A priceless moment...

Elder Richard G. Scott

Chad called as 2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency

Emotions of...being humbled, overwhelmed, unworthy, honored, scared...

our love goes out to the Maplewood ward and our families...

treasured moments... the children spent quality time with Elder Scott as he wanted to shake hands and visit with each one of them. The love was felt and words were invaluable.

Cade remarked, "Dad, does that mean you're going to be even busier?" Loss of sleep continued... as promises were made that their dad would never be too busy for them.

Emotions and thoughts have been shared...as for now, hang on....enjoy...the ride...

Sportin' FRIENDS for the BIG day...

Turning SEVEN

" SETHER BUG " is GROWING UP
Psyched and ready for the BIG day...



We just HAD to SING and blow out candles TWICE for an EXTRA BIG wish that was forgotten...



CANDY RACES

STOMPIN' FUN

The Race begins...the balloons go WILD...

Picking teams had its drawbacks since everyone wanted to be TOGETHER!

A CAKE to DIVE into...

No one REALLY was a loser...

Baseball, Dodge ball, Football, and....

Wearing the Balls...

The bases were loaded in Musical TAG

Hey, batter, batter...

Teamwork, friends, treats and fun made this day memorable. I love this age...the simple things that create excitement, the small things that make little eyes light up. Happy Birthday Seth!!! My WISH would be to keep him little....at least for a few more years!

got Hoops?

Colter, Seth & Kobe

Seth LOVED playing ball with his friends this year...

At first Seth wanted to be just a LITTLE taller, but then thought that lowering the hoop by about a foot or two sounded like a better idea. Way to go guys...great teamwork!!!

VALENTINE boxes

Sweet Surprises were in the mail from Grandma & Grandpa Hawks

Brooklyn LOVES her new bear....and has something to hug while her grandparents are away on a mission. Boxes of chocolates for everyone, a doll, a ball, and even a dress....

Thanks Grandma & Grandpa

A new favorite BEAR now follows us EVERYWHERE!

I got the KEYS

Aaronic Priesthood was given to Jaren today

A very MOMENTOUS occasion...

Family & Friends came to support Jaren in the blessings he was given.

Cinnamon Rolls and jugs of milk were consumed as we visited...

Our Future MISSIONARY

Happy to have so many blessings.

Goals WORTH REACHING for

First Class, Star...

Jaren wondering where he won't stick his Mom

Buttons, pins, awards, merit badges...it's Scout time and I have three boys that want to get their Eagle just like Dad did. I absolutely love this program. The leadership, friendship, and skills learned are helping to mold, provide growth and ample opportunities to my sons lives. I love to see the boys do things that are worthwhile and make them better citizens and people ...

A good squeeze

While working on Citizenship of the Community the boys were definitely all boy and made me laugh as we spent several hours of service work at our local Distribution services hanging and sorting clothing and toys. Articles of clothing were hung on us several times as boys would try to see if you would notice...a Napolean Dynamite shirt was found that we just HAD to buy that said Vote for PEDRO. We found all kinds of treasures and loved serving together.

"We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more. Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again."--Marvin J. Ashton

Hugs...Never ENOUGH

The rewards are simple. Accomplishment and doing hard things...like sleeping in the Scout overnighter in the snow at sub zero temperatures molds us and gets us out of our comfort zone yet, makes us who we are. Hugs....are given along the way, but the friendships that develops and the people we become is well earned. Doing hard things helps us to face the world and gives us the drive to tackle whatever comes our way. The scouting program is remarkable....it helps us to find the strength beyond our own and to do things beyond our reach.

Priesthood POWER

Putting on the Armor of God

Jarens 12th Birthday

Friends came to spend the day as we celebrated the new milestone in Jarens life. We started the day off with a Service Scavenger Hunt with the thought in mind,

"You are good, but it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others." --President Gordon B. Hinckley

The boys had one hour to complete several service objectives and race back for a treasure. Service was rendered to neighbors and ranged from vacuuming inside of cars, shoveling driveways, reading books to children, doing dishes, and an all time favorite of leaving snowmen in peoples yards, etc.,

The boys were so fun to listen to as they shared their adventures in serving others. Everyone was a winner and everyone came back with a GIANT smile.

