first week and our focus

We rode our bikes today. It's two miles to our school and the boys were hot. Especially Tay. 

We did it. We made it through the first week of school. Corbin loves feeling grown up and seeing his friends again. Taylor loves all the new school supplies. Levi thinks all day is pretty long. Rudger had a couple of naughty moments the first day and then has been right by my side the rest of the week, until his brothers come home. He misses them like crazy. For me, I think this has been one of my busiest weeks of my year (if you don't count May) I'm exhausted and ready for a weekend. 

Last Sunday we had our Back to School Feast. And we introduced our focus for the year.  

School is a totally different place than home. It's easy for kids to get caught up in what is "cool", even if it is not right. I am realizing that these boys are growing at a rapid rate and my days of being their biggest influence is quickly fading as we head into these coming years. I want them to STAND FOR SOMETHING. I hope they stand up for what is right, stand up for truth and goodness, stand up for others, stand up for good values. As we go through this coming year, each month we will be focusing on 10 virtues that President Hinckley talks about in his book. I am really excited about this! I have a feeling it will be a great year!

ctr

I remember when we were pregnant with Levi and trying to decide on names I really really wanted to name him Richard after my dad, but call him Ricky. Little Ricky. I loved it. Then I remember my niece Abby rooting for it because then the initials of our children would be C T R.  As much as I think he would have made an adorable Ricky...Levi is so perfect for him. 

Fast forward four years and the boys just pointed out to me that we do have C T R initials in our family. (really, it was not planned) 
I think Levi can stand for love, maybe? 

We are so grateful for good primary teachers that reiterate in their classrooms what we try to teach at home. And sometimes I think they listen better there then they do here. Levi loves the new sign language he has learned there.

My biggest hope is that you, each of you, 

will have that desire to make good choices throughout your life. 

To be the one to stand up for what you believe, 

do the right thing when so many around you are not, 

to fight for what is right.