{Back to school}

The summer was super short this year. The children's new school was a year round school but just this year they are switching back to a 9 month schedule! Hooray! The summer was not an active one & that is okay. Our family had some unexpected things happen & that put much of our bucket list on hold. The children finished off the summer with Camp O & O. they painted pottery and went to a space museum, they ate ice cream for dinner and swam. Camp was a great success and the kids are already looking forward to next summer. I am too to be honest. I don't feel like you got much of a break at all. I miss the kids so much when they are at school.
For 8 years now we have had back to school dinners. It started when T started pre-k & we have kept up with them. Its a great way to focus on a theme and a scripture for the school year. I always put a lot of thought into these. I think long & hard about where each child is so that Rod & I can challenge the children in an area that will help them grow. This year the theme was "Be the Light"  It was a star decorated night with glitter, silver & gold.  I love the idea that in a world where there can be darkness, disappointment, & sadness that we can choose to seek light & share light. Tre already this year has been a shinning example of giving light. We received a text from a parent saying that Tre had stood up for their son when no one else would. To say I am proud is an understatement. He truly is a light. I hope our other 4 will be given an opportunity to be a light this school year. I am certain there will be a chance...but hopefully they will have hearts open to see it.
One of our favorite traditions is fathers blessings. This is when Rod takes each of our children individually and places his hands on their head and offers a prayer of blessings upon them for the school year. Things like desire to learn, safety, kindness are offered to name a few. I love the joy each one has on their faces as they rise of the chair after a blessing from Dad. One thing I want to remember is how serious Rod takes the priesthood. Anytime he gives a fathers blessing he puts on his white shirt & tie...if even just for in our home. It shows the children the importance of the priesthood & I am so grateful for the example he is to our sons & little girl. He is just the best.

Now we are a week in & I love seeing all they are learning! It will be a good year!

Tre-7th, Britton-5th, Maddox-3rd, Presley-2nd, Cooper-Pre-K.