Adjustment

Eli starting school has been an adjustment for all of us. I still cried a few times last week as he got on the school bus and waved until we couldn't see him anymore. We miss him! He's adjusting to school all day and it's hard on me to see him grumpy after a long day. I'm trying to be patient! He's doing great at school and is always excited to share what's happening in his classroom. 

Austin is having the biggest adjustment to Eli being gone. The two brothers love to play, wrestle and fight together all day long. I signed Austin up for a gymnastics class and he was awesome at it. So awesome in fact that the coach called and asked if he wanted to participate in an all boys class with some older boys. We decided to keep him in this intro class for now and maybe next year he can sign up for the all boys class. Eleanor wishes she could do gymnastics too!

The boys love being carried up the stairs at bedtime as a "sack of potatoes." Eleanor wants to join in on the tradition as well. 

The school bus broke down one day after school and I was a bit worried but then another mom told me the kids were safe at the school and a different bus would be bringing the kids home. As we waited at the bus stop, we ran the Friend magazine!

One morning we had a park date! The weather has been mixing some hot days with some cool days. On the hot days we swim and on the cooler days we play at the park!

We cleaned the church on Saturday morning and then grabbed some donuts. The temple grounds are always so beautiful and it's a blessing for us all that we live to close to this place!!

Austin looked so cute and reverent during primary on Sunday. 

Other memories from the week that I don't want to forget:

- I came downstairs when it was time to walk to the bus and meet Eli and Austin had cleaned up the entire living room area. He even dusted the piano! It was the best surprise because I love a tidy house!

- Eli told me that on the bus drive home, he got to see the temple! 

- Aaron and I had a date on Friday evening and I love dating him. We went to a running store and Aaron bought me some new running shoes. He keep insisting that having new running shoes would make a difference and he was right! Aaron and I each ran 5 miles on Saturday and felt great. We're training for the half marathon in October and I'll admit I'm loving the training more than I thought possible. 

- Aaron was called as the new Young Men's president! I saw a few of the young men smile with delight! I loved seeing the young men so excited to have Aaron as a leader. He'll do great!

SCHOOL!!

On Monday evening, we went to back to school night and Eli got to meet Mrs. Arens, his first grade teacher. She was so kind and let Eli know that she is also new to the school. 

On Tuesday morning, I woke up and was sad that it was it was the last day of summer. I treated everyone to donuts and then Eli asked if we could go to the Hallmark museum. 

I loved this - "Where there's love there's laughter." 

We also checked out the Hallmark visitors center for the first time. 

On Tuesday evening, Aaron gave us all back to school blessings. He reminded me that I can't be with our children every second of every day, now that Eli will be gone all day, but Heavenly Father can be with them. It was a peaceful reminder that Heavenly Father is always close.

On Wednesday morning, I woke up early to get my run in before everyone woke up. I've cried lots about Eli leaving for school. I ran to the temple and prayed so hard for him to be brave and adjust to a new school. 

Morning time came and Eli woke up and got dressed in his new school shirt. I made waffles and Aaron stuck around to see Eli get on the bus. As we sat at the breakfast table, Eli was talking about school and then his facial expression changed - he originally wanted Aaron to walk him to the bus and then he looked over at me and said, "Mom, I want you to come too. " He started crying and I cried too. I stood up to hug him so he wouldn't see the tears in my eyes. We said family prayer together and then gathered everyone up to walk to the bus stop. As we crossed the street and started walking to the bus, several kids gathered around and Eli instantly perked up. He loves friends. One kid was so kind and came over and put out his hand to shake Eli's hand and said, "Hi, what's your name?" It was an answer to my prayer as I prayed Eli would be brave as he got on the bus. This kind gesture gave Eli the confidence that he needed to bravely get on the school bus. When the bus finally appeared, Eli said, "Okay mom, I'm done with you now." He hopped on the bus and waved to us as the bus drove away. I cried and Austin cried harder. It broke my heart. We got home and I couldn't find Austin. He had run upstairs and crawled into his bed and was sobbing. I laid beside him and we cried together. Change is tough and it stretches us all. We counted down the hours until Eli returned!!

Eleanor makes us laugh all the time. These are scratch and sniff stickers and it smelled so great that she put it on her nose. 

To help cheer us up, we went to the park with a friend from church! We love being outside.

He survived the first day! He wanted a popsicle and to listen to this book. 

We received the kindest note from his teacher. 

On Friday we went to the Science Center. We miss Eli so much and think about him throughout the day. We're trying to take advantage of the time we have with Austin before he starts school next year. 

Austin created this amazing reading fort. 

We had our cement lifted in the front of the house. 

