This Week: Summer is here!

Our school year ended last week.  Both Anna and Dallin had school programs, and we went to the junior high kids' awards program.  Then we had an unexpected but welcome weekend visit from Grandma and Grandpa to kick off the summer.  This week, Talmage left for EFY with a cousin, Julia started volleyball camp, Anna and Dallin have gone down to a neighbor's for tennis lessons, and Kate has had a rough week, being sleep deprived because she wants in on the action.  Grant's life hasn't changed much -- he just gets 4x the attention.

(Anna as Lady Liberty)

I haven't made any lists, charts, goals, or anything!  So much for being prepared.

On the last day of school at Granite Elementary the kids do cultural dances, each grade performing their own dance.  I brought Kate and Grant to watch.  As the dances were about to begin I realized Grant had tossed his glasses off, somewhere on the big back lawn of the school.  I panicked, asked someone who looked in charge if he could announce it, and was told (amazingly) that someone had found them and turned them in to the office.  Sometimes little things are not so little - I was so happy to find them.

Our roses finally bloomed and Matt picked this beauty for me

Also on the last day of school the kids meet their teachers for the next year.  I had realized too late that I did not make any requests for Anna.  I don't always, but if I feel impressed to, I will.  (We can submit forms explaining our child's personality and learning needs and why we think they will thrive in a certain classroom environment).  I was so disappointed when I realized missed the deadline, but hurried and sent off an email to the principal, explaining what I wanted for Anna and why.  This was back in April and I didn't think much more about it.

After the dances I found the kids who were hot and grumpy and ready to go.  As we passed the bus line, the teacher I had wanted for Anna approached me and said, "Anna is in my class!"  I was shocked!  And excited, and thankful . . . because it felt like I had had some divine intervention.

My mom and I were talking afterward about how sometimes even when you're doing your best you miss things.  Sometimes you just can't keep up with everything you're trying to.  I feel like this a lot.  There are so many details to track all the time.  But after this experience I was reminded that the Lord does step in to help us, and sometimes it is directly related to our efforts to serve Him.  And it's not because I have hours in my day to serve, or pray, or read the scriptures. I don't.  But I do what I can.  I know that obedience to gospel principles blesses us and I do my best to make those things a priority.   In return I feel His awareness of me.  I feel a certain peace that because of my efforts -- my covenant keeping -- the most important things will not go undone or overlooked and He will help me take care of the little details I might forget.  I feel so thankful for this reassurance.  It has a tremendous effect on my ability to relax and enjoy my life while trying to keep up with it all at the same time.

And now that school is out, we're more relaxed, we have later mornings, more barbecues and water fights. Yes, and more arguments and messes.

Oh, summer . . . here we come!