June 05 Greenleaf Post

Hello to all,

Emma's Birthday was Sunday! She is 5. She keeps going around saying "I can't believe I'm 5!" So, in August all 4 of our little brood will be going to school.

Our family is very grateful that today is the last day of school this year - YIPEE! We really enjoy the school but we are all ready for the break. Our mornings won't be so hectic - and we won't be doing homework all night - every night. I really don't like the amounts of homework that the schools send home for elementary age kids - it seems like overkill to me.

The kids had a nice spring concert for their school and they all sang very nicely. It was a patriotic theme (very common for our very patriotic Charter School). It is so nice to have them going to a school that focuses on US History so much and teaches an appreciation for this great nation in which we live. Jarom had a little solo in the concert and did a great job. He's got a nice little voice and doesn't have any issues with courage in front of the crowd.

The kids also finished up the season of piano lessons with their recital/concert. Logan, Jarom and Hannah all played and did very well. So, our schedule is looking a little better with school, piano lessons and soccer all wrapped up for the year. Now we have the traditional summer jobs to keep us busy like the garden! We have made a conscious decision to not spend the whole summer working on the place though. We spent so much time working last summer that we wanted to make sure we spent some time enjoying what we have. We've got a few little projects to work on - but nothing of the magnitude of the last few summers. Then again, we aren't in as big of a need because of all of the work of the last few summers.

This summer we have almost all of our weekends taken up with something. I was trying to schedule my Christmas overnighter with Logan and Hannah and we ended up running through the entire summer and not finding an open weekend. We may have to wait until the kids are back in school or I may have to try to cut out in the middle of the week sometime. We are going to take the horses and ride up to some natural hot-springs and camp up in the mountains with the horses. It will be a first for us and the girls are really excited about it. Lareen's Dad and I went up last Monday to scope it out and see if the horses and girls would be able to make the ride ok, and all went well. It was sure nice to be in the mountains on horseback with all of the beautiful spring vegitation from our rains.

Lareen is really doing well with finding a balance between being the Relief Society President, Mom and spouse. We have been praying for her to find that balance and she is doing pretty good. We are grateful for all she does for everyone - she is such an example and brings such a light into our home.

Brian & Lareen Packer Family