Memorable MondayInstitute Graduation

I went to Cortney's Institute Graduation tonight.  She graduated the same night as her sister graduated from seminary, but in different stakes.  Lisa and Travis went to see Ashley graduate from seminary, while I went to see Cort graduate.  Seminary and Institute graduation are done by the stakes, so I attend the Mesa Stake Seminary and Institute graduation to support Cortney.

Cort before graduation

Cort with her diploma

I don't know that one could graduate from institute, so I was surprised to hear the I would be graduating after attending institute for 2 years.  My graduation ceremony was held at the institute at MCC.  I love institute and it became my home while I was at school.  I hung out there when I didn't have classes.  I was involved in the sorority program and even represented the institute during an MCC function  I met so many great friends through the institute program.  After institute graduation, I attended the institute for many more years and took some great classes. 

Institute Graduation from MCC

Josh's talks

Josh had to give two talks today - one in Sacrament Meeting and the other one in a ward young men fireside.

Sacrament Meeting Talk

Good morning brother and sisters.  I was asked to give a talk on my favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon.  My favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon are the war chapters.  They teach us many principles.  Most scriptures tell us what would happen when we sin or when we are righteous.  The war chapters actually show us what will happen.  One of my favorite scriptures in the war chapters is when Captain Moroni makes the Title of Liberty.  He rented his coat and wrote on it, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children" then he fastened it to a pole.  Then he had the Title of Liberty put on every tower.  The Title of Liberty symbolizes our covenants and the towers symbolize what we look at or what we listen to.  Moroni did this to remind the people of their covenants.   Moroni did this to remind the people of their covenants   We should put reminders of our covenants everywhere, to remind us of our baptismal covenants, Temple ordinances, and our Savior.In Helaman 5:12, it says " And now, my sons, remember, remember that is is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation that when the devil shall send forth his might winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and might storms shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."  We must remember to build our foundation on the rock.  And in Helaman 5:9 it says " O remember, remember my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby men can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who call come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world."  We must also remember the words of the prophet.  The prophets know what the spiritual threats are out there.  He can see what dangers are out there.  And he has devoted his life to help you and lead you back to Heavenly Father.  I know that President Monson is a Living Prophet and that this is the true church. I know that Heavenly Father loves each one of us and wants us to return to him and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Fireside Talk

I was asked to speak on the act portion of the Duty to God.  In the old Duty to God, the acts were simple tasks to complete, but in the newer one, it has you plan and work on it.  It helps teach the young men the skills they will need.  Doing the act is very important to help the young men remember the lessons they learn when doing the Duty to God.  If they didn't act, they would most likely forget of get nothing our of it.  It will also teach them HOW to use their skills.  And to finish, I am going to read D&C 58:26-17 " For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all thins' for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.  Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;"

Ashley's Graduation

Ashley graduated from seminary and high school this week.  I didn't make it to her seminary graduation, but I attended her high school graduation.  It was great to watch Ashley graduated.  She performed with the band before and during the graduation ceremony.  Ashley is a very talented girl and she has many diverse talents.  She has a lot of self-confidence and will go after what she wants.  Congratulations Ashley!!!

Seminary Graduation

Class of 2012

8th Grade Promotion

This year, the district asked the Junior High schools to have 8th grade promotion ceremonies.  Taylor had two different promotion ceremonies and Danni participated in the first one.  The auditorium was packed with parents who wanted to see their child receive their certificate.  I really enjoyed watching Danni cross the stage and shake with Mr. Hinsey, her Reading and English teacher .  After the ceremony, there was time for photos, a lot of photos.  Good Job Danni!!!  I'm so proud of you!!!

It's Danni's turn

Danni with Jocelyn, Maybree, and Miranda

Danni and Kaylynn

Good Friends

Maybree, Johnnie, Danni, and Miranda

Danni's good friends

Danni and Maybree

Award Ceremonies

Angela and Danni had award ceremonies this week also.  Danni's ceremony was held at the same time as Angela's promotion ceremony and Angela's award ceremony was held just before Danni's promotion ceremony.  I was unable to attend Danni's award ceremony, but Jim was there to support her and take pics of course.  Congratulations Danni!!

Danni earned the 6th grade drama award

Both Jim and I were able to attend Angela's award ceremony before I rushed to see Danni's promotion.  Angela earned the citizenship award and was recognized for being in the orchestra.  I was thrilled to be able to see Angela receive her award.  She has grown so much at Porter and I'm so proud of her. 

