December 22, 2013

It's Christmas break.  Bob and I have been working together a lot better with the kids.  It's so great. We're going to go see the therapist to talk about Aaron in a few weeks.  But for Christmas break we offered Danny and Aaron a reward.  If they can not fight, or solve their own fights quietly for the whole 2 weeks, we'll buy them another xbox controller.  Danny is getting an xbox for Christmas and it only comes with one controller. So we think it'll be a really good motivation.  They already fought once and Aaron went ballistic.  I think he just doesn't have the confidence.  When he thinks he will fail then he just lets himself fail big.  At least I think that's what's going on because I gave him a big pep talk after he freaked out and told him I know he can do it and Danny will help remind him and now he's doing great.  I really hope they can succeed with this so it can build his confidence a little.  Bob is saying prayers with Aaron now too.  So between the 2 of us we are more consistent. I think it will really help too.

Today I made homemade eggnog to drink during a family game night tonight.  If it's good maybe we'll make it a tradition.  But it'll have to be pretty good because it took an hour to make.  We went to the chocolate factory on Friday night.  That is always so fun.

I put some effort into researching a club basketball league for Danny.  He really loves basketball and is pretty good.  So I thought he'd for sure want to take it to the next level.  That's what I always wanted with dancing. I got a scout to come watch him play his game yesterday.  He said Danny has potential, but he's kind of rough.  But he thinks he can get Danny on a team.  I told Danny about it and he didn't like hearing that his skills were rough.  And he said he likes being in the NJB league where he can be one of the best ones.  Who knows.

The kids are dying for Christmas to be here.  They count their presents and talk about it constantly.  This will be a big Christmas this year.  We blew our budget by a couple hundred even after each of the kids paid $100 toward their gift.  It was so hard to just give them their one big gift and nothing else.  But they are getting lots of socks and underwear filler gifts this year too.

December 15, 2013

The boys are big into basketball now.  They're doing really well.  Rachel's volleyball starts again this week. All the kids activities are fun, but it sure makes it hard to fit in lots of fun Christmas traditions. We've made fudge and christmas pretzal kisses and we went to the lights at the speedway this weekend.  But we're lucky if we get one afternoon a week when all the kids are home, and then they want to play with friends.

Aaron is doing better in lots of ways, but he still has trouble with some things.  Like helping with anything. He just doesn't do it or lies about it or falls on the floor in a fit.  He's a little addicted to the ipad and sneaks away and spends too much time playing.  He cries his head off and is going to die when he gets hurt, but only at home.  He and Danny fight a ton.  He doesn't notice other people's needs or feelings--his needs are way too big--more than other kids.

I finally got botox last week.  It seems to really be helping. Today is my first really bad headache.  I still get headaches most days, but they aren't as bad and they can be short.  It used to be that if it got really bad it would stay that way until I went to bed.

The skin on my right knee went numb about two weeks ago. It doesn't cause me any problems and I can't remember anything I could have done that would cause it. But in case this ends up being a long term thing now I'll know when it started. 

December 1, 2013

We just got back from Ryan's house for Thanksgiving.  We weren't going to go because they just had Ella on Monday, but they talked us into it.  We had a good time.  We had a great dinner and went to see Frozen on Thanksgiving.  Friday we went the the beach.  Danny had a great time fishing with Ryan. Seth loved playing Jake and the Neverland pirates on the pirate ship at the playground.  It was great weather and we all had a good time.  Saturday Ryan and Grandpa took Danny fishing again and then we went to the park and came home.

I'm mostly done with Christmas shopping.  This year Danny, Rachel and Aaron all wanted a big expensive gift.  Danny wants an xbox, Rachel wants an ipod, and Aaron wants a go kart.  They were all between $200 and $250, but we try to not spend more than $150 per kid.  So we explained that to them and they are each paying or doing jobs for $100 toward their gift.  I feel a little bad that they have to pay for their own Christmas presents, but I don't want them to be spoiled or think they can get anything they ask for, so I guess I don't feel that bad.

November 17, 2013

Last weekend we went to Visalia for Ruby's birthday. We had a great time.  We went Thursday night until Monday night.  We went to fun parks and we went to Adventureland to do the arcade and miniature golf to celebrate Danny making the varsity basketball team, and Rachel getting elected to Treasurer for student council.  We went up to Slick Rock at Three Rivers and the Reimers candy store.  And we celebrated Ruby's birthday.

