Challenge Completed!

At the beginning of 2012 Bishop Moon challenged our ward, as individuals and families, to read the Book of Mormon from start to finish during the year. So, I accepted the challenge and got reading.

Well, 2 days ago I FINISHED!!! Woo hoo! Go me!

Eric accepted the challenge, too. He finished a month or so before me. We were trying to race to the finish, but he beat me. Boo!

I've read it quite a few times before, but I've only done it one other time with a deadline. (That was when I challenged the YW to read it in 3 months. That was REALLY hard!) Reading it in a year was just the right pace for me. I could read and study, and I got SO much out of it.

I'm ready to start it again. :)

An old dog tries new tricks...

I guess you're never too old to try something new. Over the last few weeks I've decided to branch out a little...

New trick #1: While we were sitting, watching people run on the beach in California, Eric and I decided that we wanted to try jogging. I've always said, "the only reason I'd ever run was if a crazy person was chasing me." Well, we decided we were going to tackle this challenge together.
So, we found a "couch to 5k" schedule online and headed out. Now, 3 weeks into it I can't say that we're super fast or awesome runners, but we're enjoying it! I just hope my 80 year old knees will keep up with my enthusiasm for jogging.

New trick #2: Shelby and I are reading a book together! That's right... I said READING!!! Shelbs is definitely my child. She's never been a fan of reading. I know it's important, so I've tried to encourage her. However, she seems to have a hard time finding books that she can stick with. So, I told her I'd read something with her. I've heard good things about "The Secret Garden". So, I downloaded it into my iPhone, and got her the book from the library. We're now 10 chapters in, and we're really enjoying it. Plus, it's awesome to spend this time with my Shelby girl.

So, I guess you really can teach an old dog new tricks.

Band concert

Last night was the first band concert of Chandler's Junior High years. He's in 3 different bands at school, and was asked to help a 4th for their concert.

He plays the keyboard for the Jazz band, which meets before school every day. Then, he plays percussion for Concert band, and helped the Symphonic band on percussion as well.

He was a little nervous about the concert, but he did a great job, as always!

My pics aren't very good, but you can get the idea...

Can you spy him in the back?...

Well done, Chan! We're sure proud of you!

Election Day 2012

Yesterday was election day. This was a big one... the Presidential election (among others). This time around we had a candidate that we really believed in. It's been a long time since that has been the case. It seems like it's often a choice between the lesser of two evils, but not this time. So, Eric and I walked over to our polling place at 6:45am, and were met with a nice line. I don't mind waiting in lines on election day. Plus, I like to get my sticker. *wink*

It was very disappointing when "our" candidate didn't win. However, I found solace in this scripture...

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path."

I frequently rely on this scripture. It keeps my eyes turned upward, and my heart soft.

I also really appreciated this statement from our church leaders...

"The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Tuesday:

We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States.

After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process, which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors."

I add my prayers to theirs, and will trust in the Lord!

Cheer practice

Shelby's on cheer again this year. This is her 3rd year, and she loves it! She has practice every Monday. Last week, Shelby and her friend Sabrina were asked to help teach the younger girls some new cheers. She was in HEAVEN! I took video of one they were teaching... pretty adorable!

Harley and Tatum always just hang out while Shelby's practicing. This week, they brought a volleyball and played together all through cheer. It was so cute!

A little sicky

Tater was sick last week... Croup! Blech!

I couldn't resist taking her picture. She just looked SO pathetic!

She's feeling much better now (although her nasty barking cough still lingers). Love this little lady!

Halloween 2012...Rocked it!

Halloween isn't one of Eric or my favorite holidays. We TOTALLY celebrate it for the kids. We try to stay low budget, and still make it a good time. This year... mission accomplished!

Chandler didn't want to dress up. So he threw on a Halloween shirt and a mustache, and he was done.

Shelby wanted to be a cowgirl. We already had all the clothes, so we bought her some cute boots (that she wears everyday now), and she was done.

Harley used a Cleopatra costume from our old bucket of costumes, and she was done.

Tatum wanted to be a cute witch. So we used a witch dress that we already had, and bought her a cute $3 hat and matching tights, and she was good.

Here's the final product...

 And here's the really deal...

The Friday before Halloween, we went to our ward's trunk or treat and had a great time, as always. The kids even brought along a couple of friends, which made for a great time.

 Then, on Sunday night, we carved our family pumpkin. This year we went at it with power tools...

 The girls were excited to dig in and remove the guts from the pumpkin.

 Chandler didn't love the guts part quite as much. He preferred the carving part.

 

 I stayed at arms length from the whole thing. :) But, Eric did a great job with the kids. They had a great time.

I love the look on everybody's face in this picture...

Well done, y'all!

 

On Halloween, I was able to go to Tatum's class to help with her "Pumpkin Festival". (Because we're not actually allowed to celebrate holidays in school. BARF!) It was fun to hang with her for a little bit. Here's Tater with the cute pumpkin lantern we made together...

Later that night was trick or treat time... Chandler and Shelby took the little girls to trick or treat. This is the first year that Eric and I didn't have to go. It was AWESOME! We just sat and passed out candy, and watched the kids walk up and down the street.

After a little trick or treating the girls decided they wanted to hide in the back of Papa's truck and scare people as they came past. It was pretty hilarious!

I think this Halloween was a great success!