Varsity Letter for Carew

 Last night was a proud mama moment

 when Clint and I attended Carew's Cross Country awards banquet.

I was so proud of him for all of the hard work he has put into this awesome thing that he has come to love, and to find that he is really good at it too!!

He earned his Varsity Letter!

Awesome job Carew!!!

:)

It also struck me HARD last night that this great kid is a SENIOR and is going to be moving on, spreading HIS wings to fly ever so quickly... and it won't be much longer

 that I get to keep him right under MY wing...and I don't know if I'm ready for that!

Where has the time gone ??? 

They also had a baby guessing game for all of the Seniors...and yes, it was another proud mama moment when Carew's "Chubbiest Baby" award was front and center, the FAVORITE of the bunch! ;)

#13...Isn't he just the CUTEST??? :)

Carew is growing up to be such an amazing leader, and full of his dad's personality and humor...
 I really am proud of who he is becoming and all of the good that he accomplishes in a day.
He comes home exhausted most of the time because he has spent his waking hours (sometimes as early as 5 a.m.) running, working, studying, serving, and running some more...:) But don't get me wrong...
there's ALWAYS enough time to play with his siblings or play a game!!! ;)

These 2 boys brighten my day and ALWAYS make me smile!!! :)

Here is Carew front and center with the fluorescent headband on...

with the Riverton High School Cross Country team seniors.

Way to go Carew!!!

And while we are on the topic of this cute boy of mine, I just want to take a minute to brag and make sure that he knows just how AMAZING I think he is...

I think you are AMAZING at sweeping the girls off their feet! ;)
(Carew and Brynnli going to Girl's Pref, October 2016)

I think you are an AMAZING big brother and you are going to be a great dad someday!
(Carew and Kesslyn on the Merry~Go~Round at Lagoon, October 2016)

You are AMAZING at loving your little princess sisters!
(Kesslyn and Carew picking pumpkins at Wheeler Historic Farm, September 2016)

 

You are an AMAZING leader  and such a good friend to EVERYONE!
(Carew and Kambriella in the corn maze! Wheeler Historic Farm, September 2016)

 

You are AMAZING at choosing good friends that hold the same standards as you...
(Pool Party with the RHS Cross Country team! Our house, August 2016)

(Team dinner before race day at Carew's house! August 2016)

You are an AMAZING big brother...
(Dallin, Kesslyn, and Carew)

And an AMAZING role model for your little brothers...
(Dallin and Carew on the 1st day of school August 2016)

You are AMAZING at trying to stay on the straight and narrow path...

...and at leaning on your dad for his counsel and advice...
(Clint and Carew walking down the path at the Hill Cumorah, Palmyra, NY, August 2016)

You are AMAZING at serving and being a leader among your peers and serving on the Seminary Council...
(Carew, Clint, Susette, and Kierra at the Hill Cumorah visitors center, Palmyra, NY August 2016)

You are an AMAZING disciple of Jesus Christ and are going to be an AMAZING missionary!!!
(Carew and Kierra in the Grandin Press builing where the 1st Book of Mormon
 was published. Palmyra, NY, August 2016)

You were named after an AMAZING baseball Hall of Famer...
(Clint, and Carew in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY, August 2016)

Rod Carew! Even your name is AMAZING!!! :)
(Carew and Clint in front of Hall of Fame plaque of Rod Carew.
Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY, August 2016)

 

(And so is your dad)  :)
(Carew and Clint)

You are an AMAZING son with soooo much potential...
(Clint and Carew in the front of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY, August 2016)

...to go far in life and do some AMAZING things...
(Clint, Carew, and Kierra at the Priesthood Restoration site near Harmony, Pennsylvania, August 2016)

...Like to testify of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
(Carew or "CaRueben" holding a box that would have been similar to the box that the gold plates would have been kept in when Joseph Smith was working on their translation. Priesthood Restoration site, Joseph and Emma's home, Harmony, Pennsylvania, August 2016)

You are AMAZING at your willingness to try new things, and to DO hard things!

(Carew, Kierra, Clint, and Susette at the Priesthood Restoration site.)

You are an AMAZING priesthood holder and take your responsibilities seriously...

You are AMAZING at withstanding the turbulence and storms of life...
(Clint, Kierra and Carew at the Cave of the Mist, Niagara Falls, August 2016)
...and at seeing the rainbow, instead of just rain...

(Carew and Clint, the Sacred Grove, Palmyra NY, 2016)

You are AMAZING at standing on holy ground...even if the ground you are on is far from home...
(Carew and Clint, the Sacred Grove, Palmyra NY, 2016)

 

You are AMAZING at making others smile! :)
(Carew, Clint, and Kierra in the Sacre Grove)

...and you have an AMAZING amount of trust in your mother!!!
(Carew and Susette in the Sacred Grove)

You are AMAZING at making the temple a priority in your life.
(Kierra, Clint, and Carew after performing baptisms in the Palmyra Temple, Palmyra, NY 2016)

You are an AMAZING stripling warrior!!!
(Carew embarking on a Book of Mormon Journey Youth Conference, July 2016)

YOU are AMAZING, and brave, and kind...
(Dallin, Carew hugging Susette :), and Kierra after performing baptisms at the Newport Beach Temple, Newport Beach, California, June 2016)

...and handsome, and funny, and have an AMAZING resemblance to Iron Man!!  ;)
(Kambriella, Tiffany, Kierra, Carew, Lexi, and Maicen
 in Hogwarts at Harry Potter World California, June 2016)

You are an AMAZING assistant to the bishop...

