Angela's Re-Evaluation

Angela had her re-eval today.  The school psychologist had some concerns regarding Angela, so we was re-tested.  Usually in high school, they don't test every student that needs a re-eval. At the meeting today, we were going to look at her tests and make educational goals for the next year.   We talked about the tests and her team decided that she needed to be reclassified as an MI (Mentally Impaired) student.  This was hard information to hear, but I was not surprised.  We talked about how this new classification will help her immediately and in the near future.  Immediately, she doesn't need to take Algebra to graduate, so they are planning to put her in Consumer Math ASAP.  She is struggling in that class and panicking every day.  With this new classification, she now qualifies for DDD.  This will open doors for her that were unavailable before.  She will qualify for respite, habitation, and a work program that could lead to future employment after graduation.  When she is 18, we can search guardianship over her and she can receive social security.  It was a very informative meeting and I hope I remember half of it.  Luckily for me, I have a lot of resources at Mesa High to help me.  

Memorable MondayYouth Symphony

Josh participated in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony during his senior year.  He helped the students who auditioned to be in the wind ensemble group.  There were several kids from Mesa High that helped out.  Since the practices were at Mesa High, it was easy for Josh to stay after school and rehearse with them.  Mr. Quamo provided rides for them to and from concerts.  Josh performed in 2 of their concerts of the season.  This was a great experience for Josh to help younger perfomers.

Peforming at the MAC

I was in the Jordan Youth Symphony during my sophomore year. This symphony consists of  a youth symphony for middle school kids and a senior symphony for high school kids.   The senior symphony, the one I participated in, consisted of 4 high schools, with 10 kids representing Jordan High.  We played a couple of songs and then combined with the youth symphony to play one of my favorite songs "Russian's Sailor's Dance".

Women's Conference

My daughters and I attend Women's Conference tonight.  The speakers talked a lot about the family.  I felt the spirit and wanted to remember what was spoken at the conference.  The words spoken that night were words that I needed to hear.

Sis. Carole Stephens - "Sisters, we belong. We are loved. We are needed. We have a divine purpose, work, place, and role in the Church and kingdom of God and in His eternal family. Do you know deep in your heart that your Heavenly Father loves you and desires you and those you love to be with Him? Just as “Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ are perfect … , Their hopes for us are perfect.”16 Their plan for us is perfect, and Their promises are sure. Of these truths I gratefully testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Bonnie L. Oscarson - "Let us help build the kingdom of God by standing up boldly and being defenders of marriage, parenthood, and the home."...We should “make our homes” places of order, refuge, holiness, and safety. Our homes should be places where the Spirit of the Lord is felt in rich abundance and where the scriptures and the gospel are studied, taught, and lived. "

Pres. Henry B. Eyring -  "Many are praying to Heavenly Father for relief, for help in carrying their burdens of grief, loneliness, and fear. Heavenly Father hears those prayers and understands their needs. He and His Beloved Son, the resurrected Jesus Christ, have promised help.  Jesus Christ gave this sweet promise:  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  The burdens His faithful servants must carry in life are made lighter by His Atonement. The burden of sin can be taken away, but the trials of mortal life for good people can still be heavy burdens."

MHS Spring Service Day

In the fall, Mesa High had a very successful service day, so they decided to do it again.  Josh came with me this time and we scrapped gum of the concrete.  I love watching our Mesa High Community get together to make the campus clean.  It shows a great sense of pride.  I'm so proud to be apart of this great community.

Throw Back ThursdayPeanut

 We had Peanut for 3 years and were sad to hear that Peanut died. Here is a picture of Danni with peanut.

