mole

Clayton got this mole removed off his back at the end of June. I was actually kind of sad about it, since it’s been there as long as I can remember.

Here’s the healing process…

great Saturday

The boys both did awesome in their soccer games, each scoring a goal! They are now tied for the season, since they’ve each scored two goals.

I went to the Women’s Broadcast tonight with My friend Mandy in the ward. It was just what I needed. I’ve been kind of down lately. I’ve been getting grumpy and feeling sad. I feel like my mood is wearing on my family. I want our family to focus on each other’s strengths, rather than weaknesses, to see the good, rather than the bad, to build one another up, rather than tear each other down. I have a lot to improve on in myself and the example I’m setting for my family. Instead of getting so down on myself, like I can tend to do, I want to be positive and believe I can change. The messages were so great.

I took some notes and this is what I needed to hear most:

kid stuff & a cherry tree

Marlee had  her patriotic program today and did great and her part and singing. They were suppose to wear red, white and blue. Ironically, it’s picture day, so there will be a lot of the same colors worn by the first graders.

We watched Clayton and Porter tear it up today at Cross Country.

There’s a huge cherry tree in the side yard that busted a water line and has caused damage to the home (damage was previous to when we came), so the owner wants it removed so they can fix the pipes and the water damaged walls. The bids they got for tree removal were high, so Laun did it for them for like a fourth of the price, they were happy. So that process has begun…

kids are impressive

Marlee is getting better and better at reading. It’s so fun to watch her learn.

The boys and I went and watched Jaron (Brandon and Mary’s son) run a 5k at his country country meet. I love watching all these kids run, they inspire me.

beautiful afternoon

We had Marlee’s friend Brighton over to play. These girls used to be in the same ward and they still go to the same school. Girl play is so different than boy play. These girls love our backyard, it’s like their own secret garden. Our boys could care less about this yard.

And don’t worry, they don’t have black eyes, it’s makeup.

They are into dressing up, jewelry and flowers.

Marlee has been enjoying her after school clubs twice a week. She made this puff paint stuff.

Laun went mountain biking with Glenn (a dairy man) up Snow Basin. It was his first time mountain biking and I think he’s hooked.

sleeping & books

Marlee was so grumpy and then I came in my room to find her asleep on my bed, amongst the clean laundry.

Sleeping Beauty

I love when the kids are quietly reading. Porter has found some new books that he’s really into.

This baby boy is pretty into Porter’s book, too.

soccer & harvest moon festival

Clayton played amazing in his game today, much more aggressive.

Carter was a bit of a turd at the game.

His face is covered in chocolate from a Luna bar, but at least he’s happy now and still in pajamas.

He finally gave Laun a look.

Laun had the camera for most the game, but happen to hand it to Marlee for a bit, which was unfortunate, because Clayton scored a goal! His first goal of the season and for a club team, go T! It was awesome, but no picture. Is it weird that I get so proud of my kids and their achievements that I feel like crying?

They lost the game 2 to 1, but at least they got a goal. And it was fun because we played against the team that has the Bateman boys, Laun goes to their dad’s dairy.

Clatyon and Seth-they’ve pretty much hung out all weekend.

Tonight was the Harvest Moon Festival, in Spanish Fork. We got their late when the booths were closed, but the younger kids had a great time on the playground and the boys hung out with their friends. The band National Parks played.

kids light up my life

When I’m at the computer trying to blog, Carter thinks he needs to help me.

 

Marlee got out of school all worked up about her spelling test. She got a 100% on her first spelling test and she was nervous about her second one, but I told her she would do great. She says to me, “you lied, I didn’t do good on my spelling test. I got a 1%” I said Marlee, “you got a minus one” and Laun said, “that is a 90%.”

Then we headed to the boys cross country meet. I’m so glad Laun was able to make this one, usually he’s at work when they run.

getting pumped up

such a fun group

Starting their mile and a half race-

Porter has really come to love running. He didn’t really want to do cross country and now he loves it.

Clayton and Seth run together when their schools are competing. Clayton’s at Spanish Fork and Seth goes to Salem, but they play on the same soccer team.

Seth normally sprints ahead of Clayton near the end of the race, but this time Clayton beat him. I think Clayton had extra incentive because someone yelled out to him that Porter was coming and he didn’t want to get passed by his younger brother.

Ethan and Porter are good buds. They are both 7th graders, except Ethan is one of the older kids for his grade and Porter is probably the youngest. Ethan turned 13 in August and Porter is still 11 until March. They eat lunch together and I’m so thankful when my kids have good friends.

The boys school pictures came home- looking good and growing up fast! Picture day was when we still lived in a camper, so they didn’t really dress up.

Tonight Clayton went with Seth and some other friends to the movies. It’s almost strange that we have a teenager in the house. Time flies!