Second Chances Prom including the Day Date!

Every year I keep being surprised that Jeff remembers to ask me to this. It is not because he is looking for a creative date, or that he loves to dance.  It is because he knows that I love to dance and so he makes it really special.  So he asked me in a really creative way.  He found every stuffed animal in our house and covered the bed with them.  Then kids were hiding in the stuffed animals,so I wouldn't see them.  Then he had a sign that said, "We have had our eyes on you, etc." 

My whole high school life, I always dreamed of being asked in a creative way like my Utah cousins.  If I had ever tried to be creative in my high school I would have pretty much been laughed at.  Although I dreamed of it, I have to admit that I am not creative about that kind of thing.  So I  did the best I could and Jeff accepted  my mediocre attempt.  Now that I think of it, it was probably a good thing that I  didn't have to do it in high school.

The first part of our date was a day date.  Jeff planned a double with our friends and the boys gathered some neighborhood long boards.  Thanks neighbors! They took us to our favorite spot.  We've only done it twice.Haha.  Also we kind of had to be discreet, so we didn't run into anyone we know.  One of our children might be embarrassed, I won't name any names.  I have to tell you though, it is so fun.  I hope everyone gives it a try once.

The boys also planned a little picnic snack.  It was a great date, until the storm came.  Luckily we were close to the car.

During dinner Jess  mentioned that she was wearing an old dress she wore to a dance with Kevin. 

I was planning on wearing a church dress, but at the last minute decided to try on one of my kids old prom dresses.  Yes it was tight on the waist.

It was a great night of fun and dancing.  My husband is so good to me.

The Call

So This cute boy turned 18 in November and has been patiently waiting to graduate to go on his mission.  Then we surprisingly were chosen to be in the Hill Cumorah Pageant, so it got pushed off another month and a half.  

He got his papers in and we waited.  Jeff served his mission in Toronto, Canada,  I served my mission in  the Pennsylvania, Harrisburg Mission.  Katelyn went to the Rochester, New York Mission and Annalisa is in Carlsbad, California.  We all spoke English and to be honest I was expecting Kyle to go stateside.  In his heart he dreamed of a few other places, but was ready for anything. 

At spring break Kyle was able to do a humanitarian trip to Mexico.  He loved it so much that I think he was going to try to do it again before he went on his mission.  In my heart I was hoping he would go to Mexico or at least Spanish speaking.  We've got to break this English speaking pattern.

The Bishop said something about that his call had been sent.  So we were really hoping that it would come on Friday, but no.  So we wait another week.  Then Saturday we were at a tournament with Natalie and Kyle called.  It came!!!!  He said that he would wait until we got home.  So we weren't too sad when their team lost in single elimination.  Her teammate offered to ref for her so we could go straight home.  

Kyle was so ready.  He started to open his call very calmly with a little grin on his face.  He started to read,  "Dear Elder Jones, you are hereby called to serve as a mish", then he stumbled a little and Kristen thought for sure he was going to Michigan.  "Sionary of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  You are called to labor in the Mexico, Tampico Mission. 

He was one happy boy!  I couldn't believe it.  He was speaking Spanish and going to Mexico. We all cheered. Grammy was there and of course Katelyn was on the line.  

Kyle always seems so chill and calm, but I saw him do a multiple fist pump when he wasn't in the spotlight anymore.

We had planned to announce his mission with his announcement for graduation.  But because his papers came later than we thought, we hadn't ordered them yet and it is 1 1/2 weeks until graduation. I had been trying to get a mission picture of him, but he was really busy with school and work.  Finally I grabbed him  before work and we took some pictures in the back yard in 10 minutes.  He is wearing his tan shorts with his suit jacket.  It will have to do.

He is leaving on September 20, 2016.

Mother's Week

 I have to say that Mother's day was coming up and I kept forgetting about it.  Then someone reminded me  I  GET TO TALK TO MY MISSIONARY! So all of a sudden I was thinking about it.
This year it started a little early. Wednesday Olivia snuck up to me at night and gave me a silk rose that she found in our house with a handwritten note on it that said." Happy Mother's Day You're as sweet as a rose."  I guess Mother's day starts early with Olivia.  This is vaguely familiar.  It's like she is waiting for this opportunity.
 So, then she gave me her planner to sign and it had a surprise, "I love Mom," message.  Then last night I said prayers with her and this is what she said.  " I am thankful that we could celebrate Mother's Day, I am thankful that she cares for me and loves me.  I am thankful that she cooks for me and buys things for me.  I am thankful that she is so faithful in Christ.  I am thankful that I have such a beautiful mom.  I am thankful to have my mom and for her beautiful voice that sings to me at night."  I record this not because it says so many nice things, but because I don't want to forget it and I just want her to realize what a blessing she is to me.

So Friday and Saturday I  went to a volleyball tournament with Kristen in Clearfeild,Utah.  While I was gone Olivia, Natalie and Jeff had been working on a little something that they knew I would love.

