Preston's First Talk

Quackletta ~ Mike is sooooo happy!

Preston gave his first talk in church today and did a fantastic job. Tonight Ashley Jansson texted me this message, "I didn't get a chance to tell Preston what a good job he did today but his talk answered a prayer and some worries I've had on my mind lately so I thank him for his words today." Ahhhh. How sweet is that? Anyway, this is Preston's talk:

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was crucified, conquered death, and was resurrected. After his resurrection, many witnesses saw his glorious, perfected body. When Christ visited his Apostles after his resurrection, and when he visited the Nephite people on the American continent, he invited them to come and feel the wounds in his hands and feet. Although he had become perfect through the resurrection, he chose to keep these wounds. Why did he do this?

We know that one reason is because these wounds testify of who he is and what he did for each of us. However, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland told us another reason why Christ retained these wounds. He said:

"in a resurrected, otherwise perfected body, our Lord ... has chosen to retain for the benefit of his disciples the wounds in his hands and his feet and his side --- signs, if you will, that painful things happen even to the pure and perfect, ... that pain in this world is not evidence that God doesn't love you."

Sometimes people make the mistake of thinking that if they are obedient, they won't have challenges in life. Or that because someone has had bad things happen to them in life, it must be because they are a bad person. Christ himself shows us that this is not true. In life, sometimes bad things happen to people who are trying their best to do what is right.

Nephi is another example of this. Throughout his entire life, Nephi tried his best to be righteous, to obey God's commandments, and to be a good example to the rest of his family. Did things always go right for him? No. They definitely did not. Here are just a few of the bad things that happened to this good person:

• Had to abandon his home and everything he owned
• Fled for his life from Laban's guards
• Mocked by his own family
• Beaten by his brothers multiple times
• His brothers threatened to kill him and their father
• Tied up on a ship (that he had built with his own hands) in a storm
• Chased out of his own land in the new world by his brothers and their followers

Being righteous certainly didn't mean that Nephi's life was easy. Like all of us, he had hard challenges. However, Nephi was blessed with eternal rewards, just like we can be after this life.

Let us realize that hard challenges are just a part of this life and that God will help us overcome them if we ask him for help and do all that we can. I know that we will be blessed if we do.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I was so proud of Preston. He was easy to understand. He is a fantastic speaker. Mike is also awesome. He helped Preston put together his talk. They are a great team.

I finished Marie's stocking today. I love it! It's perfect for her!

Rachel will sew it together into stocking shape, thank goodness! I would mess it up. Mike and Preston had fun playing with the ducks. Quacky Chan was out by himself since Quackletta was sitting on her nest. Preston fed him mealworms.

Quacky Chan & Preston

We met Steve and Shannon down at the cemetery by Grandma Honey's grave. It was so crowded with memorial day being tomorrow. We saw the Liu's while we were there. We were able to visit Grandma & Grandpa Hirschi's, Grandma & Grandpa Smith's, Grandma Honey, Grandma Millburn, and Jessica.

Mike, Steve, Maysen, Weston, Jorja, Preston ~ Walking from the Hirschi graves to Grandma Honey's

 Jorja & Preston

Jorja & Weston ~ these two make me laugh

For some reason, Jorja sent me a picture of Brynlee & Chloee's mom. No idea why.

Drama Brat

Jorja gave a talk today. She is a great speaker. She didn't prepare for this talk. Not because she didn't want to, she just ran out of time. She is super busy right now. It's too bad because usually she loves talks and works hard on them. My dad and Max came to watch her, that was nice. Here is Jorja's talk:

About a month ago my mom came up to me and she told me about this church history tour that my grandpa was doing. She told me that there was this contest for teens and all I had to do was write an eight page essay about a hero of my church history. Then if I won I could go on this week long church history tour in the summer, and I'm so excited. It was really hard because I'm not a good essay writer. Even when I write just two page papers I have to like sit in front of the computer for like three hours before I can even start writing anything. The longest essay I've ever written was like three pages. But luckily I did what any responsible teen would do, and I procrastinated my essay until the last hour before it was due. But in that hour I learned more about my church history than any class has ever taught me. So I just want to share, this is part of the first paragraph that I wrote. It says:

