New Chapter

I hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew, but I'm starting a new chapter of activities now that I'm not teaching preschool anymore.

Community Service: I volunteered to head up a neighborhood bingo event on a regular basis. It's looking like it will be every other month. I also joined an improvement committee where we are researching adding a splash pad to our neighborhood; the issue is that the committee is only 3 members so it puts more work on each of us.

Church Service: I'm going to start a temple shift once a week.

School Service: In addition to my elementary library volunteering once a week, I was just elected as the treasurer for the high school tennis booster club. It feels extra busy at the start of the school year, especially as I'm trying to learn my responsibilities.

Fun: I joined another tennis league, so I'll be playing twice a week now.

Work: I added a few new piano students bringing my total to 13 + Austin/Bryson. I also will be tutoring 2 homeschool students in math twice a week.

My calling remains very busy still, but it's mostly Sunday busy (training new Primary Music Leaders and visiting my assigned wards monthly). Right now we are preparing for Stake Day Camp, so I'm putting in lots of extra hours with that on the horizon.

I'm looking forward to attending Institute again. I missed the last semester because they moved it to a preschool day.

I might have filled the preschool void with too many new things! Being busy is a good thing right? Let's see how it goes...

Leadership Academy

Our school district does a Leadership Academy for Junior High students. This was the first year I had ever heard of it! Fifty students from Carter's school were nominated, but only 8 from each Junior High in the district were selected to participate. It was 4 days long from 8am to 4pm, no cost, and they got to do a few field trips each day. Some of the field trips included touring the hospital, a courthouse, a dam, an administration building, a high school, a community college, and on the last day they got to play at a party venue with bowling, laser tag, and arcade games. There were some activities he enjoyed more than others, but overall it was a great experience for him!

Refugees

A woman in our area took it upon herself to get involved with the refugee needs in our city. She has a network of sisters in our stake that she reaches out to for donations and deliveries. We had the opportunity to help with an Ukrainian family who spoke little English. Through Google translate, we learned that he fought in the Ukraine/Russia war, got injured and was released. He knew he wanted to get his family out immediately and fled to America. They picked the south because his wife loves horses. They were so humbled and grateful for all the furniture and household supplies we delivered. All the items were donated from people that live in our area. Kari's and my car were packed to the brim!

Nauvoo

Caleb had the opportunity to travel to Nauvoo with the youth in the Stake. He had a wonderful experience and lucked out to have his aunt and uncle as his Ma and Pa! He said his favorite part was the Nauvoo temple and Carthage Jail.

July 4th

 We went jet-skiing for the 4th of July and also participated in our neighborhood parade.

Tennessee Part 2

Kara was very kind to take some family pictures.

My parents were very generous in gifting us lunch at a day show. We saw Hatfield and McCoy.

The activity I was looking forward to the most is Dollywood! We had so much fun there 6 years ago. The rain held off until the evening, so although we got sprinkled on some, we were still able to do everything we wanted.

Riding the mine train.

 Fire Chaser Express

Barnstormer

River Rampage

Rockin' Roadway

 

The downpour at around 6:30pm signaled it was time to head home!

On Friday we went to Splash Country, and the weather turned out beautiful. The water was definitely on the chilly side, but it wasn't enough to keep the kids from having fun!

There was some good gaming, but I was hoping for more. Everyone went hiking Wednesday morning, but we opted to sleep in and enjoy a lazy morning instead. We did an alpine coaster together instead. We didn't regret our decision when everyone came home soaked. Hiking in wet clothes/shoes and mud is not my idea of a good time!

Tennessee Part 1

Family Reunion in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The weather temperature was wonderful, but it was a rainy week, which put a damper on wanting to be outside more.

We started the week by visiting an upside down museum that had a lot of fun science activities, laser tag, and rock climbing.

Tuesday we did some hiking in the morning.

Some family pictures taken on the back patio due to the rain.

Playing ladder golf

Matt and Caleb played a lot of cornhole.