Congratulations Angela!!

Angela and Mrs. Heywood

6th Grade Promotion

Angela had her 6th grade promotion this evening.  It was sweet to see her sing with her 6th grade classmates.  She sang "Time to Soar" with so much heart that it was fun to watch her sing.  When it was her time, she walked across the stage to receive her certificate.  I cried as I thought about her years in elementary school and how great it was that she can return to Porter for the last few years.   I'm thrilled to see her participate in this ceremony with a couple of her friends that she started kindergarten with.  It's hard to say goodbye to elementary school and all the great teachers that helped make those years so great.  Congratulations Angela!!!  I'm so proud of you!!!

Angela before the promotion ceremony

Photos during the ceremony

Angela has great friends and an awesome teacher

Memorable Monday Solar Eclipse

Sunday, there was a solar eclipse.  The news channel called it the "Ring of Fire".  Since this is a solar eclipse, we couldn't look directly into the sun.  There were several ways to safely view the eclipse.  The view from a telescope is the best!!

This is the way that we viewed the eclipse 

I remember when I was in elementary school and there was an eclipse during the day.  The teacher told us not to look directly at the sun.  Guess what I did - looked at the sun.  My vision isn't all that good and I blame that day I looked at the eclipse.  I know that's not the case, but I got to blame it on something.

Swing Dance

Mesa High held their annual swing dance and it was a great success! This year there were a lot of Mesa High  Band students that attended and danced the night away.  Josh came with Jim and I this year and he danced just about every dance.  I had to wait my turn to take a spin around the room with him.  He is quite a dancer!  Hopefully, he will play in the jazz band in the future.

Danni's trip to Saguaro Lake

Danni and some friends went to Saguaro Lake.  They had a blast!!!!!

Sisters

Our roots say we're sisters, our hearts say we're friends.

Author Unknown

Debbie came into town for the night and stayed in a hotel in Gilbert while Randy and his team competed.  My sisters and I had yummy dinner with my parents. After dinner, my sisters and I headed back to Debbie's hotel room for some catching up to do.  It was great to chat with my sisters!  Afterwards we went for some ice cream and then headed to the local watering hole for drinks.  It was a great evening spent with my sisters!!!

My sisters - Lisa and Debbie

Debbie and I

Family Home Evening

I taught a Relief Society Enrichment lesson on Family Home Evening.  It was a great reminder to study up why we have FHE and how I can improve ours.  I talked about four tips for Family Home Evening.

1. Remember the purpose of FHE

"We advise and urge the inauguration of a 'Home Evening' through the church, at which time father and mother may gather their boys and girls about them in the home an teach the word of the Lord...'Home Evening' should be devoted to prayer, singing hymns, song, instrumental music, scripture-reading, family topics and specific instruction on the principles of the gospel, and  on the ethical problems of life, as well as the duties and obligations of children to parents, the home, the Church, society and the nation.  ...If the Saints obey this counsel, we promise that great blessings will result.  Love at home and obedience to parents will increase.  Faith will be developed in the hearts of he youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them."

(First Presidency letter, 27 April 1915 - Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose)

2. Make it fun

3. Look for Ideas Everywhere

4. Dare to Be Different

There are so many ideas and things to do and remember that this is a time to bond as a family and create wonderful moments

Spring Band Concert

The MHS had their last band concert of the year this evening.  This concert was also an award ceremony for all the band students, especially the seniors.  Josh's YM leaders and Mitchell came to hear him perform and were very impressed.  The Symphonic band performed 5 songs with the Wind Ensemble.  The last song that they performed was "Into the West" where each senior performed a solo.  During this solo, there was a video of them during their time at MHS and well as their growing up years.  It was an emotional evening for the band as they said goodbyes to the seniors.

It was fun to have Josh and Ashley in band together.

If you look close, you can see Josh and Ashley!

Angel Moroni

Last night, we went to Jon and Mindy's house for dinner and noticed that there was a lot of commotion going on near the temple site.   I looked over and saw the Angel Moroni.  There was rumor that they were placing the Angel on the temple that day.  They actually waited until the next day and we didn't get to see it placed on the temple, but it was great to see the Angel Moroni up close.

Temple awaiting Angel Moroni

Close up view of the Angel Moroni

Angel Moroni is placed on the Gilbert temple.
I borrowed pics from friends.

