Amelia's Jr Prom

Amelia attended her Jr Prom with Malachi (Ike) Campbell. She had a great time and looked gorgeous, of course!

Mt Timpanogos Temple Trip

Temple trip with the kids and a couple of friends! Unfortunately, Nathan wasn't able to join us.

 

2018 School Dance Festival

Amelia's 6th grade dance

Clara's 1st grade dance

Amelia's 6th Grade Graduation

On May 24, 2018 (20 years to the day after my high school graduation - yikes!) my Amelia graduated from 6th grade.

Such a beauty!

Amelia and her teacher, Mrs. Kanenwisher

Amelia and the school principal, Mr. Becker

Amelia's First Youth Talk - My Feelings About the Book of Mormon

This lovely young woman spoke as a youth speaker for the first time this past Sunday.  She spent the week prior gathering her thoughts and getting them typed up on the computer.  Saturday, I went through her thoughts with her and we put them in an order that would flow well.  Because she struggles with her reading fluency, she practiced her talk over and over until she felt comfortable.  

Just before the end of 2017, I was called to be the Ward Music Chairman. I was acting as chorister this past Sunday and got to sit on the stand next to her.  As the meeting started, I leaned over to ask her if she was nervous and she said yes.  I reminded her that she could pray and ask Heavenly Father to help her feel calm and confident.  During the passing of the sacrament, I leaned over again and asked her how she felt.  She said she felt calm and ready. And she was! She did a terrific job!

Here is the talk she gave.

In True to the Faith, it says, "When holy men of God write or speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, their words shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation."

This means that the Lord teaches us through the Book of Mormon and other scriptures about how we can be come like him and return to live with him again.

On September 22, 1827, an angel named Moroni - the last Book of Mormon prophet, deliverd these records to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  By the gift and power of God, the Prophet Joseph translated the record into English.  Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon is the keystone to our religion.

The primary purpose of the Book of Mormon is to convince all people "that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations."

In 2 Nephi, chapter 25, verse 23 and 26, it says, "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God...  And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

I am grateful that ancient prophets wrote the Book of Mormon so that I can know that I can repent and live with my father again.  I am also grateful that I learn about Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon.

My favorite part of the Book of Mormon is when Jesus Christ comes.  I like that he invited the children to come to him and that he blessed them.  It shows me that even though I wasn't there, if Jesus came today, he would invite me to come to him and he would bless me and he would show me my Heavenly Father's love.

I know the Book of Mormon is true because when I read it I feel a special feeling.  I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and that he was a prophet of God.  The Book of Mormon teaches us that families can be together forever, and I know that's true.  I know that Presidnet Monson was a true prophet and that he did a lot for us.  I know that Jesus made a way for us to get back to our Heavenly Father.  I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus love me because they look out for me and help me in hard times.

Some 2017 Randomness

In October, Jared's phone broke.  Aunt Tiff had a phone he could use, so she mailed it to him.  She didn't want it to break so she placed it inside this hot pink Hello Kitty bag.  We told Jared he had to use it.

In early November, Isaac's football team won their Championship game.  We were very proud of Isaac and his team!

Coach Buck and Isaac

Sometimes, if you ask nicely, they'll hold your hand in public. September 30, 2017

We noticed on December 30, 2017 that Isaac was officially taller than me.

In September 2017, my dad, along with the help of my brothers, shot his once-in-a-lifetime elk.

In early September 2017, Jared started his first job at Arctic Circle as a cook!

In October 2017, Nathan started a new job. He looks so handsome all dressed up for interviews!

We were lucky enough to be invited to a pre-season tailgate party at BYU and were filmed for a promotional video.  Here are a couple of still shots from the video.

On June 26, 2017 this lovely serious of photos was taken:

On May 26, 2017, the kids and I went with Grandma Carter to put flowers on a few graves.  Here we are at the American Fork Cemetary putting flowers on my Grandma and Grandpa Brown's graves.

 And finally, this charming young lady took 3.2 billion photos using Snapchat filters.

First Day of School 2017-2018

Today is the first day of school for the kids.

Clara was very excited and cried because we couldn't leave as soon as she woke up!  Got the boys out the door with Logan, and then Nathan and I took the girls to drop them off.

So weird but awesome to have all my babies in full-time school.

Amelia's Crazy Hair Day

Crazy hair day at school for Amelia.  This is what she came up with and she did it all by herself.  She's such a creative young lady.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Nathan, Amelia, and Clara attended the Daddy Daughter dance together for the first time this year. Clara was beyond excited to finally be included.

Amelia turns 11

We had a birthday at our house.  Amelia turned 11.  Our girl wanted a sewing machine for her birthday, so that's what she ended up getting.  She also received sewing accessories and packs to make clothes for her American Girl Doll.

Later, Grandma and Grandpa came over and gave her an intense coloring book and new colored pencils.

Amelia's Weekend with Grandma Carter

Last weekend Amelia spent the night at Grandma Carter's house.

They went to the Rock & Gem Show.

Amelia picked out a couple of rocks and Grandma bought them for her.

They also went to visit some of Amelia's cousins.  While there, she was able to hold a baby chick.

And, she got to ride one of Uncle Rod's mules!

She had a great time with Grandma!