Student of the Month

Kiersten is pretty miffed that Nate and Erik both received Student of the Month recognition while at the junior high and she didn't. I just tell her she's got tough competition with her peers.

Nate received a note home saying he and his parents were invited to an awards breakfast.

He was pretty sure it was Mr. Huelett, his math teacher who nominated him, but actually it was his orchestra teacher, Miss Dvoracheck (pretty sure I spelled that wrong).

Here's what she had to say about Nate:

Nate is a very dedicated student. He shows responsibility by being prepared for class each day. He is respectful to his classmates and puts in the hard work practicing to show improvement each day. Great work!

Teachers are not required to nominate a student every month, so good job to Nate for being Nate.


And he scored an Arby's gift card.

A Christmas miracle

Sometimes the Lord has ways of putting people where they need to be and so it was with me.

One of my young women has been in the foster care system and had been in a home in our ward for a couple of years until recently.

I don't know the details of why she is no longer there but we were all saddened to have her leave so quickly.

For a combined activity the young men and young women made some blankets to deliver to families in our ward. Each organization picked one person who they'd like it delivered to and the Beehives decided on McKenzey.

The only problem was we didn't know exactly where she ended up until one night on the news there was a story of two girls who ran away from a youth center. We prayed for her, and as I followed the news she was eventually found at her mom's home. I took down the address of the the detention center she ended up at in case that's where we needed to take her blanket.

At the time I felt this was a gift from Heavenly Father letting me know where she was. As young women leaders we just wanted her to know that she was loved.

Singing Christmas carols and riding on a hay wagon, we delivered our blankets on Wednesday. Friday I subbed at the junior high. I had an 8th period prep hour and was planning on heading home until the school needed me to cover for an English class 8th hour.

I wasn't exactly thrilled with this turn of events but it's how it goes as a substitute. As I was talking to a teacher, finding out what exactly was happening that hour (no lesson plans and the kids kept telling me there was some English fun day happening that hour), I looked out in the hall and saw McKenzey. Shocked registered on my face as I pointed at her. I was able to pull her away from the activity and talk with her for a few minutes. She was living in Tooele with a different foster family and her former foster family had her address and number. I was able to get the info and deliver the blanket to her last Sunday with her Beehive counselor and a couple of girls from the ward.

But what made it even cooler was that it was her birthday!

I know the Lord had a hand in this. I'm sure we could have easily tracked her down, but the fact that I was at the school that day and in the same hallway was a miracle. It was nice to be able to hug her, talk to her, and let her know we had a gift for her.

As we got in the car after our visit, one of the girls mentioned to the other that she was so glad we did that. I think it meant the world to McKenzey that we visited her - ON HER BIRTHDAY - but I'm sure it also touched the girls who came with us. I don't know what impact this little miracle might have on any of them years from now, but I know that the Lord gives us tender mercies when we are about his work.

Flushed

What can I say . . . we were not meant to be pet people. Remember Fermie, our pet gecko?

For some reason pets don't like us and decide death is the most viable option to living with us (yes, I know I'm foreshadowing a little here).

At our annual neighborhood adult white elephant Christmas party (try to say that several times in a row), I came home with three goldfish. Or what Tyler and I thought were goldfish. Our friend clarified that they were nothing more than feeder fish . . . the fish that ultimately get fed to other fish.

Tyler was shocked I picked the fish to bring home. I could have stolen the blanket and chocolates but thought my kids would get a kick out of having some fish.

Those marine life were quickly dubbed Bruce, Scissors, and Banana. I was hoping they would last at least a week.

Two days later we lost Bruce.

The next day was Banana.

And Scissors was the last to flop over a day later.

If you do the math correctly, we had them all of three days total.

Like I said, I don't think pets are in our future or should even be considered.

Crazy warm December

The weather has been fabulously warm. Although I'm afraid my fruit trees are going to get a little confused and begin the budding process.

This was the other night, December 12th to be exact.

And today Tyler brought home a truckful of compost and started spreading it around the yard. I thought I was crazy last year when I mowed my lawn for the last time on December 1; but this year takes the cake.

I seriously am not complaining. I detest the cold in every way. It makes me want to burrow down in my bed and not surface for a good couple of months.

We did get a little snowfall a few days ago,

much to the delight of Ash and Alex who worked tirelessly to build any snowman they could.

He hasn't lasted long.

A different sort of train

Like I said, we had cousins at our house for a few days and for Alex, Christmas had come a little early. He loves his cousins and loves when they come to stay. One morning they pulled out the dinosaurs and proceeded to move them from the basement to the loft area . . . one at a time, in train formation and then back down again.

