One Year & Family History

I am sad that it has been a whole year since I have journaled much of anything.  I finished reading covenant keepers by Sister Nelson and have made a commitment to the Lord to do Family History work, everyday that I don't have to go into the office.  I have been researching and getting names ready for the temple, which has been, actually, quite a bit of fun.  I had the thought this week that preserving our own family history should be included in that work as well.  So here is my 999 attempt at keeping up our blog, so we can publish it and have these memories recorded.
It is October 12 today.  No school today, yay! Chas took Brooke and Brady to the temple for a youth temple trip. They left early this morning, so the little kids and I are home.  They really aren't that little anymore, but that is how I distinguish between the two. ha!
This week Emree got a new horse from the Livingstons.  His name is Rocky.  He is nice and gentle and a perfect start out horse for her.  I got to ride up on the trails with Mrs. Donivan on Wednesday, which was perfect and oh so beautiful!
Anyway I will try a few different ways to keep things straight and recorded, I am going to start by doing it on a daily basis.
Last night Brooke had a volleyball game against Baker.  She has had a hard year with volleyball.  But she played really well last night and had a good time.  Vball girls are not the nicest girls and Brooklyn doesn't do well with drama or rudeness.  And they are both.  It's been good for her to be active though, but she is glad it is almost over. Junior year has been crazy hard and she is adjusting to have to do homework and study.  Who knew! She is learning how to prioritize her time and be smart about how she is spending it.  Life lessons!
Brady only had soccer practice and so was able to come with us to watch the last half of Becketts football game. He is loving soccer and I am so glad.  He has some great friends on the team, and that makes it super nice.  He is anxiously awaiting high school basketball which starts in only a couple of weeks.  He can't wait.  It will be super fun to watch him!
Beckett had his last football game.  He had a great first season of tackle football.  He loved it! He did really well and even got to play quarterback a few times.  The games had gotten pretty cold being at night, but we survived! He is doing great in school, is a good friend and good kid.  The other day the busdriver asked him to stop messing around and he was so, so worried that he would get "written up" and kicked off the bus.  Probably the first time he has gotten in trouble and it wasn't even bad! I love that about him.  He always tries to do the right thing.
Emree had a low grade fever and did not feel well and so decided to skip open gym with her basketball team. She is loving middle school.  She has a great teacher and class.  Last summer I really had been hoping and praying that somehow another girl would move into our ward, so that she could have a good friend to go through school with.  Well, guess what? Our old friends, the Chandlers, moved back into the ward and Ginger and Emree are like 20 days apart in age.  What a blessing and an answer to prayer!
Chas had a stake bishops meeting. I really haven't even hardly talked to him all week.  It's been a hard week.  It always is when that happens.  Church and work have pretty much got him running all hours of the day until about 10 at night.
Carson is loving flag football.  On another note: He came down this morning with, "Yay!! Mom you didn't go to the temple.  I wanted to come down and check and then I saw you and I was so excited!" I really am trying to remember these very clingy, very momma boy days and nights that we are going through right now.  He will grow out of them someday, so I am trying to enjoy them right now.  Some days are better than others!
Conference last weekend was fabulous! I can't even believe that we will be going to 2 hour church.  That will seem so weird! They really are focusing on more gospel teaching in the home.  Which honestly sometimes seems overwhelming.  The last couple of weeks I've really been trying to figure out how to simplify our lives and make our house a place where the spirit can dwell. I haven't got any specific answers yet, but have faith that they will if I keep doing my part.  Life seems so crazy, overwhelming right now and I am struggling to keep my head above water. And I don't like it. But I just "keep moving forward" and trust that Heavenly Father will make up for all those things that I lack.  He has his work cut out for Him! HA!