Derek's Eagle

A proud moment for us all.

 The pins that I got as a scout's mom.

So incredibly proud of Derek.  He is an amazing young man.  He does many things that are right and good.  This was one of those things.  He did this not because he enjoyed it necessarily, but because once again, it was right and it was good.  I am so grateful he sees the value of adding this value to his character at such a young age.  He is drawn to things that are right, good, kind, and what our Heavenly Father wants him to do, not just what he wants to do.  He is a wonderful example of character.

Speaking of characters, here, in the picture above this one are some of his good friends, Sam, Karl, and Nick.  What wonderful young men to come and support Derek!

My new project of learning to crochet

I am learning how to crochet.  It is actually being quite fun.  I can't wait to learn new things.  I want to be able to make fun things for my kids and eventual grand kids

I love this hat, it reminds me of an ice cream cone.  I am going to try to crochet a bunch of fun hats to donate to some sort of shelter or school.

This hat was my first attempt at a hat.  I think it turned out pretty well for my first attempt.  I also learned how to make these flowers which were surprisingly easy.

Lion King with Nick

Our spirit son, Nick, was in his Junior High play as Scar in The Lion King.  Derek and a couple of his friends and I went to see his wonderful play.  This is also some of his family on his mother's side.  Hannah and I went the next day as well.

This is Shylee, Derek, Nick and Leah.

This was an absolutely WONDERFUL time for Nick.  He really loves plays.  He was great in it and very fun to watch.  I am so glad we could see it and share in his happiness.

Next are some pictures of the play.

Here is the Hannah day!  We LOVED it.

Book of Mormon challenge

Hannah started this challenge with me when she was in high school and now Derek and I are doing it together.  This year we have included Grandma Smith.  The challenge is to read the Book of Mormon in a month, the month of March.

We did it!  This is a great testimony builder.  I was grateful that my mom accepted the challenge to do this with us.  It makes what we do even better when others we love do it with us.  I am grateful for faithful parents who love the Lord and have a firm testimony in our Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel.  I love that they want to be involved in our lives.  I am grateful for their examples to me of Chirst like love, and that Derek and Hannah can always count on them.  They are true giants to us!

Help on a snow day

It snowed quite a bit this season which was such a blessing because last year was very dry which was not good for our water.

This is an example of the incredible spiritual maturity of my son.  Derek takes care of me, but he does it out of love for me.  He doesn't simply do the jobs he does when he helps me because they need to be done, he does it most of all because he loves me.  While it seems that I am painting Derek out to be perfect I know that he still has room to grow in many ways, however, he is so much higher than most kids his age and even adults in his motivations.  Our motivation for why we do things are so incredibly important.  

Derek's wonderful, happy friend, Nick (and of course, Koda) are out helping him as well.  I am grateful for Derek's help, but most of all for the whole package, for his help and his Christ like understanding and motivation of why we help eachother.

Thank you Derek.

Derek's developing talents

One of the many benefits of being a mother is being able to watch a tiny wonderful human develop into an amazing person.  It is like opening a treasure box every day to find new treasures.  It is exciting and awe inspiring.  I love that this young man is my son.  It is an amazing adventure of new discoveries to be with him.

Just this week, I was away over night for work and Derek shared with me that he got "bored" and decided to "transpose" one of his favorite new songs from the new Star Wars movie.  The song is, "Rey's Theme".  I loved how he spent his time.

I come from a family that has extreme musical talent from my mother and her side.  One is a professional opera singer and travels the world and has been a guest tenor soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle choir singing Handle's Messiah for Easter just a couple of years ago.  That same cousin also played the cello for the Chicago Symphony.

I wonder what Derek's future holds in store for him.  Most important about him though is that he has courage and is kind.  He loves our Heavenly Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ.  He also loves his family. He also demonstrates on a regular basis a high moral compass and a very strong power for discernment between what is right and what is wrong and what is evil and that which is of the Spirit.

I love you Derek and I am so humbled and honored to be your mother.

Derek and Sam at the new Provo Temple

The Young Men and Young Women of our Ward went to the open house for the new Provo Temple this evening.  I pleaded with Derek to get a picture for me.  (He is SO tired of pictures, I think I have gone overboard in that area in his life - sorry son I say sheepishly)

Derek says that this is his new favorite Temple.  He said it was beautiful.  It is so important that we flood our lives with not only good experiences but great experiences and to have spiritual experiences be of paramount importance in frequency in our lives.  I have tried to adopt this principle in the lives of my kids.  I pray that each of my kids will remember the spiritual experiences and great experiences we have shared together and those they have had on their own and with others.  That can provide a shield and protection, a type of bubble wrap and soft, peaceful, safe place to remember when there are trials in their lives which we all have and must go through.  As we have been told the road to discipleship is not for the faint of heart.  (That was a quote from a former Prophet, it is paraphrased and I can't remember which right now)