Memorable MondayMy Kids' Baptism

Now that Emily has been baptized, it's neat to look back and look at each one of my kid's baptisms.

*Josh and Brittany were baptized on the same day - on Britt's birthday.  It was so neat to have the whole family there for the both of them.
*On Danni's baptism, it rained after a 100 + day drought.  It was neat to see the Earth cleansed on the day Danni chose to be baptized.
*There was a lot of family that came to see sweet Angela baptized.  It was a beautiful and sweet baptism, just for her.
*Emily was baptized by her big brother Josh.  It was a neat experience to watch Josh and Emily bond over such a special occasion.

Emily's Baptism

Emily was baptized this morning by her older brother Josh and confirmed a member of the church by her Father.  It was a sweet experience to see Emily so happy about her decision to get baptized.  I was extremely proud of both Josh and Emily.  

Emily and Kate shared the same baptism date and it was so fun to see both so happy, especially with their friends and family with them.  This is a day that I hope both girls remember.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is becoming one of my favorite holidays.  Our family have been blessed so much this year and we have a lot to be grateful for.  2012 has been really good to the Pace family.  Angela turned 12 years old this year and entered YW and has started junior high.  There have been some many teachers and leaders who have help Angela this year.  She has made some big changes in her life and she has adjusted well, thanks to all those who love and support her.  Danni turned 14 and started high school.  Danni has some great friends that have helped her transition to high school.  I thankful for the good friends that she has who love her for who she is.  Josh turned 16 and was ordained a Priest.  I'm so grateful for the way he honors his Priesthood and is willing to serve when needed.  Josh was able to baptize his sister, Emily.  Emily turned 8 years old and decided to be baptized  We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives and are able to make the covenants needed to return to our Heavenly Father.  Our family has truly be blessed this year and it's great to take the time to reflect our blessings.

Thanksgiving with the Paces

Thanksgiving with the Walls

Memorable MondayPics at Temple

I took Emily to the temple to get some pictures taken.  The pictures turned out GREAT!!!

I wanted to look back over the years when I took pictures of my other kids before their baptism.

Josh and Britt 

Danni

Angela

Marching Band Awards

The Marching Band had their Marching Band Award Ceremony this evening.  It was a great evening to eat and remember the great season that they had.  I attended with Josh and Danni, but they chose to sit with their friends during dinner and the ceremony.  Josh and Danni each received a certificate for their participation and we were shocked to hear that Danni earned the Most Improved Sophomore in the Marching Band.  What an honor to receive that award, especially if you are a freshman.. Mr. Brooks gave  everyone in coloring guard a letter since we really worked hard this year. Josh and I had an amazing marching band season and I'm incredibly proud of their hard work.

So proud of my kids!!!

Posing with the trophies

Danni's surprising award

 

Porter Family Picnic

Porter has Family Picnic where parents, grandparents, and other family members can join their child for lunch.  I grabbed some food at Wendy's and enjoyed lunch with her.  It's so fun to have lunch with your child at school.  I need to get used to having just one child at Porter.

Memorable MondayDear Me

Dear 18 year old Me,

I wanted to give you some advice now that I'm looking back over your years.  I know that moving to Arizona was tough for you.  It was hard to say goodbye to your friends and everything that you loved.  Don't worry, you'll stay in contact with your friends, just not the way you have planned.  You will have many opportunities to go to Utah, so just hang in there.  There are some great experiences that will happen because of your move, so live your life and enjoy it.  Don't look back on what could have been.

*Stay close to the gospel and keep the temple as your goal.  One day you will meet the man that will take you there.   Read your scriptures,  attend institute, and pray often

*Keep focused on school!  Education is super important and will bless your life.  It'll get tough, but keep working hard - you can do it. 

*Enjoy time with your family.  The relationships that you have with your brothers and sisters will be ones to cherish.

*Just be yourself,  Don't worry about what others think of you.  You are amazing!!

*Don't be afraid to talk to people.  You may be shy, but you have a lot of self-confidence and it'll take some time to find it - especially in a new city.

*Use your time and money wisely - it'll be worth it.
*Act instead of waiting for something to happen - you'll be so much happier
*Remember you are a Daughter of our Heavenly Father and he loves you.  When times get tough don't forget that.

