parts you like & improve the things you'd like to change.

Go Forth & Serve...

So, my nephew Spencer went into the MTC today & I was lucky enough to go with my sister Suzy to "drop him off"...for lack of a better way to say it. What a wonderful spirit there is a the MTC...My mother-in-law has been a volunteer there for years & now I know why she loves it so much! To see all these young men & women so excited to serve our Heavenly Father and feel their spirit as they sang "Called to Serve" not only brought a tear to my eyes, but gave me goose-bumps! Spencer has such a great spirit & enthusiasm about the gospel I'm sure he will be a TANFASTIC missionary!

Where did summer go?

I can't believe it's already time for school to start...where did the summer go!

Connor started all but his math class last Tuesday...math starts Wednesday when UVU's Fall semester begins. Tanner & Eli start at their new school tomorrow.

As we were finishing up our back-to-school shopping this weekend, I realized summer is pretty much over. For going by as fast as it did, we actually got quite a bit accomplished...

How we spent our Summer Vacation:
Trips:
- 2 trips to California
- 1 trip to Lagoon
- Week-long rafting trip
- One week long camping trip & several overnighters
Movies:
- Ironman (more than once for Connor)
- Dark Knight
- Hell Boy II
- Prince Capsian
Projects:
- Built new balcony banister
- Painted the house
- Lots of yard work
- Connor helped Evan who is remodeling Norm's multiplex.
Visitors:
- Grandpa Thomas...stayed with us for 2 weeks

- Suzy...picked up Spencer @ BYU...coming back Wednesday to take him to the MTC
- David & Lisa...annual summer visit from Louisana

Maybe...

Last night was "Back-to-school Night" for Eli & Tanner...Their school starts Monday. Eli is going to be teaching 8th & 9th grade Graphic Arts at a Middle School up in West Valley & Tanner is going to be attending there also. Back-to-school was from 6-9, but Eli just stayed at the school, since he was required to be there from 8-3.

On the way there, as Tanner & I were driving in car, he asked if on the way home we could stop at Blockbuster to rent a video. My response was "Maybe" & Tanner said, "I know what maybe means"..."No."

His comment got me to thinking that actually for me "Maybe" means "probably not"...this time it actually meant "Yes" though!

You're Never Too Big for a Hug!

Connor has been down in Oceanside visiting his cousins since Friday & got home today while I was at work. When I walked in the front door, he came bouncing out of the kitchen saying "Hug!" Connor has always been a hugger...it's kind of his way of saying "I love you." It's funny...at that moment in my minds eye he was four years old again, greeting me with his ever popular "Hug!" It's good to know that even though he's a teenager and about 4 inches taller than me he hasn't outgrown his famous "Hugs!"

(Connor wouldn't let me take a pic, so I found one from his rafting trip last month)

There's hope...

We have had a lot of “projects” to do around the house and yard this summer, and the boys have really worked hard. Eli & I tried to make sure we also had opportunities for fun & adventure to make sure that summer wasn’t all work & no play. But when it’s time to work, the boys seem to forget about the goods times…with all the complaining & arguing it’s almost easier to do it without their help!

Eli & I have wondered many times if we are getting the points of being reliable & having a good work ethic across to Connor & Tanner…but we must be doing something right. On several different occasions this week I’ve had people mention how reliable & hardworking my boys are. It’s nice to know that even though they whine and complain about helping at home, when it comes to serving others they are willing to pitch in and work hard.

Can I complain...

In May I started working at Utah Valley University in the Legal Studies office, and I am SO tired of people calling because they have a legal problem & need a lawyer. When I politely tell them that although most of the professors are practicing attorneys they do not give legal advice, the person invariably will begin telling me what their problem is! UG! Did they not hear me...we don't give legal advice! And telling me your problems is not going to change the policy...it's just going to waste both of our time!

Okay...I'm done complaining!

Other than that, I LOVE my new job! I really enjoyed my job at Utah State Prison, but now not only do I enjoy my job...but it only takes 10 minutes to get there & I only have to fill my gas tank every other week! The tuition benefit is pretty nice too!