Jenna's Month

A large part of Jenna's month has been homework and volleyball. She has been inspired by her art class from Freshman year and continues to experiment with sketching. She doesn't see her talent, but I think it's amazing. As for volleyball, we are sticking with the mindset of being grateful she is on Varsity. She isn't getting the playtime she started out with. In fact this month, she had people come to watch her play, and two of the three times they came, she didn't play.  At all.  We're not sure why except that maybe the coach is getting pressure from the other parents or she's trying to give the older girls some court time. We can't ask. We just have to be patient. Jenna feels like it's a reflection on her which we continually reassure her that it's not. Sometimes you just don't know. She is having great practices setting and hitting. The iron of the month was that near the end when we played Los Al, Jenna was a starter for three of the four games in the match.  She went from not playing to starting. We are not sure why, but she is grateful for the court time when she can get it. It's all good experience in the end, and she is keeping a positive attitude. She really likes the girls on her team, and she loves working out with them.  We'll take that.

She's A Sophomore!

And just like that, she's a sophomore! Cute hair, stylish make-up and fancy dress (it looked longer in the store, we promise), and she was off. Can't wait to see what this school year brings. We worked with the Guidance department at school, and Jenna has some great classes and teachers. And Jenna is already into high school volleyball season. Such an exciting time!

First and Last Day of School Photos

The girls' first and last day of school photos! Heather's was already documented due to graduation and a different last day of school for seniors, but I love the side-by-side.  Jenna had a big transformation in her side-by-side! Who is this beauty? Great year Jenna! Ninth grade brings so many changes--seminary, harder classes, new friends, juggling school and sports, new sports teams, saying goodbye to braces, harder finals, illness and sleep deprivation. It is the hardest year! You survived! Jenna and some friends had a "last day" lunch at Corner Bakery to celebrate. Bring on summer!

College

Things just got real. We're going to be parents of a college girl. Heather got her acceptance email today and will be a Fall/Spring student at BYU-Idaho. We couldn't be more proud of our first born.

Homework and Our Pup

Jenna is getting SLAMMED by homework! Her Accelerated Biology class is a huge part of that. So much homework. Jenna is a perfectionist too, and between that and her teacher's demands, things take a lot of time. This visual window project for cell structure took some time, but Jenna made it look amazing. Sariah comes and looks for us wherever we are, and often times she finds Jenna doing homework. Sweet pup.

Firsts and Lasts

Today was Jenna's first day of high school, and it was Heather's last first day of high school. A Freshman and a Senior. Hard to believe we're finally here at this season of our lives. Heather met friends at school. She is so happy to be nearly done with high school.  Jenna met friends at Abbey's house, and they walked to school together. It's great that Jenna has such a huge posse to lend support on this big day.  Time is moving way too fast! How many times have I said THAT on this blog?

Working on FVHS Campus

It has been fun to have a job here on the campus where Heather attends high school. The principal's secretary made a cute sign for my desk. The work keeps me busy, but is doable. I like clerical work because it feeds my need for organization and order. The staff has been very welcoming.

Last Week of August - Heather and Mom

It's the last week of summer before school starts.  No wait. School starts for Heather this week. Boooooooooo! Heather started her first day of 11th grade this week (8/27). High school is half way over for her (cue Heather cheering in the background). I was on campus the second day for something and ran into her and her friends in the office. Luckily they are all used to their camera-happy moms and so obliged me with a picture. We had a back-to-school Starbucks run to catch up with dear friend, Grace, since she's not at FVHS with the gang. So fun to hang out and visit for the girls and for their moms! Tammy opened up her pool, and it was heaven sent. I had taken to going out to the driveway to sit in the trailer and run the air conditioning. The heat makes me so grumpy and lazy. We are blessed to have such a great neighbor and friend in Tammy. Jenna and Dad are off exploring Zion, and they will have their own featured post.  Here we go Junior year!

Open House for Jenna

We attended Jenna's Open House at Fulton tonight. As we moved through the evening, we noticed something that we already expected--her favored subjects appear to be math and science. While she showed us something in almost every classroom, her math and science projects were those she talked the most about. I'm so glad she prefers these subjects although they are not my favorite. Maybe that's why I'm glad she enjoys them. I can help her with English and Social Studies, but Math and Science are not my forte, especially Math. She can fortunately do all her math homework by herself or quickly figure it out as I bumble through it. We're very proud of the focus and attention Jenna gives her school work. She is doing such a great job.

January Stuff

The 2015 LDS Youth Theme video is out, and we're in full swing finding ways to Embark in service. The girls helped make dinner tonight for Jenna's teacher at church whose family has been down with some awful sickness for a couple of weeks.  We hoped it would help them have a nice break, and it did. They were very appreciative.

 Heather's science final included mapping a gene using an object that was familiar to her. Of course it was The Doctor's spaceship.

After our Christmas oops in getting desk that was way too small, I found this one on Craigslist for $30. It fit's nicely in Jenna's room, and she loves it.  Love great finds like this.

Back To The Routine

Life goes on, and we're back to school and routines. I snapped this photo of the girls doing their homework in the living room. It's one of those shots that years later we'll look back at and remember how it was. Homework done wherever it's convenient, clutter lying about, Christmas decor still up. It's life, and I love it.  The other thing I love about this time of year are the beautiful sunsets. I think wind and rain helps visibility. Just a guess. Whatever it is I'll take it. These beautiful skies fill me with joy.

Pool Time and Back-to-School Dinner

Jenna and her friends got some much-needed pool time during this warm week.  It was a great opportunity to say so-long to summer one last time.  We're grateful to our friends who invite us to swim. We like our little inflatable pool, but it is a pool.

In the evening we had our Back-to-School dinner which was a little late this year considering Heather started school last week, but better late than never. We focused on the message that fear and faith cannot exist at the same moment in our brains, and that if we rely on our faith we can push away the doubt and fear.  We used the simple meme from the New Era as our visual reminder, and we had a lovely dinner and discussion as well.  Here's to a great school year!