And So It Begins...

Ah, the start of a new school year...it's always very exciting. When the perpetual fun of swimming every hour of every day has worn off, having the kids return to the productive part of their lives is always a good thing. Here are pics of my not-so-small people on their first day back (J 10th, D 8th, A 7th, L 6th, and E 3rd):










We started having them stand by the doorknob for their first school day pictures when they were tiny so that we could see how much they had grown from the previous year, but now most of them are leaning on the doorknob instead of reaching up to grab it. Time sure flies!

SO, just because I don't have enough to do already, I also finally made good on that promise I made to the kids (over seven years, one additional child, and several moves ago) to get them a dog. His name is "Just Jack," he's a lab/collie mix, and he's very sweet. We've had him a whole 24 hours now, and I still want to keep him!

Condolulations...

What interesting service opportunities this life gives us! When a VERY close friend moved to Turkey a few weeks ago (big grin) and was promptly called to be the Branch President, I asked him if I should wish him condolences or congratulations. His very wise answer was "condoluations." I like it and have decided to adopt it. I'm feeling the same way because I was called yesterday to be the Relief Society President in our ward. Until now, I didn't know it was possible to be so conflicted--worried, feeling inadequate, humbled, excited, apprehensive, uninformed, VERY far out of my comfort zone, etc.--and yet to be completely at peace. If I have learned anything in my 29+ years on the planet, it is that the Lord loves us, is completely in charge, and always has a better plan than I do. I trust Him and trust that He knows what he's doing, no matter how inadequate I feel; as long as I serve whole heartedly and spend a ton of time on my knees, things will be fine. I have an overwhelming sense of His love for all of us, and I'm grateful to serve Him and the sisters in our ward. There are so many lost and struggling sheep...

Change...

The only constant is change, Mr. Asimov...