Spelling test notes

I have been a little sick the last few days and while giving Ethan his spelling test he gives me back these secret notes to get better. He is so sweet to me. Oh how I love my little boy! I am one blessed mommy!

White tie...only for special occasions

We went to Brielle Simons baby blessing today and Ethan said "where are we going mommy?" I said "a baby blessing." Then I get this answer from Ethan. "Well I guess I will be wearing my white tie, because frankly this is a special occasion and I only wear my white tie for special occasions." Such a funny boy. Everything is so thought out. Love him too much!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas

2012

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We can’t believe that 2012 is coming to a close. This year has been one of change, growth, and gratitude. The hardest change this year was the loss of our beloved father Richard Parkin. He was a man of strength, integrity, and faith to name a few. His passing had all the potential of being an overwhelming and desperate experience but instead was immensely unifying. We all witnessed an incredible outpouring of love and an increased capacity of hope. He was a man capable of making his last few moments of life into a fantastic and cherished gift. We miss him terribly, but are forever thankful for the many priceless memories that we share with our children who miss their “Papa” so very much. We love you, Dad!

Ethan (7 years old) is now in the 2^nd grade with Mrs. Phillips. He loves the computer and to play Cool Math for kids. His teacher tells us that Ethan has a very bright mind and thinks out of the box; of course we knew that already. She is encouraging him to discover new things and helps him push himself beyond his comfort zone. This year Ethan has discovered the love of the chapter book. He loves to read in his bed with a flashlight and he goes to a whole new world of joy and magic. He still loves his superheroes. Each day a new character finds his way into our home and the imagination goes wild. We think he knows every statistic on every superhero there is (thanks to his new Marvel superhero encyclopedia). Ethan has earned his right of passage from child to “young man.” He has achieved three fundamentals of boyhood: he conquered the two-wheeler, executed a perfect front flip on the trampoline, and met potential conflict from a school bully with confidence and smarts. He has all the makings of a great man and we’re incredibly proud of him. He is kind, never misses a chance to say I love you, and cuddles at a moments notice. We love our boy!

Sarah (4 years old) has started her first year of preschool. She loves Ms. Brenda! She loves writing her name, her ABC’s, and numbers. She can’t wait to go to school in the morning and loves singing time, playing with friends, and learning new things each day. This year she has discovered the world of my little pony. She loves Fluttershy and her beautiful pink hair (Sarah loves anything pink and purple). She is very involved with what she wears each day and is our own little fashionista. She really does have impeccable taste and loves to accessorize; everything from jewelry to nails. Sarah has a new love for cooking with mom. We put our aprons on each day and she becomes our little Julia Child. She chops, stirs, and does the final tasting to make sure everything is just right. Some of her favorite sayings these days include; “I’m so ‘busy’” (read dizzy) as she twirls, “that so impressed me that I had to go for seconds”, “you’re my very best friend”, “seriously”, and last of all “for reals?” Sarah had several firsts this year; praying in primary, swimming with her head under the water, learning to snap (after practicing everyday for weeks), painting her own nails, and coloring in the lines. She is an absolute joy and brings such a light wherever she goes. She is sensitive to others, kind, and her mommy’s best shopping companion and friend. We couldn’t love her more!

Amy continues to turn heads where ever she walks. There is not a construction sight on the planet that doesn’t immediately erupt in whistling and cat-calls when she is within eyeshot. She is an incredible mother who is so accustomed to sacrificing her time and energy on behalf of her family that she must be reminded to take pause for herself. We love her dearly and respect her as the pillar by which our family stands or falls. She was called to serve with the stake young women’s presidency and I think they are fortunate to have her. She is a tireless advocate for her children—case in point is her participation in “Fun Friday” at Ethan’s school and volunteering every Monday in the classroom. I have heard more than one testimony from the other children in his class that Amy’s Fun Fridays are the most coveted. “Please”, “thank-you”, loyalty, love, tradition, faith, service, friendship are now all tenants of the Parkin constitution born from the incredibly brilliant mind of our mother, wife and cheerleader.