As I watched them play and create and make believe, the memories of Kiersten and Erik and Nate at that age crept into my subconscious. They too loved to make trains with their toys that wound all through the house.

Oh what I would give to go back to those years of young children. They are such fleeting moments that are gone in an instant.

Christmas decorating

Cousins came to spend a few days with us while Jacob did his customary decorating of my house for Christmas. And as always it looks 100 times better than what I could have done. However, after he had worked his magic and I stood back one day to survey his work, I had remembrances of helping my mom put up decorations and the magic of the season that surrounded that little event. I felt a tinge of guilt for having taken away some of that from my children. They love to help decorate and it brings that spirit of Christmas into the home as they do it. 

I usually hang these advent stocking across our fireplace and fill them with a thought and a little green card that has something fun for us to do to celebrate Christmas.

This year I was purposefully being lazy as I waited for some new stockings to arrive in the mail. They arrived a few days after the start of the month and I hung them on our rail instead of across our fireplace. I love them!

When Erik asked about the stuff I put inside them, I decided to put him in charge and let him help. I didn't stress about needing to get it done and he got to feel a little of the Christmas magic.


Next year I've decided to make decorating more of an event instead of let's-get-it-done kind of thing. 

Christmas Newsletter 2014

The Leary Family

2014

Alex (4) is my partner in crime for Cookie Thursday, a tradition we started last school year. He’s reading and tinkering on the piano. He surprised us all when he recited his part from memory (with no help) for the Primary program.

Ashlyn  (9) joined the Lego League team this year. As our roller blade queen, she was able to blade our entire 6 mile route on the Jordan River Parkway without breakin’ a sweat. She is also the only one left at the elementary school until Alex joins her next year.

Nathan (12) soloed on the violin at his first orchestra concert and accompanied a girl on the piano for a musical number during church. He runs with Kiersten and the cross country team during their summer training sessions and ran the last 6 miles of my Bryce Canyon Half Marathon with me.

Erik (14) invited his mom to eat lunch with him when she was subbing at his high school. Is he feeling okay? He’s now taller than her and quickly closing in on his dad. Jeans and nicer shirts have finally become part of his wardrobe. His friend Carl likes to tell him he’s swagalicious.

Kiersten (15) is still desperately trying to stay awake to study for her driving permit. She’s joined the cross country team and says it’s the best decision she’s ever made. After a family trip to San Francisco she’s pretty sure she’s going to live there one day. She also decided to switch from violin to viola in her orchestra class this year.

Missy had big changes in August beginning with a new calling as Young Women President. That necessitated FINALLY getting a cell phone to keep up with all her girls. She also started substitute teaching around the valley. High schoolers are her favorite; first graders: not so much :)

Tyler survived a several-month attack of whooping cough. TREES! He keeps planting them and the neighbor thinks he has an obsession. One day he’ll run out of space . . . maybe. He ran his first 5k, bought some actual running shoes, and has had to put basketball on hold due to plantar fasciitis.

Merry Christmas

Thanksgiving

I'm so grateful for this week of Thanksgiving that segues to a celebration of our Savior's birth. Love this time of year, but more importantly love the baby who gave us a reason to celebrate. Hosanna to God and the Lamb.

The day started out with a quasi fun run on one of the most beautiful Thanksgiving mornings I can remember. You would have thought we lived in Phoenix, except you can see snow on the mountains. How grateful I am to live in such a beautiful world. Sunrises and sunsets are some of my favorite things.

All this race cost us was a can of food and we brought several. Kiersten and Nate have had a goal all year long to run a 10K race. They aren't the easiest races to come by and it never came to fruition this summer. This little race put on by the Tooele Running Club had three races you could choose between: a 5K, a 10K, or a half marathon. I immediately said no to the half marathon. If I don't get a shirt and a medal at the end, it just isn't worth it. I'm only half serious about that last sentence.

So I opted for the 5K only because I haven't run in over a month. It's been hard to find time this month and I'm beginning to think my only time is at night, after I've got the kids bedded down. How grateful I am for a body that works and allows me to do so many wonderful things.

Kiersten and Nate chose the 10K and finished together. I'm so stinkin' proud of them. I love watching my kids set their own goals and accomplish them. I love being a mom! It is the most rewarding career there is and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

We've become the chauffeurs for Grandma Leary and love it. I'm grateful that my kids have had this opportunity to get to know their great grandma and she knows them as well. Tyler was pretty certain she had a Mt. Dew or two before we picked her up because she talked nonstop all the way there and all the way back.

Halloween

Gotta love Halloween nights when you don't have to dress warm. I am also wondering what I'll do when I no longer have Alex to open the door to all the trick-or-treaters. I'm kind of tempted to just set a bowl of candy outside and let them help themselves.