When asked who the heroes of my church history are, no one comes to mind more than my great-great-great-great grandfather. He not only devoted his life to the gospel, but his family's as well. He had to watch as his wife and children suffered and eventually died for this gospel that he wasn't even born in, but he was converted to. He devoted his life to the gospel and serving all those around him. He had to endure several terrible afflictions that words can't even begin to describe; yet continued onward with a full heart and an eager mind. He was a caring father, a loving husband and a respectful leader. He cared for all those around him and gave up everything to service. He was a role model for all those around him and he is my biggest example of strength, determination, love and Christlike kindness. He served the Lord throughout all his days and eventually died devoted to his service. This man is not only an example to me, but an example to everyone who knew him. His name is Stillman Pond and this is his story.

Then throughout the eight long pages of my essay I went on to describe all the many afflictions that he had to suffer through. I'm not going to go into all of them but I just wanted to share from the journal of Helen Moor Whitney she said:

On Wednesday, the 2nd of December, 1846, Laura Jane Pond, age 14 years, daughter of Stillman and Almyra Pond died of chills and fever. Friday, the 4th of December 1846, Marriet M. Pond, age 11 years, daughter of Stillman and Maria Pond died with chills. Monday, the 7th of December 1846 Abigail A. Pond, age 18 years, daughter of Stillman and Almyra Pond, died with chills. Friday, the 15th of January, 1847, Lyman Pond, age 6 years, son of Stillman and Maria Pond, died with calls and fever.

Just in that short journal entry that's like within a month he watched four of his children die as they were traveling across the plains. I don't know how he was able to carry on after seeing four of his young children die and he couldn't do anything about it. Even after watching four of his children die, the rest of his children and his beloved wife died before they reached where they were going. I don't know how he was able to go on when he had lost everyone he cared about. He was converted to the gospel, so the rest of his family weren't with him as he left his home and travelled across the plains. So he was so lost. It was just him. Everyone he loved had died; but through this he still devoted his life to service, and I know that the Savior was able to help lift up his burdens as he served all those around him.

Real quick I just want to share. This is my favorite scripture. It is D&C 121:7-9 and it says:

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.

This scripture became my favorite scripture a couple of years ago, and it's gotten me through a lot in my life. Last year was a really hard year for me, and I know that without the gospel I wouldn't have been able to get through it. I was just surrounded by a lot of darkness my whole year, and I didn't understand why I couldn't just be happy like everybody else around me. I know that without the gospel I wouldn't have been able to come out of that darkness and be able to find the light that He is. That brings me through my life. I know that without service I wouldn't have been able to feel his love around me. I'd just like to testify that service is the easiest way to have our burdens be lifted up; because if we're not thinking about ourselves then we won't be thinking about our trials and we'll be able to help those around us. Lastly I just want to share this poem that I like. You've probably heard it before, but it goes:

My life is but a weaving, between my Lord and me.

I cannot choose the colors, he worketh steadily.

'Oft times he weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride

Forget he sees the upper, and I the underside.

Not 'til the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly

Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reasons why.

The dark threads are as needful in the weaver's skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern he has planed.

He knows, he loves, he cares. Nothing his truth condemn.

He gives his very best to those who leave the choice with Him.

I just like to bear my testimony that He knows you and He knows the trials you are going through, and He is there if you will let him. He's there to lift up your burdens if you will just come to Him, because He loves you. You are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves you so much and you are not alone.

Text to Mike from Burke Staker after Jorja's talk

Haha. Burke always calls Jorja 'Drama'. It's a pretty good nickname for her. Mike and I stayed after church to get our temple recommends renewed. We also got our stake ones done today as well. I'm so glad the recommends last two years now! The rest of the day was spent with homework and puzzles. We did one more puzzle from Jordyn's book. It was pretty fun. I don't even know how to explain it, but it wasn't too hard to figure out. I love Sundays.

