middle school stuff.

   May is still whipping by like a crazy train of activity! I always think it's far busier than December, even with all the holidays added in. It's so much fun though, and it means that summertime is right around the corner which brings some much needed down time.

 

   Last Friday, our soon to be high school freshman, had his 8th grade dance. He went with two of his buddies and had a great time. Doesn't he look handsome?

 

 

 

 

 



Getting ready to go.



 

 

 

 

My favorite part was our post dance conference where I got the scoop on all of the fun. Biggest news? The young single math and science teachers slow dancing together. That's juicy stuff!

 

Post conference at In n Out.

 

 

     Griffin was inducted to the National Junior Honor Society and we are so proud of him. What a great accomplishment! Inductees must have a minimum 3.65 grade point average to qualify then they must complete an application and write an essay on why they feel they qualify. The committee selects those they feel best represent the NJHS. The best part is all the service he'll get to do over the next 2 years.

 

  

Laughing with family.

 

 

My kingdom for a normal smile with this guy!

 

 

These guys make me super proud to be their mom. I am so lucky to fill that position. :)

 

 

may.

   May has been really awesome so far.  I am done with classes for the summer and have just one semester left of nursing school to go! I am so excited! 

 

  Mother's Day was amazing. Jeb really spoiled me. He got up extra early Saturday morning and rode his bike about 4 miles to Whole Foods to grocery shop with his own money for all he needed to cook a special surprise lunch for me. How he got the groceries back on his bike I will never know! The meal was so good and I was blown away by how grown up he has become. So thoughtful!

 

 

 

 

 

Mother's Day itself was special. We spent time with my mom, went to church, and ate pizza and watched SNL all afternoon. It was the perfect day.

 

I am so grateful to have been blessed with a wonderful mom. Every day with her is truly a gift. Reflecting on the many strong examples of motherhood that I have in my life makes me want to strive to be a better mother every day.

 

 

 

 

Griff had some exciting news. He was accepted into the National Junior Honor Society. He was pretty happy and so was I. I love getting texts like these! He gets inducted soon and the ceremony seems to be a very big deal. I love that he will be required to do service over the next two years. He already has a heart for volunteer work and I pray this will light that fire even more. Way to go, G!

 

 

 

 

 

 Both boys had their spring concerts for orchestra and band. It was two nights of impressive music. As you can see, they are passing me up quick and growing like weeds. This is Jeb's last concert as a middle schooler. It was bittersweet. We love his school and band teacher, but we are excited for him to start marching band in high school. Lots of football games in our future!

  

 

 

 

I love these three men with all of my heart!  I am so blessed to belong to them.

  

a haircut....finally.

sewing lessons.

Tonight I taught the boys to sew a button on a shirt. I completely savored sitting with them, no television or tablets, talking them through the steps.

  We are working on a whole list of life skills. It's the list of weird things that I remember having to do for the first time as an adult, and not being sure what to do. You know what I'm talking about... the first time you had to hem a pair of pants, wrap a gift, use a pay phone, bring a side dish to a party, mop the floor, fill your car with gas, or grocery shop on a budget. Those things.

So now, we can check sewing a button off the list. They really did a great job. I told them when they are away at college, without mom there to do it, they will be happy. I think their future wives will thank me , too. :)

winter break fun.

We had a great trip up to see the kids. We chilled in the hotel room, went bowling, played arcade games, ate yummy pizza, and laughed a ton. Even Sam (our dog) joined the fun. It went by way too fast. Until next time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

music makers.

   I am so happy that the boys have had the opportunity to learn to play instruments in middle school. Jeb is on his 3rd year of trumpet and Griff has embarked on the cello. Their winter concerts were amazing. It is so fun to see how far they have come in such a short amount of time.
 

   I admire the instructors who somehow teach a hundred kids a new instrument and pull off a concert within three short months. I hope the boys stick with their music long after they leave middle school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

service.

   One of the things that we have been working on in our home is cultivating servants hearts. The more I have been exposed to the hurting and broken while working my clinical rotations, the more I see the need and have the desire to serve others. Through our local foodbank, Three Square, we've been able to help deliver meals to the needy, serve breakfast to the homeless, and assist in various ways to help the hungry locally in Las Vegas.  It has been humbling.

   This past week, we worked in the Three Square warehouse putting together food boxes to be delivered to local families. Working along side Jeb and Griffin made my mother's heart so proud. The whole facility was full of young people, and their enthusiasm and energy was awesome. It was such a great day.

 

 

birthdays.

We have had some pretty special birthdays lately. The first was Jeb's 13th. I can not believe I have a teenager now. He is growing into such a great young man and I enjoy him more and more every day. He truly has a servant's heart, always asking what he can do to help. I love that about him.

 

We went to his favorite pizza place for his birthday dinner, decorated a bit around our house, and had his traditionally huge birthday sundae. My favorite part though was when he and I slipped away for a Saturday morning date. We indulged on Nutella hot chocolate and muffins. So good!

 

 

A few weeks later this special lady had her 76th birthday. She has been struggling with her health lately, and that has meant lots of doctor's appointments. It was really nice to slip away for a reason other than to see the doctor. We went to lunch and I loved catching up and soaking her in. It was a great day. Later the boys made her feel super special with a cake and flowers. She means so much to us and we are grateful to have her in our life.