Gwyneth's Meeting...September 2013

My first thought this time meeting with Gwyneth is that she is growing up.   I admire Gwyneth so much.  She is so smart!!!!  She continues to be an avid reader.  When I say avid, I mean that she just read a 485 page book in twenty four hours.  And she remembers what she reads, she's a genius, there, I'm just going to say it.  She is.  And for the record she picked cheesecake for her treat.  She's never had anything but cheesecake during her meetings.  Which is fine with us, you don't have to force us to eat it. :)


In her recent meeting Gwyneth talked a lot about her best friend Lily.  Their plans to publish a book they have been co authoring together.  :)  She also told us that she has loved keeping up the Park Day News, which is a little news letter that she types up for all of the park day "goers" on Fridays.  She includes favorite books most recently read, jokes, and of course news.  

Like her other brothers and sisters she loves her baby brother William and talked all about how cute he is and how amazing he is for being a preemie.  :) 
 

Georgia still remains attached to Gwyneth's side and Gwyneth is mostly willing to let her sit right there.  I love to see these two girls together, loving each other, talking, playing.  It's precious.  Gwyneth, at almost eleven years old still plays dress up with her, has tea, paints, makes believe and does all sorts of other things with her. 

Sometimes I"m hesitant to brag too much about my kids but I'm doing it.   I am so impressed with Gwyneth.  She gets up in the morning, a lot of the times before I'm awake.  I find her at our kitchen island with a plate of scrambled eggs, toast and banana, while she is reading her scriptures.  She finishes up and gets right to her studies.  She is an example to me.  And she's still so young.  I can't imagine what she'll be like when she's older.   She is incredible.  She's well read, excels at her studies, swims like a champ, has a very high standard for modesty, tries her hardest to be thankful to those around her, she's funny and she's happy.  I have a beautiful daughter.  I am beyond blessed.  I pray that she will be protected and stay true to the faith.  She is a very special spirit. 


This is her General Conference Journal.  I love that she drew Carol M. Stephens on the right side.  Gwyneth is a gem.

Here is her interview:

1. What is the best thing about being you?
I have an awesome, loving, talented family!

2. What's great about being part of your family?
I have a great mom and dad, who love and respect each other.

3. Your favorite book?
Harry Potter, The Thirteenth Princess, and Into the Woods.

4. You in three words?
Smart, Creative, Independent

5. Favorite memory?
The first time I shared my testimony in church.  My mom was right there with me and I started out by saying, "Dear Heavenly Father," by accident and everyone laughed!!!

6. Favorite Quote?
Be true to the Faith.

7. Proudest Achievement?
My star test results and dropping 3 seconds off of my IM (individual medley relay on swim team). 

8. What's your favorite thing that your mom makes?
Cinnamon Rolls and her Egg bake. 

9.  What do you want to be when you grow up?
A mom.

10. What do you know for sure?
I am a daughter of God and He loves me.

11. What do you look forward to?
Turning 12 and going to Young Women's and doing Baptisms at the Temple.

12.  What do you believe in?
The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

13.  Your mom in one word?
Remarkable.

14. Your dad in one word?
Fun.

15. Favorite Saying?
Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.

16. Who is your best friend?
Lily VanTuyl.

17. What do you love about her?
She's funny and creative. 

Reece's Meeting...September 2013.

Reece had his one on one meeting or night alone with Kirk and I just after Kalen but I am only now getting to do a post about it.  These two boys melt my heart.  Out of all of his brothers and sisters, I think it's pretty clear who Will looks like...Reece, for sure.  Look at these two!!  Same eyes, same nose, same hair.  Reece loves William so much. 
 

When we are one on one with Reece he's really happy to just snuggle up with us, eat his treat and relax.  We talked a lot with Reece and asked him many questions about what he loves, what makes him happy and whether there were any changes he would like to see in our household.  Right now in Reece's life sports makes him happy.  He is so athletic and high energy that he's a great match for just about anything he tries. Next week,  Reece will start swimming on the same year round swim team that his older brother swims for, Quicksilver.  He told us he would also like to be on a baseball team.  We told him one or the other.  :)  Another thing that Reece mentioned is that he loves scouts.  Only he and one other boy in his den have their wolf badges.  He is already doing requirements to become a bear and he's earning arrow points as a wolf. 

During his meeting he really wanted to play a game with us.  He picked Scattagories, one of our favorite family games.  He also invited his older brother and sister to play with us.  They were happy about that, since they got to come out of bed!  We had a great time, laughing, talking and being happy. 
 

I did a similar interview with Reece.  It is as follows:

1. What is the best thing about being you?
I'm good at sports.

2. What's great about part of your family?
I get to be with my brothers and sisters everyday because we do our studies at home. 

3. Your favorite books?
A to Z Mysteries. 

4. You in three words.
Good. At. Sports.  (I was cracking up at this one.)

5. Favorite Memory?
Playing flag football with the other boys from church and going to a basketball game.

6. Proudest Achievement?
Making MVP on my swim team and for taking first in the butterfly stroke out of 65 boys at championships. 

7. What is your favorite thing that your mom makes?
Thai lettuce wraps.

8. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A dentist.

9. What do you know for sure?
That Jesus Christ lives.

10. What do you believe in?
Being awesome... ::)

11. Your mom in one word?
helpful

12. Your dad in one word?
awesome

13.  Favorite saying?
"I love you."

14. Who is your best friend?
Jeff Stepan

15. What do you love about Jeff?
He's athletic like me.

16,  Who do you admire?
My older brother and sister.

 

Reecey is a great kid.  He's doing well with his studies and loves sports...could you tell?  
 

We love you Reece.  Thank you for being you and for loving your baby brother so much.