First Dance

Ellen went to her first dance last night. We had to get a photo, of course. This may be the only time we see Ian and Ellen dance together. I made Ellen promise to dance with Ian, but he didn't ask her. All my attempts at brother/sister affection out the door! Don't they look cute, though?

Our Needs and Our Wants

Abby's Before
Abby's After
Ellen Before
Ellen After
Me Before (Can't believe I'm posting this!) Me After

Recently, we have gone through some tougher financial times than usual. Through prayer, we have seen miracles happen for our family. Big ones! Heavenly Father took care of our needs and then some. It struck me yesterday that He even takes care of our wants at times. I was reading a silly article about hair products the other day. (I'm always on the lookout for the one thing that will give me Jacklyn Smith hair--for all you young people out there, Google Charlie's Angels--old school). Anyway, they had these Velcro curlers that are supposed to help with volume...and I NEED volume. So, I thought those would be something to try. But being focused on the budget more than ever, I priced them and thought, not right now. Then the very next day, I find them at at garage sale...two packages for $1.00! So this rather long narrative is just to say that this, to me, is one of my many tithing blessings. A small thing, but I know that Heavenly Father is aware of me and my family and sometimes we even get some of the things we want.

The girls and I had to play with them, of course. The humidity kind of deflated my volume but Ellen, as always, looks gorgeous.

Annual Young Men/Young Women Talent Show

The youth in our church like to have an annual talent show. This year was as fun as always with lots of exciting acts. Ian played the theme from the Mario video games on his saxophone and Ellen sang the Veggies Tales theme some with two friends and then read a short story she wrote.

The youth leaders were amazing! The Young Men Leaders (Bro Woodward, Bro Fisher, and Bro Rawlins) did a "Mormon Rap". They threw baby carrots at the crowd...I don't know why. It is nice to see such dedication in our leaders...they will do ANYTHING to serve our youth! Check out Brother Rawlins moves!




The Young Women leaders were so funny with their "If I were not a Young Women Leader" song. Not sure who wrote it, but very catchy. The kids are still singing it. Wish I knew who to thank...
I wish I had been able to capture all of it on video but I was saving a little girl from being stepped on by the movie star (Sis Rawlins) and the Rapper Mama (Sis Sabin).

Last but not least, our wonderful Bishop and his "right"and "left" hand counselors. They stole the show with their Close Shave.

Our Ellen is 14

Ellen turned 14 on September 1st. She is in the 9th grade this year and is adjusting well to high school life. She has so many friends and is a good friend to each of them. She plays the flute in the band and has recently saved up her babysitting money to buy a new flute in the next few weeks. Ellen loves to write and I have to hide my good pens cause she likes a good pen. She writes great stories about people and relationships and has a talent for painting a picture for the reader. She also has a beautiful singing voice, but doesn't like to share with the general public. She loves to have fun. She loves to tell me stories about the silly things she and her friends say and do. I love to see her laugh and smile. Love you, Ellie!

Happy Birthday, Genevieve!

I'm always behind in adding new posts...Genevieve turned 6 years old on August 29th.

Genevieve is such a happy girl. She loves to be silly and has a real gift for talking "southern". She is gum ADDICT! She can smell it from 20 feet away when I open a new package. We give her gum every year for her birthday now and I think its her favorite gift. There's a pic of her sniffing her gum. Also a pic of her with her new watch. Its the only thing she asked for this year so daddy gave it to her before school that morning. This year she really tried to play the birthday card with things like, "I get to sit in that chair all day cause its my birthday." It didn't really work, but she tried anyway. She is micro manager and always knows where everything is, so she's great to have around when you've lost something. She is definitely the "baby" of the family but she also takes care of all of us, especially her daddy. I told Michael he's very lucky she's the youngest because she will take care of him when he's old and gray (except he's already at the gray part). She loves to play with my hair and gives the BEST hugs! Our Gigi always smiles and is such a fun girl! We are so happy she is part of our family! Happy Birthday, G!