My uncle Johnny use to mail a family newsletter every few months and I've now taken over that responsibility. A few of my cousins and I put it together and now we send it out electronically. August 10 is my grandma's birthday. I loved the memories my extended family sent to us for the newsletter about my grandma. 

Here is Eleanor making us laugh again. And our neighborhood had an end of the summer pool party where we enjoyed pizza and Kona Ice. 

On Saturday we did our chores and Aaron and the boys helped a family load a moving truck. I was able to go to the temple at 7 a.m. I planned to run, but when it was raining, I decided to run to the temple. It's a blessing that we live so close to the Kansas City temple!! That afternoon, we went to a birthday party at a splash park. Austin is a climbing machine.

And each Sunday when I go to the library to get supplies for primary, I've seen this framed quote that I love. I finally remembered to take a picture. 

Aaron and I got to sub for Austin's sunbeam class. I'm a permanent sub in primary and so far I've been in Eli and Austin's class. I love it!!!

Last full week of summer

 Eli starts school on Wednesday! I can't believe we celebrated our last full week of summer. My heart is still breaking so much to see Eli leave, but I also love having a schedule and I know Eli will thrive in 1st grade.  We found out this week who his teacher is and we get to meet her tomorrow evening at back to school night!! A friend in Eli's primary class is also in his school class. This is such a blessing for all of us!!

My parents didn't leave until Tuesday so on Monday, we all mowed the grass and pulled the weeds. My mom is always so helpful and likes to be busy. ;) Eleanor loved working beside her. It felt like the summer days when I was a kid - we worked in the morning and then headed to the pool for some swim time!

Eli and I got to have our annual back to school lunch date. We went to Panarea and then grabbed froze yogurt for dessert. My mom use to do this tradition with us when we were younger and it's quickly become a tradition my kids love too. We talked about a new school year and Eli said he's excited and a little nervous, which I told him is completely normal! He'll do great!

My dad arrived from St. Louis on Monday afternoon and we went to Liberty Jail together. We then went on a walk around the neighborhood. We were so sad when they left. We gave them billions of hugs that we hope will last until we see them again. 

On Tuesday, we had friends invite us to the lake about 20 minutes away. We played the day away!

The rest of the week was spent cleaning, visiting the library, getting hair cuts for the boys, Aaron fixed my flat tire, and I prepared a talk for sacrament meeting. Friday evening we had a back to school party with candy we each picked out from the dollar store and a movie from Red Box. 

I've been wanting a letter board like this so when I found one on Amazon I was excited.

Eli is getting better and better at reading. Saturday morning we woke up and Eli read the message I put on the board - "Today, let's go to Lego Land!" I found a Groupon that was reasonably priced so we decided to go when Aaron could come with us. The boys have been dreaming about Lego Land since we first found out we were moving to Kansas City. 

Here are some thoughts that I shared in my talk today:

Brother Robert J. Whetten of the Second Quorum of the Seventy asked, “Do you administer spiritual or temporal relief to those who need it?” The Lord didn’t say, “Tend my sheep when it is convenient; watch my sheep when you aren’t busy.” He said, “Feed my sheep and my lambs; help them survive this world; keep them close to you. Lead them to safety—the safety of righteous choices that will prepare them for eternal life.”⁵

At times, I’ve felt overwhelmed wondering how I’m going to help everyone and where to start. Sister Jean B. Bingham – Ministering as the Savior Does. “Sometimes we think we have to do something grand and heroic to “count” as serving our neighbors. Yet simple acts of service can have profound effects on others—as well as on ourselves."

President Hinckley, in 2004, said

 “We have a greater challenge than we realize. …

“… ‘Do the best you can.’ But I want to emphasize that it be the very best. … We are capable of doing so much better. …

“… We must get on our knees and plead with the Lord for help and strength and direction. We must then stand on our feet and move forward.”¹⁰

This is the first time Aaron and I have lived this close to a temple. We love driving by it and seeing it daily. When we were house hunting here in April, our relator drove us by the temple and she said, “Oh you should see how bright the temple shines at night.” If you’ve seen the temple early in the morning before the sun comes up or even late at night, then you have a visual in your mind of the temple’s brightness. I’ve had the thought multiple times about how lost and dark the world is around us, but like the temple shinning so brightly against a dark sky, as followers of Christ, we will shine brighter against a lost world as we do our part to give spiritual and temporal relief to those around us.

“Lord, I Would Follow Thee”

Savior, may I love my brother

As I know thou lovest me,

Find in thee my strength, my beacon,

For thy servant I would be.

Savior, may I love my brother—

Lord, I would follow thee.¹⁰

I pray each of us can try a little harder to be a little kinder and find simple ways to share God’s love with others.