1st Grade Program

So Monday afternoon I was going through Jeremy's backpack and I noticed some papers saying that Jeremy had a 1st grade program the next day.  So he "suited up" and headed to his program.
He was VERY excited:

It was cute they sang songs and read stories.


 

For the program and theme was "I'm Glad I'm Me" and they had each child draw a picture of themselves.  This is Jeremy's:

This is his teacher Mrs. Wood.  She has been excellent.

I've got to say that I am probably more excited than Jeremy for the end of school.  No more homework battles and rushing to get ready in the morning.  It will be nice.  Now we can sit back and enjoy the summer festivities.

I Have Angered Them

"The Gods have been angered by all the celebrating."

I have angered the weather Gods.  They are NOT happy with me.  Ever since Matt and I decided to put sprinklers in and re-do our lawn we have been met with weather obstacle after weather obstacle.  First it rained and then it hailed, and today:



Today is May 24 and it is SNOWING.  You might think that they aren't punishing me and it is just coincidence, BUT . . . it is perfectly fine, pleasant weather on the days Matt has school and can't work on the yard.  It's a conspiracy.  Anyone want to come over and do a good weather dance in my yard?

Stake Conference

It was a really good weekend.  My favorite session was the Saturday Evening Adult Session.  Everyone that spoke was amazing.  President Evans always speaks so poignant.  He spoke of father's duties of teaching in the home.  Sister Kay spoke about a mothers role.  Elder Perry talked about separating the wheat from the tare and what we have to do to grow tall and strong.  It was awesome.  Sunday Dad spoke on the temple and family history.  Elder Perry spoke to the youth about using this summer to prepare yourself for what is to come and not waste any time.  Be constantly working and striving to prepare.  It was awesome.  After conference we went in my Dad's office to meet Elder Perry and we got some pictures outside.
 
 
It was a great Stake Conference!!

My Birthday Week

I really wanted to forget it.  It was hard turning 30.  Now I'm old and seriously, a DAY after I turned 30 I slipped on the driveway and landed on my side.  Needless to say my back (and hips) have been killing me all week.  Needless to say, I'm old.  The festivities were super fun though.
Sharon invited us up for dinner and FHE.  The kids LOVED putting on the armor:

 

Sharon made some yummy cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries in honor of my birthday:


Then they gave me my present.  A girls camp survival kit complete with bug spray, chocolate, and fly swatter.  She didn't have 30 candles, but there were sure a lot of them:
 
Wednesday was my actual birthday.  Jeremy had a game out in Mona, so we headed out there and it started to rain, well not rain, more like "slush".  It was cold so I spent the hour in the car.  I hear he did great though.  Then we came home and it was present time:


Matt made a yummy dinner and the Lenharts stopped by:

At the end of the day here was all my loot:
 
Matt bought a cake from the store, and when Jeremy got home from work he made a cake with Grandma, so we had cake coming out our ears.  And yes, Matt did put 30 candles on them.  Once I blew all them out, Jeremy ran to the door to open it and these were his exact words. "Well Mom, you don't want the fire alarm to go off do you, that would be REALLY embarrassing."  Yes Jeremy, yes it would.

Friday night, Jenny took the kids for a sleep over and Matt and I kept with out tradition and had dinner at Tucanos.  It was yummy.  It was great birthday week.  Thanks to all of you who made it awesome!!!

Coach Pitch

After two weeks of rained out games, Jeremy finally had his first game on May 5.  It was super windy, and dusty, and cold.  He was SO excited though.  Before the game, he did inform me that we couldn't cheer for him because it was "too embarrassing."  I did pretty good until he got up to bat and I started cheering and he turned around and glared at me.  I guess I need to bring some gum with me and just chew and chew so I won't embarrass my son.

Baptism Day

A few months ago, one of my Beehives told me that she wanted to get Baptized.  I was totally stoked!!  So we talked every week about her progress with the missionaries and one week she informed she had scheduled her Baptism.  May 2 was the big day.  She invited me to her dinner and it was delicious.

The weather wasn't the greatest, but the Spirit that day was amazing.  As I watched her choose to take on those sacred covenants and receive the Holy Ghost my eyes started to tear up.  Some of the other Beehives were there to support her and after it all we had a little photo:

I am so happy that Sierra decided to become a member of the church.  I know it will be one of the best decisions she will ever make.

No More Preschool

May 1st Bailee had a party for Preschool Graduation.  Deeann had rented from jumpers and the kids (and mom) went CRAZY!!


Then we gathered and Deeann presented them with their cap and diploma.  It was cute:


We're so proud of you Bailee!!

