New Beginnings

Back to school! Our summer seemed to fly by this year. Jack and Beckham started school on August 4th. Yes, August 4th. Our district starts school early each year but then we get a ton of breaks. I don't think any of us minded starting when we did ;) We had just gotten back from our last vacay for the summer at Solvang and began prepping for our new year. 

Jackson began his 2nd year!

Jack was super excited to begin his second grade year. He had such a fun teacher named Ms. Downey. It was her first year teaching and she was so excited to teach. However, we received a phone call from the principal about 10 days after the start of school stating that there was a need for a teacher in 6th grade. They pulled Jack's new teacher to cover. He was then put in a combo 2nd/3rd grade class. It was like having his first day all over again. His combo class has 12 second graders and 12 third graders. The teacher asked for students that could work on their own and listen well. She has to swap back and forth all day with teaching each grade but it is working really well. Jack's new teacher Mrs. Fortuny is a wonderful teacher. We are really enjoying this change and grateful Jack was chosen for this class. He seems to be excelling even more.

Best buds always and forever ;)

Our incredibly excited 1st grader!

Beckham boy was thrilled to start his first day of all day school like his big brother Jack. For the first week and a half of school he had a substitute teacher, Miss Brandy. She was awesome! We really enjoyed working with her. She covered for Beckham's teacher Mrs. Gonzalez who's baby boy had to undergo surgery. When Jack began his first day of his new combo class, Beckham had Mrs. Gonzalez for the first time. It was literally like the boys had two first days of school this year, haha. We sure love Mrs. Gonzalez and are so grateful Beckham has her for his first full day school year. 

Little Miss Q too!

Quinn Marie began her first year of school! She is now a Purple Penguin at the Ripon Grace Christian Children's Center. She is loving her Pre-K year. I am so happy that she is in the same class Beckham was in two years ago. She has the same teachers, Miss Sabrina, Miss Laura, and occasionally Miss Helen. We LOVE RGCCC! They have been the best thing for our kids to start their school years. Quinn loves making friends, snack time, playing outside, painting, and learning her letters. I can't believe that all of my kiddos are school aged. Quinnie attends Pre-K three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday just like Beckham boy did. 

August was a really nice month. I would even say it was a much needed break. We were able to lay low a little more than usual. We had very few adventures now that the kids started school. Our days quickly filled up though with normal routine and schedules and our spare time has dwindled. Between activities at the church, school time, and our normal day to day we didn't have a ton of time to venture out. We enjoyed a lot of family time at home playing games, watching movies, doing homework, having Come Follow Me lessons as a family, and enjoying scheduled days once again. 

Now that I found myself having a little free time I decided to take piano lessons. I have always wanted to play a musical instrument. I felt that now was my time. I found an incredible piano teacher, Annie Brown, from the stake. She took me on even though I am much older than the rest of her students :) I am forever grateful that she took a shot on me. I absolutely love learning and take it a week at a time. 

With August being so laid back with very few pics to share, I figured I'd add September here too. September was a very busy month but not in a chaotic kind of way. It was crazy in the "normal life" way. I took off for my Momcation this year on September10th. I decided to hang closer to home. I booked a sweet airstream just north of Sacramento. It was the cutest little airstream on a farm full of animals. It seemed like the perfect place to get away for a few days. I absolutely LOVE taking this time for myself every year. I think it's really important for people to do. It's a perfect time to reassess and evaluate where I'm at, where I want to be, and what I'd like to achieve next. 

Crazy hair don't care!

My first stop that Friday morning was to get a massage. It was the perfect way to begin this vacation. I ran home, showered, packed my bag, and headed north after getting Quinn from Pre-K. 

I stopped for dinner at BJ's Restaurant and made sure to have all of my essentials :) That burger was dang good! Plus, there's nothing like a Magnolia Journal to entertain me through dinner.

The welcoming committee, haha. I pulled up to park at the airstream and a herd of sheep came running toward me when I got out of the car. It was amazing! I knew they had some animals but I didn't know they had sheep! I love sheep. They are the cutest. I'm pretty sure they thought I was going to feed them, haha.

This little lady made sure to be noticed :) Anytime I came close to the fence she would stick her head through so I could pet her. 

My Airbnb for the next two nights.

I borrowed these next photos from Nikki, the host. She was phenomenal! Here's a look inside.

The airstream and the farm.

It was the perfect size for me and had everything I needed. 

That night I settled in and checked a few things off my to do list that I had been wanting to do for ages. A few podcasts I wanted to listen to, some research for an upcoming trip, downloading pics, etc. I ended up going to bed pretty early that night. I was beat.

I woke up to a beautiful morning. I packed my own breakfast, snacks, a couple dinner options, and drinks. I had breakfast outside by these sweet animals and then got ready for a workout.

Workout complete! 

I grabbed my yoga mat, a couple weights, and my resistance band for the weekend. It was everything I needed to get a good workout in. 

After my workout I walked around the farm to see what other animals I could find. 

I found horses, donkeys, miniature horses, and cows!

On my walk out towards the cows I saw a jack rabbit take off. I couldn't believe it. 

One of my favorite things about this Airbnb was the food they provided. Nikki provided me with eggs from the chickens right outside, this delicious sour dough bread, apples, jams and butter. It was the perfect lunch after my walk around the farm.

The newest member of the farm was born just a few weeks before I came. Cute little lamb.

My day seemed to go by so fast! When the sun started to set I grabbed my magazine and sat outside to watch the sun go down.

There was a cottontail bunny! Seriously it has been ages since I have seen bunnies. It was crazy!

This was such a nostalgic trip. I felt like I was home. It was great being away from everything and out where you can just take it all in. Enjoy the surroundings. Take a walk. Breathe the fresh air and watch the animals just be. It was exactly what I needed this year.

Saying goodbye to the farm.

Nick and Nikki live in the best spot. They have acres of land and are only 15 minutes away from anything they'd need. It is a dream come true. I very much enjoyed my time away, visiting with Nick and Nikki, meeting the animals, and enjoying a little me time. It went by a little too fast. It was great to have a few days to recoup and then get back home to my favorite people.

Once I was home and back in the swing of things, we had the Elders over for dinner. They taught the kids a sweet lesson about Jesus Christ before leaving. We sure do love our Elders and all that they do for the people of Manteca!

Karate Kids!

The boys have never been in an extra curricular activity before. Pres and I thought it was time to find them something. I figured they'd love karate so we signed them up for some lessons. Beckham has taken to it very quickly and loves it. I am not sure Jack feels the same. We are going to give it a few more lessons but we may be finding something else for our eldest boy ;) I think swimming might be more his jam or an art class ;)

Hye Ya!

How cute are those two boys with their white belts?! 

The last weekend in September we had an activity at the church for all of the women and young women. It was really nice. They had several classes you could choose from and attend. My first class was archery. It was a TON of fun! I then had a decorating class and yoga. It was a great Saturday with friends.

September seems to have come and gone by so quickly. I feel like the months just fly by nowadays. I remember my dad saying to me that once I was married and had kids I would see how fast time really goes by. He was right. It flies! I do my best to take each day as it comes and cherish the moments we are currently in because once they are gone, they're gone. The one thing you can't get back is time so make it count!