Getting the Boot

Mike and I got up early this morning to finish the poster we were supposed to make. I thought we were going to do something on the computer, but we never got around to it. Doing stuff like this stresses me out. I hate it. Mike took the poster to Ward Council and did a little craft project there. He pushed lights through it. It ended up looking pretty cool. We left a big space after the date because neither of us could remember the time. Looking back, I can't remember if we ever fixed that. Oh well. 

Mike, Preston and I went early to church. We met with the bishop for Preston's priesthood/twelve year old interview. Too bad we didn't put our stuff down on our bench first. When we finished the interview it took us a bit to find a seat. The primary program was today. Preston didn't want to do the program, especially since he was officially twelve. He talked to Megan Okerlund about it. She made him a deal that if he gave a talk he wouldn't have to come to any of the practices. At least he knows the drill about how the primary programs work now. When the bishop called Preston up, he was already up there. Preston gave a great talk. It was short, but good. All of my kids are fantastic speakers. Preston had the entire audience cracking up. This was his talk.

Since my 12th birthday was yesterday, I am graduating from primary, so you can imagine how excited I was when I found out I had to do the primary program anyway.

In primary, I have learned that the priesthood is the authority to act in the name of God here on the Earth. The priesthood can bless our lives in many ways. For example, each year before I start school, I ask my dad for a Father's blessing. When someone is sick, they can ask for a priesthood blessing. The young men that prepare, bless and pass the sacrament can do that because of the priesthood.

Yesterday I turned 12 years old. That means I can receive the Aaronic priesthood. I might even be able to pass the sacrament next Sunday!

I am excited to be able to receive the priesthood and use it to serve the other members of the ward. It is cool that Heavenly Father allows us to serve others so that we can learn to become more like him.

The talk seems tame enough. No laugh out loud moments. Preston had the audience cracking up in the delivery. All from the first paragraph. When he said 'you can imagine how excited I was...." the way he said excited was super funny. Totally exaggerated and obvious he was being sarcastic. Then he doubled down and whispered, "I wasn't excited." Holy cow. It was so funny. Everyone cracked up. I had tears, it was hilarious.

During the meeting I got a text from Scoop. He was asking if I knew what time Preston's ordination would be. I rarely get texts from him, so I was confused why they were asking me and not Mike. We didn't know when this would be happening at this point. I handed my phone to Mike and he told him we weren't sure exactly. It would be third hour, but we didn't know if it would be at the beginning or the end. Scoop texted back to let him know as soon as we could because they have a long way to come. As soon as sacrament meeting was over, Mike went in search of that information. I headed to my Sunday school class. Mike came in awhile later, after texting his dad the plan. I let my dad know the information as well. Mike taught my class today. This morning when we were making the posters Mike asked me if I was teaching today. Whoops! With all the excitement of Preston's birthday I totally forgot about that. I begged Mike to teach his Resiliency lesson for me. It was perfect. Thank heavens for Mike! He is always bailing me out.

Mike, Jorja and I went over to the primary next to watch Preston get the boot. When someone turns twelve, they have the entire deacons quorum or beehive class come in to sing to the new kid and take them back to class with them. It's pretty cool. It's hard for me to believe that when Jorja got the boot I was her advisor. It seems like forever since I've been in Young Womens.

Bulletin board outside of primary

 Preston's paper doll is right above the sign.

While we were waiting, Jorja and I noticed that it was 11:11. On 11/11. We talked about how World War I ended at this time 100 years ago. That's crazy! Jorja and I both took screenshots of our phones to get the time. Mine was dumb. I liked Jorja's though. (I'm not good at checking my messages...)