I don't mind opening the door and passing out the goods, but I swear the minute I started doing something or sat down, the door bell would ring.

Erik and his friend Carl (our legendary Lake Point peacock) hit the down.

Nate and Jeremy

Ash and Allie

Alex and Ian

The haul from the night that is slowly dwindling.

And, yes, those are onions.

We have a neighbor who religiously hands them out every year. I thought they grew them. Nope. They're just from the store and cheaper than candy. The funny thing is all the kids know this house and love coming home with their onions.

I think moms like it too. I don't have to buy onions for awhile.

Tips from a real window washer

Erik's been in the window washing business for some time now. He's done some research online as to what products he likes and doesn't like, and I'm sure grateful for neighbors who are willing to let my boy practice on their windows and then pay him for it.

For the past couple of months we've endured having a home built next to us. You know they're about done when the window washing guys show up.


After some psychological coercion, Erik found his bravery and went next door to talk to the guy and get some tips.

The window dude even let him try out some of his equipment.

I honestly didn't think Erik would do it. My kids surprise me sometimes.

Super-dee-duper-dee Busy

I think I can actually take a breather, starting in about 2 hours, after choir practice.

Life has just been slightly chaotic these past couple of weeks. Nobody told me how time consuming this calling can be. :)

Two weeks ago was our Young Women in Excellence program. I've got a good bunch of ladies who help make things come together.

Volleyball ended with us making it to region and spending an entire Saturday morning playing. Unfortunately our ward does not have enough girls who actually like to play so we are combined with several wards: Lake Point, Captains Island, Bayshore, and Mill Pond. Our fearless team captain Meredith and crew came up with a team chant on the way home one night that involved all the wards names: Legendary People Create Inconceivable Breaded Mushrooms.

And then last week was a local tradition called The Over 60s Dinner where the youth of our ward feed the people of Lake Point who are over 60. Flyers had to be delivered, a menu created, food prepared, a program to put on, and clean up afterwards.

Oh and I also volunteered to fill in and play the organ today on a farewell Sunday. It's only been twenty years and I didn't do so hot. I began playing and quickly realized I needed more sound. So I fumbled with the pedals and pretty much massacred the beginning of the opening hymn until I got the sound right. Only then was the sacrament hymn too loud and I quit playing all together as I fumbled through that. I made a decision not to touch the pedals on the last song. I didn't care if it was too loud or too quiet.

And did I mention it's been a crazy couple of weeks of subbing. Sickness has hit teachers and subs and because of the shortage, everyone who can work has been needed.

We were also down one vehicle as our van sat in the shop getting some repair work done.

Erik had basketball tryouts for the high school freshman team. Sadly he did not make it. He didn't even make the first cut, so he's been pretty bummed about that this week.

Can't wait to see what this week will be bring.

A last FHE for awhile

Last Sunday we got together with my parents at my sister's house. When you are a couple missionary I guess you can pretty much do what you'd like, within reason. They have been able to come and go from the MTC.

So we decided it would be nice to get together one last time for a family home evening where they could tell us how it's been so far.

They've been most impressed with the young missionaries and have made a point to sit with them during meal times instead of with the other couple missionaries.

And today they are who-knows-where. I can't believe they are actually gone. From Los Angeles they were flying to Fiji, a 12 hour overnight flight and then a two hour flight to the mission home in Tarawa, the capital of this group of islands.

Heck, there are islands everywhere. Christmas Island is their final destination in a week or so. When they finally arrive, they will be 2000 miles from the mission home but only 1300 from Hawaii. They are so remote that planes only fly in and out on certain days at certain times and they are pretty much located right on the equator. Even though they are located in the same time zone as Hawaii, the international date line makes a fancy jog making them an entire day ahead of Hawaii.

Can I just say, they are in for the adventure of a lifetime.

Elder and Sister

Their mission has officially begun.

I have to admit that when my mom said they were getting ready to put their papers in, I was a little surprised that they had actually made the decision. And then when she told me they were waiting for their call to arrive, it just seemed surreal.

But the day has come. A couple of weeks in the MTC and then they're off to Christmas Island which is really in the middle of nowhere. I'm sure it will be an adventure; I'm sure it will be an adjustment. Milk is rumored to cost $30 a gallon so I'm not sure how my ice-cream-loving dad is going to handle that one.

At least for a couple of weeks they will be in the MTC and can come and go as they please somewhat. We're hoping to fit in a temple trip and possibly a family home evening. I'm so excited for them but will miss them like crazy. I'm hoping time will fly. This will just get me used to when my own brood of missionaries leave the nest.