I'm still working on getting my life in better order.  I think my biggest problem now is that I've planned out my days to accomplish a lot, but things happen and I'm not focusing on my scripture time as my top priority. I'm going to work more on that this week.

Bob took the three oldest up to Utah this weekend to see a BYU basketball game and football game.  They stayed at Kenton's house.  The weather was horrible for the football game it snowed slushy rain and they were freezing so they only got to stay at half the game.  But other than that they had a good time.

I stayed home with Seth and Ruby.  They were both sick all weekend. But it was nice to have a whole saturday to get things done.

November 3, 2013

I'm feeling a little swamped with kids activities.  Danny is on 2 basketball teams and finishing soccer. Rachel is doing student council and drama after school and doing volleyball.  Aaron is doing football and soon will switch to basketball and just added scouts.  And all are doing piano.  I pretty much don't plan to get anything done after the kids get home because we're in the car most of the time. 

I'm really excited about all the "hastening the work" talks and missionary work talks in conference and in our ward and stake.

I've been working on my priorities lately.  I know what I think is important and I try to schedule my days so I can be more effective.  But, even then, I was noticing that lower priority things were taking up too much time.  So I'm trying to switch my scripture reading to the morning and then using that time to help me see what I should focus on that day.  I'm still working it out, but I think it'll really help.

Aaron's tantrums were really bad this week, which is too bad because we did so many fun Halloween things. I think part of it is that he's slowly been staying up later.  So we're working on that. 

The kids had a halloween piano recital on Monday night.  They did great.  Wednesday night was our Trunk r Treat.  Bob was in charge, as the ward mission leader, so I went around with the little kids and then we handed out candy.  Thursday was Halloween and we went over to Shauna Reed's house and had pizza and then went trick or treating.  It was a huge group.  The kids had lots of fun.  Danny and Aaron were sumo wrestlers, Rachel was a crayon box, Seth was a power ranger one night and spiderman from last year one night, and Ruby was Sophia the first.

October 31, 2013

Bob gave me a blessing at the beginning of school when he did all the kids blessings.

• I'll see the effect my efforts have with the kids and that will encourage me when it's hard and I'm overwhelmed
• I'll find time for myselft and to study the scriptures and communicate through prayer
• I'll have health and find doctor to give me ideas for how to improve health - be inspired
• I'll be able to help and share the anchor of the gospel with friends and neighbors. I'll be example of gospel others are looking for.

October 27, 2013

Aaron got baptized this weekend.  My parents were the only family who could come.  They got here Friday night and took some family pictures for us.  Saturday we spent all morning at kids' sports games.  The kids loved having grandma and grandpa watch them.  We went to the baptism at 4:00.  Sandy and May came.  We just love them!  And two of Aaron's friends from church came.  Rachel gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and she did an amazing job.  It was wonderful.  Aaron said he felt so warm and happy and wanted to do it again.

Then we went home and had Jack-o-Lantern pizzas for dinner.  Then we got a babysitter for Seth and Ruby and we went to the Stratosphere Top of the World Restaurant for dessert.  We all had a great time.  We stayed long enough to make the full rotation.  We all tried new and fancy desserts.  Then we walked around and came home.  We also gave Aaron the baptism book I made and we all wrote our testimonies in.

October 22, 2013

Priorities in order

Spiritual
Family - relationships.good parenting, activities
Home jobs
Young Women
VT
Missionary work/friendships
Exercise
Me time (tv, blogs, reading)
Personal goals

October 20, 2013

The charter schools are creating a sports league.  There are 10-15 charter schools in las vegas.  They are just getting going, but they hope to be a full conference just like regular schools in 2 years. They're starting out with 6-8 grade basketball.  They had one day of tryouts last week.  There were 44 kids, and tons of really tall 8th graders.  Danny made the team! there were only 3 6th graders who made it and he is much shorter than most of the team, but we're so excited!

Ryan and Venessa, Dustin, Kristal and my parents came for Friday and Saturday of this weekend for Pumpkin Man.  Dad and Bob did the full sprint and Ryan, Dustin and I did a relay.  It was fun.  The sprint distance took me 15 minutes. Bob did great too.  His tire popped on the bike he borrowed.  But a nice man helped him fix it pretty fast.

We also celebrated Aaron's birthday.  His birthday was Saturday, the day of the race, so we celebrated more on Friday.  He took candy to school to give to the other kids.  And Bob got him donuts for breakfast.  He had spaghetti and white sauce for dinner and a Reeces ice cream cake.  And we went to the school carnival at night.  It was really fun.

