Conversation with Anja

We went to Target today to scope out what my princess wants for her birthday. Conversation to follow:

A: "Mom I want this pool."
N: "That's a good idea, but I think that one is too much money." (it was $349.99)
A: "No, take a picture with your phone and send it to papa." (papa=grandpa)
Even my three year old knows who will get her what she wants and knows that a phone will take a picture and send it to papa..technology.

I took the picture and sent it.. he didn't reply..so we kept looking..and found this..

It's only $34.99. Much better. Papa got off easy this time.

She also had me take a picture of her doing a "holly-hoop" and sent that to her daddy. Guess Anja is past making lists; she sends pictures.

The picture is bad (used my phone) but can you read Shelbi's shirt??? That's right, she's Knocked Up and Scott is showing what it looks like when you eat for two..

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Guess I'll be heading to Chicago the first of September to meet the newest Bywater.

We love you guys!

Scott flew in earlier this week to "work" and stay at the hotel mom. We are so glad he's over the Utah accounts. He has to fly in once every four months to see his clients and we get to hang with our wonderful uncle. Shelbi wanted to come visit, too so she flew stand-by. Unfortunately, she got bumped for three days and finally made it here last night. Scott leaves on Monday but Shelbi gets to stay and play for the next week. Guess we've got some baby shopping to do!!!! Kristin's little guy and their little boy/girl will be almost exactly six months apart just like Jensen and Nadia. Yeah!!!!!

Congratulations, Jensen!

Thursday night we went to the Inspirations regional award ceremony (like the PTA Reflections contest) and were thrilled when Jensen won first place for his original piano piece he wrote! We are headed to the state competition.

This is his adorable friend Tyler P. who took second place with his digital art.

The truth and nothing but the truth, as far as I know it..

So the cat came out of the bag in December when the whole truth was revealed and the baby known as Endeavor Hall was presented to the world. For 14 months we (Jen and I) poured our hearts, souls and tears into writing the 200-plus page charter as evident by my bloody nubs for fingers and the fact that the letter 'r' on my keyboard is starting act up. To make it happen, burnt offerings in the form of homes were offered as collateral, big name businessmen put their necks on the line and I held Rich's hand so tight you would have thought we were getting married again (those that lived it the first time will see the humor in that). With our feet to the fire, the SCB voted us in...unanimously.

We were expecting to be on the January agenda for the State Board of Education, then the newbies on the SBO took office and there were changes, we were bumped to February. Not to worry. Then out of the blue, one email sent from the .utah.gov server shattered our future. Endeavor Hall was dead for 2011 and worse yet, we would loose our place in line for the 2012 year. It was a shut out. We knew there had to be more to it than a simple "didn't make the agenda" but that was all we got. The reporter in me smelled something more but my soul was dead and I couldn't see past the door closing. I numbly went through the motions for several days. I cleaned, I cooked, I hosted guests in my house; it all seemed surreal.

Then, the backroom dealing on capital hill started and a door was open. The catch? Could we pull off starting 60 days behind schedule? Yes! (Then the wave of nausea hit and I ran to the bathroom). Really? Pull of a miracle with less time than has ever been done before? Yes. It has been a whirl of excitement, long nights and giving up everything. It's been cashing in every favor I was owed, now owe and will soon owe, but it is done. We have pulled together a school in three weeks--done the impossible--and done it well.

I am so proud to call myself the vice chair of the board of directors of Endeavor Hall. Regardless of what happens on Friday, March 4 at the state board of education, I will walk in proud, determined and full of conviction. This school has been knocked down and rebuilt so many times that it's stronger and bolder than before.

So, wonder why I've been a bit distracted lately? Now you have the answer. Thanks for being patient. A few extra prayers wouldn't hurt, either.

The big day: Baptism!

 It's hard to believe that this little boy....

...Is now this big boy.

Jensen's baptism took place on Saturday, February 5, 2011. It was a beautiful day. It wasn't warm but the sun was shining and all the people who are important to Jensen were there. It wasn't without a few concerns. Rich was sick in bed for days before and a week after the baptism. Jensen was so worried his daddy would be too sick to do the baptism, but nothing could stop him from baptizing our little guy.

 We are all so proud of the choice Jensen made.

 Great Grandpa Kresser was there and was able to help confirm Jensen.

 We called these two the "babies" for the first four years of their lives. Nadia and Jensen are only six months apart and were raised together more or less. They fight like brother and sister and love each other just as much.

Jensen had amazing primary teachers this last year. Bro. Baxter and Bro. Brookes fed Jensen's desire to learn more, be more and believe deeper. They challenged him to memorize the Articles of Faith, he did, in two weeks. Then they challenged him to read the whole Book of Mormon. He did, in four months. Then they challenged him to bare his testimony in Sacrament meeting, and my shy little boy did. Jensen grasps spiritual concepts so well. He feels the Spirit so easily and acts on those feelings. He has one of the strongest testimonies of anyone I've met. He has tested faith, the power of prayer and priesthood blessings and has grown spiritually because of his faith. I hope I can continue to teach him. Thank goodness there are amazing men like these two in Jensen's life to help him grow in ways I can't.

 Kristin took Uncle Steve's place when he had to work and gave a beautiful talk on the steps you need to take before returning to Heavenly Father. At the end she explained the Holy Ghost is called a comforter and can make you feel warm, safe and clean. She then gave Jensen a blanket she and Nadia made that would act as a physical comforter to remind him of the spiritual one he has. He has slept with this blanket every night since.

Carter gave the second talk and shared a beautiful testimony of trusting the Holy Ghost and how that has helped him feel happy at times when he thought he never would.

After the baptism we had a party at our house with all of Jensen's favorite foods (and a few I threw in to make it more of a brunch). Congratulations, Jensen!

Happy 8th birthday Jensen!

 Jensen celebrated his big birthday in style! He doesn't really like cake so I just made a simple one for his friends to eat!

 Playing the "tail wackin' game" oh, the jokes this game causes...

 Jensen with all his buddies... back row: Jensen, Conner Hughes, Rush, Brandon Lim, Tanner McGill, Tyler Perry. Front row:  Joey Gill, Tanner Simmons, Ian Reys, Spencer Bigalow.

 Jensen chose pizza for his birthday dinner, no surprise there!

Anja's new favorite is hot buttered noodles. Ah, to eat like a three year old and feel no guilt!