Sing Sweet Nightingale

April 30, the kids had their Spring Choir Concert.  Verena does such an excellent job:

You can see the corsage that Matt got the kids for their big day.  Verena came out dressed as Cruella de Vil:
 
Their first song was "Kiss the Girl" and Jeremy performed Prince Eric's part when he was guessing everyone's name:

Bailee was up first.  She sang Drip Drip Drop Little April Showers:

Jeremy's song was Bare Necessities:
 
The kids did so great.  They were just happy and had so much fun:


 
Everyone came out to support them:

Day 1 - I've Made It

Ladies and Gentleman, I am now officially 30.  From now on I can look forward to dinner at 4:30 and bedtime at 8:00.  In true Academy fashion, there are some people I would like to thank for getting me this far (hey if its good enough for the celebrities it is good enough for me):
My parents:  They are my guidepost and I measure my progress and success on them.  They have been with me through it all and will ALWAYS support my decisions.  They raised me and they love me unconditionally. 
My husband:  He put me back together when I was falling apart.  He loves me for me.  He truly is a help meet and companion.  I love you.
My kids:  They love innocently and unconditionally, and strive to choose the right.  They make me laugh.  They make me crazy.  They make me feel loved. They're the best children in the world.
My Ex's:  Each of them taught me new and exciting things, but they also showed me what I didn't want in a companion, so thank you for expanding my world and opening my eyes.
My Best Friend:  She has been right by my side through the toughest trials in my life.  She has put up with a lot of quirks, but still loves me just the same.
My Sisters:  Looking back I realize how much of an example (for good and bad) I really was to them.  Today we can laugh, joke, and talk for hours.  Thanks for being my friends.
My Brother:  He honors his Priesthood and serves the Lord with all his might.  He may be quiet but when he comes to visit, we have a blast.
My Young Women:  Being in the young women requires a lot:  teaching every week, activities every week, camping in nature with bears, temple trips, etc, but I absolutely LOVE my girls.  They teach me just as much as I teach them and I can be having a horrible day and I go to an activity and they instantly lift me up.  It's the best.
All the In-Laws:  Sisters, brothers, mom, dad, nieces nephews.  I have so many wonderful memories of fish ponds, April fools pranks, Sunday dinners, Wormy, FHE's, Thriller, watching parades, Forgotten Carols, "Newcastle Bubonic Plague", Super bowl parties, going up the canyon, vacationing, trucking stories, princess eyes, book worms, hide and seek,  playing games, going to the temple, sitting on the porch, and many many more.
My friends:  I don't have that many, but the ones I have are the best.  They are thoughtful, giving, supportive, and so much fun.  Thanks for the dinner invitations, warm wishes, and prayers.  I'm so lucky for great friends.

All of you have made me who I am and I am so glad for that.  Yes, I am quirky (and sometimes a little crazy), but I am so grateful to be literally surrounded by wonderful people.  Also, I wouldn't be who I am without the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It has been my rock in a turbulent world and (although it may sound a little cheesy) I am so thankful for the knowledge, peace and comfort that the Savior and His teachings bring to my life.  I wouldn't be who I am without it. 

So to all of you, THANK YOU for the birthday wishes, thoughts, prayers, gifts, and life lessons.  You guys are the best a girl could hope for.

Day 2 - Vroom

Every teenager anticipates their 16th birthday when they can finally "legally" drive.  Of course, being a farmers daughter, I was driving when I was 12.  That meant that I started younger with the accidents.  When I was 13, the men were branding the cows so I decided to entertain myself by driving the brown truck around.  I was looking away and all of a sudden - THUD!!  I hit a fence brace.  I popped it into reverse, hopped out, straightened the brace and went on my merry way (Dad didn't notice the dent in the bumper until a few weeks later).  When I was 15, I was driving "Little Gray" around the golf course and I hit an oncoming car.  Everyone was fine.  As I was pulling out of church, I wasn't paying attention and I scratched the entire side of Gary Jones' brand new truck.  When I was senior, I hit a dog out on the old highway north of Mona.  I was heading back to college and hydroplaned off the freeway.  Needless to say, I have had my share of accidents.  I just hope and pray that my children will be safe and sound. 

