Semi-Formal Dance

A kid at MHS decided to host a semi-formal dance.  Josh and Mitchell took their dates to Barro's Pizza before heading to the dance. 

Mitchell, Aubrey, Tiffany, and Josh

Mitchell and Aubrey

Tiffany and Josh

Paint War

Danni and her friends had a paint war.  They are so creative and had lots of fun.  Here are some of the pictures that the members of the group took.

Memorable MondayUnderstanding Death

A friend of mine lost her dear husband.  It's hard to know what to say or how to comfort her.  At his funeral, I heard some really good stories of him and wish that I knew him better.  I was touched when I heard his grandchildren sing at his funeral.  You could tell that they loved him dearly and was going to miss him.  I often think about the loved ones that I lost.  I love hearing at  funerals that we will see our loved ones again.  It comforting to know that I will see my grandparents again.  Understanding death can be the biggest comfort.

Hair Dye

I dyed my hair a little darker than I had planned.  It was almost black and I was worried if it would look good on me.  At church, I received a lot of compliments on my hair color.  I'll have to keep my hair color almost black.

Josh's Talk

Good afternoon, brothers and sisters.  For those of you who don't know me, my names is Josh Pace.

I was asked to talk about the benefits of doing Duty to God.  To understand the benefits, we should first understand the purpose of the Duty to God program.  The Duty to God program has many important roles in a young man's life.  It is to prepare him for the Melchizedek Priesthood, his mission, fulfilling his priesthood duties, and living worthily.

It has been said by Robert D. Hales, "The purpose ... is to help young men prepare for the Melchizedek Priesthood, the temple endowment, a full-time mission, marriage, and fatherhood".  Now the benefits of the Duty to God program.  There are many benefits to the Duty to God program.  Testimonies will be strengthened.  Personal Scripture study will be more meaningful.  Young men will be spiritually ready to fulfill their priesthood duties and serve a mission.  It was said by Robert D. Hales, "As youth  work on these goals, they will develop skills and attributes that will lead them to the temple and prepare them for a lifetime of service to their families and the Lord." The Duty to God Award will assist young men to meet the future challenge of life an to achieve the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood."

These are difficult times.  Satan is more powerful than ever before as he seeks to destroy your eternal potential.  Satan know your weaknesses and will do anything to destroy you.  The Duty to God program will help put a wall between Satan and yourself.  We all need as much protection from Satan's influence as possible.  We need the Savior to be in our daily lives.  Through programs like Duty to God, we can achieve that.  I know that these things are true.  I know that the Duty to God program can enrich our lives with strength and purpose, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Memorable MondayFamiliar Places

When Steve was visiting, we went to some familiar places that I had taken my kids before Emily was born - the Dinosaur Museum & Katuka Island. Here are some of the great adventures that we had then.

Dinosaur Museum 

(That's the name we refer to the Museum)

This is a great place to see the dinosaurs up close and personal.  The City of Mesa does a great job with this museum.  It often changes exhibits and sometimes names, but it always has great dinosaurs on display.

The cousins in front of the Museum

Posing a the Entrance of the Museum

There was a section for the kids to go golfing.

Angela learning to Golf

 Katuka Island

This was an indoor play area, with big plastic trees as the center.  The kids had a great time and didn't want to go home.  The play area huge with a great staff to help the kids when they got stuck or needed help.  This was one of my favorite places that I took the kiddos.

Angela and Bree - they were found together often holding hands.

  

Josh near the base of the tree.  

Danni posing near the fish.  I can't see him, can you?

Angela and Danni

Danni and Jenna

Josh and Devon

EFY

Danni went to EFY in Flagstaff with Miranda.  Here are some pictures of Danni at EFY

Steve's Visit

Steve came to visit out family this past week.  This was the first time that we met little Audrey and we were super excited to see her.  We had a great visit with them.  We went to various places and went out to eat too!  We had an amazing time reconnecting with Steve and his family.

We are excited to see Steve and his family!!!!

* One day we spent an afternoon at Mukutu's Island.  There is a huge tree is the center with a playground and slides surrounding it.  It's so fun for the kids and adults alike.  Lisa, Steve, and I were climbing and playing just like the kids did,.  It seems like the three of us never grew up either.

Steve and the kids

Kids having fun!!!!

* We went swimming that evening at Alex and Cortney's pool. It was so nice of them to have us over.  We swam in their pool and the hot top.  It was June, so most of us spent time in the pool.

* We went to the Dinosaur Museum - aka the Arizona Museum of History of Natural History.  We toured the museum and panned for gold.  Debbie and her family came with us along with Joey and Kenzie.  We had so much fun touring the museum.  Afterwards we went to Native New Yorker for lunch.  I loved spending this day with my family.

Family Pic - this was before the tour

Having fun at the museum

Panning for Gold

Mom, Dad, Steve, Deb, and I

Memorable MondayMay 2008

I found this journal entry and thought that my older two would love to see what life was like when they were younger.

May 30, 1998 Josh - 21 months. Danielle - 2 months.

