Oveson Family

Monday was Zach’s first day of first grade, and first day at his new school!  He’s going to the ALA (accenterated learning academy) at Heritage Elementary this year, and I hope he has a great experience.  It was kind of a tough decision to send him there – with a ton of pros and cons – but in the end we decided it would be good for him.  So, I’m hoping!!  I’m also hoping that someday it gets easier to send my kids to school because I still felt quite teary as we left him there!  I thought kindergarten was supposed to be the hard one, and that it would all be easy after that.  Apparently not.  It’s so hard for me to let go.   But Zach’s growing up so much and he did awesome!  He’s so super adaptable.  I was worried he would be a bit hesitant since he’s at a new school, but he didn’t feel at all nervous or anything.  It’s was just “no big deal” to him.  He just went right in, hung up his backpack, sat down, started on his paper and then looked up at us like, “Ok, you can go already.”  He’s loving it and is excited for it, so I guess that’s a good thing!  Preston on the other hand, isn’t so sure it’s a good thing.  He doesn’t start preschool until the day after labor day, and so he walks around all day kind of lost without Zach here.  But it’s getting better each day.  And Kyle just stands at the top of the stairs and yells “ZACH!  ZACH!”  and can’t figure out where he is! 

It was also Mike’s first day of a new semester.  He’s taking a TON of credits and hitting school hard this semester, so wish us luck!  It’s going to be even nuttier than normal! (is nuttier possible?)

We were super lucky this week and had 2 cousin adventures in one day!  First, Mike’s mom, sister, and our nephews on the Oveson side came up and we went to the Dinosaur Park, to lunch, and then took some fun pictures of my super cute nephew Ben.

Then that night we had the LAST cousin adventure of the summer.  The Staten boys came over and we had a big end of summer cousin sleepover. 

It was a blast!  The bad part?  School starts Monday!  :< I’m not ready to send Zach back to school!  Why is summer so short?

Last week someone from the church called Mike and asked if he could come down  to a photo shoot they were doing because they needed a bishop in the pictures they were shooting, and apparently they can’t have anyone pose in a picture as a bishop unless they are or have been a bishop (who knew?).  So I’ve been teasing Mike about being a “Model Bishop,” but he maintains he’s simply a “bishop model.”

But it got me thinking about my “Model Bishop” husband, and I started thinking about the model that he is.  Now if he knew I was writing this he would be quick stop me or at least to point out that he is not perfect and he would probably then start in on the list of ways in which he needs to improve (am I right, babe?).  But I happen to think he’s pretty incredible, and a great model to follow.  Here’s why:

1. He is SUPER kind, understanding, patient and loving.  I can honestly say that in the 9 years we have been married, he has never once yelled at me, been mean to me, or belittled me in any way.  And I’m sure everyone else that knows him can attest to his kind, loving nature.

2. He works so very, very, very hard.  Mike literally burns the candle and both ends (and most of the time in the middle as well).  He’s always worked hard so I can stay home with the boys while he’s been going to school, running his video business, and serving in the church.  And when he gets home from all his various duties he’s always quick to asks what he can do to help me, he helps around the house, he puts the big boys to bed every night he’s home, and he takes time for me and for our family.

3.  He never, ever, ever complains.  Really – NEVER!  And he’s always finding something to laugh about ( and trying to get me to laugh too).

4. He has this amazing drive to constantly and continually strive to better himself.  I don’t know anyone that is more focused on becoming better and truly becoming the man he was meant to be than him.  He’s amazing at this!  So humble!

5. He has a strong desire to serve the Lord and do whatever he asks whenever he asks it.  He’s commited to the Lord 100%, nothing waivering, and spends a lot of time and energy serving him.

I could go on and on but he just came upstairs from reading to Zach and Preston and I don’t really want him to see what I’m writing. :>  But I just wanted to say I think he’s a wonderful “model” –  a model man, a model husband, a model father, a model bishop.  And I love him so much!

My youngest (but definitely not littlest) brother Stephen (or Tee) came home from his mission on Friday!!!  Horray!!  We are so excited to have him home!  He was a FABULOUS missionary in the Wisconsin mission.  We love you Tee!!  Here are couple pictures from the airport:

The look says it all:

Here he is breaking through his welcome home sign:

And greeting Zach and Pres:

Then Sunday was his homecoming talk (or whatever we are supposed to call them now… his first time speaking  in sacrament meeting following his mission or whatever).  But whatever you call it, he did an amazing job!  He’s one of those “giants among men” that just has such a greater understanding and perspective than most people his age (or much older).  I think he’s amazing.  He may be the youngest in the family, but he’s definitely not the youngest when it comes to spiritual, emotional, mental abilities.  He’s awesome and a great example to all of us in so many ways.  I didn’t take many pictures at the homecoming, but here’s one of Tee and my boys.

Once all the “guests” left the homecoming celebration we let our hair down a bit and the real fun began.  Here are my 3 very intelligent little brothers and one very intelligent brother-in-law testing out the dog’s shock collar on themselves.  It proved hours (well, several minutes at least) of great entertainment.  Mike was the only “brother” that was smart enough to say, “Um, no.”  Even some of my little nephews even tried it!  Nutty – but very, very funny! :>

For our wonderful cousin adventure #10 we went down to Liberty Park in Salt Lake and played at the 7 canyons and the water splash pad.  Zach has been asking to go to Liberty Park all summer, so he was SO excited to go!  Mike had to meet a wedding client in Salt Lake that day, so we figured it was a perfect day to go down.  It was a ton of hot, wet, crazy fun!  After Liberty Park I took my boys to the Planetarium and walked around while we waited for Mike to finish his meeting.  My boys LOVE space, so we can spend lot of time in there!

And here is Pres and Ky walking on the moon!!

Then for #11 we took the kids to the Weber County Fair.  It was “kids get in free day,” so that was nice.  And while we were there they won a total of $35 in gift certificates to Fat Cats, so it was well worth the trip!  The bad part was IT WAS SO SO SO HOT!!!  Ugh!!  I have a ton of pics, but don’t have time to post very many.  So, the boys FAVORTIE part was when they got to milk the cow. 

Zach sat down and went right to it.  It was like he was born to milk cows! (I gotta get me a dairy farm!)

Preston got the milk to come out well, but couldn’t seem to get it in the bucket.  Isaac had a nice milk shower thanks to Preston!!

And Kyle was a little hesitant but did a great job (with a lot of help)