Monday, March 10, 2014

Mission Time


It's official.  Stephen has finished his mission papers and has them submitted.  He still has to interview with the Bishop and Stake Pres, but then he'll be complete.  He turns 18 in April and could leave anytime after graduation.  It would be awesome if he could have his call sometime in the next month.  Unfortunately he has to lose 25lbs before they will clear him medically, but we understand he has until his departure date to do that.  He's trying to get on that and get himself healthy so he can head out sooner than later.  As much as I will miss this sweet boy of mine, I'm so excited for him to be taking this next step.  Onward ever onward...

Nick Update

Not a lot to report, but here's the latest.  He is still in county jail awaiting sentencing.  His public defendant has decided to do a "risk assessment" to try to get a lesser sentence.  This is a 6 month process so he will not be sentenced at least until September.  We still have varying opinions as to what kind of time frame he's facing so we really just have no idea.  He calls us about twice a week.  He sounds good, reading a lot of books, which is something he has NEVER done.  We try to write at least once a week as well.  If you'd like to write him, it must be on a 4x6 notecard in blue or black ink.  His address is

Nick Phillips #T027745
LBJF - M - 1 - B - 10 - 2
3250 W. Lower Buckeye Rd.
Phoenix, AZ  85009

Still Scouting


I'm still the Wolf Leader in our ward and this year has been the best ever because I have had Bo with me the whole time.  That will change once he turns 9 though. :(  Once a year we do a hike up the San Tan Mountains with the boys.  It fulfills some of their requirements.  This year Sara and I went up with Sinjon, Rees, Tyler, Bo and Gentry.  Look at those faces!!  How can you not just adore those little faces?  The trip up was much harder than last time.  I've got to get back into shape!  But for now, I'll "do my best".

I had a Birthday, shout hooray!


My birthday snuck up on me with all the Temple activities that weekend.  But for my birthday I spent a day with Chelsey and Mom just chilling and having lunch.  Then on my birthday, I woke up to a lovely breakfast prepared by Dalin and Katy with sweet notes from Katy and Brooklyn all done on yellow paper cuz they know it's my favorite.  I enjoyed lunch with some of my besties and spent the evening with my kids watching the voice and having Oreos.  I spent some time at Kirklands and  got myself some goodies from there as well as a new pedicure.  I think all in all I had an awesome birthday.  The picture of above was posted on FB by Whitley.  Chelsey and Gram B also made special tributes to me on my special day as well.  How lucky can one girl be??





Track Meet

So it has begun!!  Their first meet was this last Friday.  I have no pictures because, again, I'm lame.  I worked the finish line so I wasn't able to just go about watching and taking pictures.  Brooklyn placed in both the shot and discus.  Dalin did high jump, long jump and ran the mile.  He was disappointed in all his events, but they've only been training for about 2 weeks.  Hopefully he'll catch on and do something great. Ü  Rhett was sick the day before and had a slight fever the morning of so he only pole vaulted and was supposed to run the two mile.  The meet started late and there are no lights on the track so his race was cancelled at the last minute becaue it had gotten too dark.  That was the last minute that we had been sitting around an hour and a half for.  Quite disappointing.  He vaulted well though.  Hit 9 feet.  After the meet, we all went to Costa Vida to celebrate.  I love this time of year and am excited to sit at a few more meets.  Go team!!

Gilbert Cultural Celebration 2014





Our kids and 12000 other youth in the Gilbert Temple District were able to participate in a cultural celebration the day before the temple was dedicated.  We spent about 2 months learning the songs and dance for this show.  I was privileged enough to get to be the dance instructor so I was able to be with my kids clear to the end.  There's a link at the bottom of this post to see the event in it's entirety. (the actual performance is about 18 min in)

The theme was "Live True to the Faith".  


There's so much I could write about, but I'll try to keep it simple.  The Saturday before, we had an all day rehearsal that ended early due to the dust that was kicked up from kids dancing on the field.  It was a long, hot day and we were ok with it ending early.  But what would that mean for the next week.  We were asked to pray for rain.  

As the weekend approached, the forecast called for rain on Saturday.  Not an AZ forecast with some clouds and rain, but 100% chance of rain.  We all waited and wondered and had our own personal ideas of how it would all turn out.  I, along with many others, had perfect faith that the Lord would stay the rain.  This was His program and he wouldn't let it fail.  

The afternoon of the rehearsal was scattered with sprinkles and sunshine.  It was actually a very nice day and probably just enough rain to keep the dust down.  We broke for dinner an hour or so before the performance was about to start and that's when it got eerie.  The dark clouds were looming on the horizon.  Not just rain clouds, but seriously dark clouds.  But it was ok, because God was in charge.  As the kids ate dinner and got into their costumes, the clouds crept closer and the wind started to blow.  Just about 40 minutes before show time, the rain started to fall.  Wet rain, and a lot of it.  

How can this be?  The President and Prophet of our church was due to arrive to watch the performance and surely this would all go away.  He arrived, along with Pres. Eyering, just minutes before it started.  As he got out of his car and went to the tent, the kids all erupted in a great cheer and waving and smiling and yelling.  What made that so amazingly emotional is they had called the kids out onto the field 25 min prior so they had been standing out in the rain completely unprotected that whole time.  They were soaked and the show hadn't even begun.  Not to mention it was COLD.  But once the prophet made his entrance, those kids forgot about the rain and the cold and welcomed him as if it was the most beautiful day ever.