Josh and Danielle went to the Zoo and a company picnic.  Josh and Danielle had a good time.  Josh saw the elephants, rhinos, giraffes, birds, turtles, and a few more.  Most of the animals were hiding from the sun.  We saw a beautiful peacock when we first arrived at the zoo.  Josh had his picture taken with a statute of a monkey at the zoo.  At the company picnic, Josh had fun eating his food.  When the pigeons came by, Josh send away by saying “go” and moving his hands.  The pigeons were on a mission to get as much food as possible.  Nothing was going to stop them.  Josh had a snow cone and watched a magic show.  Danielle was a very good  girl.  She was to young to really enjoy the zoo, picnic, or the magic show.  Josh was to young for the magic show.  Danielle wore the cutest dress she got from her Grandma Pace.  At home, Josh read his favorite book “Wheels”.  He reads it at least 5-6 times a day.  He loves the vehicles and loves to make the noises they make.  He thinks cars & trucks are tractors.  He thinks people are boys.  He does very well with the animals.  His favorite animals are the dog, cow, and duck.  His favorite food is the apple.  Danielle loves to be on the floor.  She is really getting close to rolling over.  She sticks her legs in the air and can roll on her side and move her lower torso.  Josh and Danielle are very special and are learning new things every day.   Their parents love them very much and are proud of their accomplishments.

Girl's Camp 2013

The theme for camp this year is

"I'm a Mormon. I Know it! I Live it!  I Love it!"

The back of our camp T-shirts.
 Someone colored the back of theirs and it looked AMAZING!!!!

Sis. Ann Dibb said in October 2012 General Conference:  "I am inspired by the examples being set by the righteous members of the Church, including the noble youth. You courageously look to the Savior. You are faithful, obedient, and pure. The blessings you receive because of your goodness affect not only your lives but also my life and the lives of countless others in profound but often unknown ways.

A few years ago, I was in line to make a purchase at my local grocery store. Ahead of me stood a young woman, about 15 years old. She appeared confident and happy. I noticed her T-shirt and couldn’t resist talking to her. I began, “You’re from out of state, aren’t you?”

She was surprised by my question and replied, “Yes, I am. I’m from Colorado. How did you know?”

I explained, “Because of your T-shirt.” I made my accurate supposition after reading the words on her shirt, “I’m a Mormon. Are you?”

I continued, “I must tell you that I’m impressed by your confidence to stand out and wear such a bold declaration. I see a difference in you, and I wish every young woman and every member of the Church could have your same conviction and confidence.” Our purchases completed, we said good-bye and parted.

Yet for days and weeks after this random everyday moment, I found myself seriously reflecting upon this encounter. I wondered how this young girl from Colorado came to possess such confidence in her identity as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I couldn’t help but wonder what meaningful phrase I would figuratively choose to have printed on my T-shirt reflecting my belief and testimony. In my mind, I considered many possible sayings. Eventually, I came upon an ideal statement I would proudly wear: “I’m a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it."

Me and my girls at camp!!!

”Wednesday's theme  - "I'm a Mormon.  I Know it! - The scripture is found in  Moroni 10:4-5  "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

Thursday's theme - I'm a Mormon.  I Live it! - The scripture is found  in D&C 20:77  "O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of my Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments, which he has given them; that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen"

Friday's theme - I'm a Mormon.  I Love it! - This scripture was found in Alma 26:16 "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea we will praise our God forever.  Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel"

Saturday theme - No Man is an Island - The scripture was found in John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you....love one another"

DJ's Ranch - Our new girl's camp home

I Will

I made my choice 

You mark this day

The day I pledge

to take His name

I will be strong

I will be brave

Standing for him 

As I take my place

I have felt the spirit burn truth in my heat,

It's in my heart

I will stand

 I will not fall

In a world's that weak 

I will be strong

I will be true

I will chose His way

Yeah, I know what's right 

And I will not change

In a world where so many will not

 I will

I may be one 

But one becomes two 

When you stand with me

And I stand with you

As we unite

Our cause is great 

We're not just the candle 

We are the flame

I will take the light He gives me

And I'll hold it up high 

I'll hold it up high

I will stand

I will not fall in a world that's weak 

I will be strong

I'll be true

I will chose his way

Yeah, I know what's right

And I will not change

In a world where so many will not

 I will

I will stand 

I will not fall in a world that's weak 

I will be strong

I'll be true

 I will chose his way

Yeah I know what's right

And I will not change

In a world where so many will not

 I will

 I will

The girls had a blast at camp!!!  Danni was a fourth year and they stayed in camp this year, just started a day earlier than the rest of the girls.  Angela is a second year camper and I'm her tent mom with some great girls, some of which I had last year.   The girls had some free time where they could try different activities, such as shooting, archery, headband making, volleyball, and some other great activities.  Angela tried everything and really had a good time with her camp friends.  I love going to camp with my girls and cherish the time I have with them.

Danni and friends

Angela and friends

Angela at camp

4th year canoeing

Lip Syncs

Memorable MondayDanni's burn

When Danni was in 8 or 9 years old, she burnt her upper thigh with scalding water.  She just sat down at the table with ramen noodle soup, when the soup tipped and the water landed on her thigh.  The water was so hot that it caused a 2nd degree burn.  The skin on her thigh was starting to peel immediately after the burn.  I will never that moment.  Jim took her to the Emergency Room, where they cleaned the burn and put cream on it to soothe the pain.  They also recommended that we take her to the Maricopa Burn Center the next day due to the size and severity of the burn.  In the morning, I took her to the burn center, where the doctor and nurses cleaned her burn again and then added a special bandage that adhered to the skin.  This bandage would stay on until the skin underneath had healed and then the bandage would fall off on its own.  This bandage would act like the skin that came off after she burnt it.  Danni was so lucky to have this bandage since it replaces putting on the cream and then taking if off several times a day.  While the bandage was on, Danni needed to be very careful and keep the bandage clean.  She would stay inside for recess and hang out in the library.  She had great friends that stayed with her.  Once a week, Danni had to go to the burn clinic to have the bandage checked..  After a month, the bandage completely fell off and she was free to resume physical activity.  Danni's scar is so small, but it's a reminder of how lucky we were to get the help we needed.  I tell everyone how amazing the burn center is and how blessed we were that we were recommended to go there.