Who knew a Tool Box Could Provide so Much Entertainment?

I was using Deryk's tool box for an object lesson for sharing time in primary.(Absolutely love my new calling!!) I had emptied it out to put tools in it that represented the scriptures, but Gracie liked it empty the best!

Change of Plans!

Well, I guess it is about time to update family and friends on what Deryk and I have been brewing up for the past month.
Deryk and I have been talking a lot about our future lately. I graduate next year and Deryk would be starting the education program here at ISU this semester, so naturally we've been pondering what we want for our family and out of life. I was some what worried about Deryk persuing his degree here at ISU because the program is going through some not-so-positive changes and it seemed as though Deryk wasn't really all that thrilled about his prospective future in teaching math. When ever Deryk and I have talked about it he has expressed a desire to teach more of a vo-tech program, but ISU doesn't offer that program here. We looked into it, and found the program that fits into Deryk's interests perfectly! But it is offered at USU which offers a few obstacles we have had to consider and decide if it is worth persuing. Ultimately we decided to just move forward, put in applications and see what financial aid, grants and programs we could get some help from. So a month later and we found out last night that Deryk has been accepted into the Engineering program at USU where he can persue a degree in Engineering Technology education. He has been so super excited about the program ever sense we found it! Which makes me thrilled as ever.
So we have had to make some changes in our near future plans, but we look forward, with great anticipation, to the adventure that lies ahead of us!

Our New Baby Sitter!

My nephew Trevor has been baby sitting Gracie for an hour in the morning for the last three weeks. I can't believe how grown-up he is! I still see that cute little two-year-old chasing after "loons" (baloons) with those chubby cheeks bouncing in his delight! He is a great care-giver (like his mom)! He is so attentive to Gracie and keeps her entertained in that hour they are together--she never fusses! Now that is a sign of one attentive babysitter. So, thanks Trevor!!! I appreciate your willingness to help and your sweetness with Gracie. And truthfully, it is the cutest thing in the world to me when I pick up Gracie and Trevor has her all ready to go-- Gracie in his arms and the diaper bag in hand! I love you Trev!!

Tugging Hard on The Heart Strings!

As I have mentioned before, I have been taking summer classes and also chose to take some of the tests that are required to take to graduate during this summer. It kept me busy with reading, studying, writing papers, preparing presentations, and writing lesson plans for several units. Fortunately for me, Grace is a very good baby, MOST of the time.
Some times when I'm studying, or writing lesson plans, she will stand in front of me as I sit on the couch with her hand on my knee and just chatter like the girl she is. One day I was studying for the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment, which I would be taking the next day, and she was just doing her normal thing--standing in front of me with her hand on my knee chating up a storm. After a while she knelt down in front of me and continued to baby talk. A short time later she sat down still chatting her baby-sense. A few minutes later I noticed she had gotten very quiet. I looked down to find her sleeping at my feet. Boy-o-boy! Talk about tugging at my heart strings! That was one hard tug! I'll be glad when I can focus more time and attention on her. Just three more days of summer classes and then I can devote everything to her (well...most everything) for a few weeks!
By-the-way, all the studying paid off! I passed the two major tests I took! I do owe one huge and very loving thanks to my mother-in-law for coming for a few days. Thanks Sue for watching Grace while I stressed out and studied a little ;0) I really do have one of the best mom-in-laws a girl could ask for! Thanks for all your support and help Sue!!

Camera Missing In Action

This summer has been so busy! Can you believe we are already into July! We've been busily enjoying our summer and wishing that time would come to a stop for a few days so that we could get the most out of our summer semi-vacation. We've done a tons of fun things lately, yet somehow our camera never makes it to the fun! We've enjoyed bike rides, a family reunion (and look forward to, with great anticipation to more reunions) learned to play frisbee golf (thanks to Suzi and Braden for teaching us "the way its done"), camping and campfires with family, projects, college classes (okay, not really enjoying that one, but enjoying the fact that it gets 10 credits out of the way in a huge hurry), and so much more. I wish we had pictures of the fun we're having--and I promise myself and my blog readers who get bored reading what I have to say and would much rather see pictures of what we are doing, that I'll be better at remembering the camera and actually using it when I do remember to bring it.
So, looking forward to the next two months of summer vacation and hope it goes as well as the first two months and that we have more opportunities to enjoy it with the ones we love.