Family Home Evening Service Project

Last night for Family Home Evening, our family did a service project. On Sunday, we told the kids that we were doing a service project for Family Home Evening on Monday and on Sunday and up to last night, all we heard about is that they didn't want to do it. Just so you understand their hesitation to do a service project, the last one we did as a family was picking up garbage at the Stake Center. Of course, we didn't let them know that it was going to be a fun night and that they would feel good inside afterwards.

So, when 6:00 PM arrived last night, we informed them that we were going to Shopko to purchase gifts and then take them over to Deseret Industries to put in the Bishop's room. The last 2 Christmases, the West Jordan, DI has been accepting new unwrapped items that is put in a Bishop room. They ask people who wish to donate to buy something of their own age. We told the kids that they could spend up to $15 a piece, which they thought was so much. So, Jordyn chose a Doodle Bear that she really wants for either her birthday or Christmas. Jeremy picked out a large Batman figurine that he thought was cool. Dave and I didn't choose something that we would like, but instead chose something that a teenager might like, so we purchased 2 portable CD Players. They had mentioned in church that they were lacking teenage gifts, so we decided to go that route. The kids loved shopping for others and were very excited to go to the DI and put the items in the Bishop's room. Well, the DI closes early on Mondays, so we will be delivering our gifts today after school. Even though they were disappointed they couldn't finish the service project in one evening, they are looking forward to completing it today.

Just so you understand how one benefits from the Bishop's room, is that one goes to their Bishop and let's him know they can't afford Christmas for their children, so he feels out a voucher for them and they take it to the DI's Bishop room and pick out gifts for their children that people in the area have donated. It's another great program that the church and DI has set up to take care of those in need.

Well, I believe our chilren came out of this experience much better people, because they thought of others and witnessed the true meaning of Christmas. I pray that my children will always be thoughtful and remember others in their time of need.

I am a Proud Mom!

On Friday, Dave and I had the opportunity to cheer on our children as they were awarded "Principal Pride" awards. Jeremy was awarded for his outstanding "Turkey Art". Jeremy had made a Turkey using different colors, shapes and designs to make his Turkey, which he took quite some time on it and it looked great! He has always had artistic ability and in this art project it truly showed. Way to go Jeremy! Jordyn was awarded for "Things that she was thankful for." Jordyn wrote down some of the things she was thankful for which included her family, her parents helping her with her math and spelling each night and teaching her about her mistakes so that she could learn from them. Also, she was thankful that she was learning new things every day. Most kids in her class said they were thankful for their family, homes, animals and toys. The obvious things, but Jordyn really took her time and thought about what she was truly grateful for. I would recognize her too for her what she was thankful for. Way to go Jordyn!

Also, on Friday was Parent Teacher Conferences and we were informed that both of our kids made HONOR ROLL! Jeremy has made honor roll every quarter since 2nd grade and this is Jordyn's first time making it, since they start doing honor roll in 2nd grade. Also, Jordyn was the only kid in her class to make honor roll. Man, I have smart children. They must take after their intelligent father. Of course, you have to have fantastic grades to make honor roll and my kids did just that. Jeremy received the equivalent of all "A's" and 1 "B". He received the equivalent of all "Honors". They do the grading a lot different from when we were kids so that is why I said equivalent to.... Jordyn received the equivalent of all "A's" and the equivalent to all "Honors", and 1 "Satisfactory". She knew immediately what the satisfactory was for: her talking to peers while doing her work, even though she always gets her work done.

Also, both of their teachers said to me on Friday, that my kids were brilliant and there really wasn't much more to say about them. I just love to hear people tell me great things about my kids, because it makes me feel that I may be doing something right with them.