October 6, 2013

We started family school this week.  I thought it was great.  We worked on manners both times and had treats both times.  I think that will be key.  They kids seemed to respond well.  I'm excited for this.

We got a kitten. I've been feeling bad that we failed at having a dog, so we thought maybe we should start with an easier pet and Rachel has been dying for a kitten, so we did it.  Her name is Cosmo and we've had her for a week.  So far it's been great.  She sleeps under the couch most of the day so I hardly see her when the kids aren't home and her mess is contained.  And the kids adore her.  And hold her most of the time they're at home.

Rachel decided she's going to run for Treasurer in her Student Council.  I'm so proud of her.  She has to write a speech and make posters.  Should be fun.  And I signed Rachel and Danny up for a field trip to AstroCamp in March.  There are only 100 students from the school going, but Danny loved Sea Camp so much I thought we'd try this one.  It's a science and leadership camp.  I'm glad the two of them get to go together.

Ruby is potty training.  My mom got her started again while she was at her house.  She said she did great there, but since she's been home, she won't poop in the toilet.  It's been two weeks now and it's getting a little frustrating.  I hope she figures it out soon.

October 2,2013

Conference.

How do I safeguard my kids against the world? What do I keep them away from? And what do I let them do even though it'll be hard? How do I get them ready for the hard stuff?

     -they must be reading scriptures, saying prayers, bearing testimony

     -I sit with them at bedtime once a week and ask them hard questions. Get them to talk. 

     -use Be Awesome more

     -maybe if we did something with their friends. So they could show their testimony and know each other knows. Make it cool to be righteous at least in front of each other. 

How do I redevelop and where do I use my leadership abilities?

     -family, school, community?

Better wife?

September 23, 2013 family school

I think I'm going to start doing "Family School" with the kids. It started when we went out to dinner with Meema and Peepa and the kids manners were not what they should be and I realized we need to teach that better. Then when we met Bob's friends and visited their farm. She was telling me about how they homeschool and how most of the kids work independently but an hour a day they do family school where she teaches them all something together. I loved that. So we're going to start doing that a couple afternoons a week. Our afternoons are a little disorganized. With homework, lessons and waiting to see if friends can play, the kids usually settle into some time wasting activity. And it's hard for me to organize the kids enough to do anything fun together and I miss that. And some things could be taught at FHE, but by the time Bob gets home and we have dinner fhe is usually only 20 minutes. So family school is going to be perfect!

Here are some of the topics I've thought of for family school. But I need to pray about it. 

Table manners

Guest manners

Poetry or quotes and recite

Read classic books together 

Art and artists

Crafts

Service

Holiday stuff

Cooking

Leadership skills

Qualities and skills they will need to serve where they are needed

Read aloud 2 Nephi 28:7–9. Spend some time memorizing 2 Nephi 28:8. You might want to write it in your scripture study journal from memory or recite it to a family member or friend. In the last days many people will teach false, vain, and foolish doctrines. In your scripture study journal, list a few ways these foolish doctrines are promoted and briefly explain how you can recognize the foolish doctrines of the world and avoid them. (Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students, 2 Nephi, Unit 8: Day 2, 2 Nephi 28)

“We stopped at a water hole to watch the animals come to drink. It was very dry that season and there was not much water, really just muddy spots. … 

“The antelope, particularly, were very nervous. They would approach the mud hole, only to turn and run away in great fright. I could see there were no lions about and asked the guide why they didn’t drink. His answer, and this is the lesson, was ‘Crocodiles.’ 

“I knew he must be joking and asked him seriously, ‘What is the problem?’ The answer again: ‘Crocodiles.’ 

“‘Nonsense,’ I said. ‘There are no crocodiles out there. Anyone can see that.’ … 

“He could tell I did not believe him and determined, I suppose, to teach me a lesson. We drove to another location where the car was on an embankment above the muddy hole where we could look down. ‘There,’ he said. ‘See for yourself.’ 

“I couldn’t see anything except the mud, a little water, and the nervous animals in the distance. Then all at once I saw it!—a large crocodile, settled in the mud, waiting for some unsuspecting animal to get thirsty enough to come for a drink. 