Stephanie's phone

 Jorja's phone (Eliza & Jorja)

 Preston's boot

 Sister Hawkins & Preston

 Deacons quorum: Brother Henderson, Ethan, Nick, Will, Luke, Matthew, Aiden, Jaxson, Andrew, Sister Masters, Ben

 Sister Hawkins & Preston

Singing hello/goodbye to Preston

Preston getting the boot

I went to my class before it was time to sneak out early for Preston. I was worried that my dad wouldn't get here on time, and I didn't want to wait if he wouldn't be coming. I texted him to let me know when he was there or if he wasn't coming. When I left class I saw my dad talking to Mike. My text to him never sent. Mike texted his dad and asked him to be there at 11:30. His dad wasn't there when I came out of class. Mike texted him again and asked if he was coming. No answer. The people came out of the room at 11:50 and told us they were ready. We weren't sure what to do because we didn't know if Mike's dad was going to come or not, and if he came when he was going to be here. There have been many times in the past when we think he is coming to things, but he doesn't end up coming. Mike chooses to plan on his dad not coming so he isn't disappointed anymore. There were a lot of boys in the classroom. We are hoping Preston can become friends with them. Social skills aren't the easiest thing for our kids. Anyway, as we were leaving the classroom at 11:58 I got a text from Mike's dad saying, "We are here where are they going to ordain him?" I about died. Mike and Preston hurried to find Scoop and Cori. Preston gave them both big hugs. Scoop wasn't happy with me at all. There were tears in his eyes. I felt so bad. It didn't help that several people stopped Preston and told him what an awesome job he did. Several people also stopped Mike and I and told us how much they loved Preston's talk, how he was so funny and how much he reminded them of Mike. Scoop told me that they would have come to see Preston if they knew. I reminded him that I told him about the primary program. He said, "We didn't know he would have a part." Except I know I told them Preston would be speaking. I just didn't make a big deal of it because I didn't want to make them feel like they had to come. It is so awkward wanting to invite them to stuff, but trying to not feel like we are begging. Anyway, I felt horrible about how things happened, even though I know I did nothing wrong. At least we were able to get a picture with Scoop before they left.

Mike, Preston, Scoop

Once we were home we had a few hours to relax, which meant the kids and Mike wanted to play with ducks. Jorja kept trying to go out the back door to get the mallards, but they would run away from her. So, she decided to go out the window and sneak up on them from behind. I sent her this picture on Snapchat.

Jorja

 She was successful!

 Preston & Quackletta, Jorja & Waddluigi

 Jorja, Kiki & Quacky Chan

 Quacky Chan & Kiki

Jorja has been practicing driving her stick shift lately. Mike took her out driving yesterday. Today she drove her car by herself to church. We decided to go see Shannon to drop off some things. She lives about twenty minutes away. Jorja put this sign on the back of her car before we left. Haha! It did make her panic less though. Jorja did great. She drove all the way to Riverton and only stalled the car once there and once on the way back. Both times she didn't stress and was able to restart it right away. She is going to never regret learning how to drive a stick.

 Jorja's snapchat streaks were a video, but I loved this picture of her.

We had to hurry back from Shannon's to go to Preston's Court of Honor and Jorja's Evening in Excellence. Jorja drove here too. They had a cute slideshow with each of the girls in front of a whiteboard. It was a cute picture of them with their name and about five major accomplishments they have achieved this last year. For some reason Jorja's wasn't put in the slideshow. Neither was Hadley Kate's. It was kind of sad. Oh well.

Jorja & Ebony

 Jorja & Stephanie

Jorja answered Luke to the Christmas dance tonight. Hailey and a girl named Lily wanted to come with her. I was disappointed that I forgot to take a picture of Jorja's poster before we came. Jorja said she would take a picture when they set it up. Jorja wasn't sure where Luke lived. She asked a lot of people for his address. Riley didn't know it, but found it out for her. He also let her know that Luke was going to be at a family dinner until 9:00. Luke's mom texted Riley when they were home and Riley texted Jorja. When Jorja and the girls went to put this on their front porch they could see everyone sitting at the table. Luke's mom knew they were coming so she distracted Riley while they were outside. Nice. Although Jorja felt a little self conscious, so this was the best picture she was able to get me of her poster.

 Luckily Luke took a better one.

Wow! That was a busy day!

