Seminary

At the end of September, I was called to be a Seminary teacher.  I had so many mixed emotions about teaching seminary.  I think my biggest concern were my kids that would still be at home in the mornings.  But because I would be team teaching I knew the "load" of being a seminary teacher would be a little lighter.  So, I started reading so I could "catch up" and try to be on the same page as the rest of the class.

Our class at my house for Christmas breakfast.

Sister Claar was blessed with a really good job and was no longer able to teach seminary, so I taught by myself for a little while.  Then, Brother and Sister Lerch were called.  Now we had three teachers and the load became even lighter.   

These next pictures show the kids playing one of our most favorite games with scripture mastery.

Connor and Kenzie were winning!  :)

The kids love Brother Lerch.

Then Brother Lerch was blessed with a new job and was no longer able to teach seminary.  So Sister Lerch and I team taught the rest of the year.  I have learned so much!  We studied (and studied) and taught the Old Testament.  I have never read so much in all my life.  (And I have to thank my mom for being my seminary "lifeline." - she is amazing!)  My belief and my testimony in our Savior Jesus Christ has grown and strengthened and been reaffirmed over and over again!  I have learned that kids, even the "sleeping ones" know way more than you think.  I have also learned that if you're not two steps ahead, the kids will pull one over on you!  :)  I think one of the neatest things I saw happen this year, was when the kids would put two and two together about how all of the scriptures and what we are taught today work together.  It seemed to hit the most when we were studying Jeremiah, and talking about the different prophets that were prophesying at the same time.  Boom...Lehi...Book of Mormon - it all makes sense!  :)

Friday was our last day and it was definitely bittersweet!  We had a seminary auction with the "seminary bucks" the kids had earned from reading, praying, memorizing, service, being on time, etc, etc.  Brother Lerch was able to come back and be our auctioneer.  It was so much fun!!!  And we had been given so many donations for the prizes.  Thank you!  And thank you to everyone who supported us through this year!  And I so much appreciate Layne who supported me when I would get so behind in life!

It was Ryan's birthday!

Daegan made a temple out of sugar cubes.

Ashley made and donated the cutest cupcakes for our auction.

I tried to get a picture of everyone (3 were absent).

But as you can see, getting a serious picture is not so easy.

Well, at least you can see everyone in this picture.

So silly!

 What a great group of kids!  Even as teenagers, kids are so resilient!  We had a lot of changes, just in seminary, this year and the kids adapted.  The kids also faced challenges, tragedy, sadness, etc, and that doesn't even mention the everyday life and teenage drama they face.  They are strong, and they have made me feel appreciated - and I thank them for that!  It was also such a blessing to be in seminary with McKenzie - she had 100% attendance!  :)

With all that being said... today I worked out and got two loads of laundry done before the kids even got on the bus!  :)

My Mom...

She makes me HAPPY!  She is everything a mom should be and more! 

I'm so thankful she's mine!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I Love You!

Miss Karlee

Halloween 2011

I need to write this down so I don't ever forget!  Our Karlee continues to bless me with learning and growing experiences.  Karlee loves to be creative and will google ideas for crafts and so forth.  She loves make-up and fashion... and lately she has really been into nails and hair. (By the way, Karlee loves change, I on the other hand try to avoid it.)  She found an idea for making nail tips out of paper, and softening your hands.  So most of my baking soda and canola oil have gone missing - no harm done.  Then she wanted to change her hair.  She started with different kinds of "hair ornaments" but that wasn't enough.  One day, after coloring and highlighting her hair had been a topic of discussion, she appeared in the kitchen in McKenzie's white bathrobe to retrieve 2 packages of red kool-aid.  My thought, "She has dark hair, is it really going to matter?"  (I am trying to learn to pick my battles.)  The kool-aid didn't work on her hair.  So, despite some red kool-aid crystals on the bathroom walls, no harm was done and Kenzie's white robe is still white.  She then tried a regular red magic marker to literally color her hair.  It colored her neck, and clothes, and fingers. All washable - no harm done.  One day I walked into the kids' bathroom and the counter was sticky - super sticky.  Then I noticed the walls were sticky.   Then the more I moved around, even the floor was sticky.  My thought, "What in the world?"  I opened the cabinet under the sink to see if there was a clue - my spray water bottle - usually found under the kitchen sink.  Hmmm - I open it - smell it - mmmm...lemony!  She had used lemon juice in a spray bottle to try and highlight her hair.  She helped me clean the bathroom.  And everything including her hair and the bathroom mats have stayed the same color, no harm done.  One day she came home from school (now I am at Seminary, so I do not see the kids in the morning) with some serious greenish, grayish, teased hair.  I asked her how her day was and about her hair.... "I used a yellow highlighter!"

The more I think about it, the more I laugh.  Karlee is strong minded and strong willed and my patience is often tested.  We have very different opinions - and I am trying to learn that that is okay with so many things!    I pray everyday that I can have patience to love Karlee like she deserves to be loved.  And I am so thankful that I can think about Karlee, and be with Karlee, and know how blessed I am to have her!

Kenz

Kenzie had her first Youth Conference.

Her pictures were few, but her excitement was abundant!  When asked about her most favorite part, she replied, "Dancing with Uncle Kirk!"  :)

She even brushed her teeth... thank goodness!  :)

And speaking of teeth, guess what McKenzie got for Christmas?

Braces!

For one of Kenzie's personal progress projects - she searched for recipes, planned a menu and grocery list, went shopping, and cooked for a whole week.  She even cleaned the kitchen after every meal!  She made some super yummy food for us!  You can now find Kenzie in the kitchen trying new things or wanting to make this or that.  What a great experience - for her and me! 

YUM!  :)

  

More "firsts"

Kyler got his first GRAND SLAM!

And his first buck!

Aaaaaand.... Terry got his first pair of Elmo jammies!  :)

Teeth

Kavan had finally lost his first tooth - almost a year ago.

By Christmas, he was asking for his two front teeth.

This picture of Kavan and Laney makes me laugh!  :)

Bee success!

2011 brought many "firsts" for the Mitchell family...

Kyler was able to harvest his first batch of honey from his very own bees.

Kyler ready to collect the honey.

Look at the mass of bees on the outside of the hive (toward the bottom).

Layne helping to "uncap" the honey.

Kyler spinning the honey.

Mmmm...honey.

The finished product.

It wasn't a huge batch of honey, but it was yummy.  The bees have definitely been quite the learning experience for Kyler (and Layne).  We are all hoping for continued "bee success" in 2012!  :)