Family

This week has been an interesting one, not the best but one that got me thinking. The events of this week have made me ponder family, who they are and what they mean. Family are the ones you call when there is an emergency. Family is who comes to your rescue. Family should not judge but accept. Family should have compassion. Family listens. Family loves unconditionally no matter what has happened. Family rejoice in the good times and grieve in the bad. Families laugh together and cry together. Family knows when to leave you alone yet knows when you need them most. Family will help you soar to new heights. Family will help talk you thru your darkest hours.

It is not a coincidence that Heavenly Father made family the center of his plan. He knew that we would need people close to us to help us thru our trials. Family is essential to our eternal growth even when we think we can't grow. I don't think it is any coincidence that the events of this week happend so close to Easter. This is a time of reflection of the sacrifices Christ made for us. A time to forgive and have compassion. Afterall, Christ died so that we may ask for forgivenss and repent for our wrong doings. The most difficult part is forgiving ourselves.

Tuesday's Thought

I received this today in my email and thought how I really need to apply this quote to my life.

"I urge you to examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to be the kind of person you want to be. Create inspiring, noble, and righteous goals that fire your imagination and create excitement in your heart. And then keep your eye on them. Work consistently towards achieving them." Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

One of these days I will figure out the kind of person I want to be and create those goals.

4's

So in elementary school there are no letter grades, just numbers. 4 exceeds grade level, 3 at grade level, 2 not at grade level, 1 not a grade level not progressing. Today we received our girl's report card. She is an exceptional student, mostly 4's on her report card. For her grade level she should be reading between a 51-55 level, she is at a 69. Amazing! She loves to read and write. She is learning so much this year, every night at dinner she is telling us some exciting fact she learned that day. We are so proud of her! She is growing up into such a beautiful young lady. We are so blessed to have her as our daughter.

Security

Security of blogs has been a topic of discussion in our house lately. I have an increased awareness of what I am posting. So that is why you won't see my kids' names posted any longer and my posts somewhat censored. Those of you who know us know our kids' names those of you who are blog stalking, you won't know their names. My family and kids are to precious to me to do anything to jepordize their security and safety.

3.53

I am one proud mom today. I received "the boy's" report card in the mail today. I was nervous to open it cause school is not easy for him. He had fallen behind in Science, but stayed 3 different days after school to get caught up. He struggles with math (hmm wonder where he gets that from). What a wonderful suprise to see his g.p.a. is 3.53. He didn't get below a B- in any of his classes. I am so proud of him! A few of his teachers wrote wonderful comments like, effort is commendable, encourages respect with empathy and caring for all, pleasure to have in class. What wonderful comments! I just love him so much and am so blessed and proud to have him as my son.

Tuesday's Thought

I received this via email today and thought it was a good thought for a Tuesday.

"As we look into the future, we are going to need to be stronger and more responsible for our choices in a world where people “call evil good, and good evil.” We do not choose wisely if we use our agency in opposition to God’s will or to priesthood counsel. Tomorrow’s blessings and opportunities depend on the choices we make today." James E. Faust

Monday Memory - The Teague Family

In an effort to make this easier, my friend Kari has given me some starters for blogging. Monday is Monday Memory. I have been pondering this all day trying to come up with a memory to blog about. For some reason I have struggled with this, not sure why. Then I went and read Kari's blog and really felt like anything I had to say would not mean much. Then I had an "ahaaa" moment. The Teagues, they will be my Monday Memory.

Kari Teague lived in Bellingham oh so many years ago. I don't even remember how we even met, it must have been at church. When she lived here she had one little girl, Kiersten and was expecting her second little girl, Madison. Wade and I immediately fell in love with these little girls. Wade was Kiersten's Sunbeam teacher and I just loved Madison because, well she was a baby. Kari was and still is married to a wonderful guy Scott, who has the greatest sense of humor. His nickname for me then and now is Jan. I just told Wade the other day that Scott is the only person who can get away with calling me Jan. Wade and I became close friends with Kari and Scott. I hung out with Kari a ton, we would walk in Sudden Valley, I think we canned peaches once, we would work on Kari's hair bow business and oh so many other things. I think I enjoyed hanging out over there so much because at the time we were struggling to have kids. We wanted a family so badly and it just wasn't happening. I think I enjoyed hanging out with Kari because she was and still is the crazy, loving, wonderful mom I wanted to be someday. Then the dreaded day came when Scott was transferred back to CA. I remember being so upset when I found out my good friend would be moving away. What was I going to do? Well as time has it, I got over them moving and I moved on. Regretably I lost touch with Kari for awhile. We finally had a baby, built a house, had another baby and then life just got busy. Whenever Scott and Kari would come to Bellingham for a visit we would get together for dinner. I did give her a call out of the blue one spring right before Andrew's birthday and asked a huge favor. Andrew was obsessed, I am not even sure obsessed is the right word, with Buzz Lightyear. I had searched and searched with no luck for one for his birthday. I called Kari and asked if she could go to Disneyland, get a Buzz Lightyear and send it to me. She didn't question it at all, she came through like wonder woman for me. Andrew was so thrilled, it made is birthday that year. This reminded me again what a wonderful friend she was and is.

I would get a Christmas card from Kari every year with beautiful pictures of her girls. One year I received a letter that made my heart stop. Kari was expecting or had just had their fourth daughter Sadie, sorry I can't remember the exact timing. Sadie was born with Down Syndrome. The letter Kari wrote that year was the most inspiring letter and made me admire her even more as a mom.

So that is my Monday Memory for this Monday. My good friend Kari who I love dearly, miss often and will see this year. I guess I what I have taken away from this Monday Memory is friendship is timeless. Time will pass but friendships last forever. Love and hugs to my great friend Kar!

Blogging Again.......

A close friend of mine has encouraged me to start blogging again. I figure if she can do it being a mom of 4 wonderful girls, an awesome wife and Primary President then I can do it. So here I go! Instead of spending so much time on Facebook I will spend time blogging.

I lurk around a lot of peoples blogs. I enjoy reading about their lives, especially their kids. That may sound weird but I like to see how other people are raising their kids and compare to what we are doing. It makes me feel like I am somewhat normal.

Stay tuned for more posts. I am not too sure how exciting they will be, probably just rambling but maybe something I say will touch someones life.