Be an Example of the Believers

Stockton and Jorja

Jorja gave a talk in church today. It was fantastic. She was poised and articulate. Sister Christensen told me afterwords that Jorja just glows. That made me laugh because that is Jorja's favorite compliment. I snapped a picture before church started. Josh came and talked to Jorja while she was sitting on the stand. He ran for a class office for the first time this year. He will be the Junior class public relations officer. He was so excited he looked like he was going to pop out of his skin!

Bishop Waddoups, Bro. Mogensen, Jorja and Josh

I recorded Jorja's talk on my 'voice memos'. Here is the transcript:

I was asked to give a talk on how I can be an example of the Savior at school and among my friends. Now keeping that question in mind, I'm going to take a minute to go over the apostle Paul's epistle to Timothy when he says, "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12)

The first two mentioned kind of go together and that's word and conversation. Words have the power to lift people up, but they can also be used as destructive weapons to tear people down. In this day it's hard to go about your life avoiding profanity. It surrounds the air and when it's so commonly used around us all the time it can be hard not to fall into that habit ourselves. We can be an example of the Savior as we choose only to use clean and loving language which will lift up those around us. That's the first one. Being an example of the believers in words and conversation.

The second one is charity. Charity is defined as the pure love of Christ. We can gain and practice charity by choosing to see others through Christ's eyes. For the past couple of months I've been praying each morning to see others through Christ's eyes and to gain a portion of his love for them. Sometimes I have to spend a couple of days or a week on a certain person trying to gain a true love for them and other times it's just recognizing what Christ sees in everyone that we aren't able to see through our eyes. Even though there are still those people that get on my nerves sometimes, I can truly say that over the months I've been able to come a lot closer to my peers and I can honestly say that I feel a deep love for everyone that I know and I'm so grateful for that. I've always thought of charity as pure and sincere kindness and I think one of the best ways we can show pure and sincere kindness in school and anywhere else is just reaching out to those who need it. I'm sure most of us know highschooll can be a dark and lonely place and there are people all around us who we don't realize need a helping hand. I know that I've had my days where I go to school and I feel lonely and I hope and pray for someone to come up to me and include me. It's just made me realize that we don't know what everyone's going through and even the kid who might seem the most popular or cool at your school might just really need a true friend. My mom always tells me that it never hurts to be kind and I really think that those are words to live by because you'll never regret being kind to someone, you just never know who needs it. So that's the second one, be an example of the believers in charity.

Third is spirit. When you are an example of the spirit you radiate light around you like a lighthouse. How cool is it to be the person that people come to when they have a bad day. I know for me when my friends come up to me and open up to me I just feel really touched that I'm someone that they feel safe around and I try my best to be a good listener. When we live as examples of the spirit, people will be drawn to us in their times of darkness and through Christ's help we can bring them safely to shore. One important thing that I think separates us from other churches is our ability to not only feel the spirit but that we can keep it with us. Other churches, they can feel the spirit. It comes in and out of their lives like air comes out of a balloon. It goes in and out, inflates and deflates; but for us, the spirit surrounds us like the air surrounds us. At times that can make it hard to recognize the spirit just like we don't recognize the air around us unless we really think about it; but as we live worthily of the spirit, others will be able to feel it surrounding us. So that's the third one, be an example of the believers in spirit.

Next is faith. We must trust in the Lord and his word. Our faith, or lack of it, influences all we do. Our faith brings us courage to make hard decisions. Communication with our Father is vital and we can't take it for granted. If we pray and read the scriptures regularly we will have increased faith in Him and can be more confident following his plan, even if it doesn't involve what we want at the time. Search diligently, pray always and be believing and all things shall work together for thy good. I promise that as we choose to live our lives in faith we will receive blessings that we can't even begin to comprehend. That's the fourth one, be thou an example of the believers in faith.

Now last is purity. We must treat our bodies as a temple and fill our minds with clean and pure thoughts. Live the commandments and the teachings in the For the Strength of Youth packet. Staying pure allows us to receive his blessings. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. That's the last one, be an example of the believers in purity.

I'm just going to close with a quote from Thomas S. Monson that says, "As we follow the example of the Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light in the lives of others." I promise that as you live as an example of the believers you will light a path for others and bring blessings to not only you but to those around us.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

In other non-important news, I was spotlighted on the wall outside of the relief society room. I think this paper stays up for a month. 