“Suddenly I became a believer! When he could see I was willing to listen, he continued with the lesson. ‘There are crocodiles all over the park,’ he said, ‘not just in the rivers. We don’t have any water without a crocodile somewhere near it, and you’d better count on it.’ … 

“On another trip to Africa I discussed this experience with a game ranger in another park. … 

“He then showed me a place where a tragedy had occurred. A young man from England was working in the hotel for the season. In spite of constant and repeated warnings, he went through the compound fence to check something across a shallow splash of water that didn’t cover his tennis shoes. 

“‘He wasn’t two steps in,’ the ranger said, ‘before a crocodile had him, and we could do nothing to save him’” (“Spiritual Crocodiles,” Ensign, May 1976, 30–31). 

What is the danger of doubting the existence of crocodiles when you can’t see them? How is President Packer’s and the young man’s experience like what Nephi described in 2 Nephi 28:22? 

President Packer explained: 

“Those ahead of you in life have probed about the water holes a bit and raise a voice of warning about crocodiles. Not just the big, gray lizards that can bite you to pieces, but spiritual crocodiles, infinitely more dangerous, and more deceptive and less visible, even, than those well-camouflaged reptiles of Africa. 

“These spiritual crocodiles can kill or mutilate your souls. They can destroy your peace of mind and the peace of mind of those who love you. Those are the ones to be warned against, and there is hardly a watering place in all of mortality now that is not infested with them (Book of Mormon Study Guide for Home-Study Seminary Students, 2 Nephi, Unit 8: Day 2, 2 Nephi 28)

September 22, 2013

We just finished our big trip. Rachel and I are waiting at the airport right now. It was perfect. Just the right amount of time and great weather. 

Thursday night we slept on the plane. I think I'm too old for that. I don't remember airplanes being so uncomfortable. Then we rented a car and drove 4 hours to Meema and Peepa's house. It was great to spend time with them. The kids had fun just hanging out and they loved riding skateboards on their driveway. We drove to Bob's parents' graves and all over the area their family is from. We went to church and ran into one of Bob's friends from high school. So we visited their farm that afternoon. That was interesting. They have 7 kids and she home schools them.

Monday and tuesday we picked apples and went to dinner and just hung out. I read 2 books in 2 days so I was pretty lazy. It was great. The weather was so nice and it was nice to just hang out with them. We bought their minivan. It's way nicer than if we would have gone to get one on our own. We are loving the DVD player and automatic doors and GPS and in the winter I'm sure I'm going to love the heated seats. We took the van Tuesday night and drove up to our hotel in Alexandria. 

Bob got us a great hotel with plenty of space for all of us. Wednesday we rode the metro to the national mall. We went to the National archives where they have the constitution and bill of rights. Then we went to the museum of Natural History. That one is so big and full of interesting things. It took us several hours. It was fun to think about how Heavenly Father created all of those things for us. Then we went to the Museum of American History. That one is so big too. After a full day of walking around museums we got back on the metro and went to the Nationals Ballpark and watched the nationals play the Braves. We stayed for half the game and rode the metro home. 

Thursday we drove in and went to the Capitol Building for a Nevada meet and greet with Senator Harry Reid. Then we toured the Capitol. Then we went to the Botanical museum and then to the Air and Space museum. The kids liked riding the simulator ride there and seeing how much they weigh on the moon. Aaron weighed 9 lbs. Then we went to the Jefferson monument at the end of the day. That one was a little sad for me because there were 4 quotes on the walls around  the monument and most of them talked about God and one talked about how our rights are from God and we forget that as a nation we will fail. So much of our nation seems to have forgotten God. 

Friday we went to the National Zoo. It's been a while since we've been to the zoo so that was fun. Then the kids and Bob went to the Spy museum and I went to the Newseum. They were both fairly expensive museums and we both wanted to see ours so splitting up worked great. Then we walked over to the White House and just as we got there they started clearing part of the lawn in front of it. We found out it was because President Obama was supposed to land soon. So we stayed and watched his and 2 other helicopters fly right over us and land on the White House lawn. There were men with guns on top of all the buildings around and they had another helicopter circle over the area for about 10 minutes first to make sure it was clear. We couldn't see the president get out, but it was still neat to be there. 

Saturday we went to Mt. Vernon. That was really good. They've done it so well. You really got a feel for what a good man George Washington was. We all were glad we go to go there. Then we went to Arlington National Cemetery. We watched the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. It rained on us. 

I was worried about the kids whining or having a bad attitude on this trip and about Bob getting stressed out and grumpy too. So the first night we set up a points game where if everyone had all their points there was a reward at the end of the day. It worked great. Everyone behaved really well. 

