Memorable MondayAnother 14 yr old

After celebrating Josh's 14th birthday, I wanted to look back on another 14 year old- Joseph Smith. There have been many times that I've sat in Relief Society during the lesson about Joseph Smith, and someone mentioned that they remember their son when he was 14. I wanted to remember this moment when my son was 14 and reflect on the event that took place when Joseph Smith was just 14 years old.

When Joseph Smith was just 14 years old, he was perplexed as to know which religion was true. He read a particle scripture in James 1:5 which states "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." After reading this scripture, Joseph went to the Sacred Grove to pray and ask which church was true. Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to Joseph Smith. Heavenly Father spoke to Joseph and said: "This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!" This event is know as the First Vision and is one of the most important events that occurred on the earth and Joseph was just 14 years old when it happened.

There are many important principles that we learn from the First Vision. We learn that Heavenly Father and Jesus are separate beings and that they both have flesh and blood. We learned that Heavenly Father and Jesus do communicate to those in the latter-days. We also learn that Heavenly Father speaks to us through our Savior, Jesus Christ. The First Vision is a remarkable event and I know that it is true. I know that Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son and I'm grateful for the First Vision and the restoration of the Gospel.

Josh's 14th Birthday

14 Things about Josh

1. Josh loves the game of chess. He loves to play chess and learn moves that will help him to become a better player. He loves competing and hanging out with his chess friends.
2. Josh loves to read fantasy books. He is very picky about which books to read, but once he likes a book he will read it often.
3. Josh likes school and enjoys science, history, and math and does really well in those subjects. He would love to pursue a career in any of those fields.
4. Josh loves to play with his younger sisters and has a very tender heart when it comes to those two.
5. Josh loves to play strategic board games like Risk, Stratego, Monopoly, and many others. He enjoys card games such as Phase 10, Uno, and similar cards games as well.
6. Josh loves to play musical instruments. He is currently playing the clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, and guitar. He loves to pick his own music to play too.
7. Josh loves to play video games and he helps his younger two sisters figure out how to play video games.
8. Josh needs his fan on to sleep. He can't sleep with out it.
9. Josh enjoys scouts, especially the campouts. He has been on some great campouts these past few years and it has given him great experiences.
10. Josh's favorite TV show is Psych and Doctor Who. He loves to watch the Star Wars movies - all 9 of them.
11. Josh's loves eating pepperoni pizza, chips with Pace salsa, and QT drinks, especially the blue raspberry flavor mixed with sour green apple flavor.
12. Josh has participated in some new sports lately - golfing and biking
13. Josh has been doing a lot of service projects lately and some of it he enjoys.
14. Josh like to golf and work out with his dad at the gym.

Today Josh turned 14 years old. We went to Jason's Deli in the rain to celebrate his big day. After dinner, we came home for presents and cake. We later celebrated his birthday at Grandma's house.

Josh and some friends went to Sorcerer's Apprentice for his birthday. I think he really had a great time.

Memorable Monday Junior High Schedules

Taylor had a Curriculum Night where the parents followed their kid's schedule to meet their teachers and hear about the curriculum. Since we have two students in Junior High, Jim followed Josh's schedule while I followed Dani's. It was so fun to look back at my classes and compare them to my kid's classes.

My 7th grade schedule

1- Math 7 General

2-Advanced Orchestra

3- PE 6-7

4- Reading 7

5- English 7

6- Home Ec 7 / Physical Science

7- Social Studies

Dani's 7th grade schedule
1- English 7
2- Honor's Reading
3- Accelerated Math / Social Studies
4- Integrated Science / PE
5- Social Studies / Integrated Science
6- Prep Chorus

My 8th grade schedule
1- Reading 8
2- Earth Science
3- Intro Algebra
4- Chorus 8 / Beginning Guitar
5- Beginning Gymnastics / US History
6-Advanced Orchestra
7-English 8

Josh's 8th grade schedule
A. PE.
1. Algebra 1
2. Symphonic Band
3. Integrated Science 2
4. ELP Social Studies / ELP English 8
5. Beginning Guitar / ELP Social Studies
6. ELP English 8 / Intermediate Guitar

Ward Campout

Our family attend our Ward Campout up on the rim. We had an awesome time hanging out with our friends and playing. The girls took turns riding the zip line and Josh took in a game of horseshoes. It was so nice to enjoy the cooler weather and relax with friends.

Memorable MondayMissonary Brothers

Jim's brother, Johnny, was recently set apart to go on his mission. It was neat to be there and hear the blessings that his stake president gave him as he serves those in Idaho. It was great to take the kids to hear Johnny's farewell and hear his testimoney. It'll be great to have a missionary in the field to write to. Good Luck Johnny!