 Jorja relaxing after church

We have 9:00 church, so I was able to watch the Jazz/Rockets game. Not the best game this year. The game was on ABC. We have an antenna so we can get that channel. It worked great at first, but once kids started going in the kitchen above me I couldn't see anything. After they left the kitchen it still wouldn't work. Mike was able to move the antenna in a spot where the tv came through. He spent the last part of the game holding it there, even though we knew the Rockets were going to win. That's a nice husband.

Mike helping me watch the Jazz/Rockets game

Stockton picked up Gavin and went to Nate's house to see him opening his mission call. He is going to Arkansas, Marshallese speaking, or something like that. Mike and I went to the trek fireside with Jorja. She had a speaking part in it. She was one of the narrators and did great. Today was a busy day for her. She has had a busy week. She is glad it is over.

War Chapters

I spent most of the day today working on a project for Maysen. I hope she likes it. While I have been working on it, I have been listening to Podcasts. I listened to some talks from John Bytheway from education week. He did a talk on the war chapters in the Book of Mormon. I LOVED it. I'm going to have the kids listen to it for Family Home Evening. One of my favorite parts was when he was telling the story of Lehonti. Amalickiah has control of the lesser half of the Lamanite army. He wants to talk to Lehonti. Lehonti has run away with the larger part of the army, those that do not want to go to battle against the Nephites. Amalickiah sends messages to Lehonti to come down from Mount Antipas and talk to him. Lehonti was 'fixed and determined' not to come down. They send another message. Nope, he's not coming. Three times Amalickiah tried to get Lehonti to come down, but he was 'fixed and determined' not to come. Finally Amalickiah comes up Mount Antipas and sends another message. Come down 'just a little bit'. Lehonti does and is eventually killed by Amalickiah's deceit. John Bytheway compared this to Satan. There are so many things that we are 'fixed and determined' not to do. Satan then gets us to 'come down just a little bit' and is able to gain control over us. Bytheway also likened Amalickiah to Satan. Both were cast out. Both wanted to be king. Both only cared about themselves. Both used deceit to get what they wanted. I can't remember the others. The entire talk was filled with so many great analogies. When Helaman leads his small army past Antiparah. The Lamanites didn't want to come out of their stronghold, but when they saw this small army they thought they could come out for just a little while and then go right back. Helaman's army led them farther and farther away until they were surrounded. If we choose to come out of our strongholds it is easy for us to be lead farther and farther away from our principles. Anyway, if you have a chance to listen to this talk you won't regret it. Search John Bytheway on the podcast app on your phone. Listen to the War Chapters. The Three Best Hours of the Week talk is also really good. I'm saving that for another family home evening.

Kermit

I picked up Jorja from Hailey's house this morning. Yay! I have my baby girl back! The original plan was for me to pick her up after church, but then Stockton was asked to speak and I didn't want her to miss it. Stockton has had a crazy busy week. His talk was great. Everyone loved it. I about died when he started singing in the middle of his talk! Especially since he started singing as Kermit the Frog! I couldn't even look. I kept thinking, "What is happening?" I was laughing so hard I was crying though. While Stockton was still speaking, but after he finished singing like Kermit, Jorja's friend Olivia texted her. "STOCKTON IS A BLESSING TO OUR WARD" Burke texted Mike as soon as Stockton finished saying something about how he usually falls asleep during sacrament meeting, but Stockton was awesome. Anyway, that was quite the experience.

I dropped off Jorja at Hailey's house after church. I saw her mom and talked for awhile. I thanked her again for letting Jorja stay and being her second mother. Jorja LOVES this family. The day she came over Hailey's five year old brother woke up and told his mom, "Our adopted daughter comes today!" I'm glad they love her so much! It is great for her to have a safe place where she belongs besides home. Melanie, Hailey's mom, told me that it was awesome having Jorja with them, but it also made them sad. She was talking with her husband about it and realized that this is what it would be like for Hailey if she had a sister. Hailey is the only girl with four brothers I think. Jorja and Hailey are so much alike, but Hailey is really shy. At home she is not though, just like how Jorja used to be. We love Hailey. I can't imagine her ever hurting Jorja. 

