Road race, pancake breakfast and lost wallet.

Our van isn’t working properly so it has been parked until we can get Denny to look at it. Antifreeze leaking is not a good sign. I’m not driving it so we don’t wreck it more than it may be. We are using all vehicles and sharing driving time until the van is back up and running.

This morning, many in the household were up early. Devin was asked by uncle Cory and Bea Steed, to play music for the runners during the annual road race. Jeff and I went over to the office to help set up. Then we came home and helped the kids get ready to go to the pancake breakfast.

Brandon hasn’t been working Saturdays this summer. He’s much happier and is able to do more things with friends and family. 

After the pancake breakfast mom, the older girls and I went to Lethbridge to get some groceries and things for July 1. We stoped at Superstore first then went to Walmart. After our shopping at Walmart, instead of taking the cart back to the storage, I left it in the rocks under a tree off the parking lot. We left and travelled nearly out of town to the craft store on highway 2.

We were looking around in the store for a bit when I got a phone call from home. I answered figuring the kids were calling saying they were hungry. It was Evan saying they found my wallet!

What are you talking about?????

I left my wallet in the Walmart cart. A lady found it and called the house. Evan took her number and called me so I could call her. He gave me a number to call.

I finished talking to Evan and immediately called the phone number Evan gave me. The woman was still at Walmart and would meet me back in the parking lotso we travelled all the way back to the store. I couldn’t see anyone that looked like her description so I called her again. As the phone connected, I saw a little Pilipino lady walk out from garden center with her Caucasian husband. I walked over to them and introduced myself. She pulled my license from her shirt pocket and checked the picture. She opened her car parked in same place we parked and passed me my wallet. I started to cry. I am so very grateful for the honest people out there. All money, cards and ID were still right where it was supposed to be. I shook their hand and then walked back to mom and the girls waiting in the car.

I am thankful for my blessings! I am so thankful to have my wallet returned to me. Thank you!

When we got back to Raymond after our shopping trip, I took the kids to the pool.

Tysyn on the climbing wall

Evan on the climbing wall. 

Jumping off. 

Savanna floating in the water. 

Rebekka floating in the water. 

Peyton on the climbing wall. Evan and Tysyn waiting in the water. 

Peyton got high enough to touch the glass. 

Down he comes. 

I love this relaxed peaceful pose!

After the swim we headed to Vic Park for the fair. The kids loved the bouncy houses and activities. Cassandra misses it being held on the street. (Street fair)

I loved the native hoop dancing and tried my hand at the fast draw. I was terrible, but it was fun. Cassandra was much better!

We left the fair after the kids complained enough about being hungry. We came home and had burgers with Mom and Justin and Heather. The kids didn’t want to return to the fair so we stayed home. The kids played and the adults visited.

The annual fireworks were tonight instead of Monday after the parade. We chose to attend the Smith family fireworks over the town (which I wasn’t proud of) but the fireworks were amazing!!

We did catch some of the towns fireworks as we were heading back to the cars.

I’m excited for the weekend. I love the annual July 1st celebrations. With the holiday falling in a Sunday, the parade has been moved to Monday. I love that we live in a community that will modify activities to maintain religious standards. It’s not without controversy. There were a lot of unhappy community members that thought the festivities should still be on July 1. But without the support of MANY LDS volunteeers, there wouldn’t be activities. So until, more non LDS plan and hold activities, there won’t be much. 

Graduation Day

It’s graduation day. Congratulations Devin.

More to follow!

Hospital X-ray

I worked at the Parent Link this morning. We were there to dejunk, clean, sort and organize. They also went through scheduling for next year. Much of the programming is changing so it looks like my neat and tidy schedule will have to change drastically next year if I want to continue working there. My hours will change. I’m also disappointed in the amount of preschool opportunities there are available. Rebekka and I will have to do some major schedule changes to fit in a class. It can be hard to accept change and I was a little frustrated when I left.

Devin wrote his last high school final diploma exam this morning. He is officially done!!!

Aaren wrote a math final this afternoon. It was a huge stuggle for him. He did not do well but he was able to pass the course. Next year, we may need to consider a tutor. He writes his last test on Wednesday. 

Devin and I went to the bank this afternoon and as we were on our way home, we were talking about ways Devin can effectively save money and prepare for his mission. At the corner by the elementary school, Devin stopped to buy lemonade from a group of little boys. They were so excited with his purchase. 2 glasses please!

