Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Best Friends

{A selfie I found when cleaning off the camera roll}
Dear Laurel and Savannah,

Last night we were on our way to church.  You two were sitting side by side in the van.  One of  you could have gotten in the third row, or even sat up front with me, but you chose to put the middle seat up and sit together.  I listened as you talked and laughed with one another about things that happened at school that day.  You were talking to each other just like best friends would.  Laurel, I heard you say, "Savannah, you inspire me!"  I couldn't help but think how sweet that was for you to tell your younger sister that she inspires you.  

The other day we were at a friend's house.  She has two boys the same age as you two.  She asked,  "do you two ever fight?"  You looked at each other and giggled, because you both know that you do get into some arguments sometimes.  I sat back and waited to see what you would answer.  I was so happy inside when this is how you replied.  Laurel, you said, "Mom has always told us since we were little girls that we are best friends.  I love knowing that I always have a  friend to play with."  Savannah, you said,  "when mom hears us fighting, she doesn't let it last very long!  She tells us to work it out quick or she will cancel our play dates with our other friends."  "She says, if you can't be friends with each other, you won't know how to be a friend to some one else."  So, I don't know if I'm always parenting the right way, but I loved how you both answered my friend.  

The other night I heard you giggling in your room.  I cracked the door and Laurel you were in Savannah's bed and she was scratching your back, as ya'll talked about your day.  
A few nights later,  I saw your light on, when you were suppose to be asleep.  I opened the door and you were both on the floor playing UNO!  I think I snapped at you and told you to get in the bed, because you had to get up early for school.  I promise you as I walked away, I had a smile on my face because you two wanted to play a game together. 

The other morning in carpool, I asked you two why you didn't hold hands anymore walking down the side walk.  I was really just kidding.  I mean, I know why you don't.  You're growing up and that probably seems too embarrassing to do in third and fifth grade.  But when you both said, "we tell each other we love each other before we go to class",  I could have melted! 

The other day, we were in a store and ya'll asked if you could buy a best friend necklace.  I asked if you both wanted one, because I assumed you were going to give the other half  to Ava and Lily.  You said, "we want it for us!"   "We are best friends, Mom!"

Now believe me, I know things are not perfect around here.  I know sometimes there are fights and I'm grumpy and I yell way too much.  But right now, at this time in your life, I lay my head down at night,  knowing that you two love each other and that you are best friends.  I know when you name who your friends are, that you two both name your sister at the top of that list.  I know that you will always have each other's back.  I hope that you will always set a good example for each other.  I hope that when those around you may not always choose the right, that you will know that you are never alone.  I hope that you will know that you have a best friend, your sister, who is being taught the exact way you are and has the same values you do.   I hope and pray that you will always be best friends.

I love you,
Mom




Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Easter Sunday

We had a very nice Easter Sunday.
The kids raced into the kitchen to see what the Easter Bunny dropped off.




We got dressed for church and drove to Montgomery.  We went to church with Granny and Papa.  Aunt Jamie, Uncle Kimball and Luke and Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Roger, Spencer and Alistair all came too.  We took up two pews!  It was a great sermon about the Resurrection of Christ and the choir sang so many beautiful Easter hymns.



Afterwards, we went back to Granny and Papa's, had lunch and an Easter Egg hunt.













I love this time of year, where we can reflect on our Savior and his atoning sacrifice and resurrection.
One of my favorite hymns is,

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Lyrics

  1. 1. I know that my Redeemer lives.
    What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
    He lives, he lives, who once was dead.
    He lives, my ever-living Head.
    He lives to bless me with his love.
    He lives to plead for me above.
    He lives my hungry soul to feed.
    He lives to bless in time of need.
  2. 2. He lives to grant me rich supply.
    He lives to guide me with his eye.
    He lives to comfort me when faint.
    He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
    He lives to silence all my fears.
    He lives to wipe away my tears.
    He lives to calm my troubled heart.
    He lives all blessings to impart.
  3. 3. He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.
    He lives and loves me to the end.
    He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.
    He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
    He lives and grants me daily breath.
    He lives, and I shall conquer death.
    He lives my mansion to prepare.
    He lives to bring me safely there.
  4. 4. He lives! All glory to his name!
    He lives, my Savior, still the same.
    Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
    "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
    He lives! All glory to his name!
    He lives, my Savior, still the same.
    Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
    "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
This is what Easter is all about!

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Buddy Race/Deer Run

The 2014-2015 dirt bike season has ended.  During the summer there are a few races scheduled and they call these the buddy races.  Points aren't kept and it's mainly for the dirt biking, loving people to still be able to ride and keep their racing skills!
These races are going to be a lot of fun to watch this summer, because Seth and Adrian are racing against Seth's brothers, Kimball and Roger.  They are still going to  have the children races.

Landon came in 2nd place!

Laurel was the only girl racing (there isn't always a good turn out for these races.  It was also at the end of Spring Break, so some were on vacation.)  This might have helped her make her decision that she doesn't want to race anymore.
They didn't have a strider race and Sawyer was not happy about that!
Seth and Adrian came in 1st place in the Senior Class!

All pictures were taken by Laurel and Savannah.  I handed the camera over to them!








Seth started the race!

Adrian's turn


Seth's turn!
Adrian cheering for his team mate!  Actually, I think he was yelling, "turn it up!!"

Adrian is back out there!

Seth's turn, again.  Are you keeping up?  They ran about a 12 minute lap and then they switched.  They both raced 7 laps a piece.  This would be why it is called a buddy race!





About 5 minutes after this picture was taken, Sawyer was asleep in my lap.

Way to go Seth and Adrian!  (OOPS, forgot to get a picture of our dad!)




Laurel's Photo Shoot

in Black and White.....