What Team? Wildcats!

{For 18 months – Jan ’17 to Jul ’18 – I'm posting our letter to Miranda while she's on her mission to Cochabamba, Bolivia.  Our letter titles are taken from a list of family sayings & catchphrases we recorded onto a pillowcase she has with her.  You can read her adventures on her mission blog: www.hermanamadsen.blogspot.com!}

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So the reason I chose this subject heading is the kids have been quoting & referring to HSM 1, 2 & 3 lately. In fact, today, yes, the sabbath, Morgan was reminiscing about the junkyard scene and singing, "The Boys Are Back." I know, we're sinners. 

Morgan has been going hammocking out in the scrub oak behind the park with his friends a lot this summer, and at one point, went out with just Derek & Carlie & they brought their yearbooks and hung out with treats one night. So while Morgan & Carlie were at youth conference this week, Derek led the littles out there and set up 4 hammocks so they could hang out 'til dark together. They were so cute walking out there together with their water bottles & snacks. 

Let's see, Halle, Kierste & Connor went to Veronica's outdoor water party and got some good old-fashioned sunburns. But they had rented that huge professional blow-up water slide, so it was worth it.  =)

And then this happened. You'll appreciate this:

Right? Dang it!  I should have gotten a good picture of the weeds there before. It got so bad & ghetto you wouldn't believe. 

Then Morgan & Carlie went to Snow College campus for youth conference & went to the Manti Pageant and stayed in the apartment dorms. It was a GIANT UNSUPERVISED SLEEPOVER WITH THEIR FRIENDS, in basically their own house.  Ugh.  Morgan killed it at the dance and had the cute girls flirting with & hugging him. Carlie saw the guy who had stopped her at the BYU bookstore and asked her if she went to Lone Peak & invited him to hang out with her at the activities. Huge water activities and cool firesides. 

On Saturday morning I met Jeff Goodsell and the 6 kids at the Thx Pt park & ride at FIVE AM and drove them to the airport so they could fly to NC for 2 weeks where his mom, dad & sister & BIL live. Parking their 2 cars at the airport for the 2 weeks would have broken the bank.  But I got to be an answer to his prayers for something else. I appreciate so much the little times that I get to find out that I was used for the Lord's work.  Jeff had enough frequent flyer miles to get him & 4 of his kids to NC free, and then his sister paid for the other 2 kids. He just doesn't have very much money right now, and he was worried about the cost of eating along the way at their layovers, etc.  He prayed specifically that he would find a way to have enough for the trip, and I couldn't really get it out of my head that I should get $100 cash and bring it with me & find a time to give it to him when his kids weren't paying attention. When we pulled up to the airport I told him it was for eating at the airport for layovers, and he was a little stunned. It never felt too generous or too much. It felt completely right. Then he texted me later & told me about his prayers. I love that Heavenly Father felt like He could use me. It makes me feel like I need to be better and try to bring my A-game so He can do more with me. 

You got a new niece. Claire was born this week. :)

Oh and Natalex are pregnant with another girl!!

Then the canyon started on fire. 

And from grandma's house:

It wrapped around the side of the mountain and burned a TON of the canyon, but it seems to be out today. With big red streaks all over it from the flame retardant. :(   Poor canyon.  I have to say that Halle reminds me of you. When she saw the fire, she said her own prayer to Heavenly Father for all the people to be safe and get evacuated in time and that it would get put out quickly. It really was amazing how fast it was out... 2 other fires are devastating Utah right now. :(

Connors bday is tomorrow... He's 7!!!  I can't believe it. You won't believe how old he sounds when he talks now. Stop it, all of you!!!

And just to top off our letter, here's Marky with Zeus the other day when Dad went to help grandpa with their fence. :). 

Dad's post - "It's hot outside."

Markianny absolutely loves Zeus and can't get enough of him:

Love you love you love you!!!  I have to get up at 5:40 in the morning for a workout so I have to get to bed. Otherwise I would pour out some more words of wisdom. 

If I'm a little distracted and miss instant messaging with you tomorrow, it's just because we'll be throwing a party for 8 little boys in the back yard with water balloons etc.  Hopefully it will be over by the time you're on. :)  Love, Your mama

I smell like tacos - This is awesome!

{For 18 months – Jan ’17 to Jul ’18 – I'm posting our letter to Miranda while she's on her mission to Cochabamba, Bolivia.  Our letter titles are taken from a list of family sayings & catchphrases we recorded onto a pillowcase she has with her.  You can read her adventures on her mission blog: www.hermanamadsen.blogspot.com!}

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This subject name has been used all week, so it goes on this letter.  =)  Even tonight when there were maybe a lot of toots going around, including but not limited to Zeus.  =\

Ok this week, we emptied every toy box, tub & bucket we have.  I'm not putting anything back in that I don't personally handle myself.  It's been 6 days.  It's still there.  

We got word that the Ures are moving into their condo in less than 2 weeks, so they're coming to get their piano!  So we went on a quick date on Wednesday, bought this beauty, and Thursday it was here.  First there's just a dog in the room:

Then BAM:

It's so beautiful.  =)

Then for another date, Dad & I went to visit Carlie at work Friday night.  Snuck pics of her & Lauren.  =)

On Saturday we gave Daddy his Father's Day gifts because a couple of them were too big to wrap.  Or move off the deck at all.  He got bacon:

The world's greatest POP:

A new TV - think "traveling beauty mark" on the old one - And a new grill:

I tried to crop the picture down, but I had to leave Chloe in it for you.  =)  She is being well-loved and fed and groomed.  Halle VOLUNTEERS to bathe her almost every day.  I try to keep it to about once a week or longer.  Poor Chloe.

And Dad's favorite Father's Day meme:

Here's the post I made for Dad on Insta:

one of the other pics on the post:

and the last silly one:

Honey, we pray for you at least 4 times a day as a family. xoxox

You asked what we're learning in scripture study, and I've been reading about Nephi & Lehi in Helaman 5-9, and how they left their other lives and became full-time missionaries, bringing 8000+ Lamanites & Nephite dissenters to the gospel, who, in turn, brought thousands themselves, when they took to preaching the gospel to the wicked Nephites.  

I'm always glad when I read that Helaman gave Nephi & Lehi the names of their first parents who came from Jerusalem so they would remember their good works and pattern their lives after them, that we did the same thing.  You all have names of people we want you to emulate.  If you can just be half of the woman my mom is, you'll make it just fine.  I'm not just saying that because she'll read this - I forward this to both our parents =) but she is the single most unselfish person I have ever met.  She's patient and forgiving and generous and kind; doesn't gossip, won't tell your secrets no matter how tempting it is, and spends her life serving others.  I cannot honestly think of a more Christ-like person.

Morgan & Carlie are going to Youth Conference this weekend, and I'm so excited for them.  I'll ask them to keep a special notecard for things to write you about it.

LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!  whole face, Mom