'Tis the Season

We had a wonderful family night tonight. The kids begged for a real tree this year, so after doing some shopping for their cousins, we took the kids to pick out a real Christmas tree. It's been a few years and I must say I enjoy how beautiful and how fragrant a real tree is. We decorated as we listened to the First Presidency Christmas devotional. What a nice tradition.

Merry Christmas.

Aprons

Are these cute or what. My sister makes these cute aprons. The prices are 1/2 what you'd find in OTHER places. Prices are: $20 for adult. $15 for child and $10 for toddler. She also makes special orders for matching aprons or does $22 plus sizes.

Contact me if you're interested. I will have a bunch at the Manila Elementary faculty room for a couple of weeks. (785-8860)

Thanksgiving Break

Thanksgiving break started out with THE BIG LEAF CLEANUP.

Snow shovels are a great way to clean up leaves.

Janna missed the great leaf cleanup because she was with grandma, baking pies for the next day. Thanksgiving was at Kevin's parent's house this year. We had great food, games and music when Amberly and Kelli sang for us. Oh yeah, and Jeffrey watched football.

Pie day was muy bueno. We ate lots of yummy food, played some more games and visited. It was alot of fun (except when we started talking politics). 

After going to Ethan's birthday party, Amberly, Cammie, Jeffrey and I went with Frances, Todd and John to see Blindside. What a great movie to end a great day.

Soloist

So Janna tried out for a solo part for the Christmas concert at our school chorus and she was chosen to have one of the solos. I'm proud of her for trying out and real excited she was selected. Sing your heart out Janna.

Championship Game

Jeffrey had a great football season. I think one of his coaches, Sam Dehoyas explained the season well in an email he sent about head coach Dave Pincock. He said:

I have had the privilege of coaching with Dave now for 2 years, and I can honestly say that Dave truly cares about your boys and wants nothing but the best experience for them. His greatest desire is for them to have a great time and to learn the game of football. I can promise you that there is not ONE other team in our league that learned as much about football as our boys did or had as much fun. Dave has been criticized by other coaches all year who would say that our team would never do well and could never endure a long hard fought game because he doesn't run them enough or make them hit enough. Well, funny thing is... Daves' team is still in it and all those other teams are done and have already turned in their equipment.

In the first game of the season we were beat pretty bad by this AF team that we played for the championship. The boys showed how hard they worked with their coaches this season by having a great showing in the championship game.

AF scored the first touchdown in the first quarter, but we held them from getting the extra points. We then scored right before halftime and got a one point conversion going into half time with the lead 7-6. We held them until half way through the 4th quarter. The score was then 14-7 for AF. Even though we fought hard we weren't able to score before the clock ran down.

I know the boys were disappointed, but as a parent of a boy on this team all I can say is great job Pleasant Grove Vikings. You came a long way from that first game of the season and had a great game in the championship. I am proud of all of you.

Halloween

Halloween has come and gone, but fortunately it will never die because....I going to blog about it.

Kevin never dresses up, but he did try on my hat.

I'm not very original. Every year I'm a witch.

Amberly wouldn't wear Jeffrey's pads...because they stink, but she was a cute football player.

Look at that cute granny.

Jeffrey was the opposite of his real self...a nerd.

Don't smash that cute bug.

The best reason for Halloween...my students.

The awesome Manila first grade team.

This cute little giraffe stopped by for some treats.

Janna did great for her last Trick or Treat.

Glad she had fun with her friends.

Happy Halloween!

Poet-Not Really

I wrote this poem almost 2 years ago. I've only shared it with 2 people, but feeling inspired by my cousin Debbie to share some of myself through writing, I am screwing up my courage and posting this poem I wrote. It is extremely personal and I hope my blogging friends will realize that I have no ambitions as a writer, but sometimes experiences just need to be shared in a very intimate way and this was GIVEN to me and has helped me understand myself better. I am feeling like I need to share it publicly now. I don't know why I just know I'm supposed to. Please be gentle. Feel free to keep your opinions to yourself. This poem was a gift from God directly to me and he is now pressing me to share it. Maybe my hard drive is about to crash and I need it out in cyberspace. I haven't even made a hard copy of it. I kind of feel like I'm walking down the street in skimpy clothes and all my flaws are exposed. Well here I go. I'm going to send it out there. I think I'm sweating.

Gift From God

Born with a gift from none but God
I wield my tongue at all I see
Cutting, hurting, laying open
Precious souls given to me.

In His mercy God has shown me
That this sword needn’t destroy
With a humble heart I plead
For Him my tongue for good employ.

When I humbly come before Him
Offering all I have to give
He will make my weakness over
Into strength, blessing all who live.

Let this sword be used for goodness
Lifting, Praising, Testifying
Of the One who changes all
With hearts contrite and breaking.

RaeAnn Hurst
January 20, 2008