I remember when my brother Jeff had his farewell. He left for his mission from Chicago, but he was able to have a farewell in Mesa too. It was so awesome to hear Jeff speak at his farewell. I remember when we held an open house for Jeff afterwards. It was great to see his friends to wish him luck on his mission. He served in Florida.

Released

Today, I was released as the Relief Society Secretary. I really enjoyed serving in this calling and getting to know the sisters in our ward. It was a rewarding calling and I'll miss it terribly. I served in this calling for 2 1/2 years and learned so much. As a presidency, we often attended the temple together, studied for special lessons, visited new and inactive members, learned from each other's spiritual thoughts, and grew to love each other. It was an experience that I will never forget and I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to serve in the Relief Society.

I did receive a new calling - Advancement Committee for Boy Scouts. I ready to take on this new calling and learn more about scouting.

"Annie Get Your Gun"

For my mother-in-law's birthday, her daughters and granddaughter's took her to see "Annie Get Your Gun" at the Hale theater. We started off the evening with some yummy yogurt before heading to the show. The cousins had a blast and enjoyed the yogurt. The excitement grew as we entered the theater and sat in our seats. The play was amazing and the actors did such a good job. We recognized some of the cast members and some members in the audience. Every time I go to the Hale Theatre, I recognize some one in the cast which adds to the enjoyment. Happy Birthday Myrna!

The girls with "Annie"

First Day of School

Emily is starting all-day Kindergarten this year. I am really going to miss her since it's been just the two of us when the others are at school. She's met her teacher and is excited to go.
Angela is starting 5th grade this year. She is growing up so fast and will be the oldest child at the elementary school. She is going to show Emily the ropes and I'm so proud of her. She has the same teacher this year as she did last year.

My younger two in elementary school

Dani is in 7th grade and off to Junior High and she is really nervous about it. I know Dani will do well in junior high and she's mapped out her schedule and has met some of her teachers. She is ready to go. Josh is in 8th grade and this will be his last year at Junior High. He decided to take A hour, so he leaves for school early. He wanted to take more music classes and needed more electives to make that happen. His dad takes him to school every morning - what a great dad!

Memorable MondayKindergarten Teachers

We had Open House where we met Angela and Emily's school teachers this fall. It was fun to look back at the kindergarten teachers that my kids have had. Josh and Dani had the same kindergarten teachers which was super fun for me. Angela started her kindergarten year at Porter, but after 1 quarter she was transferred to Robson Elementary. Emily started the kindergarten with a teacher who has been at Porter since Josh was in kindergarten, so it's fun to finally have Mrs. Fullerton.

Emily's kindergarten teacher - Her teacher is Mrs. Fullerton and her aide Mrs. Adams

Angela's kindergarten class - Her teacher is Mrs. Bowman

Dani's Kindergarten teacher - Mrs. Slocum and her aide Mrs. Beames

Josh and his teacher Mrs. Slocum and Mrs. Beames

Fashtion Show 2010

"Singing in Church"

We were asked to sing in Sacrament Meeting as a family. We chose to sing "Families Can Be Together Forever" and asked Sis. Favreau to accompany us. We practiced at home several times and with Sis. Favreau once. Jim was asked to speak that day too and we sang after his talk. I was nervous when we were singing and held Angela's hand and looked at her several times to calm my nerves. Angela loves to sing and sings with her whole heart and I knew that she could help me during the song. I heard that the song was beautiful and I was so glad that we were able to sing in sacrament meeting.

Grandma's 65th Birthday

We celebrated Grandma Pace's 65th birthday today and we held a surprise birthday party for her.

Memorable MondayPool Fun

The pools just closed for the summer and I thought that this might be a good time to look back on the past couple of months and the time we spent at the pool.

• We often went swimming with our Pace cousins at Kino Pool. Grandma Pace would gather her pool toys and we would spent a couple of hours at the pool. I would often find myself in the middle of a splash war and lose. I was the one that started most of the splash wars with my niece and nephew. It was fun to spend some time and get to know them better. Grandma was always well prepared with a snack for us too during safety break. Thanks Grandma!
• We went swimming with the Clawsons and the Barneys too! After watching the Barneys jump off the diving board, Angela insisted that she jump too. I was hesitant at first, but finally agreed later on. I watched her jump nervously but soon realized that she can indeed jump off the diving board. WOW! Emily finally tried the froggy slide and learned that she loved it. I don't know if my girls would have tried this activities if we didn't go with their cousins.
• The Pyles invited us for a BBQ and to go swimming in their new pool. They have a big pool with a waterfall under the diving board. There was a cave under the waterfall where we often found Emily. There was a canoe out and the kids each took turns riding it around the pool. It was a great day and it was fun to spend the day with the Pyles.
• Our orthodontist has an annual swim party for all of his clients. It's always a great party with a great turnout. My younger two love to play with the floaties that the ortho provides, especially if they match. Dani brought along Britt and those two were inseparable. This year, there was a fire dancer and he put on a good show.