Another Last Primary Program

This Sunday was Boston's last Primary Program.  I was grateful to Susan Allen, who is my partner in crime in teaching the 4 year olds, for offering to sit with our kids on the stand so I could watch ours from the second row!  The Program theme was "I am a Child of God".  The kids new and sang all the songs.  But no longer is Sophia the energetic singer she once was.  She didn't want us watching her sing, so she positioned herself so we couldn't see her.  Boston had the closing talk.  He did well. He was calm and collected and gave a great message.  Here was his talk.  A great way to say goodbye to Primary!  It's weird to even say that, as it seems like yesterday he was 3 and grabbing the sacrament tray and passing it to the family individually, like he was a deacon, because he wanted to pass the sacrament so badly...fast forward to him almost a Deacon!

I know I am a child of God (Boston Pribyl)

Today I have been asked to speak on how I know I’m a Child of God.   When thinking about this talk, I had to really think about how I KNOW I am his Child.  We sing the song and I am taught that I am his Child and believe I am his child, but I never really thought about reasons why I know.  I started comparing similarities between my earthly Father and my Heavenly Father to help me realize how I truly know that God is my Father. 

First I know that I am a Child of God because I am created in his image.  I know this because it is in the scriptures.  In Moses 2:27 it reads  

“And I, God, created man in mine own image, in the image of mine Only Begotten created I him; male and female created I them.”

By reading this scripture I know that he is my father and I was created in his likeness.  I also know this to be true because of Joseph Smiths first Vision.  Joseph saw the Father and the Son, and that we are created in the Father’s  likeness. The Father called the Savior his son, and Christ is our brother, so therefore we are children of God.  

Secondly, I know I’m God’s child because like my  earthly Father , He wants my  Happiness.  In second Nephi 2:25 it says, “^aAdam  fell that men might be; and men ^care, that they might have ^djoy.   He provides many ways for us to be happy.  These include our family, church programs, leaders, prophets, and commandments that bring us happiness.   

Like our Earthly Father we can talk to God whenever we want, through prayer.  Also, no matter what I do He is always there for me, and forgives me.  

Knowing that I am a Child of God helps me become a better person throughout life.  I know that I have great potential and divine qualities from my Heavenly Father,   and know  that He is always there for me and always wants what is best for me in my life.    

Soccer Season 2013

Well it's official...all four kids are in soccer.  I swore it would never happen, but they all gravitated toward it and here were are.  Boston, Ethan and Sophia are all club, and Aubrie is doing  rec with the Cheetah-Bears (she is so excited its the on year with them and to be with her friends) and another indoor season with Andy's team.  The first official game of the season was this weekend, and we were spread thin!  Boston had a game in Tuscon, Ethan's was at Cactus Shadows, and the girls were at CCV and Aubrie's indoor is luckily predictable..same place and time  most of the season.  Since there isn't three of us, the Murphey's were kind enough to take Boston to Tuscon with them.  He was sad we couldn't be there, but we had just went to San Diego for his tournament so we didn't feel too bad about missing.  We hate to miss a game, because we love watching them.  However, with four kids, it's the reality.
          Before our day of soccer even began, I was up and hiking with Joe.  We did the full Sunrise Mountain Loop, something I have never done before.  It was great exercise and a nice visit with Joe.  He stayed for a hour afterward to visit while we busied ourselves with morning chores.  (My shins are feeling the hike now.  So stretching is important I guess)
The first game of the day was Boston's.  His team did well with a 4-1 win to start the season. Wish we could have been there-his coach said he did great!
 Aubrie's was the next with a 5-2 victory.  She had an awesome goal.  She was right in the box and followed up on a kick the goalie deflected.   Even the Ref. mentioned it was one of the best follow ups he has seen.  She needed that boost after being away for a year.   Unfortunately Ethan's game wasn't as good.  They got blown out.  Our frustrations with this age group in this league is beyond description.   The talent is not the greatest.  Ethan was trying to tell boys where their positions were, and they wouldn't listen.  They were all bunched up on the field and running around like Sophia's age.  We are hoping to see some improvement, or we will have to make some changes.  Aubrie's indoor game went well.  We couldn't be there to watch it, because Sophia's game was only a half an hour later.
      Sophia has been so excited for her soccer game. She was up first thing dressed to go.  Soccer for her age is taking a turn to a four on four with no goalie, type of game.  It's new, but it really gets all the girls moving.  Sophia had a great time.  The games are so encouraging and there is no animosity between the teams.  Honestly I don't even know the score.  Both teams made several goals, and neither one was counting.  It was enjoyable and Sophia enjoyed herself on the field, but was upset when the game was over because she didn't have a goal.  She was great at defending, passing and assisting but it's hard for her to see the value in that.
       Our day of soccer was over by 3.  We were all so tired, and rested up for the evening activities.  Aubrie had another babysitting job (she is rolling in the dough), and Ben and I got dinner at Salsa Blancha and hit the mall for some light shopping.  We came home early, because I was so tired.  I can tell I'm getting old because walking the mall tires me out quickly!  Twenty years ago I would have never believed that!!!

