Last first day

The last first day of high school for Josh. The last first day of middle school for Boaz. 

Josh is wearing his geni pants and flip flops. They only allowed me 30 seconds for the picture. He can't wait until high school is over. 

Boaz is wearing his new favorite shirt. National Sarcastic Society. Like we need your support. He refused to smile for me. 

Last night Boaz came down and said he was so depressed. His friends don't have classes with him. (Recent update - one friend has one class with him.) his best friends are headed to a different high school than he will be going to. His lunch group is gone. His after school group is gone. I'm hoping he finds a new group soon. 

Scripture - D&C 138

This is the last section of the Doctrine and Covenants. I have enjoyed reading this book again. I have learned a lot about Church History already and am looking forward to the completion of this year's gospel doctrine lessons this year. 

Recently, we had a lesson on releasing the captives. 

The longer I live, the more people I have that are engaged in the work beyond the veil. I hope that all those that I know and love who have passed are anxiously engaged in the vast work. 

I have been involved in genealogy in a more direct manner for the past two years. I volunteer at the local Family History Center. I have found distant cousins that I have been able to take to the temple. My temple experience has been different when I carry the name of someone I have found. 

Both of my grandmothers were enthusiastic family researchers. Some of my family have been associated with the church from the Kirkland and Nauvoo days. I used to think the work was done. In the old PAF program, there are more than 10,000 names on my tree. I was overwhelmed with the thought of adding to such a large tree. 

As I have learned more about the process of finding people (they are more than just names) I am now overwhelmed at how much there is to still do. 

There is one family line that is very confused and messy.  There appears to be a James in every family. Several cousins of the same generation named James. I have found some resources, but so far they are not organized. Just raw notes from wills, family Bibles and visits to Pennsylvania cemeteries. 

So much to do to fix the mistakes of the past. So much to do to find the right family members. So much to do to locate the children who died young. 

As I work on this line, I am also hopeful I will find the parents of Sarah Moore, I have been looking for them for years. My search for them has lead me to many new family members. But they still remain hidden. It does not help that her name is so common. There are many Moores and even more Sarahs. 

But I feel the urgency of finding my people. I go in spurts. I am urged on by youth baptism trips. I want to send the boys with family names. I try and share the finishing work with other family members. At times I get bogged down. 

And then I remember the doctrine. These people are captives and are waiting for us on this side of the veil to search them out and to offer them liberty. 

I hope as I continue to search I will sort out the mistakes and bring the separate members of families together. I hope I will figure out all the Jameses and sort out the families. I hope I will find Sarah's parents and be able to continue the Moore line. I hope I will do what I can to release the captives. 

The future is coming fast

Today Josh had his dentist appointment. We are looking at wisdom teeth and trying to schedule out when he can get them out. Christmas or the summer next year. 

He asked when he can start his papers. I looked it up when we got home. 

April!

He can start his mission papers in April. 

I am freaking out a bit. 

That means wisdom teeth come out at Christmas time. 

I have been thinking about this for over a year, but now I feel like we are in the count down. Now we have specific items to tick off. 

I'm making a mental list. Wisdom teeth. Passport. Temple. 

And today we were at a friend's house as he opened his call. Conception, Chile. It seems even more real. 

Birthday dinner

Craig BBQed some amazing salmon for Josh's dinner. 

Salmon with rice and corn on the cob. Delicious. 

He also wanted cheesecake. 

Topped with ganache. 

I don't make it very often. I'd be rolling instead of walking. But it is delicious. I'm grateful to my college roommate who taught me to be brave and try fancy recipes. 

Happy birthday, Josh

He's been feeling like he's been 17 for over a month now. He's finally 17 for reals. 

He has his own style and loves his new pants. 

He is sporting one new Spider-Man sock

This shirt looks better. He couldn't be happier. He's talking about wearing the outfit to school. He's a bit crazy, but I love that he is his own man (almost). 

His last year in high school. He is planning on being on his mission this time next year. 

When did he get so big? I can remember his fitting nicely in my arms. All soft and smelling heavenly. That baby smell. He cuddled up happy to be held all day. And I had waited so long for him, I was happy to hold him. Now he is gearing up to leave me and home far behind and find out what life has for him. 

I am intensely proud of him.