Memorable MondayYearbooks

Danni was in the Yearbook Committee this year at Taylor.  Here is a picture of their yearbook this year.  It was so fun to look at the yearbook and see the pictures that Danni and I took.

Danni was really involved this year in school.  She did a play, a musical. participated in the drama club, performing arts club, 2 choirs, yearbook committee, and was a member of the National Junior Honor Society.  She practically lived on campus.  Here are some pictures of her in the yearbook this year.

Drama Club / NJHS

Performing Arts Club / Yearbook Committee

Ovation Choir / Encore Choir

Since this is Memorable Monday, I wanted to look back at past junior high yearbooks.  Josh and Danni attended Taylor together for one year.  Here is the yearbook for that year.

Josh's 8th Grade Yearbook
Danni's 7th Grade Yearbook

Josh was involved in 8th grade in music and chess, of course.  He really enjoys getting involved in school.

Josh 8th Grade
Symphonic Band

Josh 8th Grade
Guitar and Chess

Danni was involved in choir this year.  It was so fun to watch her sing and dance on stage.  I'm so glad that she chose to be involved in choir.

Danni's 7th Grade
Prep Choir

This is Josh's 7th Grade Yearbook.  I couldn't wait to check out this junior high yearbook.

Josh's 7th Grade Yearbook

Josh joined the chess club this year.  He couldn't wait to become involved in this club.  He often stays after school with the chess club.   Josh is taking band in junior high, which makes me very happy. 

Josh 7th Grade
Chess Club / Prep Band

Mother's Day

On Mother' Day, I make the dedication to be a better mother to my four children.  Being a mother is a very rewarding calling and I'm so lucky to be a mother.  Mother's Day comes once a year to remind me how lucky I am and that I need to be grateful for that opportunity   I found some great subway art to display my feelings of Motherhood.

Qualities of Mother

My 4 Kids

A great definition of a Mother

Spring Orchestra Concert

Angela had her last orchestra concert at Porter today.  She has worked really hard to learn how to play the cello this year.  She had an amazing orchestra who helped her transition from the violin to the cello.

She performed 4 songs, the last one was a combo with the advanced orchestra.  She has an amazing teacher and great friends in orchestra.  This was an amazing experience for her and I'll so glad that she wanted to take orchestra at Porter.

Most Improved Breakfast

Emily recieved an award for being one of the most improved students in her class.  Each teacher picked two students tin their class that were the most improved and invited them to a breakfast.  It was a yummy breakfast and a sweet reward for Emmy's hard work.  After the breakfast, each teacher passed out certificates to the students.  It was neat to see Emmy's hard work recognized. 

Way to go Emily!!!

Emily and Lindsey were Mrs. Sparks most improved students.

Spring Choir Concert

Danni had her final choir concert at Taylor night.  It was a great concert mixed with an award ceremony.  Danni received an award for being the alto section leader.  She has worked really hard in choir and enjoyed this past year.  She sang a solo in "Danny Boy" and did an amazing job.  We were telling her that she should sing "Danni, boy ...".  It was great to see Danni enjoy choir so much!  It's going to be sad knowing that Danni  will no longer be singing with the Taylor choir.  Danni really enjoyed Mr. Meade as a choir teacher and I know that she will miss him and her choir friends a lot.

Memorable Monday Grandma Pace

I met Grandma Pace when Jim took me to see her and show off my engagement ring.  Grandma Pace was the first one to see it.  She was so sweet and I loved the thought of having a grandma again.  My Grandma Wall passed away when I was 12 and my Grandma Shaw passed away when I was 13,

Wedding Photo with Grandma Pace

Grandma Pace came to celebrate each one of my kids' blessings.  It's great to have pictures of my kids with 4 generations on the Pace side.  I'm so glad that Grandma Pace was able to attend these social gatherings.

Josh & Danni's Blessing

Angela and Emily's Blessing

It was so fun to have Grandma Pace with us and we enjoyed getting pics with her.  Here is a fun photo with Josh, Devon, Riley, and Jenna.  

One memory that I'm going to cherish was when I sat with Grandma Pace during a Christmas Party and we played Bingo for over an hour with her great-grand-children.  The kids  had a great time playing with her and  I  enjoyed spending that time with her.

Christmas 2008

Every Christmas Eve, Grandpa Pace would give his grandchildren stuffed animal and would invite Great-Grandma Pace to sit with them for pictures.  This is one of the highlights on Christmas Eve.  We will miss getting these photos with Great-Grandma Pace.  What a treasure these photos are!!

Christmas 2009