Star of stage and screen! (Well,almost)

Abby recently appeared in her school's production of "Once Upon A Mattress. She performed as a dancer. She played a knight and a lady so several costume changes were necessary. Abby was one of only 3 or 4 sixth graders who had a part beyond the chorus. I smell a leading role next year!

TESTIMONY

Since this is primarily a family blog, a way to keep in touch, I thought how appropriate for each of us to document our testimonies in this way. So, family of mine, I will go first and I challenge you to do the same!

I want my Heavenly Father and my beloved family to know that I have a testimony of The Gospel of Jesus Christ. The greatest blessing and the knowledge that I hold most dear is that I am a Daughter of God. I have questioned as of recent, "Does Heavenly Father know and love me?" I am one of millions on this earth, how can He know me? The answer came as I looked around and saw that He gave me a wonderful husband who loves ME like no other could. By the grace of God, I met a man who knew the truth at a time when I was looking for it. What are the odds? He could just have easily moved to some other town, for his family had moved many times in their life. but, they came to "Little old Mt. Zion", where my family just happened to have relocated. I remember laying in my bed at night as a child wondering, how can there be so many churches, when there is only one God. Yes, I was a deep thinker after all! Next, I was blessed with children who inspire me to do better everyday so I am worthy to be their mother. It is not to my credit that they are who they are, I am not that good of a mother. God gave us a plan to be born into families because He loves us, and wants us to be happy. I know He loves me because He created this Plan for us. Next, I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and my brother. He came to earth to set the example for us to live our lives that we may return to Him. He suffered for my sins, even the stupid mistakes that I make when I know better. But, I know, because of His sacrifice, I can repent , and those mistakes will be forgiven and forgotten. Since we come to this earth as imperfect as we are, I am truly grateful for this blessing. Next, I am grateful for Scriptures, which are like a book of directions left for us. If we study the Bible and The Book of Mormon, we follow that example of Christ and know of Heavenly Father's plan. He would not put us on this earth without instruction. Which leads me to Prophets. I am grateful for Joseph Smith who was brave enough to question and to ask of God, "Which is the true church?" and President Monson for revelation in these days that we need to know of God's counsel to us at this particular time. These are the truths that I hold most dear, I want to shout it from the rooftops and I want my Father in Heaven and my family to know I believe these things. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I miss you guys.

"Words of wisdom I needed right now"

"Always remember that women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are coarse; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."

This is a quote from my lesson for Sunday. It always strikes me that my Father in Heaven uses me as an instrument in my very own hands to teach me the things He knows I need to hear at very particular, specific times in my life. Words that I planned to teach others are actually meant for me. Hopefully the young women I am teaching this Sunday will benefit from these wise words as well!

Will I ever see them again?

The computers came much to the joy and excitement of Mitch and Abby! It has turned out to be a great birthday after all.

Happy Birthday to you!

Abby and Mitch celebrate their birthdays in September. It was kind of low key for the both of them, but they seemed okay with that. They must be growing up. Their busy schedules get in the way of big celebrations. They both decided this year instead of celebrating by throwing parties with friends, they wanted to put that money towards laptops, and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their computers! Yay, I get the computer all to myself! Abby celebrated her birthday at The Club at St Albans with Ryan, Tracy, Stella and Jake, and Gee and Poppy. Last minute schedule changes gave us the evening off so we were able to celebrate on her actual birthday. Mitch celebrated at the Melting Pot this year. His favorite place. We had a great dinner and Gee and Poppy were able to go with us. YUM!

Caught up in missing Missouri

Hi family! Here are a few of the pictures from our adventure out to Missouri. I like Utah and I like school and everything, but I miss you all as usual.

A new year, a new beginning...

