Second Degree Purple Belt! Way to go!!

Working hard at achieving the rank of black belt.    You just earned your 2nd degree purple....next one to get is the brown belt and then....black belt.

I love, love, love how being a part of this martial arts dojo has helped you grow in confidence and physical strength.  I'm so glad you are doing this. Well done good son!

Seminary Graduation!! Connor's last and Cailin still has some to go....

A couple of family temple trips....

While heading north to Maryland for our LDS home school conference, we stopped in at the DC temple.  This was Delaney's first time attending the temple and Connor's last one as a youth. (his next trip would be to receive his own endowments!!)

What a beautiful thing to see your children and husband walk and serve faithfully in the temple of the Lord!

Ryan, Barry and I went to the temple a few weeks before our home school conference trip.  We spent a lovely day with him.  He went to the family history center next door while we spent time in the temple.

Touching the door of the Temple

While, the rest of the Hale and Brame clans are in the temple working wonderful acts of service Liam, Brianne, Janet and I spent some time walking around the temple grounds and playing with a few interactive games at the visitor's center.

  Liam fondly remembers when long ago, his older brothers and sister got to touch the golden temple doors  For a few years now, he's been wanting to have a photo of him doing this same thing.  Today he finally got his wish!  President Monson once said that "When you touch the temple doors, the temple touches you."  Today Liam felt the  joy of being on the temple grounds and feeling of the special spirit that is there.

Mormon Prom 2016

Oh my, how wonderfully handsome and beautiful these two are!!

Here we are with Connor, Garrett Vance, Jada Foley, Cailin, Jericca Morgan, Mikayla Morgan.

"This was held in Roanoke, VA.....May 2016....we had fun!  That's all I can remember.....considering it happened almost a year ago!"  --Cailin Hale  1/21/17

Welcome to Young Womens Delaney!

Your first day of Young Women's was our New Beginnings night! ...a festive night for sure!  Here you are with all the Beehives--those who are in now and will be coming in during the year.

Mercy Turner, Trinity Wall, Grace Walker, Janet Brame, Delaney Hale, Viktoria Zander, Camille Vance, (in front) Alexis Turner.

Well, she is learning to say her words.

As of lately, we're encouraging Brianne to use her words instead of yelling.  At my request for help in doing this --because everything I've tried hasn't worked--we are following the wonderful advice of Bri's speech therapist. We have begun to insist that Brianne use more sign language.  Her first new phrase --"I want______".  I  want cheese.  I want you to sit down.  I want drink.  I want more.  You get the idea.  She's not been quick at getting this new form of communication, probably because screaming is easier and so effective, but we keep reminding her and insist on her using her words.

Yesterday, while we we're at the Mattson's for history group, (and Cailin was with us), the kids were all joined together for snack time after the group activities and I heard Brianne let loose screaming.  I went over to her and quietly reminder her to say & sign..... "we use our words say "I want______","  to which the kids later tell me she said  "I. want. NININ (Cailin) STOP!!"    Well it's a start.  the first two words were clear, calm and well said....followed by yelling.  We're getting there.