As Pres Eyering spoke to them for a min, the rain turned to a slight drizzle.  Yes!  There was our miracle, it would stop and the show would go on.  He encouraged them to do their best and a prayer was said and the music started.  And so did the rain.  Hard.  It rained the entire hour of the performance and for long after that.  The kids were absolutely inspiring.  They danced and sang and performed with smiles on their faces the entire time.  I was there... wrapped in a sleeping bag with an umbrella.. and still wet and cold.  My heart just ached for these kids with no protection and drenched to their core.  I saw them go on and off the field with smiles.  I also saw them shiver and shake and be miserable on the  sides.  What I loved most is that they all stuck with it and went out there happy and willing to do what they had learned and not let the rain ruin their night.  I spent much of the hour wondering what this was all about.  Why did He let it rain?  How was this a good thing?  After days of reflection, looking at pics and videos and hearing comments and testimonies from so many viewers and participants, this is the conclusion I have come to: 

Without the rain, this would have been a wonderful, memorable event.  The kids had a wonderful time learning and preparing and everyone would have been impressed with what they accomplished.  But with the rain.... their strength and faith were tested.  Their commitment challenged.  I saw kids huddled together under trash bags trying to stay warm and other sharing whatever shelter they could find with those around them.  I saw sad and cold youth being comforted by their peers.  I saw kids who were normally weak, act strong.  Do hard things they may not have every been willing to do before.  This wet and cold night gave them determination.  And pride in being strong enough to do it.  It turned a wonderful event into an Epic event.  

As for the viewers.  I heard so many comments about how inspired and touched they were watching these youth persevere.  Their hearts were softened as they witnesses 12000 youth smile through their trials and come out stronger than before.  This wasn't about a warm and fuzzy event, this was about Faith and Testimony and Commitment to the Gospel.  This was about finding something within them that they didn't know they had.  It was about love of God.  They sang a song called "I Choose This Day"... and that's what they did.  They chose to be warriors of  truth and righteousness... despite the rain.

Nephi 14:25
"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock" 



The dry pics: 







Our youth did a fire dance depicting the story of Shadrak Meschak and Abednigo being thrown into the fiery furnace. 


Whitley was the dance director for the youth in her ward so we got to see her just for a minute during all the craziness 










Prophet stalking.  We went over to stand by the road the prophet would be coming in on.  We waited as long as we could, but eventually had to leave and go get ready for the performance.  You can see the clouds gathering in the back.







There are very few wet pics because most put their cameras away for safety reasons.  But here are just a few to give you an idea.  A friend of ours, Colter Bradshaw got to be Captain Moroni and ride in on a horse holding the Title of Liberty.  It was the one of the coolest parts of the show.  Even in the rain, that horse was able to do all that he needed to. 



There were a group of kids who played ukuleles and as they went out, it rained even harder.  Yet they played and sang and smiled the whole time. 


At one point several missionaries came out holding the flag of the country they had been called to serve in.  even in his new suit and dressed in  Sunday attire, they marched out smiling and waving. Proud to be called servants of the Lord.




Each youth made their own personal title of liberty.  This pic shows them all out on the field holding them high.  This was the finale.  Once it was over and they were all standing waiting for direction on what to do next, a whole group broke out into song singing  "We Thank Thee oh God for a Prophet".  I was so touched that after a long night and being so cold and wet, they still continued to sing... even after their show was over.  What seriously valiant youth we have.  And mine are among them.  



This was the field after the performance.  Glade was there till midnight carrying chairs out of the field.  I took 13 soggy, cold youth home that night.  The entire ride home, they sang and laughed and continued on with their great attitudes.  I felt very humbled for my grouchy attitude and sorrow for them.  They were great!! 





Sunday, March 9, 2014

Spirit Week


Bo and Katy had spirit week this last week.  They really only went gung ho on mismatch day and nerd day.  I love that they love to participate and don't feel too self conscious to look silly.






Concerts


All three boys had concerts this last week or so.  Choir concerts are not my favorite thing, but I sure love watching my kids perform.  I'm sure that pride is frowned upon, but I don't know how to not be so proud of them!!  












Another Birthday - Rhett 16


Rhett turned 16 in February and it came without much fanfare.  He didn't want a party, just a trip to JumpStreet with a friend.  All is birthday money went towards a choir trip to California, so it really just kind of came and went. Though I did splurge and get him a running GPS watch, to which he replied  "you did not!!  I love you!!".  So I guess it was a hit.  He's been very responsible with it so far.



He went on his first date just a few days after his birthday with a girl named Elise.  It was a girl ask guy dance and had a fairy tale theme.  He thought they were dressing up like a Disney couple, but when she got there, she wasn't and he was.  He felt stupid so he went up stairs and changed.  Poor kid, he worked hard on his outfit and looked good.  He had fun though. Ü

He can't get his drivers Licence till April, so we are just waiting on that one.  He auditioned for a play called Saturday's Warrior yesterday and did so great.  This is a show from my youth that I've always loved.  My kids have been subjected to it many times and they too love it.  There's only one part he could get and they want a tap dancer, so it's highly unlikely.  Though he sang really well and it didn't look like they had a good turn out for auditions.  We'll have to wait and see.  I'm just so proud of him for trying.