First Days of School

The new school year has begun!

Rob and Allie started school on Monday. 
Rob is in 4th grade and Allie is in 2nd grade.

Josh started school...he's teaching 6th grade this year at Rob & Allie's school.

Tuesday, Marcus started 7th grade at a new charter school.

We are excited for a wonderful school year! 

Brothers Playing Football

I absolutely love to see the boys dressed up in their football jerseys together. Marcus let Rob borrow one of his old jerseys until they got their new ones for this year. I love to see SCRIBNER written across the tops of their backs. I love to see them walking alongside each other with their helmets in their hands. I love to watch Marcus coach and cheer Rob on the side lines.

When the boys had tryouts, Marcus finished his practice an hour before Rob got done. So, he came over to Rob's field. He stood real close and yelled at Rob who was facing another teammate in a drill, "Come on Rob, get him, take him down, PUNISH him!"  Other parents were standing close by and gave Marcus some looks and surprised half smiles. Maybe they were surprised to see an older brother so energetically coach his little brother? I don't know, but I love it. I love that Marcus so desperately wants to help his little brother be the best football player he can be. 

One time while Marcus was watching Rob, he made an error. Marcus turned to me and sighed, "Now, I know how Dad feels!" That is probably so true. Josh gets into the games so much that I worry about him as much as the boys!

I love that Marcus had a night off of practice recently and because of that he wanted to go to Rob's two hour practice and just watch him. He went just like his dad, too. He wore his big straw hat and took a fold up chair to sit in--front and center of the practice. 

I love that the boys can share in this experience together. They can talk about plays, strategies, specific tackles, positions they are playing and how their practices went, and what they could have done different.

I recognize this is a special time in their lives to play football, and a special one for Josh and I to watch them. I couldn't be more grateful.

(Photos from Rob's first tackle football scrimmage earlier this week!)

One of My Favorite Things

Yesterday, the kids and I did one of my favorite things to do here in Utah. We went for a walk along the Jordan Parkway path. It is so beautiful and peaceful. I absolutely love it. It feels so good to be in the midst of something so beautiful that God created. It's such a reminder to me that God is all powerful, creative, and good--and not just in what He creates, but in everything about Him.

Daddy's Girl

My Little Tennis Girl

Allie is having so much fun playing tennis. She's learning how to hold & swing her racket, watch the ball, and have a good time. She loves to pick up the balls when they run out and build a pyramid of tennis balls on top of her racket. She tries to get as many tennis balls stacked as possible--and hopes they don't fall off when she tries to put them back into the basket!

I love to watch her play. At her last practice she won in a fun game against the other kids. Right after she ran off the court to come tell me that she won...even though I was watching the whole time. She just had to tell me. I guess she's just as competitive as her mother ;). She is such a cutie and I'm so happy she's learning to play tennis so we can play together.
She's my little tennis girl!

First Fashion Show

The boys had a unique experience last week...they were in their first fashion show. The NICU support group that I volunteer with participated in a fashion show at Macy's downtown featuring NICU graduates. At the fashion show, when it was their turn to walk out, a little bit of personal info was shared about each preemie. This is what was to be said of the boys...

Marcus loves Jesus & going to church. He loves being a Christian. He is playing his third year of tackle football. He likes hanging out with his friends. Marcus made high honor roll in school last year.

Rob loves to worship God & go to church. He loves to play golf with his dad. He even beat his dad on a hole! This year he started playing tackle football. Rob likes going to school & got straight A's on his report card.

The fashion show was a fun thing for the boys to participate in and a great opportunity to be a testimony for Jesus. I think they were pretty happy they got to keep the clothes, too! I think the clothes they picked out totally fits their personalities. They are too cute!

Happy Birthday to our TEENAGER!

I can't believe that Marcus is 13 years old today! 
Josh and I are parents of a teenager!

We celebrated yesterday with the boys going to a field for an air soft war, time at the local pool for flips and jumps off the platforms, and a very delicious dinner at one of our favorite Indian food restaurants. Afterwards we came home for brownies and ice cream and Marcus opened a few of his birthday gifts. We continued the celebration today by having him open the rest of his gifts after church and going to Sport Chalet so he could use his new gift card.

I was thinking about doing something special for Marcus' birthday this morning like getting donuts or Starbucks. But, after I got ready for church Marcus knocked on my door to tell me that my eggs were ready. He cooked Josh and I breakfast! I love him. His heart is to serve others-even on his birthday. We are so blessed by him.

 Marcus you are an absolutely amazing young man. We are so very proud of you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARCUS! WE LOVE YOU!