(Carew, Dallin, Susette, and Kierra on the roof of the Conference Center, Salt Lake, UT, April, 2016)

And AMAZING at running a 5:00 mile!!!
(Kambriella, Carew, Kesslyn, and Dallin at Riverton High Track meet, April 2016)

You are an AMAZING gentleman to your dates, treating them like the princesses
 and daughters of God that they are...
(Carew and Kara, RHS PROM 2016)

You are so well rounded and AMAZING at being tough and gentle.

(Carew racing cross country, May 2016, Kesslyn and Carew, September 2015)

You are AMAZING at serving and watching out for others.
(Carew and Kesslyn on the Polar Express, Heber, UT, December 2015)

And may I say that you are AMAZING at multitasking!!! ;)
(Doing homework while holding your baby sister?? WOW!!)
(Carew and Kesslyn at home, 2015)

You are AMAZING at improving yourself and developing your talents.
(Carew won the "Most Improved" and "Lady Killer Award"
during his first season of  Cross Country, November, 2015)

 

You are AMAZING at reaching new heights!!!

You are AMAZING at carving pumpkins! :)
(Maicen and Carew at home, October 2015)

...and at making haunted gingerbread houses! :)
(Carew at home, October 2015)

You are AMAZING at being committed to gospel growth and attending all of your mission prep classes!

(Carew with Riverton 15th ward youth, 2016)

You are an AMAZING runner and dream catcher!
(Carew and Alex post race smiles, 2015)

You are AMAZING at drawing friends close, and being at the center of ALL the fun!!!
(Carew and friends post race, 2015)

You are AMAZING at blessing the sacrament which is a special duty in itself...
(Carew James Trickett Homecoming 2016)

...and like I said before...always in the CENTER of all the fun!!!
(Carew and friends post race, 2015)

 You are AMAZING at making your little brothers feel "so cool!"

(Carew, Dallin, Xaxton, and Gavin at Hogle Zoo, 2015)

...and AMAZING at takin' it chill!

(Kesslyn and Carew in the beach house, Newport Beach, CA., June 2016)

You are an AMAZING cousin. :)
(Carew and Maicen, Beach house, Newport Beach, CA,. 2016)

You are AMAZING at building people up!!!

(Carew, Maicen, and Gavin, Newport Beach, CA., June 2016)

You are AMAZING at appreciating the "little things" in life.
(Carew, Dallin, and Gavin, Newport Beach, CA., 2016)

You are AMAZING at knowing what you want...

(Sunburned Carew, Newport Beach, CA., 2016)

...then going for it!!!...
(Dallin, Maicen, Clint, and Carew, Newport Beach, CA., June 2016)

...Even if it means that you might have to "get wet!!!"
(Carew and Clint, Newport Beach, June 2016)

You are AMAZING at "Enjoying the Journey!"  :)
(Carew, Newport Beach)

You are AMAZING at staying away from dangers that might threaten your spiritual safety...
(Carew, Clint, Gavin, and Dallin, Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, CA., June 2016)

You are AMAZING at holding "to the rod!"
(Carew, Gavin, and Dallin, Balboa Pier)

You are AMAZING at standing tall, firm and immovable!!!

(Carew and Clint, in the Sacred Grove, Palmyra, NY., August 2016)

You are AMAZING at showing the world all the good that we can do!
(Carew at home, August, 2016)

You are an AMAZING soldier in the fight for right...

(Pierce and Carew at youth conference, June 2016)

...and will never give in until the victory is won!!!
(Pierce and Carew, Youth Conference, June 2016)

My dear Carew...from my little chubby baby to the AMAZING rock star that you are...

You have grown so much and make me so proud to be your mom.
 I love watching how tender you are with your baby sister, and how you can instantly make your little brothers laugh! I love how you now love running just like me!!! (Although you used to hate it! ;)

  I love how involved you are from serving in your priests quorum, to serving on the seminary counsel, to coaching the little kids at your job...but more than just coaching, you are leading... encouraging the last boy on the trail to keep on going because "he can do it!"

I love how excited you are to hang out with the missionaries, and how excited you are to turn in your papers as soon as possible to see just where it will be that the Lord will have you go and serve for 2 good years...

I love how you have learned to be obedient even when you really don't want to...I love how you are willing to babysit, and drive your brother to basketball practice, and take your little sister out with you and your friends...
You have shown me that you care more about being happy and doing what's right more than doing what "everyone else is doing,"...and THAT is REALLY cool.