Matt is now working at General Atomics. His new job is in the field of aeronautics and he couldn’t be happier. The way he lights up every time he talks about his new assignment is so gratifying for our whole family. The greatest thing about Matt’s new job is having him come home everyday for lunch and when he says he’s on his way home, we only have to wait two minutes before we can welcome him with all our hugs and kisses. Another big change for Matt was being released from his favorite calling of all time (working in YM’s) and now having the great opportunity to serve the Lord as the executive secretary in the Bishopric. This has been such a great new blessing in our life and Matt loves the men he is able to serve with and learn from. What would we do without our Daddy? He brings laughter to everyone he meets, he is kind, he is constantly thinking about others, and makes everyday better just because of the man he is. He is a wonderful husband, father, and patriarch we can trust and depend on. We love our Daddy!

Our family has enjoyed hiking at the Moki rocks in St. George, our many trips to Pineview, camping in Nephi, and planting and maintaining our first truly successful garden. We also made the purchase of a trampoline and have enjoyed many family nights playing circus, crack the egg, and dead man. We feel truly blessed for all that the Lord has given to us. We have a deep and abiding testimony of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we know that He loves us and it is because of Him that we have true happiness. May you find a way to invite Him into your lives this holiday season and always as you serve those around you and your Savior.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Matt, Amy, Ethan, and Sarah Parkin 

Thanksgiving, St. George, and oh so sick!

Happy Thanksgiving! Ethan and Sarah you are 7 and 4 years old and the complete joy of our lives. We went to spend Thanksgiving with Grandma Parkin for the week and arrived Wednesday night and Ethan started throwing up about two hours after we got there. You threw up all night long (the worst you have ever thrown up in your life). Then all Thanksgiving day you had a fever and just wanted to be held. So there we cuddled on the couch in the casita and watched Disney Jr. all day long. You felt like a million dollars by the next day and we thought we had passed the illness. So out we went to the outlets for a little Black Friday shopping. We found Sarah thee most darling Christmas dress in the world and daddy got a barbeque grill for vegetables. We went to lunch a Chili's and then went for a bike ride as a family. It was a nice day. The weather was beautiful and we came back to Grandma's house and played football in the backyard and cops and robbers. Daddy and Mommy were the bad guys and Gavin Caldwell had built a fort out of Grandma's lounge chairs and you hid in there as Daddy and I tried to capture you. After the rest of the cousins (Scott Parkin's family, Cheryl Caldwell's family, and Clarin Beesley's family) got back from wherever they all went as a family we started talking and playing card games. Ethan and Gavin played in the backyard with the fort and their swords, they had a blast! They later came inside and colored in Ethan's Captain America big coloring book. The rest of us sat on the couch and talked about everything and anything for hours. Meanwhile our little Sarah started to feel not so good and about 6:00 p.m. she threw up for her first time. Sarah threw up three times and then she just wanted to be held as well. By Saturday morning she was feeling okay but not great and then Daddy walked in and said he wasn't feeling good and took his turn over the toilet bowl. Wow is all I have to say! We never get sick and to have three members out of four be sick in three days was unbelievable. After Daddy started throwing up we figured we stayed around as long as we could and it was time to go home. Ethan was so disappointed. He thought it was all his fault and he already hates to leave Grandma as it is and he didn't get to go on his big adventure hike like we usually do and was so disappointed. It was a hard decision to leave but there were too many people in the house and we felt so bad about possibly getting anyone else sick. So off we went back to good old Layton. Sarah threw up in car (luckily right in the trash bag we placed hanging from the seat in front of her). We got home and have all taken it easy for today. So Thanksgiving didn't turn out like we hoped but we definitely got cuddle time which mommy always loves and we were together and for that I am truly grateful.

So on Friday when everyone seemed to be doing okay, right before we left to go shopping I took these pictures of the kids in Grandma's front yard. They turned out surprisingly well.  

Sarah age 4. I wish you could see the boot better...they are so darling. She was so excited to bring her purse and felt like such a big girl that day.

The shy pose. 

This is easily one of my favorite all time pictures of Sarah. I think she looks so beautiful! We curled her hair and she was feeling cute so she wanted to keep taking pictures. 

Love this face! 

 I wish I had blue eyes like this. She is stunning!

 This was the only picture I could get with both kids smiling. They are truly each other's best friend. 

 Ethan age 7. Sweet Ethan we took so many pictures and I had to beg you to look at me because you were so busy watching everyone else. You look so big to me in this picture. Such a cute face!

 This is a perfect shot of you. You were much more interested in posing then just sitting and smiling. Love the face in this one.

