STAKE CONFERENCE TALK!

A week ago the home phone rang and I answered it and it was President Jones asking for Emma - I knew in that moment he was asking her to speak in Stake Conference. I panicked because I was supposed to work, so I called right away and Shannon made sure to get me coverage so I could off in time and was so supportive of Emma and Me. That was awesome. Emma and I spent 2 days shopping for the perfect dress. Cute, stylish and modest. Couldn't find it. Then I ordered her tights to wear under her new dress from Christmas and then this morning I received a funny text from her so we went without tights. The Jensen grandparents came and Grandpa Rodgers came, but Grandma Rodgers had to go to RJ's stake conference and sit with Alyza while RJ was on security detail for Elder Soares. We sat right in the front row and I made sure to sit in front of Emma hoping I could smile at her and help calm her nerves and let her know she did a good job. Poor youth speakers had to speak in the middle of it and so I am sure their nerves were building and building. Emma got up there and was amazing! She spoke so calmly and slowly, got choked up a little during it and even made the audience giggle for a second. She is so brave. She did better than Jared or I could have ever done. Since this is our family blog - I can brag as much as I want on here. As soon as it ended, President Hansen gathered the 4 youth speakers and pulled them together in a tight circle and let them know how well they did and how much they brought the spirit in. Then they all got to shake Elder Piper's hand from the quorum of the 70. During his talk her referred back to Emma's talk by her name and made reference to it a couple of different times. Emma got compliments after compliments on how well she did. My phone blew up with text messages, a couple of ladies told me they want their sons to marry Emma, a couple of sisters said they were crying during it and its just what they needed to hear and then Brother and Sister Freestone stopped her and told her how great she did as well. A sister had to serve the luncheon to the Stake Presidency afterwards and Elder Piper and when they were talking about the youth speakers he commented how he was blown away by Emma and appreciated her example. She really did do an amazing job. Brother Freestone told me his favorite part was when Emma finished watching me exhale and being able to breathe again. I love this girl. She is so brave. She is so strong. She is so beautiful. I hope as she spreads her wings next year and fly's the coop she continues to be this person. She will be a light unto others.

                                                          

ANOTHER CHEER COMP!

Another Cheer Comp in the books! Emma woke up feeling sick and it is an important weekend - we needed her to do her part in the cheer routine and then she has to speak in Stake Conference tomorrow! Jared gave her a blessing and told her that because of her goodness she would be blessed and be able to do what she needed to do in cheer and in her talk and that she would feel better. We gave her some Zicam and off she went to get ready. I always get so nervous at cheer competitions - I don't want her to mess up and get in trouble from the coaches or the girls. She rocked it! The whole team did awesome! I am so proud of her and LOVE watching her light up that mat with her faces and her energy. We are going to miss this when it ends. Perry took 1st again - like pretty much all season! Way to kick off 2020! Now keep it up girls!

7th GRADE SAN TAN SOCCER TEAM!

Eli wanted to try out for the soccer team. Of course like the good parents we are, we supported it. I do love watching him play soccer - he gets so intense and a little physical! Plus soccer helps his speed for baseball. I was nervous he wouldn't make the team because he doesn't play club anymore and more than likely he is going up against club kids. Try-outs for soccer were really short. Just Wednesday through Friday in the morning from 7:45am - 8:45am. He was #18 and there were 43 kids trying out. He met with Kalie Germaine on New Years day to go over some soccer drills and refresh himself since he hasn't touched a ball in a year. So grateful for Kalie taking 2 hours out of her day to help him. Eli came home and was so stressed and defeated because that morning they split up into two teams and scrimmaged each other and he didn't really see the ball at all on defense. His team won 9-0. They said they would post the results by 5pm on Friday. I kept checking through out the day and nothing. Then I randomly checked at 4:30pm and it was posted - he made the team!!! I grabbed the twins and Jared and Emma and we ran in my room and got the silly string and then I went and distracted Eli while everyone else went out back to surprise him. I told him we had to show him something on the hammock how it is breaking and he came out back and then Jared told him some dumb line about some blue jay in the tree and while he was looking up Emma and the twins came from around the side of the house and sprayed him with silly string. He was annoyed for a second why everyone was running at him but they we were shouting he made the team and he was really excited!! Yay Eli!!

YOUTH CONFERENCE!

Tonight our ward did a youth conference before our ward splits on Sunday. They all met at the Bells and watched a movie, played glow in the dark capture the flag, had smores, nachos, did a polar plunge, did a musical testimony meeting and then the girls stayed at the Bells and the boys went to the Jolleys. Eli and his crew stayed up till 3am! Tyler looked like he was going to pass out at the Bells so we texted Scott Jolley to check on him and see if we needed to pick him up, but Scott said he was doing great and hanging out with his buddies! Emma didn't go, she went to Hoku's party, so Jared and I got to eat dinner at 10pm alone and watch a movie until she came home. So grateful for all the friends the boys have in this ward. Eli is so sad about being split from them and so are the twins - their fingers are crossed for good news on Sunday. This has been an awesome ward for the boys!

JARED'S 44TH BIRTHDAY!

Jared's 44th birthday will be one to be remembered for a lifetime. We were able to take all our kids for the first time ever to the Gilbert Temple and do baptisms. The twins were nervous about the unknown and going. Eli tried to help calm their nerves, but said so much it made it more overwhelming - ha ha! Tyson was very nervous that he wasn't going to be tall enough for the baptismal font. I assured him a couple of times he was tall enough. The spirit was strong there in the Temple watching my family be together and helping those on the other side. Afterwards, Emma headed off to cheer and we took the boys to Oreganos for dinner. Jared and I couldn't believe how much food was ordered and how much food they ate. They are growing boys! It was a great day spending time together. Happy Birthday Boo!

ORDINATION DAY!

Today was a crazy day, but some how it all came together. We were planning on ordaining the boys on Sunday the 19th, but we really wanted to take the whole family to the temple on Jared's birthday on Wednesday, but we couldn't get recommends until they were ordained. I took Eli to his baseball tournament today and Jared was home working because they had crazy Intel problems and he was on call and Emma took the twins to church. During the first game this morning Jared is texting me that the Bishop called and offered to make the ordinations happen today so we could make the temple happen on Wednesday. I didn't see how it was possible, because we wanted to make sure both sets of grandparents were there, RJ and Nate and Jenn. Plus - I have a lot of Grandma Joyce in me and I needed to have some sort of dessert bar for my guests. The family really came together today to make it happen. Jared worked from home and help get things done, the twins cleaned up and picked up and Emma made the brownies, did dishes, etc. Eli went on and played another game and won the championship and then we raced home, were greeted with a clean house, ate dinner and then everyone got dressed and ready. When everyone got here, Jared explained to everyone what we were doing and then RJ gave us a prayer and then Jared ordained Tyson first and then Tyler to become deacons and then Eli was ordained to a teacher. The spirit was very strong in our house and these sweet boys have the priesthood with them. I am so proud of them and their examples to those around them. I love these boys and am so grateful for the special night we were able to have tonight and celebrate these 3 for a hot minute!

MMB TOURNAMENT!

Another tournament in the books! And a win! Eli says this one is his new favorite ring. He may have laid all his rings out on the coffee table for a couple of days before I made him put them away! Ha Ha!