When he got back in the car, we talked again of wise spending. We got a good chuckle over watery lemonade. 

Cassandra and Jeff went to Lethbridge for a LAHotShots meeting. While they were gone, I took the younger kids to the pool to swim.

Brandon had a difficult day at work. He wished he could do the day over. He had a mishap with the company truck and trailer and will have to pay for damages. It wasn’t too serious but it will take a generous chunk of money out of his next pay check. Bummer.

Evan has always been the kid who had something in his mouth that he was sucking, chewing or biting on. He was terrible when he was younger. Occasionally it still gets him into trouble. Today, that oral behaviour got him into trouble. 

Just as we were waiting for Jeff to finish supper before starting FHE, Evan came running up stairs to my room in panic. With grave concern, told me he swallowed a pin!!

K: “A what?? Evan, calm down, slow down. Start again. What happened?”

E: “I was sucking on a pin and accidentally swallowed it.”

What the heck! Evan swallowed a pin!

We have a few push pin/bulletin board pins that are round like a bead, with a pin sticking out of it. He was holding the bead end in his mouth with the pin sticking out, and accidentally swallowed. Down it went. Instead of the FHE which Evan had planned to teach, Evan, Cassandra and I went to the ER (9:45pm). Cassandra wanted to drive, and well, I’m the parent. Jeff stayed to put the kids to bed. We were there about 45 minutes before he was able to get an X-ray. The first one was of his upper throat.

X-ray of his throat

The tech didn’t see it so she took another X-ray of his abdomen. 

There it is!!

We went back to Emergency to talk with the doctor. It didn’t hurt. It was more shocking than painful. The doctor decided to not do anything. Hopefully it won’t have any problems passing through his intestines and bowel within the next 24-72 hours. If he has any pains, we need to go back. He suggested we come for another X-ray next week just to confirm it’s gone.

Silly kid. He won’t likely do that again!

We might try having FHE tomorrow. 

In our primary, the children are being taught the third Article of Faith. Rebekka was chosen to help say it. Sister Merrill started saying it and had Rebekka say it with her. When Kaye paused after the “atonement of___”, Rebekka was able to remember “CHRIST”. Then they continued, pausing after “all mankind may be ____”. Sister Merrill prompted with the sound “s” and Rebekka said “SACRIFICED!!”

All the adults chuckled. It was so funny. 

Jeff and I, along with Devin and Aaren, went to the Moroni’s quest fireside tonight. I am so excited for them to experience this awesome study of the Book of Mormon. To be immersed in stories of the Book of Mormon. It will be a fantastic opportunity to strengthen their testimony! 

President Wilde said in his talk that parents/ adults are willing to do anything to get to go to quest. They even volunteer to clean the toilets just to go. I testify that’s true!! I would love the chance to go again in any capacity, with one of our kids.

We heard a short message from the tribe leaders. These people in the stake, have prepared extensively for this experience with the youth. I can’t wait to see who each of the boys get as leaders. Devin is very excited. He wants to watch the Book of Mormon movie specifically to get costume ideas. He really wants leather arm bands and fur embellishments!

Today was the last day of classes for the elementary school.

Savanna with Miss Jay Bright

Evan and his teacher Mr. Gary Greep

Maren and her teacher Mrs. Allison Bohner. Maren had a grade 6 pancake breakfast and send off this morning. I’m sad I missed the send off. I didn’t hear that parents were welcome until after school. (Somehow the paper didn’t make it home to us.) Maren is sad to leave her elementary school but excited for the changes that junior high bring.

As we were taking pictures with Maren’s teacher, the children were checking out the lockers. Then they started playing in them. Maren could barely fit in one. She definitely won’t be able to next year. I had to help her out of the top locker. She got her hips wedged.

Years to go before she won’t fit!

Kids of the future. 

This afternoon the kids and I went to the pool. We had to wait a bit before entering, for the storm clouds to pass by. 

Today feels like summer has officially arrived!

Today is the last day of classes for the junior high. They finished with a lunch at the school and a mud run out at the dirt hills. We were privileged to get front home viewing of the fun.

The only participant we have this year is Cassandra. Every other year we have 2 students in RJHS.

Before the mud

After giving a haircut to Devin this afternoon, I took Tysyn and Rebekka with me to the dirt hills to see if we could find Cassandra. We were able to watch her slide a couple of times.

Mud run complete. 

Walking back from the dirt hills. 

Fun times!