I really wanted to see Kristen play, but it was a power tournament, so they had pool play on Friday and then again on Saturday, then single elimination in the afternoon.  I was hoping that we could get home early so that I would get a night off, but that was not in the plan.  There were some fun things that happened besides long talks in the car with Kris.  First Kristen and her two Freshman friends got to play on the 17's team and they did great.  Second Kristen had so much fun and the Varsity players were really good to the Freshman.  Third I ran into Jeff's two cousins Robyn and Suzanne,who's kids were Freshman and were setters for their Varsity team.  So I got to catch up with them and see their dad.  Fourth we stayed with my friend Marykay who fed us well and I got to visit with.  We did have to wait for 3 1/2 hours to play in the tournament 1-4:30pm.  But then they won and got medals.  This was for Bronze.  So it ended up being a great day even though we were the last ones out of the gym and got home around 9:30 or 10:00pm.

When I came home, I had a letter from Annalisa, who is on a mission in Carlsbad, California.  It was full of sweetness as well and she made it herself. 

 

Then the next morning I had to put some posters in the churches for Institute and when I walked outside there were all these pots full of flowers, which has become a traditional gift for the last few years.  Jeff and the little girls planned this.  Then Jeff added flowers to our bare spots in the yard.

I walked in after putting up posters and a Happy Mother's Day Sign was up with the table set and crepes, fruit, whipping cream and Hazelnut spread.  It was delicious.

 

Then Olivia couldn't wait another minute.   She had a card from school and a card from Activity Days full of heartfelt thoughts.  She made a word search, a newsletter about me, a candy and a coupon book that I am really going to try hard to use this time.  Nat had a home made card as well.  

Thanks all you primary and school teachers and activity day leaders for helping our kids remember Mother's Day!

Olivia and Natalie made up a few Mother songs as well that they performed.  Mother to the tune of Amazing Grace and M is Mother.

Then Katelyn called and is sending something because she was trying to come home and it didn't work out.  Katelyn also posted on Instagram for Mother's Day.

Then we went to church and Kyle was speaking.  I wasn't exactly sure what he was going to say, but it turned out good.  He even looked at the audience and everything.  The Bishop is starting a tradition to have the Seniors and missionaries leaving speak on Mother's Day.  We also received a little box of chocolates.

Here is his talk: by Kyle Jones

I was called to give a talk on mothers I found a talk called Mothers Who Know by Julie B. Beck which I will be using today.  One of the biggest examples of motherhood for me in the scriptures is that of the mothers of the 2000 stripling warriors when the warriors went out to battle they had no fear because of what their mothers taught them. In Alma 56: 47-48 it says:

Sister beck tells a few things about mothers who know God is with them and put their trust in him.

She says Mothers Who Know Are Nurturers

Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes.

All the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens best in a “house of order,” and women should pattern their homes after the Lord’s house

I know that because my mother strived to make our home a spiritually uplifting place. My family and I have been greatly blessed and have been felt the Spirit more strongly in our lives. 

Mothers Who Know Are Leaders

 These mothers plan for the future of their organization. They plan for missions, temple marriages, and education. They plan for prayer, scripture study, and family home evening.

Throughout my life I have come to count on daily family scripture study and prayer and have been uplifted by our weekly family home evenings thanks to my amazing mother.

Mothers Who Know Are Teachers

Mothers who know are always teachers, think of the power of our future missionary force if mothers considered their homes as a pre–missionary training center.

My mother has taught me many gospel truths and showed me through her actions how I should act as a member and as a future missionary.

Mothers Who Know Do Less

They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying.

My mother has helped me to avoid temptation by keeping our home free from bad media and unworthy distractions and has always been there when I needed her. She has shown me the worth of family and made me and my family closer.

Mothers Who Know Stand Strong and Immovable

Who will prepare this righteous generation of sons and daughters, women who are strong and immovable and who do not give up during difficult and discouraging times.

My mother is a great example to me and through what she does she has shown me how to stand up for my beliefs even when I have to do it alone.  She has a really strong testimony and I hope that have will have that strong of a testimony someday.

All of these things contribute to a mother who knows of the truthfulness of the gospel and trusts in God.

I know that without my amazing mother I would not be here right now and thanks to her and many others I have come to know of the truthfulness of this gospel. I know that the scriptures are true and that the atonement can really help us in our lives.  I love this gospel my family and especially my mother and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

After church, I talked to my mom.  I told her about Olivia and all of the things that she had given me.  She said that I was like that with her.  I didn't know that about myself.   I sent her a hand written poem.  It took me about as long as it takes me to write a song.  I wanted it to be perfectly about her.  She said that she loved it.

Then Jeff's mom came over and Jeff and Kyle made us Chicken Fingers from scratch, mashed potatoes and gravy, fruit and jello and apple pie with ice cream.  It was seriously so good. Then Jeff and the kids all said what they loved about Grammie and I. Then we opened a few more gifts.  Kristen gave me a kneeling pad for the garden, which I really wanted and Kyle gave me Chocolates and a gift card to Rita's.  It was a fantastic day. 

Then we all went to the family room to Skype with Anna.  Somehow she face-timed us and it only worked on my phone.  It was good enough and we got to see and talk to Annalisa.  She seemed so happy.  It is such a great gift to be able to see and talk to your missionary.  We also got to meet her companion that has been such a blessing to Anna.  Anna has had so many miracles happen and she is getting so brave sharing the gospel.  She said that sharing the gospel is like giving someone a $100.00 bill, only better.  So you don't want to let people miss out on receiving that gift.  She got to see Kate for a minute, but she could hear her the whole time.  It was precious.

Then we ended with  the Oklahoma Jones' coming over.  They also brought gifts and we had a lovely evening. It was so great that I wanted to remember every little thing.