Flashing the double "I Love You's"

LOVE her enthusiasm!

More than a Place to Rest!

So after a year long of sleeping on a broken bed, and Boston complaining his back hurt, I decided that after many years, it was time to buy the boys new beds.  I had my eyes on these several years ago.  This weekend Ben and I took the boys beds down and just put the mattresses on the floor.  We told the boys nothing, except that Boston couldn’t sleep on the broken bed, and we wanted a uniform look.  The beds came today, and I spent my whole day organizing the drawers, and shelves...a total rehaul.  When the boys came home from school they had a big surprise.  I LOVE them.  The drawers, and bookshelf over the bed add so much storage, and give them a place to put their stuff...books, ipods, etc. Ben was happy that part of my reorganization included a BYU section in the room.  Boston was happy to see his favorite flag finally hung!  (He is still wishing to live there!)   Hope they hold up!:) 

A Flat Blessing!

Today was interesting, inspiring, frustrating and a blessing.  This morning on the way home from Candeo drop off, I had a strong feeling I needed to get gas.  I had enough for the few places I needed to go that evening, but I felt so strongly about it, I turned around and got gas.  Fast forward to after Kumon, coming home on 83rd.  I heard a huge pop,  and before I knew it I had a flat.  Luckily I had enough gas to get me through an hour of waiting.  And luckily I had friends who were there to help pick up my kids and take them where they needed to go while I waited.  And fortunately I set up my SOS roadside button on my car, so it was only a push of a button that I received help.  And how lucky that I received a brand new 250 dollar tire through our extended warranty, especially since we are due for new tires very soon.   Heavenly Father is always watching and he knows whats going to happen.  We need to trust him and our feelings!  

This is what was in my tire! 

Reading and Writing

Sophia got a chapter book about a cat last year, and she wouldn't put that down.  Since then, she hasn't been that into chapter books. She likes the fast reads.  When her tooth became loose, she decided to read the Junie B. Jones, Toothless Wonder.  She read that book on her own, and when she finished it late one night, she came in our room all excited over it.  The following day I printed this up while she was at school and put it on her bed.  She thought a Reading Fairy left it.  She was so excited.  I couldn't squash that dream so I went with it.  Ever since she got this she has been reading more than ever.  I should have thought of this for Aubrie and Boston!

The same night Ethan asked to get on the  computer.  I checked on him and found him looking at Chinese writing.  Later he came to me with some symbols  he had written,  and asked me to guess what they said.  They said "I Love You"!   Then I found him working on this.  I asked him why he was doing this, and he said, "I'm trying to get ready for my mission!"  Does he know something I don't?

Aubrie's Beehive Party

Girls  playing 1-100 Dice

Aubrie was called as Beehive President a few weeks ago.  One of her responsibilities is to unify the girls.   Since Ben and the boys were going out of town this weekend, we thought it would be a great opportunity to throw a Back to School swim party for all the Beehives.  The girls are spread out over several school, so this would be a great opportunity to have fun and get closer.  Aubrie made and handed out the invites before our Labor Day trip, and getting ready only involved buying treats and picking up pizza.  Of course, it started storming just as the party began.  So they started off playing some Kinect, eating Pizza, and then playing a few other games, until the storm settled and they could go outside.  They spent a few hours out in the pool, and ended the night watching some Studio C.   Sophia was in the thick of things, wanting to be involved with every activity.  The older girls were great with her, but eventually I pulled her inside and played some games with her, to give Aubrie her own time with her friends.  Not that she complained about it at all.  She is always good about including Sophia.  It was great for the girls to get to spend time together, and it was great for me to see how these girls interacted with each other.  They were all super friendly and inclusive.  I’m glad Aubrie has this opportunity and responsibility!  Her having a feeling of responsibility over these girls will be good for her.   

Sophia's First Lost Tooth!

