The Marston Family: August Happenings

August is one of my very favorite times of year. It's still summer, we swim, beach, boat and enjoy lazy days... but we also get to enjoy the back to school routine and all of the fun and excitement that comes along with the new school year. And it's been quite an exciting one! Evelyn starting her sophomore year of college at UVU, Dane a junior at Poway High, Grant a big 8th grader at Twin Peaks Middle and my sweetest little Anna.... a 6th grade middle schooler. I just can't believe it. The first day of school was August 16th and the kids allowed for school pictures on the front porch- even Dane, though he didn't smile. Everyone looked about as cute as could be. Everyone was nervous. And that goes even for Evelyn, hundreds of miles away! Let's just say, our family is not the "easy going" type! ha! We had a lot of nerves and fears over here but thankfully Blake was able to give father's blessings the night before. We had a delicious breakfast out at Original Pancake House and discussed our back to school theme: By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. This theme was inspired by Dane's India trip in which he learned how to feel the spirit daily through small choices to invite God into his life. Prayer, meditation, outdoors, scripture study, and journaling. Love seeing the change in Dane and then figuring out how the rest of our fam might be able to implement that as well. It doesn't take monumental effort- just consistent effort- small choices in our daily lives. Hope the kids can remember this!

But let's back up just a bit. We traveled to WA at the beginning of August for our yearly family reunion- Steilacoom style. We typically do this in July, so this was later than normal, but so much fun. Dane and Blake met us half way through- because of India and work. Loved that Dane could share all about his trip with the extended family and get everyone excited for the possibility of an HXP trip in their futures. My mom and sibs made sure every day was packed with all sorts of wonderful family fun. We hiked, searched for shells at the beaches, played video games at Round Table- a family favorite. We went blueberry picking, and shopped at the farmers market. We participated in two to three Pickleball tournaments- playing for hours at a time at the church! It was so much fun. Grant is a great player- along with everyone in my family-- all of my siblings and Papa are all so good at Pickleball! It was a blast. We took the fairy to the swimming hole- of COURSE. We went kayaking and made blueberry pies. We spent the day at wild waves and visited Katie at her new job at Marshalls. We spent many evenings at Dave's and Mike's houses- meeting their new kittens, playing limbo and candy Olympics, eating chicken teryaki and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, learning line dances, playing spike ball and St Peter and the word game. My Dad, Jason and Mike took the boys to a Mariners game in Seattle, at Grant's request. It really was an incredible week and as always, I felt so blessed to have my amazing family. They are the best and we always live it up when we are together, that's for sure!

Ok, big news. Last Sunday Blake was called to be the Bishop of our ward. It was a very sweet Sunday. Blake spoke to the ward and just did an incredible job. He shared a quote from the LDS website about our purpose to be a community that welcomes others and leads them to Christ. He talked about his job to be part of that welcoming committee. We received countless texts and emails and dinners and pies and treats from our neighbors and ward members. Everyone was so kind and supportive. It was a special day. It was also the day I headed off with Evelyn to Utah! And it was also the day of Hurricane Hilary-- which ended up not being so terrible, but still probably not the best day to travel. Ev and I were a little scared on the road, but we made it safe and sound. We went around the UVU campus, we found Ev's classes, met her new roommates, and decorated her dorm room for Halloween! HA! This was what Ev wished for so you know I had to make it happen. Grandma came down and watched the kids. She was a lifesaver and told me that she felt Dane, Grant and Anna were incredibly responsible. Gosh, Anna's had to grow up pretty fast with her new school and dance schedule! Three days a week- three hours of dance on top of 8 middle school classes a day. It's been a lot on her little shoulders. But so grateful to Grandma for helping the household run smoothly and getting the kids off to their various activities.

On top of a new calling, Blake also inherited a new car! He is beyond thrilled to have Ed's thunderbird. It has made our whole family so happy because it reminds us of Ed- but especially Blake. It has just so much sentimental value on top of being a downright awesome car... seriously so fun. Blake has been busy taking all sorts of groups out on the boat- his office girls, the priests in our ward, and even our neighbor and good friends- the Jorgensen's daughter Sierra and all of her bridesmaids for a bachelorette party! Haha... it was 12 girls and then Blake and Sierra's uncle. So cute and fun.

Aside from starting back up to school, the kids have been busy socializing with friends, attending back to school events, skim boarding in the pool (Grant), kayaking with friends (also Grant), playing in tournaments (Dane), swapping pictures with buddies from India (Dane), selling e-bikes to pay for electric skateboards (Grant), learning to cook mac n cheese on her own (Anna), swim dates and birthday parties (Anna), spending as much time as humanly possible on the weekends with Kate (Anna), running back to school night as a new WEB leader (Grant), enjoying country music concerts (Ev), collecting big $$ doing photo shoots (Ev), taking care of all sorts of toddlers during sacrament meetings (Anna), taking very unbecoming school pictures (Dane), watching close buddies begin their private school adventure (Anna), zooming with Eli while he received his mission call to Kansas (Ev), and playing volleyball with friends (Grant). A lot of fun and a lot daily activities. I always want to remember Friday night football games with all the kids at our house afterwards, racing off to dance three days a week, endless soccer practices, and orange chicken after school meals. It's a busy but wonderful time of life.

And when the kids aren't home.... I'm either cleaning up after them, doing laundry, working at the schools, putting together something or other for Blake's office- this month big summer bags full of treats for all of their hard work over the summer! Helping out my dearest friend put together her daughter's wedding.... learning how to do flowers! Hosting birthday parties for friends and exercising here and there! It's always busy but always good. So grateful for everything in my life.