Leave A Light On When I'm Gone

Friday night, with much anticipation, my husband accompanied me to the David Cook concert at the California State Fair. Ryan knows how much I LOVE David Cook's music and for my birthday had purchased us tickets to see him. We were in row K, close enough to see him with my own eyes!

The concert was AWESOME - he and his band ROCKED and let's just say I have a new appreication for his drummer, who not only hammered away at his drums but sang back up in almost every song!!! I knew every song he played, and those of you who know me know that I was surely singing and dancing along! I enjoyed how down to earth he seemed as he spoke to the crowd! He just seems like a nice guy!

Thank you honey for taking me to see David!!!

First Day of School

Peanut #1 started his first day of Second Grade today and seemed to have a good day. He said he likes his teacher and some of the kids he didn't get along with so well last year were pretty nice to him today. I did get a call home from the front office saying he needed an ice pack because he said he got kicked on the playground, but other than that a pretty good day.

Big D and his teacher, Mrs. Morford

All lined up and ready to go in. This is only half the class - they are split up into two groups based on their reading skills and so they start at different times. [ Clarification - I didn't count the number of kids that were standing in the line and just assumed it was half the class. I'm not sure if there were kids missing or not but in total there are 23 kids in the class. Sorry for the misleading info]

So 3 cheers for a new school year!!!!

Happy Learning to you, Megan

Return With Honor

Tonight we celebrated the beginning of a new school year with a nice dinner, crowns, skittles, a few uplifting videos to reinforce our theme of "Return with Honor", father's blessings for the boys, and lovely dessert crepes!

I was inspired by Nie Nie (see the button to her blog on the left side). She has celebrated this tradition with her children, as a way to get them excited about the school year. I am so grateful for her and other friends who have also done this for their children - thank you for your examples!

It was a nice evening - the boys were thrilled to be the guests of honor at our meal. Peanut #2 was really excited to wear his crown, Peanut #1 was thrilled deep down inside (I'm sure). C-man is getting so excited to start preschool and Big D, well he is looking forward to recess!



We enjoyed a yummy meal where we talked briefly about what it means to return home from school each day with honor. [That they can be good examples to others, they can be helpful to their teacher's, they can handle disappointment with grace, they can be thoughtful and kind]. After our meal we watched a few video clips from the Mormon channel on you tube from President Hinckley. Then we were happy to welcome Gramps and Grandma Robin over for dessert.

The boys even helped to make the dessert crepes!

It was so neat to witness Ryan giving our boys a priesthood blessing - more specifically a Father's Blessing. Ryan's dad was able to give him one too as he is in his last year of the MBA program and this will be his most difficult year. I was also able to receive a blessing from my husband - I now feel like I am ready for the school year too!

The spirit was so strong this evening and I just hope that the boys make every effort to Return home With Honor each day!

Happy Schooling to you, Megan

AS I WATCHED HIM STUGGLE UP THAT HILL

Well, I survived! 25+ miles of walking, pulling, pushing, and getting very dirty!!!! All the time, planning, and hard work paid off in large dividends this past week as 148 youth from our stake, about 50 members of our young single adult ward, and some 140+ support staff felt the spirit of our Pioneer Ancestors and the sweet testimony that Heavenly Father lives and that His son Jesus Christ lives!

I was so impressed with the wonderful vignettes that portrayed some very tender moments in our LDS history (the Sweetwater Crossing to save the stranded Martin Willie Handcart company, the mustering of our men into the United States Army to become members of the Mormon Battalion, the farewell to our YSA as they went off to establish a settlement, Brigham Young declaring that "this is the place" - to name a few).

I was impressed with those who were asked to speak at key times along the trail. The sweet message by dear Sister Carrie Smith before all the women pulled and pushed those handcarts up a steep incline touched me deeply. In fact the woman's pull was a part that changed me! To know that our female LDS ancestors had to pull the handcarts across the plains and mountains brought me great strength during that difficult time.

In reflection of that moment, I am brought to tears each time I think of my experience pushing until I literally did not think I could any longer. When I reached that moment of pure exhaustion, the young men from our family took over. I can't help but relate that tender moment of rescue to the great sacrifice of our Savior!!!! I can see Jesus walking to the Garden of Gethsemane where he prayed mightily for me and you.

I can see him crying in the garden from the pain of the burden and I am so saddened that I have added to that burden. I can see Jesus on trail, being mocked and ridiculed. I can see him carrying the large wooden cross through the streets of Jerusalem and then I see him struggling up the Hill to the place of his death. I am in AWE by the rescue He performed for me!

I have a greater appreciation for those who sacrificed so much to ensure that we could benefit from practicing our religion as we choose. I have greater appreciation for my own ancestors, who were not LDS, but who also worked hard and sacrificed to make a better life for those who would follow. My testimony has grown significantly and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had with my involvement in the Pioneer Handcart Trek. Indeed our Savior called to those around him to "Come Follow Me" and I will do my best each day to do just that! I am a follower and a believer!

To see some pictures from this past week please check out our photographers images (the slide show is rather quick so I just click on the box that shows the images).

May we always strive to make our trek of life an amazing experience!

Happy Trekking, Megan