Cassie

Look who made her Middle School cheer leading squad. 

She is so excited and has worked really hard.  She spent 3 days prepping and learning her routines, then had to try out in front of people.  If anyone knows Cassie, being loud and not embarrassed in front of people was a big deal, but she did it!

First day

Chase started a new school at a Montessori preschool and kindergarten. This is him on his first day. He just finished his 2nd week there and is already working on writing his name and came home the other night asking Mark and I if we knew about North American. He knows he lives in North America. It is so funny watching him learn so much in such a short time. He has always been pretty smart, but it seems heightened this past week.
This is him wanting to do a silly pose (he is into that craziness lately)

This is him wanting to pose with his robot

new family pictures

We had family pictures done again (finally, since it had been nearly 2 years). 

The girls

Kacey-15 years old

Reyna-9 years old

Madeline-10 years old

Cassie-13 years old

 

Chase-3 years old 

Mark and Courtney

Another family shot

 

9/11

Today is a special day, and always will be. I felt it start as I walked outside this morning. I was caught off guard when I noticed a flag in my yard. (At the beginning of the year we donated money to the scouts and in return, they to put a flag in our yard every holiday, such as Flag Day or the Fourth of July.) As I opened the garage door to get the newspaper, the flag waving caught my eye. It took me a second to realize why it was in my yard on this day, then instantly I remembered...it is 9/11. Something that 12 years ago was not a recognized day, but has since become one due to the tragedies that took place 12 years ago today. Being in the schools this year (for my new job), when the pledge of allegiance was being said, I got to stand with my hand on my heart and say the words, "I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which we stand, one nation, under God, indivisible, for liberty and justice for all". Those words never felt as powerful as they did on this day. Then, at the high school, we were asked to continue standing in remembrance of the events that took place 12 years ago and the lives lost that day. Wow! My heart swelled. I felt honored and privileged to stand and pay tribute in my own small way and witness others doing the same. I think of those events. I remember where I was, what I was doing and the overwhelmingly strong desire I had that day to go get my little 1 year old daughter, (who happened to be wearing an American flag shirt and red shorts that day) hug her and hold her near me. I will forever be changed by that day, as will our country.

Paris, France

Caleb opened his mission call for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints late last night and Elder Palfreyman has been called to serve in the Paris, France mission.  He will be reporting to the Provo, Utah Missionary Training Center on January 22, 2014.  He is very excited.  This is where he reported he has always hoped to serve his mission, since he was younger.  He spent the last two years of high school taking French classes, already being fluent in Spanish, and said he has felt inspired to continue with his learning the French language since his graduation. 

First day of school

Cassie-8th grade

 Madeline-5th grade

Changes

I think the one thing we can all agree on in life is change is inevitable. Well, it is time for some changes in the Palfreyman family. I accepted a new job. This will be a social worker in a local high school and a local middle school. I am not really for sure exactly what I will be doing, but I am excited. I have met both the principals I will be working with and enjoy both of them. I am excited to have my summers and holidays off with my kids and to be home when they are after school. I am excited to have some new adventures. I was a forensic interviewer for the past eight plus years and I am ready to be challenged again. To feel like I am stretching myself, my knowledge and my skill set. I am excited to not have to commute!!! The downside, I will miss my job. I will miss Chase being in his same school he has been at since he was 2 months old. I will miss all the people I work with. After 8 years of familiar faces, we became friends. I am sure many more friends are in my near future. Of course, once you decide a path for your life, other things seem to change without you making those plans. The day Mark and I decided I would move forward with the job offer, we got a call from the bishopric member of our church. He wanted to meet with me...So, the next morning he came over and wanted to release me from my church calling of Activity Day leader of which I have had for the past year and a half. This calling was the first and third Wednesday of the month working with the 8 and 9 year old girls. Loved it! What is better than crafting, teaching, playing and loving little girls twice a month? Well, now I have been called into a new Primary Presidency as the Secretary. So now I get to work with LOTS of little kids on a totally different level. I am excited. The women I will be serving with are amazing and I am honored to be a part of such a strong group of leaders. I am excited to work with all the sweet spirits in Primary and all those that accept the call to teach them. It will be a challenge, but I am up for it!