It’s always fun to have the fire trucks come to wash away the mud before heading home. Tysyn saw how much fun the kids were having and because it was so hot out, Tysyn changed into his swimsuit and played in the water. 

Cleaning this morning. Likely last one until summer is over. So far behind on journaling. Spent the afternoon on the computer trying to get some computer work done. Didn’t get very far. Not far enough. 

Jeff and Kim. Lancashire bbq. Lethbridge. Haven’t been invited for a few years. Fun to go. Jeff won 2 prizes. At the door, each of us got a tee shirt. Excited to wear my new blue shirt! It’s my favourite colour!

Devin promised to take Tysyn fishing today. This evening Brandon wanted to take the car to Lethbridge. When he found out a fishing trip was in the works, all the boys ended up going fishing.  Boys fishing at ST Mary’s. Home late. Very late. 11:30pm. School next day. But Devin says; when the river calls, you gotta answer. 

Devin told the boys that whoever caught the biggest fish buys slurpees. Since he was the only one that caught fish, he was buying. Tysyn and Evan came home with only a little of theirs gone. They put it in the freezer for tomorrow. It’s going to be a yummy ice cube..

The girls want togonext time!

Fathers Day and Seminary Grad

Father’s Day.

Happy Fathers Day to some great men in my life.

I’m grateful for my dad for the upbringing I had. For how hard he worked and how much fun we had in play while I was living at home. He’s been a good influence on my life. I appreciate how much he gives of himself for others. I wish we lived closer to see and be around him more frequently.

I’m grateful for my wonderful husband. Jeff loves me and works hard to provide for our family. He loves his children very much and does much for them. Thankful for being you!

I miss the physical presence of my dear Father in law. He is so missed. Dad’s cheerful happy countenance and wise counsel brought me much peace. He continues to be a guiding influence in my life. I know he watches over us with continued love, strength and encouragement. I am so grateful for the many years I was able to have to know, be near and learn from him. 

To my brothers, uncles, brother in laws and men in our ward and community who mentor and influence my children and family in countless ways, Happy Fathers Day!

Tonight at 7pm, most of our family attended the 2017-2018 seminary grad. I’m proud of Devin and his four year commitment to seminary.

Each of the speakers bore powerful testimony of seminary and the impact it had on their lives. I loved listening to the young men sing. The musical number the girls sang was beautiful. We have fantastic youth in this town.

The refreshments were yummy. Chocolate filled waffle cone ice cream cones, made the littles so happy. Especially when they each got two!

We have some pretty wonderful seminary teachers. Brother Brian Hass, Devin, Brother Dan Bikman

Boyd and Devin

Raymond 9th ward graduates.

James Anderson, Mahonri Butler, Tanner Reeve, Gracie Heggie, Devin Hardy, Nathan Steed. Missing: Briggs Ralph, Sam Gardener. 

Boyd, Hallie B, Devin

Graduating guys with Bro. Bikman

(Denon, Tyrell, Aaron, Ben, James, Boyd, Dan, Landon, Avery, Garrett, Mahonri, Devin)

Taia Bohne and Devin

Second cousins Olivia Allred and Devin 

Marathon and Color Run

Today was the final mile of the RES marathon club. Unfortunately I didn’t get organized early enough to have meals done, so I wasn't able to take Tysyn and Rebekka and go watch the runners this year.

Maren and her friends. 

Also happening at the same time was a junior high and high school Color Run for Muscular Dystrophy. Devin and Aaren had fun with the run. But I think the elementary kids had more fun when they crashed the run. This is what my kiddos looked like when I met them at noon at the Parent Link. Maren didn’t get chalked because she didn’t want her glasses dirty. Evan’s hair was orange and green. Savanna’s was blue, green and pink. 

She looks like a zombie!

Savanna doesn’t want to shower because she loves the colours of her hair and wants it to stay that way. She has to was it sometime!

Tonight Devin played his final school age soccer game. In the pouring rain! It was so cold- for him. I dressed in my hoodie, rain coat and pants and rubber boots and brought my umbrella and stadium seat to watch. I was warm and dry. Maren dressed warmly and sat under an umbrella. Evan also came to watch but spent time kicking a ball around in the rain and playing on the wet bleachers. He got his clothes very wet by the second half and he was cold. He warmed slightly sitting next to me under a blanket and my umbrella. The littles badly wanted to come. But in the first 20 minutes the would have been cold and soaked so they would have had to go home anyway. It was just easier to keep them home. 

Go red team. 

Devin’s team won. They got 3rd place in their league.