Back to School Dinner

This year we had to something a little different for our annual Back-to-School-Dinner.  In our new place, we don't really have a backyard.  So we decided to head for a local park and try a picnic instead. We ended up picking a rainy day, but the kids didn't care.

Our theme for this year is a little different than in the past, as we have found ourselves leading a different path than we thought.  Shawn and I always pictured us raising children close to home, close to family and cousins.  Similarly to how we grew up.  This past Spring we realized the Lord wanted us in Milwaukee, thousands of miles from family.  We feel good about our choice, but still long for and miss our family.

While reading a talk I came across a saying that stuck out and seemed to fit the place we are at in our life, "BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED".  As a family, and as individuals, I want my kids to BLOOM here in Milwaukee.  Bloom in the gospel, bloom in confidence, bloom in serving and loving, and gain deep roots and testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

We talked about how hard it is to bloom if we are negative, angry, and prickly like a cactus.  We planted some small cactus.  No one wants to be around a cactus.  We can't bloom if we are a prickly cactus.  My kids meet all kinds of different people, different races and religions.  I want my kids to love and accept everyone.  As they do this, I am sure they will bloom where they are planted.

I tried to take a few pictures of the kids with some balloons after our dinner.  
Cole was more interested in hitting the balloons.

We finished off the night with our traditional back to school "Big Carrot".  It actually is called a Schultute and it is a German school tradition, but a couple years ago I randomly chose orange cardboard and green tissue paper on top and the kids have changed the official name to the "Big Carrot".  It was fill with fun back to school supplies and treats.  

I think we are officially ready for school.