1st Day of school - finally

Finally posting the first day of school pics.  Justin and Kate off to seminary bright and early 5:45am.  This is Kate's first year of seminary.

                                             Kate - 9th grade,  dancing,  piano,  goofy:)
       Justin - 11th grade,  drums,  all other percussion,  scouts,  trombone - learning this year,  did I say drums,  music - especially Rush,  writing his own music,  jazz band,  his own band - "Piranha Gun",  did I                                  say drums?  Drumline,  OA, 5 AP classes, isn't that enough!

                                     Sarah's picture is not loading properly  I'll have to post that later.
                     Sarah started 7th grade,  starting ballroom dance,  volleyball at church,  guitar,  always
                                                       organizing  something:)

                           Eric - 4th grade, gymnastics, remote control cars (can you say obsessed!), lacrosse
                     

I have 4 children in 4 different schools again this year.  Next year we go back to 3 schools, yay!  Reallly,  I feel truly blessed that I love all their schools!  We have such a great school district!  Looking forward to a really great year!

Pink Day

Friday was "wear pink day" at Sarah's middle school.  Her principle is battling breast cancer so they asked all the kids to dress up in pink to support her.  I was so touched by Sarah's enthusiasm to do this.  I really think it is great that the school is teaching the children to rally around their principle and teach them to think about someone other than themselves.  She looks so cute!

Dance Festival 2012

 I have spent the last 5 months working on the costumes for our 6 Stake Dance Festival.  It was probably one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Luckily,  I didn't have to do it by myself.  I had loads of people helping with it.  Here are a few of the stats.  Thank you to all of you who helped!

Hours of service

Sewing hours- 4400 hrs

Stake Costume Chairs and assistants 600 hrs x 6 = 3600 hrs

Costume Chairperson = 800 hrs

Total hours by Costume committee = 8,850 hrs

Yards of fabric = Approx. 4600 yds of fabric

Number of costume pieces made = 3,680 pieces

Wow!  I am so amazed at how people stepped up to help the youth with their costumes!  These were only the costume hours.  Many more hours were put in by other stake leaders from all 6 stakes to make this happen. Here are some of the costumes that were made,  purchased or borrowed.

Fan Dance - China

Swing - USA

                                                                         Western - USA

                                                                       Cha Cha - Spain

                                                                       Bollywood - India

                                                                       Hula- Polynesian

                                                      Haka -  New Zealand   
                                                         There's my boy, Justin! 

                                                                      Flags-Seize the Day

                                                                     Tinikling - Phillipines

                                                                     Polka - Germany

Lights -  We are the World

Avenger's Contest

I'm trying to win this contest to get these cool Avenger items.  Justin is so excited about the movie.  Frankly,  so am I:)  Check out my friends blog.  She has some great deals.

Marvel’s The Avengers {GIVEAWAY}

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In celebration of Marvel’s The Avengers opening in theaters everywhere next Friday, May 4th I am excited to share with you this great giveaway! One of my readers will have the privilege of winning an adult sized t-shirt, 6 buttons and one pair of limited edition  3D glasses! (Giveaway open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.)

 

Just click the “Read More” button to enter the giveaway!

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I am a "Runner"

           
I am a "Runner".  I used to be a "Dancer", well,  I still love to dance too but there is something about running.  I don't know how to describe it.  I am no athlete by most peoples description but in my heart and in my soul,  I am a "Runner".  Those of you who run, know what I'm talking about.   I always said, "I will never run!"  As Fiefel says "Never say never".  When I started running,  I didn't like it, not one bit.  OK, well, maybe one bit.  The part I liked was that I was doing something with my husband and my son and now my daughter and my other son too.
    I used to only run with someone else.  It was too boring to do by myself.  Revelation:  There is something I have come to realize about myself.  I used to hate to be home alone.  I always had to be out doing something when the kids were at school and BJ was at work.  I had to go shop or go out with friends or just go anywhere.  The last two years,  I have found that I really like being alone.  What's the difference?  I realized that I like myself more now.  Not to be proud or boast.  I just enjoy being around me.  I have gained such confidence, not just by losing weight but by the accomplishments that I have made for myself in running.  These accomplishments are really nothing to brag about in the "running world" but in my world, they were mountains that I climbed!  I'm not breaking any records but my own and that's what counts.
   I have a long way to go, especially with my recent set back.  I had a herniated disc removed from my neck four weeks ago.  I went running today for the first time since the surgery.  For the last two nights, I have been up late, just antsy, wondering what is the matter.  I couldn't go to bed.  I just felt unsettled.  I realized today as I was running, that I was just out of sorts because I hadn't been running.  This is how I used to feel all the time.  I couldn't sleep,  I was anxious,  I was depressed sometimes.  I know that running has cured me of all that and I realize now that I was starting to slip back into that.
    As I left for my run today,  the Lord blessed this day to have some beautiful sunshine.  I was pretty sure that he did that for me:)  It was pouring down rain and then all of a sudden, it was sunny and I knew that I wouldn't have to go do my run at the gym.  I went slow on purpose but just the feeling of running and the sunshine made me start to get a little emotional.  I couldn't stop the tears from trickling down.  Who would have thought that running a mile could make you cry.  Once again,  I will regain control of my body and continue my journey to be healthier and happier than ever.  I can't thank the Lord enough for giving me this wonderful life!  I am blessed.