Our Family History

In Our Family This Week... This has been a very full week!  I have been trying not to get "too far behind" on photography and so that has been keeping me extra busy.  This week the youth (14+)  started their practices for the Cultural Youth Festival that will be performed for THE PROPHET the night before he dedicates the Boise Temple!  It is such an honor to be a part of this honorable event!!  I have been asked to be the Stake Photographer and Blogger and so I go around to the different practices and document the happenings in photos...   Bunco was Tuesday and I was the big winner!  Coming home with THREE gift certificates! I also had a Stake Auxiliary Meeting on Thursday and Seth had a Football game that night (John decided to miss practice to go and watch Seth). Friday I had a photo shoot with Tonya and Kirk Fletcher (and family). We need the money from that session to help pay for October's mortgage so I moved them to the top of the list and almost have their session completed! :)  Saturday was Ben's game and also another Dance rehearsal for the boys (they are pretty much every Wed and Saturdays from now until November 17th). That evening was the General Women's Broadcast that I went to at the Stake Center. John took Aubrie and Lexi to the BSU game that was being shown at Garbonzo's Pizza.  He said that they did really well! Today (Sunday) was the Primary Program at church and the kids did awesome!  I had several people come up to me afterwards and tell me that Aubrie and Lexi "Stole the Show!" or that they were the "Hit of the Show" <-- even though I know that the primary program isn't necessarily a "show".  So all of the Sunbeams (3 & 4 year olds) all went onto the pulpit to sing "Jesus Once Was a Little Child" together. I have been working with the girls on this for 2 weeks now and we sing it everyday - and it showed! They were the ONLY 2 singing (so basically it was their solo!) Lexi was so excited that she knew the words that she was about a word or so faster than the piano and just BELTING out the song!  Both her and Aubrie had the biggest smiles on their faces and everyone in the congregation thought they were the cutest!  I'm just sad John wasn't there to see/hear it! I was also a bit sad that Grandma Anne didn't come out for it. I guess 8:30am church was too early for her :( All of the kids were hoping she'd be there too. During the Sacrament, Ben leaned over and mentioned how he wished Grandma had come and how everyone else had their grandma's and grandpa's there to watch.

Ready for church and the Primary Program

In Our Homeschool This Week... August and Seth took their first Chemistry Test!  They both only missed 2 so I was pleased that they seem to be getting the info they need (since they are completely independent on the Chemistry studies).  The Girls and Nathan did our FIAR (How to make and Eat and Apple Pie!)  I had plans to maybe make an apple pie with them - but the week got away from us.  We talked about Taking Care of our Teeth and how to properly brush them. Nathan also worked on the letter "M" this week.  I hope he can get down the letter sounds this year. On Thursday, I took the 4 younger ones to the Library. The girls participated in the Story and Craft Time and really had a good time. Ben finished reading his book "The Witches" and then he watched the Jim Henson movie of it (which he loved!) He then had to tell the differences and similarities between the book and the movie. At the library he picked out some more books to be reading on :)

Ben reading and the girls doing some art at the Table (while I was working on letters with Nathan)

I'm Grateful For...That we have no Consumer Debt!  It is such a wonderful feeling to not have mounds of credit card debt or car payments. I'm also grateful for righteous Priesthood holders who lead the church. Today for tour 5th Sunday Combined Lesson (taught by Bishop Forsberg) was all about "Financial Repentance" and how many of us need to repent of the way we have spent the money that we have been blessed with. While we don't have any credit card debt, we still can make better financial decisions.  Some points that I walked away with:

* Our freedom to choose is gone (when we have debt) due to addictions to food, alcohol, pornography, gambling or other poor financial decisions.

* We need to turn to the Lord for help in really assessing our Wants vs Needs

* It is difficult to serve others if our minds are always consumed with our debt (or financial standings)

* We can Resolve our Financial problems (or keep them at bay) by: (1) Working together as a couple (2) Relying on the counsel of the Brethren of the church and (3) Prayer

I think the thing that hit me the most is that squandering our money away on "our food addictions" (ie: going out to eat, hitting the gas station, buying sodas, etc...) resulting in our money disappearing was categorized the same as spending money on other, more serious, sins!

My Favorite Thing This Week... watching the Primary Program! 

My Goals For This Week... Spend some more time with Ben doing Constructive activities. Keeping SUGAR out of the house and the kids diet (sugar affects Benjamin in a VERY negative way). Pray that I can see with my Spiritual Eyes whom Heavenly Father would like me to invite to the Temple Open House. I would also like to spiritually prepare the kids for Conference this next weekend.

Photos I Love From The Week...

The girls have figured out a way that they can BOTH RIDE THE SAME BIKE!

A fort the kids made in the living room.