Well Sophia lost both of her  bottom front teeth.  Monday night Ben wrapped floss around it and pulled one out.  She cried, and then instantly was excited and starting hugging me, until she saw all the blood. She WOULD NOT let us touch the second tooth.  She was all concerned that she might swallow it during the night, but was conflicted because it was too painful to pull it out.   Finally she went to sleep, and she woke up happy with 5 dollars in her tooth bag.   When she got home she was sad that no one was as excited as she was about her loss tooth, except her teacher and Grandma Pribyl (who works the lunch room).  Later that night Ben asked Sophia if he could touch it, and that it would be the last time he touched it.  He was right, because he pulled it!  When I came home from dropping the boys at soccer, she came running downstairs to tell me all about it.  At first she was sad saying her smile looked bad.  But then the more she looked at it the more she liked it.  She was busy up in her room all night.  She was up to something.  She made a fake tooth for her American Doll to put under her pillow too. She also made a note for the Tooth Fairy.  Here it is.  When I asked her why she wanted her to sign it, she told me she wanted to see what her signature looked like.  This morning she was more excited that she signed the note than she was about the money.   I love how Sophia recieved so much joy out of the little things of life.  She is full of excitement.  I got a kick out of this whole experience, but also shed a few tears thinking about how this was my last "first tooth"  expeirnece.  Sophia's firsts are bitter sweet!

Labor Day Tournament

Boston is blessed with a great soccer team and coaches.  All the boys get along, and have fun.  The coaches are committed and care about the boys.    All the families are very friendly, and his soccer team is like a soccer family.  This made the trip to San Diego for a tournament that much more enjoyable.  The boys have known about this tournament for awhile, and have been looking forward to it.  The team is new, and so we didn't know what to expect.   What they didn't expect was humid temps in the high 80's and fields that resembled mind fields.  The boys still made the best of it.  Danny drove down for the games.   The boys won their first game.  We went out out for a quick lunch at Rubios and headed back for game two.   The second game they lost.     They thought their chances at the Championship were lost.  We found out that if the team that played the one who beat us lost, we would have a chance.  So spirits were up, and we all enjoyed an evening at the hotel with pizza, swimming, and socializing.  

Game one

Game Two

Pool Time (Ethan photo bombing)

Day two the boys anxiously watched as the team they needed to lose were shut out!  They had a chance for the Championship.  The game was so intense.  Their team had the ball on their end most of the time, and so many shots on goal.  Nothing would get in.  Boston had some great shots on goal and assists, but  nothing!  Then in the last half one of the kids accidentally made an own goal mistake.  There was no time to recover with two goals for the win.  The boys were sorely disappointed, but they all played so well.  It was a good experience for them.  After the game, we rushed back to the hotel and packed up and headed to Danny's. 

Surviving the Heat!

Taking a Nap!

With Danny at Last!

Tyler

Boston

Activities are starting

This weekend we stayed busy with a variety of activities.  Friday night was Bingo night at Candeo.  There was a big turn out!  They sold packs of 10 cards and 3 meal tickets  for 10 dollars.  Ben bought two.  It was basically  Ben, Sophia and I playing Bingo while the boys played outside.  We used all our cards on the first game, and ended up winning.  Sophia picked out the snow cone machine (we already have a shaved ice machine), and I couldn't talk her out of it.  She was the envy of many kids who were eyeing that machine.
Saturday we had to get up early to clean the church at 7:00.  Five families showed up this time, so we were done in 45 minutes.  Much faster than when it was just our family last time.   After, we took the kids to Dunkin Donuts.  Aubrie had to get back to go to a YW  Book of Mormon Read-a-thon.  She was there from 8 to 2:00.
Aubrie had a double header starting at 3:00.  They won both games.   It's so fun watching indoor soccer.  I prefer it over outdoor, but that could have something to do with not sitting under the scorching sun!  I also like the fast pace.   Aubrie is an excellent defender. She doesn't let balls get past her. She is one out of the 2 girls on her team.  People are always commenting on how tough she is, because most of the teams are all boys, and they think they can push her around, or knock her out of the way, but it usually ends up being the other way around.  Sometimes you can tell the boys getting upset that a girl is beating up on them.   It's fun to watch! These two games marked the end of her season.  Another starts for her in a few weeks.   I'm glad she has something to keep her busy since she no longer does gymnastics.

It's never too late...just harder!