School has begun once again. I know there was some excitement in the air this morning as early as it was! Abby is anxious to start a new chapter in a brand new school. Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday, she was carrying her backpack, which was bigger than her, off to kindergarten! Now she is entering middle school with Mitch. I told Mitch to watch out for her today, but secretly I have a feeling it will be the other way around! Mitch is now the big man on campus being in 8th grade. It will be a fun year for him before he returns to the bottom of the totem pole as a freshman. Meanwhile, I am sitting at home wondering what to do with myself. I remember past years when I looked forward to them going back, so I could have just a little time to myself! But as they have grown, I enjoyed all the time we had together over the summer, and I will miss them like crazy. Notice Mitch has his braces on. He got them on last Friday, and is adjusting fine. However, he needs to learn a completely different method of eating now. Chewing small bites instead of shoveling and swallowing is now a necessity! (Mitch, I apologize, your eyes were closed.) I wish them all the best for a successful, fun filled school year, and I am sure I will find something to fill my days eventually!

Mom and Abby Liz join me in the beehive state

Last weekend, Mom and Miss Abby came and stayed with me in Utah for a couple days. We had a blast together, as was expected, and all of my friends ended up liking them more than me. I can understand that, though, so I'm ok with it.

After I picked them up from the airport, we went the the Pizza Factory. I couldn't believe my mom and sister were sitting directly across from me so I had to take a picture.

Then we all headed to Target. Brendan and Abs can almost share clothes!

The next day we did a little shopping and just hung out before Stadium of Fire. This photo is our best attempt at a group shot. Abs, you need to grow a little more sweetie.

Abs and I rocked the hair flair for the fourth. She keeps me young. Mom was lame and voluntarily excluded herself from the coolness of the red and blue streaks.

Since Abs and I are both proud supporters of Independence, we attempted to paint our nails red, white and blue with stars over the top. The idea was a lot more successful than the actual results. Next time we'll just paint our faces or something less strenuous.

Stadium of Fire was a huge success. Despite our bloody noses due to our seat location, we each highly enjoyed rocking out to SHeDaisy and the Jo Bros.

This is what you get when you mix cuteness with sass.

I love this picture. Mom couldn't take her eyes of Joe Jonas. (PS - Who names their kid Joe Jonas anyway?)

Here's some videos from the night of concert fun:

The next day was Sunday, so Mom and Abby had the pleasure of experiencing first-hand the exciting life of a BYU singles ward. After church we made fajitas and had dinner together like a real family. We even had fruit pizza for dessert. That night some people in my ward came over for game night, which was mom and Abby's introduction to the back-biting game of mafia. I'm glad they got to meet some of the people I hang out with on a regular basis because afterwards we stayed up and chatted for a while. It's nice to be that much more connected and get their insights.

Overall, the hiatus was much too short. Driving Mom and Abby back to the airport was a bitter and not-sweet-at-all goodbye. I almost got on that plane with them but for some reason this is where I'm supposed to be right now.

I love you, Mom and Abby!! (Dad and Mitch, I miss you)

Finally a water dog at age 8.5

That's where you'll find me

Since no one else writes on here, I decided I'll just talk to myself. Even though I'm the one in the family with the least going on in her life to write about, I'll pick up your slack guys.

While I was walking to my weekly water aerobics class in the rain the other day, I turned the corner and saw THIS:

Beautiful, huh? Ok, so I didn't do that great of a job photographing it with my phone. But seriously, I've never seen a rainbow this wonderful. It was a COMPLETE rainbow with all the colors. I'm talking Roy G. Biv here. And it went right over BYU campus. Looooove it.

Love you all,

Cait

A few requests

1. Mitch, what the heck? I thought you were going to have a post up by Monday? As the perfect one in the family, you are obligated to participate in this blog. Engage in the conversation, little bro. I want to hear what you have to say. (aka: read what you have to write)
2. I would love to see some pictures of the most loved and best looking in the family. I miss Carson. A video would be nice, but I don't want to be too unrealistic.
3. Miss Abby, where's the dance footage? I know you had your spectacular recital recently. Let's see it sista.

