Great Summer!

Well, its been a great summer.

We have had visits from family and friends. Several large BBQs.

gotten to watch some amazing storms. One of which my family got to watch on tv, as I was sitting in the back hallway at Walmart( where we go when the sirens go off) this storm also stopped our guests from going to DeSmet, maybe they will come and try to go again. it also blew down the tents the kids slept in the night before and planned on sleeping in that night so all the bags and pillows, ( and library books) got a soaking.

We had swimming lessons. Mikey and Danny feel comfortable in the water and are even willing to leave the childs area. Danny loves to back up 10 feet, run and jump in. he has learned to do a "Y" jump where he stands on the edge of the pool and puts his arms up to make a Y then jumps. I am not sure if this is something they learned in swimming lessons or if he came up with it by himself. He also does this with several other letters. T, K, M,...

On the fourth of July we had a large bbq with Mike and Niki and their family. We also had several friends from Toms work who came, and one of the families that we home teach, visit teach came. we got to go to the parade here in town that day, it was great for the all the kids. they all got a grocery bag of candy. and frisbees.

Tom and I had our 17th anniversary.

Jim got his Drivers License, Echo got her Drivers Permit.

Jim and Echo went to the Winter Quarters temple in Nebraska for on a youth temple trip. (Tom went on this trip too as he is the Young Mens President).

Now we are about to start school, on Wednesday. Mikey will be in Kindergarten, Janet will be in third grade, Katie will be in fifth, Carie in seventh, Echo in ninth, Jim in eleventh.

Jim and Echo have started seminary already. they are learning via webcam which is very exciting for me. I think seminary is much easier when it is more than one student and one teacher. there are three students in the class. the mother of the other student is the teacher

I start school on the 31. The plan is for me to graduate in May 2010. I am looking forward to it.

Tom takes his licensure test on Sept. 3.

Its been a great summer and we are looking forward to a great school year.

17 on the 17th

17 years ago, my best friend picked me up to go on a drive with him, his brother and his brothers wife.

A few hours later, he was not simply my best friend, he was my husband. I used to call him Drew, now I call him Thomas, just as his name has evolved into something different, my love for him has grown into something bigger.

I love being married to him, and I thank him for seventeen wonderful years. And the opportunity to be the mother to his children.

Thomas, I Love You! and I am looking forward to many more years together. I am proud of how you have grown into the person you are today.

Lillian

Jims picture

just thought I would share this picture with you. The lady at the registration table was very touched that Jim would plan to give blood on his birthday. and asked if she could take his picture.

Priest

Jim was ordained a priest yesterday in church.

Wow he is not so much my little boy anymore.

Jims birthday

Well, we got up friday morning and after breakfast, Jim, Echo, and I went to town.

First stop, the drivers license bureau. Jim was able to get his unrestricted license. now that he is 16, he can drive after 10 pm without an adult. Echo was able to get her driving permit, she can drive with a parent in the car.

then a quick stop at the bank.

then since in South Dakota a 16 year old can give blood, Jim wanted to give blood on his birthday. I heard about a blood drive - that just happend to be happening on Jims birthday - where for every pint of blood was donated one of the local grocery stores was qoing to donate a pound of food and coca-cola was going to donate a sixpack of soda to the local food bank- so for Jims birthday we went to give blood all the ladies at the registration table thought it was so awesome for someone to do that for his birthday. My iron was to low, and Echo sat with us, and waited.

then the kids took Toms car out to plankinton to pick up tom and jp. (they drove the company car to work) and I went to work.

It was a good day, and I think Jim had a birthday to remember.

He started his first job today, he will be working as a janitors assistant at our school this summer. He enjoyed it, and thought it was neat that the Janitor told him he was a good worker.

What a good son I have, I am proud of the Young Man he is becoming.

JIM

Happy Birthday Jim!!!

We love you!!!

This is our summer

This has been a quiet summer so far. But I think that is about over.

Tom did not pass his EPPP. He is going to take a few days to adjust. and then get back to studying.

Last weekend Jim and Echo went to Youth Confernce. the theme was "The power of one" they both enjoyed it.

Next weekend there is a girls camp certification overniter. Carie, Echo and I get to go to this. we are going to do the certification now, so that they will be on track next year as this year there will not be a traditional girls camp. instead they are having a "Dakota Encampment" with all the lds girls aged 12-18 who live in the dakotas. they will have a week at one of the universities. A member of the YW general presidency and a few other special guests, and other activites similar with a youth conference. I am very excited for them.

On friday of this week is Jims Birthday, He wants to give blood, (which in SD can happen if the parent is present.) we will also be taking Echo with us so that they can both get new drivers licenses. Jim will get an unrestricted license. and Echo will get her restricted one.

We have a swimming pass again but it is to cold so far for the pool to open everyday. My kids are looking forward to being able to go everyday again, and the younger ones are looking forward to swimming lessons.

We are looking forward to Mike and Niki and their family coming to visit over the fourth of July.

Katie and Carie are both in softball this summer.

I am working part time at walmart.