So I have always said that once all my kids were in school I would take piano lessons.  Well it was time to make good on that deal with myself, once Sophia hit first grade and was in school all day.  I have been feeling like I needed to take on some new things in my life, and I realized that this was one I had committed to a long time ago.   So yesterday I had my first lesson.  I decided not to take from Heather (the kids teacher for years).  I realized to follow through with this I had to do something that would be the most convenient.    Lucky for me, my visiting teacher, who lives three doors down and is a great pianist, agreed to teach me.  I have to say that it was quite a humbling experience.  Starting in a book equivalent to Ethan's,  at my age, is not what I expected.  While I thought I knew how to play songs at that level, I realized I was missing a lot of the important things such as timing and dynamics.  And playing in front of someone is not quite as comfortable as I remember.  I really have learned to appreciate what the kids have to go through when they go to lessons and when they have to learn a song.  I don't know if I'll ever be able to play the hymn book, or the primary book for that matter, but It does feel good to officially be working on something, and having someone to be accountable to.  Hoping I can keep it up, and not get too discouraged in the process!

Loose Tooth!

Last night, after Sophia was finishing her dinner, long after we all had finished and left the table (as usual...slowest eater EVER), and I hear her scream, "I HAVE A LOOSE TOOTH!" I ran to her as she contiued to yell this and tears started to form!  I quickly said, "Oh Yah! Your a big girl now!"  Quickly her tears stopped and she started to smile.  Glad I saved that one!  She told me her fork got caught inbetween her bottom two teeth, and now it was loose.  She immediately ran to show her brothers and sister.  And started telling us all the people we should call and tell about her tooth. Then she insisted it hurt too much to do the dishes.  (haha).  When it was bedtime she said she had to read the Tooth Fairy Junie B.   This morning she woke up with a second loose tooth.  She was so excited to tell her friends at school.  I told her while we found it exciting, not to be too sad if they weren't as excited as she was. She was convinced that would not be the case!   I love her enthusiasm for the littlest things in life.  She is a joy, and really brings me down to earth and helps me take notice of the simple things of life!  LOVE Her!

Its PLAY time!

The Arizona Broadway Theatre is a dinner theatre about 10 minutes from us.  It has been there for about 7 years, and we still haven't made it over there...till this weekend.  Aubrie and Boston both have to see a musical perfomance to fill a drama requirment, and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat was playing there, which I have been wanting to see for years.  So when I called and found out tickets were only 20 dollars with the student ID's we decided to go as a family.   The food was very yummy, and the performance was amazing.  The talent was very good!  Joseph looked like Orlando Bloom, and he had a great voice!  We didn't know that the play took the liberty of having serveral different singing and dancing styles.  That was a fun surprise.  After the play the cast came out for a meet and greet.  That was fun for the kids to get pictures with the "Talent"!   I'm glad we made it a family event!

It's catching!

So our family has caught a little bug!  It's the family history/indexing bug.  Our stake has asked us to engage in this work as part of our sacrifice for the upcoming temple.  We had a family home evening on family history and gave the kids a quick tutorial and the family has been indexing like crazy.  It's easy to do and someone is always at the computer anyways.  As a family we have indexed over 300 names this week and I have found ancestors who need their ordinance work done.  It really has been a great experience and I love that the kids have caught the spirit of it!

Basis Round 3!

Never thought I would be writing that title, but here we are at year 3 at Basis and loving it.  Aubrie has worked hard to stay there, and that was all her choice.  She realized that is where she wants to be.  When I asked her if she was dreading the homework when school was about to start she replied, "I actually am looking forward to it."  Ugh, what?  Double take.  Who is this child?   She is defintely not the sixth grader I put in there two years ago.  Times have been hard there, but it defintely has changed her into a girl that loves to learn, and is willing to work for it.  Boston has loves it and hasn't even looked back to West Wing.  He has a lot of friends there, and a lot of admirors to boot.  Aubrie now has  zero hour and Boston starts 1st.  So that means they are both getting up early again this year.  Probably a good spring board for Aubrie, since seminary starts next year for her.  Both of them are in elements without their freinds, but they have already made new ones, and still have their old!  Aubrie lost a few freinds who went back to West Wing, but it has allowed her to be more social and hang out with whoever she pleases without feeling like she is ditching them at lunch, or whatever.  It was sad to see them go, but I feel it will really help her open up socially.  Also, now that she is no longer taking gymnastics she plans on joining school sports teams and other clubs.  I'm  feeling this will be the best year for her at Basis yet!   Boston....he is always social where he is planted..precomps and comps will be the surprise for him.  Luckily he usually is on top of things!