Sept 8, 2012

School is going well. It's been 2 weeks so far.  They like their teachers and we're settling in to the routine at Somerset.  The kids all have great teachers.  And it's so great that so many of their good friends switched there too.  I'm really enjoying having a routine again and getting a chance to clean the house up for a few hours a day before it's destroyed again.

Seth started preschool last week.  He loves it and he's doing so well.  It's with Miss Kathy.  Aaron and Rachel went to her too.  He definitely wasn't ready to sit and listen to a teacher last year, but this year he's enjoying doing all the fun projects and being independent.  I'm so proud of him.

And Ruby is loving her time alone.  I was worried she'd be bored without Seth, because they are such great buddies.  But she loves it.  She doesn't have to share anything.  We would play in the playroom a little together and then she was happy to play on her own too.  But the best was one day when we dropped Seth off at school and then went to the store and when we pulled into the parking lot she exclaimed "It's only me! It's only me and you!"  And she loved it.

We leave for our big trip to VA and DC late Thursday night.  Things have been a little crazy the last few weeks to get ready for it.  I had some big website projects that never got done during the summer that I need to get done.  And there are so many house things that just never got done over the summer.  But I'm finally getting on top of things and this week will still be really busy, but I think I'll get it all done and I'm excited for our trip.

My hip rotated again.  It's been so good for several years now.  But this summer I stopped swimming because it was making my headaches worse, so I was going to spinning classes 3 times a week and I think that was just too much for my hip.  I went back to the physical therapist.  He said it was rotated posteriorly if that's a word.  I think that's the way it went after I had Seth.  But it went the other way the first time I had the problem.  He said that's more rare, but easier to treat.  It's feeling a lot better already.  But at least I'm learning a lot more how it works and how to manage and hopefully prevent this when it happens.

My headaches have been really bad since school started.  Maybe it's from more stress from my extra projects.  I don't know.  It's so frustrating how it can be ok for a while and then it comes back so bad for no reason that I can see. 

Our Be Awesome theme went over really well.  We have it framed at the top of the stairs and we give an "I'm Awesome" award to one kid each week.

We also started a money system with the kids this week.  The teasing and whining had gotten a little out of control through the summer.  So I got some fake money and a bunch of candy they can buy in "the store" and we set up 3 rules.
1-Mom or dad will only say something or answer the same question 2 times
2-Do what you're supposed to without complaint
3-No teasing or fighting
They can earn 3 dollars a day if they keep all the rules.  If they break a rule they don't get a dollar.  They can buy things in the store with their money on Saturdays or they can buy computer/tv time for $1/30 minutes. 

I'm hopeful that this system will help a lot of issues.  I've also started saying prayers with Aaron again.  I just get lazy and forget how helpful that is, but then his tantrums and negative attitude get so bad I can't believe I ever stopped. 

August 22, 2013

Back to school theme: Be Awesome

This is what the kids came up with.

Who was the most awesome person to live on the earth? Jesus

Why?

Never hurt anybody
Played fair
nice
died for us
good example
obedient
perfect

What can we do this year to be awesome like him?

Be nice and kind
Love one another
Serve, help others
Pray for help
Help others to be happy
Choose good friends
Be happy
Good example
Work hard
Be a leader
Learn

August 18, 2013

We spent most of July at home.  We went to Wet n Wild once a week.  That's been really fun this summer.  And they played with friends a lot.

We went to Tahoe a few weeks ago.  We were there from Saturday until the next Monday.  It was so great to be there so long.  We got to spend Sunday through Tuesday with Amanda and her family.  We went to the lake, went the the bmx track, bike ride by the river, played at the airport, launched rockets. I love spending time with Amanda and her family.  Wednesday we went to Carson City for the day while Amanda packed for her trip.  They left Thursday morning.  We cleaned the house and went on a hike and my family came that afternoon.  Friday we took them to the lake all day.  Everyone loved it.  Saturday we went on a hike and played by a lake and went to the bmx track that night.  Sunday we played games together after church.  Then we left that night and drove to Elko where we stayed the night.  Then we drove to Utah for Trina's wedding.  We stayed at Wendy's house.  It was great to see her too.  Trina's wedding was really nice.  It was in Midway at a bed and breakfast.  It was fun that the kids could be there.  We especially liked her dragon shaped wedding cake.

One more week until school starts.  Yay. The kids are getting excited to start Somerset.  I think we have all the uniforms and school supplies ready.  I just need to work out the carpool.

