The morning of my first day of school as sixth grader I remember my mother giving my siblings and me a challenge. She challenged us to find someone new at school and make them feel welcome and happy. Wanting to take on this challenge, I went to school looking for a new person. I found a girl sitting outside my classroom. I introduced myself and learned that her name was Annie.
Annie was a tall girl like me, maybe even taller, and had very curly short brown hair. She was plain and wore clean clothes but they were not what I would have called in style. When we went into the classroom she chose a seat by me. I remember feeling glad that I had made her feel good but then I started worrying that my new friend might cramp my style with my "popular" friends. I, unfortunately, didn't make many more efforts to be her friend.
Later in the year I was with my group of friends and they were making fun of Annie. Although I wasn't an active participant, I wasn't defending her either. I was worried about what my friends would think if I stood up for her. I did nothing. When my teacher saw Annie crying she approached me, not the others but me. What she said to me that day changed my life forever. She said that she was shocked that I would have allowed something like that to happen. She said that she might expect that type of behavior from the other girls but not from me because I was different from them.
My teacher was right. I was different. I had the Holy Ghost with me and I had been taught at church and by my parents to treat others with kindness, no matter how they look or act. I apologized to Annie and made a personal vow to myself to always be inclusive and kind. I ended up finding another group of friends the next year that were all Mormon like me. Whenever I had a party I would invite everyone in our Sunday School class, active or not. Whenever there was a movie to go to or a dance to attend I tried my best to get everyone involved. I hope to always be an inclusive person and to treat others with kindness, for that is what Christ would have us do.
Last week the kids performed in the school talent show. Mr. M wowed the crowd with his "Video Game Master" on the piano and Lady K did a little dance with some friends to the old song "The Way You Do the Things You Do." They were so cute. Little L opted out because she gets really nervous performing. It was a fun night. 
We were so excited this month to see Aunt Camille and her son J Dude (name altered for this blog.) They came for a visit after having said goodbye to their Dad/Husband Jared who is now serving in Afghanistan. The kids couldn't get enough of J Dude. He was the center of attention every second he was here and you can see why by just looking at his cute smile. 
April 1st was the yearly pinewood derby for our oldest. He loves the event and this was his last time that he will be a participant. It was not a sad day for Dad and me, however, because we are the worst parents when it comes to helping our boys make pinewood derby cars. Some boys show up with sleek, well sanded cars that have at least five coats of paint and lacquer and are weighted in all the right places. Our son used poster paint and batteries for weights. In the end he was about middle of the pack, not so bad for a mostly boy made car. 