 You wanted to show me your muscles....wow! You are tough!

 The serious pose!

 The superhero pose.

 Thee I conquered St. George pose.

Thee I am the cutest boy pose! I love you sweetheart!

Happy Thanksgiving 2012 !!

I can SNAP!

Look mommy I can snap! Sarah you have worked on snapping for days. All day all night...so determined to master the snap. You have done it! At four years old and with some rigorous training you have accomplished your goal to snap. You will call us into your room at ten o'clock at night just to let us hear how well you are getting that beautiful soft snap down. Now I must say I don't know many four year old's who can do this. In fact you ask everyone if they can and just Friday an eleven year old and seven year old were amazed and said they couldn't even snap. I think you are amazing! I am so impressed at your determination and your will to conqueror something that you set your mind to. You have been independent since the say you were born and you have always wanted to do anything and everything you see others doing and I admire it so much. I love you my sweetest girl. Oh how I wish you never had to go to school because you are the greatest friend in the world. Congratulations on your beautiful snap...you deserve it!

Let the soccer begin!

Ethan today was the first soccer game of the season. It was a great game. We won nine to three. What a great way to start the season. Daddy is your coach again this year and you have six players on your team. The players are, Parker Gardner, Jake McCormack, Jaxon Greaves, Nathan, Gavin, and yourself. It looks like you are going to be a great team. Ethan you love to play soccer but you do need a little encouragement to be aggressive, so Daddy and I have tried a little reward system and we offered you ten cents for every time you kick the ball and a dollar for every goal. You counter offered for a smiley (which is part of our rewards system at home, where you earn rewards for sixty smileys) for every time you kicked the goal and five smiley's for every goal you make. We agreed. Today you kicked the ball nine times!  That is fantastic for you! Parker was determined to see you do great today and told you he would help you out during the game. So the two of you would run down the field while Parker would be yelling come on Ethan you can do it. At one point Parker was going for the goal and had a clear shot and stopped and yelled for you and to come and take the shot. You came running and didn't score, but Parker cared more about you than he did about making a goal for himself. Your friendship with Parker is forever strengthened by moments like these. Such a great day and a priceless memory. So proud of you bud and the way you played today. It will be a great year of soccer!

Men of Song and The Silver Star

So kids tonight I write to you and anyone else who may ever read this blog. If you haven't gone to the Layton 4th of July program the Sunday before the 4th, you haven't ever truly experienced the 4th of July. Layton does such an amazing job honoring those who have served in the armed forces and reminding us why we celebrate this holiday each year. They have patriotic music and they honor Layton citizens who are hometown heroes. About three years ago my Grandpa Lorin was honored. Tonight was wonderful. Grandpa sang beautifully and the best part of the whole night is when my Grandpa's singing group (The Men of Song) sing all the armed forces theme songs. There is not a dry eye in the audience. During each song those who served in each organization are invited to stand during their song. It is so moving. How grateful I am for those who have served in the armed forces. They have done so much for our freedom. Tonight I am especially thankful for my Dad who served in Vietnam, my grandfather Lorin who served in World War II, my grandma Alba who served in World War II, my father in-law who served in the army and my brother in-law who served in that National Guard. These men and women sacrificed their lives, their dreams, everything that was comfortable so that they could preserve our freedom and priviledges of being an American. Lastly I would like to thank my amazing brother Brian who served in the army and who was decorated with the silver star. He is a true hero in every sense of the word. He saved eleven other soliders during enemy fire in Korea. He risked his own life for those whom he didn't know, but that made no difference. He would not be happy about me writing about this, but one day Ethan and Sarah you will read this and know that you know and love a true hero. 

So today honor a solider. Whether or not you know this person or not tell them thank you. Offer your gratitude, respect, and thanks. Happy 4th!

 Nice little band singing some folk music.

 Emily Bull dancing to the music.

 Misty, Kyle Anderson, Cathy Bull, Doug Bull and Thomas Bull enjoying the music.

 Ryan Bull, Thomas Bull, Bryson Bull, Megan Beck, and Britton Gardner loving Grandpa's performance.

 Grandpa singing with the Men of Song.

 Grandpa and Paul singing.

 Karli enjoying the night. I love this girl!!

The Men of Song doing what they do best singing the armed forces music.

Wonderful night, wonderful memories. I love you guys!