Aubrey {7th Grade}

I'm still having a hard time getting over the fact that my "baby" is now in the 7th grade this year! Wow!! And on to another year of middle school. It's just crazy to see how big she's becoming. And I do mean big because she's almost as tall as her mama now! (I know, I know...not such a hard thing to do!) :) Really doesn't seem that long ago that she was only in Kindergarten. She's growing up waaaaaayyyy too fast! I just want her and her siblings to sloooooowww it down a bit! That's not too hard to ask, is it?!?!

While summer was fun....the start of school is always such an exciting time around here. They love to learn and meet new friends. While it's an adjustment of no more late nights watching movies or late mornings sleeping in (lucky bums!), getting back on schedule is more of our kind of thing. Aubrey had her outfit all figured out the night before, her backpack was packed up with school supplies and ready to go and I made her lunch so her first morning on the big day was pretty low key. Besides having breakfast and dealing with the nerves, of course!

Aubrey is such a smart young lady! We are very excited, right along with her, for what this new school year is going to bring. She's moved up to Intermediate band playing the flute again as well as taking up the challenge to try the bassoon, taking home-ec, art, 9th grade Algebra, geography, English, science health and PE. Another season of soccer didn't happen this year which we are a bit bummed about but we just can't justify driving so far to and from base several times a week at this moment in time. You can count on her and her siblings getting right back into it though when we return home if not sooner. She stays super busy though keeping up with her homework, playing with friends and also going to young women's (church group) once a week. 

Here are a few pictures of her first week at school:

Aubrey's 1st Year @ YW Camp

With this year being Aubrey's first year in Young Women's at church...this also means she gets to attend her first year at girl's camp! Being a military family, we found a nearby military ward that she was able to connect with other girls her age and prepare and go to camp with. We dropped her off on a Monday morning and was gone until Friday afternoon. She stayed in a town called Baumholder. We missed her but also so thankful she was out having a ton of fun and enjoying the experience!!

Here we are giving hugs and seeing her off that Monday morning. Jocelyn was really sweet and made Aubrey a card and handed it to her as she was getting her things from the car. It was too cute! :) The kids cried after our group hugs and as she was leaving.

It was neat getting a few updates throughout the week from her camp leader. I was so glad she was doing well and enjoying her time with all the other girls. 

Here's a stream of photos from her week away at camp:

This year's camp theme was "Shine On." And their group was called "Orion."

A silly & serious group photo before leaving for camp!

Setting up camp!

Singing camp songs

The group in their camp shirts and next to their camp name

Making crafts

Eating homemade dinners

And better than any camp toilet "I'VE" ever had at girls camp...flushable toilets vs. the port-o-potties we had to use growing up! Lucky bums! (Literally!) Haha

 Roasting marshmallows and Starbursts

...and Rolos!

Making foil treats

Making omelets 

 Getting ready to go on their 5 mile hike

 Lit up lanterns at campfire  

 Scripture devotionals

Packing up to come home

Saying goodbye to her sweet group leader. Well, not "goodbye!" Just "see you later!" :)
All of her leaders were awesome and made the girls camping such a fun experience! 

 When she got home from camp, she showed me all of her goodies and treats and the neat things they made or were made for them.

Here is one of those things they made. Super neat!!

Aubrey is very excited to get the chance to be a part of Girl's Camp again next summer!

I am so thankful for the opportunity she has to feel of the Savior's love through programs such as these, through church leaders and through the testimonies from those around her.

Girls Camp

I dropped Aubrey off in Wiesbaden for her first ever girls camp meeting. When the girls at church turn 12, they are then able to start girls camp. Aubrey has been anxiously waiting for this day for a good while now! :) They are working on camp certifications and gearing up to get things ready for the coming weeks before she's off on her first girls camp experience. Wow!! I'm just having the hardest time wrapping my head around the fact that my oldest is already old enough to be a 1st year! I hope she has so much fun...hiking, camping, learning and singing camp songs, making crafts, meeting and making friends, swimming!!! It doesn't feel that long ago that I myself was attending girls camp! What an amazing experience she's going to have - not only her first year but her first big camping adventure in Germany! She couldn't be more excited! :)

Aubrey's 12 Year Photos

We have a nice little park and pond close to our house that we discovered not too long after our move here that I thought would be the perfect location to take Aubrey's pictures. A few months later than I anticipated but better late, than never! We had to incorporate her coat into the session because it was just too darn cold to do without - we tried and it was freezing!! :)

So without further ado, here they are...

