Good Things and Sad Things

Hello everyone, just thought I would drop a few lines so you know I am still living:) Sometimes it is hard to find a minute to keep up on the latest. All is going well with us here at the Mathews household. Remington started 8th grade last week and seems to be really enjoying it. He decided to take guitar as one of his electives and he has spent a lot of time plucking the strings on grandpa's old guitar. We had it re-stringed and tuned up on Saturday and it works just great!! I will post some cute new pictures of London..she is sure getting big. Rob is very busy at work and just took a huge step by hiring another trackhoe operator..he is one of the best. I just pray we stay busy so we can support our family and all those who work so hard for us. We have wonderful, devoted employees who work for Hardline..we appreciate all of their hard work:) The Canyons job in Park City has been pushed back a couple of weeks, and so Rob is getting nervous. It is a 3 month project and he really wants to start putting time in up there before the snow starts to fly..lets hope they give us the go ahead real soon..Love you all. Hope you are all healthy and happy:) Hugs and Kisses

My heart is saddened today for the Kelson family. For those of you who remember Desert Point Builders owner Wade Kelson, his son was murdered in Lake Havasu on Saturday evening while he was vacationing with his girlfriend. He was 20 years old. What a sad time for their family. It is a rather long story but call me if you want the details...He was murdered along with his girlfriend and 3 other people who were with them at the vacation home. My prayers and thoughts are with their family at this time:(

This is the message Savannah had on her whiteboard when I put her to bed last night..so sweet:)

Hello everyone..just thought I would drop a few lines today. I have been busy this week and haven't had a moment to spare. It has been a busy week, but a good one. Finally got our taxes done...yuck. They have been a loose end for such a long time. Remington got his schedule for the 8th grade, and is getting excited to head back to school. Gage and Savannah are doing really well in school, and Gage has really enjoye his new class:) We are all so happy for him, and hope he continues to enjoy it. He has had quite a lot of homework, but he seems to not complain. Savannah of course is as smart as ever and is doing just fabulous. She is an excellent student, and she is so lucky that it is so easy for her:) Baby London is just a cutie pie, and has become quite a momma's girl. She is really happier when I am around. Maybe I have spoiled her too much...is that even possible? I don't think so. She is just such a blessing to have in our life, we all love her so much. She is always full of smiles for daddy and the kids. I have been so impressed with the way they have all handled the changes she has brought to our lives. I hope you are all doing well and this post finds you happy. Love ya!!

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light

Mom and I took Rhett, Remington, London and Bailey(family friend) miniature golfing today. It was nice and cool outside, we even got rained on a little. We had an enjoyable time..it is just nice to get outside on occasion:) London seemed to enjoy the nice cool weather also.

This is Savannah on the knee board. This was her first time up on her knees. She is so much braver than I was at her age:)

This beautiful building is the Tabernacle in Paris, Idaho. It was the first stake that was organized outside of Utah. We took a tour inside, and it was beautiful. This building was dedicated in 1888 by Wilford Woodruff. Funny story...Savannah and Gage went up to the balcony to look down and I was on the ground level. Savannah says to me "something is moving down there on the ground." I thought maybe she was crazy or maybe it was a mouse. I turned around and there was a little squirrel inside the Tabernacle with us. Funny huh? He wanted to see inside also, he was headed for the High Council seats..maybe he wanted to be a speaker..ha ha..no I guess that is not right..he must have needed a nap:)

I am thrilled to share with all of you that London giggled out loud for the first time today. I have been waiting for her to start giggling. Everytime I tickled her before she just grunted. It was really cute! Aubrey and Grandma were here to visit today and were able to see it..they were excited too. Yay London!! What a big girl.

We had a wonderful weekend in beautiful Bear Lake. Here are some pictures of the kids having fun in the water and on the beach. The water there is so beautiful, as clear as the Caribbean. We stayed in a nice apartment in Bloomington, Idaho. What a great little town. I could totally live there. The kids kept saying.."Let's just stay and live here." It was just so simple and relaxing. I would love to live that close to Bear Lake:) The Mountain Board that Gage is carrying in one picture is what Remington got with his birthday money. Gage was able to sneak a few rides in before Remi met up with us after scout camp. I am wondering if I will be buying another board for Gage in the near future..he loved it!!

Well I am all packed and ready to hit the road. I just have to wait for the kids to get out of school at 4:00. We are headed up North to Bear Lake for the weekend. We found a nice little place to stay and are excited to put the boat on the lake. We have heard it may rain on us a little, but are still excited about the getaway. I am excited to see Remington, he has been gone since Monday:) I think he is homesick also, he has called home everyday. He hurt his shoulder on Monday, and cut his finger on Tuesday. He has been a little accident prone on this scout camp, but the leaders say it is nothing serious, just some good first aid practice for the other boys. I guess everyone has to have their turn being the guinea pig for first aid training. Rob called at 12:30 and he had just arrived at the scout camp to spend the afternoon with the boys in our ward. I am sure they will have a good time on the lake. I just hope the weather holds up for them. I will make sure and take some good photos and post them next week. Love you all!!

Our beautiful Baby London went in for her 4 month check-up today. She weighed in at 16 pounds and 4 ouces. She is a very healthy girl. She had to have two shots today, and she was very brave. Mommy had made her a bottle before they gave her the shots and she calmed right down and ate. I always hate to see my babies hurting, but I know it is for the best. I am so glad we are done for a couple of months.

Today my emotions run high as I send Gage and Savannah off to their first day of school. Not only is it the first day back, but it is the first time they will be in the same school together. Gage has decided to go back to Bluffdale Elementary after being at the Montessori for 3 years. It is a big step for him, but he is eager and ready. It has been a long hard road making this decision as parents. We applied for a special needs scholarship for Gage through the Jordan School District, and were pleased when they offered to pay for 1/2 of his private school tution. We then left the decision up to Gage, and he was sure he wanted to move on and try something new. I want you to know that the tests that the Jordan School District did for the scholarship were extensive, and Gage did beautifully. He only qualified for the scholarship in one area:) I wasn't surprised to find that Gage's IQ results were way above average for boys his age. We all know how intelligent he is, but I was so grateful for the proof that he really is an amazing person. When the term special needs is used for Gage, it is only because is one special young man. Gage's daddy woke up this morning and felt very inspired to give Gage a father's blessing before school, it was such a wonderful blessing for him. I know it will be so helpful to have our Heavenly Father look after him as he takes a new big step in his life. After much prayer and fasting we are very confident in the decisions we are making for Gage. I have to add a cute story about Savannah. She was so excited for school that she woke in the middle of the night and got dressed for school. She realized it was to early and hopped into bed with Gage. I woke up at 5:30 to get Remi ready for Scout camp and she was fully dressed in bed...silly girl! She just loves school and was so excited to be going back today. I remember feeling the same way about school, I loved it as much as she does. So it is just London and I today...it will sure be quiet:)

Here are some of my favorite pictures to start my family blog. There are many more to come. I just have to figure out the best way to utilize the space on my page. I will keep working with it and post as many as I can. The pictures of London are from about 6 weeks ago, with exception of the photo of her and I when she was 2 days old. I can't believe the time has gone so fast, she is getting so big. We all love her sooooo much. She has brought such a wonderful, loving spirit into our home. We went to the Utah Utes game with the two kids in the fall and had a great time. The beautiful fall pictures of my kids were done in Little Cottonwood Canyon in October by my cousin Marnie. She is a fabulous photographer. My favorite picture of Rob and I was done about 4 years ago. I really am going to try and get a new one of us this fall...we will see. I am sure busy:)