the exit interview

iso400 35mm f2.8 1/160

It was the last day of my mission in the Argentina Rosario Mission.  I sat across the desk from my mission president, Jorge Ventura.  He asked me a question in spanish- "do you know how to find a husband?"  I wasn't sure what he meant or how to respond.  He filled the silence with profound wisdom that I will always be grateful for-

"Hermana Miller, tiene que casarse con alguien que no tiene miedo de trabajar y no tiene miedo de sacrificarse."
Translated: "Sister Miller...marry someone who isn't afraid to work and isn't afraid to sacrifice."

If you know Danny at all, you know that I followed that advice very carefully.  I am so grateful that my girls have him to learn from.  They see him work long days and come home with a smile on his face.  They see him frequently offer to help neighbors and friends.  They see him care of rental property that we have worked hard to obtain.  They have been given the privilege to work there.  They like the money they can earn...but what is even more valuable is the lessons of work and sacrifice they are learning by being at his side.

I will always be grateful for my mission, but especially that wisdom I received on my last day in Argentina.

3 days left

There are only three days left of school-

Kate will do about anything to avoid writing her last English essay of the 8th grade.

eleven

It was her birthday and we were talking about how many years until she was an adult. (That traumatic conversation was NOT my idea!) When I said "7 years" out loud I almost had an anxiety attack!  7 years...that is NOTHING!  We have lived in this home for 10 years...and that moves seems like yesterday.  I am not sure if it was the panic in my eyes (I was trying to disguise the horror) she quickly reminded me...that she is moving in the basement when she is 18 and has elaborate plans for a remodel!  Phew!  Happy 11 year old birthday!

honey butter popcorn

When you come home with 11 missing assignments just 2 weeks into the term...at least you have honey butter popcorn to snack on while you sit at the counter for HOOOOUUUURS.

sick day...

After Kate left for school I found this checklist that she made for the morning-

get up

eat Cherrios/raspberries

Sophie's note 

(a note to let Sophie know which of her stuffed animals she could play with while she was gone to school)

shoes

make lunch

bow bun :)

coat

:)

(smiley faces were written in all though her's were much cuter)

There is nothing quite like a list to get your head in the game! 

Sophie was home sick with a determined cold-

She and I finished the last pages of the novel

BECAUSE OF MR TERUPT

She listened attentively while a read the last pages through tears and sobs (what a great book).

She loved it so much that she grabbed the second in the series to read while she lay in bed with a kleenex box and a trash can close by.

dog sitting

state report [check]

This 5th grader of mine is finally finding her stride.
She is confidant.
She is now completing her work in class.
She is happy to go to school each day.
She is even finding time to practice...really efficient practice!

Earlier this year we were in a bit of turmoil.
She was bringing home reports of 7-12 missing assignments a week.
That would be concerning if she wasn't working at home...BUT it was TROUBLING because she WAS working at home---a lot.  Like 2 to 3 1/2 hours a night.
It is one thing to work that hard if it is getting you somewhere---but when you are working THAT hard and feel like your sinking it is not a good scenario for a 10 year old.  Her desk, and school cubicle was a disaster...disorganization is an understatement!  There was no time to be a kid...and she was STRESSED OUT!

Through email, phone calls with patient teachers, a parent teacher conference and a helpful principal big changes have been made.  It was arranged that whatever Kate finished in class is what she turned in...no unfinished work would be sent home.  She would complete 30 minutes of homework a night + 30 minutes of reading, unless she had a special project (i.e.; State Report, book report, etc...).  Through those earlier communications with the faculty at school, her teachers especially, she realized that although she had previously read them as callous and indifferent, she now knows that they care about her and want her to succeed.

There is a fine line between being your child's advocate and being an enabler.  I was worried that had a completely pulled Kate out of the situation...she would have lost the opportunity to solve the problem, communicate and struggle through.  As we pulled up to the school today and she handed me her reading minutes to sign, I realized that this 10 year old is getting it all figured out.

Halloween 2014

and now she is ten...

 Everything is more fun with a friend by your side...

especially when your mom insists on taking birthday pictures every year.

We were a few weeks late of your actual birthday...or a few months.

But sunshine, the beautiful mountains, daisy chains and a dear friend made it worth the wait.