Porter H2O Walk

Emily is in Hope Club this year.  For the past 3 years, Porter has had an H20 Walk to earn money to make a well in a 3rd world country.   Mrs. Mendoza started this program a few years ago and now more schools are participating.  This year, Porter chose to build a well in India.  In the past, they have built wells in Africa.  The kids know the importance of water.  During their walk around the school, they carry water bottles to know what it feels like to carry water from the river, like those whom they are earning money to help.  They know that they can and do make a difference to others that so desperately need their help. They know that they are changing lives around the world and feel very empowered.  It's a great program and I'm so glad that Emily was able to participate this year.

Emily in her H2O shirt

Emily during her walk

Memorable MondayJosh's School Days

Josh is going graduate this week.  I wanted to look back and remember his years in school.

Today is Josh's last quarter in high school.  His days in public school are coming to an end.  Here is a quick photo summary of his school days.

Josh went to Porter Elementary school for Kindergarten through 6th grade.  He repeated 1st grade, which has been a blessing in his life.  I know that was really hard for him to do back then, but it helpe him a great deal.  It was at Porter where he learned to be a good student.

Josh had Mrs. Slocum and Mrs. Beames for Kindergarten

Josh had Mrs. Servis for his second crack at 1st grade and Mrs. Michaels for 2nd grade

Josh had Mrs. Holman for 3rd grade and Mr. Morris for 4th grade

Josh had Mrs. Brown for 5th Grade and Mrs. Lenz for 6th grade.

Josh spent 2 great years at Taylor.  He got involved in chess and band.  After his 8th grade year, all upcoming 9th and 10th graders went to Mesa High.  Josh was never top dog at Taylor Jr. High.

Junior High School

Josh was the first full class of freshman to attend high school in the Mesa District.   He spent 4 years at Mesa High and he really enjoyed his years there.

High School Years

Spring Break

There is so much to do during Spring Break that doesn't cost a lot of money.  We try to do fun things during Spring Break, so we don't feel bad that we didn't leave the valley.  Here is what we did this week.

Monday - Free Ice Cream - After Danni took Josh to get his senior pictures, we headed to Dairy Queen to get some free ice cream.  We know how to start off Spring Break - ice cream of course.

Yummy ice cream

Tuesday - Cinderella - Angela, Emmy, and I went to see Cinderella in the theater.  It was such an amazing movie which taught kids to be kind and brave.  I LOVED it.  We sat in the most amazing theater seats.

Angela and Emily showing off the theater seats

Wednesday - Ghost Town - We took a tour of the Goldfield Ghost Town and took pictures along the way.  We also toured the Mystery Shack which made me sick the whole day.

Superstition Mountains

Mystery Shack

See why I was so SICK!!!

Pace Family at the Goldfield Ghost Town

We to the kids to see the latest Penguins movie on Wednesday too.  I think I slept thought the movie.  I was still sick from the Mystery Shack.  It really did a number on me.

Thursday - We went to the desert to hang out with Jim's parents.  We explored in the morning and played  Phase 10 in the afternoon.  We had a blast teaching Grandma and Grandpa how to play the game.  Josh helped the younger kids built a fort.  We were shocked that they had enough supplies to build it.  Josh says that he only used 9 nails to put up the fort.

The desert was so beautiful

Emily was SO happy to play with the dogs

Danni cuddling with the dogs when they got cold

Playing Phase 10 with Grandma and Grandpa was the BEST

Kids working on fort

completed fort

Friday - MAC - We went with the Clawsons to check out what the MAC had to offer during Spring Break.  Usually the have some AMAZING stuff, but this year it was just OK,  It was still fun though.

Fun at the MAC

Throw Back ThursdayMountain Man Rendezvous

Josh left for Mountain Man this morning. I remembered the last time he went. He has grown a lot since then. He has the same backpack and it looks like the same hat. I hope he has an amazing time.

Josh's Learners Permit

Josh went to the MVD and passed his driving test, so now he has his Learner's Permit.  We are getting closer to having 4 drivers.  I'm so proud of you, Josh!!!!

20th Wedding Anniversary

Jim and I just celebrated or 20th Wedding Anniversary.  We didn't do anything big, just celebrated it by spending time with our children.

