Michael's Blog

I started a new blog where I will post Michael's letters and my 2 cents (of course) ;) The address is www.michaelsmissionadventures.blogspot.com

Michael's Mission Farewell

We had Michael's missionary farewell on Sunday. He spoke in Sacrament Meeting and did a great job. I am so proud of him and the man he is as well as who he is becoming. There were lots of years when I wasn't so sure, but I think he's turned out pretty well.

After church, we all came over to the house for lunch and to visit. I think we fed over 100 people. We have been blessed with such good family and friends over the years, and it was wonderful to have all of their support. All of them have helped shape my children, and I am grateful for their influence in our lives.

Michael has also been fortunate enough to find a good group of friends these past few years. Again, many years of worry and praying for good friends finally paid off. These kids have been such a strength and support to each other as they have struggled through all sorts of challenges. All of the boys have helped each other prepare for missions, and the girls have been good examples and support for them. I am so grateful for them and what they have been for Michael.

He will enter the MTC in Provo tomorrow, where he will spend the next three weeks learning how to teach the gospel, then off to Cleveland, Ohio for the next two years. Godspeed and God bless!!

Trees, Trees, Trees!!!

We are slowly but surely making progress on our yard. So far, we have planted 22 Junipers, 3 flowering plum bushes, 7 flowering pears, 2 sycamores, 3 honeylocust and 2 maples!!

We went to get compost in Michael's truck, it really became a "beaner" truck then! It was riding pretty low, and we had our own work crew shoveling out the mulch.



Then we had bark delivered and Dennis moved it over to the trees so it could be spread around. Thank goodness for tractors! It would have taken FOREVER without it.












Here is proof that my boys really do know how to work. They've been a great help this summer getting everything done!









One finished project!! The junipers form the property line as a natural fence between us and our neighbors.















The flowering pears line the parkway.

















The auger on the back of the tractor really helped speed things up! They were able to plant 5 trees on the hill in record time! When they grow, they will provide a great shady area as well as privacy from the street.









That only leaves 2 japanese maple, 2 dappled willow, 2 flowering pear, 1 honeylocust, 5 sycamore and 2 maples left to plant this year.











Oh, yeah, and 12 junipers...

Good times!!

Matthew's Birthday

Apperantly I am not only a bad blogger, but a bad mom too. Matthew's birthday was last Sunday, and he turned 12. It is so strange to think that what was supposed to be my last child is 12 years old. He received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained a deacon by his dad. Also in the circle were Bishop Peterson, Grandpa Johnson, Uncle Scott, Michael and Adam.

Matthew got to choose his favorite dinner since it was his birthday. What did he choose? No, not steak, lasagne or ribs. Matthew wanted french toast souffle, sausage and hash browns. It was very yummy, even if I do say so myself! :) We also had cake and ice cream later to celebrate.

Matthew was able to go to young men's for the first time this last week. It was a combined activity, and they were going boating. Being newish in the ward, and the newest deacon, Matt doesn't really know any of the older boys. And, since we aren't boating people, he was a little nervous about that whole thing too. After we finally convinced him that he would have fun and it would be ok, we got him to go. The first thing he said when he got home was, "That was so much fun!!" Huge sigh of relief from the mom.

Today he passed the sacrament for the first time. Michael and I were watching for him to do something to goof up, but he did great!!

Happy late Birthday Matthew, we love you!