Corn Hole

We have been spending all our extra time working on our remodel project.  So when we got an invitation to the Elders Quorum Party we went willingly.  It was a fiesta at the Bown's house. The food was delicious!  After dinner we played a little corn hole.  When we were playing for fun Brian let me be his partner. However, as soon as it turned into a competition I was kicked off his team and traded so he had a better partner.  Luckily for him, they went on to take first place.  And I got to just sit and watch. For the love of competition!?

Crazy Girls

Yes, my house is still in the construction stage.  So just kind of ignore that and check out these cute girls.  My neighbors are the best, they spend a lot of time at our house even in this mess.  Anyways their cute daughter, Hannah, had my niece, JaKayla, over for a late night.  They came over and wanted Kenzi to come and play with them.  She ended up doing all their hair in some crazy style and just having fun with them. I love it when my girls will play with younger girls.  It takes a special person to do that.  I am so grateful for such a great daughter, and great friends!

And really aren't these girls just adorable?  I sure love all of them!!

Fire, Fire!

Brian was on a transport  Friday night so I stayed up waiting for Kenzi to get home.  About midnight she came in and said, "The Bown's (our neighbor) truck and house are on fire!"  It turns out it was just his truck, but it almost got the house.  His siding was all melted.  It was so weird.  He had two guns and a bunch of bullets in the truck.  As the fire got hotter the bullets started popping.  It was like our own firework show.  I actually got hit with one of the casings.  Now it wasn't bad, so don't worry. I just got nicked.  But now I can officially say I have been shot right? 

My neighbors came and we helped get the fire out before the fire department got there.  It was a crazy night!  I had a really hard time going to sleep after.  The thoughts of what could have happened just made me sick.  So thankfully it wasn't any worse!

Debt

I have been thinking a lot lately about debt.  I am ready to be out from underneath it.  Brian and I talked last night and made a plan.  We figured we can have all our debt (minus the house) paid off in 3 years and possible sooner!  That is so exciting to me.  Anyway I wanted to share our journey with you.  We started by writing down all our debt.  We included the amount to pay off, the interest rate,  and the minimum monthly payment.  Next we talked about them a lot and decided what order we were going to pay them off in.  Now we just have to do it and then snowball the amount on to the next loan.  Here we go.  I will let you know how it goes for us!

Flag Day

One of the things I get to do as a young woman's leader is to help with putting flags out for every holiday.  Now I have to be honest  and tell you this is not my favorite thing.  Sometimes I feel like I am constantly hounding the girls to help with this.  However, I love to see the flags out along the streets.  I love the feeling of American pride I get when I see the flags waving.  I love being an American and showing how much I love this country.  I hope to pass that love along to my children, to my friends, and to my neighbors.  

"Proud To Be An American"

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time to stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

Girls State Graduation

Yeah, we got to pick up this cutie finally!  It was super rainy and we were all drenched before we got to the building, but boy were we happy to see her.  Brian and I got there just barely in time.  They gave us the wrong address so it took us a little while to find it.  Sadly the graduation lasted 2 hours!!  It was way long and Kenzi was ready to just go home.

It's kind of funny being a parent.  Sometimes these lovely kids you get are so challenging that you wonder what you were thinking when you decided to have them.  Then other day, like this one, you are so grateful for the love and the light they bring into your lives.  Then you know why you choose to be  parent.

This experience was so good for Kenzi.  She fit right in with these girls and she had a blast!  She was elected as a Girls State Senator.  It was just fun to see her excel and be part of the group.

Isn't she a beautiful girl?  Love ya Kenzi!

Missing Child

Wanted:  my cute teenage girl to come back home.

As many headaches as this girl has given me, I sure have missed her cute personality this week.  She is at Girls State and loving it from the little I hear from her.  This is the picture she posted on Instagram saying, "Real life heroes! Thanks for your service! #vietnam."  What a cutie!!