Ok, I think that's it for now. I don't want to be too demanding. Life is good here in Provo, but I miss you all as usual. I've recently decided that instead of continuing the dating scene I am going to purchase a puppy and live happily ever after. Or you could just ship Carson out here for me. Thanks!

Much love,
Cait

BOOM!

Mitch hit his first home run of the season and here's the swing, PERFECT! This was a BOMB, 320' to right center clearing an 8' wall at the 300' mark. Unfortunately, the other team was not as excited about the tater as we were. He batted twice more in the game and saw a total of 13 pitches, ALL CURVE BALLS. Very poultry like if you aske me.

So far this year Mitch is batting cleanup, hitting .333 and leading the team in extra base hits, slugging percentage, hit by pitch and STRIKE OUTS, ugh... He's really been working on his swing lately and in his last three games he is hitting .800 with a .750 slugging percentage and an .889 OBP with 4 runs, 2 RBI's, 2 stolen bases and only one strike out. Way to go!!

More pics of the trot around the bases will be coming, and hopefully many more pics like this one.

SURPRISE!

That sneaky Caitlin flew home to St. Louis and surprised her Mother on her birthday. This is kinda after the surprise, but you get the idea.

Three Desks

Hi Family!

So you know that picture called "Three Dresses" or something with the baby blessing dress, the baptism dress and the wedding dress? Today I discovered a relation of that painting to my life.

Get this. That painting is a person's entire life in three dresses. Well, this post is my entire day in three desks.

Desk 1: The UW

About four or five of my hours in the morning are spent here. It's kind of sad looking, but I enjoy it most of the time.

Desk 2: The DU

This is where I spend my afternoons. I like the window.

Desk 3: My room

This is my favorite one. I'm supposed to study here, but sometimes that doesn't happen. Case and point: I'm blogging now instead of studying Isaiah.

Now you know my view during a typical day. Love and miss you!!

-Cait

6th Grade Here I Come!

Ive been in Elementary school for 6 whole years! And I announce that today I'm not! When this summer sadly ends I will be in 6th grade,and my first year of Middle School!!! I will be going to LaSalle Springs Middle School. In these pictures I am at my 5th Grade Celebration. In one of the pictures you will see my friend Anna. Anna is going to a separate middle school. And at the end of the Celebration she was not so happy. Lets put it this way She was bawling! I felt so bad and wanted to cry myself! But my friend Elizabeth stepped up to the plate and cryed for me. But not only was she crying but she was laughing too. As I walked down the hall with my half laughing half crying friend I couldnt help but laugh myself! For my 5th Grade Celebration we went to Sports Fusion. This is like a Chuck-e-Cheese but with blow up activities. My friends and I decided to play laser tag. The game sessions were about 30 minutes long. I had no idea how to play and not suprisingly I came in last place. But that didnt stop me from having a really fun time! These are a couple pictures from the Celebration. Well thats all I've got to say about that!

Abby

Miss Abby's Gotta Dance!

This is a dance routine that Abby did entirely on her own!! She performed this at her schools variety show on May 2 in front of about 500 people. Way to go, Abby!!

The Road Home

This post is for Caitlin. First, to show her our beautiful "new" Old State Rd. This road has been a disaster as long as we have lived here. Finally, after 6 long years, the road was repaved! Everytime I drive on it, I feel happy. Everyone is tired of hearing me say, "Look how beautiful our road is!" It just feels so luxurious! (Seinfeld moment) Secondly to remind her how to get home. So she never forgets how much she is loved and needed here in our home. She is a 1000 miles away, but still a very important and necessary part of our family. We don't see her everyday, but we could not function as a family without knowing she is a vital member. We love you, Caitlin, and miss you, but we know you are out there in the big world spreading your wings and becoming the person you are supposed to be. But don't forget to use those wings to come back to the nest!

Love you more,

Mom