July 1, 2013*

I think I'm not dealing with stress well. My headaches and breathing and sleeping are all causing problems. When I specifically prayed and worked on my breathing it got better. I really need help. My headaches are so bad and so common. I need something to change. Here's my brainstorm on what I can do differently.

• Go to bed by 10
• Limit time on computer: work 1 hour at night and no screens after 10 am.
• Morning devotional: read scriptures, ponder and plan day when I get up or after breakfast. 
• Put a few 10 minute meditation breaks into my day
• When I first notice a headache or tension, take care of it: eye drops, meditation break, stretching
• Eat healthier
• Exercise 4 days a week if possible
• Stretch before bed

July 7, 2013

Letter to Dustin:

We just got back from Utah.  A bunch of Bob’s college buddies were having a reunion. We spent Saturday with them.  We had a good time.  Bob really loves those guys and they have fun reminiscing about all the dumb stuff they did together in college.  The big shocker, though, was one of Bob’s friends got divorced.  We called them the Huxtables because she’s a lawyer and he’s a doctor.  They’re the nicest people.  They took their 2 kids and went to Africa for 3 years to do mostly volunteer work and now he works at Primary Childrens hospital and she’s a law professor at BYU.  Anyway, 3 days before Christmas she sent him an email that said she’s done being married.  He had no idea there were even any problems.  And now she’s dating a 26 yr old actor from CA, has had a bunch of plastic surgery and she wants to become an actress. So crazy.  She ran the recycling club in college. She just was not someone I’d ever think would do something like that.

And Friday night we met Bob’s sister Katrina’s fiancé.  You remember her right?  We’re so excited she’s getting married.  And he’s totally the “lid to her pot”! Have you ever talked to Katrina at all? She’s a pretty unique girl. But this guy is unique right along with her!  My favorite thing she said that night about her fiancé was “He’s extremely intelligent and he doesn’t mind that I am too!”  Isn’t that hilarious! And then the guy, Josh, trapped Bob and told him all about some kind of nuclear reactor something for at least 15 minutes. He asked Bob if he wanted him to explain the reactor thing and Bob said no that’s ok, but then Josh said “come on, it’s not that hard to understand.” And then went on about it.  It’s so great people like that can find each other!

We were supposed to get together with Casey too while we were there, but Kami had family come in too so they hung out with them instead.

-----------------

I went to girls camp this week.  I only went for 2 days and 2 nights because I split the week with another leader.  That was a great amount of time at girls camp! It was a good time.  So testimony-building for the girls.  And there was a fire up there in the next canyon all week we were there, but we didn't smell smoke or anything.  But we came home 4th of July morning and by that afternoon the fire had jumped canyons and they were evacuating the mountain.  Now they won't have girls camp up there for at least the next 2 weeks.

On the 4th, I got home from camp that morning.  I packed and got ready for our trip to Utah and then that night we had the Gunnels over to swim and bbq.  Then the Pettingills and Harmons came over too for fireworks.  It was really nice.

June 30, 2013

It's our 12 year anniversary today.  We celebrated by staying at the JW marriot.  We had Lexi babysit. That worked out great. We went to the cheesecake factory for dinner then checked into our hotel. Then we did the helicopter tour Bob got for fathers day.  It was fun.  Saturday we slept in then had lunch at Claim Jumper, then went to Fry's electronics.  Bob's been wanting a speaker receiver or something for our tv for a while, so he got that.  Then we went to the Temple.  It was nice and relaxing.

June 23, 2013

I had a neat experience with Aaron this week.  It was a tender mercy.  We went to the water slides for the first time this week.  We went with the Deans.  The 3 older kids paired up with a Dean and they rode the rides together.  I was a little worried about Aaron and Cannon since their not as old as the others, but we let them go.  I stayed with Ruby and Seth all day and Ruby didn't love it.  So it was kind of hard to keep her happy so we could stay and let the other kids enjoy it.  We got on the lazy river after lunch and the both liked it, so we stayed a long time.  By the time we got out I realized I hadn't seen Aaron for a few hours.  I was watching Seth and Ruby in the wave pool by now and I started getting worried.  I knew I couldn't get the kids out and go look for Aaron around the park without crying and whining and having to carry them at this point.  So I just watched them and prayed and prayed.  I knew Heavenly Father knew where Aaron was and I knew He could send the Holy Ghost to Aaron if I asked.  So I asked Him to tell Aaron to come check in with me.  I asked over and over and kept watched for 10 or 15 minutes.  Then Aaron showed up to check in.  I was relieved and thankful and recognized it as a tender mercy.  But it wasn't until I talked to Aaron about it later that I was really amazed.  I told Aaron and he said he had been in line for what he thought was 30 minutes.  It was the really crowded part of the day so you have to wait in a long line to get a tube and then you wait in another line to go on the slide.  He'd waiting through the whole first line and was about to get his tube, when he felt he need to check in. So he left the line he'd been waiting in and followed the prompting to come see me.  It was such a tender mercy.

