Growing up I had a lot of friends that helped me to keep the standards that I had set for myself. Rarely did I have any of my friends pressure me to do something wrong, often it was the opposite. One such incident occurred when I was 17. I was on a date with a good friend named Brian Judd. We had gone to see a movie and during a particular scene I felt extremely uncomfortable. I wanted to leave the movie but I was on a date. I didn't want to make him feel bad or look like I was too prudish. I fought with myself inside and finally decided I had to follow my feelings. I turned to him and told him how I felt. Surprisingly, he was feeling the same and he suggested we leave, so we walked out of that movie together. Him walking out of the movie with me made the task so much easier.
Well, little did I know that I would face that same test again later that year. This time I was attending some school plays. The first was written and directed by that same friend Brian and the second play of the evening was written by another student at our school. I really enjoyed the first play and had a great time watching kids I knew acting out the parts. However, once the second play began I immediately started feeling uncomfortable. I was so nervous. I knew I couldn't watch that play, but I had no one to walk out with me. To make it worse, I would have to walk past all of my classmates to get to the exit. I started rationalizing to myself that maybe it was okay to stay, but the spirit kept prompting me to leave. Finally, mortifying as it was, I just stood up and walked out.
When I opened the doors to go outside I saw the entire cast from the first play along with their director, my friend Brian standing outside the doors. Apparently they had all been making bets as to how long it would take me to walk out of the play!! Whoa, what if I hadn't left. What if I had given into peer pressures and compromised my standards? I felt so relieved that I had made the right choice and that again I had a friend there to validate my decision.
I have told this story numerous times to my children and to the youth I have served in the church. I want them to realize not only how important it is to surround ourselves with good friends, but how important it is to be a good friend. Even in adulthood I try to surround myself with good friends. They can strengthen our testimonies and help us to stay on the right path.
Last month the oldest two participated in the Hershey's track meet. It was a lot of fun to see them compete. Here are the results:
Here are two highlight videos. I love my little athletes!!!
The kids went all out. I even got a trac phone so the kids can reach me in an emergency. Dad was right there coordinating the meals, dishes and made some delicious cookies!! Happy Mother's Day to meeeee!!!!
My husband's dad just got back from serving for over a year in Afghanistan. He is a doctor in the Navy and had a lot of amazing experiences there. As part of his vacation time he and his wife Brenda came out to see us. They drove all the way from Florida!! We had a great three days with them. 
Father and son with the new grill. 
The girls with Nanna. She taught them to sew and gave them her old sewing machine. 
All of us on a walk up at the college.
J Man learned to ride his bike this week. I think it took him about 15-30 minutes, no joke. He now cruises around our cul-de-sac constantly, whenever the sun is out. Here is a video of him making the loop.