You will have an amazing life and there is so much in store for you.  Things will happen in their own time, so don't be in a rush or get discouraged when things don't happen when you want.  Take the time to find out who you are and what you want to do.  Have fun and enjoy life!!

Love,
43 year old Me

Veteran's Day Parade

The Mesa Marching Band always marches in the Veteran's Day Parade, but this year they are marching as Champions.  Jim and I took the younger girls and found a spot up close so we could hear the announcers.  It was so neat to see and hear the band.  They performed the theme songs to each of the different armed forces.  It was a neat parade and a great tribute to the Veteran's.  There was a moment when a saw an older veteran's saluting a younger veteran.  It was a reminder of what this parade is truly about.  It was an honor to be surrounded by so many veterans who have served our country.  

Veteran's Day Parade 2012

The MHS Marching Band Champions 2012 

After Parade Photos

2012 State Marching Band Championship

Today the MHS Marching Band headed off to Glendale to play in the State Championships.  The booster club arranged to have a Spirit Bus that carried parenst to the see the performance, since it was in Glendale.  The band wanted a sea of purple and gold.  Danni invited Denson, so I went with him on the Spirit Bus.  When we were within 5 miles of the Championship venue, the Spirit Bus collided with the othef MHS bus carrying 1/2 the band students.  These student made up the drum line, pit, and color guard.  The buses had to pull over and were unable to continue to take us the venue.  With a lot of hard work and great bus drivers from other buses, everyone made it in time. YAY!  Now onto the Competition.

Window from the Crash

MHS Marching Band entering the field

The band performed a great show and wowed the judges, especially when they marched blindfolded.  I wondered if the accident had shaken some of the students, but they did a great job  I remember listening as they announced the winners from last to first.  Perry was MHS biggest competition and they came in 3rd place.  I was stunned and had hope that MHS could pull it off.  I remember when the judges announced that the second place winner was from Scottsdale, AZ. At that point, I realized that MESA HIGH MARCHING BAND won the state championship.  Mesa High has won the championship for the 2nd time in 4 years.  I couldn't have been prouder of the kids in the band and those who worked so hard to make it happen.  I will never forget that experience and the feelings that I felt that day.  My kids are the 2012 Division 2 State Marching Band Champions!!!!

Let the Celebration begin!

2012 State Marching Band Champions

Victory is Sweet

Emmy's Birthday Party

Emily invited some friends over for a birthday party.  We designed photo frames, made marshmallow towers, made friendship bracelet, played charades, ate cake and drank hot cocoa.  It was a fun day for Emily!!

Veteran's Day Tribute

Mesa High had a combined band, orchestra, and choir veteran's day concert.  The Theatre Arts and well as the ROTC presented tributes too.  It was a great concert to honor the veteran's.  When the band played "Salute to America's Finest", each veteran was asked to stand and be recognized as their theme song was played.  It was a great sight to see.

Great Concert!!!!!

Memorable MondayKid's 2nd Halloween

Since Halloween was just a few days ago, I wanted to look at some Halloween pics of the past years.  Last year, I blogged about the 1st Halloween pics, so this year I will blog about the 2nd year Halloween pics.

Josh was a lion

Danni was a bunny

Angela was a ladybug

Emily was Minnie Mouse

State Festival

Mesa High Marching Band participated in the State Festival and earned the Superior with Distinction along with Perry and Kingman.  The top 10 schools advance to the state championship. Watching the MHS band perform is an amazing sight.  They perform on the field with HEART, and they are disciplined off the field.  I'm extremely proud of the MHS Band and I'll so thrilled that they are heading to Glendale next Saturday  to compete for the State Marching Band Championship.

Mesa High School Show - Believing Heart

Friends made this year

U of A Marching Band

Emily's Birthday

Today is Emily's Birthday and she turned 8 years old.  She is so thrilled that her birthday is here and she can open some presents.  She is the sweetest girl and everyone in the family loves and adores her.  Grandma Pace picked her up from school with balloons in hand.  She had a great day and is getting ready for the next step in her life - Baptism.