I'm so excited for the things that lie ahead for you!
 I know that you are going to go far in life and I KNOW that you are going to be happy while you're doing it because you keep the commandments and do what the Lord wants you to do.

I love you Carew!!!
YOU. ROCK!!!
:)
XoxOxoXo

Family Home Evening

Things that really matter to me:

Family prayer.

Family scripture study.

Family home evening.

Family dinners.

Family fun.

Family time.

FAMILY.

And believe it or not, all of these things can be wrapped right up into this picture...

We had just finished up dinner when everyone began to gather in the front room. 

We sit and we talk...

We talk about our week, we talk about who has crushes on who, or who thinks who is cute...

We try to be reverent sharing testimonies and gospel truth...

 and we laugh and have fun...

and sometimes people get grumpy and put themselves to bed. :)

But I LOVE my family and all of the blessings that follow the counsel to do all of these family traditions.

We are not perfect, but we are perfect at TRYING and at LOVING each other!

Getting To Know Him

This breathtaking picture of the Savior was just given to me

 as a gift from my dear sister/friend Susan Holt. We have been working in the presidency of the Young Women's organization of the church together for about 3 years, and were working in the presidency of the Primary organization of the church before that...

Needless to say, we have spent many hours together in serving and loving each other and the ward family that we are a part of. It has been amazing and I feel like I have learned and grown so much!

We were just released from our calling together this past Sunday, October 30th.

With so many emotions, I felt such a debt of love and gratitude, that I feel that the service that I gave was only a drop in the bucket compared to the blessings that were returned to me...

But that is how Heavenly Father works...

desiring to bless those who serve Him and keep His commandments.

Clint was so sweet when I opened the gift and stared into His eyes... he said, 

"You know Him don't you?"

I smiled. Yes, I know Him.

The picture means so much to me that rather than placing it in a main area in my home, I decided I wanted to add it to my sacred place, my quiet corner. 

This spot is where I sit each day in contemplation of spiritual things.

A place to read scripture, to study my patriarchal blessing, to ponder, and pray...to try and find out what errands I might need to run for the Lord that day...

His picture makes me feel like He is sitting by my side just waiting to give me counsel and direction, 

or even to just listen to my heart...

Each day is a gift and I'm so grateful and blessed for the opportunity that I have had to serve in all of my previous callings. They have provided me growth and strength to my testimony.

And now, I have been called to serve as the president of the Relief Society organization of the church.

I know that with this calling will come even more opportunities to learn and to grow, 

but I am mostly excited for the opportunity I will have to get to know the sisters in the ward even better, and to lean on my Savior Jesus Christ as I do so...and to come even closer to Him.

I know that it is no coincidence that when I was set apart for this call on Sunday, that the Bishop blessed me to "keep a record of the blessings and miracles that I will see in my life, and that if I do, it will bless my children, my family, and my posterity for generations to come..."

That is why I am so glad that the Spirit whispered to me to begin doing this everyday...

I have seen so many blessings already come from recording the great blessings of the small and simple things that happen everyday.

I can't say it enough...I am blessed, and I LOVE my life. I love my Heavenly Father, my Savior Jesus Christ, and one of my best friends that I have in the Holy Ghost.

I pray that I will always be blessed with eyes to see His loving hand guiding me each day

 because it is truly amazing!

This is Halloween!

It's finally here! The day that the little ones anticipate with excitement...

THIS is Halloween!!!

My children know that I have a few requirements before they head off for Trick~or~Teating...

1) EAT YOUR DINNER!!! :)

2) Take a picture! ;)

Hogwarts came to town this year!

Xaxton from Gryphendor, Dallin from Slytherin, and Gavin from Ravenclaw

I think they are planning to wave their wands and fill those bags!!!

(Or maybe they will wave those wands to magically carry those heavy bags of treats home!)

A Candy corn witch, a little lion, and a 50's girl...

All as sweet as can be! ;)

(Kesslyn also was a candy corn witch most of the time, but learned how to ROAR like a LION so we dressed her up in our friends lion costume just for kicks! And to keep her warm! ;)

TRICK~ OR~TREAT!!!

Give me something good to eat!

I LOVED that Kierra took work off, drove all the way up here, and stayed up late to finish her homework, 

JUST so she could "Take her sisters Trick~or~Treating!!!"

What a fun time we had walking the neighborhood together and seeing how much fun the little ones were having! Our little lion was so intrigued with the candy in her bucket that she was in the crouched position 90% of the time just so she could see all of the goodies in her bucket!

Then as we walked on either side of her holding both of her hands while she walked, she would take quicker, larger steps and begin ROARING like a LION! I wish I could have caught it on video...:)

Oh,

I also met a new neighbor named Kisty. I loved it.

She asked if we could be friends...

Ummm...YES!!! The more the merrier! And wait till I introduce her to the rest of the neighborhood! She'll have so many friends that she won't know what to do!