The Call

Josh’s Mission Call VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Josh is hereby called to serve in the Arcadia, CA mission.  Mandarin speaking! 

On June 26th (Trevor’s B-day), Josh will be joining the ranks of thousands of missionaries around the world, seeking those who are spiritually ready to hear the words of Jesus Christ.   These full-time missionaries dedicate 2 years, or 18 months for the sisters, of their lives with no pay for their service, but they and/or their family pay to keep them in the field.  

As words of our prophet, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  ‘This cause will continue to go forth, changing and blessing lives.  No force in the entire world can stop the word of God.’”     ~President Monson

We are so happy for him and know this is where the Lord wants him to be for the next 2 years.  He is thrilled to be speaking Mandarin and working with this great culture.  I’m sure it won’t be easy saying good-bye to my boy, but I’m willing to give up my son for two years, so others can be with theirs forever.

Trevor, Sophie, and Sage will miss him tons too, but they’re excited for him.

Jr. Prom & some cat lovin’ girls

Josh and his buddies ready for Prom (hard to believe it’s their last one), waiting as more couples trickled in… they looked lovely!

Sophie and Sage loved the dresses!

 

Sparing no expense.  They planned their day activity going indoor surfing (so fun), then met here for their evening plans- dinner at Tuscanos and dance at Rice Eccles (U of U), traveling in style (I let them borrow my car, ha, ha).  Josh’s date had an earlier curfew so they didn’t make the dessert and swimming/ hot tub outing afterwards, but didn’t seem to mind (neither did I).

Kudos Josh, for paying for prom on your own this year!  Way to be responsible.

 

  

A limo for twelve. 

It’s been nice seeing Josh and his friends grow and mature throughout Jr. High and High School.  Such a good group of kids that will have some great memories to look back on.  Three more months until graduation! 

 

Lovin’ their cat! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

When we got Shadow she was the runt of the litter, but look at her now, I think the girls feed her a bit much.  Such a sweet cat that’s very loved by my animal loving girls! 

Christmas is coming…

the family I mean the Goose is getting fat.

twirling girls in their lovely dresses. 

 

Avalanche PJ Party VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

The girls soccer team had a great time at the soccer PJ party (my house).  It got wild at times, but a nice break from the drills and rigorous training they do each week.  We started out with a fun gathering game (questions marked on a soccer ball), then made bracelets in Avalanche colors (like the ones from Girls Camp), ate Pizza and snacks, had a crazy gift exchange, and they unanimously voted on the movie; Elf.  Tons of giggles and a hide and seek game in between, they had a ball.  Ha, do you like the nerd pictures Sophie instigated?  She cracks us up.  Thanks Leslie for hosting the fun party with me!   

 

Paul's Company Party

Such a beautiful night downtown with my sweetie.  Pampered with a nice banquet and good entertainment; a local boy band playing popular songs from now and the 80’s (they were good, they opened for the Beach Boys recently), and had some funny candid interaction with the group.  A pleasant company party, one of the better ones!  So thankful for the strong company Paul works for and the good people he works with, and they sure appreciate him.  It’s sad to see and hear of all the businesses going under lately, way too many families are struggling, and many people we know that our hearts go out too.  All you can do is keep praying, work hard, and help others around you :)     

 

Sub for Santa, the girls were happy to help!  They were involved in the shopping, wrapping party, and a heartfelt delivery.

 

Josh’s fun group for the Christmas sweater dance

Ice skating and tubing for the day date, then met here for dinner before the dance

 

I prepared an Italian meal, while Trevor and the girls watched Home Alone upstairs, Paul was on late

                              menu

• Lasagna and Chicken Alfredo
• Green Salad & Olive Garden style homemade dressing
• French cut green beans
• Garlic Parmesan Baguette (yum!)
• Cranberry sparkling Christmas drink
• Andes mint (dessert was planned after the dance, at another house)

They thought I was the best cook ever, didn’t tell them the Lasagna & Chicken Alfredo was freshly prepared at Costco, hey I still cooked it :)

 

To-die-for garlic parmesan bread

Homemade Olive Garden salad and dressing

 

Also, proud of my girls for keeping up on the heavy load at school this month.  Along with the regular monthly book report, poem to present, and big tests in history and math (squished in a short school month already), they also added a 3rd grade project (Native American book report with project).  It was due yesterday, and today the other book report is due, a poem to pass off, and a history exam to ace.   I’m thankful for good schools and teachers, but this is a bit overkill for 8 and 9 year olds, don’t you think?  (3rd grade seems to be the busiest, that was my biggest pet peeve while I taught here).  But the girls kept up on it all by doing homework often times in the car and taking their book everywhere we went, and keeping their projects good but simple.  Good job girls, for making your deadlines and doing well!  We’re all looking forward to a nice Christmas break.

