It Just Takes One... Thank you cute girl at Space Camp

You always hear "it just takes one person, or you never know what just a smile will do" etc.

In the last week Lauren has been the giver and recipient of this.

To Lolo -- I am so proud of you for reaching out and caring -- phone calls or visits may not have seemed like a big deal to you, but to the recipient, you were making all of the difference in the world.

.. and can I just say to the sweet girl at Space Camp who will never know how much that smile and "hey weren't you here last year -- come on!" (and just so happens to be in the same group as Lauren) -- thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You just made all of the difference in the world to the next 4 days for Lauren and were the answer to my really quick silent prayers!!

Book of Mormon in 100 Days

Our YW were challenged to read the Book of Mormon in 100 days -- before girls camp this summer.

I am happy to report that all 3 Hess Women have completed this! I've read the Book of Mormon lots of time, but never in a short time like that. Amazing how it feels so much more of a continuous story and how much the stories and verses would come to my mind during the day.

Kenzi doesn't start YW until August but was at New Beginnings and begged to do it. Sweet Jenny brought her over one of the booklets and I have to say she was the 1st to complete, the most diligent about it and the most excited. I am so proud of her -- reading the entire Book of Mormon by herself at 11.

Lauren did great too and was done a few days before camp. Great idea Barton Creek!

Potty Time

Cracks me up. This week Kenzi did a paid studio recording (most are volunteer and they do it for fun/service and maybe get a little gift card -- she wasn't super happy I made her stop at the bank on the way home and deposit a little more than 1/2 in her savings account.)

The Theme.... Potty Training. "Flush, flush, flush, flush the toilet. Watch, watch, watch, watch it go. Mom or Dad can help you." Not sure of the real words, but that was 1 of the 5 songs.

It was the back track for Signing Time DVD for potty training. Definitely the funniest recording she has every done. I told the girls they could hire themselves out now to neighbors to do their potty training and they will never forget the songs and can use them when they are moms!

Cooking with Kenz

Kenzi and I are doing weekly "Cooking with Kenz" classes.

• Week 1: German Pancakes --with buttermilk syrup of course.


• Week 2: Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls... mmmm sooooo good.


• Week 3: New York Style Cheesecake topped with Blackberry Freezer Jam (yes we made both and Kenzi was surprised how easy the cheesecake was -- we just need a trick for not having it split.


• Week 4: Rocky Road Ice Cream

The rest of the summer agenda she has designed includes home-made marshmallows, soft pretzels, jello jigglers, cinnamon wheat bread, whole wheat granola pancakes and a few others TBD.

We should have been taking pictures everything has not only been delicious, but beautiful!!!

He's Come a Long Way Baby...

• At my cousins church on Father's Day. The Primary gets up to sing Father's Day songs. I look over and Cam and ask him if he wants to sing. Really just kidding... no way he would ever go up with kids he doesn't know, in a church he's never been in. He looks at Kenzi and says please come up with me. She laughs. No way. Cam's eyes tear up. Wants to go, but not by himself. I tell him it is no big deal.



• He takes a deep breath, stands up and walks to the front. Most of the kids are already up there by now. He proudly stands there and sings. The first song he has never even heard of. My family all just laughing. My nieces think I made him go up and say I'm mean. Everyone in awe because up until last year he wouldn't even look at my aunts in the eye.



• He sings the songs, smile on his face and comes and sits down. No one else can appreciate this, but all of the Bevans, who know how painfully shy Cam use to be are in awe. At least 10 family members comment to him after at dinner how great it was.



• He was sad that morning that he wasn't going to our church. He really wanted to sing to his dad for Father's Day. I think that obedient/do-what-is-right part of him had a lot to do with it.



• I thought bearing his testimony in church was monumental. In a chapel full of strangers I couldn't believe it. Thank heavens for nursery, preschool, Kindgerten, primary, wonderful sisters and great friends that have helped Camo.

School is out for the summer...

School is out... summer is in. A few thoughts about the end of the year.

• I don't remember having so many end of year parties when I was growing up. On the last day of school Lauren and 40 other kids went to an end of year party, and Cameron hosted one at our house with Kenzi and a few of her friends. The following week I think between the 3 of them there were 5 more parties. Oh to be a kid again!


• I have this obsessive desire/need/obligation/something to go to every field trip and help with every field day. I did Cameron's field day in the morning, Kenzi's field day in the afternoon and I think every field trip Cam and Kenzi did this year. I think part of it might be the fact that my mom taught school so she never helped in my class or went on fields trips -- 2nd I must admit I really love being a part of their school lives.


• I couldn't have mapped out a better 7th grade year for Lauren. She had great friends... they are all pretty academic oriented, but very fun loving-outgoing-sporty kids. She had just enough "feelings hurt, not get invited to a couple of parties" etc. to keep her humble and to know what it feels like to be left out, but just has a great group of boys and girls both she hangs out with. Academically it was perfect. She had a few bumps the 1st term, got an unfair grade because of some 7th grade girl stuff in peer grading, and struggled on a couple of test. The last two semesters she got 4.0 and just did great. She worked hard and deserved the grades she got. I just pray that the next two have a similar positive 7th grade experience.


• I love summer. I love the kids being home. I love the slower pace... especially not having an every day crazy morning routine. I love playing games on the front porch and back patio with the kids. I actually kind of love Lagoon (now that we just go in 3 hour blocks). I love late nights and sleepy morning. I kind of love my early morning tennis class. And I love watching the kids love summer... they are outside right now playing night games and it brings back so many great memories!

Zumba!

Zumba... have you ever done it?

It makes me laugh and it make me sweat, and nothing makes me feel more like a 6ft, middle-aged, caucasian woman than going to a Zumba class.

A Broken Record

As part of the Millcreek Track tradition, Lauren got to "break a record" at the end of the year track party for "Breaking the 7th Grade Mile Record" at the school. Her goal is to make sure she adds to her collection of "broken records" during the next two years.

Her 4/400 team also got a medal for placing at District. Good job Lolo... can't wait til next year!

A Burnt Hamburger... or 3 minutes is too long for a cookie!!

Cam learned a good lesson last night. One piece of cookie dough, on a plastic plate, should not be cooked for 3 minutes in the microwave.

How did he learn this? Let's hope a smoke-filled house, almost 24 hours later a lingering burnt smell and this lovely picture will always be a good reminder!