MY girl on the run

When I first heard of the program Girls on the run, I thought it was great. They empower young girls, by sharing with them positive messages that they can incorporate into their self-esteem. They talk of good nutrition and what it means to be "healthy". Last but certainly not least they run. The teach them to keep their thoughts positive while they do this, but to also encourage those around you to do their best too.
A girl can join when she is in 3rd grade. I wondered if Jaya would decide to do it or not, and she has. She meets twice a week, and has the training and instruction explained above. At the end of the year they will run a 5k which even the parents are encouraged to participate in.
So far she is loving it. The last picture is her showing one of "energy awards" which is making a "w" with your fingers and saying "wow" to those that deserve the award. Pretty good stuff, we (as adults) can learn alot from our children.

Sitting this one out

The other morning while I was getting breakfast the girls asked me if I was going to go and fight some dragons today. I was a little confused at first and then realized we have been reading about one dragon a night from the book below. So I thought I would play along with their little adventure they thought I was on. I told them "Yes, in fact I was thinking about going dragon hunting today." Kale looked up quickly with slight concern on his face. I asked if any of the girls would like to come and they all agreed. I was watching Kale and the size of his eyes started to grow in concern with each girl that accepted. I then asked Kale "Kale should we go hunting for dragons today?" with a little shake of his head he slowly said "I want to stay home." It was so cute all of us started laughing.
Later while I was taking pics I asked him to show me what it looks like to fight a dragon, the last picture will show you his answer.

Birthday blowout

My dad's birthday is March 5th. When March 5th rolled around my dad was on the road for work. He was gone for about 10 days (which was a particularly long route). When he came back it was Jaya's birthday and so we combined the celebrations. We had gotten my dad a Kindle case because right before he left he got a kindle fire, but when he returned home he showed up with a kindle fire and a case (his own). Having no other present we still gave it to him with a verbal statement that we got this first! Parents are probably the hardest to buy presents for.
My family is so blest, it's so amazing that Jaya can have both sets of grandparents present for her birthday celebration. Life is Good.

Brunch

Our new ward has been so great. I had my reservations about moving and making friends. Which you always do, but they have welcomed us with open arms. It really has been such an easy transition.
Merideth has been one, of the many, ladies that has opened her home and has befriended me. She called the other day to invite me to a brunch. When I asked her what the occasion was she said she just wanted to socialize, enough said...I showed up.
She made this yummy healthy breakfast of pancakes topped with yogurt and strawberries, DELICIOUS!!
We talked and then got the grand tour, because Merideth just moved to a new house. While on the tour I learned of Merideth's (and Stacey's) love for American Dolls. Her collection was incredible. I learned you can have your doll hospitalized when she breaks something (for instance a leg coming off) and to never trust the Target brand of American Dolls, you really should order straight from the website...who knew?
It was so much fun, just a great day to socialize.

9 and feelin' fine

Dear Jaya,
Can you really be 9 years old? Seriously?! Wow, how old must that make me then?
You are such a joy. You are so very very bright. You ask so many questions and you won't stop until you fully understand the answer. You are kind and think of others needs. I love what a good big sister and example you are to your brother and sisters. You love to read, and you love to learn. Your memory astounds me. The things you can recall from school is just amazing.
You are in activity days now at church and love it. You have great friends there and wonderful leaders. You just started Girls on the run after school. One of the coaches told me that your energy is amazing that you just run and run. That makes me so happy as that seems to be what our family is into right now (at least mom and dad). You were so excited to move to the new house because then you could have your own room, but then when it came down to it, you decided you just weren't quite ready. So we are back to sharing and the talking and giggles we hear nightly seem to last hours. I should spy on you sometime to see what you and the girls talk about for so long.
You love Jesus Christ, and I feel like you have a draw towards choosing the right. You are aware of how your actions affect others and you typically try to choose things that will help others.
You just got glasses (which you were really hoping for, because you think they are cute.) Fortunately for you the eye dr confirmed that you needed them. I do have to agree they are so cute.
You dislike: raisins, celery (it makes me want to barf, is what you say). You dislike cleaning, and most recently you dislike feeding the chickens. I am hoping that you will like it again because it was really nice when you were taking care of them.
Jaya you are so fun. Your humor is developing and you are just so fun to be with. I look forward to the days and years ahead that we have together. To laugh, dance, sing, cuddle and read.
Thanks for picking me to be your mom.

Love,
Mom

Sacramento Friend aka Andrea

It's amazing to me that we can live all over the country and make friends, in all actuality that is not that amazing, what's amazing to me is that we can keep some of those friends, even when we move on. Some of those friends you continue to pray, care for and talk to. My Friend Adrea is one of those dear friends.
We meet in Sacramento, California, I was 9 months pregnant (with my first baby) and she was finishing up college. We had both been married about 3 years and were new to the area.
Throughout the years, we have moved all over the country and have remained friends. Some years have passed with little conversation, yet when we do talk we just fall right back to where we left off. (I love that).
So I was very excited when she called to say that her and her kids (she has 4) were coming to visit for Spring Break. It was such a great visit, and that's exactly what we did, visited! We solved the problems of the world from my own backyard. Our kids did so well together and it was such a fun visit. Thank You Andrea for being my friend through all these years!