Spilling the Beans: August 2014

First Day of School 2014

Meeting the new teachers at the open house. Charlotte has Mrs. Welborn. Aliza has Mrs. Williams. And Carmen has Mrs. Shupe. I think it's going to be a fantastic year!

The day before school started Charlotte had kindergarten orientation. She jumped right in that line with the least bit of nervousness and said good bye mom! I was surprised how emotional I got at this point. Good grief, this is my 3rd time sending off a kindergartner. You'd think I'd have the emotions under control by now. But I think it just never gets easier. She's my baby girl and I'm so excited to watch her grow in so many ways.

Everyone popped out of bed bright and early and got ready for school. I know Charlotte was excited because she was finally going to real school. Aliza was so excited about having Mrs. Williams, whom we loved when Carmen had her. And Carmen seemed particularly excited about making some new friends, which I sincerely hope she finds some great ones.

Showing off that lost tooth that came out just two days before the first day of school.

I loved this moment when her big sisters were giving her advice about going to school. I didn't catch the whole conversation, but the part that I heard was Aliza telling her to make sure the bathroom stall is really locked when you are going to the bathroom. I love it!

As we started walking to the bus stop I caught Charlotte doing a happy little leap into the air. I asked her to do it again so I could get a picture of it. Everyone had to try... turned out blurry, but you can sense the excitement.

At the bus stop - not an ounce of nervousness! I was worried because I forgot her name tag that would set her apart as a kindergartner so others would help her. But I learned later that she did fine getting off the bus and finding her way.

I told Aliza and Carmen to be sure to keep an eye on her and help her. But as soon as the bus pulled up Aliza was "out like trout". But Carmen stuck back and made sure Charlotte found her way.

It's hard to see but that's her little head peaking through the second window.

Here's to another awesome year!

First Loose Tooth

Just days before starting kindergarten, this girl lost her first tooth! I can barely stand it all happening all in one week. She's growing too fast!

This all took place pretty late at night. As she was getting ready for bed she made me look at how wiggly her tooth was getting. Then about 10:30 she came to show me how super loose it was. I knew it was either going to fall out during the night or the next morning. She refused to let me pull it. I finally got her in bed and I was just about asleep myself when she came in at 11pm to tell me it had fallen out. Oh the excitement!!! Good thing the Toothy Fairy works late!

Utah/Idaho Trip - Part 5 (this was a LONG trip)

Our trip was quickly coming to an end. We headed back to Utah to try to slip in a few more fun things.

We had plans to meet with some of my VA cousins in Provo Friday night, so that morning we squeezed in Temple Square. It simply was not enough time to see everything there. We walked around the grounds just for a few minutes and then saw the Joseph Smith video. Then we were out of time... so sad we didn't make it over to the Tabernacle or the Conference Center.

I waited ever so impatiently for all the brides to get off the pedestal so we could have a nice family picture, but they didn't seem to even notice us waiting there. I was pretty frustrated that we didn't get a decent picture, or that my kids would even pose half decently. When will they realize that the quicker they are to pose correctly and smile while looking at camera, the less pictures I'll snap each time and the less yelling I will do?!?!

Temple Touching: I loved the story of the grandfather who took his small granddaughter on a special trip to the temple for her birthday. As the young girl placed her hand on the door of the temple, the grandfather told her to, “Remember that this day you touched the temple. One day you will go inside.” President Monson spoke of the appreciation the little girl gained of the temple that day, how, “…she had touched the temple, and the temple had touched her.”As we touch the temple and love the temple, our lives will reflect our faith. As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” -President Thomas S. Monson

So we had each of the kids touch the temple. I couldn't remember the exact story in the moment, but I've included it here so we can recall it later.

We took a quick walk through the new City Creek shopping mall. It was beautiful!

And then finally met up with my VA cousins; Shaila and her husband Adam, Rachel and Bethany (who's not in the picture). We met at the BYU Creamery. No trip to Provo is complete without a trip here. And it was the perfect way to end our marathon trip!

We fly out the next morning to get ready to start school! No rest for the weary. Luckily, everyone was so exhausted that we ALL slept the whole time on both flights home.

Utah/Idaho Trip - Part 4

We had promised the girls all week that we would go horseback riding. But we simply ran out of time. On our way back to Utah though we were able to find a place that would give the girls a lesson in Idaho Falls. They were in heaven!!! They learned how to saddle the horses and brush them beforehand. Then they learned some basic skills. The guy who helped them was wonderful with the girls. And turns out he grew up here in VA and his mom teaches at UVA (small world).