Day 3 - Holidays

As most of you know, the Morrill's love to celebrate.  It doesn't take much for us to get in the spirit - Psych, birthdays, movie releases, and holidays.  In my family, we celebrated Holidays.  So Matt and I decided to continue the tradition. 
New Year's Day: was usually spent in our pajamas catching up on missed sleep from the night before.  Today, Matt and I try to take advantage of the day off and go somewhere fun.
Valentine's Day:  My Grandma Garrett usually sent us a package from Arizona (they were snowbirds).  The contents always contained a comb, candy, and a card.  I was always so excited to get a special Valentine from my Grandma.  Today, we celebrate Valentine's in usual fashion on dinner, a movie (or some other activity), and gifts of love.
St. Patrick's Day:  As a child, I would carefully pick out the perfect green ensemble to avoid getting pinched by my fellow classmates.  Today, I carefully pick out the perfect green ensemble to avoid getting pinched by my children.
Easter:  When we were kids, Easter usually meant camping of some sort which included decorating eggs, rolling them down a hill, and having an Easter hunt.  Today, the Easter bunny comes, we spend the week learning about the Savior's Life, and occasionally we roll eggs, but NO camping - NEVER camping.
Memorial Day:  Usually, as a child, Memorial Day signaled the end to school and the beginning of summer.  We would visit the graves at the cemetery and then spend the day playing with all the cousins.  Today, Matt insists that we go to Junction and visit his Granddad's grave and then we usually plan something fun.
4th of July:  From when I was a child to today, we spend the 4th of July down to the park supporting the Boy Scout fundraising.  Then we watch the fireworks that night.
Pioneer Day:  Growing up, it wasn't that big of a deal.  Dad and Louis were usually out doing hay so we just hung out.  Today we go out to Mona and spend some time are there shindig.
Labor Day:  We've ALWAYS gone somewhere on Labor Day.  We've gone on vacation, day trips, or visiting family.  It changes.  But it is still lots of fun.
Halloween:  As a child, my mom wasn't really in to Halloween.  I always wanted to have a HUGE Halloween party, but it never happened.  Today, Matt and I go all out.  I usually have the kids Halloween costumes by the end of July.  We have a haunted village, 13 days of Halloween, and trunk or treating.  Its a blast.
Thanksgiving:  We always went over to my Grandma Bailey's for Thanksgiving.  The cousins would play kickball, football, and night games throughout the day.  Today, we split Thanksgiving every other year.
Christmas Eve:  We would have soup and watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation over at Grandma Bailey's house.  Today we go to Richfield and enjoy all the festivities complete with a visit from Santa.
Christmas:  We would open our presents and then head over to Grandma Bailey's for dinner and games.  Today, we have Christmas with the kids and  a  BIG breakfast.  Then we spend the rest of the day over at moms or in the emergency room depending upon whether a child has sliced his finger open or not.  :)
New Year's Eve:  As a child we watched the Times Square New Year's Party and then we would go to sleep.  As a teenager, we would go to the Stake Dance and run around for half the night.  Today, we try to go to a First Night Celebration with the children or just a couples celebration depending.  It's always a blast.
Holidays were always fun.  It is great to step out of your normal routine.

Day 4 – Night Games

The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer, and when that happens my mind always turns back to those innocent summer nights of playing night games with all my cousins.  It was always so much fun.  In regards to age, I was right in the middle of everyone, so I usually had a fair shot at winning.  I was a bit of a tomboy and my favorite place to hide was always the chestnut tree right next to the porch.  Grandpa Bailey would sit on one of his metal, green porch chairs and gesture to me when I had climbed high enough that no one could see me.  I would hide on my perch and watch the rest of cousins and siblings slowly get picked off one by one.  Then, I would quietly climb down and hide in a location that had previously been searched.  It was so much fun.  I looked out the window tonight and saw my children playing tag with Tyler and Zoey and I smiled to myself and I started to picture a few years down the road and all the cousins running and hiding playing all different kinds of night games.  Memories that come full circle are the best traditions you can pass down to your children.

Day 5 - Fever Pitch

It's my favorite movie:

I'm not entirely sure why.  I've never liked Drew Barrymore, and this movie is the only one I can stand her in.  I LOVE the story line and it is funny and original.  The supporting actors are hilarious and it is just a good story.  I can laugh (with gusto), cry, and feel those lovey dovey feelings.  Even though this movie:

is climbing the ladders for favorite movie.  My heart is still with these two:

If you haven't seen it, come borrow it from me.

Day 6 – The Temple

I have just gotten back from the temple.  We took the young women over to do Baptisms for the Dead.  I LOVE the temple.  I was sitting there watching my new Beehive to Baptisms for the very first time and she positively glowed.  I could literally SEE the light of Christ in her face.   When I was little, my parents went to the temple every month.  I had a great example of Temple service growing up.  Today, the Temple is a top priority for me.  I have had so many incredible, life changing experiences in the temple.  I love the Spirit, the feeling, the atmosphere, the grounds, the people, everything.  I am truly blessed to be able to go to the temple as often as I do.  I feel peace, safety, clarity, direction, and love whenever I enter the temple.

Day 7 - Our Old Haunts

Being married for eight years doesn't seem like that long, but it is long enough to have "old haunts."  Living in Cedar City, our favorite place to frequent to celebrate was Applebees.

Every time something good happened, we had dinner at Applebees.  Internships, jobs, graduation, start to vacations, etc were all celebrated at Applebees.
We also spend a lot of time on campus.

We have so many memories on this campus.  WAY too many to name, but it will always hold a place near to our hearts.
Finally, we LOVED spending time at the West Canyon Park.
 
Jeremy flew a kite for the first time here, we spend many hours lounging around or walking the trail up the canyon.  It was great.
There are so many spots that have great memories of Matt and I: the canyon, meadow, movie theaters, and of course the Vegas.