Aubrey's 12 Year Photos:

Meaning of Christmas

{The beautiful tree decorated in the church foyer smelledheavenly! I miss having a real tree for this reason alone!}



I felt true happiness today while being with my family at church! Mind you, I do naturally feel happy but today I felt even more so! Because our car is still in the shop, three of us rode to church with one friend and the other three rode with another friend. So when Jocelyn, Andrew and I arrived, John was sitting in the chapel with Landon and Aubrey was up front awaiting her first Sacrament talk. As we sang some Christmas hymns, it came to my attention that I had all that's near and dear to me right then at that very moment. My husband was by my side, my kids were snuggled up next to us coloring quietly and Aubrey was giving the sweetest talk on what Christmas means to her. I had it all right there in that very room: my family! And I felt even more humbled when I looked over to see John singing Christmas carols with me and the congregation. He doesn't like to openly sing. Or rather, he doesn't think he sounds that good. But he does and nothing sounded sweeter! I honestly didn't want that moment to end. Throughout the week, I have many moments of love with my children and husband but for some reason, I just really wanted to embrase this particular moment just a little bit more than I normally would have. I love the feeling of peace. That things were the way they should be: our family together!

{My boys!}

Thanksgiving and Christmas time happen to be my most favorite holidays to celebrate and be a part of. Not for the food or the gifts. But for the chance to think and reflect a bit more than I usually do throughout the other parts of the year. I'm reminded of all that we have and hold dear. That it's about remembering all that's important. That we shouldn't take life and people for granted. That we have much to be grateful for! And most importantly, the birth of Jesus Christ and all that He does and has done for us!

I thought it would be nice for those that couldn't be here to listen to Aubrey's talk to at least be able to read it. I also wanted to have it written down for keepsakes. And, well, because she's my first child and I'm so very proud of her! :) She did awesome and received lots of wonderful comments afterwards about how well she did.

The Importance of Christmas in my Life

by: Aubrey Shields

Good morning, Brothers and Sisters. A few weeks ago, I was asked to give a talk about the importance of Christmas in my life, and my first reaction was, "Wow! How lucky can I get to be assigned a talk the first day in Young Womens!" This is my first time giving a talk in Sacrament, and I am really excited about it, so hopefully it goes well.

About a week ago, my little sister comes up to me with a smile on her face and says, "I'm so excited for Christmas!" I ask her why and she says, "Presents!" as if it were obvious. I explained to her that Christmas isn't all about getting, it's about giving and helping others, so they can have a good Christmas too and to know that people care for them. When I thought she was on the verge of understanding, her eyes widened and said, "We don't get presents?!!" I said, "we do, but that's not what Christmas is all about." My little sister said back, "Oh! (I could tell she was relieved!)...I thought we wouldn't get presents." I tried telling her it wasn't all about getting things and it was about giving and the birth of Jesus Christ.

As I started to think about it, I thought of what would happen if there was no Christmas. A lot of things popped into my head. Christmas is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He atoned for our sins, and died for us on the cross. He ensured that we would be resurrected one day and that we would live again. After we talked, we made some cards for a few of our family members and I finally think the message settled in with my sister. During that time, I think I learned a little something as well. It reminded me that having presents is not what makes Christmas. We would still be very happy during Christmas without a little "Ho Ho Ho" from Santa Clause and presents under the Christmas tree. Sure, those things are fun, but being together as a family, coming together and sharing special times with one another is what makes almost everyone happy during Christmas.

