Great visit!

I had a little breakdown with the kids this afternoon and turned myself around and wouldn't drive them over to my parent's house to visit. Reed was also in town and I was looking forward to seeing him too.

So, I came back home with them and Chris and I had a LONG talk with all of them about the gospel, how we live our lives, parenting, being a child, the world. All of it.

Mom and Dad loaded up with Reed, Sherry and Cade (Sherry is Reed's girlfriend and Cade is her son) and headed over with the food that they bought for all of us when we were supposed to come over.

They didn't get here until 6:30 or so but the kids were SO happy to see them. I didn't tell them that they were coming so you can imagine their surprise.

I had a wonderful time! It was so nice to see them all and while everyone but Mom and I were sitting at the table I said to the kids, "this is what it is all about. This is why we do what we do. It is about family."

It is.

I love it!

I hope I can make it... :)

Stake Conference, Adult Session

Chris and Brennan had a meeting from 3 until 5 this afternoon.

They survived, of course. Brennan was very concerned that he wouldn't live. Amazing that he did, isn't it?

Chris and I ate with the Clayton's and Frances Lugo at Chili's and then headed back to the Adult Session from 7 until 9.

I really enjoy the meeting, every time. This time was no different. Each of the speakers were great and the spirit was certainly very strong.

I remember this for sure, Elder Nelson said that the church can be extinct in one generation. Wow! Really? Yes. I'm sure going to do my best to make sure that doesn't happen. How do I do that? I'm going to make sure that our prayers are said. We're going to be better. Better at scripture study as a family, better with a "formal" FHE, better with love and patience and better making sure that our children KNOW that we KNOW that the church is true!

That's my start...

Won't work!

I have all these pictures to post and blog about, but I can't get my computer to upload any pictures. :( We got a dog on Saturday, Kerstyn, Lauklan and Greyson started school and all is well.

I sure do wish I could show you all the pictures...

First Day of School

Kerstyn is in her last year of elementary school and has Mrs. Matulia. Kerstyn is almost as tall as I am and was really excited to start another school year.

Lauklan is in second grade and has Mrs. Gronlund. He thinks that she is a "really good teacher". So cute...

Greyson told me this morning as I dropped him off in his classroom, "I don't think I want you to leave". It was so sweet. I told him that everything would be fine. I said, "Mrs. Platt has had Brennan, Kerstyn and Lauklan. She knows how to take care of Shipleys." He seemed okay with that.

When they all walked in the door this afternoon, they were smiling and happy. Good news!

I have cute pictures that I would LOVE to post!

The Eustis Ward Deacon's Quorum President

Brennan was called today as the Deacon Quorum President. He wasn't too sure what that meant, but is willing to serve! I look forward to many years ahead of him learning and growing through church service.

Chris gave all of the children blessings after church and we both felt the spirit so strongly. There is just such a sweet spirit there each and every time that he lays his hands on their heads. What a blessing it is to be in a family where the priesthood is there to bless our lives!

Welcome Shelby!

So sweet!

So cute!

Hopefully a wonderful addition to our family.

Sure would like to post some pictures! (Grrr...)

Going crazy!

We are starting to get in the swing of things here. Aislinn started school on Monday and is really having fun.

I took the kids, minus Brennan to Meet the Teacher today. Kerstyn is starting fifth grade and has Mrs. Matulia. Lauklan is in second with Mrs. (Sister) Gronlund and Greyson is going into kindergarten with Mrs. Platt.

Mrs. Platt has had all the kids so far in kindergarten and she is wonderful. Greyson is actually in the dual language program so he has Mrs. Platt speaking English and Mrs. Ennis speaking Spanish. It should be really neat.

They are all really excited and I am excited for them. I hope this school year brings good things for all of us.

We are still having a hard time with losing Ooh-Rah. I think I hear him all the time and I keep looking outside for him. It was too soon and I miss him terribly. All of us do...

We might be getting another puppy on Saturday--a Boxer from some friends of mine from growing up. We were kind of hoping it would help the grieving process. It has been really hard for all of us (yes, Chris too).

Aislinn's First Day of Pre-K 4

I can't believe it but my baby is in her last year of pre-school! She is going to be staying on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 8:45 - 3:30 or a little sooner and Tuesday and Wednesday I will pick her up at 12:30. That way I can work in the office more as Chris needs me and also do some other things that I might want to do. She is quite excited to be there this year without Greyson. Now, she's really the boss!

I have pictures to post, but I can't get them to upload. :( I'll try again later.

Bye Ooh-Rah

I am so sad as I type. Ooh-Rah passed away at only 19 months old. I'm not sure what happened and I am distraught!

He was out playing last night around 8. He never would stay in the back yard, but he always stayed close and was home every night. Around 10, I began to worry that he hadn't come home yet and I started calling for him.

Chris even went out driving last night looking and calling for him. No answer.

We prayed for him last night. Hoping that he would be on the front porch this morning when we woke up. I drove the neighborhood after I dropped off Brennan this morning. Brennan also prayed for him before he got out of the car to go to school.

I decided to drive down the street behind us on my way to take Aislinn to her first day of school and she spotted him immediately. I actually kept driving because I thought she didn't really see him. When we drove back by, she said she saw him again and I stopped. Sure enough he was laying right there. I was excited and got out and called him. My excitement went away quickly when he didn't respond. I called and called and then got hysterical. Not good either, since Aislinn was in the car. I called Chris and he came out to where we were just behind our property.

I just don't understand what happened. It just doesn't make sense. He drove Chris and I crazy, but I love him and it was too soon. :(

Ooh-Rah the day we got him at 8 weeks old.

These two pictures were taken last month with him in his two favorite places. I found him laying just as he is above, so you can see why I thought he was just asleep.

We love you Ooh.

Going better

We are starting to get into a routine I am comfortable with. I like the routine that school offers, but not the shuttling around. But, I'll take it. I felt like I never got into a routine this summer. However, we had a bunch of good times.

I am trying to update my blog from mid July until I started back up on Lauklan's Baptism. So, check from July 9 - August 8 if you want to see all that happened on my trip.

The kids are doing pretty well. They are excited to go to back to school. Aislinn starts Monday the 17th and Kerstyn, Lauklan and Greyson start the 24th.

Ready or not, here we go...

Brennan's First Day of Seventh Grade

Really?

Seriously? I'm old enough to have a seventh grader?

I guess so, because I sent him off to seventh grade today.

And, he survived!

Lauklan's Baptism Day!

Beautiful!

We've been waiting for this...

Parents with the big boy.

Grandma actually got this picture above, and I love it. I just love how Chris is looking at Lauklan and how they are both so happy.

I took this picture before we started and the room even filled up some more. I couldn't believe it!

Perfect! (Not us, that is FOR SURE, but the reason.)

I am so thankful that so many people could and did come to Lauklan's baptism. What a great thing to celebrate!