Its about time

I feel bad admitting this but this past month we went to Las Vegas to visit David and family.  The part that I feel bad about is that this is the first time we have gone to visit them since they had Max 4 years ago.  Ahh, That is a horrible thing to realize!

This visit was long past due and we had so much fun.  It was fall break for our kids and surprisingly Max happened to have Friday off of school but David and Stacy both had to work so we got to have Max all to ourselves all day.  

 We took the kids to a Corn Maze.  It was fun but the weather was a little hot!  Max is a fun kid and he had a blast running with my kids.

 Max is trying to figure out where the scare crows head went.

 Family is such a wonderful blessing.  I wish any of my sibling lived near by so my kids could have cousins around more.

Ohh Brigham!

Last week in history class Briggs learned about tyrants.  The teacher asked the class, "Do you know the name of any tyrants in history?"  Without thinking (which is normal for Briggs) he yelled out, "Hillary Clinton!"  

Apparently the entire class got a good laugh...the teacher was not amused.  

Hope is never gone

The secretary in my primary presidency has a niece that was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer exactly one year ago.  It is a very rare form of cancer and after a year of chemo little 5 year old Arli is y technically cancer free.  Unfortunately the doctors were never able to find a location for where the cancer began so Arli is still on chemo.  The family is struggling financially so some family and friends put together a carnival and a concert.  All the proceeds went toward helping the family.
My secretary, Lori, who is a single sister without children invested countless hours into preparing special baskets for auction.
My heart breaks for this family and the trials they have experienced this past year.  I was able to make several holiday crafts, little girl skirt, table runners, and wreaths to donate to the fund raiser.  As I was sewing I couldn't work fast enough.  I had so little time but there was so much I wanted to do.  I bought tickets to the concert and we were also able to win a basket with a month at mathasium.
This whole thing is leading to one part of the concert.  At the end of the program the mother of Arli got up and thanked everyone.  Arli was carried on stage by her grandpa.  She was dressed in a cute navy blue princess dress and she had a mermaid tail blanket (just like one Ila has been begging for). While the mother was talking she described some of the pain she had suffered this past year.  She talked about a dispare and pain that she carried.  No one could see the sorrow that was inside.
As I listened to her describe the pain, similar feelings returned that I felt after loosing Gabe.  It made me realize that each of our trials are individualized for us and when all hope is lost we have the choice to turn to God or turn to the world.
I am thankful for the understanding I have of the despair and loneliness but I am more thankful for the peace that can replace those feeling through the atonement.

The very best part of the whole day was this:
My kids were not too excited about going to the concert.  They were all complaining and had to be drug out the door.  On the way to the concert I explained why we were going.  Avram said, "Mom, I wish you would have told me that earlier.  I would have had a better attitude about going."

Where have I been?

It is crazy how fast I fall behind on my blog when I get out of the habit of submitting a weekly post.
Here is a fast forward on life at the Prestwich home:

Ila participated in the high school fundraiser for the dance team.  She loves performing!

A little family competition is healthy, Right?

Bowling for FHE

The Bean museum.  Mom/ school volunteer for the day.

 It is funny watching a group of 10 boys follow Avram around the museum.

Eight years closer to being reunited with my baby.

 This has become a very special place for our family.

11 kids and a dog each day for carpool.  I have to do it is shifts because they go to 3 different schools.

 My neighbor decided to scare me with his halloween costume.  Kids are awesome!

My church calling has been eventful.  We completed a fireside for the 11 year olds in the stake on sunday and tonight we had our yearly presidency training.  

 This training was really hard to prepare for.  It took countless hours to figure out the right message to

 share.  I planned some great lessons but I finally figured out what the Lord wanted me to share and Im very grateful for his help.  It turn out to be a good meeting.

I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to serve in Primary.  I have learned so much.

Don't want to forget this one

Briggs came home from school today and said, "Today in history we were learning about Tyrants. My teacher said 'Can you name any tyrants?'  Briggs yelled out Hillary Clinton!"
Apparently the entire class got a good laugh.  The teacher was not amused.