Our first full week of summer break at home went pretty well.  Seth finished swimming lessons and is swimming all over the pool.  The kids played with friends a lot.  Aaron and Rachel both set up play dates with kids from school.  Aaron picked a boy who is in the San Destin ward.  I'm so glad they got together.  They played so great.  Aaron is a hard one to match with friends.  He seems to more tolerate his regular friends than really enjoy playing with them.  But this friend, Jack Monson, was like his bosom buddy.  They were so fun to see together.  Hopefully they'll get to play together a lot this summer.

June 20, 2013

I'm working on the home-study seminary manual for my scripture study. At the end of 1nephi 1 nephi talks about tender mercies. The lessons asks you to write some of the tender mercies you've experienced. So here are some I can think of. I hope thinking about this will help me recognize more of them in my life.

• We were able to buy this amazing house
• We've been able to make enough money to pay for both houses and still be comfortable
• I knew the car wasn't going to stop at the 4 way stop so I waited for it. This happened right after Nicole Boyd shared an experience where she had a similar experience but she heard words tell her the car wouldn't stop. I didn't hear any words. I just peacefully knew what would happen. This is one of the more common ways the Holy Ghost speaks to me. 
• Our friendship with the deans and how all our kids have someone to play with
• 
  

June 19, 2013

• Kids testimonies 
• -teach them my lesson about the Holy Ghost
• Help them recognize and explain how it feels

• YW
• Change class presidency? Isabelle. How will that affect older girls?
• Caylee, Lecates Bridget jasmine delaney. All worry me. 
•      Need to strengthen them and help them see their good traits
• 
  

June 9, 2013

We're in Visalia.  School got out on Wednesday.  Danny is now a middle schooler.  They had a big program on the last day of school.  He's so big. We had the deans and a few families over to swim after school on Wednesday.  Then Thursday we left for Visalia.  Bob came with us and he flies home tonight.  On Friday we swam at the neighbors house, went to Bravo Farms and a Mexican street fair in Lindsay.  Saturday Bob took Rachel, Danny and Seth and they picked blueberries.  We swam again and went out to dinner. 

For the rest of the week we don't have too many plans.  Danny really wants to go fishing.  I'm looking forward to being lazy.

May 30, 2013

letter to Dustin:

So what’s up? We’re just counting down until summer break.  The kids have 3 ½ days left.  And this Saturday is their last games.  Danny is playing basketball, Rachel volleyball and Aaron soccer.  They’ve had fun, but it’ll be nice not to have to go to practices and games all the time.  Seth turns 5 in January.  That’s usually when we start the kids in soccer.  And I want to start Ruby in Dance lessons about the same time.  Then we’ll really be crazy busy.  Did you do soccer like Ryan and Casey? I can’t remember what sports you did.

We’re putting a basketball hoop in the front corner of our yard.  We’ve been planning on it for a long time, but Bob keeps thinking he’ll level out the ground for it.  But he never does.  So he finally decided to just pay the guy who is going to pave it to also get it all ready first.  I was so excited it was finally going to happen, but it turns out the guy is going on vacation for most of June.  So we’re still waiting.  That guy is sure going to be hot working in our backyard in July!

Are you still working for dad and trading?  We’re coming next Thursday. I think we’re going to 3 rivers one of the days that weekend while Bob is still here. You can come if you want.  Bob’s just staying until Sunday but the rest of us are staying until Friday.

May 26, 2013

Danny is so into his clothes.  We found these addidas high tops that he had to have.  They were regularly $100 but he found them on sale for $70 and really wanted them even if he had to pay for them. The I found some similar ones when I was shopping for $45. I thought we could substitute those, but he wants them too.  It's so cute how he cares so much what he looks like.

I think I'm going to find another counselor to go to with Aaron.  He's great at school and church, but at home he's still going crazy.  I don't want to be miserable this summer and I don't want him to ruin his relationships with his siblings. And I'm so burnt out on his tantrums that I don't have enough patience with him.  Hopefully we can find someone who can help us.

