Nolan's Eagle Weekend

Nolan had his Senior Night on the School Football Field and was recognized for some of his achievements in high-school (Cross Country and Band and Choir), his Grandma Gordon and four of his favorite scouting cousins flew into town for a weekend sleepover, and ALL of our Pratt friends and Scout family came to his Eagle Scout Ceremony - ALL IN ONE WEEKEND. It was almost too much milestone (and too much emotion) for my heart to bear. You know, when they tell you, "enjoy that Senior Year because soon he'll be gone," they give you a false impression that there will be more time to enjoy. But there's not enough! The time is already gone! The awards and the ceremonies and the endings and the goodbyes all began on day one. So far, his Senior Year has been nothing but a big goodbye! It is heart-wrenching, and also wonderful. Look at him! He has come so far, he's done so much. He's so amazing. Watching him get his Eagle was surreal. That goal seemed like an impossible one. So many parts of it were SO hard. But he did it! And his sweet and darling cousins flew all this way, put their uniforms on and participated in the event. Sweet little Stephen even went up to the mic and swore Nolan in with the Eagle Oath (he being an Eagle himself). It could not have been more special.

 

Fall Production at PHS

 Well, our extremely vibrant and talented children (and all their amazing friends) have lit up the stage once more with dramatic song and dance in a Musical Review called Songs for a New World! Nolan and Colby completely killed their solos and hanna was a darling. All their truest fans came to cheer them on, including the Barnes, the McElyeas, the Bowmans, and Grandma W. These babies are bright and shiny stars! Their courage and confidence astound me!

Reed's 9th Birthday

 Reed's birthday was on a Sunday this year, so we started him out partying on Friday night with all his friends. I think the highlight for him was that they were able to stay until after dark and exhaust themselves with spooky yard games. Oh, the running and the screaming...so joyful! Then Sunday, presents and cake and doting on him every moment, of course. He got a new bike and is finally getting really good at riding it - starts and stops all by himself. We love him so much!

I have to share an experience I had involving Reed recently. As the Primary President, and because of Covid, I was working on a digital primary program (a video), and thought I had it all done. I had been collecting songs and comments and lots of cute clips of the kids, and had arranged them all in a sweet, spiritual video, then saved and uploaded it (ready to play in Sacrament Meeting) and considered it done. A couple days later, I came home to the quiet house after dropping the kids off for school and was suddenly overcome by a strong impression. The Spirit told me I needed to include Reed's testimony in the video. I felt it so strong that I started to pace around and feel a little anxious (like urgency), like I wanted to get back in my car and go pull him out of school and do it right then. But instead I knelt down and prayed and promised Heavenly Father I would obey, and told Him I was sorry for not consulting Him sooner; for not asking Him what He wanted to have in the video. And as I prayed another strong feeling came over me - I knew and understood that Reed was a very special and important person, and that I am very lucky to be his mother. And I cried and cried and knew it was true.

After school that day, the first thing I did was find Reed and tell him how special he is and how thankful I am to be his mom, and when I got him home I recorded his testimony - and I'm so glad I did! He told about an experience he had while reading the scriptures and an answer he received when he prayed to know if they are true. It was very pure and powerful! Now that I have added his testimony to the video and re-saved it and uploaded it again, I have felt peace about it ever since.

In addition to being very grateful for Reed, I am also very thankful for the intense personal revelation that is coming to me in these increasingly intense times.