Yesterday, during the ward Christmas party, I had so much fun with my family and I'm sure everyone else had fun as well. I liked the fact that everyone came together to prepare food, setup, clean...so everone would have an enjoyable time. Christmas is a time of year to celebrate and be happy with our family and friends. Things like the Christmas party are one of the ways we can feel the Spirit.

There is a lot to be thankful for the birth of Jesus Christ, and if He was never here, we would not be resurrected or any of these things. Christmas is a time to celebrate these gifts, and be with your loved ones. My Aunt, Uncle and baby Cousin are coming for Christmas so we can be together as a family and have a great time.

I would like to share my testimony with you that I know this church is true, and that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are watching over us and they're there for us. I love my family and I know they love me as well. I am thankful for Christmas and the Spirit and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

We Have Ourselves A Young Woman!

Big news! Our first daughter has graduated from Primary and is now in the Young Women's program at church. We are SO proud of her and she is SO excited! :)

I remember what it was like (some years ago) being in Primary...so ready to move on and be with the big girls and not the little kids anymore. It's a sad yet happy transition. She's going to miss going to Primary with Jocelyn but has already met and become friends with some really great young ladies and they are so happy to have her!

"You are growing up way too fast my dear...we love you sooooo much!!"

Aubrey Turns TWELVE!

{October 12, 2011}

On this 12th day of October, we woke up to wish and sing Aubrey "Happy Birthday," who is (drum-roll please.....) 12 YEARS OLD today!!!! My oh my do we now have one sweet and amazing young woman (and yes, every few seconds, we have the tween attitude mixed in between the loveliness! Just in case you were wondering)! ;) 

Has it REALLY been 12 years, already??? They really do grow up in a blink of an eye, don't they! She's one smart cookie, loves school, loves to read, plays the flute this year in school - her first year taking band, she's enjoying her 7th grade math class in the 6th grade, she loves her sister and brothers and they, in turn, look up to their big sis, she's almost as tall as her mama (shhh!! i'm still deciding to be in denial about that one!), loves her old and new friends, loves Harry Potter, loves drawing and making things, and in between all the ignoring, stomping and eye rolling, she's helpful and loving! 

We love you, Aubrey Kaye! You are so special to us and we love you soooooo much! Thank you for being you and I can't tell you enough how lucky I am to be your mother! 

Happy 12th Birthday, sweetie! xoxo

Two months ago, we moved to Germany and still two months later, finding good friends has been a struggle. We kept this a simple celebration - to honor her special day and shower her with our love! After doing some homework, we made her homemade bbq chicken pizza for her birthday dinner (I always let them pick), followed by some yummy strawberry and vanilla cake and then present time!

TWELVE!! Already? I still can't believe it!!!

Such a beautiful girl, she is!

Had to get a picture of noisy Landon - he was getting pretty impatient sitting in his chair with no cake and no presents to open :)

Can NEVER go wrong with some books!

And what are siblings for if they aren't stinkers, right?

"Hmmm....what could it be!!!"

While at a shop last month, she spotted a pretty pink scarf she really wanted. I told her, "sorry, maybe another time" and asked her to go meet up with her Dad and the other kids so I could pay for what we went there to get. When actually, I was shoeing her outside so I could sneak and pay for what would be one of her birthday presents. I felt bad telling her no. She looked SO sad! But it totally was worth the look on her face here as she opened it and discovered the scarf she so desperately wanted! Gotchya, missy!!!!! LOVE surprises! :)

Oh yes! Another "surprise!" We wrapped up her gift in what was once the box that held Andrew's tennis shoes. So she figured out right away that with the box being a bit on the smallish size, that they definitely weren't shoes for her. So we told her to keep going and open up the box to see...

her 1st Ipod Touch!!!!

Just a little excited! :)

*And this birthday marks the last birthday of hers in the books under the official teen years! YIKES!!!! 

Next year, this tween will be a TEEN!

Okay, okay, I'm going to stop thinking about that for now. :)

I'm so thankful for my Aubrey!

Love you!!!!