Quiet and Sadness in our Home

TJ - Tucker Junior

Always full of energy, barked like a maniac when "outsiders" arrived to the house, and fun as can be!

Quite frankly, this post will be short and sweet.  My heart can't take anything more than that.

On August 19, 2012, we had to say goodbye to our sweet TJ.  TJ had been our family dog and best friend since 2007.  We thoroughly loved our time with him and he holds a very special place in our hearts.  It's almost a year since he's left our home and I still tear up talking about him.

We love you TJ.  Thanks for bringing such joy to our home!

Fall Leaves

 On September 8, 2012, we headed up Provo Canyon and Susie drove us over on the Squaw Peak Trail and all the way over the back roads of the mountains.  It was such a warm, lovely day and we enjoyed every second of it.

 Kelsey had prior plans, so she missed out on the fun but Jake and Morgan thoroughly loved it.

 One of our favorite parts was standing up, driving fast on the way down the canyon with the cool breeze in our hair!  What an awesome day.  Thanks Susie!

School Rocks

2012-2013 school year, here we come.  Morgan started her Junior year at UCAS on August 23, 2012.  Kelsey and Jake started later, on August 21st.  Kelsey is an 8th grader this year and Jake is now the BIG KID in elementary, in his 6th grade.  Ready or not, here we go.  (We can do this...we can do this...we can do this...)

Jakob - Another Year Older

 July 13, 2012, Jake turned 11 years old.  Let me give you a little history about Jake's birthdays.  Last year, 2011, the sisters and I were at Stake Girls' Camp on Jake's birthday.  None of us liked this one single bit.  I called him, very sad, from camp and promised that I wouldn't be missing his birthday in 2012.  Well, fast-forward, guess who had Stake Youth Conference this week?  Yep!!  SOOOOO, I wasn't going to let another year pass without seeing my boy on his birthday.

 We opened presents two days early and then on the actual BIG DAY, Joe and Jake drove all the way to Ephriam, UT, to be with us.  I took a short break from youth conference and we went out to lunch.  We ate pizza galore and Jake guzzled down root beer.  He loves the way it makes him burp.  Gotta love boys!

It wasn't perfect, but at least we spent time together.  We sure love this youngest guy in our family.  Can't believe he'll be 12 next year.

South Stake Rules!

On July 12-14th we headed to Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, for youth conference.  It was exhausting but such a blast.  We have such amazing righteous youth!!  They were such good sports and participated in all the events.  Besides all the crazy fun, we actually had a real purpose to youth conference.  Our theme was Arise and Shine Forth and since we were at a college, what else but have a school theme?  We renamed the college "A & S University" and the first morning we kicked off with a welcome letter to the youth:

 Dear Freshmen:

We want to extend a warm welcome to all our new students!  We hope you will have a rewarding and successful academic experience.  As professors and staff in your academic program, we are here to support your success as students of A & S University.  As you know, A & S stands for Arise & Shine.  Our University standards are high and our entrance requirements are very selective.  You have been chosen for your exceptional G.P.A. (Godly Potential and Attributes) and A.C.T. (Actions Centered on Temple Worthiness).  We congratulate you for the good choices that have brought you here.

We thank you for your interest in A & S University and trust that you will find the eternal truths that you seek, whether you are a student, faculty, staff, parent or friend. 

A & S University’s mission is to be “a student-centered university which focuses on teaching those standards which will lead you to the Lord’s temple, where you will make and keep sacred covenants.”  We do this through a world-class undergraduate and graduate education program, scriptural research and compassionate service.  A & S will produce graduates who are equipped with knowledge, attributes and spiritual skills for this important time on earth.

This semester you will have two required texts to study from: (1) the Holy Scriptures and (2) A&S University’s Course Catalog.  Also, to truly be successful, it is critical that you stay in contact with your Academic Advisor.  You know Him better as your loving Heavenly Father.  He will not only assist you this semester but guide you throughout your life.  He will help you chart your path and will also answer your questions and concerns.

Once again, we welcome you to A & S and look forward to learning and growing together!
Sincerely,
Professors and Staff


We then headed off to Ephraim in school buses and let the good times roll.  Our first day we had water games and the leaders got thoroughly soaked.  I'm getting so old, I swear I pulled a muscle (or two) trying to run away.

There were field games the next day, which got rained out and became gym games.  As you can see, the leaders still have some growing up to do.

We had a computer lab open for the youth to participate in family history/indexing.  Our goal was to get each youth there at least once and when they participated, we had them sign a banner for President Lefler that we presented at the end of the conference.  The youth were incredible and somehow indexed over 50,000 names during the conference.  Didn't I say they were amazing?!?

We had classes/workshops that were all based on the For Strength of Youth pamphlet.  We used each topic as a university course and gave it a unique name.  Our professors were our own highly talented stake leaders and they brought in the spirit in such a unique and entertaining way.  Everyone was engaged in what was going on and participated.  It was truly a sight to see.

Finally,  we can't forget one of our favorite events.  Heather Haynie, from the Stake YW Presidency, taught the youth and leaders a dance, which we then presented in "Flash Mob" style at the multi-stake dance.  It was so amusing and surprisingly uniting!  The youth were so excited to perform.

 We ended with an amazing 2 hour testimony meeting.  There was not a moment of silence, as the youth bore testimony one after another.  My testimony was strengthened in leaps and bounds.  These  youth give me such happiness and hope for our future.

Last but not least, these amazing women (and the YM's Presidency) deserve so much credit.  We spent some long hours preparing this event and their talent showed through and through!  I am humbled and blessed to work with them and they have become my dear friends.  Love you Ladies!

We had a fireside on August 12th to kick-off the new school year and review what we had learned at youth conference.  Bro. Doug Webb did a most excellent job of putting together a slide show/video of the fun we had.  Enjoy!

Sixteen Candles

The big day finally arrived!  On June 14th, Morgan celebrated her SWEET 16.  What a fun day we had.  Morgan woke to a surprise her siblings had planned.  Kelsey and Jake stayed up late making a fancy car for Morgan.  They blind-folded her, put keys in her hands, and walked her out to the garage.  Morgan was a good sport, although I'm sure there was a little disappoint when it wasn't a real car. 

The wheelbarrow car was complete with a back seat (skate board), steering wheel, ignition, wheels, flames and a Utah license plate that said "MOMOW8."

Morgan was able to get her driver's license late that morning and then proceed on her first official date with Connley.  They went to Krispy Kreme, watched a movie and had a picnic at the park.  Good times!

 

We finished the evening by broadening Morgan's horizons with a new culinary delight!  She tried Greek food for the first time and really liked it.  We had a good evening eating on the patio of Aristo's Greek Restaurant.  They had live music and Morgan was serenaded with a round of "Happy Birthday." 

Earlier in the day I had planned to look up the time Morgan was born.  I was busy and forgot to get it done.  While at the restaurant, I abruptly interrupted our conversation and said, Morgan, you were born at 7:24pm!!  At that precise moment, I looked down at my watch and it was exactly 7:24pm.  I was in shock.  I had to show the entire family my watch to prove it.  I had not remembered this time all day but at that exact moment, the thought was placed in my mind.  We became emotional as we recalled that Morgan's Grandma Harris, who passed 5 years ago, LOVED numbers, dates, times, etc.  Grandma also LOVED Morgan with all her heart.  They had such a special relationship.  I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that my mother was there in spirit celebrating with us.  She brought that time to my remembrance and by so doing, joined in our special celebration.  I will forever be grateful to know my parents were there.

We love you Morgan.  It has been a wonderful 16 years since you joined our family and you are truly my dear friend.  Love you to the moon and back!