Merry Christmas!

Josh’s Homecoming Dance…

 

Our High School Senior, ready for his last Homecoming, who said he could grow up so fast??  Lovin’ life

 

 

Cute couple I’m sure she has a jacket to go with that stylish little dress, somewhere?  Their group of about 16 had a great time.  For the day activity, they went to a nearby Fast Track, Go Kart racing.  They had to get their permission slips notarized, yikes.  Then off to the dance, with swimming and dessert at one of the boys house afterwards.  Nice homecoming, and only spent a total of $120, we paid half, he paid the rest :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great group of friends

A few things I love about my senior (mom’s bragging rights before he’s out of the house, less then a year, sigh…)

• your happy outlook on life and fun sense of humor
• works hard part time while taking advanced classes at school, maintaining high GPA, will graduate with about 20 college credits
• Great goals, planning on medical school after mission, already taking medical course in High School
• having fun dating, without getting too serious with one girl
• responsible & leader in church and school
• teaches guitar privately and at his high school (guitar 3)
• Makes and keeps great friends
• genuine and trustworthy

Of course he has his trials and weaknesses, but handles them well.  Keep up the great work Josh, we know you can do whatever you put your heart in!

 

LOL, Josh on right, his date pushed him in right before the picture, then they all dived in

American Idol auditions in LA

He did it.  Josh has a love for music, a great voice, and loves to sing. 

He’s been in many local plays, concerts, and talent shows, he plays guitar and gives lessons.  We enjoy American Idol, so with some coaxing from Sophie and Sage, he decided to go for it. 

 

 

We flew in early, got registered at Dodgers Stadium, then with some time to spare, went straight to the beach (Santa Monica Pier).  Yummy lunch at Bubba Gumps.

 

A drive down the PCH (sweet drive in the Charger), then around Beverly Hills and Hollywood.

 

Walk of Stars.  Fun walk down Hollywood Boulevard.

 

 

 

So nice catching up with good friends!  Thanks guys for being such great hosts and showing us the best places around!

 

LA, just waking up.  Pretty at 5:00 AM

 

 

Gotta love Casey Abrams!  (if Josh grew out his hair, it would look like his)  I guess he auditioned 3 times before making it

Auditions went well, for the most part.  We were there for 8 hours before he was up (that’s what happens when you register the second day), but everyone had fun and I caught up on some good reading amongst all the music.  Josh came real close to getting a golden ticket, his voice stood out in his group, the only one that the judges read his paper, but after reading the paperwork… (no story), bummer.  He may try again.

 

His first time surfing, quite different then wake boarding and snow boarding

 

Good times!

 

I reserved an economy rental car (thinking good on gas, expecting a Civic or Sentra), but they had a Fiat for us.  Ha, ha, I don’t even think his guitar would fit.  They must’ve seen the unimpressed look on my face, and gave us a deal on an upgrade, Josh chose the Charger of course :) 

 

 

What a nice experience Josh, and well done!  Always go after your dreams

Jr. Prom~ Josh

Catching up on some posts, now that my life has let up a little :)

Getting ready for the big day. 

Josh and his buddies looking sharp, such good guys!

“The group”

For the day date, they enjoyed rock climbing at an indoor climbing arena.

These two are great friends, they’ve performed in some local plays together

Mom & son… sure love my little boy

Great times with Great friends. 

It’s been a good year for Josh.  He had a heavy load at school with many difficult AP classes and a part time job, but he kept up maintaining a high GPA and a fun social life.  He’s made some great goals- he wants to go to medical school after his mission.  We know you can do it Josh, thanks for being a great friend to others, good student, and wonderful son and big brother!  You’re a joy in our family!