Mike took Maysen back to Logan this afternoon. My family came over for dinner. My dad fixed everything because he knew we wouldn't have time. My dad usually fixes most of the dinner but I add a token portion. Not today though. Jorja painted Anne's nails before they left. Anne loves it when she does that. She started acting so tired in an attempt to not leave the house I think. It was funny.

Jorja and Anne

It was nice to have Maysen here with us this last week. I'm going to miss her. Preston is really going to miss her. Those two are so cute together! Not long until she is home for the summer though!

Stockton's an Adult!

Today is Stockton's 18th birthday! AHHHHHH!!!!!! I am so proud of him and the person he has become, but turning 18 just reminds me how quickly he will be leaving us. I realize this is the goal, it is just hard to watch your babies not need you anymore. Stockton has brought such joy into our lives. He is super funny and super smart. I adore this kid!

Maysen texted Stockton at exactly midnight to wish him a happy birthday. She had a happy birthday Garfield song on a loop. The 'Happy birthday, happy birthday, whoopty do, whoopty do. May your day be pleasant, open up your present. Whoopty do, whoopty do.' At least that is how I think it goes, I'm not 100% positive.

Stockton ~ 18

 Stockton and Stephanie

I usually try to put on makeup on Sundays, but today that didn't happen. It was crazy getting ready for 9:00 church with four extra little girls! Grace specifically didn't want to go. I brought her anyway, even without shoes. Mike was going to stay home with Mina and then we were going to switch so he could teach Elders Quorum. Mina came upstairs dressed and excited to go to church right as we were about to walk out the door. Wow! Preston also gave a talk today. He wrote it this morning. Marie said it was the best talk she had ever heard. Mostly because he talked so people could understand him. All of my kids are great speakers. This is Preston's talk:

When builders build a building, they have a plan before they can build. All buildings have a foundation, doors, windows and walls, but they're all different. Some are tall, some are big, some are different shapes and colors, and they all serve different purposes.

Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us. He helps build us up how he wants us to become. We also help build up each other. I don't know his entire plan for me, but I know he has a plan for each of us. We can pray to learn more about the plan he has for us. When we're older, we can get a patriarchal blessing, which can tell us even more about what God has in store for us.

I know that if we are willing to help Heavenly Father build his kingdom on earth that he will help us be a part of that work. I know he has a plan for me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Eve and I snuck in the back to watch Preston. I was glad I was able to see him. Eve refused to go to nursery. She said it was scary. She came to my classes with me instead and fell asleep in Relief Society. After church I wanted to get a picture of Stockton. Jorja wanted pictures with him too. We took a lot. They sure have fun together.

Stockton and Jorja

 Weird Face Jorja

 Stockton and Jorja

 I think Jorja looks SOOOOO much like her cousin Aimee in this picture.

 I was singing Grover's 'Near, far, over and under and through'

 I think this one is my favorite.

 Stockton walking away from Jorja doing the funniest walk. I was laughing so hard!

 Jorja posing, but I missed Stockton doing the exact pose right behind her. Again I was laughing too hard to catch it.

 Rachel's brother brought her back from Dubai. Her kids went nuts!

Rachel with Eve, Grace and Mina

 Stockton's traditional birthday cake

 Side View

 With Candles! We didn't have enough, so every candle is times 2.

 Stockton opening Preston's present with his best friend Eve

 Preston made Stockton a computer game titled Yarg 3D

 Stockton loved it. Preston loved it. Eve loves Stockton.

 Grace and Jorja watching Stockton open Jorja's present

 Jorja's present

 Jorja gave Marie a makeover. She loved it!

Photobombs by Rachel & Mina, Jorja & Eve

The kids played One Night Ultimate Werewolf Daybreak. Stockton got that for his birthday. Marie was so happy about that! She just wished they could play more games.