they done good

Third term ended a week ago at school and I'm happy to say the boys all did really well. Hopefully that will carry through the fourth and final term of the year. Jared worked really hard this past term and it paid off with straight A's. He was proud of himself, and he had reason to be -- it wasn't easy. Elementary school has a different grading system, but Jacob & Ryan were A equivalent as well. When the boys do great in school, they often come home and ask what they are going to get for a reward. According to them, lots of parents pay their kids off with money and other cool and expensive prizes for good grades. We don't really do that kind of thing. We've always told the kids that good grades are rewards in and of themselves and we just expect them to do their personal best. We totally believe that good grades pay off big dividends in the long run. And then maybe we'll take the family for ice cream at DQ :)

As long as I'm on the subject of "they done good", I have to mention that I've been proud of Jared for trying his best to serve as a good deacon quorum president. He's been doing this for a long time, but in the last few weeks especially I've noticed how good he is about leading out and following through on assignments, even when its not easy. As an example of that, a week or so ago his quorum had the assignment to pass out stake conference flyer reminders. The day they were supposed to do it was rainy. He called everyone to remind them about the assignment (about 8 kids) and every kid but one had an excuse for not being able to help -- some were valid, others were simply excuses for not wanting to do it. Jared asked Ryan if he'd help and then the two of them and the one other kid headed out in the rain. A soaking hour or so later, they returned having completed the assignment. (If all the boys had helped, it would have taken about 15 minutes) All this was done without adult reminders, encouragement, nagging, or supervision. He has to do the same thing every week as he organizes everyone in the quorum to fulfill their priesthood assignments at church. He won't have this calling much longer, but I'm grateful for the opportunity he's had to serve and for the things he's learned that are making him a better person.

We aren't perfect around here -- far from it, but I'm grateful for the good kids I've been blessed with and the good things they are trying to do.