Okay, I think Chad sometimes is the BIGGEST kid at heart!

An amazing game of Capture the Priesthood was played in capture the flag style. Snow wars began ....Of Course, Naturally. Watch out! Other games ensued including a game of Charades, Apples to Apples, Angels vs. Joker...

Watch OUT!

The boys had an all out DUEL from swords made of PVC pipe, duct tape and noodles. No armor was given, I had to close my eyes a ton during this part in the party.

Going out into the world---geared up and armor on.

A message was given from the movie, "Putting on the Armor of God", an old Seminary flick that everyone was given a copy of.... The words from the movies struck home to everyone.

As a mom of four, it is very hard sometimes to watch the bad things of the world tug and pull at our childrens lives....things that are there and very real. The total comfort that I have is given when I know that the armor has been put on, and that we can conquer, and also fight the battles of daily life and win the war...

Gratitude is felt when I know that my children have such amazing friends that stand beside each other, help one another and stand firm and tall in remembering who they are and what they stand for. What a blessing.

going to STATE

Winning COUNCIL & REGION

An evening full of awards and talent

Who would've guessed that so--oo-much fun filming would lead to this?

Cheers...Here's to creativity! Krispy Kreme was the place of choice to celebrate.

The WINNERS... a snapshot that will be placed in our local paper, The Standard Examiner.

Creativity is more important than knowledge--Albert Einstein.

Reflections contests helps children think outside the box, it lifts and inspires, brings out talents, encourages exploring and gives a sense of accomplishment. Inspiration took a while... but it came. It has been fun to watch Jaren and see where his talents will lead him.

a DAY with ME only $51.00...

COME ON DAD

PLEEEEEASE!!!

Today Cade got his wish. He has been parading around a blue paper given to him by his teachers that says a parent can come with him on his ski field trip. Every day we have heard pleadings, begging, and oh, it will be so-OOO great if you could only come. Cade has had his heart set on his Dad going with him skiing and raved about how it would only cost him the mere price of $51.00 to spend the day with him....what a BARGAIN...how could his Dad pass it up? Chad has been extremely busy...more than usual...especially today of all days. An office party to conjure up, fires to put out, short staffed at work, meetings, and a guest speaker at our wards Enrichment night.

Cade absolutely LOVES to ski...especially with his Dad. He prepared all his gear last night, stuffed extra snacks in his coat pockets....just in case, and fluttered his baby blues one more time at his Dad who walked in from a day of work at 10:40 p.m. Cade could hardly sleep and waited to hear his Dads footsteps on the wood floors. Pleeeeease! I really just want to ski with YOU dad! This morning no promises were made....except, I'll try my best, ( which is the saying we always leave with our kids when they are expected to do something). The phone call came early afternoon...Hon, could you pick up some food for the office, call so and so and make sure the overhead projector is working, grab some ink and oh, I won't be at the office when you come by.....I'll be out SKIING with Cade O! Love ya....

My heart fell today...mostly from joy and love for the man I married. I just know Cade is having a BALL out on the slopes with his Dad today. I can't think of a better CHOICE.

If you make the time for your children in their growing years...they will make the time for you when they are grown--author unknown

Time together....worth WAY MORE than $51.00.

A favorite MOMENT...

I gotta SECRET for you MOM...

This is now one of my FAVORITE times of day....and usually it's when I'm in a great BIG hurry...I have a gazillion things on my TO DO lists...and Brooklyn has been wrapping her arms around me saying....I gotta a secret for you, a SECRET...It's your FAVORITE...I take a deep breathe and PAUSE and listen as she ALWAYS tells me I LOVE YOU mommy...followed by a GINORMOUS SQUEEZE...well, BIG for a three year old. I am loving the little things that make the other STUFF not seem SO important. What a blessing it is to have children around as reminders...