It begins...

A few weeks ago, Cory and Holly asked us if we would watch their girls while they went to Hawaii with Holly's family.  We said that we would love to watch them.  They came here last night and I took them to the airport this morning.  I am excitedly nervous to watch babies again and so grateful that I have Harlee to help me.  I love this picture of the girls.  They look like they are a little suspicious of what is to come.  Hopefully they will feel safe and happy this week.  We love them and feel so happy that Cory and Holly trust us to watch them.  Here goes nothing...

Monday and a new invitation for Elder Childs

 

I know I say this every week but I LOVE MONDAYS!  I love seeing Luke's face and hearing all about what he has experienced the previous week on his mission.  He is still living with the Spanish Elders and loving the gym set up.  He had a baptism with week Ada.  Luke was lucky enough to perform the baptism.  Such a beautiful experience.  It was also the first time on his mission that Luke got sick.  He got a pretty bad cold which took him down for a couple of days but he still was determined to work hard.  Even with a cold he also spoke in church on Sunday.  He gave an amazing talk.  When we were chatting with Luke tonight he told us about a call that he got.  He was given the invitation to be a trainer in a trio.  This means that he will be leaving Elder Watkins and the area.  He is speculating that he will be going to Orange City because Elder Davies called him and said his comp is also going to be part of the trio and he is in Orange City.  So we will see!  I am so excited for Luke.  He has had a rough go with comps but he pushes through making the best of it.  He was lucky to have Elder Mower as his trainer and he was the best.  I told Luke to go and be an Elder Mower to his trainee.  I just know Luke will be a great example and will gain confidence in his ability to lead.  The call will come on Wednesday where he will find out where he is going and then transfers are on Friday.  I cannot wait to hear all about it next Monday.

Another week in NJ

It is so weird to say that Luke's mission is going fast.  I feel everyday but I do feel like the weeks go quickly.  Doesn't really make sense but it is true.  Monday is the one day each week that I am excited to get up early because it means that I can chat with Luke.  Luke had a great week.  He continued to drive the other elders around and Luke had to lead District Council.  He lead a discussion on the restoration and the Book of Mormon.   He also found out that they were actually evicted back in May.  He joked that he should have paid attention to the pile of bills on the table.  So they continue to live with the spanish elders.  Such a huge blessing since he is still not loving Elder Watkins or Webkins as Harlee likes to call him.  In his email Luke said,

"This week, I was able to find a lot of peace and comfort through recognizing God's hand in my life. I really recognized it at times when me and my companion were getting contentious, and I was able to bring the Spirit into the companionship more. It's been difficult this transfer, but I have seen a lot of growth in my capacity to use the Spirit."

I love that Luke is finding the blessing in the hard.  Such a gift.  I am so proud of Luke.  He is such an example to me.  

Hipster Ike

Harlee took the boys to Five Below yesterday and she bought a little something for her puppy.  Ike is not a big fan of the new glasses but I was able to take a quick picture of him before he swiped them off of his face.  Sure love this puppy of ours.  

Harlee's Date

I have seriously dropped the ball on the dates that we give the kids on Christmas Eve.  They are supposed to start in February.  Here we are in July and finally getting started.  Har's date was to go to the Goodwill bins in Salt Lake.   We got there and dug through many bins of clothes to try to locate some finds.  It was so fun to search with Har and we walked away with some clothes and books. Success!  Then we went to Goodwood and had some amazing lunch.  It was so fun to spend time with Harlee.  She is seriously the best daughter and friend.  I am so lucky to be her mom.

Fruits of our labor

This is the third year that we planted a garden.  We learn so much each year and each year the garden has improved.  It is so fun to see it growing this year.  We are doing our best to take care of it so it can grow under the greatest conditions.  Just hoping we can get the cucumbers to grow!  Love the progress.

Updated FB profile picture

I always feel like it is my lucky day when Luke posts a picture on FB.  He updated his profile picture today and I love it.  He looks so good and so happy.  I am so proud of him.  He is such a great missionary.  He is learning, growing, strengthening his testimony, and sharing what he knows with the people of New Jersey.  Love our missionary so much.

A little less gum equals perfection

Since Nash has his high adventure camp coming up next week, we had to reschedule his gum countering appointment until after school had started.  I asked them to put him on a cancelation list and today was his day.  He was a little nervous but excited to get it done.  I am so amazed with the difference.  His smile looks amazing.  So happy for him.  If only he did not look so much older!  Hard on my mom heart for sure.  Such a handsome boy!

A few days in our favorite place

It is crazy how hard it has been to find some time to have a little family summer vacation.  We only got to go for a few days but we for sure made the most of it.  We left on Sunday morning as soon as Nash got home from his trip and made it down to SG around 2pm.  We could not wait to get into the pool.  After swimming and laying out a bit, Joey and I went to Costco to buy a new bbq and grab pizza for dinner.  We relaxed the rest of the night and went to bed early to prepare for Monday.  Monday was seriously the BEST!  We rented a boat and it was amazing.  Minus running out of gas, we still had a great time.  We tubed for the first half and screamed our heads off.  Then we did the knee board the second half of our time.  We were all able to get up and grab the rope this year.  It was so so much fun.  I would dare to say that boating is tope five favorite family activities.  I love it!  After boating, we came home and cleaned up before heading to our favorite restaurant for dinner.  I love Porkbelly's but I decided that we will try to go for lunch so I can get my usual omelet.  We finished a pretty perfect night by chatting with the one blessing missing from my favorite day.  Pretty much the perfect day.  Tuesday morning I got up and went for a walk in my favorite place.  We worked and cleaned up before heading home.  Super short trip but it was long enough to make some great memories.  I sure love my family.

Marvelous Monday

The only thing that can get me up on a vacation Monday is knowing that I get to chat with my favorite missionary.  I love getting to see his face each week- such a serious blessing.  Luke had a pretty good week minus not having the companion of his dreams.  They did find out that there is a huge hole in his floor.  This explains all of the bug bites he has been getting.  So one of the blessings that Heavenly Father is giving Luke as his navigates working with Elder Webkins, as Harlee likes to call him, is that for the next at least week he will be living with the spanish elders.  These are the guys that Luke works out with and gets along with so well.  Luke is so excited to be able to work out in the mornings and at night.  I am so excited for him to be around other people and not his own with his comp.  This week Luke also had his zone conference and got to spend some time with his buddies Elder Brewer and Elder Wright.  I love this.  Here's to another great week Elder C!