Ruby is "feisty". That's what the nursery leaders tell us every week.  Sadly, it's not a good feisty.  She's my first one to have to have the no hitting talk before nursery every week.  Seth never used to hit or be mean, but he's learned to fight more now that Ruby fights with him. She's so cute and tiny, but when she is treated unfairly or sees someone else treated unfairly, she hits or pushes to try to fix things.  Hopefully she'll grow out of it before she is labeled a bully.  And at least she's small so she's not as strong.

May 19, 2013

Bribes didn't work.  I'm going to wait a few months to try potty training Ruby again. 

I was reading a talk on Revelation by Bednar last night.  The one about light.  And as I was reading it I had the thought that I need to start communicating with Dustin.  So I sent him an email.  I can't imagine he'll write me back, actually I don't even know if he'll read the whole thing.  But I think I'll try to send him an email every couple weeks and see how that goes.

Here's today's email:

Did you hear there were fires right by Ryan’s house? I just saw it on facebook, but it was so close to Jeremy’s school they had to go pick him up early.  I made ginger crinkles today. Do you like those? I think I’ve made them before, but it must have been a long time ago because my kids didn’t remember them.  They all liked them pretty well.

We have 2 ½ weeks left of school.  Then everything gets crazy. It’s so hard sometimes to entertain 5 kids all day. I’m trying to psyche myself up for it.  We’re coming to mom’s on June 7^th for a week.  We’ve come right after school gets out for the last 2 or 3 years so it’s kind of becoming a tradition.  That’s been when all those frogs are all over the place down the street from mom’s.  My kids love that.  Hopefully the frogs will cooperate and be there again this year.  Las Vegas is getting a water slide park this year.  It’s crazy a hot place like this hasn’t had one.  We bought season passes to keep us entertained.  But now I’m getting worried that that is all of Las Vegas’s plans for the summer because everyone I talk to has bought season passes.  Hopefully it’s not way to crowded.

Bob and I are going on a helicopter tour of Las Vegas at night for our anniversary in a couple weeks.  Bob’s always wanted to do that.

May 12, 2013

It's Mother's Day.  Bob took me to see Romeo and Juliet at the Ballet last night.  It was great.  Then he made breakfast today and the kids all made the sweetest cards. And Bob gave me Linda's ipad. We went for a walk and had a good time together.

I'm going to try potty training with Ruby again this week.  I bought lots of bribes this time.  Hopefully that'll work.

May 5, 2013

We went on our big trip.  We had a great time.  We stayed in a hotel across the street from disneyland Wednesday night.  We got two rooms.  Thursday the park opened at 10.  It was really nice to walk into disneyland instead of riding the tram from the parking lot with all the crowds.  The weather was warm, but not too bad.  We all had a great time.  Seth was brave about all the rides. He even rode splash mountain and liked it. And he loved Buzz Lightyear; we rode it three times.  Ruby was great too. She took a 2 hour nap in the stroller in the afternoon.  We watched the parade at 7 and then it closed at 8.  We didn't wait longer than 25 minutes for any of the rides.  It was a really fun day.

We stayed at Ryan's that night and went to Magic Mountain on Friday.  It opened at 10:30.  It wasn't crowded at all. The longest we waited for anything was 5 minutes, except for a couple rides that took longer because they broke down while we were in line. Everyone loved all the roller coasters.  Seth rode anything he was tall enough for and loved it.  Danny, Rachel and Aaron all rode the big roller coasters. Their favorite was Goliath. It was fun to watch their different reactions.  Danny was pretty freaked out before the rides, but he couldn't back down if the other kids were riding.  Rachel was totally excited for everything.  Aaron was pretty even.  He said he wasn't freaked out and I think he really wasn't.  They all loved it when they were done. Ryan and Venessa and their kids and Mom and Dad came with us.

Saturday was a kids fishing day at their lake.  Our kids loved it even though they didn't catch anything.  Then we went to the beach.  We had a great time.  It was great weather to sit on the beach and watch.  The water was a little too cold for boogie boarding, but the splashed around a lot, and found lots of shells and sand crabs.  Danny caught 2 surf perch with Ryan's fishing pole.  He was pretty excited about that. Bob took the 3 oldest to the NCAA volleyball championship that night. BYU was playing in it and it was at UCLA.

Now back to regular school life.  One month left of school.  May is always busy.