Father's Blessings

Kevin always gives the kiddos blessings before they start a new school year. I'm recording them here for our family to have.

Peter James: Blessed that as he starts this new school year he'll know how much his Heavenly Father and his earthly parents love him, and know of his importance in the Plan of Salvation and here on the earth. That he will realize how important you are to your family and to all those he interacts with, as he is a great example to all those with whom he comes in contact. To have courage to choose the right that as those around him may choose the ways of the world that he'll know to stand up for what is right and find strength as he does so, and comfort to know he is doing what's right, and as he continues to do so that Heavenly Father will continue to bless him with friends and success in school. That he will be able to understand how to work with his teacher and those in his class, that he can, again, be successful in his schoolwork and learn to love school and love learning more about our world and all that is in in. That he will have confidence to know his abilities and talents and to have confidence to share those with those around him. That he will have kindness so he can be kind to those who need a friend. In Jesus' name.

Lucy Kate:  Given a special father's blessing as she is starting a new chapter in her life, beginning school like her older brother and sister. Blessed to know of Heavenly Father's great love for her, and that he is mindful of her and all that she goes through, mindful of her feelings, and thoughts and actions, and he wants to help her to become more like her parents and her heavenly parents, that she can improve herself each day and develop her talents both in school and her physical talents and as she works hard and puts her trust in Heavenly Father that he will magnify her talents. Blessed with the ability to know how to interact with those around her, including her teacher and other students in her class that she may find favor with them and that she can enjoy school and love going to school. That she may be able to discern between right and wrong and discern which people to interact with to have good friends and those who will influence her for good and not bad and that she will be protected from those who would harm her or those would influence her to not choose the right. That she will be able to understand prayer and that she'll grow in her relationship with Heavenly Father and that prayer will become more important to her each day. With a quick mind that she'll be able to develop her talents of reading and writing and language as well as all of the other things that you learn in school that she may learn quickly and excel and do very well. In Jesus' name.

Jillian Rose: Blessed that she will know of Heavenly Father's love for her and that he is very mindful of her and of her potential and all that she does. Blessed to know how important she is to her family and how much she helps them. Blessed to feel of the Holy Spirit that will guide her throughout her life, that she'll have experiences to understand better the Holy Spirit that will continue to help her make good decisions now and in the years to come. Blessed with the confidence and assurance that her Heavenly Father is watching over her, and as there are big changes from moving from NC that she'll be able to have joy and be very happy here in GA and be excited about new opportunities and friendships that you'll have here. That she'll be able to quickly learn her new environment and learn how to navigate her school and how she can understand her teacher and those around her so she can be successful in her schoolwork and also in her friendships with others. That she will know and understand and have no doubt that she is a child of her Heavenly Father. And that as she remembers this that she will gain peace and know that any trials that come are but a moment and let those a part of your goal to return to your Heavenly Father. And blessed with a desire to search the scriptures and to further her knowledge of the scriptures and of her Heavenly Father and of the Savior.  

Molly Joy: Blessed that she will truly be blessed to find happiness and joy living in GA. That she'll be a strength and a comfort to her older siblings and to her younger sister and to her mom. That she'll find ways to make others happy and as she does so that she'll find joy and peace herself. That she'll be protected from harm and know what is right and wrong so she can stay safe and not be in a place where she can get hurt or that her little sister can get hurt. That she will look up to her older brother and sisters and want to become more like them and her parents. That she can be guided and directed on the path that will lead her back to Heavenly Father. Blessed that she will know of the great love that her parents and her Heavenly Parents have for her. That she won't be worried anymore about leaving or changing but that she can find joy here in GA.

Mom: Blessed to know how pleased Heavenly Father is with all that you do as a mother, friend, wife and as a member of his church. To know of the many strengths you have that you can go forth with assurance and faith that you are one of his chosen daughters. That as you find time to serve those around me that you will find that your talents and abilities will be multiplied beyond what you alone could do. Blessed to find friends and those that are like you and some that are not like you that will be a joy and a comfort to be around. That as you continue to search the scriptures and pray that heavenly father will raise up opportunities for you to serve and for you to truly love being here with your family and those in our community. With the strength and energy you need as you help nurture and take care of your family. Find ways to use your time wisely to have time for yourself and your own talents and hobbies. That you will be a strength to the members of your own family, your brother and sisters and find the words to say to help them and be a good influence to them.

Dear Mom and Dad

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thank you so much for what you do for me. You are encouraging, funny...and you help me understand my homework. You guys are there for me when I have a problem. You protect me from things I shouldn't see or hear. Thank you so, so much for providing the food, money and fun we have as a family! Thanks so much for trying to help us (Peter, Lucy and I) to get along. I know it may be hard to raise five kids, but I appreciate it. Thank you for trying to make us better people and get us prepared for the life's we will have. I couldn't be more appreciated to have you guys!


                                                                Love your one and only,
                                                                         Jilly Rose


Sweet Jillian wrote this to us at Christmastime!

We were asked to write a short clip about our Jill. Here's what I (mom) wrote: 

Having Jillian in our family has always been a treat! She has a talent for seeing what others need and helping them. She is also very aware of feelings and shows love to all around her we are sure grateful for her. We love you, Jillian !

Leonardo da Vinci

Peter did such an excellent job with the Creekside wax museum! He had a long speech that he memorized and his teacher had already cut it down from the three large notecards of information he had from his research. One thing she discreetly left out was how "court records reveal that when I was 24, (da Vinci) was charged with sodomy, a crime punishable by death." He has no idea what this means. 😂 Good thing his teacher caught it! Anyway, here is his speech:

Hi, I am Leonardo da Vinci. I was born on April 15th, 1452 in Vinci, Italy. I am famous for inventing parachutes, scissors, and amazing art, including the Mona Lisa, the Vitruvian Man and the Last Supper. At age 14 I was an apprentice to an artist named Verrocio. Verrocio taught me metalworking, leather arts and more. My earliest known painting is a pen and ink drawing of a landscape in Arno Valley. Many people still think I was a true scientist. Perhaps it is because I explored, analyzed and used my imagination to build inventions way beyond my time. Then in Amboise, France on May 2, 1519, I died.