Here are just some of the things that we have done in the past 20 years:  

1- Jim and I loved to go out to dinner and end up shopping at the bookstore.  One of our favorite restaurant / bookstore combinations closed a few years ago - Black Eyed Pea and Borders.  Bookstores are declining, but luckily we still have Barnes and Noble that is still open and close by.

2- Jim and I love to go to the movies with popcorn and a drink.  Lately we've watched the Maze Run series, Hunger Game series, and Lord of the Rings.  It's always a fun date.

3- Jim and I went to San Diego for a second honeymoon paid for my parents and sister.  It was fun to get away.  We went to the San Diego Zoo and did a session at the temple.

4- Jim and I loved to be the tycoon games on the computer.  Even though these were done individually, it was fun to share a hobby that we had in common.

5- Jim and I have helped each other in a time of sickness.  We know that we have each other's backs.  
6- Jim and I like to do puzzles together.  Jim has a good eye for puzzles.
7- Jim and I like to sneak away and get Circle K drinks together.
8- Jim and I love to go up to the mountains to camp or just hang out..  We can let the kids roam while we relax.
9- Jim and I both love to sleep in and do often, especially on Sundays when church starts late.
10- Jim and I used to go on lunch dates when Jim started working home once a week.  We used to go to a variety of different restaurants around Mesa and Gilbert.
11- Jim and I went to Sedona / Flagstaff to get away.  Emmy was still so little, so she was our little traveling buddy.

12- Jim and I traveled through AZ, UT, NV, & CA with our children.

13- Jim and I took a marriage class and parenting class through our stake.  We learned a lot about yourselves.

14 - Jim and I chaperoned a trip together - Holiday Bowl
15 - Jim and I love to reminisce about our dating days.  
16 - Jim and I are working together to solve our money problems.
17 - Jim and I volunteered at an event prior to the Super Bowl in 1996.
18 - Jim and I did temple sessions together at the Mesa Temple, San Diego Temple, and the Jordan River Temple.
19 - Jim and I have done many house and yard projects together.
20 - Jim and I work really hard to raise our 4 children.

Memorable MondayEdited Pics

Danni loved in edit pictures on the computer.  Since she got an ipod and iphone, I don't see her edit pics anymore.  Here are a few of some of my favorites.  She is really talented and know how to effectively use media.  She now edits pics on her phone and I miss seeing them.

Track and Field 2015

Emily participated in Track and Field again this year.  She participated and did her best at each event.  She received the most important ribbon - the participant ribbon.  Her class competed the both the relay race and tug-of-war with the other 4th grade class.  They won both events and received trophies to take back to their classroom.  Good job Emily!!!!  I'm proud of you.

   

Throw Back ThursdayDanni's Younger Years

Danni turned 17 years a couple of days ago, so here are some pics of her over the years

March Concerts

Music played at the march concerts are usually festival pieces. They have been practicing these pieces to take to festival competition.  The band and choir did very well in their competitions and scored very well.  It was great to hear what they played at competition since I don't usually don't go to festivals.

Band Concert

The band concert was the same day as their festival.  They earned a Superior with Distinction.  One of Josh's favorite song was "Molly and the Shore".  The clarinets have a big role in that song.

Josh before his band concert

Josh performing

Josh is the bass clarinet section leader

Playing around

Choir Concert

This concert occurred on Danni's birthday - lucky gal.   Mr Dunn is the new choir student teacher and he lives in our ward.   He conducted a few choir songs from each group.   When Angela sang, I looked everywhere for her before I realized that she was in a different spot and she undid her hair.  I'm glad that I found her because I love to watch her sing.  There was one song that A'Capella sang when the boys and girls were supposed to flirt with each other.  It was really fun to watch Danni during that song since she know how to act and sing.  I love to watch my girls sing.

Danni and Angela before choir concert 

Enchante

A'Capella