July 30- My Helper

It's so crazy how capable Elijah is. He put together my kitchen for Kindergarten. He made us a steak dinner. We're so lucky that he is so willing to serve.

 

June 28- Encampment

Encampment was 10 days. It's a time where we send Elijah off into the desert to burn, be stinky, be barked at by weird non-army/but army people, fly C-130's and start chain vomit reactions, cook 300 steaks alongside a large black man named Chef who is super chill, and get no sleep due to teenage boys who share a bunk where someone sprayed lysol in the swamp cooler so they had no cool air. When asked what he learned at encampment he said, "I learned hard work." Hence why we pay $350 for him to suffer/have the best time of his life. Barret went this year and cried every single day. But Barret also loved it and will go back next year. Because you better believe your little heart.... Eli made the chimichangas way smaller so it's manageable and there will be slightly less vomit.

 

Jun. 3- Eli's getting ready for encampment

Eli loves encampment! He's going to be a lunch lady this year and has vowed to make the chimichangas smaller.

 

May 12- Eli's Pinning

Eli loves CAP!!!!! He took the Wright's brothers test 25 times. I'm kinda amazed at that because he never gave up. I'm so glad he persevered!!! He's a one of a kind type of kid, motivated and ambitious!! It also was great to have Theo Angelo come and pin him as a high ranking general.

 

April 16- Freshman Year of Swim

Eli qualified for State and didn't swim. He's having knee problems and we're not quite sure what to do. It was a great season. He missed a race because he was in the bathroom. 

 

March 6- Eli's on the SSHS swim team

 

Dec. 13- Heavenly Father Knows Us

 Eli was volunteering for Civil Air Patrol and we know that when we are in the service of our fellow beings we are only in the service of our God. I had asked him how he felt and about service and he said pretty good. I was prepping a lesson for Relief Society and the people there gave him a ton of chips for coming. I know we don't serve for rewards, and that's not why Eli went. It's just nice to know Heavenly Father will always have a way to know you're loved individually. And for a 14 year old boy, chips are that way.

Nov. 29- Holiday Date and Shopping

Eli got an early Christmas gift.

 

Nov.22 - Rocket Club and The Temptations

Elijah has really taken to his leadership talent with starting the rocket club and the drone club. He is able to coordinate and send people where they need to be. 

Jody and I went to see the temptations. It was fun. They were so talented and the music was amazing. We also got to see the four tops.

 

Sept. 15- Eli turns 14!!

Eli at 14 is a true joy! He is a lot of energy and a big bundle of noise who likes to pester his sisters. He takes true pleasure in bothering them. He is Mr. Aviator Top Gun and knows so much about planes. He works hard and doesn't complain too much. He loves going to AACT high school, hanging out with friends, doing Civil Air Patrol, rocket and drone club and biking up the hill to Papa's house. He is a computer addict and would spend all day on his flight simulator if we let him. He makes mistakes but freely apologizes when he is ready and is a pretty cool dude. I'm certainly so very proud of him and who he is. Happy Birthday Buddy!!

 

Aug. 23- Things Break

Our pipe burst. We couldn't see to turn off the water. We were sprayed with a high power fountain of water and yet we kept working together. Jody figured out how to turn off the main by the sidewalk and the chaos was ended after 30 minutes of flooding. 

We do work together well. We do love our home. 

We just annoy each other a lot and Jody's choices are the worst. 

So who knows if we'll make it or not. God is a God of miracles so it's in His hands.

Eli is cool. He's doing a lot to secure his future in the air.

 

June 10- Elijah Gets a Brick

Eli got a cell phone in preparation for high school. We decided on just a simple phone. I phones are a mess and unnecessary time wasters. I don't want him bombarded with things that aren't Christlike. So far he's been having fun.